Accommodations Passport Teacher Guide Teacher-Facing Facilitation Resource
ACCOMMODATIONS PASSPORT
Self-Advocacy & IEP Empowerment Lesson (Grades 7-8)
Duration
55 min
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Identify: Students will list their specific IEP accommodations and categorize them by type (Presentation, Response, Setting, Timing).
• Explain: Students will articulate how each accommodation supports their unique learning strengths and challenges.
• Advocate: Students will practice a 3-step communication strategy to explain their accommodations to a general education teacher.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Accommodations Slides
Printable Passport Activity (1/stud)
Practice Worksheets & IEP Summaries
Scissors, Stapler, and Writing Utensils
KEY VOCABULARY TO HIGHLIGHT
Accommodation
Changes how a student learns or accesses the curriculum (e.g., audiobooks, extra time). It changes the path, not the goal.
Self-Advocacy
The ability to speak up for your needs, make choices for yourself, and explain what helps you succeed in a clear and respectful way.
LESSON PACING & SEQUENCE
00-10 MIN
Part 1: Pre-Departure Check-in (Introduction)
Display Slide 1 & 2. Ask students: "Who knows you best as a student?" Prompt them to realize that while teachers have records, students are the ultimate experts on themselves. Define Self-Advocacy . Emphasize that starting the new semester with general education teachers requires open communication.
10-25 MIN
Part 2: Navigating the Map (Understanding Accommodations)
Use Slides 3 & 4. Distinguish Accommodation vs. Modification (Modification changes what you learn). Review the four travel domains of accommodations: Presentation (how content is delivered), Response (how students show knowledge), Setting (where learning happens), and Timing (how time is structured). Give concrete examples.
Unit: IEP Self-Advocacy Page 1 of 2
LESSON PACING & SEQUENCE (CONTINUED)
25-45 MIN
Part 3: Filling Your Accommodations Passport
Hand out the Accommodations Passport Activity templates. Guide students to fill in their Personal Info (strengths, interests) and then consult their personal "Accommodations Menu" or simplified IEP information sheets (pre-prepared by teacher). Students stamp/write down their accommodations and construct their passports.
45-55 MIN
Part 4: Border Patrol (Role-Play & Practice)
Students partner up to complete the Self-Advocacy Practice Worksheet . Use the 3-Step Script: 1. The Strength , 2. The Barrier , 3. The Solution . Teachers float to model respectful advocacy dialogue. Close with students committing to hand in/email their Boarding Passes.
TEACHER SCRIPTS & QUESTIONS
How to Introduce IEPs: "An IEP is simply a custom manual for how your brain operates best. Just like a professional athlete needs custom gear to prevent injury, you have customized learning strategies."
Reflective Prompt: "If a teacher doesn't hand out guided notes, what is a polite way to remind them without interrupting the class?"
DIFFERENTIATION IDEAS
For Struggling Writers: Provide a pre-printed sticker menu of accommodation icons (e.g., timer icon, headphones icon) that they can peel and stick onto their passport.
For Advanced Advocates: Have them draft an introductory email to their general education teachers using the 3-step script template during role play.
ROLE-PLAY MASTER SCENARIOS (FOR PRACTICE WORKSHEET)
Scenario A: The Noisy Test Environment
Marcus has the accommodation to test in a separate, quiet room. The teacher hands out the quiz and the room is noisy with whispering and a buzzing light bulb. Marcus needs to ask to use his testing location politely.
Scenario B: Fast-Paced Board Notes
Sarah gets copies of class lecture notes as an accommodation. The history teacher is rushing through the slides and erasing the whiteboard. Sarah is getting anxious and falling behind. She needs to speak to the teacher after class.
Unit: IEP Self-Advocacy Page 2 of 2
Accommodations Passport Slides Self-Advocacy Departure Gate
My Accommodations
Passport
Your custom-made travel log for navigating 7th and 8th grade with confidence and success!
FLIGHT #78IEP READY FOR DEPARTURE 01 / 06
Who Knows You Best?
Your teachers have files on your learning needs, but you are the undisputed expert on your own brain!
Starting a new semester can feel like arriving in a brand-new country. Self-advocacy is your ultimate survival guide.
Key Concept
SELF-ADVOCACY
Knowing yourself, understanding what you need to succeed, and respectfully communicating those needs to others.
IEP BOARDING INSTRUCTIONS PASSENGER KNOWLEDGE 02 / 06
Know the Travel Terms
It's important to understand the difference between these two school tools:
How We Learn
Accommodations
Changes how you access information or show your knowledge. The learning goals stay exactly the same.
Example: Taking your science test in a quiet room or using text-to-speech tools.
What We Learn
Modifications
Changes what you are expected to learn. The curriculum material or grade standard is adjusted.
