BUILDING ON SUCCESS : SPOTLIGHT ON HOME APPLICATION
Generalization of scaffolds on the home-front is more readily accessible when IEP supports are operationalized. Parents have an easy reference to accommodations or modifications and the purpose of those supports, in order to guide their child's learning activities. Students thrive on authentic parental praise and continued learning opportunities as they build their engagement as a learner. As IEP team members, parents are able to gain better understanding of their child's needs, strengths, and progress they are making with their individual IEP goals. When students complete class projects or homework with parents, this gives parents opportunity to offer praise for their efforts, neatness, correctness and creativity.
GETTING ENGAGED
Extending learning opportunities through virtual or real time explorations with family are brilliant ways to inspire engagement while learning.
GRAND OPPORTUNITIES
Involving grandparents in extended learning journeys can add more sparkle and zest to your child's engagement, especially those activities that highlight the grandparents' specific expertise or interest.
MAKING HOMEWORK WORK
Homework is better supported when parents have a ready list of supports. Student’s self-management skills are fine-tuned and internalized through the practice of using supports at home, during homework time. Through practice and generalization of IEP supports across the learning of environments of home and school, students are provided the opportunities and benefits of practice, internalization, and self-advocating for their supports in a variety of learning environments with confidence. Further, students become the leaders of their current and future supports, through self-knowledge about how they learn. Additionally, the collaboration of monitoring the progression and need for continued support is easily communicated through the duration of the IEP, and within the next IEP meeting.
Consider one or more of these additional tips relative to facility with implementation in the classroom(s):
- Systematize. Creating or following an agenda for the IEP meeting creates a clear set of topics and time frames, as well as encouraging participation and keeping the discussion on track. The agenda assists team members in determining when and where they plan to share in the discussion, and lessens anxiety relating to the unknown. The meeting facilitator often presents an agenda via whiteboard or hardcopy for the team. Parents or other team members may wish to bring a copy of the previous IEP to the meeting, with areas of discussion points highlighted. This helps provide an informal self-agenda, particularly if a group agenda is not presented.
- Organizing the list by categories, such as presentation, social/emotional, etc., can be a helpful approach for all educational caregivers. This menu approach through categorization
of purpose, subject matter, or learning modalities, etc.; creates ease of reference and implementation for parents and educators.
- Try synthesizing the suggested supports into one, if they are operationalized for the same purpose. Oftentimes teachers, service providers, and parents recommend the same support for the identical purpose, but use different wording. By synthesizing identical supports, a more concise list is possible.
“Teachers and students who are actively engaged in learning radiate their happiness through smiles and kindness to one another.”
Through mindful consideration of key elements linked to a student's unique learning profile, access to learning is scaffolded in a proactive manner. The educators are provided insight into the student's unique needs and may be possibly extended to students who are not identified as having special needs.
Deepening the learning for all—including students, parents and educators—provides a pathway of ensuring inclusive learning today and beyond. •
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Angela Shaw is a writer and retired special educator. With over 25 years in the field of public education, Angela synthesizes her diverse teaching experiences and education to support and encourage families and educators as they navigate the diverse learning needs of the children in their care across a changing educational landscape.