SPE 638 Inclusive Classroom Practice and Student/Intern Teaching PreK-8

Create a learning environment that is inviting to all students and conducive to student achievement.

The content presented on this page is representative information for example purposes and is subject to change without notice as course and student needs change over time. For current course descriptions, please see the Online Academic Catalog.

Learning should be enjoyable. When you spend time creating an environment that is stimulating, you motivate students to enjoy learning and interacting with their classmates. It’s a win-win. They enjoy learning and you enjoy teaching. In this course, you’re responsible for a hypothetical class of students from kindergarten to eighth grade. Your inclusive classroom is made up of a combination of general education students along with some students who have disabilities and other learning differences. As you collaborate with others in planning and teaching all students, you learn how to effectively plan for those students in your class with learning differences.

This course focuses on the unique needs of students in grades PreK-8 as well as the development of proactive approaches to classroom and school environments. This enables teachers to increase the amount of academic learning time to address the needs of all students. In addition, coursework includes a focus on understanding how behaviors are influenced by pedagogical practices.

As you complete your student teaching experience you will develop skills in effective inclusive classroom management and creating a classroom climate conducive to student achievement (including visuals and co-teaching), as well as research-based academic interventions to effectively teach students with disabilities in today’s schools. Coursework provides comprehensive coverage of a variety of discipline models as well as activities promoting positive behavioral supports. By establishing cooperative classroom routines, procedures, and practices, including progress reports, you increase student motivation and learning.

Sample Course Topics  

Throughout this course, weekly topics may include:

• Foundations of Behavior
• Individual Behavior Supports. 
• Managing the Learning Environment
• Collaboration
• Response to Intervention
• School-Wide Behavior Supports and Safety

Examples of What You’ll Learn

Upon completing SPE 638, you will be able to:

• Discuss various theories as to why children exhibit problem behavior, and ways in which to consider, gather, and use behavioral data.
• Identify factors that can affect student behavior, including societal and physiological demands; physical, cognitive, and social changes in children’s development; and parental, peer, and self-expectations.
• Understand functional analysis and conduct a Functional Behavioral Assessment.
• Implement proactive approaches to preparing and managing the physical environment of your classroom.
• Collaborate effectively by supporting partnerships between teacher trainees and master teachers, encouraging schools to build a collaborative learning community, and by encouraging teachers to seek the assistance of specialized consultants or parental help.
• Implement the Response to Intervention approach to make good instructional and intervention decisions.
• Discuss the School-wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Support and enumerate the elements of the Threat Assessment.

To learn more about the online Master of Science in Education – Special Education curriculum from Saint Joseph’s University, including Inclusive Classroom Practice and Student/Intern Teaching PreK-8, call (610) 660-3400 to speak with a Program Manager or request more information.

The content presented on this page is representative information for example purposes and is subject to change without notice as course and student needs change over time. For current course descriptions, please see the Online Academic Catalog.