A few thoughts for educators who are navigating the world of emergency online/distance learning (a thread) and have students with IEPs, from someone who is both an educator for and a parent of students with learning differences 1/?
Many students are not going to be receiving their services for the foreseeable future. This is problematic for a few reasons: 1) services are often required to give skills and content 2) services give specialized help most caregivers are not prepared to give . . . 2/?
3) the clock is ticking for many students with specific learning needs. Hitting certain milestones by certain points can make huge long term differences in a student’s academic success or failure . . . 3/?
I understand why there has been some bashing of worksheets and workbooks, and encouragement to do more exploration, independent reading and project based learning, but these might not be possible without specialists available to provide access points for students with IEPs 4/?
Good worksheets and workbooks can offer a clear, predictable and understandable structure for some students and their families who are isolated at home. When done well, things such as Word Ladders or math problems with examples and step by step instructions can be ins 5/?
To be clear: I’m not a fan of those things in the classroom, where professional educators & specialists & adaptive materials are available. But, the number of calls and texts I have received from families have told me that worksheets and workbooks could help offer guidance 6/?
Other things to consider: are there learning materials families might have on hand you can suggest for learning? Shaving cream to practice letter formation? Bean picking up to work on fine motor? Audio books or digital books for supported reading practice? 7/?
Suggestions of tools for families such as getting the Time Timer app to help pace their home school lessons and help students know how long they need to work before taking a break, or writing out the day’s agenda can be invaluable 8/?
If your families have digital access, suggest supportive sites such as understood.org or childmindinstitute.org for free tips and information about their child’s learning needs 9/?
I reject the notion, especially for students with learning disabilities, that it’s fine for kids to leave academics off completely during quarantine. While I value family time & open exploration, fragile learners need as many opportunities for growth as possible 10/?
If you have access to your students’ IEPs and have time to look at them, consider which pieces of the IEP can be provided at home and what things caregivers could benefit from being reminded of (such as repeated instructions, manipulative, visuals, etc.) 11/?
These are all very early impressions, born out of 3 days of home schooling. I will absolutely share more as I learn, study and understand more. I hope you share your ideas and questions and concerns about supporting our students with IEPs off site with me too. 12/end
