As more schools move toward inclusion, how can general and special educators work together to create warm, welcoming classrooms where all students learn and belong? Discover practical answers in this friendly, down-to-earth teacher's guide. Filled with ready-to-use teaching tips, insights from inclusive educators, and examples that relate directly to everyday classroom experiences, this book will help general and special educators collaborate effectively and build a great "toolbox" of strategies to support all learners within inclusive classrooms. With this highly motivating guidebook close at hand, new and seasoned educators will create engaging, exciting, and joyful inclusive classrooms that support social and academic success for all. STRATEGIES THAT HELP TEACHERS: ensure that all students have access to the general education curriculum in the least restrictive environment presume competence and recognize every student's unique strengths meet students' individual learning needs with differentiated lessons and innovative academic supports team up and collaborate with other educators and professionals to make the most of everyone's expertise distinguish an IEP from a 504 plan, and develop and implement both appropriately support students who have behavior challenges with a classroom-wide positive behavior support system promote social inclusion in the classroom and in recreational spaces, from the playground to the lunchroom supervise the important work of paraprofessionals avoid burnout with self-care strategies and stress-busters PRACTICAL RESOURCES: Planning tools and checklists to help you identify student strengths, develop IEPs, plan lessons, strengthen co-teaching, choose modifications and accommodations, and more.

A great occupational therapist is a key success factor in your inclusive school-OTs are on the front lines every day, making critical decisions that help students access the curriculum and fully participate. This is the friendly, down-to-earth survival guide OTs need to deliver their important services effectively as part of an inclusive school team. Packed with practical guidance and tips, examples that relate directly to an OT's daily practice, and first-person insights from seasoned OTs, this guidebook is key to helping students develop new skills in key areas, from motor skills and mobility to academic achievement and friendships. All new OTs should read this book before their first day in an inclusive school-and veteran OTs will find it invaluable for ensuring that supports are delivered in the least restrictive environment. STRATEGIES THAT HELP OTs: * collaborate with other members of the school team * choose and use environmental, behavioral, social, and academic * supports that help students succeed * stay focused on strengths and abilities rather than disability * use an RTI framework to deliver appropriate levels of support * match supports to students' specific strengths * avoid "the Velcro effect" and support student independence * facilitate peer supports and friendships * resolve challenging behavior in gentle, positive ways * keep expectations high for all students PRACTICAL MATERIALS: Tools and checklists to help organize team meeting notes, choose student supports, define team roles and responsibilities, support participation of nonverbal students, presume competence, and more.