Problem
Part I
To reflect on what attitudes society has bout inclusion, think about issues related to having a child with disabilities in your hypothetical class and what services may be available to children and their families. Respond to the following:
i. How has the introduction of IDEA changed the educational landscape?
ii. What might be the hardest part of having a child with a disability in your class?
iii. What support might you need to help this child and how would you get this support? (Think administrative, community, other specialists).
Part II
It is part of the teacher's role to recognize how biases may impede the ability to work effectively with the family of a child with challenging behavior. This approach can hopefully help the teacher adopt an a more compassionate view of the child and how to help her/him.
Respond to the following:
When there is a child with challenging behavior in the class, teachers often say things such as, "What do you expect? Look at the parents."
i. Where might this attitude come from, and is this a valid idea? Explain.
ii. How might this attitude affect a teacher's ability and willingness to work with the families of children with challenging behavior?
Part III
On the issue of bullying. Consider the help that literature for children can provide in to help them understand, prevent, and respond to bullying.
What are your thoughts or views on using children's literature to assist in this area and how would you use children's literature in your classroom to deal with bullying?
Here are some ideas to consider: (there are many more titles available, but these are just a few examples)
i. Stop Picking On me, A First Look At Bullying Series
ii. The Juice Box Bully, Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others by Soronson and Dismondy