Visuals can be helpful for all students, especially those who are nonverbal. Having a predicable visual schedule can help students learn routine and ease anxiety. Read on to see some examples of visual schedules that can support nonverbal students! Whole class schedules It is always a good idea to have a visual schedule posted on the wall for all students to easily see. You can refer to the schedule all day long. You can also have students walk up to the schedule and point to the ... continue reading...
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Spring Book Companions
Spring can be an exciting time for students in the classroom. They are starting to see the sunshine more, flowers blooming, butterflies, baby animals, and more! Read on to learn about some spring books you can read with your students, as well as activities to accompany them. The Golden Acorn This book by Katy Hudson is great for teaching students about teamwork. It includes fun spring characters like squirrel and rabbit. Simply Special Ed has a bundle of spring book companions, which ... continue reading...
Collecting Data When You Have No Time
As a special education teacher, we are required to collect data on our students' IEP goals. There are many factors that attribute to making collecting data hard, especially in a self-contained setting. Each of our students have academic goals, behavior plans/goals, and sometimes functional goals. Here are some tips that I used in my classroom to ensure I was collecting data when I felt like there was no time. Collaboration Collaborating with your related service team can be so ... continue reading...
All About Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
What is Therapeutic Crisis Intervention? Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, or TCI, is the program used for crises in my school district. (Specifically, we use TCIS - Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Schools, as opposed to the other programs that are for families or residential settings.) TCI is a trauma-informed, evidence-based model to help prevent, de-escalate, and manage crises. The program was developed by Cornell University for use in children's residential care facilities and has ... continue reading...
New Teachers
Three Ways I Use Technology During Morning Meeting
Morning Meeting is my favorite part of the school day. It is a time to connect and set the tone for the day. Over the years, I have come to realize that morning meetings become more meaningful when ... continue reading...
How to start a behavior management system in your self-contained class
Setting up a behavior management system in your self-contained classroom can be overwhelming because there are so many ideas out there! Students, especially those in a self-contained class, thrive on ... continue reading...
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Ten Ways to Show Para Appreciation All Year Long
Paraprofessionals are vital to making special education classrooms run smoothly! The amazing paras I know are some of the hardest working staff members with the biggest hearts. As teachers, we can ... continue reading...
How I Use The SSE Morning Meeting Calendar Resources in OT Sessions
As an occupational therapist (OT) working in a school setting, I focus on student access to their learning environments. I look at their strengths/needs and compare them to what is required of the ... continue reading...
In Case You Missed It
Unit Planning for Science and Social Studies
Science and Social Studies lessons can be so fun and engaging for students! By taking a little time to plan out your units, you can make sure that your students receive some great instruction in these ... continue reading...
Understanding the Functions of Behavior
Welcome! Let's dig into one of my absolute favorite topics: the functions of behavior! Now, that may seem odd to some of you, but I love it because it is one of the driving points behind behavioral ... continue reading...