In special education, and especially self contained, you MUST keep it simple. I usually have similar activities in each color center each day… but I never label my rotation schedule, or explicitly list what activities will happen that day.
Why? It’s best to just keep it simple. That way:
+ you can easily differentiate for each child
+ you can change something on the spot that isn’t working
+ you can increase/ decrease staff at each center on the fly
+ it leaves you the opportunity to switch things up at every moment.
But what about planning?
The way I run my centers requires virtually no planning whatsoever.
+ all materials are interactive and prepped
+ all data sheets are ready to go from day 1
+ independent work only requires resetting at the end of each day.
How do I typically set things up?
(( All of the center schedule pieces seen below are FREE, you can find them here. ))
RED WORK: Teacher Table
+ Direct instruction of new skills
+ Discrete Trial Teaching 1:1
+ If more than 1 student at a time… 1:1 and reward time switching back and forth.
+ Baseline data taken
YELLOW WORK: IEP Table
+ IEP bins are used
+ Data taken weekly
BLUE TABLE: Review Table
+ If staff, data on previously learned skills
+ We also review for field trips here with community units
no staff:
GREEN TABLE: Independent work
+ independent work boxes
*These are just ideas, Keeping it simple is all about teaching things how you want and what works for your class.
Another idea: Try themes
With so many resources out there- try theme centers!
Monday- ELA
Tuesday- MATH
Wednesday- SCIENCE
Thursday- ELA
Friday- Math
+ pull out adapted books and file folders for that theme each day
+ Use curriculum at the 1:1 center
+ Still work on IEP goals and data collection at the teacher center
One of the hardest parts of self contained is staffing.
How can I run centers when my staff is all over the place?
While I can’t answer every staffing specific questions and do all the brainstorming for you I can give you some tips.
+ keeping it simple allows for activities ready to go at each center that are staff supported AND independent
+ If you only have 2 staff members I suggest one teacher table and one floater.
+ Group your students according to staffing. No staff? Higher level students that can help keep lower level students on track are a god send!
+ But my kids aren’t independent at all? It’s all in the first two weeks of teaching the classroom systems… if you don’t teach the systems- you’ll struggle all year long.
+ Have a staff member working with student schedules and checking work, walking around centers if possible.
(( The above center schedules can be found in my simple schedules set on TPT. ))
As I mentioned above- I’m a big fan of mixed and high/ low grouping. It balances things out and helps with the staffing. PLUS everything in my classroom is already differentiated, it is easy to pull out a level 1 or level 3 file folder and have students working on the same task at their level.
(( You can use this FREE grouping planner to plan out your groups ahead of time. I like to project it onto the whiteboard and then write in each group using a dry erase. It helps to make quick changes.))
+ Students doing the same task at their level
+ mixed grouping
+ high / low grouping, students help each other
+ use of reward / 1:1 for groups of two students and 1 staff.
+ iPad rewards helps keep students seated (and working on the subject matter) while staff helps other students.
One of the top questions I receive is how long to take for each activity. Again, this is tough for me to answer for you!
+ my students can handle 15 minute centers, yes this is with a reward built in at the end for some, and some wait for a reward after all rotations
+ try out 15 minute centers and adjust as needed.
+ remember to use reward time to level out how much time is needed for different groups of students.
+ It is OKAY if you are starting centers at 10 minutes or less, you can work up to longer centers.
+ Start with Longer breaks and shorter centers to give your students a lot of reinforcement while they learn the system.
+ USE VISUALS, without visual schedules, and first/ then boards… centers wouldn’t work in my classroom! You NEED them.
The “My Schedule” and “Let’s Work Hard” boards can be found in Simple Schedules.
The rest of the visuals seen above are found in Simple Center Schedules and are free 🙂
Happy Centering 🙂
Hello!
I love all of this info! I use a rotation system but this looks better with more simplicity.
I wanted to ask if you repeat the rotations again in the afternoon or even in the morning?
Also, at teacher table, do you work on one subject per day or per rotation?
I think this is where I overwhelm myself trying to fit in too much!
I love the idea of posting specials or services on the board. How did you show on individual schedules or do you just use the board?
Thank you for your help and for in many great ideas!!
Katie