Rigor in the Classroom with Special Learners

Marco C. Ray, M.A.Roncalli High School

Indianapolis, INmray@roncalli.org

My Story as Teacher: Hearing the Call

• Mary Kochman’s Humanities Class• Taylor University: English/Education• Getting into the Classroom: Shipshewana and

Fort Wayne• Summers: Camp Counselor

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My Story as Teacher: Answering the Call

• Working in Fort Wayne with At-Risk Students• Working in Massachusetts with Students with

Special Needs at Landmark School• Gloucester High School: Lower-Level Classes• Roncalli High School: Teaching Both Upper-

Level and Lower-Level Courses

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What I Have Learned about Rigor

• Setting the Bar: Seeing Students Meet it• Challenging Myself: Staying a Learner• Learning from other Teachers• Engagement, Critical Thinking, Meeting Goals

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Values

• Balance: Taking Seriously IEPs and other Modifications

• Working with STARS program• Listening to Students and Parents• Class Size and Individualized Help• Treating each Student as an Individual

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Establishing Rigor

• Classroom Rules and Expectations• Classroom Environment• Day 1• Day 180

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Implementing Rigor

• Vocabulary: Level of Words and Tests• Reading: Textbook and Novels• Essays: The 5 paragraph composition and

research paper• Homework• Class Discussions• Special Projects

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Results

• Test Results• As Writers• As Thinkers• Testimonies

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Reflection

• What is a subject in school with which you struggled? How did a teacher or other mentor help you to succeed?

• Regardless of the type of learner, why is rigor in the classroom important?

• Regardless of the class, why is rigor in the classroom important?

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