Inclusion

Co-TeachingThe Power of Two...

The Reality…Following the Philosophy

PRESENTERS

• Robin Frederick: 7th grade intervention specialist/DH

• Loretta Fansler: 7th grade intervention specialist/LD

• Brad Fuhrer: 7th grade social studies & all around nice guy

Tiffin, Ohio

Tiffin

“The Education Community”

Tiffin Middle School• 6th,7th & 8th grades• 2 teams, each grade• Total population- 734• Special needs

students- 115• Programs: LD, DH,

& SBH• Cross-categorical:

TBI, HI, OHI, tourettes, autism, etc,...

History of Co-teaching at TMS• 1993- Reorganized to a Middle School• 1993- Inclusion of DH students in Ohio

History & Health (LD students mainstreamed)

• 1994- Inclusion of LD students in Civics• 1996-Block scheduling which allowed

common planning time• 1996- Inclusion of LD students in Math• 1998- Inclusion of DH students in Science• 2002- Lack of funds, schedule flexibility...

History Continued...

• 2003- no team planning• 2004- still no team planning, damn it!• 2005- inclusion in:

– social studies– science– math

“Our fearless leader”

I can’t takeit anymore!

We love our jobs!

Co-Teaching Before After

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are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aPhoto - JPEG decompressor

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Before AfterCo-Teaching

InclusionTraditional & Co-Teaching

• LD mainstreamed,

serviced in Resource

room

• No modified tests &

worksheets

• More discipline problems

• More classroom

management problems

• Lower success rate

• Students serviced in the

classroom

• Modified tests &

worksheets

• Fewer discipline problems

• Fewer classroom

management problems

• Higher success rates for all

students

Inclusion Philosophy Vs. Reality

• All students should have

the opportunity to learn

in the mainstream with

specialized services

provided

• Inclusion: meeting needs

of all students in the

classroom with in class

support

• Can they? Not without a lot

of work! Modify, adapt,

modify, adapt and then do it

some more!

• Yes, two heads are better

than one!

Inclusion Philosophy Vs. Reality

• Collaboration: teachers, students, parents, administrators

• Belief that students with disabilities should be integrated into the mainstream whether or not they can meet traditional curricular standards

• Ha! Ha!

• Not all staff members

will support inclusion or

team teaching

Inclusion Philosophy Vs. Reality

• Teacher planning, collaboration, and training is necessary for success

• Just do it!

Volunteers Needed:

• General Education Teachers• Special Education Teachers

Qualifications

• Risk taker• Open to suggestions• Open to criticism• Student advocate• Flexible

Types of Teaching

• Reverse Inclusion• One teach, One drift• Diversified study time• Classroom consistency• Preparation on demand• Interactive teaching• Humor in the classroom• Break away

Strategies & Ideas• Whip around• Fact of the day• Technology (smartboard, powerpoint, phonic

ear)• Folders• Study guides• Adapted/modified tests, worksheets• Community/school projects (friendly

competitions between homerooms)• Incentive programs (TEAM TMS, Blue Crew

Bucks, Stamps, Lunch Bunch, Student of the Month , the Month of Manners, bug roll)

More Strategies & Ideas

• Think write• Happy grams• Case managing• Skim & Shift• Books on tape• Class room starters• Question of the week

Even More Strategies & Ideas

• Tag Team reading• Word of the Day• Lame Games• Color Overlays• Slantboards

Are Two Heads Better Than One?

Let’s Ask the Experts

Survey says...

• Do you get more help when there are 2 teachers in the room?

• Do you behave differently when there are 2 teachers in the room?

• Do you ask more questions when there are 2 teachers in the room?

• Do you get better grades in the inclusion classes than the other classes?

Yes No

89% 11%

34% 66%

44% 56%

74% 26%

More Survey Results...

• Do you do a better job on your homework in your inclusion classes?

• Do you answer more questions in your inclusion classes?

• Do you pay closer attention to the teacher in your inclusion classes?

• Do you wish all of your classes could be inclusion classes?

Yes No

77% 23%

49% 51%

72% 28%

70% 30%

Student Benefits

• Increased homework completion rate• More opportunity for teacher contact throughout

the day• Opportunity to respond increases• More students get assistance• Seeking assistance is commonplace• Helps students build relationships with teachers

More Student Benefits

• Learning modes are more easily accommodated• Opportunity for individual, small group or large

group instruction• Daily work habits are reinforced and monitored

(KST)• Social acceptance• Conducive to parent support

Teacher Benefits

• Not isolated (no man is an island)• Fun• Brainstorming• Parent conferences are more effective• Share and learn expertise and strategies• More innovation (Ruts-R-Us no more!)• Fewer discipline problems• Incidental collaboration

More Teaching Benefits

• Teacher chores are shared• Shared accountability• Change of routine due to teacher absence is kept

to a minimum

In conclusion...

Teaching is the profession that makes all other professions possible.

Thank you for attending our presentation.