If you’ve spent time in a classroom as a teacher or a parent, you’ve probably heard the term “inclusion.” But what exactly is inclusion in education, and what does it mean for teachers and students?

What is inclusion in education?

Specifically, inclusion in education refers to ensuring students with physical, behavioral, or learning disabilities are integrated into general education classrooms as much as possible. It also means providing them the support and accommodations they need to succeed alongside their peers.

In the early years of American education, those with disabilities often didn’t receive any education at all. Eventually, there was a push to provide these students with an education, but it was usually in special schools or special classrooms, segregated from other students. People felt these students’ special needs could only be met if they were kept separate from the general student population. Some also didn’t want them mixing with

Dear WeAreTeachers,
I love and believe in giving back. But it seems like every other day at my school, we’re asked to pay $5 for a jeans pass, chip in for refreshments at the dance, pay fees to join the PTO (my principal wants 100% teacher participation), donate a gift card to one of our families in need, etc. I know I sound like Scrooge, but when I only make $32K a year, these things add up! Will it reflect poorly on me if I opt out? —Scrooge in Room 201

Dear S.I.R.201,

UGH. I hate so many things about this. First, I hate that your school—that any school!—is in the position of not being adequately funded. I hate that teachers’ goodness and kindness often gets taken advantage of to close gaps that aren’t their responsibility. And I simmer with rage when I think about the idea of buying a

Every day is chock-full of new discoveries when you are a kindergartner! These hands-on kindergarten science experiments and activities take advantage of kids’ boundless curiosity. They’ll learn about physics, biology, chemistry, and more basic science concepts, gearing them up to become lifelong learners.

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. Make a lava lamp

Help your students make their very own lava lamp using simple household ingredients. Then personalize the lamps by adding a couple of drops of food coloring to each bottle.

Learn more: Science Fun for Everyone

2. Create a tower of ice instantly

Place two water bottles in the freezer for a couple of hours, but don’t let them freeze all the way through. Then, pour some of the water onto a couple of ice cubes perched on top

Setting goals is important for people of all ages, no matter how big or small the goal. We all need some encouragement to help us turn our dreams into a reality. Try some goal setting with your class with this list of 70 goal-setting quotes, perfect for using as writing or discussion prompts. 

Our Favorite Goal-Setting Quotes

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” —Albert Einstein

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” —Henry David Thoreau

“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in you. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” —Rabindranath Tagore

“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” —Robert H. Schuller

“In order to know where you’re headed, you must be aware of your own personal goals.” —Brian