Special education lesson plans are teaching methods or educational techniques specially designed for students of all ages, with mild to profound disabilities. Lesson plans would vary depending on the nature, age, and extreme nature and type of disability of the child. These lesson plans are primarily intended to promote student engagement, prepare them to function independently and master skills, develop and support social competence, and help children and their families lead trouble-free lives. Special education lesson plans include lessons in math, science, music, language arts and art, computers and the Internet, social studies, physical education and health, and other multidisciplinary lessons.
Special educators must design presentations that are tailored to different levels of individual disabilities. Music, dance, and other forms of art are excellent learning aids for students with disabilities. Special educators can encourage reading, writing, and public speaking. Well thought out lesson plans will enhance the child’s reasoning and reading skills, feelings and response, create a sense of personal fulfillment, encourage language development, promote communication, help achieve motor control and physical well-being, and will cultivate positive attitudes toward school.
The response of disabled students to the curriculum depends on the nature of the disability, that is, physical, emotional, or cognitive. A good teacher can encourage each student to participate in the learning experience not only with the help of well-adapted materials, but also with appropriate instructional methods that would be practicable for a person with a disability.
Sample lesson plans for special education students can be found in books, articles, and the Internet; however, these lesson plans must be modified to suit individuals. A special education teacher can design individual activity sheets for each child in consultation with physical therapists, counselors, physicians, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, and social workers.