9/21/2018 3 Ways to Create an Inclusive Learning Environment | ASCD Inservice

ASCD.org (//www.ascd.org) Store (//shop.ascd.org) Blog (//inservice.ascd.org) Empower19 (//empower.ascd.org) Navigate Applications

(http://inservice.ascd.org)

ABOUT (HTTP://INSERVICE.ASCD.ORG/ABOUT-INSERVICE/) RSS (HTTP://INSERVICE.ASCD.ORG/FEED/)

ARCHIVES (HTTP://INSERVICE.ASCD.ORG/ARCHIVES/) ASCD.ORG (HTTP://WWW.ASCD.ORG)

 (http://twitter.com/ASCD)   (http://www.facebook.com/ascd.org)   (http://pinterest.com/officialascd/)   (http://instagram.com/officialascd#) 

(https://plus.google.com/107955863141327206248)   (http://www.youtube.com/officialascd)   (http://www.linkedin.com/company/22667?
trk=tyah&trkInfo=tas%3Aascd%2Cidx%3A3­1­3)

MENU

April 30, 2015 by Inservice Guest Blogger (http://inservice.ascd.org/author/admin/)

3 Ways to Create an Inclusive Learning Environment

By Jasper Fox Sr.

Imagine for a minute that you are a student again. Now imagine that learning within the school setting isn’t happening easily. You watch other students progress and
wonder why it isn’t as easy for you. Maybe there is a lot going on at home or outside of school, or maybe learning is just harder for you. The bottom line is that an awful lot
of students are struggling to make meaning of their educational experience.

Just last week, a window into the reasons students struggle went viral and got mainstream exposure on CNN. The article “#IWishMyTeacherKnew shares students’
heartbreak, hopes (http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/17/living/i­wish­my­teacher­knew­kyle­schwartz­schools­feat/)” provides insight into some of the forces causing students
to stumble.

Kyle Schwartz
@kylemschwartz

My set up of #IWishMyTeacherKnew lesson + box for kids who 
want to keep it private/anonymous most wanted to share out 
4:52 AM ­ Apr 20, 2015
98 74 people are talking about this

Schools need to provide a welcoming experience for all students, not just those who struggle, so that effective classroom strategies can be successfully employed. Here
http://inservice.ascd.org/3‐ways‐to‐create‐an‐inclusive‐learning‐environment/
are three tactics to consider when creating an inclusive learning environment: 1/6
1.  Differentiating: We know that everyone learns differently, so move past the “one­size­fits­all” approach to instruction and assessment. Try allowing students to
 9/21/2018 3 Ways to Create an Inclusive Learning Environment | ASCD Inservice

engage with information in a variety of formats, such as websites, videos, and podcasts. Books, magazines, and periodicals provide rich nontech ways for students
to progress through materials as well. Provide small group or individual, direct instruction so you can tailor content delivery more accurately for specific learners’
needs. Assessment choices represent an opportunity for students to showcase their understanding in various ways. Examples include portfolios, presentations, and
oral exams. When we customize students’ experiences in our classroom, we can build upon their strengths and help to develop and improve their understanding of
topics with which they are struggling.
2.  Healthy Grading: Stop taking off points for behaviors like lateness, unpreparedness, or talking out of turn. While these and other behaviors are important to
manage, they shouldn’t be used to mask or reflect students’ understanding of a topic. Instead, focus on what the students do know and let that show in your grade
book. The components of an enlightened grading philosophy include
1.  Regular formative assessments in which quality, descriptive feedback is generated and personalized for each student.
2.  Opportunities for reiteration that are embedded within tests and quizzes.

Once satisfactory understanding is demonstrated on formative assessments, students are ready to attempt a summative test. Ensuring that students are prepared for
an exam increases the likelihood of initial success—which builds confidence and purpose.

3.  Relationships: The most effective way to build an inclusive learning environment comes from forming meaningful connections with your students. Simple, time­
honored techniques such as not raising your voice and saying their names correctly are great ways to start building relationships. By taking some extra time and
effort to view each pupil as an individual and truly believing that each student can succeed, you’ll become partners in success.

Putting your students’ emotional needs first is important because without feeling safe and understood, no instructional strategy will be effective. By building relationships in
the classroom, students will feel comfortable enough to come out and tell us what is on their minds without having to wait for an opportunity from you to do so. Students
want to feel valued and like they are a part of a larger school community. By forming a bond between you and your students and providing a sound educational framework
for success, real learning will occur. 

***

Jasper Fox Sr. teaches science at Copper Beech Middle School in the Lakeland Central School District in Shrub Oak, N.Y., where he is currently in his twelfth year of
teaching. He was recently named the Educators Voice Honoree for Middle School Teacher of the Year at the 2014 Bammy Awards and was a semifinalist in the 2015 New
York State Teacher of the Year program. An avid writer and connected educator, Fox maintains an active Twitter presence as @jasperfoxsr
(https://twitter.com/jasperfoxsr) and writes for a variety of sites and publications.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT (HTTP://INSERVICE.ASCD.ORG/TAG/STUDENT-ENGAGEMENT/) WHOLE CHILD (HTTP://INSERVICE.ASCD.ORG/TAG/WHOLE-CHILD-2/)

  Previous Post (http://inservice.ascd.org/ascd­express­calls­for­content­new­teacher­needs/) Next Post   (http://inservice.ascd.org/what­does­awesome­look­like/)

INSERVICE GUEST BLOGGER (HTTP://INSERVICE.ASCD.ORG/AUTHOR/ADMIN/)

