Basic Skills:
1. Teaching Preskills
2. Selecting and Sequencing Examples
3. Introducing New Skills
4. Providing Direct Instruction, Practice and Review
Subject area content
1. Activating Background Knowledge
2. Organizing content
3. Teaching Terms
4. Communicating Clearly
It is often hard to meet the needs of all students when designing practice activities because every student has different needs. Listed below are adjustments that can be made to meet the needs of students with special needs.Adjusting seatwork assignments:Verbally present the tasks. adjust directions or verbally read them out.Practice examples with the whole class and/or small group before assigning independent work.Write alternative sets of direction.Highlight the important words in directions.Use peer tutoring.Adjusting homework assignments- Ask yourself these questions:What skill demands does the assignment require. Is the student capable of meeting these skills?What background knowledge does the assignment require? Does the student have the required background knowledgeDoes the assignment include lots of practice on few skills rather then little on a lot of skills?Is the purpose of the assignment clear to students?Are clear, written directions provided for how to complete the assignment?Is the student given enough time to complete the assignment?
Students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities often times are unable to perform every day tasks that students without disabilities are able to. It is important we make modifications for these students so that they are able to meet the same curricular standards. One way to do this is by modifying materials and activities by conducting an environmental inventory. Also, make sure that modifications made match the students' IEP.
Parental involvement with students with disabilities is important because they often need help with homework at home and repetition of skills learned. Contacts with parents about homework can be increased through parent-teacher conferences, this can also be done through email. Involve the parents by creating checklists, newsletters, notes, phones calls, and/or discussion groups. Have parents teach the student skills and concepts that are on the students level. Limit the amount of time parents tutor to 15 min in grades up to six.