Your written response to this assignment assesses your ability to (a) explain the skills and strategies needed to develop and maintain effective professional partnerships, (b) summarize effective methods to communicate with all stakeholders considering their individual interests, priorities, and cultural differences for programming of students with disabilities, (c) clarify the potential challenges in the process of collaboration in the public school setting, and (d) critique proactive methods for interactive and effective communication with those of differing perspectives.

During Week One, you responded to an email from Mr. Franklin concerning a lesson plan that was missing ideas to include differentiation within a classroom setting. In this assignment, we will revisit his email and focus on communication skills that are essential for careful corroboration and collaboration of a team providing services for special education students. You may have noticed there were certain clues, within the email from Mr. Franklin, regarding his time frame. He wrote the email to you during the last period, on Friday afternoon, and mentioned teaching the lesson on Monday. This does not provide you much time to respond, nor does it allow you time to collaborate as a team.

Content Expectations
There are two parts to this assignment:
Part 1: Draft a one to two page email expressing your concerns about the lack of sufficient time and collaborative efforts. Include the following elements:

• Conflict (2.5 points): “I Statements” that let Mr. Franklin know how you feel about your partnership (see the Resolving Conflict Section, under the Gaining Knowledge and Skills section, within Chapter 4 of your textbook).
• Questions (1.5 points): Direct or indirect questions (see Chapter 4, Questioning Techniques) about his view of collaborative relationships so that you can play a more integral part in future lesson planning.
• Collaboration (2 points): Your definition of collaboration, with at least two specific examples of what you would like your relationship to look like moving forward.
• Time Frame (0.25 points): Suggestions for appropriate correspondence (time and format).
• Closure (0.25 points): Close your email with a suggested time and place to meet to discuss your future collaboration.

Part 2: Create a one page outline that you will use to guide your discussion about your collaboration and communication. Include the following elements:

• Relationships (1 point): At least three specific strategies to develop effective, professional relationships.
• Communication (1 point): At least three specific methods to communicate with each other.
• Trust (1 point): At least three ideas for ways that the two of you can work together to gain trust with Manual and his family, which, according to Manual’s records, is something that Manual’s previous teachers have struggled with in the past.

Written Communication Expectations:

• Length Requirement (0.25 points): Two to three pages, not including the title and references pages.
• Syntax and Mechanics (0.25 points): Display meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar.
• Source Requirement (0.25 points): One scholarly source, in addition to the textbook. All sources on the references page need to be used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.
• APA Formatting (0.25 points): Use APA 6th edition formatting consistently throughout the assignment.

Text (click the underlined text to see book)

Cohen, L. G., & Spenciner, L. J. (2009).

Teaching students with mild and moderate disabilities: Research-based practices

. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.

This text is a Constellation™ course digital materials (CDM) title.

Articles 

Meier, J. D. (2011).

Five conflict management styles at a glance (Links to an external site.)

. Sources of Insight. Retrieved from http://sourcesofinsight.com/conflict-management-styles-at-a-glance/ 

Thomas, K. & Kilmann, R. (N.D.)

Thomas Kilmann conflict mode instrument. (Links to an external site.)

Retrieved from http://lnu.se/polopoly_fs/1.88249!thomas-kilman-conflict%20english%20original

wikiHow (n.d.).

How to give a feedback sandwich (Links to an external site.)

. Retrieved from http://www.wikihow.com/Give-a-Feedback-Sandwich

Yu, C. (2014).

10 examples & non-examples of differentiated instruction (Links to an external site.)

. Teachthought. Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/what-is-differentiated-instruction/