Date of Award
1989
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Center for the Advancement of Education
Advisor
William G. Carter
Committee Member
JoEllen Salce Rogers
Keywords
adaptive behavior, classroom visits, communication skills, decision-making skills, developmentally delayed students, elementary education, follow-up support, home economics skills, homemaking skills, independent living, job skills, learning strategies, life skills, life skills instruction, materials sharing, moderate mental retardation, physical disability, program planning, self-care skills, semi-independent living, special education, teacher collaboration, teacher training, teaching methods, teaching strategies, trainable mentally handicapped, workshop participation, workshops
Abstract
This practicum was designed to foster the teaching of life skills to moderately retarded elementary school students. The goal was that teachers would implement appropriate life skills programs for their developmentally delayed students and teach their students the skills necessary for independent or semi-independent living.
The writer provided a two-day workshop which gave teachers from different communities the opportunity to share teaching strategies and techniques, plan in groups, share materials, and problem-solve together. The writer provided follow-up through classroom visits with each teacher.
The results of the practicum were positive. Analysis of the data revealed that all of the 15 teachers involved have included life skills in the program plans of their developmentally delayed students.