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