Calming tools are really wonderful for kids who are quick to anger or have a difficult time calming down when upset. In my post about tips for helping an angry child calm down, I added
"What are you, Willy Wonka?"
The Bathroom Rules Social Story is a great product to help children understand bathroom rules and etiquette. The story breaks down the steps from asking the teacher to what we need to do in the bathroom. It also addresses privacy as well. ...
"It’s terrifying. It’s corrupt. It’s wrong."
Get ready to laugh your way through the world of "Clueless Hero," a webcomic that brings video games to life in the funniest ways!
Promoting social skills in special education is essential. Discover helpful strategies and instructional activities that encourage social skills and communication. Using tools like social stories, role playing exercises, group activities, and visual support can help improve communication, cooperation, and positive social interactions. Read more on how to help your students improve their social skills.
It’s not every day you witness two forces of nature locked in an electrifying battle.
Folks online urge this person to call the police on their parents who secretly got a $30K loan in their name.
The American actress and film producer will be staying close to her audience a little longer, but with a little more distance.
Social Stories about Friendship Ah, friendship. I had a mom once say to me, 'I want my child to have a friend, not a buddy.'
"Everything he said to me actually made me feel worse."
Discover 12 easy ways you can bring mindfulness into your classroom to improve student focus, attention, and emotional regulation.
A woman's religious beliefs turn into a deliberate attempt to ruin her manager's career.
Hint: Sand. Lots of it.
“I have no recollection of anything; I was just so lucky to be with people who got me home safe.”
Social emotional learning is the foundation of a successful classroom by creating an environment of inclusion and respect.
The woman followed the policy to the letter and still got penalized, proving that their policy made no sense in the first place.
OUTDOOR NATURE CRAFT FOR KIDS - NO GLUE + NO STICKY MESS but all the FUN! 3 different adhesive activities included! Get outside, explore, discover + create! FALL PACK Pumpkin, two acorns and scavenger hunt GIFT PACK OPTION includes canvas NATURE BAG to collect items or to be used as gift wrapping! HOW TO USE: 1) get outside + explore 2) save your favorite items found in nature in our Sprouting Minds Nature Bag (included with gift pack option only) 3) choose one of your 3 included adhesive crafts to decorate 4) peel off the orange film to expose the adhesive 5) use your nature finds like stickers and create! NOTES: nature items (leaves, flowers, sticks, etc) are not included. Our activities encourage kids to get outside and find all different nature items to make their own unique creation. If you plan on taking your crafts to the beach - be sure that shells, stones etc are free of sand and water so they stick properly. Recommended for ages 3+ DETAILS: Our activities are made from heavy duty recycled cardstock + clean, mess-free adhesive that is made in the USA. The adhesive is strong enough to hold small rocks, shells + pinecones yet gentle enough for children to use. SPROUTING MINDS STORY: I was inspired to spend more time outside with my two kids. I started looking for activities for them to do outdoors but what I kept finding were projects that required too much time and too many supplies. I designed these activities with both parents and children in mind. A simple, fun way to experience nature. Check out our other listings + follow on social media! Instagram + Pinterest: @sproutingminds_ Facebook: Sprouting Minds
A few months ago, I shared a simple problem solving chart for kids. While this chart works well at home, it might not be large enough for a classroom wall, so I created some social problem solving posters {free} that are larger and clearer to see from across the room. Posters like these plus MANY more ... Read More about Social Problem Solving Posters {FREE}
A step-by-step Haircut Social Story to talk about getting a haircut with children with autism. Prepare & alleviate stress with this activity.
Emergency drills (fire drills especially) can be terrifying for preschoolers and many children. It’s loud, sometimes crazy if it’s unannounced, interrupts their routine, and there can be students everywhere. They are...
Alberto Arni’s illustrations are all about seeing everyday objects in a fun and quirky way. He takes things like fruits, pets, or even a roll of toilet paper and gives them personalities and emotions, turning them into characters with their own little stories. Whether it’s a grumpy beer mug or an avocado playing basketball, Arni’s art is all about finding the funny side of the ordinary, making us look at simple things with a new sense of humor.
You have your dress. Pay me!
While this teenager was babysitting her cousin's child, she would find the kitchen too dirty to cook for him.
These personal space worksheets are a great way to help students understand and practice social norms that may change as they get older.
Tackle fluency therapy distance learning with these stuttering teletherapy ideas. Fluency therapy is often difficult on its own but these ideas can help.
