Inclusive Classroom Strategies 1

Problem: teaching children to keyboard (for students with poor handwriting or students who have motor deficits).

I have 3 students who really need to learn how to type. After 2 months of using a computer program and 4 more months of follow-up, the fastest of the 3 can only type 4 wpm (ugh!). So, last week, I put stickers on the alphabetic keys of the keyboard. Now students have to touchtype (typing without looking). The output on the computer screen tells them if they are right or wrong. Don't just put kids in front of a keyboard without some typing instruction first. This strategy can be done in the inclusive classroom, and non-SPED kids will benefit from the intervention as well.

Problem: trouble with spelling

I let kids move while they spell words aloud. First, I write the word on a sheet of white paper and tape it on the wall. Then they stand in front of it and jump on the trampoline or toss a ball in the air while they spell each letter. When they reach the last letter, they have to do something special at the end of each spelling (like clap, pause, etc) to signify that is the end of the word, then they start again. This can be shown to all kids in the inclusive classroom. You can designate a place for kinesthetic activities like this one, and when you really want a kid to learn how to spell a word, instruct them to visit that area for 5 minutes. I have had amazing success with this approach! Today, I did this with three students who learned two new words each, then ended with a "spelling bee." They said it was fun and asked to keep going.

Please share your own ideas. How can we include special education students in the classroom?