By Sarah Elsbernd, Special Needs Facilitator One of the most powerful and impactful training I have ever been to was the summer autism training provided through Keystone AEA. While doing that training, there were four questions that guided everything we learned about working with students who have autism. Something clicked for me when I learned about these four questions, and I wondered where this classroom management guidance had been all my teaching career?! Whether you work with students who have autism or not, these questions are great for any student. So what are they?
If you are struggling with a student who does not know what to do, ask yourself, “Does the student know the answer to these four questions?” When students know before they start a task, they are likely to be more independent and behaviors will be minimized.
I had these questions posted on a paper beside my clock in my classroom. I reviewed them often and reflected on them when I had a behavior situation that did not go the way I wanted it. Did the student know all the answers to those questions before I asked them to do something? Did they know the answers before I expected them to do something without asking? If not, I couldn’t expect the student to follow through with a task perfectly. These questions can be applied to most any situation. Every day routines should also have these questions answered for students. Whether it is a paper/pencil task or going to lunch, you might consider breaking down the overall task into specific, smaller tasks. Even when I would think I had the questions answered, the answers might not have been clear enough for the students. I then needed to refine my answers by providing visuals or written explanations. As I reflect on these questions as an adult, I have realized that we look to have these questions answered for our own work. These questions changed my teaching, and I thought about them for each lesson that I planned and for each routine and task I expected out of my students. I hope that they can be as impactful for you and your students as they have been for me!
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AuthorsDCSD Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Learner Advocate, and Collaborative Teachers Archives
April 2024
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