Special Education Teacher Blogs to Follow
I am excited to introduce this week's guest blogger, Whitney from Rooted in Resource. She is going to share her best teacher organization tips for special education!
The main aim in my classroom is to create a positive friendly environment to begin teaching, sometimes I find myself going around in circles… but I love it! Running a successful Special Ed cl…
I have bundled together 5 of my most successful Visual Tools for Positive Behavior Management! These tool have become so successful in supporting students and staff throughout our school that I dec…
One of the best ways to stop attention seeking behavior is to share those expectations with your students and following these tips...
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!
Whether you're fresh out of college or a veteran teaching who needs a change, it always feels good to be prepared for an upcoming interview. This list of 58 - and growing! - interview questions for special ed teachers will help you feel prepared and confident for your upcoming interview. Blog post at Mrs. D's Corner.
Using the Self-Regulation tool book is one of my favourite Behavior strategies. This is such a handy tool that got me thinking that I should share some of the benefits that it could offer other students. Detachable visuals has made this tool very popular with my kiddos. They're able to identify areas of regulation and where they find themselves. Each student has popped their name on one that's tailored to meet individual needs eg, rewards and their interests, making them individually accessible for managing their own behavior! They're constantly using the visuals to remind themselves on how to get in the “ready” for work area. They can choose the supports they need and attach them to the boxes provided on each page if they find themselves struggling! The four areas identified each have visual supports for students to check out how they feel, what area they are in and what they would need to do to get ready to work. Student's feel proud that they're able to identify they're in the "go" area and able to use the visuals to self regulate when they are in the "rest, slow and stop" areas from the visual check list. Made in 6 slightly different formats and 2 sizes has made it easy to find the best one that suits your students. Coloured tags have been added that made it faster to find the areas, along with color coordinated visuals, so no mix ups! Click here for Store FREE BONUS BOOK "My Tool Book" coping strategy you can try as well!
Whether you're fresh out of college or a veteran teaching who needs a change, it always feels good to be prepared for an upcoming interview. This list of 58 - and growing! - interview questions for special ed teachers will help you feel prepared and confident for your upcoming interview. Blog post at Mrs. D's Corner.
The main aim in my classroom is to create a positive friendly environment to begin teaching, sometimes I find myself going around in circles… but I love it! Running a successful Special Ed cl…
What is prompting and how should we use them. Let's talk about the best ways to use the prompt hierarchy in special education.
Understanding the Special Education process is vital for parents who are attempting to get their children enrolled in special education services.
Last week, one of my older students told me "In April, we have 5 Senses in Science." I love that my kids remember the order of our Science Units and look forward to them from month to month and year to year! The favorite thing for my students this coming month is our Jelly Bean Taste Testing Experiment! Check out the unit on TPT here. This month's unit focuses on the following 9 vocabulary words centering around 5 Senses (smell, hearing, sight, touch, taste, senses, spicy, sour, sweet). This packet includes: -Materials to create a vocabulary velcro-matching activity -Flashcards -3 Levels of Assessments -18 different worksheets -2 Games (5-Senses bingo and Memory). Multiple versions based on level of difficulty. -1 Jelly Bean Taste Test Experiment Worksheet -1 Adapted book (with matching pieces and comprehension worksheet) -10 Journal pages (includes 2 levels of difficulty) -Parent note home about the unit -1 Cover sheet for kids to color and use as a cover for all their completed work. This unit has materials for learners at different levels. Also, it includes a variety of worksheets which allow my students to work on their science IEP goals as well as a variety of other goals (language arts, math, speech, and OT). I use this unit over the course of an entire month. The kids repeat some of the work, but the repetition seems to help them learn the concepts as well as work on becoming more independent. OK…now onto the good stuff…some photos of this month's unit! Here is the vocab sheet that we use as a velcro matching activity. Here is the highest level of assessment. There are also assessments for receptive and expressive vocabulary words (pictures and words). The Bingo game, Memory game, and adapted book, are perfect for the days you feel like taking a break from worksheets or when your kids finish their work early! These journal pages come in 2 different levels. One for tracing and one to work on writing about topics independently. Of course, the highlight of the month for my students is the Jelly Bean Taste Testing Experiment. I use Starburst Jelly beans (my personal favorite) to do the first portion of this experiment. The kids close their eyes, eat a jelly bean, and have to try and guess the flavor. For the second part of this experiment, we use regular Jelly Beans, Hot Tamales, and some sort of Sour Jelly Beans. The kids sample one and then have to decide if that candy is sweet, sour, or spicy. For more info on my other science units and more details on what is included, check out these posts! - A post describing my topics for the year as well as how I organize my materials. - A preview of my Dinosaur Unit - A preview of my Weather Unit - A preview of my Landforms Unit. - A preview of my Insect Unit. - A preview of my Plants Unit. - A preview of my Body Parts Unit. - A preview of my Solar System Unit. - A preview of my Food Groups Unit
You scored a job in special ed!? No clue where to start? Start here! I'm giving you all our best tips and resources if you are new to special ed!
