Hello! My name is Ms. Meyers, I teach a self contained K-5th classroom of students with intellectual disabilities at Hillcrest Elementary. Classrooms such as these cater to students who have special educational needs due to severe learning difficulties and each of their specific disability. All of the students in this classroom have a 70 or lower IQ. This is a classroom setting in which children with special needs are placed with other children with similar needs. All of these students attend elective classes (art, P.E., music, dance, and cultural enrichment) as regular education students do, but receive the rest of their academic instruction in their self contained classroom. Each of these students have an IEP (individualized education plan) which is personalized to help them achieve their academic goals. Our school is located in an extremely high poverty area of central Florida, earning title I status and free breakfasts and lunches for every student. We are developing academic skills in a small group setting, helping students practice life skills such as cooking and caring for themselves (personal hygiene) and classroom pets, exploring the world around us, and utilizing technology. All of these things enable our students to live their best lives.
My Project
STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math. It is a curriculum that is based upon combining these four disciplines. I believe special needs students are capable of participating in the same type of STEM education as everyone else! The only difference is things are on a more personalized and smaller scale. The engineering projects may not consist of robotics, but of getting an object such as a marble from point A to point B, placing objects of a certain pattern or shape/size in a specific order in place, or building something specific out of LEGOS. A LEGO board base will help LEGO projects to have stability, which is something these students with fine motor deficits struggle with. The science projects may consist of more basic subjects such as the life cycle of a butterfly or the power of magnets, but with hands on materials to discover and apply concepts. The math portion of STEM would consist of simple counting, adding, and subtracting with manipulatives such as counters or cars for a hands on experience.
Most students thrive in active, hands-on, problem-solving classroom environments; and this is especially true for kids with special needs.
STEM education absolutely depends on active, hands-on engagement to discover, learn, and solve problems. To do this, you need adequate materials and manipulatives which is something I do not have... yet!
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