Learn about science curriculum created for self-contained special education classrooms by a real special education teacher!
Find out how to organize your classroom to easily work on different levels of IEP goals while maintaining data collection on a regular basis.
Learn which strategies to use with students who are engaging in escape or task avoidance behaviors in special education classes.
What is a paraprofessional? What is a paraeducator? How special education paraprofessionals and special education instructional assistants support students.
For our learners who need to work on foundational learning skills, such as simple matching, I have always love creating hands on task boxes put-in tasks and color sorting tasks. My classroom closet always looked like it could be featured on an episode of hoarders. I kept every shoe box, coffee container, baby jar, and
Interview prep questions for new special education teachers and teachers who are interviewing this year! Download the list!
Science units are wonderful for teaching science concepts in a special education classroom… especially those with multiple grades. The science units help me differentiate and teach and reteach the science concepts year after year. Focus On Vocabulary Many students struggle with all of the vocabulary and language that come with science concepts. From scientific tools […]
Visual schedules are a great way to help students manage their school day and see what is coming next. Free flip schedule template only at Mrs. D's Corner.
As special education teachers, there are a few red flags to avoid during an IEP meeting. Here are 10 things not to say in an IEP meeting.
Come check out how I organize, decorate, and utilize spaces & activities to be functional on this Adult Transition classroom tour!
For our learners who need to work on foundational learning skills, such as simple matching, I have always love creating hands on task boxes put-in tasks and color sorting tasks. My classroom closet always looked like it could be featured on an episode of hoarders. I kept every shoe box, coffee container, baby jar, and
Visual schedules promote independence by allowing students to know the sequence of the day’s events. Here are 5 types of visual schedules commonly found in a special education classroom.
4 Must Do's on the First Day of Pre-K. Worried you missed something while lesson planning for the first day of school?
I’m back to talk more about independent work stations. I don’t know if you’ve realized, but I’m basically obsessed with them. I think I’ve written about independent work stations at least a half dozen times on this blog if not more! I love them because not only do they provide an opportunity to teach students ... Read More about 5 Mistakes you are Making in your Independent Work Stations
I never would have thought I would be tracking data digitally, I am really not that savvy when it comes to tech, however, when someone pointed out how easy it was, I had to try it. You guys, its sooo much easier than my typical paper and pencil tracking system. I had data sheets EVERYWHERE!! […]
Supporting kids with special needs works best when both regular education and special education staff work together. That's why it is helpful for all teachers to understand how they can modify and accommodate for students in their classrooms. For newer teachers, learning that you need to modify work
If there is one I have learned in my years of working with paraprofessionals, it is that paras are teachers too. My paraprofessional is my right hand and my left hand. She is the glue that keeps us together. I realize that sometimes it is our first instinct to give them passive work because their
For our learners who need to work on foundational learning skills, such as simple matching, I have always love creating hands on task boxes put-in tasks and color sorting tasks. My classroom closet always looked like it could be featured on an episode of hoarders. I kept every shoe box, coffee container, baby jar, and
You know that saying: "There's a lesson to be learned in everything.", well, it's true! If you're a teacher, there are many tedious little tasks you do on a daily basis that students can help with while learning job skills!
Standards-based instruction can be tough for students with significant disabilities. Here are 4 tips to help make it meaningful for our students.
If a student is unable to play with toys during structured leisure time independently, play supports are a great strategy.
So in this post im going to share with you 10 hacks that can help you to capture your learners’ attention.
Starting a task box center and system in your special education classroom is a way to increase student independence and free up staff.
Being a new special education teacher can be overwhelming and stressful. Check out The FIRST thing to do as a new special ed teacher.
This article will give you helpful tips and tricks on teaching music for special education classes in your elementary school.