We have been in school for almost a month. (I can't believe it either!) So far, this is the BEST year yet! My kids love art and I love teaching through the arts. I am always on the look-out for amazing art resources to use with my kiddos, but they are hard to come by. This summer, I found an incredible resource that was created by Whimsy Workshop. She does ALL of the work for you! There are background information sheets for each type of art that she includes. There are 3 art projects for each country, and each project has step-by-step directions with pictures! Not only are we learning about cultures from around the world and geography, we are also creating lots of art and learning about different techniques. Here are some of the projects we have completed already this year. Surfers from Australia Boomerrangs Chinese Dragons Chinese Flower Blossom Fans (before we folded them) Koi Fish Pretty amazing, huh?! The techniques that Whimsy Workshop shows, are easy enough for kids of all ages and abilities to be successful! My kids are so proud of their work! Check out her product, Art Around the World.
Wondering what the deal is with Transition Assessments? Brendan McCarthy is guest blogging to answer all your burning questions!
One of the best ways to stop attention seeking behavior is to share those expectations with your students and following these tips...
You may have seen some pictures of my velcro boards over the years, and each and every time the HOW DO I MAKE THAT comments flood in! I have literally been meaning to write this blog post for a YEAR, and am just now getting around to it! This board can be used for a variety […]
Do you know how to give preference assessments to your special education students? We talk about how to find the right reinforcer...
Effective IEP goals for anxiety in special ed and practical strategies to address anxiousness in the classroom. Read this ultimate guide for special ed teachers
I love it when we have a birthday in my class because it's a great opportunity to practice tons of life skills! Whenever we have a birthday to celebrate, we plan a party. This is usually pretty low-key (because I usually don't think of it until the day of) but awesome just the same and my students love it!
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!
One of the biggest changes I have dealt with this year was going from a classroom with 2 classroom paraprofessionals to 5 one-to-one paraprofessionals. It's great to have support...but I had (and still have) a lot to learn about managing so many adults in my classroom.
We can use switches for communication (like recordable switches) and we can use them to access items with wired or wireless switches.
We have a lot to do as teachers and our time is limited. 17 MORE classroom hacks that actually work in a special education classroom. Click to learn more.
Communicating with parents has to be one of the most important things we do as special education teachers in the sub separate setting. Many of our students cannot communicate things about their day when they get home as their typical peers do. It is our job that parents have the information they need to be […]
Students love choice in Algebra 2
Listen to this Special Ed Podcast with 15 great ideas for Functional Centers for students with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism in High School. Read more and subscribe today!
Strategies for defiant behavior that support positive behavior, develop teacher-student relationships, and minimize escalating situations.
As teachers, we all have certain items we can't live without in our classrooms. Today, I want to share some of my favorite items with you. I'm sure many of these items are on your lists as well! These are listed in no particular order. Cute Chevron Border on image is from http://frompond.blogspot.com Laminator. When my first laminator broke, I'm pretty sure I cried…actually, I know I did. Through Donorschoose, I was able to get this extra long laminator which is long enough to laminate file folders! Also, couldn't live without my laminating sheets. I prefer to get 5mm thickness to my items are extra durable! Sharpies. What teacher doesn't love sharpies? These are great for anything! (Except when your students think they are dry erase markers and use them on the white board.) Floor Grippers. I discovered these pre-cut floor grippers at the Dollar Tree this year (4 for $1). They are perfect for my little wiggle-worm student whose desks moves half way across the classroom during a 15-minute activity. These have actually worked very well at keeping his desk in the right place! And, I'm happy I didn't have to cut out perfect circles myself! Pencil Sharpener. Love this sharpener from Classroom Friendly Supplies…easy for the kids to use and makes the sharpest pencils EVER! Velcro. Velcro is much needed at every station in my classroom. Whether it is in a file folder activity, schedules, to attach visuals to the wall, or to help students communicate, our world revolves around velcro. To get the most for my money, I usually buy the rolls of velcro tape and then cut it into the right size pieces for each activity. This can be quite annoying when your hands get sore and your scissors are sticky (enter another favorite thing…goo-gone!). Containers and Plastic Baggies. We use plastic baggies to store all the pieces for our file folders, binder work, adapted books and more. Containers are necessary all over the place for work tasks, organization, and storage. I collect containers like crazy. Whenever I see one I like at Target or the Dollar Tree, I buy them. I even store them all inside a giant plastic container! That way, when I'm looking to re-organize, I simply open up my tub and dig through my collection of containers to find something that will work. Wet Erase Markers and Dry Erase Markers. We use dry erase markers for our white boards. For our laminated items, we use wet erase markers (overhead markers). These are super easy to clean off with just a quick spray of water or cleaner. Plus, they have a finer point, which makes them easier for kids to write with. Binders and Milk Crates. I have binders at almost every station in my classroom. They are a great way to store and organize students' individual work. I also love using milk crates from my cafeteria (don't worry, I asked if I could have them) to store and organize the classroom materials. Plus, they are FREE! I would love it if you could share something in your classroom you can't live without in the comments!
