New Years Resolutions for the Special Education Teacher
Once the decorations are put away and the excitement is over, it's a good time to consider what part of your classroom or professional routines you want to reconsider or remake. Just like we have routines for our classroom, it's important to have professional routines, so we don't end up creating tests or finishing projects at the last minute. Here are some of the things I think you might want to take a look at.
One of the greatest challenges for every teacher, new or veteran, is managing challenging, disruptive or off task behavior. Having a plan in place is critical for success, especially with managing transitions. These resources cover the range of classroom challenges, from managing difficult students to organizing your classroom. You will find printable tools,More »
Do you find that you spend a lot of time with unimportant details, like passing papers or collecting data? It is invaluable to have routines in place that facilitate easy and efficient transitions and maximize the time you have for instruction. This article helps you examine your classroom practice and decide which routines support success, and which parts of your classroom function are "out of whack." More »
If you find you spend time (ANY time) arguing with students or searching for needed items, its time to work on organizing your classroom in an efficient and effective way. Having the tools you need, (like this color wheel for transitions) will make your classroom more efficient.More »
Once the Christmas art is down, it's a good time to consider whether your bulletin boards are working for you. I provide you with some resources and suggestions, and hope your own creativity will take over. I provide suggestions for "working boards" that will support instruction, create opportunities for your students to shine and make your walls an effective part of your classroom.More »
Seating is more than having room for enough students: it creates the shape of your classroom and the form of your instructional practice. You will find a number of seating arrangements to match your instructional practice or the way you want your classroom to function for both instruction and independent work, whether you include learning centers or "take to your seat" activities.More »
All too often our students and even our colleagues confuse "discipline" with "punishment." Positive reinforcement is without a doubt the most powerful way in which you support the behavior you want, sometimes called "replacement behavior." Do you have enough positive reinforcement to be sure your students are successful? You can have individual reinforcement plans, or class wide plans, like the marble jar, or a token economy. More »
Token boards are a regular part of an autism program, especially one that uses Applied Behavior Analysis. These are still great tools for individual students who need some additional focus placed on their behavior, especially if you want to replace a single dysfunctional behavior with one that is more productive. It can also be used across students in order to support all sorts of academic behavior. I have put them in the hands of general education teachers dealing with ADHD behavior, though I am sure there are lots of places they will work!More »
Games can provide fun ways to reinforce or reteach academic skills. I especially like games that support math, since "automaticity" is important for our students' success as they get older. Games will also bring some excitement during the dark, cold, slow moving winter months at school. Santa's Counting on Christmas game is a good example of how to create a game to support student success.More »
1. Behavior Management
One of the greatest challenges for every teacher, new or veteran, is managing challenging, disruptive or off task behavior. Having a plan in place is critical for success, especially with managing transitions. These resources cover the range of classroom challenges, from managing difficult students to organizing your classroom. You will find printable tools,More »
2. Classroom Routines
Do you find that you spend a lot of time with unimportant details, like passing papers or collecting data? It is invaluable to have routines in place that facilitate easy and efficient transitions and maximize the time you have for instruction. This article helps you examine your classroom practice and decide which routines support success, and which parts of your classroom function are "out of whack." More »
3. Creating a Comprehensive Classroom Management Plan
If you find you spend time (ANY time) arguing with students or searching for needed items, its time to work on organizing your classroom in an efficient and effective way. Having the tools you need, (like this color wheel for transitions) will make your classroom more efficient.More »
4. Bulletin Boards
Once the Christmas art is down, it's a good time to consider whether your bulletin boards are working for you. I provide you with some resources and suggestions, and hope your own creativity will take over. I provide suggestions for "working boards" that will support instruction, create opportunities for your students to shine and make your walls an effective part of your classroom.More »
5. Seating Plans Create an Environment for Learning
Seating is more than having room for enough students: it creates the shape of your classroom and the form of your instructional practice. You will find a number of seating arrangements to match your instructional practice or the way you want your classroom to function for both instruction and independent work, whether you include learning centers or "take to your seat" activities.More »
6. Positive Reinforcement - Supporting Positive Behavior
All too often our students and even our colleagues confuse "discipline" with "punishment." Positive reinforcement is without a doubt the most powerful way in which you support the behavior you want, sometimes called "replacement behavior." Do you have enough positive reinforcement to be sure your students are successful? You can have individual reinforcement plans, or class wide plans, like the marble jar, or a token economy. More »
7. Token Boards Support Behavior Management
Token boards are a regular part of an autism program, especially one that uses Applied Behavior Analysis. These are still great tools for individual students who need some additional focus placed on their behavior, especially if you want to replace a single dysfunctional behavior with one that is more productive. It can also be used across students in order to support all sorts of academic behavior. I have put them in the hands of general education teachers dealing with ADHD behavior, though I am sure there are lots of places they will work!More »
8. Games to Support Students with Disabilities
Games can provide fun ways to reinforce or reteach academic skills. I especially like games that support math, since "automaticity" is important for our students' success as they get older. Games will also bring some excitement during the dark, cold, slow moving winter months at school. Santa's Counting on Christmas game is a good example of how to create a game to support student success.More »
