In the time that I have taught in Brandeis H. S., I have been assigned a variety of subjects such as English as a Second Language, Spanish for Native Speakers, biology, physical science (including chemistry), data entry for computers (including introduction to computing), global history, American history, government and economics. Being that I am a bilingual (Spanish-English) teacher, I have taught most of these classes in both languages at the same time. I have learned and adapted many different high school curricula.
Special Education students are responsible for the same information as the general education students (and responsible for passing the same city and state exams). Therefore the information has to be broken down to a format that can be understood and assimilated by students with different learning disabilities and styles. I have discovered that giving the students the curricula, including the questions they are responsible for answering, and loading the classroom with videos, books, magazines, posters, encyclopedia, and other means for getting the information, they are more able to learn in the best possible way for themselves.
Many of the students are not used to thinking for themselves. It takes them a while to get used to this new way of thinking and doing. Once accustomed to the method, students who start out as timid, shy and unsure, become transformed into students who are calling out answers and volunteering to help others in the class. A class of this type includes students wandering around the room assisting each other and finding resources to help them complete the work.
My rainforest curriculum.