Building Caring School Communities Inclusive of Diverse Learners
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Susan Fitzell
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Inclusion Resources Page
Acceleration Centers TM & Flexible Grouping
Acceleration Center Concept Map
If you've attended either my Flexible Groups and Acceleration Center TM workshop, or my Co-teaching workshop, or you have my book, Co-Teaching in the General Classroom,you'll appreciate the visual that teachers at my workshop created!
Acceleration Center Goal Charts
Fitzell Acceleration Center Goal Chart Samples
Secondary Fitzell Acceleration Center TM Goal Chart Samples
Sample goal charts for Fitzell Acceleration CentersTM
Additional Online Resources
Inclusion URLs
Click here to find websites that support teachers in their work. Bold links are my favorites and the links that offer teachers multiple tools and supports. Links are categorized to make your search easy.
Updated Weblinks from Susan's Books: 2008-2009
These are online resources that support the work of educators. They are referenced in Susan's books, "Special Needs in the General Classroom" a.k.a."Successful Inclusion Strategies and Techniques" and
Assistive Technology Sources
Browse Aloud Text Help
Browsealoud will read websites out to you and highlight words as they are read out.
Autism Spectrum Disorders & OCD
Autism study offers hope: Disorder may be found in children 14 months old
This is a very significant study which speaks to the importance of early intervention ... before a child's development gets too far off course.
When Worry Hijacks the Brain By Jeffrey Kluger -- OCD
"Everyone has intrusive thoughts, but most people consider them meaningless and can move on with their lives," says psychologist Sabine Wilhelm, associate professor at the Harvard Medical School and
Behavioral Optometry
Behavioral Optometry
The OEP is dedicated to providing information on vision.
http://www.pave-eye.com/vision/
Parents Active for Vision Education (P.A.V.E.®) is a national non-profit education, resource and support organization whose mission is to raise public awareness of the crucial relationship between vision and achievement.
Vision and Autism
Vision problems are very common in individuals with autism. Symptoms of autism may include visual components such as lack of eye contact, starring at light or spinning objects, fleeting peripheral glances, side viewing and difficulty attending visually.
Vision Issues Resource
The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, International (NORA) is a group of committed individuals from various disciplines focused on advancing the art and science of rehabilitation for the neurologically challenged patient. Type vision in the search box and hit return.
Bilingual, EOL, Multicultural, etc
Article 1
The Roles of Bilingual Special Educators in Creating Inclusive Classrooms
Article 2
Effective Literacy Instruction for Latino Students Receiving Special Education Services.
Article 3
What We Know About Effective Instructional Practices for English- Language Learners.
Article 4
Effective instruction for second language learners: what tutors must know.
Article 5
Teaching science: meeting the academic needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students.
Article 6
Bilingual Learners and Special Education
Article 7
Effective Instruction for Language Minority Children with Mild Disabilities
Article 8
Bilingual Special Education
Article 9
Preventing Inappropriate Referrals of Language Minority Students to Special Education
Differentiated Instruction: Tiered Lesson Plan Samples
A Good Selection of Tiered Lesson Plan Samples
Tiered Curriculum Project.
Sample lesson plans are available for K-12 grade levels in science, math and langage arts/English.
Tiered Lesson Plan Sample
Tiered Lesson Plan: Causes of the Civil War
Differentiating Instruction, IEP Adaptations & Gifted Strategies
30 Strategies that we learned this morning
If you attended Susan's seminar, "Successful Inclusion Strategies and Techniques for Differentiating Instruction" also known as "Special Needs in the General Classroom: Strategies that Make it Work", this is the list of strategies from the morning session.
Adaptation/Modification Chart - Adobe PDF format
Use this chart to track I.E.P. accommodations for several students in one class --on one page!
Adaptation/Modification Chart - MS Word format
Use this chart to track I.E.P. accommodations for several students in one class --on one page!
Adaptation/Modification Chart by Tedeschi
Use this chart to track I.E.P. accommodations for several students in one class --on one page!
Brain Based Factors that Influence Attention for Learning, Slide 1
Brain Based Factors that Influence Attention for Learning, Slide 2
Curriculum Compacting
Curriculum Compacting: A Systematic Procedure for Modifying the Curriculum for Above Average Ability Students
Curriculum Compacting - Tools for Schools
What it is, how it works, what it costs, in a nutshell.
Designing Accessible Teaching Materials
In this article the authors briefly examine some of the issues relevant to course designers and describe some of the methods that will be useful in designing accessible course materials.
