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Simply Special Ed

Resource Downloads & Teaching Advice

Back to School Blog Classroom Setup Elementary Inspiration

TK-1 Moderate/Intensive Self-Contained Classroom Tour

"TK-1 Moderate/Intensive Self-Contained Classroom Tour" blog header.

Welcome to my TK-1 Moderate/Intensive Self-contained classroom tour! In this classroom tour, we will explore various areas of my classroom.

Image of a classroom with a blue rug, calendar, visual schedule, and Smart Board.

The Campfire

The campfire, a designated area for whole-group instruction, is located front and center in my classroom. This area is intentionally kept clutter-free to avoid visual overload for my young students. Before Morning Meeting, the campfire looks as pictured above. Throughout the day, we display anchor charts related to the content we cover and utilize the SmartBoard for interactive learning.

Picture of a kidney table with 5 chair around it. In the middle of the table is a blue "centers" visual.

Centers

Our classroom has four small-group centers, each identified by a different color. We conduct small-group instruction in these centers, engaging students in various activities related to the day’s lessons. To transition students from whole-group to small-group instruction, I provide each student with a visual that matches the color of their assigned center.

Image of a low book display with picture books, cozy seating options, and a trampoline.

The Library/Sensory Room

Our library and sensory room, nestled within an office in our classroom, is a haven for our students. It features a low-to-ground book display, cozy seating options, and a trampoline. The low-to-ground book display is a deliberate choice to empower our students to choose their own reading materials. This space, separate from the main classroom, provides a comforting environment for our students to decompress as needed.

Image of various containers containing task boxes and morning tubs

Task Boxes and Morning Tubs

At the back of our classroom, we have a dedicated area for independent tasks, such as task boxes and morning tubs. These resources are designed to allow students to practice pre-taught skills or work on their IEP goals. To foster independence, I give students a ‘shopping list’ to collect their task box or morning tub. While our students are still young and require support, these independent practices are instrumental in their learning journey. 

I hope you enjoyed the TK-1 Moderate/Intensive Self-contained classroom tour! Let me know if you want a more in-depth dive into a specific area of my classroom. You can also see more classroom tours here!

"TK-1 Moderate/Intensive Self-Contained Classroom Tour" blog pin

Need help with classroom setup?

Learn more about Simple Self-Contained Setup 101®: the bingeable online course made specifically for self-contained special educators! Reduce overwhelm and anxiety during back-to-school season with the proven methods I teach you in this course! We walk you through EVERY step of classroom setup! Click here to learn more and join the waitlist now!

Tiffany, SSE Blogger, Signature

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Hi amazing teachers!
I'm Alyssa Shanahan -- a former Elementary Special Ed & Life Skills teacher. My classroom focus was always to keep things simple, increase communication, and build independence. Simply Special Ed's goal is to help teachers and students reach their full potential in and out of the classroom!

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