Curriculum Modifications and Adaptations

There is no recipe for adapting general education curriculum to meeteach student’s needs. Each
teacher, each student, each classroom isunique and adaptations are specific to each situation. Keep
in mind that curriculum does not always need to be modified.By providing multi-level instruction
you will find that adapting a lessonmay not always be necessary. Differentiating instruction and
providingmultiple ways assess allows more flexibility for students to meet thestandards and
requirements of the class. At other times, the curriculumcan be made more accessible through
accommodations. In addition,supports for one student may not necessarily be the same in all
situations,e.g., a student who needs full time support from a paraprofessional formath may only
need natural supports from peers for English, and nosupport for art. And, supports should not be
determined by the disabilitylabel, instead supports should be used when the instructional or
socialactivity warrants the need for assistance. (Fisher and Frey, 2001). The forms and examples
on the following pages provide informationabout curriculum and types of adaptations that could
be considered indeveloping the appropriate strategy for a particular student. Examples areprovided
for both elementary and secondary levels.

A Curricular Adaptation and Decision-making Process

This decision-making flowchart can be used to conceptualize the proces of selecting and
implementing curricular adaptations. It should be used as a tool for a team in determing an
individual student’s needs.

Identify the student’s individual educational goals and objectives to be emphasized during general
education activities

Articulate the expectations for the student’s performance in general education activities

Determine what to teach

As a team, determine the content of the general education activity, theme or unit study

Determine how to teach

As a team, determine if, without modification, the student can actively participate and achieve the
same essential outcomes as non-disabled classmates. If the student cannot achieve the same
outcomes...

Select of design appropriate adaptations


Select Select Employ Select Engineer the Design Select
instructional lesson student- curricular physical modified natural
arangement format specific goals social materials supports and
teching specific to classroom supervision
strategies the lesson environment arrangements

If the above adaptation strategies are not effective, design an alternative activity

Evaluate effectiveness of adaptations

Curricular Adaptation and Decision-making Model

Examine the Structure of the Instruction

1. Can the student actively participate in the lesson without modification? Will the same
essential outcome he achieved?
2. Can the student’s participation he increased by changing the instructional arrangement?
From traditional arrangements to:
 Cooperative groups
 Small groups
 Peer partners
 Peer or cross-age tutors
3. Can the student’s participation be increased by changing the lesson format?
 Interdisciplinary/thematic units
 Activity-based lessons, games, simulations, role-plays
 Group investigation or discovery learning
 Experiential lessons
 Community-referenced lessons
4. Can the Student’s participation and understanding be increased by changing the delivery
of instruction or teaching style?

Examine the Demands and Evaluation Criteria of the Task

5. Will the student need adapted curricular goals?

 Adjust performance standards
 Adjust pacing
 Same content but less complex
 Similar content with functional/direct applications
 Adjust the evaluation criteria or system (grading)
 Adjust management techniques

Examine the Learning Environment

 6. Can the changes he made in the classroom environment or lesson location that will
facilitate participation?
 Environmental/physical arrangements
 Social rules
 Lesson location

Examine the Materials for Learning

7. Will different materials be needed to ensure participation?

 Same content but variation in size, number, format
 Additional or different materials/devices
 Materials that allow a different mode of input
 Materials that allow a different mode of output
 Materials that reduce the level of abstraction of information

Examine the Support Structure

8. Will personal assistance be needed to ensure participation?

 From peers or the general education instructor?
 From the support facilitator’?
 From therapists’?
 From paraprofessionals?
 From others?

Arrange Alternative Activities that Foster Participation and Interaction

9. Will a different activity need to be designed and offered for the student and a small group
of peers?
 In the classroom
 ln other general education environments
 In community-based environments

From. Udvari-Solner, A. (1994). Curriculum Adaptations Project.

