The social curriculum conveys the values, belief systems, and expectations of behavior in school. It is just as important as the academic curriculum, but is often “hidden” for children with learning challenges. Here you’ll find some effective strategies to intentionally facilitate social inclusion in your classroom and school-wide.
In an inclusive class, plans must be responsive to students with learning differences, physical challenges, or social/emotional needs. An expert in inclusion shares some of her successful classroom management ideas, including use of color coding, student planners, and the morning “sponge.”
Building social-emotional learning (SEL) skills at home and in school is important for children’s social, emotional, and academic well-being. This article busts some myths about SEL, including this one: social-emotional skills aren’t as important as “hard skills.”
Find out what to look for in a classroom that supports inclusion. Features include how the students are grouped, social skills programs, and use of multi-modal learning aids and assistive technology.
Strong social skills are essential for success in life. Discover nine ways to create a more inclusive classroom and support social skill development in your students.
Special literacy events and celebrations can be a great way to get kids excited about books and reading. But for kids who struggle with reading, these kinds of events can challenge their self-confidence. Here are 15 strategies to help you plan a successful, joyful reading event for all kinds of readers and learners.
Inferential comprehension requires both emotional intelligence and cognitive skills, however instructional comprehension strategies typically underemphasize the emotional contribution. This article documents an intervention used by diverse third grade students which centers on teaching story comprehension through character perspective-taking (i.e., Theory of Mind).
Brain breaks are quick, structured breaks using physical movement, mindfulness exercises, or sensory activities. Learn how to use this strategy andwhy it works, and see it in action. A printable “brain break” bank is also provided.
The leap from kindergarten to first grade is a big one, bringing new routines, expectations, and classroom schedules. Find practical tips on how to support your child in making a smooth transition to first grade.
Learn how families can support their children’s social-emotional health and find support resources in their home languages. This tip sheet is available in 16 languages.
Discover 10 ways that schools can create a culture of inclusion for school activities that take place outside of the regular curriculum, including science fairs, school plays, choir, band, sports, and more.
Being involved in your child’s education can make a big difference with academics, motivation, and enjoying school. Consider trying a few of these tips to keep the connection strong.
Using nonverbal signals — also called silent signals — is an effective way to foster communication while limiting interruptions during instruction. Learn how to use this strategy and why it works, and see it in action.
Positive behavior strategies (PBS) are research-based approaches to changing challenging student behavior. In this overview, you’ll find out what PBS looks like in the classroom and how to put it into practice. You’ll also learn how families can support PBS at home.
Pre-correcting and prompting remind students of behavior expectations before potential behavior problems occur. Learn how to use this behavior strategy in your classroom, using gestures, visual or verbal cues and supports, or modeling.
Go on a “Wild Thing” reading adventure! Teachers can support reading together at home with our reading adventure packs — designed to encourage hands-on fun and learning centered around paired fiction and nonfiction books. (Recommended level: kindergarten)
Respectful redirection is a quick, in-the-moment classroom strategy to give corrective, clear feedback to students in a neutral way. Learn how to use this strategy, why it works, and see it in action.
Share these six social-emotional learning activities with your students’ families. Activities include a growth mindset action plan, a strengths chain, and an accomplishment box. Downloadables are available in English and Spanish.
In preschool, your child will learn many types of skills. Reading books together in which the characters are going through the same thing can also help your preschooler develop these important skills. Here are four recommended books to try.
Award-winning author of acclaimed middle-grade novels Sally J. Pla talks (The Someday Birds) about how her own autism informs the characters and stories she writes.
Discover five key facts about social and emotional learning. A systemic and strengths-based approach to SEL can bolster academic achievement and give students opportunities to build on their unique talents, interests, perspectives, and experiences.
The when-then strategy helps nudge students toward appropriate behaviors. You explain clearly what you expect — and the positive outcome that will result. Learn how to use when-then sentences (a printable template is provided).
Occupational therapist Roger Ideishi shares his strategies for providing supportive environments in the general education classroom for children with autism. You’ll also learn about Ideishi’s innovative ideas for collaborating with museums, performing arts spaces, and other cultural institutions to make them more accessible and welcoming for children with diverse sensory and cognitive abilities.
