Sensory supports are crucial for a self-contained classroom. Sensory supports help to regulate students and keep their bodies calm. There are so many sensory supports available but I'm going to share some of my students' favorites! Collaborate with your OT or click here to find more student specific sensory supports for your classroom. Flexible Seating I personally don't love to sit flat in a chair with my legs on the ground, so I don't expect my students to sit that way either. I'm ... continue reading...
Latest
How to Create and Use Book Companions to Meet IEP Goals
Book Companions are one of my favorite tools to use in the Special Education classroom! There are so many great books that you can read with your students. Book Companions help make all stories accessible for everyone! What are Book Companions? Book Companions are supplemental activities that accompany a storybook. They come in all genres and types of books. Additionally, they come in different levels and can also be further modified to fit your students’ needs! They are a great way to ... continue reading...
Behavior Friendly Center Activities for Special Education
Hi there! Centers can seem daunting for any classroom. But, they are especially daunting for a special education classroom with many challenging behaviors. I will go over a few activities that you can do that work well in centers for those with challenging behaviors. I will also review some tips and tricks for doing activities in centers with challenging behaviors. Adapted and Differentiated Worksheets Now, this is probably our least favorite option for students with challenging ... continue reading...
How to Make ESY Planning Simple
Teaching ESY can be such a fun experience for teachers! However, schedules, rosters, and expectations can be a lot different in the summer than during the school year. That makes planning for the extended school year seem like a bit of a challenge. But planning for ESY can be simple! Read on to learn some ways that you can plan ahead to have your best summer session ever! What is ESY? ESY is the abbreviation for Extended School Year. Extending the school year means that we are providing ... continue reading...
New Teachers
If I could start over: what I’d do differently in my first self-contained classroom
It's hard to believe that this is my tenth year of teaching. I am a very different teacher than the one I was when I started in 2016! Read on to learn some things I would do differently in my first ... continue reading...
Hiring Season Is Here: How to Stand Out as a Self-Contained Teacher Candidate
It's interview season... that time of year when teaching jobs are starting to post! Maybe you are a recent or soon-to-be grad looking for your first job. Or, perhaps you are a seasoned teacher looking ... continue reading...
Free Downloads
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
New to Teaching ESY? Read This First!
Teaching ESY is one of my favorite parts of the school year! As teachers, we get the special privilege of making our students' summers both educational AND fun. If you are new to teaching during this ... continue reading...
7 Systems Every Self-Contained Classroom Needs
Setting up a self-contained classroom can feel overwhelming, especially when you are supporting students with a wide range of academic, communication, and behavioral needs. Many teachers assume that ... continue reading...