ACCESS TO ALL SOCIAL STUDIES LESSONS

Context

Johns Creek, GA

Medlock Bridge Elementary School

Ms. Molesa’s Third Grade Inclusion Class

The Students With Disabilities in Ms.

Molesa’s Class

Ms. Molesa’s Third Grade Class

Problem

Students with disabilities in an inclusion classroom can not access all social studies lessons.

Research- General Effective Teaching Strategies for

Students With Disabilities

Be an Expert

Plan lessons with the Universal Design

in mind

Teach Units that are Cross-Curricular

Differentiate Lessons

Model Literacy Strategies

Research- Create Background Knowledge

Video can enrich a student’s background knowledge and make abstract knowledge more concrete.

The internet allows students to engage in an active exploration to gain a better understanding of the topic.

Using picture books can help students understand complex issues.

Research- Instructional Strategies for Teaching Social Studies

Utilize Study Guides, Teach Vocabulary in Context, and Use Big Ideas

Start with a discussion web using an essential question pertaining to the big idea of the unit

Employ other texts besides the text book

Model and give opportunities to question the text

Research- Reading and Writing in Social Studies

Use pre-reading strategies and create graphic organizers that go along with the chapter

Students cannot be passive readers they need to be engaged in the reading

Use reading logs to assist in reading and organize writing

Plan of Action1. Implement general effective teaching

strategies for students with disabilities.2. Utilize technology and other texts to

create background knowledge.3. Teach units focused on big ideas.4. Employ pre-reading strategies and use

texts other than the text book.5. Model and have students apply graphic

organizers to guide reading and writing.

Reference List Beck, I. L., & McKeown, M. G. (2002) Questioning the Author:

Making

Sense of Social Studies. 60 (3) 44-47. Billman, L., W. (2002) Aren’t These Books For Little Kids? 60 (3) 48-

51. Burke, M., Hagan, S., & Grossen, B. (2002). What curricular designs

and strategies accommodate diverse learners? Teaching Exeptional Children, 34 (4), 34-38.

Englert, C. S., Mariage, T. V., Okolo, C. M., Courtland, C.A., Shankland, R.K., Moxley, K. D., Billman, A., & Jones, N. (2007). Accelerating Expository Literacy in the Middle Grades: The ACCEL Project.

Georgetown ISD. (2006). Curriculum Corner. Instructional Strategies for

Social Studies. Retrieved April 8, 2009. http://www.georgetownisd.org ccorner/socstudies/InstructionalStrategiesforSocialStudies.asp

Reference List Con’t Part I

Grant, S. G., & Vansledright B. (2006). Elementary Social Studies

Construction a Powerful Approach to Teaching. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Lenz, B. K., Ehren, B. J., Deshler, D. D. (2005) The Content Literacy Continuum: A School Reform Framework for Improving

AdolescentLiteracy for All Students. (Vol. 37) . Lewis, R. B., & Doorlag, H. D. (2006). Teaching Special Students

inGeneral Education Classrooms. New Jersey: Pearson

Prentice Hall.

McGuire, J. M., Scott, S. S., & Shaw, S.F. (2006).“Universal design and its application in educational educational environments. Remedial and Special Education 27 (3), 166-175.

Reference List Con’t Part II

Okolo, C. M. (2006). Using Video to Teach Content-Area Information.

Students Learn and Like History. Okolo, C. M., Englert, C. S., Bouck, E., Heutsche, A.

(2006). Web-Based History Learning Environments: Helping

Rock. M. L., Gregg, M., Ellis, E, & Gable, R. (2008). REACH: A

Framework of Differentiating Classroom Instruction. Preventing

Preventing School Failure, 52, 31-40.

Reference List Con’t Part III

Scruggs, T. E., Mastropieri, M. A., & Okolo, C. M. (2009).

Science and social studies for students with disabilities. Focus on Exceptional Children.

Seif, E. (2003/2004) Social Studies Revived. 64 (4) 54-59. Vacca, R. R. (2002) From Efficient Decoders to Strategic

Readers. 60

(3) 6-11. Yoshimoto, R. (2000). Celebrating Strengths and Talents of

Dyslexic

Children: An Education Model. Retrieved April 8, 2009.

From the World Wide Web: http://www.ldonline.org/article/ 5863