Instead of saying, "this student can not learn in my classroom," teachers need to be saying, "how can I ensure that this student is able to learn in my classroom?"
Inclusion for children with cognitive delays in the general education classroom is more than just going through the motions of allowing the child to sit in a desk next to their typically developing peer.
We need to be sure they are taking something away from the instruction. For example, rather than reading through the chapters in a lesson and assuming students will soak up and comprehend the information- we need to provide meaningful activities for students to apply concepts they are learning. This approach is beneficial for all students, and not just those who have cognitive delays.
The teacher in the following video describes her experience with teaching literacy skills to a very diverse group of students. With the needs and interests of her students in mind, she was able to create an environment that worked for both students who had learning disabilities and ADHD, and students who were gifted and talented. Postive Inclusion Experience
What are some challenges that you have faced as an educator trying to meet the needs of several ability levels at once? How were you able to overcome these challenges?/What issues are you still facing?