Differentiating Instruction w/ Technology Webquest
The premise of this activity is one that is seldom represented in the mainstream literature on differentiated instruction – that differentiation is easier when technology is brought into the equation,
Difficulties and Possible Adaptations
This is a one page list of learning problems/differences with possible accommodations/solutions for those difficulties.
Flexible Grouping
Teachers are discovering that informally grouping and regrouping students in a variety of ways throughout the school day can make a teacher's job easier and students more productive. This teaching str
History: Resume ? Example of Grading Criteria and Clear Expectations
This is an example of a grading adaption geared towards motivating students to do a more complete job on assignments. Break down assignments into sections and assign point values to those sections. Students are instructed to earn their grade by completing all the sections and earning all the points.
Instructional Accommodations: Definitions
What is the difference between an accommodation, adaptation and a modification? Click here for the answer.
Poster: Who Can Help Audio Tape
Suggests people who may be able to support building an audio book, audio handout and audio library of materials used in the classroom. Audio taped materials support students with reading difficulties.
Specific Content Area Adaptations
What subject do you teach? This download lists strategies to differentiate instruction and accommodate different learning and intelligence styles by SUBJECT AREA! Look up your subject and choose strategies that meet students learning needs.
The Power of Color on the Brain
How does color affect the brain? This full color download lists how the brain reacts to color based on available brain research.
Web Quests
A real WebQuest is wrapped around a doable and interesting task that is ideally a scaled down version of things that adults do as citizens or workers. requires higher level thinking, not simply summ
Famous People Activity
An Activity that Fosters Understanding of Learning Differences
This activity demonstrates how there are successful people with learning differences/disabilities. Use it to start a professional dialogue about Inclusion/differentiated instruction, or a dialogue that fosters understanding with students in the inclusive classroom.
Pictures
Pictures with Answers
Pictures with Stories
Google Analytics
Grading
Accommodation Strategies
SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS Price, Mayfield, McFadden, and Marsh This aritcle describes specific classroom accommodations for different kinds of disabilities.
Assessment Tool Kit
Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Students with Disabilities
Grading and Fairness
WILLIAM D. BURSUCK, DENNIS D. MUNK, AND MARY M. OLSON, The Fairness of Report Card Grading Adaptations: What Do Students With and Without Learning Disabilities Think?, Remedial & Special Education, 1 Mar 1999.
Grading in the Diverse Classroom - Presentation Outline
This is the presentation outline for Susan Fitzell's in-service workshop: Grading in the Diverse Classroom: What’s Fair?
Grading Students with Special Needs in the General Classroom
Guidelines for when accommodations, adaptations and modifications should impact grades and when they should not. Grading students in the inclusion setting has civil rights ramifications.
Grading, Awarding Credit, and Graduation for Students with Disabilities
Grading, Awarding Credit, and Graduation For Students with Disabilities from the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Special Education Compliance Section. This newsletter provides some valuable information and insights on the issues of Grading in the inclusive classroom.
Homework Rubrics
Three Rubrics for grading homework developed at Susan Fitzell's "Homework" workshop. These are Rubrics developed by teachers for teachers.
Individualized Grading in Inclusive Classrooms
Individualized Report Card Grading for Inclusive Classrooms Diana Lawrence-Brown Grading in inclusive classrooms is an issue that all collaborative teams for inclusion must face sooner or later. Traditional grading systems may not accurately report progress ...read more
Levels of Service
What is the difference between accommodations, adaptations and modifications in the inclusive classroom? Which of these three can impact how we grade students. Which should not affect grades? Read more...
National Center on Educational Outcomes
For articles on Grading in the Inclusive classroom, type "grading" in the search box and press go. You will retrieve links to current articles on grading students with learning disabilities in the classroom.
Q&A on Modified Grading and Report Cards (February 16, 2001)
Technical support on the topics of: Grading, Awarding Credit, and Graduation For Students with Disabilities
Report Card Grading Adaptations for Students with Disabilities
DENNIS D. MUNK AND WILLIAM D. BURSUCK, Report Card Grading Adaptations for Students with Disabilities: Types and Acceptability, Intervention in School & Clinic, 1 May 1998
Rubrics
Teacher Helpers: Assessment and Rubric information
Use of Accommodations in State Assessments
Use of Accommodations in State Assessments: What Databases Tell Us About Differential Levels of Use and How to Document the Use of Accommodations, NCEO Technical Report 30, Published by the National Center on Educational Outcomes
IEP Profiles
IEP Profile #1
IEP Profile #2
IEP Profile #3
IEP Profile #4
IEP Profile #5
Inclusion, Co-teaching & Collaboration Tools and Resources
Bright Ideas from Susan's Seminar "Co-teaching & Collaboration"
If you've attended Susan's co-teaching seminar, you've been introduced to the "Bright Ideas" that can make the co-taught class successful. Here are copies of the slides of those Bright Ideas!
