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Implementation of the supportive classroom curriculum guide is
a team effort. At a minimum, instructional support teams should
have a core consisting of the classroom teacher and a special educator.
If assigned regularly to the classroom, a paraeducator may also
be a member of the core team. The instructional support team should
also have extended team members who meet with the team when needed.
These extended team members may include parents, an administrator,
a behavior specialist, a speech and language pathologist and/or
other related services personnel. Core team members are directly
responsible for implementing the supportive classroom curriculum
on a day-to-day basis, however, extended team members should be
welcome at all core team meetings, be kept informed about curriculum
implementation, and be invited to participate in evaluation and
all major team decisions affecting curriculum implementation. Our
experience with instructional teams clearly supports a collaborative
teaming approach that helps form and maintain positive working relationships.
A collaborative team is a group of individuals who share common
beliefs and work towards common goals. Collaborative team members
spend time discussing what they hope to accomplish as a team and
set team and individual goals for reaching that vision. Collaborative
teams sit in a circle to encourage face-to-face-interactions. They
are made up of persons with varying areas of expertise who share
tasks, resources, responsibilities and leadership. Collaborative
team members use collaborative skills. Team members encourage each
other to interact and to take part in group problem solving and
decision-making activities, make decisions by consensus, poll each
other for understanding of issues or ideas, and criticize ideas,
but not each other. Collaborative teams establish norms for dealing
with sensitive or controversial issues. Team members observe each
other and provide constructive feedback on how they are doing as
individuals and as a team. Collaborative teams continue to change
and grow as challenges are addressed and overcome. They focus time
and energy on building positive relationships among team members.
Collaborative teams are effective and they have fun!
The Supportive Classroom curriculum describes how to make your
instructional team collaborative to assure success!
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