You are here

The Exceptional Teacher's Handbook
Share
Share

The Exceptional Teacher's Handbook
The First-Year Special Education Teacher's Guide to Success

Third Edition


February 2009 | 240 pages | Corwin

"What an excellent resource for the beginning teacher! Practical, down-to-earth resources that can be implemented the first day of school!"
—Kristle F. Evans, Director of Human Resources/Community Relations
Lampeter-Strasburg School District, PA

"The book is organized logically and flows well from the first chapter to the last. It helps teachers manage an effective special education classroom the entire school year. This book should be a required resource for every new special education teacher."
—Phyllis N. Levert, School Administrator
Georgia School Districts, Atlanta, GA

Specific guidelines and strategies to help special educators navigate their first year!

The first year in the career of a special education teacher is filled with expectation and promise. Revised to address the most common needs of beginning special education teachers, the third edition of The Exceptional Teacher's Handbook helps new educators move confidently from preplanning to post-planning for the entire school year.

The authors present a step-by-step management approach complete with planning checklists and other ready-to-use forms within the context of IDEA 2004 and NCLB. Written from the perspective of a classroom teacher, this popular reference offers updates on:

  • Recognized disabilities
  • Best instructional practices for getting the most out of your students
  • Successful parent conferences
  • Effective plans for professional learning
  • Alternate assessments, emergencies in the school setting, education terminology, and more

Actively address challenges and concerns with this one-stop handbook that will help smooth the transition from student teacher to professional educator.


 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Introduction
 
1. Preparing for a Successful School Year
Strategy 1: Get to Know Your School

 
Strategy 2: Allocate Time for Reflecting

 
Strategy 3: Locate a Mentor Teacher

 
Strategy 4: Identify Essential Tasks

 
Strategy 5: Orientate Assigned Paraprofessionals

 
Strategy 6: Establish a Communication System

 
Form 1.1. Get to Know Your School Checklist

 
Form 1.2. Preplanning Checklist

 
Form 1.3. Monthly Planning Checklist

 
Form 1.4. Postplanning Checklist

 
Form 1.5. Correspondence Log

 
Form 1.6. Student Emergency Information

 
Form 1.7. Noninstructional Classroom Supply Checklist

 
Form 1.8. Instructional Classroom Supply Checklist

 
Form 1.9. Classroom Inventory Checklist

 
Form 1.10. Paraprofessional's Classroom Responsibilties Checklist

 
Form 1.11. Student Service Information

 
Form 1.12. Present Levels of Performance

 
Form 1.13. Self-Evaluation Instrument for the Special Education Teacher

 
Resource 1.1. Suggestions for Working With a Paraprofessional

 
Resource 1.2. Web Sites for Parents and Students

 
Resource 1.3. Assistive Technology Information

 
 
2. Understanding Students With Disabilities
Strategy 1: Review Student Information

 
Strategy 2: Conduct Student Surveys and Inventories

 
Strategy 3: Review Recognized Disabilities in IDEA

 
Form 2.1. Student Folder Checklist

 
Form 2.2. Student Profile

 
Form 2.3. Student Academic Inventory

 
Form 2.4. Student Learning Styles Survey

 
Form 2.5. Student Interest Survey

 
 
3. Placing Students in the Least Restrictive Environment
Section 1: Review of Service Delivery Models

 
Section 2: The Placement Decision

 
Section 3: Classroom Accommodations and Modifications

 
Section 4: Monitoring Students in the General Education Setting

 
Section 5: Tips for the Regular Education Teacher

 
Form 3.1. Selecting the Least Restrictive Environment Checklist

 
Form 3.2. Teacher Summary Report

 
Form 3.3. Classroom Adaptations

 
Form 3.4. Classroom Adaptation Evaluation

 
Form 3.5. Student's Materials List

 
Form 3.6A. Teacher Directions for Completing Student Monitor Forms

 
Form 3.6B. Student Monitor Form

 
Form 3.7. Student Monitor Results Summary

 
Form 3.8. Individual Student Progress Report Summary

 
Form 3.9. Individual Student Final Grade Summary

 
Resource 3.1. Defining Accommodations and Modifications

 
Resource 3.2. Suggestions for Tests Adaptions

 
 
4. Managing the Classroom
Step 1: Review the School's Policies and Procedures Pertaining to Student and Teacher Expectations

 
Step 2: Ensure the Physical Arrangement and Decor of the Classroom Is Inviting and Conducive to Learning

 
Step 3: Ensure the Classroom Climate Is Supportive and Reflects a Sense of Mutual Respect Between Teacher and Students

 
Step 4: Communicate All Expectations for Students' Academic Performance and Behaviors in the Classroom

 
Step 5: Develop Classroom Policies and Procedures That Clearly Regulate All Activities

 
Form 4.1. Daily Point System

 
Form 4.2. Behavior Contract

 
Form 4.3. Student Progress Report

 
Form 4.4. Classroom Policies and Procedures Checklist

 
Form 4.5. Classroom Management Plan Evaluation

 
Resource 4.1. Tips for Classroom Arrangement

 
Resource 4.2. Bulletin Boards Guidelines and Information

 
Resource 4.3. Tips for Communicating With Students and Parents

 
Resource 4.4. Tips for Developing Classroom Rules and Consequences

 
Resource 4.5. Tips for Developing Behavior Modification Plans

 
 
