GAA is not RocketScience….
Looking at ways to make the job easier…...
Juanita Pritchard August 2011
It’s more like planning a big dinner…….
It takes good planning up front to carry it out.Look at the calendarIdentify the guestsChoose the foods that work for the guestsDecide on the presentation – table, plates,
decorationsUse the calendar to plan it outGet everything ready ahead of timeServe the meal & enjoy while paying attention to
the guestsClean up the messGo on with life
Schedule everything on the calendar before you start
Schedule it AHEAD of timeWhen can you start, when do you have to
be doneWhat are you local requirements?When the paperwork is due – back up
and plan it, don’t wait until last minute
Schedule it AHEAD of time
3 weeks between collections (21 calendar days) primary 1 to primary 2
Appetizer – getting ready what do they knowMeal – instruction and exposure
Dessert – meal is over, show off the best
Remember – not everyone orders the same meal
Identify the guestsMake a guest list so there are no surprisesBe sure you know what grade each student is
designated in SchoolMax (not IEP).grade
students Reading ELA Numbers Math Science Social St
KSuzyJohnny
12 Lisa34 George
5RachelBrianNic
Make choices that work for your guests
Food allergies, who sits next to whom, who drinks what, etc.
Pick standards & elements that work for a whole unit
Pick standards that Show progress for your studentUse nouns & verbs that work for that student
PresentationTable, plates, decorationsWhat kind of materials/activities work for your
studentsIt will be different for some students – be sure
to individualizeDifferentiated instructionActive participationGeneralizationPROGRESS
PLAN EVERYTHING AHEAD OF TIMEMap it out
First collection evidenceA variety of activities for good instruction
Multiple opportunities (repetition) Variety of instructional activities Generalization opportunities
Second collection evidenceReview by as many as possiblePaperwork follow-up
Get materials together AHEAD OF TIME
You can’t put a unit together well while you’re teaching it….
Plan & prepare before you startAssess and adapt as you goSave EVERYTHING you do on the GAA
standards/elements……just in case
Take the offers of helpUse things that have worked in the pastDOE resource board Cobb Curriculum GuideSupport BlogOther teachers at your instructional levelGeneral education teachers
Serve the meal and your guests
Remember that instruction is all about the students
What’s working & what’s not workingWhat can I do to make this fun & enjoyable
Clean up the messWorst part of a dinner party is cleaning up the
messWorst part of GAA is the paperwork of
compiling the portfolioPlanning ahead will make it easierDon’t wait until the last minuteBe open to suggestions/questions of othersJust do it
Go On With Life
Stop moaning and groaningIt’s required, you did it, it’s over
Your students deserve the best instruction possible
GAA is only a SMALL PART of your jobGood instruction planned to meet IEP
objectives and align with standards doesn’t stop when GAA is over
Resources
GAA info from DOE http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CI_TESTING_GAA
DOE Electronic Resource Board http://gadoe.georgiastandards.org/impairment.aspx
Cobb Support Blog http://pickettsmill.typepad.com/pritchard