Special Education teachers are the masters of data collection! At times, collecting data can be overwhelming, especially when you sometimes have to outsource the collecting to other teachers, specialists, or teaching assistants. Tracking accommodations is necessary to make sure an IEP is being followed and can be helpful in determining which accommodations should be added to or removed from the IEP. Believe it or not, collecting data on accommodations and modifications does not have to consume your life! Share Information Be sure to share vital information with all teachers and assistants that work with your students. I have an accommodations organizer that I organize all of the information of my class. The information is in one place which is helpful for sharing information with assistants, special area teachers, and substitutes. When I first began teaching, I did not bother sharing such information with special area teachers until it was brought to my attention that a student of mine did not complete a test in physical education class. That student had trouble reading and was supposed to have his tests read. The PE teacher was unaware of his accommodations and therefore did not deliver them. I use a special form that reminds me of who needs to be informed of accommodations and modifications at the beginning of the school year and after an IEP annual review. Train Your Team If you have paraprofessionals in your classroom working with students, it is important to train them in how to deliver and how to track accommodations and modifications. Some interventions are more detailed than others. Observe your team while they are working with students and provide feedback as needed. The time you put in to properly train your team to record data the same way you would is so well spent! Use Checklists When I first started teaching, I used to write notes on a post-it that included which accommodations and modifications were used on assignments along with their effectiveness. It was very time consuming and often times, I forgot to add some things. Finally, I came up with a few checklists and forms to help the process. Level of Support One of the forms I use tracks the level of support a student needs from an adult. I use this one to determine the need for a 1:1 teaching assistant. It is useful before adding a TA and to collect data to see if continuing the intervention is a necessity. The adult that works with the student at that time fills it out while working with the student. Accommodations and Modifications Tracker I use this form two ways, depending on what I am collecting data for. As an IEP meeting approaches, I like to review the need for the interventions on the IEP. I can track the types of interventions are needed for different types of assignments and activities. More importantly, I can track the effectiveness of such interventions. I can also cut this tracker apart to staple it onto work samples. The work samples can be to show the Committee on Special Education the student's growth or regression. I also like to send work home with students with the form filled out from time to time so parents can see what kind of help the student needs in order to complete assignments at school. Frequency Tracker Another way I like to track the use of accommodations and modifications needed in school is with a frequency tracker I created. This gives me a quick visual of which interventions are being used and which are not. I focus on this during the weeks before a meeting so I can determine which accommodations and modifications need to remain, be added, or be removed from an IEP. Data collection is so important but it doesn't have to take over your entire life. Once you create a few checklists that fit your classroom or purchase one of the many checklists and charts from my TpT store, you will save yourself a ton of time and will have more data than you've ever had before!
In you special needs class, do you have any behavior issues? Any kids that are over-responsive or just the opposite, under-responsive? YOU.NEED.HEAVY.WORK. I cannot stress enough how much of a DRASTIC change we saw in some of our special thinkers when we began implementing this work system into their daily routine. Here's some info on
Do you want to work on life skills in your classroom? Are you looking for hands-on special education life skills activities that your students will love? If so, you've come to the right place. Because today, I'm sharing my top 10 life skills activities that you can do in your classroom. 1. Washing Hands One
Download these Free Special Education Planner Inserts to create your own IEP binder. Perfect for parents and teachers handling IEPs.
Setting up an IEP work bin system can feel overwhelming! Here are some easy ways to do it so that your students can quickly work on goals!
Home and school communication is so important! These sheets allow students to participate in sharing their day with their parents using visual supports, checklists, and/or sentences. Multiple levels are included for a variety of students. Print and go OR customize for your students! ALL text is editable (in PowerPoint). 2018 version includes updated b&w images. Original version (still included in the download): Only the checklists are editable (in PowerPoint) so that you can customize in order to easily check off the things you do each day. Customize for your class or for each student. (Symbols are not editable in either version, but ALL text is editable and blank pages (without symbols) are also provided in the newest update so if you need to you can add your own symbols. Be sure to check out the preview to see more sample pages! ______________________________ Learn when I post new products and sales: ✯Click the green star that says "Follow Me" near the top of any page within my store and you will officially be a follower! Get connected! ✎ Follow me on Facebook for lots of great ideas and sales!
Use these inclusion strategies to help you navigate teaching in the ELA classroom.
Interested in becoming an IEP or Special Education Advocate? Here's what you need to know about advocacy training, salary, skills, jobs, and how to get started.
Creating an inclusive environment in your school and are wondering where to start? Here are 5 best pieces of advice for fostering inclusion.
Stop laminating? In my special education classroom? I know, I know. But trust me. Save time, money and the Earth with 3 additions to your supply cabinet.
This is an updated preference assessment similar to the Free Product in my store. This preference assessment can be filled out by parents to identify student likes and dislikes for activities and reinforcers. I send this form home during once in the beginning of the school year and again after winte...
Different errorless learning activities for your special education classroom. Errorless learning is great for independent practice.
Summer themed academic resources to help your special education students continue to learn and work on IEP goals throughout the summer months and during extended school year.
IEPs and RTI. Progress monitoring and data collection. This simple system has worked for me for years. Sharing a FREE, simple, easy, and effective way to save you time... and your sanity. Learn more now!
Come check out how I organize, decorate, and utilize spaces & activities to be functional on this Adult Transition classroom tour!
When you teach in a multiple disabilities classroom, there is often a lot of equipment in a multiple disabilities classroom
