Resources for the Classroom from Mindsteps

Below are three different PDF files attached (a)Unit Planning Template, (b) Reference Guide, (c) a sample of a unit plan (history). Planning is a big part of teaching - making sure that we look at all of the angles of teaching and asking ourselves the right questions so we know what teaching method to use and what the students need.

Unit Planning Template

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BxcZbYCZnshVOW9PdVNOQURQT0U

Reference Guide

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BxcZbYCZnshVYzVDNkwzajRNSms

An example of a unit plan (History)

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BxcZbYCZnshVYVYyS1U5VnpUMms

Utah Center for Assistive Technology

Services provided by Utah Center for Assistive Technology "The Utah Center for Assistive Technology is a statewide resource offering information and technical services to help people with disabilities acquire and use assistive technology devices. Our services are available to people with disabilities, parents and other family caregivers, rehabilitation counselors, independent living specialists, special educators, occupational therapists, physical therapists, allied medical professionals, and others who are concerned with and advocate for people with disabilities. UCAT offers free evaluations to anyone within the state of Utah." A few of the resources shows on this website about different kind of technologies that are constructed for people with disabilities that I found interesting on this website are: Adapted Headset - for people who have limited range of motion - so this device can help someone talk on the phone with out using their hands and or other motions. http://ucat.usor.utah.gov/adapted-headset/ Adapted Bike Trailer - this article is about how they used an old bike trailer and adapted it to a wheelchair so that a boy could go on a bike ride http://ucat.usor.utah.gov/adapted-bike-trailer/ Testimonial of the SiCare Environmental Control Unit (ECU)-- what he calls the "tower of power" - gives control of a number of the items in the bedroom like lamp, tv, ipod, etc.. and things outside the bedroom as well. It helps give freedom to someone who limits the ability to move around and be able to access things that are needed.http://ucat.usor.utah.gov/testimonial-of-the-sicare-environmental-control-unit-ecu/ It is awesome that there are devices and programs that are looking for ways to help benefit those with different disabilities so that they can be more independent and have a better quality of life.

POSTED TODAY!!

New articles posted under collaboration about co-teaching - What it is? And strategies for teachers! Also under special ed law you can find an article about the problems faced in staffing qualifed special education teachers and what schools can do to help teachers workload.

Parents as Partners Handbook

http://www.utahparentcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IEP_Parent_Handbook.pdf The link above is the Parents as Partners Handbook which is a handbook to help parents know what resources they have and the laws that suppor them and to "prepare them in their important role as an equal member of the team" in the IEP process (p vi).

Diversity & Learning

In this class I hope to understand more clearly special education programs for students with disabilities. I hope that I will feel more confident and prepared as a teacher when dealing with the special education regulations. Above in each category there will be links to more information that will be provided during the semester to help us learn and grow together. Enjoy!