Social Inclusion, A School-Wide Leadership and Learning Opportunity

Social Inclusion, A School-Wide Leadership and Learning OpportunityBill Schreiber, Rebekah Clark, and Chris Collette 3.7.2016

10 Reasons for Inclusive SchoolsAll children have equal access.All children learn alongside their same-age peers.Focus is on childs abilities, not disabilities.Everyone is valued and participates to the best of their ability.Various resources and technologies are used for different learning styles.

10 Reasons for Inclusive SchoolsTeachers are highly trained at delivering a differentiated curriculum to meet individual needs.Students have positive and appropriate supports in the classroom.Children become accepting of one another.Meaningful relationships develop among students as they spend time with one another.Students develop confidence in their ability to interact with the world around them.

Are you opening doors? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIHtuKc3Gjg

What doors have you opened for students?

http://goo.gl/0tfpTR

Granite Falls Middle SchoolDoors Weve Opened:

Inclusive Youth LeadershipProject Unify Student Leadership TeamInclusive ClassroomsAcademic class auditing Reverse MainstreamingSports and Skill DevelopmentInclusive PE Classes/MakerspaceInclusive Talent ShowProject Unify AwardsSchool/Community AwarenessLunch BuddiesInclusive Student ClubsSpecial Olympics Game Day

Discussion point inclusive 3 minutes

What is Project UNIFY?Project UNIFY is an education-based project that uses the sports and education programs of Special Olympics to activate young people across the U.S. in order to promote school communities where all young people are agents of change - fostering respect, dignity and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities.

We started Project UNIFY in 2011. We have grown in membership from 22 to 78 members last year! Largest club in the school !!

What makes up Project UNIFY?Inclusive Sports Opportunities Youth Leadership Whole School InvolvementCommunity Connections

Project UNIFY Activities at Granite Falls Middle School

Designed and presented an exhibit at the Caldwell County Anti-Bullying Fair. Awarded First Place for Best Exhibit!

NOT IN OUR HOUSE!Granite Falls Middle SchoolProject UNIFY

Effects of Project UNIFYDecrease in bullying, harassment, and intimidation incidentsIncrease in acceptanceFriendships made and relationships builtSuccess in Inclusion settingsSchool feels more like familyStudents become agents of change instead of teachers or administrators

Commitment ContractMust commit to following 10 standardsConsequencesMust fully participate in at least one activity per semesterMust be a positive role modelStudent and parents are required to signTeachers must recommend

Inclusive SportsUnified SportsCan be competitive, developmental or recreationalYoung Athletes Programsinclusive program focusing on training and participation in play activities

Spring Special Olympics Pep Rally

Inclusive Sports: Caldwell County Spring/Fall Special Olympics

Special Olympics Award Ceremony

Special Olympics Project UNIFY LOCAL SUPPORT IS KEY !!!!!!Administration and Teacher flexibility allows efforts to evolve based on:individual expectations, experience and readiness, student abilities and strengths (living strengths)

Properly and effectively implemented Project UNIFY supports promote social inclusion as part of the fabric of the school.

Principals RoleLive outside the box !!!!!

-Mindset (Dweck) ---- Growth vs Fixed U know where we R-School classroom and schedule configuration-Living our strengths (teachers and students)-Learning styles inventories. and teaching styles inventories-Students are resilient - together since elementary - used to the tics and behaviors

The Power of Teamwork

Judging someone does not define who they are.It defines who YOU are. Ex. Ryan

Creating Activities that Engage Special Education/General Education StudentsFind out communication specifics, learning needs, and motivators. Provide an extension of the core curriculum that allows differentiated access and learning styles.Matching pictures to vocabulary/conceptsTranscribing notes with support after a mini lessonAllowing time for student drawing to summarize conceptsConnecting learning activities to personal interests

CHris

StudentEngagementin thelearningprocess. MINDSET

Useful Resources to Engage Students in Inclusive ActivitiesResourceshands-on manipulativesbrain trainingpicture cues/short directivessimple graphic organizerskid friendly appsChallengesteacher/administrator interest

teacher knowledge of basic academic learning stages

shifting from paper-pencil tasks to kinesthetic learning

unexpected behavior - acceptance and guidance

Share your commitment to social inclusion with other teachers by:Word of mouthVideo successful momentsGuest speakersInvite the media and have fun

Opportunities for Student LeadershipAcademic Teams (math team, debate club, etc.)

Arts (theater, band, choir, glee club, dance, etc.)

Athletic teams

Community service/volunteering

Employment (before/after/during school jobs, internships)

Opportunities for Student LeadershipPeer Tutoring/advisingSchool newspaper/school newsletter/yearbookStudent led multi-media presentationsMorning newsannouncementsEmcee eventsYouth Educators Summit (Yes) 3 of last 4 yearshosted in 2014

Whole School and Community Involvement Get Into ItR-Word CampaignPep rallies for Special OlympicsFundraisers-- Polar Plunges, Corn Hole TournamentsSpirit Days

Opportunities for Community Members and Community Group EngagementProject Unify 5K Run to UniteChristmas tree on the SquareParade Float

Games Management Team Group Home Activities and VolunteerismCommunity R-Word CampaignsCommunity-based FundraisersFamily involvement opportunities

Perception is reality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maUICwTzK5k

What is the perception of social inclusion in your school or community?

Ts progresssion of work

Es progression of work

As progression of work

Be kind. Always be kind.

QUESTIONS ??????

Contact InformationRebekah Clark rclark@caldwellschools.comChris Collette ccollette@caldwellschools.comBill Schreiber bschreiber@caldwellschools.comGranite Falls Middle School 828-396-2341We are on Facebook @ Granite Falls Middle SchoolTwitter @GFMSDEMONS