Spotlight on Special Education

Let’s talk about instruction!  How can we Diagnose, Design and Deliver our instruction for the greatest impact for our students? Remember back to the last blog post when we introduced “collaboration,” let’s build on that and now add “instruction.” (Go back and learn more here!)

 “the process begins with well designed instruction.”

HLP #11: Identify and prioritize long-and short-term learning goals.

• Do you know what the grade level standards and learning progressions are for each subject area?

• How can you use the student’s current assessment data to determine where to start?

• How do you prioritize the student’s learning and goals?

• How can you design the students IEP goals to reflect short and long term learning?

• Can you identify the essential skills and foundational knowledge necessary to meet the core standards?

HLP #12: Systematically design instruction toward a specific learning goal.

Be thoughtful with both planning and delivery of instruction.

• Sequence lessons that build on each other.

• Make connections explicit in both planning and delivery.

• Focus on foundational skills to build new learning on.

• Pacing - Slowing down student learning only creates a larger gap.  Keep a brisk pace, ensure you plan your lesson targeting the skills necessary for the student needs.

• Use data to make changes throughout the sequence of instruction.

HLP #13: Adapt curriculum tasks and materials for specific learning goals.

Think about how you can adapt materials and tasks so that students can meet instructional goals. This can be done through differentiating for learning needs, considering accommodations or program modifications. Ideas could be:

• Assignment Chunking

• Changing directions

• Highlighting important/relevant information

• Making substitutions for text material (Audio/Adult Reader/Student reads it aloud)

• Simplifying texts (outlines, summaries)

• Study guides, Guided Notes, Graphic Organizers, Mnemonics

*Additional Resources can be found here:  https://highleveragepractices.org

Join us! November 19th 3:30-4:30 via Zoom https://aea1.zoom.us/j/97476825397 for more in depth conversations with teachers from across Keystone!