Why have a classroom library? Research has shown that classroom libraries improve both the reading skills and motivation of students to read (Allington, 2012; National Council of Teachers of English, 2017; Neuman, 2016). Classroom libraries provide easy access to books and the classroom library may be the main source of reading materials for children from [...]
“Activated Learning” (AL), also called the “EFs2theRescue Pedagogy” in Guare and Dawson’s 3rd edition of Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents, is an adaptive executive function (EF) intervention that aims to facilitate high-impact teaching and learning that is necessary for some and good for all in typical classrooms. AL is a self-regulated learning pedagogy that, among other benefits, allows teachers to support students with learning disabilities (LDs) as part of their everyday teaching. It was developed in 2014 by a special education teacher (the author) and has been championed by hundreds of educators in several school boards in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K.
Independent reading provides students with an opportunity to practice the decoding and comprehension strategies and skills learned during class time on self-selected materials. Not only does independent reading provide additional practice time for students, but it also fosters independence (Johnson & Keire, 2010). TeachHub (n.d.) cites independent reading as the opportunity for students to “dive [...]
This module is intended to provide an introductory overview of the components of reading instruction in the primary years, and how to tailor instruction to meet the needs of struggling readers, some of whom may have learning disabilities (LDs). The module will present the various ways that LDs can affect reading development, and will provide guidance for educators in developing a balanced reading program that supports the needs of all learners while maintaining their motivation to read.
This module is intended to provide a broad understanding of the relationship between learning disabilities (LDs) and mental health. Mental health will be described on a continuum, and we will explore some of the challenges that students with LDs may experience at various points along the continuum, as well as strategies that...
This module is intended to provide an in-depth exploration of executive functions, as they relate to students with learning disabilities (LDs) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), at all grade levels. The eight pillars of executive functioning will be described, along with indicators and strategies for the classroom. You will gain familiarity...
This module is intended to provide a thorough understanding of instructional and assistive technologies, as well as the ways in which they can be integrated into classroom practice to benefit not only students with learning disabilities, but all students. The content of this module was developed for educators working at the junior,...
This online module is intended to provide an introduction to literacy, numeracy, executive function, and social and emotional development as well as an introductory overview of Ministry documents such as PPM8 and Learning for All, as they relate to students with learning disabilities.
This online module is intended to provide an overview of the Concrete – Representational – Abstract (CRA) instructional strategy for mathematics, as well as providing practical classroom applications of this strategy to help you bring CRA to life in your own math teaching practice.
The team has made the decision; an IEP will be developed to further support the student. The process begins and sometimes those collaborating in the development of the IEP can end up feeling quite overwhelmed. The timelines, the decisions that need to be made, familiarity with the software and the conscientious desire to develop a [...]