Curriculum Adaptations

It is important to correlate adaptations with the IEP. In other words, we are not adapting for
adaptations sake but, to meet the student’s needs as identified on an IEP. a. Curriculum as is. This
is the type we forget most frequently. We need to constantly Move in be looking at the general
education curriculum and asking if the students on IEPs may this gain benefit from participating in
the curriculum as is. We need to keep in mind that direction incidental learning does occur.
Curriculum as is supports outcomes as identified in only when standard curriculum. necessary b.
Different objective within the same activity and curriculum. The student with an IEP works with
all the other students in the classroom participating in the activity when possible but, with a
 different learning objective from the other students. This is where the principle of partial
participation fits. Examples include. • A student with a short attention span staying on task for 5
minutes. • Using a switch to actis ate a communication device to share during a class discussion. •
Expressing one’s thoughts by drawing in a journal instead of writing. • Holding a book during
reading time. • Understanding the effect World War II has on the present rather than knowing the
names and dates of key battles. c. Material or environmental adaptations. The material or
environmental changes are utilized so that participation in the general education curriculum by the
student with the IEP may occur. Examples include: • 5 spelling words from the weekly list instead
of the standard 20. • Completing a cooking assignment by following picture directions rather than
written directions • Changing the grouping of the class from large group to small groups (possible
with the additional support staff). • Changing the instructional delivery from lecture to the
cooperative learning format • Using a computer to write an assignment instead of paper and
pencil. • Reading a test to a student. • Highlighting the important concepts in a textbook. • Having
the student listen to a taped textbook. • Using enlarged print • Using an assistive technology
device • Using visual cues such as picture and/or word schedules for those who have difficulty
staying on task. • Using a note taking guide listing the key concepts during a lecture.

1. 6. 20 TOOLS FOR TEACHERS Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations d. Providing Physical

