If you are anything like me, the first 10 days are a struggle. You have so many new ideas for the new year, so many things you want to implement, and you feel pressure to start on the very first day. Here’s my number one tip: DON’T. Just don’t. In special education, and more specifically […]
8 activities to add to your classroom end of day routine that will keep your students engaged and productive!
This spring is presenting new challenges for teachers all across the country. Some of us are getting ready to go back to the classroom for the first time this year. Some of us have been in person all year, but we are about to get new virtual kids. Some of you have been in the ... Read More about Classroom Management and Expectations
If you are anything like me, the first 10 days are a struggle. You have so many new ideas for the new year, so many things you want to implement, and you feel pressure to start on the very first day. Here’s my number one tip: DON’T. Just don’t. In special education, and more specifically […]
If morning meeting or whole group activities have ever intimidated you as a special education teacher, you are not alone. This post can help!
Birthday Posters | Cupcake Display Transform your classroom into a vibrant and festive birthday celebration with our Gentle-Colored Birthday Cupcake Display. This delightful kit is designed to create an adorable and customizable display that your students will adore. **Key Features:** 1. **Gentle-Colored Cupcakes:** Our display features 12 charming birthday cupcakes in soft, gentle colors, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for celebrating student birthdays. 2. **Editable Candles:** The cupcakes come with editable candles that allow you to use Adobe Reader to quickly type student names into the candles. Attach them to the corresponding cupcake, displaying the month of the year, for a personalized touch. 3. **Versatile Usage:** This kit is perfect for showcasing student birthdays in a fun and memorable way. It's a beautiful addition to your classroom decor that fosters a sense of belonging and celebration among students. 4. **Easy Assembly:** The kit includes easy-to-assemble decorations, making it hassle-free to create a captivating birthday bulletin board that will make students feel special. **What's Included:** 12 Gentle-Colored Birthday Cupcakes for each month of the year Editable Candles for Personalization Easy-to-Assemble Decorations Make each student's birthday a memorable occasion with our Gentle-Colored Birthday Cupcake Display. Whether you're an experienced educator or just starting your teaching journey, this kit is an essential resource for fostering a sense of community and celebration in your classroom. Order your kit today and create a beautiful and fun class display to honor student birthdays!
Make lesson planning easier by repeating activities. Keep reading to find out how each life skills activity is different each day.
We have classroom jobs for every student, every day. Find out how this works and get some ideas for your preschool jobs!
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.
Let’s talk about creating and using tactile schedules in the classroom. If you have a Teacher of the Visually Impaired that works with you, they may provide you with a kit or schedule pieces from the library of the blind. Here is a link to my local library. Check with your state and see if you […]
Wondering how to fit everything into your schedule in a self contained special needs classroom? I'm sharing my self contained class schedule and specifics on what each part of our school day looks like. Blog post at Mrs. D's Corner.
Check out this blog post full of Teddy Bear Picnic activities. Teddy bear hat craft, teddy directed drawing, coloring by number, cookie decorating, and more.
These free focus mats have been created to help you get your students ready for standardized testing or other stressful days in your classroom.
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.
Make lesson planning easier by repeating activities. Keep reading to find out how each life skills activity is different each day.
Birthdays in the classroom can be tricky due to cost and food restrictions. Here are bonafide tips for how to celebrate student birthdays in a special way.
I can't believe back-to-school time is coming up so quickly! I've been thinking about my classroom decor and decided to go a little different route this year. I want to try and use as many actual photos as possible to make things super clear for my students and help with explicitly teaching classroom procedures. I've made some new visual posters and wanted to share them with all of you. My first change was with my class rules posters. I have used a modified version of the Whole Brain Teaching rules for the last several years. I also wanted explicit Voice Level posters for my students. If you haven't checked out A Day in First Grade's blog post about her morning meeting, it's a must read {here}. I loved how she gave her students three choices for sitting on the carpet. Last year, I had a lot of students who didn't want to sit criss-cross applesauce. I think my students will be much happier with these options. If you're interested in any of these visuals, you can download them all below for free by clicking on the pictures! I hope these are helpful in your classrooms!
Sharing my favorite hands on back to school September crafts for your self-contained classroom that contain visual directions!
