Easy Timeline for IEP Paperwork
Preparing for an IEP meeting does not have to feel overwhelming. Much of the stress comes from feeling rushed or unsure about timelines. Having a simple system in place, especially early in the school year can make IEP preparation feel manageable and organized.
Easy Behavior Data Collection Systems to Implement this Week
Collecting behavior data can be daunting. Whether for daily monitoring, reports, or a BIP, it is important to have accurate, easy-to-gather data.
Education and Teaching Books for New Teachers
Reading educational and teaching books is important because it provides a way to gain knowledge, deepen your understanding of topics and develop teaching skills. Here are some books for new teachers as they begin their journey as a teacher.
Practical Ways to Bring Social-Emotional Learning Into Your Classroom
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) isn’t an “extra” to squeeze in, it’s a way to support both student growth and academic success. When students understand their emotions, manage challenges, and collaborate with peers, they’re better prepared to learn and thrive. The good news? SEL can be woven seamlessly into your everyday lessons.
How to Implement Consistent Work Boundaries
Our system is not designed for teachers to have a work life balance. Nevertheless, we are here in this place and need to create our own boundaries.
Top 10 Budget Must Haves for the Special Education Classroom
If you are just starting out as a special education teacher and have limited cash (hah!) you can adapt or create materials and deliver multi-modality lessons using these budget friendly items.
Tips for National Boards Prior to Submission
Trying for National Boards is challenging. Here are some of the steps I took prior to submission to make the process smoother.
The Magic of Weighted Plush Toys and Blankets
Weighted plush toys and blankets are a comforting solution for those with sensory needs, providing gentle pressure that promotes relaxation and calmness.
Organizing Paperwork in the Special Education Classroom
Whether you’re in a regular education or special education classroom, paperwork is a constant part of the job, and it can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Create a Calming Center for your Classroom
A calming center is a must for all elementary and special education classrooms. This designated space comes with many names: quiet corner, calm down corner, chill zone etc but they all serve the same purpose, Emotional Regulation.
Hands on Sensory Play Equals A World of Fun!
Sensory bins are excellent tools for engaging multiple senses, which help enhance sensory processing and overall development. They provide a hands on experience that promote motor skills and creativity. These bins also encourage creative play and focus as they explore different textures, colors and objects. In addition, they can be calming and therapeutic, helping children regulate emotions during stress, frustration or overstimulation.
Easy Classroom Environmental Changes to Regulate and Curb Behavior
Environment manipulation is one of the easiest ways you can curb unwanted behavior and encourage emotional regulation.
Tracking Success: Using Data Collection to Monitor Student Behavior
In education, the term “data” is often heard throughout the day. In the early childhood (EC) world, “data” is especially emphasized when discussing students involved in the referral process, reevaluations, annual IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs). This article will focus on how to create a daily data collection sheet for students with a BIP.
Make Your Own Letter Formation Sand Tray and Letters
Prior to owning my sand tray. I used a plastic pencil box filled with a little salt or sand. I filled the entire bottom of the pencil box with about a half an inch of sand. These boxes were perfect due to the built-in lid.
How to Teach Letter Identification and Formation
Teaching letter identification and formation is a commonly taught skill in early grades and special education. All littles, including those with motor and attentional difficulties will benefit from a multi-sensory approach to learning this skill.
Organizational Systems in Small Group Learning
In all aspects of teaching, it is important to be organized and ready for each transition. When I moved from the regular classroom to the EC resource position, I found that my organization had to look different. In this article, I am going to share how I organize my materials for the many transitions I have throughout my day. I know not every technique works for everyone and even after six years, it is still a work in progress.
Dynamic Collaboration: Team Teaching Through Rotating Stations
Joy and I are the only two resource teachers at our school. It has taken us a few years, as our EC (Exceptional Children) population has grown, to figure out ways to fit everyone into a schedule. Covering service time, as well as building in time for our transitions, is always a challenge.
Sensory Tools: Unlocking the Power of Play and Focus
Over the years, I have definitely noticed an increase in sensory needs among all children and even adults. I know there are a variety of reasons for this increase, but for this article, we want to share some of the sensory tools that have been used in our classrooms and have helped with engagement and regulation.
Tools, Not Traps: Harnessing Sensory Items for Success
As a mother of four I have been blessed to see children grow through all developmental stages. Each child is different, but stages are similar. At each level and into adulthood, sensory input is important. It is how we learn, show and feel love, and regulate our emotions.
Sensory Seating: Creating Comfort and Focus for Every Learner
Sensory Seating increases engagement. It is an important set of tools that can help to improve the success of your learning environment. We love sensory seating. It can be strategically placed ahead of time for those students that you know need extra sensory input and wiggle time.
Creating Success: How to Hold a Positive and Productive IEP Meeting
If you teach special education, it often feels like teaching is a part time job compared to the amount of paperwork and meetings that you have to hold.
IEP Team Work! Important Parent Contributions for a Positive Meeting
Now that you know what to expect at an IEP meeting, how can you contribute? Bring communication, kindness, and flexibility to support your IEP team.
Help! What Happens at an Annual IEP Meeting?
It’s that time again—you get an invite to your child’s annual IEP meeting. If your child has an IEP, what should you expect from this important meeting?
Referral Process for an IEP
I have conducted hundreds of IEP meetings over the course of my career. One thing I realized was that many parents struggle to understand the process of obtaining an IEP as well as keep up with the many acronyms casually slung around the room. In fact as you read this you may ask, what does IEP actually stand for?