Workshop brings special and general educators together

Occupational Therapist Julie Parsons demonstrates engaging methods for strengthening little fingers.

A teacher stands before her class of three-, four-, or five-year-olds ready to work with them on how to form their letters. But rather than just asking them to put pencil – or crayon – to paper, she invites them to write the letters in the air using their fingers. She squirts shaving cream on their desks so they can practice dragging their fingers through the foam. She challenges them to shape their bodies into the letter. She describes writing the letter with words as she demonstrates writing the letter.

This is a teacher who understands that all students have different learning styles – some learn more by hearing, others by seeing, others by touch – and who involves all of her students’ senses in her lessons.

At a recent workshop, held on June 28 and 29, 2006 at the Loyola College Graduate Center in Timonium, 115 Baltimore County Public Schools teachers gathered to learn more about multi-sensory instructional strategies as well as techniques to enhance classroom management, positive behavior, and language development.

Kindergarten teachers learn about multi-sensory strategies for implementing Open Court.

“This workshop focuses on supporting teachers in better meeting the needs of young students with individual education plans in general education classes. But the most wonderful thing about it is the way it brings general and special educators together to collaborate on educational practices that are best for all children,” explains Sharon Hoffman, early childhood supervisor for Baltimore County Public Schools.

Participants in this second annual workshop included early childhood special education inclusion teachers and general education preschool 3’s, prekindergarten, and kindergarten teachers.

The workshop was planned and led by staff from the Early Childhood and Special Education Offices, including an occupational therapist and speech and language specialist.

General and special educators brainstorm ideas about small group instruction.

In her evaluation of the workshop, one teacher wrote, “This professional development activity was well designed to meet the needs of a very diverse audience. It was good to have special education and regular classroom teachers together.”

A number of teachers indicated on their evaluations that the workshop will inspire them to be more aware of each child’s individual needs and unique abilities.

Story by Diana L. Spencer, communications officer. Photos courtesy of the Early Childhood Programs Office.