Special educators are basically the *experts* of classroom accommodations. Have you ever worked alongside a co-teacher? They’re literally the gold medalists of classroom accommodations – especially those on the fly! I am thrilled to introduce you to Cara Vega from @withloveyourcoteacher on Instagram. She comes with a masters degree in special education and a wealth of knowledge on those accommodations we can offer on the spot for our students as needed.
4 classroom accommodations you can easily use on the fly
One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was when I first started teaching.
The advice was “You should always have tools in your tool belt.”
As novice and seasoned teachers, we can all agree that days in the classroom can go unexpectedly…and at any moment. I know I have a chronic trait of assuming a lesson or skill will be “easy breezy” only to be mid-lesson and see the blank faces staring up at me. Immediately, I feel derailed and wonder what I could have done differently?
But then, I remember my tool belt.
My tool belt is equipped with four classroom accommodations and modifications I can provide to students on the fly, in order for their learning to be scaffolded, so that both myself and the student or students can feel a level of success amidst a rigorous and confusing skill. This tool belt has a classroom accommodation that I can deliver to students that can support them across all areas of the school day.
Break It Down
Think of whatever you are teaching concretely, and start mapping out the steps the students need in order to show understanding of the skill. Visually seeing steps in an organized way not only alleviates anxiety, but it gives a sense of what is to come next. It provides a visual for students to follow, which will increase their confidence and independence.
Chunk It
Reading a long text? Trying to have your students solve multi-step word problems? Chunking gives students bite size information of that given skill. Try only providing this classroom accommodation to students one sentence at a time for the multistep word problems. Or, you can give students one paragraph at a time when reading a longer chapter or article. You can easily grab a piece of any blank paper and use it as a guide to go line by line or paragraph by paragraph.
Shorten the Amount of Questions or Problems To Do
Sometimes worksheets, whether digital or hard copies, can be filled with an overwhelming amount of problems and questions. This can immediately send a student into shut down mode. To avoid this, have students only do some of the problems and questions, but enough that you will be able to see the student’s understanding of the skill. A bonus would be having the student choose their own problems to do from the selection to give a sense of ownership.
Use Smaller Numbers
Working on a set of math problems that need calculating? As students transition to the upper grades, we often see math skills spiral and get a little bit more intense. If students are struggling with manipulating larger numbers, chop some digits off the numbers. For example, if the standard is multi-digit multiplication, try providing students with 2 digit numbers instead of 4. Gradually, add a digit as you see progress and confidence with your students and the skill. This classroom accommodation can be done discreetly to avoid any embarrassment for the student.
Our versatile tool belt
My wish is that by sharing this, I provide all types of educators, whether general or special education, with tools that can be used at any time in any subject, any skill, and with any type of learner. As an educator, it is easy to get caught up in the middle of your lessons and become a little stuck and frustrated. You start thinking, “I am doing as much as I can, I can’t just give them the answer.” The truth is, your lesson is probably wonderful and you are probably following your district’s curriculum. However, pulling these tools out of your tool belt won’t make things easier for the students, it is only making skills more accessible for students’ to reach the state standard or skill.
We have so many hats to wear with so many different demands put on us every day. It can be OVERWHELMING! Remember, you are doing an AWESOME job as an educator and YOU are appreciated.
Looking for related blog posts?
9 Tips for a Sensory Friendly Classroom
3 Apple Watch Uses for Special Educators