Implementing the INCLUDE Strategy

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Implementing the INCLUDE Strategy Introduction: Effective teachers evaluate their classroom environment in comparison to their students’ academic, functional, behavior and social needs. After taking this into consideration, the teacher should make appropriate accommodations and/or modifications to ensure all student success in the classroom. Despite a teacher’s highest expectation for students, students who require a more individualized approach will always be of concern. The INCLUDE strategy is provided for these students who require an individualized approach. INCLUDE allows teachers a strategy for making adaptations or accommodations based on individual student needs, along with the teacher’s expectations in the classroom. (Friend & Bursuck, 2006) The INCLUDE strategy is based on the theory that what takes place in a classroom can either lessen the impact of student learning or increase it, making adaptations necessary to change, or modify student learning behavior. By evaluating a student’s learning needs and styles, and the demands of the classroom environment, a teacher can accommodate most students with special needs in their classrooms. (Friend & Bursuck, 2006) The INCLUDE strategy contains components of both universal design and differentiated Instruction. These two strategies are approaches that address classroom diversity in general education settings, and inclusion classroom settings. The idea of UDL is that instructional lessons, strategies, and assessments are planned with supports, which are more likely to be well-suited for students with special needs. The supports minimize the need for adaptations at a later time. Properly designed classrooms require fewer adaptations for students with special needs, is an ass... ... middle of paper ... ...(Friend & Bursuck, 2006) In the past, Sam’s family has not been very supportive. However we know that parental feedback can greatly help assess a strategy that has been trialed with a student. By getting Sam’s parents on board with monitoring his academic and social behavior, the teacher can thoroughly assess Sam’ progress and the effectiveness of the introduced strategies, with their feedback. Conclusion Effective practices such as INCLUDE, allows teachers to accommodate more diversity in their classrooms. When teachers have the mindset of accommodating their classrooms, they reduce the need for making more individualized adaptations, unless necessary for particular students. The most important aspects to maintaining an orderly and effective classroom environment are organization, grouping, instructional materials, and strategies to promote successful students.

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