Why is inclusion so important? Wouldn’t it be so much easier to keep exceptional students in their own bubble and let the other students in regular classrooms?
The answer my friends, is NO!
Every child is different and has different abilities. Just like adults. Don’t we learn by observation and interaction with other people? So do children… And I’m not saying that only exceptional children learn from the other children. They all learn from each other.
The key to understanding exceptionalities is to learn about them and understanding that they are all so different and a child with an exceptionality might have different needs of another child with the same exceptionality. For example, let's think of colours: all children with ADHD might be the colour blue. But how many shades of blue do you know? Try going to Home Depot and choose a paint colour for a wall. There are dozens of different shades, and depending on the wall you are going to paint, they will even turn into a new shade because of the lighting. This is what happens when we label children with a disability. We tend to put them all in the same colour, but we often forget about their shades.
In schools, one of the problems with inclusive classrooms is the lack of funds to pay for extra resources. The teachers have big classes and can’t provide the one on one teaching that exceptional students might need. So this should be resolved with extra help in the classroom by either an EA or an extra teacher. But we all know that there are always limited funds, so most of the time the teacher has to try to make accommodations or modifications that should be done by a specialized team.
This doesn’t mean that the teachers aren’t doing a good job. Most of them are! Having a growth mindset is so important for teachers. It means that they will be open to new ways of teaching and learning with these children. Some teachers are doing an amazing job in differentiated instruction in classrooms. Every child benefits from it, not just children that are exceptional. With different accommodations and modifications, students can strive and get the best education possible.
The most important thing is to know the students first and listen to their concerns and worries. One step at a time, trying to gain their trust so they can open up and see you as a friend, not just a teacher.
But why should students with exceptionalities be included in a regular classroom? Wouldn’t it be a lot easier to have them separated? Are we thinking about all the children by including them in regular classrooms? Will they benefit from inclusiveness or will they feel stressed and overwhelmed by regular curriculum and so many diverse peers? How about the other students? Will they be tolerant and accept people that act or appear different than them?
That will lead us to the next talk.
The attached website link is a great resource for a quick overview to "What is inclusion and how do we implement it". Even though it is talking about schools in Europe, it is very much the same as what we have been learning so far throughout my classes and textbooks. It validates that the movement towards more inclusive environments is world wide and Canada should be proud to be a leader in this movement as well.
This piece below is taken from the page link above.
"What does inclusive practices mean, and how can we ensure that all our classrooms and work environments are truly inclusive?
Inclusion is about how we structure our schools, our classrooms and our lessons so that all our students learn and participate together. An inclusive classroom is one that creates a supportive environment for all learners, including those with learning differences, and can also challenge and engage gifted and talented learners by building a more responsive learning environment.
Inclusivity also means respecting people from all backgrounds and cultures, and by teaching our students the importance of this we create a much more tolerant and understanding environment, not just in the classroom and school but also in wider society.
An inclusive school or classroom can only be successful when all students feel that they are truly part of the school community. This can only happen through open, honest discussion about differences and understanding and respecting people from all abilities and backgrounds. An inclusive environment is one where everyone feels valued."
