Inclusive Teaching Strategies for Diverse Classrooms

Development of Teaching Strategies and Team Teaching

Team teaching and the teamwork of professionals and families offer ideas and suggestions regarding goals and how to promote them in class. Collaboration between school staff and families enriches planning and implementation and supports better outcomes for all students.

Student Participation

Student participation in their own learning—planning and implementing meaningful, goal-oriented learning experiences—is essential in inclusive classrooms. When students are active participants, learning becomes more relevant and effective.

Functional Skills

Functional skills can be learned naturally through extracurricular activities and outings. Do not assume that the mainstream curriculum does not work for some students. It is a grave mistake to underestimate or limit the learning potential of any student.

Encouraging All in Education

Research has shown that students achieve higher academic and social success when teachers' expectations for them are high. Encouraging all students and holding high expectations supports achievement, motivation, and growth.

Organizational Models for the Classroom

Educational practice aimed at an assumed homogeneous, middle-level group must be transformed to support learning across the whole class. The organization of the classroom is one of the keys to enabling each student to learn at the level they need.

Flexible groupings are not the only form of classroom organization that helps deliver equitable treatment of diverse learners. There are other models that can be more respectful of diversity and that facilitate changes in classroom organization and learning.

Teaching Strategies and Flexible Objectives

The following strategies promote inclusive, effective instruction without lowering expectations:

Flexible Learning Objectives

Although the basic objectives remain the same, they can sometimes be adapted to the needs, skills, interests, and abilities of learners. In inclusive classrooms, a single set of standardized targets should not be the only option.

Adaptation of Activities

The most appropriate activities emphasize students' strengths and allow them to learn from each other. Activities should be accessible and provide multiple entry points so all learners can participate meaningfully.

Multiple Adaptations

In addition to curricular adaptations that adjust a single element (objectives, activities, etc.) for different students' skills, you can make multiple changes simultaneously to better meet diverse needs.

Advantages of Inclusive Schools

Inclusive classes emphasize community and organization. Each person is an important and valuable member with responsibilities and roles to support others. These practices help build:

• Self-esteem
• Pride in achievement
• Mutual respect
• A sense of belonging and worth

Some of the problems in education today may stem from a lack of community in many schools within an increasingly urban, complex, and impersonal society. Promoting inclusive practices can help rebuild community and improve outcomes for all learners.