Congratulations to the newest Special Learning Needs Resource Specialists

Very proud of the hard work and dedication this group showed in completing the training in the Institute to Credential Special Learning Needs Resource Specialists! So glad you are doing great work in Illinois!

Raylynn Stokes, South Suburban College, Joe Tully, Wilbur Wright College,
Meg Dawczak, Moraine Valley College, Yolanda Bennett, Moraine Valley College,
Kristy Durkin, College of DuPage, Julie Frost, Township High School District 214,
Rhonda Barbeau, Township High School District 211, Patrick Lohan, Moraine Valley College,
Marilyn Benjamin, Oakton Community College

Thanks to the Fabulous SLN Folks Who Shared Their Expertise

IACEA 2018 was dubbed the "greatest conference ever"! That's thanks in large part to some fabulous SLN folks sharing their knowledge and experience. 

Sally Guy and Rich Wince, Elgin Community College
CCR Standards, Special Learning Needs, Differentiation: How to Integrate

 Tara Schwab and Heather Martin, Waubonsee Community CollegeUsing Games to Differentiate, Motive, and Engage

Yolanda Bennett, Moraine Valley CollegeThe Extended Response

Patrick Lohan, Lauren Zajac, Meg Dawczak, Moraine Valley Community College
Building a Healthcare Continuum: Authentic Entries and Exits for All Learners

Mandy Dwyer, Joliet Junior College
Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers

Thanks to Nikki Michalak, Autism Consultant / Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project, Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support, for presenting:
Supporting Students with ASD in the College Setting


Thanks, also, to Susan Cunningham, Rend Lake College, not pictured, for sharing Stand UP, Speak Up: Helping Students Advocate for Accommodations 

IACEA Sessions with Special Learning Needs Focus

IACEA 38th Annual State Conference - March 7 - 9, 2018

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

Wyndham Springfield City Centre, Springfield, Illinois

Effective Instruction Techniques for Students with Special Learning Needs
Wednesday, March 7, 9:00 – 10:15 am   Plaza 3                  Colleen Potter

CCR Standards, Special Learning Needs, Differentiation: How to Integrate
Wednesday, March 7, 10:30 – 11:45 am Plaza 3                  Richard Wince and Sally Guy

It’s Never Too Early: integrating Geometry into Beginning Math
Wednesday, March 7, 3:30 – 4:45 pm     Ambassador          Marilyn Uehle

Embracing the LEARNER in All of Us
Thursday, March 8, 9:00 - 10:15 am        Embassy        Stephanie Woodley and Jennifer Stringfellow

Stand UP, Speak Up: Helping Students Advocate for Accommodations
Thursday, March 8, 9:00 - 10:15 am         Plaza 3          Susan Cunningham

The Extended Response
Thursday, March 8, 2:15 - 3:30 pm            Plaza 3             Yolanda Bennett

Using Games to Differentiate, Motive, and Engage
Thursday, March 8, 3:45 - 5:00 pm            Embassy              Heather Martin and Tara 

Schwab

Supporting Students with ASD in the College Setting
Thursday, March 8, 3:45 - 5:00 pm            Plaza 3                  Nikki Michalak

Classifying + Understanding + Communication = Graphic Organizers
Thursday, March 8, 3:45 - 5:00 pm            Rendezvous       Sarah Goldammer

Learning Strategies

Thanks to Julie Frost, ESL Coordinator for District 211 and current participant in the Institute to Credential Special Learning Needs Resource Specialists, for her insights!

In foreign language we used this strategy a lot and I use it in ESL too. Text to self; text to text; text to world. These sentence starters were given to me.

Text-to-self:

What does this remind me of in my life?
What is this similar to in my life?
How is this different from my life?
Has something like this ever happened to me?
How does this relate to my life?
What were my feelings when I read this?

Text-to-text:
What does this remind me of in another book I’ve read?
How is this text similar to other things I’ve read?
How is this different from other books I’ve read?
Have I read about something like this before?

Text-to-world:
What does this remind me of in the real world?
How is this text similar to things that happen in the real world?
How is this different from things that happen in the real world?
How did that part relate to the world around me?

I found this cartoon which I thought was cute!

Something to Make You Smile and Celebrate!

The 2018 Gerber baby was just named, and he is Lucas Warren, the first child with Down syndrome to receive the honor.

The 18-month-old from Dalton, Ga., was selected as “2018 Gerber Spokesbaby” from more than 140,000 photos submitted by parents.

Let's celebrate the widening of America's perspective!

More Great Classroom Advice for Special Learning Needs Students and for ALL Students

Rhonda Barbeau from Township High School District #211 and a current participant in the Institute to Credential Special Learning Needs Resource Specialists shares the following effective classroom strategies:

1. Make sure students understand the directions. Whether it is visually, auditory or however they learn.

2. Show the students what the end project will look like.

3. Show the students on a graph, or checklist, or whatever works, that they are making progress. If a student has stalled at a certain point, it is a flag to me there is confusion and I need to help them out.

4. Every step can be broken down. Even if you think you cannot break down a step anymore, take time to think about it and find a way to break it down even more.

5. Patience, and encouragement every step of the way.

6. Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility! The best-laid plans don't always work. Then drop back 20 and punt. (Sarah's favorite - always good advice - especially good for Super Bowl weekend!)

Thanks Rhonda!

Great Classroom Advice for Special Learning Needs Students and for ALL Students

Marilyn Benjamin from Oakton Community College and a current participant in the Institute to Credential Special Learning Needs Resource Specialists shares the following effective classroom strategies:

• Begin with discussion of the goals and objectives for each lesson
• Use problem-based learning providing a bigger picture unit/lesson question and have students discuss in groups possible solutions or answers
• Offer lesson materials in a variety of learning preferences and include technology
• Do something fun and challenging related to the lesson (games from the Internet , Jeopardy, Family Feud or solve riddles)
• Give formal and non-formal assessments allowing re-teaching of material when necessary
• Use small group work for socialization (needed for work and life skills) and reflection of assigned academic work
• Break skills into smaller steps student(s) can master
• Use mnemonic measures or other retention aids 

 Thanks, Marilyn, for all you to foster student success at Oakton!