Many of us like to go for a cheeky meal at a fast food restaurant every now and then. It’s quick. It’s cheap—or it used to be anyway. Few of us probably have any illusions about the nutrition we’re (not) getting. But it’s not unfair to demand a certain level of quality on the plate and in the kitchen.Recently, internet user u/n0tter sparked an interesting discussion on r/AskReddit. In the viral thread, real-life fast food workers spilled the beans about which menu items everyone should avoid ordering. Scroll down to read about their experiences and opinions. Just… make sure you’re not snacking while you read.
In a recent situation involving a 21-year-old woman and her 20-year-old friend, a significant conflict emerged that has left people
Special eduction law can be a bit gray at times. Although it should be clear cut, it can be difficult to get explicit answers to some of the basic questions that pop up in the day-to-day life of a special education teacher. Here is a scenario that you may have run into before. You need to set up an IEP meeting, but have been unable to confirm a meeting time with the family. How many attempts do you need to make to set up an IEP meeting with a family? What do you do if they don't respond? Can it all be done through email and phone calls or does one of the attempts need to be a letter? Does one attempt need to be a certified letter? While there are laws related to these questions (which you can find HERE), you may find the answer given still leaves you a bit confused. When it comes to these questions, and many more, the law does not give specifics. The specifics tend to come from each state's interpretation of the law and from court case rulings. So how is a special education teacher supposed to make sense of the scattered out information and try to teach at the same time? Well... it's really hard. Some districts have incredible administrators who have a deep understanding of the law, current court cases, and best practice. Many of these districts also reach out to lawyers for guidance. They do the leg work so you can focus on providing your students with what they need to be successful. With that being said, it is still in everyone's best interest to know how to seek out the answers to your own questions. If you do not have this level of support in your district, you will have to take the extra steps to become informed of your role and responsibilities as a special education teacher. I cannot answer all of your questions here. However, I can provide you with some links and resources that will empower you to become more informed and confident in your understanding of special education law. I am going to share a ton of information. I recommend bookmarking this page so that you can refer back to it as questions arise throughout the school year. But first, let's start with the basics. There are three main federal laws that address disabilities. I recommend you click on the links and skim through each of the laws. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - The primary purpose of IDEA is "to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living." IDEA (2004) This is a major law in the world of special education and there is a lot jam packed into this act. You can use the search feature on this page to find information related to a specific topic. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - This is a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on disability. This law is less applicable to public education, but is still valuable to review. Section 504 Rehabilitation Act - Section 504 extended civil rights to people with disabilities in education and other settings. The act outlines the need for a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) which may include reasonable accommodations. Unlike IDEA, students do not need to qualify for an IEP to fall under the umbrella of 504 services. Please note - this is why it is extremely important that the accommodations listed in the IEP or 504 plan are being followed. If they are not, it becomes a civil rights issue, not just a special education issue. Click on Subpart D for information related directly to preschool, elementary, and secondary education. If reading through those three acts seems daunting, don't worry. I am going to share with you some great resources for synthesizing the plethora of information found above. WrightsLaw - I cannot recommend this site enough. It is run by Pete Wright, an attorney who represents children with special needs, and Pam Wright, a psychotherapist who has worked with children and families since the 70s. They summarize court cases in a way that is easy to understand and provide concrete takeaways from the rulings. They have also written numerous books related to special education law and provide training around law and advocacy throughout the country. Make sure you sign up for their newsletter to stay on top of current court cases. The website has quite a bit of information and can be a little difficult to navigate. However, you can click HERE to watch a quick video about how to sift through all of the information. Center for Parent Information and Resources - This website was produced under the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. While it is geared primarily toward parents, it serves as a great resource for anyone working with students with special needs. Their resource library provides links to documents related to disability services and special education. This site is easy to navigate and the information is accurate and concise. National Education Association (IDEA & Special Education) - This site offers "IDEA Briefs" to explain developments about and aspects of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). They are presented in a question and answer format, and are quick and easy to read. The site also offers a nice summary of the 2004 reauthorization of IDEA found HERE. Department of Education - The specifics surrounding special education law can vary between states. Search your state's department of education website for state specific laws, codes, and policies. You can search for your state HERE and get a list of helpful links. State Specific Education Association - Many states have their own rules and regulations that expand upon those found in IDEA. Your local union (if applicable) may have resources to help you learn more about special education law in your state. If you are unable to find answers on the website, don't hesitate to reach out to your local union reps to see if there are any resources or training opportunities that may be available for special education teachers. Understanding the law is a huge undertaking and I hope that this post has given you some guidence and resources to make it a bit easier. Do you have any other go-to resources for special education law? Please share in the comments below!
Homeowner builds a large fence around their property blocking neighbors’ view and access to their yard, after they refused to stop their kids from playing on their land.
