Inclusive teaching
Promote inclusion as part of your school’s STEM teaching process. If you’re running science activities for students with special educational needs, you will need to plan carefully to make sure you’re as inclusive and engaging for all students as possible.
How to plan inclusive activities for your students:
Visual Aids
Use visual aids to teach the language of science. This will help you explain the meaning of words such as 'strong', 'weak', 'textured', 'absorbent', 'force' and 'gravity'.
Demonstrate
Ask students to demonstrate as much as possible. Use language such as 'give me', 'show me', 'make me'.
Express Themselves
Help students express ideas.
Outdoor Play
Use outdoor play to develop concepts.
Answers and Ideas
Discuss a range of answers and ideas.
Student Ideas
Repeat and take note of suggestions from students. Refer back to them during a discussion.
Time Keeping
Record the passing of time and set up routines that draw students’ attention to the measurement of time.
Language of Time
Teach and practise the language of time.
Time Management
Allow time for students to practise handling new equipment. Ensure enough time for students to finish creations such as diagrams and models.
Give Choices
Give students the choice to explain their work orally or in another way that might be more comfortable.
Visual Clues
Give visual clues or symbols that will remind students of a particular stage of an investigation.
Find more strategies in the NCCA Guidelines for Teachers of Students with General Learning Disabilities.
For further support on special education, visit the National Council for Special Education website.
Get updates on Curious Minds news and events
Contact us
curiousminds@researchireland.ie