About Chuck Brickman Expertise I can assist with questions about classroom management and discipline, practices and procedures, special education, lesson plan development, proactive teaching strategies, researched based teaching methodologies, instructional methods, integration of technology, standards based learning, mainstreaming, ADD, ADHD, IEPs, parent involvement, team teaching, staff issues and professional development.
Experience College, middle school and elementary school teacher. Certified teacher in special education and elementary comprehensive. Educational consultant.
Education/Credentials A.A. University of the State of New York
B.A. Indiana University
M.A. California State University
Awards and Honors Current candidate for National Board Certification in Exceptional Needs
Expert: Chuck Brickman Date: 5/1/2006 Subject: Enabling adaptive P.E. student to participate in mainstream classroom
Question Thanks very much for the response! The student has M.S. and it is degenerative, so as time goes on, he has less and less use of his arms. He has difficulty lifting his arms above shoulder height, or moving them very quickly, and also lacks much dexterity in his hands. Does this help much at all?
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
How could I best involve a 4th grade student confined to a wheelchair and limited use of his upper body in the general physical education classroom? Are there specific games or activities I could have the class engage in where this student is satisfied on a social level at least, and the rest of the class is not limited when it comes to physical challenge? Thanks very much.
Answer -
Hi Nolan,
Thanks for the question and for the interest in meeting the student's physical as well as social needs. Could you tell me a bit more about his limited use of the upper body as that will qualify the activities I'd suggest?
Thanks
Answer Thanks Nolan. There are literally hundreds of activity modifications that you can use to enable such a student to participate in physical education activities. To develop the modifications one would have to look at the physical activities you do and tailor the modifications. Below are a number of web sites that address modifications in the PE setting:
I've developed modifications for elementary students in wheelchairs with degenerative or limited upper body mobility to include basketball, soccer, football (touch), baseball, and individual sports.
A word of caution...I recommend working with the school district's physical therapist to ensure that your modifications are feasible and within the ability levels of the student. It is really a CYA issue...you want to get your modifications "approved" by a practioneer.
