Online teaching is taking the world by storm. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 we are experiencing a lot of change in schools around the nation and world. Online teaching (or e-learning, or distance learning) has already been happening for 4 months and many schools will be continuing this through the next school year. Will distance learning be something that occurs from time to time forever? Is e learning the new normal? The truth is no one knows what tomorrows bring but teachers are doing what they do best… learning, shifting, and reinventing the wheel to meet the needs of all of their learners.
I created this list of 10 tools for online teaching to help support special education teachers and students currently experiencing e-learning. Do you have something to add to the list?
Covid-19 Adapted Books: I created 8 adapted books that come both print + digital that act as social narratives for the changes that are occurring in schools all over. They also include information about the coronavirus, testing, and wearing face masks to protect ourselves and others. You can grab a free book (School is Different) here.
Home Learning Choice Boards (FREE): 3 Free Choice boards for families to use at home during school closures, e-learning, or any day! Includes 3 boards: general activities, exercise, and academic.
Home Schedules (Free!): Free at home schedule for distance learning and life skills at home. Includes schedule boards, first then, and visuals.
At Home Learning Bundle: This print only bundle was created with materials that are easy to print and go to create packets for students in order to work on skills and prevent regression at home. The bundle is a combination of my most popular resources. This bundle includes simple print and go because some students work best on paper, some families don’t have access to digital, and sometimes this is the fastest way to get students back to working. These resources are easy for families to start implementing at home!
Digital Morning Meeting: Morning Meeting is the predictable, structured routine that starts everyone’s day off on the right foot. This is no different for distance learning! You can use this digital morning meeting over zoom sessions and pass the mouse to students to make an interactive whole group lesson. You can also have students complete the morning meeting on their own each day for morning work.
Boom Cards™: Boom Cards are digital interactive games that are self checking and give the teacher data! Boom cards allow you to differentiate and assign students decks of cards and give the teachers all the power! They also can include sound and read aloud to students! You can learn more about Boom Cards here.
Learning Websites: Here is a list of websites recommended by special education teachers like you! Many of these are free or have free memberships for teachers during this time so make sure you look into that before enrolling.
Digital Morning Work Binder (Hello Binder): This binder is perfect to wake up to! Students complete each page independently in place of morning work. This binder targets personal information skills and basic skills. Includes many different options to change in and out all year long, including seasonal patterns. This is great for early finishers, those who arrive early to school, and students that need to practice basic personal information. Easy to use with Google Classroom for distance learning.
70+ Free Printables: Did you know I have a free resource library called the Simply Free Library on my blog. There are over 70 instant free downloads that would be great to use for quick and easy cut and paste activities! I am always adding new downloads there. Just sign up here to get your free password.
Digital WH Questions: A top IEP goal for elementary students is WH Questions. This digital resource allows you to filter by WH question or give a mixed quiz. It also includes Boom Card decks that collect the data for you and randomize! Huge win for distance teaching IEP goals!
Do you have any tools to add to the list? Leave the in the comments!