#1: Know your students
1. Talk to your school guidance counselor, or administrator about the students on your class roll. Find out who their teachers are, and if they need any special services in their general classroom.
2. If possible, get IEP summaries(may also be called student profiles or adaptations/modifications sheets) on all students with special needs in your classes, and review behavior management plans, curricular adaptation suggestions, and whether the student participates alone or with a “shadow” or aide.
3. Ask a special education staff member to review with you various limiting conditions associated with each student who has an IEP. They will gladly help you understand the “alphabet soup” of special education and will be up-to-date on any changes.
4. Identify “strong” students who will possibly be good “friends” for a special student who may need help. The school guidance counselor may be able to help identify students.
5. If possible, contact some students before school begins through postcards, emails, phone calls, or other forms of communication to “welcome” them to your class.
