How to Manage an Inclusion Classroom

Inclusion classrooms include children with disabilities in mainstream classrooms.

Managing an inclusion classroom is challenging on the best days. A teacher who tackles this challenge should gather as much knowledge as possible concerning the specific abilities the students in the general inclusion classroom. Gathering discipline strategies and admitting to shortcomings also assists in managing the inclusion classroom. Strong teachers constantly reassess themselves and their classroom to create a successful inclusion classroom management plan. With good preparation, managing such a classroom will become easier for you.

Things You'll Need

• Classroom discipline plan

Instructions

1. Consider the classroom as a whole. Educate yourself on what the students in the classroom face. Consider what types of students are in the inclusion classroom, and what types of disabilities or other problems the students are handling. Use this information in curriculum and discipline planning. Devise teaching strategies, such as allowing energetic students to run errands, before attempting to manage an inclusion classroom.

2. Develop a discipline strategy. In general, the same discipline strategies used in a non-inclusion classroom can be used in an inclusion classroom. The differences between the classrooms is the teacher's selection of behavioral intervention. Inclusion classrooms may need extra intervention in behaviors, as these classrooms often deal with disabilities. Consider if the discipline strategy is developmentally appropriate, and consider the level of the students' disabilities.

3. Revise as necessary. Often, managing an inclusion classroom is a trial-and-error process. If a discipline or teaching strategy is not working, ask evaluation questions to discover the source of the problem. Could the problem stem from the student's disability, the teaching methods, the layout of the classroom or the student's misinterpretation of presented material? Finding the answer to the separate parts of this question and revising the management plan is key to success in the inclusion classroom.

References

• How to Manage Disruptive Behavior in Inclusion Classrooms: Due Process in Discipline
• Teacher Vision: How to Manage Disruptive Behavior in Inclusion Classrooms