Our Wrist Wraps will make acknowledging positive student behavior and achievement fun, engaging and easy-to-prep! We have carefully illustrated 10 gorgeous bands and provided them in color and blackline versions for you to simply print and cut. Wrap them around the wrists of your students and apply a piece of tape or dab of glue to secure. Included in this file so far are the following brag bands: Great work Well done I am wonderful I am a super star I am kind I am an awesome helper I worked hard today I do not give up I am amazing I did excellent work Little learners would love to color a blackline version using crayons or bright pencils before you wrap it on their wrist! In each of the 10 designs, we've provided 5 different color choices. Hop over to TpT to find this new printable in our collection!
Let's face it. We can always use MORE things in our classroom, but there just isn't time enough in the day. Here are the 7 sets of must-have materials to get your special education classroom up and running quickly.
Those days of forgetting their math facts? Staring blankly at a multiplication problem? Adding or subtracting when they should be multiplying? Done. Gone. Over. Those days are in the past! Today we’re going to learn how to teach multiplication facts to our students with disabilities so that they build conceptual knowledge and retention.
Start your year of right with these activity ideas for the first week of school for secondary special education classrooms.
Do you practice life skills in your SPED classroom? If you don't, you should! Let me show you how to set up life skills centers.
A simple way to teach your students classroom procedures and expectations at the beginning of the school year
Create a morning routine in the classroom that will set your students (and staff) up for a successful day! Here are some ideas to add to your schedule...
classroom kindness banner worksheet activity
Printable directional arrows can greatly simplify organizing events or managing foot traffic in various settings. By using these arrows, you can provide clear, visual guidance to visitors or participants, directing them efficiently to entrances, exits, restrooms, or specific areas of interest..
Support for paraprofessionals AND you! Training tips and resources to help keep everyone on the same page in your classroom.
Save 30% with this bundle! Read more about task boxes here. To see what skill are included, click here. Why Task Boxes? - perfect for promoting independence in the special education classroom - meaningful presentation of basic skills - simplistic yet eye-catching clip art keeps students engaged - reinforce basic concepts for English Language Learners and other students who need extra support - can be changed out and stored easily as tasks are mastered The contents of this bundle differ from The Original Bundle. This bundle includes: January February March April May June July August September October November December Each set includes: -12 task card concepts, focusing on basic math and ELA skills - Each task box includes 2 levels of difficulty - labels and sequencing cards PRINTING TIP: all templates are created to be 4X6" or smaller. To keep items to size, make sure the "fit to page" option is not selected when printing. © Michaela Lawrence, Especially Education
Classroom hacks that actually work in a special education classroom setting. Tried and true methods from actual teachers. Read to learn more.
BACK.TO.SCHOOL! Back to school season can be an roller coaster of emotions. The excitement of what lies ahead, mixed with the reality check that summer is coming to a halt. Whatever your feelings might be at this moment, we all know one thing… we have to start planning. Planning for the first week of school ... Read More about Back to School: SPED Edition
Are you gearing up for back to school? Don't worry! I'm going to walk you through 4 must dos for the first day of school.
Foster meaningful and enriching environment while having many opportunities to demonstrate skills at their level through work tasks.
I know that the start of a new school year can be a stressful time for students and teachers alike. But with a little bit of planning and creativity, we can make the first week of school a fun and …
Grandparents Day activities and ideas, including planning a special event having grandparents visit the classroom.
In our classrooms, we must use lots of visuals to help our students understand what work they must do, what will come after they finish their work, as well as what behaviors we expect throughout the day. Please download the preview for a full look at all that is included in this pack. Included in this kit are: -1 first/then clipboard chart with visuals at the top -1 first/next/then clipboard chart with visuals at the top -rainbow visuals tab ring -42 daily schedule cards -24 reward options -3 different star "working for" reward charts (3 stars, 5 stars, 10 stars) -20 different colored stars for charts In order to create durable and long-lasting materials, you should use the following supplies: -lamination -velcro Copyright © 2016 Teaching Special Thinkers Follow me on TPT Email me at: [email protected] Teaching Special Thinkers Website Facebook
Classroom jobs in kindergarten aren't always the most effective way to teach responsibility. Try this simple classroom helper system instead!
Making a paper heart is so easy and fun. With just a few simple folds you can create an origami heart in less than 5 minutes! Paper folding is such a relaxing activity - Low mess crafts are the best! Use these paper hearts to decorate for Valentine's Day, or give them to your loved ones to show your appreciation. Origami hearts also make fun decorations and favours for weddings, anniversaries, Mother's Day, and Father's Day! This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a small commission which helps us run this
It's back-to-school season! Your students and families are eager to know you. Use the SSE Meet the Teacher Packet to introduce yourself!