Example: Writing a 1-page paper when the class is writing a 3-page research paper.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS PASSPORT DESTINATIONS 03 / 06
The Four Travel Domains
Your accommodation passport categorizes your support tools into four main areas:
Presentation
How information is given to you.
Audiobooks, guided notes, enlarged text.
Response
How you show what you know.
Speech-to-text, typed answers, oral tests.
Setting
Where you do your schoolwork.
Quiet room, front-row seat, small group study.
Timing
How time and breaks are structured.
Extended time, sensory breaks, chunked quizzes.
ACCOMMODATION MAP THE FOUR DOMAINS 04 / 06
Your 3-Step Boarding Pass
Advocating doesn't need to be scary! Use this simple 3-step script when talking to your teachers:
01
The Strength
Start with what you are good at, or a clear class goal you have.
"I study hard and understand the science concepts..."
02
Accommodations Passport Activity Student Name
Case Manager / Support Teacher
Date
Grade Level
OFFICIAL LEARNING PASSPORT
Department of Student Self-Advocacy
Approved IEP
Draw Portrait Here (or attach photo)
TRAVELER ID PHOTO
Official Document
My Learning Strengths
What do you excel at? (e.g., creative writing, solving science puzzles, contributing in group activities, active listening)
Things That Feel Tough
What conditions or task types block your progress? (e.g., copying notes quickly, working in loud spaces, taking fast timed tests)
Unit: IEP Self-Advocacy Page 1 of 2
MY ACCOMMODATIONS STAMP BOOK
Check or write your designated supports in each travel quadrant
Domain A
PRESENTATION
How content is delivered to me:
Guided lecture notes / skeleton outlines Audiobooks or text-to-speech software Larger font size or high contrast materials Visual schedules & written instruction aids
Custom Other:
Domain B
RESPONSE
How I show my work and knowledge:
Speech-to-text / oral exam narration Computer keyboard typing instead of handwriting Mathematical calculator for simple arithmetic Scribe (someone writing my dictation)
Custom Other:
Domain C
SETTING
Where I learn and complete work:
Quiet study room / separate testing center Preferential seating (e.g., front of classroom) Small group testing workspace Noise-dampening earmuffs or headphones
Custom Other:
Domain D
TIMING
How time is structured for me:
1.5x Extended testing time Frequent scheduled stretch/sensory breaks Tests broken into smaller blocks (chunking) Visual timer / checklist to stay on track
Custom Other:
Traveler Pledge: I commit to keeping this passport in my binder. I will review it before big quizzes, projects, or when I feel overwhelmed, and I will share my stamps with my general education teachers so they can help guide my flight.
Unit: IEP Self-Advocacy Page 2 of 2
Self Advocacy Practice Worksheet Name: _______________________
Date: ____________
FLIGHT TRAINING FLIGHT LOG
FLIGHT LOG: SELF-ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Before we depart on our semester flight, let's practice navigating obstacles and planning our flight paths.
PART 1: SPOT THE BARRIER & DEPLOY CONTROLS
Read the travel report below and analyze how the passenger can advocate for their flight needs.
INCIDENT REPORT: CLASSROOM CLUTTER
Marcus's Noisy Quiz Environment
"Marcus is taking a major science quiz. He gets anxious in noisy environments. The teacher is whispering to a student at the front desk, and two students are tapping their pencils in the back row. Marcus's IEP has an accommodation allowing him to take quizzes in a separate, quiet room, but he is nervous to stand up and ask."
1. What is the Environmental Barrier (the obstacle in Marcus's way)?
Identify what is making it hard for Marcus to focus on his quiz.
2. Which Accommodation "Stamp" from Marcus's Passport should be deployed here?
Pick from: Presentation, Response, Setting, or Timing.
3. Draft a Polite Request Marcus could say to his teacher:
Use a friendly and respectful tone (e.g., "Excuse me, Mr. Smith, would it be okay if...")
Unit: IEP Self-Advocacy Page 1 of 2
PART 2: CHARTING YOUR OWN FLIGHT PATH
Now, apply the 3-Step Advocacy Script to your own school goals and IEP accommodations.
Select one accommodation from your Passport Stamp Book. Use the lines below to write out what you will say to your teacher using our 3-step blueprint.
1 THE STRENGTH: Highlight what you are good at or want to achieve.
Example: "I work really hard in your class and always complete my homework assignments..."
2 THE BARRIER: Name the obstacle in your way.
Example: "...but sometimes during fast spelling tests, it takes my brain a little extra time to write..."
3 THE SOLUTION: Propose your passport accommodation as the tool.
Example: "...so my IEP accommodation allows me to have 50% more time on major assessments."
FLIGHT ADVISORY: BEST TIMES TO ADVOCATE
Don't raise your hand during mid-lecture! The best times to share your passport or state your scripts are:
1. After Class
Stay 2 mins behind.
2. Study Hall
Politely visit them.
3. Email Draft
Send before school.