Co-teaching Lesson Plan
Use this simple lesson plan form to communicate with your co-teacher through the planning process. The simple structure facilitates successful lesson planning.
Current Event Form/ Book Report Forms
These forms were created to provide the lines and space as well as structure for students to be successful with current event and book report assignments. These forms are referenced in Susan Fitzell's
Life History of Stars Concept Map
Concept Map visually depicts the basics of the life history of stars.
Middle School Inclusion Model
This is a visual of how a middle school might organize the structure of the inclusion model. Please email Susan for more information.
Project Planning Chart
This chart helps students to plan ahead for a project. Provides the structure.
Request for Update on Student; From Special Ed Teacher to General Ed Teacher
Editable version of a letter that is sent to general education teachers to gain information about how a student on an I.E.P. is progressing in that class. Excerpted from, "Special Needs in the General Classroom: Strategies that Make it Work" By Susan Fitzell. For more information click on books in the sidebar.
Special Ed to Regular Ed Progress Report Form Letter: Individual
Editable version of a detailed, full-page letter that is sent to general education teachers to gain information about how a student on an I.E.P. is progressing in that class. Excerpted from, "Special Needs in the General Classroom: Strategies that Make it Work" By Susan Fitzell. For more information click on books in the sidebar.
Special Ed to Regular Ed Progress Report Form Letter: Whole Class
Editable version of a one page grid that is sent to general education teachers to gain information about several students on I.E.P.s are progressing in that class. Excerpted from, "Special Needs in the General Classroom: Strategies that Make it Work" By Susan Fitzell. For more information click on books in the sidebar.
Specialist Notice to Student
Editable sample of a letter that is given to students on an I.E.P. to encourage self-advocacy and accountability. Excerpted from, "Special Needs in the General Classroom: Strategies that Make it Work" By Susan Fitzell. For more information click on books in the sidebar.
Visual Science Lab Safety Test
Science Lab Safety test requires no reading. Students either orally explain the rule behind each visual, or write the answer down in the box.
Language Arts/English Strategies
Audio Feedback & Commentary on Student Writing
This professional article validates the use of audio feedback to improve student writing.
Clustering Process for Writing Papers
Students tend to get stuck on the introductory sentence. So often, they spend hours of wasted time unable to get past the first paragraph. This method of clustering ideas and chunking the writing process into manageable steps helps not only struggling writers to be successful, but also assists college bound students with their college and scholarship application essays!
Color Coded Grammar
This strategies assists students with remembering parts of speech. The color coded grammar mnemonic not only attaches color to grammar as a memory strategy, it uses a snapshot device and the analogy
Reading, Writing, Rapping
This is an article about a teacher using music and rapping to teach reading & writing. It's inspiring to read about how much students enjoy these English classes.
The Fitzpell Method of Studying Spelling Words
This method of studying spelling words uses color and chunking to increase visual recall for correct spelling.
Learned Helplessness / Classroom Management
Behavior Management Desktop Cue Card
Use a cue card system to help students stay on track without embarrassing students by saying something out loud. Praise students and let them know that you are pleased with good behavior and choices without causing embarrassment. Here's how...
Class Rules
Learned Helplessness - Article 1
Learned Helplessness - Article 2
Learned Helplessness - Article 3
Learned Helplessness - Article 4
Learned Helplessness - Article 5
Poster: Key Discipline Techniques
Learning Style Free Inventories
DVC Learning Style Survey for College
Harcourt Assessment Center
LDPride Learning Style Assessment
Multiple Intelligence Style Survery: Student Version
Have students use this survey to identify their Multiple Intelligence Tendencies. Excerpted from, "Umm... Studying? What's That? Learning Strategies for the Overwhelmed and Confused College and High School Student" By Shivahn Fitzell & Susan Fitzell. Survey appropriate for upper elementary through adult. For more information click on books in the sidebar.
Multiple Intelligence Survey: Parent & Teacher Version
Use this survey to determine the possible Multiple Intelligence Style tendencies of your child or student. Excerpted from, "Special Needs in the General Classroom: Strategies that Make it Work" By Susan Fitzell, M. Ed. For more information click on books in the sidebar.