Replacement Behavior for Hitting- tips to change behavior for students with Autism and in LIFE Skills. Includes FREE Printable guide.
We can use switches for communication (like recordable switches) and we can use them to access items with wired or wireless switches.
Due to the fact that I am missing a couple work days for my wedding, I have been working to plan some guided reading activities that can be done independently or with minimal adult support (i.e. a substitute or one of my assistants). Silly Sally, by Audrey Wood, is meant for younger children, but sometimes I think these books are good to re-visit when kids get a little older too. When we read this book in my first grade class, we only worked on matching pictures and reading some of the animal words. Now, with my 3rd and 4th graders, I want to focus on content, sequencing, and rhyming words. The first worksheet included in this packet is a basic comprehension sheet with questions and boxes for the kids to write their answers in. The next worksheet is a sequencing worksheet. Students have to write in the order Sally meets the animals in the story. Then they have to draw a picture of each animal. Next, students can practice matching rhyming words. Then, they pick two words that rhyme (from the given list or create their own), and draw a picture. Next, students make their own "silly" sentence by filling in the blanks and drawing a picture. I made a quick handwriting worksheet with rhyming words from worksheetworks.com I found these coloring worksheets on Audrey Wood's website, so added them to my worksheet packet as well. GEt this packet of worksheets FREE by clicking here! This 7 page packet is meant to last 1 guided reading session (which is 30-45 minutes long). Some of my kids are extremely fast workers, so they may fly through this. For the speedsters, I always keep some backup puzzle/games available for those who finish early when I am not there. Anyone have good ideas for other types of activities to leave for a substitute?
How to Differentiate Activities for Special Ed... it can be easily done by adapting the content, process, project, or environment. Read more with ideas to help!
Let’s take a look at some activities included in the What I Like About ME! Book Companion that are great to pair with this read aloud.
Today, I wanted to share a resource with you for making dice worksheets. This is a great way to work on counting and beginning addition skills with your kids! I used this site to make some worksheets for my kids this summer. So far, they have been doing great with them. They have been taking their time and trying to get each question right. I started giving them "grades" for their worksheets...and they all want 100% and a smiley face :-)....I love when simple rewards are motivating for my kids!! The worksheet maker can be found at Worksheet Works. They have lots of other customizable worksheets you can create on their site as well. To start making the dice worksheet, you just choose how many dice you want per question, they layout of the dice, and the paper size. Then, this screen will appear. When you click on the link, the worksheet will open as a PDF. Your PDF worksheet will look just like this. If you go back to the original worksheet options and create worksheet again, it will create a new one with different problems. I created about 3 different worksheets for each level of students. Some of my worksheets had only 1 die to practice counting, while others had up to 4 dice for adding together/counting to higher numbers.
Laying down the law on the playground- some tricks and tips to transition after recess. Listen to this episode of The Nook from Noodle Nook on strategies in the severe/mod class, Life Skills or Autism Unit as well as Special Ed classroom!
Do you know how to give preference assessments to your special education students? We talk about how to find the right reinforcer...
This is a blog about a speech therapy room tour. It contains materials for speech students and simple items in the speech room.
As I was cleaning up my classroom, I found this old file folder that I LOVE. It is another sorting activity that is a little more challenging....it involves sorting picture of boys vs. girls. I used some Boardmaker pictures, but also found some google images to add pictures of "real" boys/girls and even some celebrities. I store the pictures in a baggie inside the file folder. Click here to get FREE labels and sorting pictures to set up your own file folder! This version doesn't have the google images, but feel free to add some of your own pictures as well to make the task longer!