assistance. Assistance from another person may be needed for a Move in student to participate in a
classroom activity. If possible, it is better to use natural supports this (peers) as these will be the
people always present in the student’ life. If the use of peers is direction not possible, then either
the support teadcher, the paraprofessional, the classroom teacher, only when the classroom aide, or
a parent volunteer may provide the assistance. Most peers and staff necessary will need training in
the correct way of providing physical assistance. In addition, we need to keep in mind the
principle of partial participations. Examples include: • Starting a computer for an student with an
IEP to use. • Guiding a hand during handwriting. • Assisting in activating a switch. • Completing
most of the steps of an activity and having a student with an IEP do the remainder • Pushing a
student in a wheelchair to the next activity. e. Alternative/substitue curriculum. This is sometimes
referred to as functional curriculum as it usually involves the acpuisition of “life skills.” The
decision to use alternative/substitute curriculum is a major change and needs to be reflected on the
IEP. This decision should be carefully made after weighing all of the pros and cons of using an
alternative curriculum. The alternative curriculum may or may not take place in the general
education classroom. Examples include: • Community-based instruction (which all students may
benefit from!) • Learning job skills in the school cafeteria. • Learning how to use a communication
device. • Doing laundry for the athletic department • Learning cooking/grooming skills at the
home. Overlap does occur among the five types of curriculum adaptations. McFee, K. & Torrey,
Z. (1992-1995). ABCs of inclusion. A VI-B project awarded to HPEC by the Kansas State Board
of Education.
2. 7. Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations TOOLS FOR TEACHERS 21Nine Types of
Adaptions Input Output Time Adapt the way instruction is Adapt how the learner can Adapt the
time allotted and delivered to the learner. respond to instruction allowed for learning, task
completion or testing. For example: For example: Use different visual aids; plan Allow a verbal
vs. written For example: more concrete examples; response; use a communication Individualize a
timeline for provide hands-on activities; book for students; allow completing a task; pace place
students in cooperative students to show knowledge learning differently (increase or groups. with
hands-on materials. decrease) for some learners. Difficulty Level of Support Size Adapt the skill
level, problem Increase the amount of personal Adapt the number of items that type, or the rules
on how the assistance with specific learner. the learner is expected to learn learner may approach
the work. or compete. For example: For example: Assign peer buddies, teaching For example:
Allow a calculator for math assistants, peer tutors or cross- Reduce the number of social problems;
simplify task direc- age tutors. studies terms a learner must tions; change rules to accom- learn at
any one time. modate learner needs. Degree of Participation Alternate Goals Substitute
Curriculum Adapt the extent to which a Adapt the goals or outcome Provide the different
instruction learner is actively involved in expectations while using the and materials to meet a the
task. same materials. learner’s individual goals. For example: For example: For example: In
 geography, have a student In social studies, expect one Individualize a timeline for hold the globe,
while others student to be able to locate just completing a task; pace learning point out the
locations. the states while others learn to differently (increase or locate capitals as well. decrease)
for some learners.From: Ebeling, D.G. , Ed.D., Deschenes, C., M.Ed., & Sprague, J., Ph.D.
(1994). Adapting curriculum and instructionThe Center for School and Community Integration,
Institute for the Study of Developmental Disabilities.
3. 8. 22 TOOLS FOR TEACHERS Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations Adaptations
ADAPTATIONS Instructional Ecological Curricular Adapt how it is taught Adapt the setting-
Adapt what is and how learnign is where, when and taught demonstrated with whom
Supplementary Simplified Alternative Instructional Student When Where Who Add social,
Change level of teach functional stimulus or response or Adapt the place Adapt the Adapt staffing,
communication, difficulty or skills plus input output schedule grouping study or processing
include fewer embedded Difficulty/amount Difficulty/amount skills to general objectives social,
Modality Modality curriculum communication Format/materials Format/materials and motor skills
Stages of Adaptations Stage 1 Stage 2 General Adaptations Specific Adaptations Blueprints or
formats for Time-limited adaptations for a adapting predictable activities particular lesson, activity
or unit and routines From: Janney, R., Ph.D., and Snell, M., Ph.D. (2000) Modifying Schoolwork;
Baltimore, MD; Paul H. Brooks Publishing Company
4. 9. Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations TOOLS FOR TEACHERS 23Creating Ways to
Adapt Familiar Lessons - Elementary1. Select the subject area (and grade level) to be
taught:reading math science social studies writing music health P.E. artGrade
Level: ........................2. Select the lesson topic to be taught (on one day):3. Briefly identify the
curricular goal for most learners: By the end of this class, most students will
know.....................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................
...............................4. Briefly identify the instructional plan for most learners: As teacher, I
will .......................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................5. Identify the name(s) of the learner(s) who will
need adaptations in the curriculum or instructional
plan:......................................................................................................................................................
...................6. Now use “Nine Types of Adaptations” as a means of thinking about some of the
ways you could adapt whator how you teach to accommodate this learner in the classroom for this
lesson. Input Output Time Difficulty Level of Support Size Degree of Participation Alternate Goal
Substitute CurriculumCenter for School & Community Integration, Institute for the Study of
Developmental Disabilities, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
5. 10. 24 TOOLS FOR TEACHERS Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations SAMPLE FORM
Creating Ways to Adapt Familiar Lessons - Elementary 1. Select the subject area (and grade level)
to be taught: reading math science social studies writing music health P.E. art 4 Grade
Level: ........................ 2. Select the lesson topic to be taught (on one day): Vocabulary