RELATED POSTS

Sep 10, 2018
Taking Action on World Suicide Prevention Day (http://inservice.ascd.org/taking-action-on-world-suicide-prevention-day/)

http://inservice.ascd.org/3‐ways‐to‐create‐an‐inclusive‐learning‐environment/ 2/6
9/21/2018 3 Ways to Create an Inclusive Learning Environment | ASCD Inservice

Sep 7, 2018
Social Emotional Learning: AKA Preparation for Life (http://inservice.ascd.org/social-emotional-learning-aka-preparation-for-life/)

Sep 4, 2018
When It Comes to Learning, Social Emotional Health is a Prerequisite (http://inservice.ascd.org/when-it-comes-to-learning-social-emotional-health-is-a-
prerequisite/)

Aug 1, 2018
How Honoring Cultural Heritage Transforms District Environment (http://inservice.ascd.org/how-honoring-cultural-heritage-transforms-district-environment/)

1 Comment ASCD Inservice 
1 Login

Sort by Best
  Recommend  2 ⤤ Share

Join the discussion…

LOG IN WITH
OR SIGN UP WITH DISQUS  ?
http://inservice.ascd.org/3‐ways‐to‐create‐an‐inclusive‐learning‐environment/ 3/6
Name
9/21/2018 3 Ways to Create an Inclusive Learning Environment | ASCD Inservice

Whitney Larracey • 3 years ago
I couldn’t agree more with the three strategies mentioned to create an inclusive learning environment. As a new teacher, I knew the importance of
classroom environments. Classrooms that are inclusive and supportive allow students to flourish and create a learning community. Whereas
classrooms that use the “one size fits all” approach are likely to discourage students from learning and have an increase in student
behaviors.

Most educators now know that the “one size fits all” approach is not what is best for students. That being said, differentiating can be one of the hardest
things to implement in a classroom, which is why I believe some teachers have stuck to their old ways of teaching. There will never be a classroom full
of students who are all at the same “level” ready to learn at the same pace as everyone else. Different sizes of groupings: whole group, small group,
and individual approaches will help differentiate for students needs. Formative assessment can be a tool to gauge what students need to continue their
journey to mastery of content.

Thinking back to just a year ago, when I was still in college, attendance was a part of my grade. I cannot imagine including attendance or behavior into
my students “grades” though this is often the case. The district I work for has recently implemented proficiency based reports of progress. With the
report of progress, teachers can report on what content/standards students have mastered or are still learning. Students are continuously working on
standards until they have mastered it; there is no option to fail and move on to something different. There is also a section to report on attendance and
behavior, and those issues need to be handled but separately from students “grades”. I think these proficiency­based reports are a significant step in
the right direction towards creating inclusive environments.

Lastly, I believe relationships can make or break the learning that takes place. The best learning can take place when students feel safe enough to take
see more

△   ▽ • Reply • Share ›

✉ Subscribe d Add Disqus to your siteAdd DisqusAdd ὑ Disqus' Privacy PolicyPrivacy PolicyPrivacy

http://inservice.ascd.org/3‐ways‐to‐create‐an‐inclusive‐learning‐environment/ 4/6
9/21/2018 3 Ways to Create an Inclusive Learning Environment | ASCD Inservice

(http://oasc11.247realmedia.com/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/ascdblog/L8/715601408/Right1/ASCD/NarenTranZed_Inservice_300x250_Sept18/NarenTranZed_Inservice_300x250_Sept18.jpg/63473763774674713845414142736b74?

x)

FEATURED ARTICLES

10 Strategies and Practices That Can Help All Students Overcome Barriers (http://inservice.ascd.org/10-strategies-and-practices-
that-can-help-all-students-overcome-barriers/)
Tweet This (http://twitter.com/home?status= 10 Strategies and Practices That Can Help All Students Overcome Barriers via @ASCD https://bit.ly/2gCO0WV)

Six Tips For Creating A Positive Learning Environment In Your Classroom ( http://inservice.ascd.org/six-tips-for-creating-a-
positive-learning-environment-in-your-classroom/)
Tweet This (http://twitter.com/home?status= Six Tips For Creating A Positive Learning Environment In Your Classroom via @ASCD https://bit.ly/2DFi5zu)

Who Fills The Boss’s Bucket? ( http://inservice.ascd.org/who-fills-the-bosss-bucket/)

Tweet This (http://twitter.com/home?status= Who Fills The Boss’s Bucket? via @ASCD https://bit.ly/2rscAfc)

Follow us on Instagram!

http://inservice.ascd.org/3‐ways‐to‐create‐an‐inclusive‐learning‐environment/ 5/6
 9/21/2018 3 Ways to Create an Inclusive Learning Environment | ASCD Inservice

Most Popular Latest Posts

Two Minutes to Better Student Behavior (http://inservice.ascd.org/two-minutes-to-better-student-behavior/)

10 Inspiring Quotations to Help You Differentiate Your Instruction (http://inservice.ascd.org/10-inspiring-quotations-to-help-

you-differentiate-your-instruction/)

Five Steps to Create a Progressive, Student-Centered Classroom (http://inservice.ascd.org/five-steps-to-create-a-progressive-

student-centered-classroom/)

Five Tips for Getting Started With Differentiation in a Secondary Classroom (http://inservice.ascd.org/five-tips-for-getting-
started-with-differentiation-in-a-secondary-classroom/)

Copyright © 2018 ASCD. All Rights Reserved.
Terms and Conditions (/terms­of­use/)  Privacy Policy (/privacy­policy/)  Comment Policy (/comment­policy/)

http://inservice.ascd.org/3‐ways‐to‐create‐an‐inclusive‐learning‐environment/ 6/6