It has so many great links and resources and educators will love the many photos of adaptations and supports. For instance, in the post on inclusive woodworking, you can see several great snapshots of adaptations for a table-building lesson.

Blogger Renee Laporte has 12 years of experience in inclusive schooling and it shows. The student she currently supports has CP but the ideas they provide can really be adapted for learners of many different ages and abilities

My final recommendation is children’s literature. Books intended for kids work well not only for children but as heartfelt messages for adults. For instance, one of my most treasured gifts is a copy of The Giving Tree presented to me by my administrator, Patrick Schwarz. He gave it to me as I left my first teaching job to attend graduate school in 1994. I now read it to my children and think about my years in the classroom. So consider books for more than just the little ones on your list.

And…speaking of Patrick Schwarz, my first recommendation is a children’s book we wrote together—Pedro’s Whale.

This book is illustrated by Justin Canha and tells the story of a little guy who really needs his little whale toy to be successful in school. It is intended to help teachers and students see the benefits and possibilities of incorporating fascinations into the classroom.

While we are on the topic of fascinations, how about a book for the train-lover in your life? The other book I wrote for kids is called A is for “All Aboard” and is a colorful ride through the alphabet. My dad worked on the Green Bay & Western Railroad so I have a special spot in my heart for this book (check the inside cover to see a 1974 photo of me and my dad and my sister standing in front of a GBW train).

The last two pages of the book contain about a dozen ideas for using the text to teach words, concepts, reading, and writing.

Ok, enough about me! Now to some other favorites. I adore Todd Parr books and the one I am recommending here is his book about diversity: It’s OK to Be Different. Love its simple message and great illustrations.

Ellen Senisi’s book, All Kinds of Friends, Even Green is another great book with an important message. In the story, a teacher gives an assignment to write about a friend. Seven-year-old Moses (who uses a wheelchair) considers classmates, neighbors, parents, and teachers before finally deciding on Zaki, his teenage neighbor’s iguana, because she is different yet determined, like him. For instance, Zaki has missing toes, yet has learned to compensate by using her strong front legs to keep up with Hashi, her companion iguana. Great gift for the classroom.

Finally, I have to recommend Where’s Chimpy? by Berniece Rabe. This sweet little book is out of print (I think) but you can get it on Amazon (and other places) through second-hand vendors. The book is about a little girl who cannot find her lost toy monkey. The story is told through a fun photo essay and the featured character has Down syndrome. Down syndrome is not mentioned in the story and the story is not at all about disability or difference. This cute little gal just so happens to be the “star” of this cute little mystery.

This pen records everything you hear and write, while linking your audio recordings to your notes. Learners can get quick access to these notes later by simply tapping on their handwritten notes either on Livescribe paper, on a computer, or on a mobile device.

Not sure how this technology would look or be used in a classroom? Read the New York Times article for a nice story on the product.