Critical Reflections about Special Education: Stories from the Classroom / Edition 1

by Jennifer J. Coots, Kristin Stout

Overview

100 vignettes based on real-life classroom challenges are useful for guiding critical reflections on effective teaching and are linked to the CEC Professional Standards for special education teachers.

Each vignette provides a brief synopsis of challenges experienced by both novice and experienced teachers as they attempt to implement the information they have learned about effective teaching practices. Using the ten categories in the CEC standards for knowledge and skills, questions for reflections have been developed and carefully referenced for each vignette. These vignettes are designed to be used as a teaching tool for pre-service students or beginning teachers. By providing guided discussions, students are able to brainstorm possible solutions to the challenges presented when teachers attempt to apply general best practice standards in particular classroom situations. Given their brevity, instructors can present these vignettes within a class session and use them to promote active learning. This resource also provides ideas for implementing and utilizing these vignettes to promote active learning within the course structure.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780205496068
Publisher:	Pearson
Publication date:	09/14/2006
Edition description:	1ST
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Jennifer J. Coots, PhD, is coordinator of the Master of

Science in Special Education program at California State

University, Long Beach. She learned about the need for

effective problem solving skills as a classroom teacher

and teacher trainer. As director of a longitudinal

research project, she learned about the power of

qualitative methods. This text brings together those

areas of interest.

Kristin Stout, M.S., draws upon her 10 years of

experiences as a classroom teacher in both general

education and special education to currently teach courses

for the Education Specialist Credential program at

California State University, Long Beach. As a private

consultant, she works closely with families and schools to

support students in inclusive placements.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction.

2. Foundations.

What do I believe?

Questions for reflection

The Silent Parents

Questions for reflection

Too Many Boys

Questions for reflection

Differing beliefs

Questions for reflection

When Federal mandates attack

Questions for reflection

To evaluate or not

Questions for reflection

Ready or Not…

Questions for reflection

Resource or Self-contained Class

Questions for reflection

Retention and Social Promotion

Questions for reflection

Baby Steps

Questions for reflection

3. Development and Characteristics of Learners.

Surgery Will Make It All Better

Questions for reflection

The “Monster” In My Classroom

Questions for reflection

What a label changes

Questions for reflection

Elmo

Questions for reflection

Should he graduate?

Questions for reflection

Are They Ready?

Questions for reflection

He’s not Autistic, Is he?

Questions for reflection

Is medication the right thing?

Questions for reflection

4. Individual Learning Differences.

She can’t read?

Questions for reflection

Please try before referring

Questions for reflection

Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover

Questions for reflection

Don’t jump to conclusions

Questions for reflection

I Hate my 504 Plan!

Questions for reflection

Placement Tug-of-War

Questions for reflection

Who’s To Blame?

Questions for reflection

What do we do now?

Questions for reflection

Another episode

Questions for reflection

5. Instructional Strategies.

Packaged Programs Are Not “Special”

Questions for reflection

John’s wasting time.

Questions for reflection

Who is right?

Questions for reflection

Gilbert “sounds” it out

Questions for reflection

Forgetting to count

Questions for reflection

Teaching to read.

Questions for reflection

How far can she stretch?

Questions for reflection

Finding The Right “Fit”

Questions for reflection

It works?

Questions for reflection

What was she thinking?

Questions for reflection

6. Learning Environments and Social Interactions.

Did Katie receive a fair chance?

Questions for reflection

What’s an aide to do?

Questions for reflection

How does Ned fit in?

Questions for reflection

How far can an aide go?

Questions for reflection

Study skills or homework?

Questions for reflection

Going Around In Circles

Questions for reflection

Michael Deserves A Chance

Questions for reflection

Stop Teasing Me

Questions for reflection

7. Language.

Can I Do It?

Questions for reflection

Whose language barrier?

Questions for reflection

Bridging language barriers

Questions for reflection

What have I got myself into?

Questions for reflection

Labeling Dilemma

Questions for reflection

“Toilet, Water Closet, Bano…”

Questions for reflection

Twin Talk

Questions for reflection

Who Speaks for Joey

Questions for reflection

Que Paso?

Questions for reflection

8. Instructional Planning.

No supplies for Mr. Kennedy

Questions for reflection

This could work.

Questions for reflection

Planning For Mark

Questions for reflection

I Did It!

Questions for reflection

How will I do it?

Questions for reflection

Is This Okay?

Questions for reflection

How Many Grade Levels?

Questions for reflection

Teaching Addition

Questions for reflection

9. Assessment.

How to test?

Questions for reflection

Are you sure?

Questions for reflection

Finding A Way

Questions for reflection

Going through the motions

Questions for reflection

Meaningful Monitoring

Questions for reflection

How Much Can I Do?

Questions for reflection

Too much already!

Questions for reflection

Am I Cheating?

Questions for reflection

10. Professionalism and Ethical Practices.

What do I ask for?

Questions for reflection

Where is she?

Questions for reflection

Why Isn’t Your Homework Done?

Questions for reflection

Setting limits?

Questions for reflection

The Loss Of A Talented Teacher

Questions for reflection

A new system

Questions for reflection

Should I ask for help?

Questions for reflection

Paperwork overload

Questions for reflection

Why Are You Teaching

Questions for reflection

11. Collaboration.

No Time To Eat

Questions for reflection

Homework

Questions for reflection

Get to Work!

Questions for reflection

Let the teacher teach

Questions for reflection

The ties that bind…

Questions for reflection

What more can I do?

Questions for reflection

Mrs. Who?

Questions for reflection

Can I change Mrs. Asper?

Questions for reflection