NC State University Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire
Personality Pathways: MBTI Applications
The Kaleidoscope Profile
One of the best out there for Educators, but it does cost money.
What's your learning style?
Learning Style General Resources
Career's By Designs Online Assessments
GSU Master Teacher Program: On Learning Styles
Lighting Resources
A case study on school design and lighting
A case study about a school that considered the latest research about lighting in their school construction plans and the resulting effects on achievement.
Blue Light & the Human Brain
The human brain uses light not just to support vision but also to support alertness and cognitive tasks. Which colours of light are most effective and where in the brain these non-visual effects can
Blue Light May Fight Fatigue
Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Harvard Medical School have found that exposure to short wavelength, or blue light, during the biological night directly and immediately improv
Blue Lighting
This short video shows what one school in Utah did to add color to the lighting in their classroom.
Blue Lighting Up The Human Brain At Work
ScienceDaily (Dec. 3, 2007) — The human brain uses light not just to support vision but also to support alertness and cognitive tasks. Which colours of light are most effective and where in the brain
Daylight and Productivity
This article summarizes research about daylight (as opposed to florescent light) and productivity.
Daylighting and School Design
This article summarizes research findings on student achievement and lighting.
Daylighting in Schools
Daylighting in Schools: An investigation into the relationship between daylighting and human performance.
Effects of Blue Light on the Sleep Quality of Older Adults
In recent years, scientists have learned that blue light is the most effective and efficient at stimulating the circadian system when combined with the appropriate light intensity, spatial distributio
Flourescent Light Tube Guards
Select blue tube guards from the main menu.
Fluorescent tube guards
Choose in blue or green for a calming effect in the classroom. For more buying options, do a web search for Fluorescent tube guards. Purchase the lightest blue that you can find.
Hue and timing determine whether rays are beneficial or detrimental
This is part two of a two-part series on lighting's environmental and human impacts. Part I: "Illuminating Changes," is available at http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20060520/bob9.asp. ...read mor
Mandalas to Color
Mandala #1
Mandala coloring page. Use 'coloring mandalas' as a tool to focus, calm and help your students get creative energy flowing.
Mandala #10
Mandala coloring page. Use 'coloring mandalas' as a tool to focus, calm and help your students get creative energy flowing.
Mandala #2
Mandala coloring page. Use 'coloring mandalas' as a tool to focus, calm and help your students get creative energy flowing.
Mandala #3
Mandala coloring page. Use 'coloring mandalas' as a tool to focus, calm and help your students get creative energy flowing.
Mandala #4
Mandala coloring page. Use 'coloring mandalas' as a tool to focus, calm and help your students get creative energy flowing.
Mandala #5
Mandala coloring page. Use 'coloring mandalas' as a tool to focus, calm and help your students get creative energy flowing.
Mandala #6
Mandala coloring page. Use 'coloring mandalas' as a tool to focus, calm and help your students get creative energy flowing.
Mandala #7
Mandala coloring page. Use 'coloring mandalas' as a tool to focus, calm and help your students get creative energy flowing.
Mandala #8
Mandala coloring page. Use 'coloring mandalas' as a tool to focus, calm and help your students get creative energy flowing.
Mandala #9
Mandala coloring page. Use 'coloring mandalas' as a tool to focus, calm and help your students get creative energy flowing.
Math Strategies
Corporate Tax Math Example
This is an example of a worksheet adaptation.
Corporate Tax, Page 2
Page 2 of an example of a worksheet adaptation. Note the color coding, highlighting and use of a table/grid to help students put numbers in the correct place to enhance their ability to solve the problems.
Graphic Organizers
Link to Teachervision's list of 89 math graphic organizers.
Graphic Organizers #2
Link to math graphic organizers from Enchantedlearning.com. This site has excellent visuals and instructions.
Improving Math Communication
On the write path: improving communication in an elementary mathematics classroom.Teaching Children Mathematics; 5/1/2004; Little, Deena M. Article discusses solutions for the author's concern that reasoning and communication are our biggest areas of concern in mathematics instruction.
Math Columns Template
Place this 'lines' template under students' unlined math paper thereby creating columns. The columns show through the paper therefore giving students the structure to do their math work.
Math Grid Template
Place this grid under students' unlined math paper. The grid shows through the paper therefore giving students the structure to do their math work. This strategy helps to prevent 'careless mistakes'.
