Benefit #1: More Teachers = More Assistance
The general education teacher and special education teacher often work together to teach and manage the class. This arrangement is often called collaborative team teaching. With two teachers in the classroom, it’s easier for students to ask for and receive help. More adults on hand can also help keep order in class.
Benefit #2: Supportive Strategies
The teachers weave in specially designed instruction and support that can help students make progress. For example, while one teacher works with some of the students, the other teacher may work with a smaller group to review material. This can be helpful to students with learning and attention issues. Kids are given opportunities to move around to release excess energy. Also, the teachers may create classwide or individualized incentives for positive behavior.
Benefit #3: A Variety of Teaching Approaches
Inclusion classrooms can accommodate children with a wide range of learning styles and needs. Teachers meet everyone’s needs by presenting lessons in different ways. For example, they may use a lot of visual aids to add interest and increase understanding. When teaching math, they may build the lesson around manipulatives such as cubes or colored chips that can help kids learn new concepts.
One of the key teaching strategies in inclusion classrooms is to break students into small groups. This way, kids can be taught according to their particular learning style and ability. This is called differentiated instruction.
Benefit #4: Access to Learning Specialists
In addition to having a special education teacher available, an inclusion class often brings in specialists and other service providers. These professionals may have particular insight into what’s challenging for your child and how he can be helped.
Benefit #5: Resources, Resources and More Resources
Inclusion classes are often the beneficiaries of extra support and resources.
Key Takeaways
- Studies show that general education students benefit from the resources available in an inclusion classroom.
- The special education teacher can help all children in an inclusion classroom, not just special education students.
- A key teaching strategy in an inclusion classroom is to break students into small groups and teach kids according to their particular learning style and ability.