The TASK (Team Approach for Special Kids) approach is a model for special service delivery in which services become part of the disabled student's classroom work rather than provided in "pull-out" fashion. TASK promotes clustering of student objectives, self esteem, and healthy peer relationships. (CL)

Suggests some ways that art teachers can organize their classrooms and adapt their teaching methods in order to accommodate mainstreamed handicapped students. This article is part of a theme issue on art education for special needs students. (SJL)

Nine handicapped and nine nonhandicapped preschoolers were observed in three settings that differed in grouping, supervision, and teacher direction. Handicapped children spent less time on-task and interacted more frequently with adults and less frequently with peers than did nonhandicapped children. Furthermore, handicapped and nonhandicapped…

Suggestions are offered for organizing classrooms to promote learning by all students, including those with special educational needs. Two case studies illustrate the impact of reorganization of intermediate grade classrooms in terms of time on task, motivation, noise level, teacher-student communication, and other factors. (JDD)

Three articles discuss programs for primary and elementary special education students in a resource room and in mainstreamed settings. The final article discusses a positive approach to dealing with namecalling in the mainstreamed setting. (CL)

Approaches to individualizing physical education for disabled and nondisabled students are considered. Organizational alternatives are explored, including use of corners and square patterns (which allow for visual cues for students as well as for flexibility in activities) and learning activity packets and centers (which provides opportunities for…

Suggestions are presented to increase the special education teacher's organizational efficiency, focusing on instructional planning and use of time and space as they relate to classroom organization. (JDD)

Factors in the physical arrangement of special education classrooms that may lead to greater instructional control and structure include teacher proximity and view, separation of space, and reduction of extraneous stimuli. The issue of making classrooms more relaxed and home-like versus structuring them like regular classes to prepare students for…

Schedules of classroom activities and direct observation of actual activities were collected in 24 early childhood special education classrooms. Significant differences were found between the amount of time that teachers allotted for activities (such as play, self-care, transition, and story time) and the amount of observed time that children…

The state of the art of exemplary teaching in exceptional child education programs is spelled out in this report, which was generated from observations of such practices, particularly in classrooms in Jefferson County (Kentucky) Public Schools, and referenced against various professional standards. The best practice standards described focus on…

This paper reviews teaching strategies that may facilitate independent performance on the part of preschool children with disabilities. Among these are environmental arrangements (schedules, staff assignment, room arrangement); antecedent prompts (instructions, time, task); peer-mediated interventions; and consequent events. (Author/DB)

Addresses six environmental variables that can influence the behaviors of young children with disabilities: theoretical orientation of the program, amount of space available, classroom arrangement, length of the play period, effects of social vs. isolate toys, and the effects of different quantities of toys. (Author/CR)

This introductory paper identifies critical issues related to organization of caregiving environments for young children with handicaps, including physical and programmatic features, transitions between activities, transition between special preschool and kindergarten settings, classroom organization, the social-physical environment, the home…

Curriculum-based measurement (CBM) is recommended as an efficient, objective, flexible, and reliable way to compose ability-based instructional groups in both regular and special education settings. Steps for using CBM and specific applications for grouping in reading and mathematics instruction are offered. (DB)

This publication was prepared as a sourcebook to assist Manitoba kindergarten through fourth grade teachers in providing young children with a rich and stimulating environment which promotes the children's growth and learning. The document provides information about the characteristics and needs of children throughout the period of early…