comprehension 3. Briefly identify the curricular goal for most learners: By the end of this class,
most students will
know ....................................................................................................................................................
..................... the meaning of new vocabulary works from their story. 4. Briefly identify the
instructional plan for most learners: As teacher, I will ask students to
complete ..............................................................................................................................................
........................... a matching activity in which they match words and definitions on paper. The
students will also choose one word and write a sentence using the word on the bottom of their
paper. 5. Identify the name(s) of the learner(s) who will need adaptations in the curriculum or
instructional plan: Kim 6. Now use “Nine Types of Adaptations” as a means of thinking about
some of the ways you could adapt what or how you teach to accommodate this learner in the
classroom for this lesson. Input Output Time Place students in Allow the student to Ask the
student to cooperative groups and record all or part of the complete the assignment at divide the
task between assignment on tape. home and return it the group members. Each member next day.
teaches their vocabulary work to team members. Difficulty Level of Support Size Select different
 Ask a classmate, peer Select fewer (or more) vocabulary words for the tutor or teaching words for
the student to student to learn; words assistant to assist in learn, but leave the as- that are less
difficult or completing the assignment. signment the same as for in some cases more other
students. difficult. Degree of Participation Alternate Goal Substitute Curriculum Ask the student
to check Set the goal as being to Choose a different story classmates’ definitions write the words
only, or for the student to read against as answer key. being able to pronounce and identify one or
the words, or just several words the learner listening to the words and needs to know. definitions.
Center for School & Community Integration, Institute for the Study of Developmental Disabilities,
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
6. 11. Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations TOOLS FOR TEACHERS 25Creating Ways to
Adapt Familiar Lessons - Secondary1. Select the subject area (and grade level) to be taught: math
science history literature business P.E. fine arts healthGrade Level: ........................2. Select the
lesson topic to be taught (on one day):3. Briefly identify the curricular goal for most learners: By
the end of this class, most students will
know.....................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................
...............................4. Briefly identify the instructional plan for most learners: As teacher, I
will .......................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................5. Identify the name(s) of the learner(s) who will
need adaptations in the curriculum or instructional
plan:......................................................................................................................................................
...................6. Now use “Nine Types of Adaptations” as a means of thinking about some of the
ways you could adapt whator how you teach to accommodate this learner in the classroom for this
lesson. Input Output Time Difficulty Level of Support Size Degree of Participation Alternate Goal
Substitute CurriculumCenter for School & Community Integration, Institute for the Study of
Developmental Disabilities, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
7. 12. 26 TOOLS FOR TEACHERS Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations SAMPLE FORM
Creating Ways to Adapt Familiar Lessons - Secondary 1. Select the subject area (and grade level)
to be taught: math science history literature business P.E. fine arts health Grade
Level: ........................ 10 2. Select the lesson topic to be taught (on one day): Concept
comprehension 3. Briefly identify the curricular goal for most learners: By the end of this class,
most stu- dents will be able to define and explain the relevance of five concepts from their text
chapter. 4. Briefly identify the instructional plan for most learners: As teacher, I will ask the
students to read the chapter, identify five key concepts and write a short paragraph describing each
concept they have chosen. 5. Identify the name(s) of the learner(s) who will need adaptations in
the curriculum or instructional plan: John 6. Now use “Nine Types of Adaptations” as a means of
thinking about some of the ways you could adapt what or how you teach to accommodate this
learner in the classroom for this lesson. Input Output Time Provide a review of the Allow the
student to use Allow the student an chapter prior to having a tape recorder to dic- extra day to
complete the student complete the tate the assignment the task either in written work. instead of
having to study hall or at home. write the answers. Difficulty Level of Support Size Identify the
key concepts Place the students in Select fewer or more for the student but keep cooperative
groups to concepts for the stu- the remainder of the complete this assignment. dent to learn, but
asssignment the same. Group members can assist leave the assignment the student with reading
the same as for other or writing. students. Degree of Participation Alternate Goal Substitute
Curriculum Ask the student to pick Set the goal as being to During this lesson the out related
books from the write the key concept student can work on library that will provide words only, or
being able keyboarding skills in the supplementary information to pronounce the words, or
computer lab. for classmates. just listening to the words and descriptions. Center for School &
Community Integration, Institute for the Study of Developmental Disabilities, Indiana University,
Bloomington, IN
8. 13. Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations TOOLS FOR TEACHERS 27(Elementary) PEAK
Parent Center, Inc. 1999
9. 14. 28 TOOLS FOR TEACHERS Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations SAMPLE FORM
PEAK Parent Center, Inc. 1999
10. 15. Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations TOOLS FOR TEACHERS 29 SAMPLE FORM
PEAK Parent Center, Inc. 1999
11. 16. 30 TOOLS FOR TEACHERS Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations SAMPLE FORM
(Secondary) Academic Unit Lesson Plan PEAK Parent Center, Inc. 1999
12. 17. Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations TOOLS FOR TEACHERS 31 PEAK Parent Center,
Inc. 1999
13. 18. 32 TOOLS FOR TEACHERS Curriculum Modifications & Adaptations SAMPLE FORM
PEAK Parent Center, Inc. 1999