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Welcome to THE PRACTICAL TEACHER, NASET's e-publication for teachers working in the field of special education.

THE PRACTICAL TEACHER is a once a month education resource that provides NASET members with practical tools, strategies, and relevant information that they can use both in and outside of the classroom.  It is announced and made available for download via email in the Week in Review. PDF file version of each issue can be found at the end of the every issue.

Latest Issue:

• A Proper (Fraction) Museum

The Practical Teacher Archives:

• A Review of Financial Literacy Programs for K-12 Students with Intellectual Disabilities: Utilizing the Principles of Universal Design for Learning

• Winnowing the Internet: Websites for Teachers of Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities

• Students Who Have Difficulty Learning to Read with Phonics

• Positive Communication Strategies for Collaborating with Parents of Students with Disabilities

• Five Aspects of Teacher Influence on Student Behavior

• Teaching Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (EBD)

• A Primer on Behavior Management

• Is There Only One Way to Teach Reading? Learning to Read in a Different Way

• Anxiety Disorders by Robin Naope a Student at Chaminade University Hawaii

• Schedule A Hiring Authority: Tips for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities Interested in Starting a Career with the Federal Government

• Trusting Information Resources

• College Planning for the Child with Special Needs: A Parent and Teacher Collaboration

• Latin and Greek Word Root Study to Accelerate Spelling, Vocabulary, and Reading Proficiency for All Students

• Dignity, Function, & Choice: Ethical and Practical Considerations on Best Practices for Educating Learners with Developmental Delays

• Peer Tutoring: A Strategy to Help Students with Learning Disabilities

• Henrietta's Workshop

• Mental Health Resources

• Centers for Literacy in a Multi-Level Special Education Classroom

• Rapid Reading Cards

• Science Brain Efficient Word Lists for Word Sorts, Puzzles, and More

• Brain Efficient Word Lists for Word Sorts, Puzzles, and More

• Plain Language Writing

• Teaching to the Students’ Abilities

• World History Brain Efficient Word Lists for Word Sorts, Puzzles, and More

• Tips for Calling on Students in Class

• Tips for Building a Course Website

• The Fourth Grade Slump

• The Brain, Prosody, and Reading Fluency

• Games, Contests & Puzzles: Entertaining Ideas for Educating Students

• A Reading Strategy for Content-Area Teachers

• Using Pen Pal Writing to Improve Writing Skills and Classroom Behavior

• Trouble-Shooting Reward Programs: A Teacher's Guide

• Transforming Schools from Bully-Havens to Safe Havens

• Best Practices in Mathematics

• School-Wide Strategies for Managing Reading

• Applied Math Problems - Using Question-Answer Relationships (QARs) to Interpret Math Graphics

• Breaking the Attention-Seeking Habit: The Power of Random Positive Teacher Attention

• The Good Behavior Game

• Victims: Preventing Students From Becoming 'Bully-Targets'

• Math Problem-Solving: Combining Cognitive & Metacognitive Strategies in a 7-Step Process

• Bullies: Turning Around Negative Behaviors

• Creating Reward Menus That Motivate

• Points for Grumpy

• Bystanders: Turning Onlookers into Bully-Prevention Agents

• Finding the Spark: More Tips for Building Student Motivation

• Encouraging Student Academic Motivation

• Teacher Behavioral Strategies: A Menu

• Establishing a Positive Classroom Climate

• Talk Ticket

• Positive Peer Reports

• Preventing Graffiti and Vandalism

• School-Wide Strategies for Managing Mathematics

• What Every Teacher Should Know About Punishment Techniques and Student Behavior Plans

• Strategies for Working with Emotionally Unpredictable Students

• Integrated Writing Instruction

• Managing Test Anxiety - Suggestions for Students

• Entertaining Ideas for Educating Students

• Working with Defiant Kids

• Breaking the Attention-Seeking Habit

• Guided Notes

• Reducing Problem Behaviors Through Good Academic Management

• School-Wide Strategies for Managing Reading

• CREATING SAFE PLAYGROUNDS A Whole School Approach

• Paired Reading

• Strategies for Managing Defiance and Non-Compliance

• Extending Learning Across Time & Space

• Forced-Choice Reinforcer Assessment: Guidelines

• Response Effort

• Smooth Classroom Traffic

• Strategies to Prepare Classrooms for Substitute Teachers

• Effective Teacher Command

• Respectful Classroom

• Establishing a Positive Classroom Climate: Teacher Advice

• What Teachers Need to Know About Annual & Triennial Reviews

• Training and Working with your Assistant Teachers and Paraprofessionals

• Error Correction & Word Drill Techniques

• Tools to Build Student Text and Lecture Comprehension

• Study Skills Package

• Homework Contracts: Tapping the Power of Parents

• Classwork & Homework: Troubleshooting Student Problems From Start to Finish

• Finding the Spark: Tips for Building Student Motivation

• HELP SIGN

• Dodging the Power Struggle Trap

• Introducing Academic Strategies to Students

• Group-Response Techniques

• School-Wide Strategies for Managing - HYPERACTIVITY

• School-Wide Strategies for Managing - BUS CONDUCT

• School-Wide Strategies for Managing OFF-TASK / INATTENTION

• Accommodating All Students: 'Classic' Ideas That Teachers Can Use to Diversify Classroom

• Behavioral Contracts

• Understanding Extended School Year Services

• Behavioral Interventions for Teachers to Use When Teaching Students with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD)

• Parent-Teacher Conferences: 10  Effective Strategies to Ease Parent  Anxiety When Reporting Test Results

• Bullying: What It Is & What Schools Can Do About It

• How to Determine Measurable Annual Goals in an IEP

See a Sample Practical Teacher (Visitor Access)

Each issue of THE PRACTICAL TEACHER focuses on a specific topic.  These topics are selected based on:

• feedback from members
• assessment of the latest day-to-day issues facing special educators in and outside the classroom
• NASET's research on future trends in the field of special education teaching

The idea of THE PRACTICAL TEACHER was first discussed after surveying NASET's members as to what they wanted from us.  Although the responses were incredibly positive as to what we provide our members, the one theme that did stand out was that more practical sources sent via email would be helpful.  Upon analyzing the responses, we were determined and committed to give our members what they requested.

THE PRACTICAL TEACHER was developed due to the increased demands on teachers working with exceptional children.  Because the roles and responsibilities for special educators have become so varied, NASET created THE PRACTICAL TEACHER to assist special educators with a diverse set of topic categories that we feel can assist these teachers in every day life.

THE PRACTICAL TEACHER covers areas that special educators are commonly facing in their every day teaching.  In order to continue to be exceptional teachers teaching exceptional children, NASET wants to be sure that its members are kept current with the latest classroom management strategies and teaching techniques in the field.

If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered in an issue of THE PRACTICAL TEACHER, please contact us at editor@naset.org