Physical EnvironmentIn recent years, there has been extensive thought and researchgiventohowschoolscancreateinclusive learningenvironments.Dozensofreferencebooks havebeenwrittenthatrecommendinclusivepractice, strategiesandsolutions.eachersarebecomingmore e!uipped to handle the diverse learning needs of their students."steachersandschoolsgraduallymoveto moreinclusiveprogramming,itisalsonecessaryfor themtopayclose attention tothe physicalspace and designoftheinclusiveclass.Infact,thephysical arrangementofaclassroomenvironmentwilllargely determine if and how inclusion will happen. herefore, creatinganinclusivelearningenvironmentisn#t$ust aboutchangingattitudes,supportsystemsand activitiesitisalsoaboutrearrangingthephysical spacetoaccommodatethevariousneedsthat exceptional children have.%elow are several suggestions teachers and schools can use to arrange the physical space of a classroom in order to facilitate inclusion& Place Student Desks in GroupsPutdesksinsmallgroups'()*desks pergroup+sothatallstudentshave theopportunityforcooperative learning,collaboration,anddiscussion. "swell,placetheteacher,sdeskon theperipheryoftheclassroom. eachers in an inclusive class rarely sit downduringtheirdayanddon,tneed their desks getting in the way.Provide -enters-entersappealtovariouslearning styles,buttheymustbeaccessible andopen."swell,thematerialsand manipulative at each center must be appropriateandstoredwhereall studentscanreachthem.Placing books on a high shelf is limiting for a smallerstudentoronewhoisina wheelchair.eeting /pot-reate one area of the classroom where the students can come together to have discussions, develop social skills, and participate in large group activities. his space must have enough room for "00 the students to gather.Classroom Decor"ninclusiveclassroomneedsto bedecoratedinawaythatdoes notcreatedistractionand sensoryoverload.oomany brightcolors,posters,clutter, andfurniturecaneasilydistract the most focused child.Safety/Emergency PreparednessEnsureade!uatespaceforall studentstomovesafelyaround theroom.-learclutter,stabilize furniture,tapedownwiresand cables,andplacesignsand symbolsaroundtheroomthat pointoutexitandentrywaysin case of an emergency."ccessibilityhephysicaltherapistoroccupational therapistmightbeincludedinan assessmentoftheschooltodetermine needssuchasramps,handrails,widening of sidewalks and doors, and ad$ustment of e!uipment heights."lsoincludedinthephysicalenvironment categoryaretransportationneeds.hese mightincludeconsiderationofachild1speci2c assistant on the busSocial Skills and Management/ocial /kills and .anagementEstablish Relationships "sateacher,yourrelationshipwithastudentstartsthemoment youmeetthem.3omatterhowdi4cultastudentmaybe,you needtoembracethechallengeofgettingtoknowhimorher. Every child deserves love. 0ife has enough hard knocks in store for achildwhostrugglessocially,andyoumaybeoneofthefew people that child believes cares about him or her. his could make adi6erenceinhisorherlifechoices,oratleastinhisorher decision not todisrupt your class. .anyteachersnaturallyformrelationshipswithchildren.hey en$oytheirpresence,listentothemandrespondappropriately, lookwithinterestatwhatchildrenshowthem7fromarockstar#s picture in a notebook to a s!uishy worm7and ask !uestionsabout it.heylearntheirstudents#namesandgreetthematthedoor. 8henadisputearises,theylistenandtrytobefair.heydon#t playfavorites.eachingisaveryactive$ob,especiallyinhigher gradelevels,inwhichteachershavelessthantwominutesper child per class period to establish a relationship.Create a Positive earning Climate9neofthemostimportantthingsyoucando toproactivelymanageyourclassistoestablishaclimate thatencourageslearning.eachersneedtobeawareof students#intellectual,emotional,physicalandsocial needsandestablishrulesandprocedurestomeetthem. /tudents should be recognized as individuals, each of whom has something to o6er."rrangestudentseatingstrategically,groupingstudentsby skilllevelorarrangingtheminamannerthat#sconducive togroupworkorsharinginpairs."lso,planforpatterns ofmovementwithintheclassroomandhaveyourstudents practiceuntilit#ssecondnature:movingstudentsina structured,timedwaycanenlivenyourclassroom,while maintaining controland adding focus.Encourage !elpful !ands 0etting students take part in the classroom helps them feel invested7and it can be a help to you as well; /ome experienced teachers use task cards on which students# names rotate weekly. /trategies such as this provide fair ways to distribute classroom $obs. It can also be helpful to post a signthat tellshow to do a $ob.