Modifying lesson plans to accomodate students with disabilities

When incorporating a lesson plan, teachers must ensure that they modify and include accommodations for students with disabilities by carefully analyzing the lesson and modifying it so that it is understood by the entire class. Important features of a revised lesson plan include group work assignments and pairing the disabled students with other classmates to assist with the lesson. Allowing extra time for disabled students to work on their projects, is also a great accommodation that should be included. This encourages time to carefully think and plan out the assignment as well as allowing the students with special needs to work effectively.

As part of my lesson, I would assign each disabled student a seat with another student that is advanced, in case he/she gets confused. In this way someone is always seated by him/her ready to help with questions and concerns. I would also monitor the child closely and check in with his/her group frequently to be sure that they are progressing. Modifying the questions and reducing the number of questions given, would also be an accommodation.

In discussing with the group, we talked about conducting a lesson plan on patterns based on the subject Math. Students will be given different types of objects such as beads, buttons, bingo chips, and cloth pins to manipulate with and the outcome is to place the objects into patterns or formats. Three of our students are disabled. One is blind, the other is deaf, and the third is in a wheelchair. The blind student will be given different textured objects such as cotton and wooden blocks, to feel and place into a pattern. I would also have brail for the blind student to use during the class. For the child who is deaf, I would hand out a work sheet for him/her to work on. I would also present the information visually using an overhead projector, posters, pocket charts, and chalkboard. As for the physically disabled student in the wheelchair, I would make sure that the classroom is spacious enough for the student to move around. Also I would have the student have study materials readily accessible to him/her at all times.

It is important that lesson plans be revised to include disabled students because students with disabilities, whether physical, emotional, or cognitive in nature, respond to the curriculum differently from other students. By modifying the lesson appropriately, it assists the child with a disability, to better understand the concept of the lesson. It also provides encouragement and lessens the anxiety that the student may have over the assignment. I feel that it is imperative that we pay close attention to their needs and assist them in every way possible. Our goal as teachers is to ensure that each of our students are on the right path. Teachers must adjust the materials of their presentation to break down the barriers and assist their students in learning.

Following activities, the disabled students should be able to understand the concept of the lesson. Each student should be able to engage with his or her learning in a meaningful way. And each member of the class should be able to participate directly in the learning experience.