5. Teaching All Students
Section 1: Preparing for Instruction

 
Section 2: Planning and Implementing Effective Lesson Plans

 
Section 3: Instructional Strategies for All Students

 
Section 4: Evaluating Student Progress

 
Form 5.1. IEP Goals and Objectives Checklist

 
Form 5.2. Classroom Teacher's Instructional Materials List

 
Form 5.3. Class Schedule

 
Form 5.4. Weekly Lesson Plan

 
Resource 5.1. Guide to Locating Instructional Materials

 
Resource 5.2. Technology-Connected Lesson Plan Form

 
 
6. Preparing for a Successful Parent Conference
Form 6.1. Essential Tasks for All Parent-Teacher Conferences

 
Form 6.2. Essential Information for the Progress Report Conference

 
Form 6.3. Essential Information for the Problem-Solving Conference

 
Form 6.4. Conference Notification

 
Form 6.5. Conference Reminder

 
Form 6.6. Conference Minutes

 
Form 6.7. Conference Summary

 
Resource 6.1. Teacher Guidelines for Parent Conferences

 
Resource 6.2. Parent Tips for Conference Preparation

 
Resource 6.3. Dealing With the Anger of Parents

 
 
7. Understanding Education Assessments
Section 1: Review Basic Test and Measurement Information

 
Section 2: Understand the Levels of Educational Assessments in Schools

 
Section 3: Know the Current IDEA Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Assessing Students With Disabilities

 
Section 4: Review of Alternate Assessments

 
Section 5: Review of Appropriate Assessment Accommodations

 
Form 7.1. Test Administration Checklist

 
Resource 7.1. Educational Assessments

 
Resource 7.2. Possible Accommodations for Students With Disabilities

 
Resource 7.3. Formative and Summative Assessments

 
 
8. Writing a Legal and Effective Individualized Education Program
Section 1: The Legal Requirements of an IEP

 
Section 2: Understanding the Components of an IEP

 
Section 3: Involving Students and Parents in the IEP Process

 
Form 8.1. Essential Information for the Annual IEP

 
Resource 8.1. Four Pillars of NCLB

 
Resource 8.2. IEP Reference Materials

 
 
9. Preparing Students for Transition
Strategy 1: Understanding the Legal Aspects of Transition

 
Strategy 2: Prepare Students for Movement to a New School

 
Strategy 3: Prepare Students for Post-School Endeavors

 
Form 9.1. High School 4-Year Plan

 
Form 9.2. Unit of Credit Checklist

 
Form 9.3. Work-Based Student Evaluation

 
Form 9.4. Student's Critique of Job Site

 
Resource 9.1. Students With Disabilities Preparing for Post secondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

 
Resource 9.2. Work Behavior Training Strategies for Vocational Training With Students With Disabilities

 
Resource 9.3. Job Accommodations for People With Mental Retardation (MR) or Other Developmental Disabilities (DD)

 
 
10. Preparing a Plan for Professional Learning
Strategy 1: Formulate a Professional Learning Plan

 
Strategy 2: Develop a Professional Portfolio

 
Strategy 3: Join a Professional Organization

 
Strategy 4: Read Professional Organization

 
Strategy 5: Enroll in Advanced College Courses or Professional Learning Classes

 
Strategy 6: Participate in a Professional Learning Community

 
Form 10.1. Professional Development Plan

 
Form 10.2. Portfolio Format for the Professional Educator

 
Form 10.3. Conference Planning Guide

 
Resource 10.1. The Special Education Teacher's Guide to Professional Organizations

 
Resource 10.2. The Special Education Teacher's Guide to Professional Periodicals

 
Resource 10.3. The Special Education Teacher's Guide to Professional Books

 
Resource 10.4. Web Sites for Special Education Teachers

 
 
Resource A: Emergencies in the School Setting
Section 1: Physical Health Issues of Students

 
Section 2: Mental Health Issues of Students

 
Section 3: Review of Natural Disasters

 
Section 4: Acts of Violence

 
Form A.1. Medical History

 
Form A.2. Emergency Medical Plan

 
Form A.3. Medical Incident Report

 
Form A.4. Medical Incident Log

 
Resource A.1. Classroom "Go-Kit" Supplies

 
Resource A.2. Recommended First Aid Supplies

 
 
Resource B: Stress Management for the First-Year Teacher
Resource B.1. Tips for Stress Management

 
 
Resource C: Support Organizations for Students
 
Resource D: Guide to Locating Instructional Materials
 
Resource E: Education Terminology
 
References
 
Index

"What an excellent resource for the beginning teacher! Practical, down-to-earth resources that can be implemented the first day of school!"

Kristle F. Evans, Director of Human Resources/Community Relations
Lampeter-Strasburg School District, PA

"The book is organized logically and flows well from the first chapter to the last. It helps teachers manage an effective special education classroom, from pre-planning through post-planning, the entire school year. This book should be a required resource for every new special education teacher."

Phyllis N. Levert, School Administrator
Georgia School Districts, Atlanta, GA

For instructors

Select a Purchasing Option


Rent or Buy eBook
ISBN: 9781452239057

Paperback
ISBN: 9781412969147
$43.95