Math Memory Songs Songbook
A book of math 'songs' to remember math! Check it out!
Order of Operations Mnemonic
This is a color coded visual version of the "Order of Operations" Mnemonic, "Please, excuse my dear aunt Sally for looking rough"
Music in the Classroom
Gary Lamb
Music for teaching
Rock-n-Learn
Learning to Music: Can students have fun while learning how to boost scores on standardized tests?
Shake and Learn
Grammar, Math, Science and Language to Music
Songs for Teaching
Creative teachers can use music to teach content across the curriculum -- to students of all ages.
NCLB & Other Legal Information
Frequently Asked Questions About Adequate Yearly Progress
This FAQ answers some generic questions about the implications of NCLB. Explained are Adequate Yearly Progress, Safe Harbor Provisions, Academic Watch Status, etc.
Wrightslaw
Wrightslaw is a source for parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys to go to for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities
Notetaking Strategies
Cut and Paste Notes
Other Links
29 Positive Aspects of ADD
Greenleaf Learning
Neuroscience and cognitive psychology research are beginning to provide insights into the domains of teaching and learning. Dr. Bob Greenleaf provides PRACTICAL strategies for classroom application of these insights. Click on Additional Information for resources.
Parent, Teacher and Staff Training Resources
Paraprofessionals
Help or Hovering?
An article about the effects of hovering when working with disabled students.
The Ways Paraprofessionals Support Inclusive Classrooms (Roles)
The ways a paraprofessional might assist in the classroom are as individual as the students they are responsible for, the classrooms they work in, and the grade level they teach. The attached role/job description checklists assist in defining how paraprofessionals might support classrooms.
Presentation Resources & Timers
30 Second PowerPoint Timers
This is a PowerPoint timer that you can embed right into your presentation. The beauty of it is that participants can see both the timer and your activity slide! Make sure to Right click on the link and select "Save as" or "Save Target as" so you have a local copy of this PowerPoint to use and modify.
Power Point Timer - Stand Alone Version
Classroom Timer that runs on Power Point. Authored by. Jeff Ertzberger - 2004. University of North Carolina at Wilmington All rights reserved. This timer runs as a stand alone timer.
Print Media Adaptations & Correlating Research
Aid for Readers Suffering from Dyslexia
Important font size information near the end of this article.
APHontTM and validating information about font type and readability
APHontTM (pronounced Ay'-font), was developed by APH specifically for low vision readers. APHont embodies characteristics that have been shown to enhance reading speed, comprehension, and comfort for
Benefits of Large Print
Documented in this report are both educational research as well as action studies that confirm what Librarians and Teachers have been testifying to for years, that Large Print leads to: 1)Reading confidence 2)Improved letter and word recognition 3)Reading comprehension 4)Reading enjoyment
Media Centers and SpEd Article
The ALA's Library Technology Reports (2004a) offered the following suggestions for making print media most accessible for individuals with low vision. This article addresses font size and type. Click for full article.
The Handwriting on the Wall
"There are always going to be some kids who struggle with handwriting because of their particular neurological wiring, learning issues or poor fine motor skills, teachers said in interviews. For those kids in particular, the growing dominance of typing is liberating because they can write without stumbling over letter formation." Click to read more.
Tips for Creating Effective Power Point Presentations
How a presentation is designed has a significant effect on how the information it contains is conveyed, perceived, and retained. These tips are intended to help you make the most effective use of presentation technology.
Which are more legible, Serif or San Serif?
Alex Poole writes, "Back in 1998 when Times New Roman was still widely used on the web, my then boss made sure we always designed our medical web sites with Arial, as she hated the look of serif fonts on the web. Was it the case that sans serif fonts were more legible, or was it just a matter of taste?." Click for full article.
Research Studies Citing Susan's Work
Sebastian Unit
Research report citing strategies from Susan Fitzell's seminars and books
Tools and Technology for Differentiating
Auto Summarize
MS Word Tool
Family Education
Printable Books for Teachers by Teacher Vision We created these printable books to save you time and to provide you with all the resources you need to teach any subject, historical event, holiday, or seasonal happening.
Rubrics and Writing Prompts
For Middle Grade Students. This is a resource for Standards-Based Math Graphic Organizers, Rubrics, and Writing Prompts for Middle Grade Students
SMOG Readability Formula
Technologies Games and Utilities for Differentiating Instruction
Welcome to Jeff Ertzberger's Emerging Technologies Games and Utilities web site. The materials located here are designed to enhance education through the use of technology.
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