Common-Sense Classroom Management Techniques for Working with Students with Significant Disabilities

"A book that is sure to help both new and veteran teachers plan instruction, collaborate with colleagues, design curricular adaptations, and advocate inclusive education. Written by experienced practitioners, this resource is full of teacher-tested ideas."
―Paula Kluth, Educational Consultant
Common Schools Consulting

"This book provides excellent guidance for the successful implementation of IEPs for students who have very challenging needs. The information is research based, guides good practice, and provides clearly stated expectations."
―Mary Reeve, SPED Director
Gallup-McKinley County Public Schools, NM

Help ensure the best possible outcomes for learners with significant disabilities!

Today′s diverse classrooms challenge even the most experienced teachers. Using an easy-to-read format, this resource offers tools and techniques that teachers can use to reach all learners, particularly those with more significant disabilities, and give them the support they need to succeed.

In this invaluable resource, teachers will find common-sense ideas and strategies to help promote full participation, educational equity, and self-sufficiency for students with significant disabilities. Readers will find charts, graphs, sample forms, Web-based resources, and practical techniques to adopt or modify for learners with or without special needs. Topics include:

• Organizing students and the classroom
• Building academic and functional skills
• Preparing for transitions
• Working with support staff
• Communicating with parents and caregivers
• Assistive technology
• Lesson planning and creating IEPs

Perfect for new or experienced teachers, administrators, teacher trainers, parents, or anyone else who works with children, the strategies in this guide help ensure that all students have access to the education they want and deserve.

Jill A. Lindberg retired from Milwaukee Public Schools in June 2003 and is currently a supervising teacher for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her teaching experience includes six years as a mentor teacher, assisting both general and special education teachers in Milwaukee Public Schools. She has taught students with specific learning disabilities, students with emotional/behavior disabilities, and students with hearing impairment.  She has coauthored five books in the Common-Sense Classroom Management series with educators from the Milwaukee area. She has a degree in exceptional education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Michele Flasch Ziegler has 19 years of experience in teaching, administration, and teacher training. Her teaching experiences included working as a high school classroom teacher for students with intellectual disabilities and as a transition teacher for the Madison, Wisconsin Metropolitan School District. She also assisted in coordinating services and offering technical support to teachers working in the K-12 intellectual disabilities program in Indianapolis Public Schools. Currently, she is an assistant professor at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In an effort to continually expand opportunities and the quality of life for individuals with intellectual disabilities, she continues to support schools and families that include individuals with diverse needs. She has a PhD in special education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, as well as a master’s degree in education administration from Indiana University.

Lisa Barczyk is a physical therapist with 22 years of professional experience in school-based pediatric practice. After graduating from Marquette University, she took a position with Milwaukee Public Schools as a staff physical therapist, and for the past 12 years has served as the supervisor of occupational and physical therapy. In that role, she has developed and provided specialized training and support to teachers, therapists, and teaching assistants of students with significant and multiple challenges.