Setting Up the Special Education Classroom for Success

It is that time of year to start slowly and calmly start thinking about what you want your classroom to look like when school begins...but no pressure here.  It is still summer.  However, it's probably time for me to do a slightly detailed exploration of the book How to Set Up a Classroom for Students with Autism-Second Edition. I say this because, this is the type of information you want to take in a little at a time.

                                                      Click for More Information


The book begins with some information about autism, strengths of individuals with autism, and implications for teaching. This beginning chapter also outlines the 10 main strategies that will be discussed in the book.

What else does it talk about?

First Things First - You need to know that this is a process and will take time. Also, you will need to gather materials and check with your school to see if they have some of those materials.  Most importantly, the First Things First chapter gives about 15 ideas (if you need ideas) for para-professionals on what to do those first few days of school to get the classroom ready.

Why is it unique?

There is a set of discussion questions at the end of each chapter to help if you are using the book for professional development or if you just want to better analyze what you read. Additionally, there is a list on the first page of each chapter that teachers and administrators can use to identify key elements in the classroom.  And, how can I forget, there is a "GAME PLAN" at the end of each chapter to tell you exactly what to do to get started implementing what you have learned.

Want more?

The assessment chapter, of course, describes some assessments that are important for students with significant special needs. The schedules chapter, of course, talks about a variety of schedules. But more importantly, it tells you why to use them. And,  it gives ideas for creating them. The classroom environment chapter provides a detailed checklist and TONS of information about setting up the various area of the classroom. This is my favorite chapter!

Data collection is always a hot topic and it is addressed with a few samples. Those looking for ideas for how to motivate a classroom team, will find it in this book too.  With a behavior support chapter, a sensory chapter and sample templates for routines and lessons, this book always lives up to its nickname "a mentor teacher in a book."  It is available through purchase order at discounted bulk prices at AutismClassroom.com. It is also available online in paperback and electronically at any major book seller, through AutismClassroom.com or through Teachers Pay Teachers- Autism Classroom Store.

Autism and Special Education Back to School MEGA BUNDLE

Calling all planners and organizers!!!

I am so pleased to announce that it is MEGA BUNDLE time! This Autism &

Special Education Back to School MEGA bundle is a PDF compressed zip file

with 900+ pages. This product contains awesome bundles and products that can help jump start the learning for the school year for students in the early elementary years or students in special education classrooms. All of this in one easy to use product. 

It is only offered aas a mega bundle for a very limited time. After that, the items

will still be offered in the Autism Classroom Store. 

The long list of fabulous items included in the bundle:

Fine Motor Bundle Practice
Morning Work for Students with Autism BUNDLE
Match Rhyming Words Using Pictures
Teens with Autism: Matching, Sorting, Classifying and Identifying
 
Special Education & Autism Interactive Notebook – Play Skills (Part 1)
IEP Work Bin Tasks- Bundle
Same - Different Task Cards Bundle
Autism and ID Communication Support Bundle
Colorful Quantities
CVC Word Identification and Word Work Printables
My Color Book
Nursery Rhyme Scramble 

Click on the images to see more.

Periscope is the New Go-To Tool for Teachers Who are Special Educators and General Educators

Peri-what? Peri-who? Oh, Periscope.  

So, when I looked it up for a formal definition, this is what I got:

1.) an optical instrument for viewing objects that are above the level of direct sight or in an otherwise obstructed field of vision, consisting essentially of a tube with an arrangement of prisms or mirrors and, usually, lenses: used especially in submarines.

2.) a periscopic lens.

I have a really good feeling that is about to change.  Sort of like our image of a tweet.

Periscope is a new and fast-rising app founded by Kayvon Beykpour and Joseph Bernstein in 2014.  It’s live-streaming and live broadcast videos have special education teachers, general education teachers and others in the education field going ballistic.  Anyone can stream a live broadcast with their followers in real time.  It has been interesting to say the least to literally watch this grow overnight.  Once you have the app, you can connect through Twitter.  You will be alerted when someone you follow is about to stream live and when someone you follow on Twitter has joined on Persiscope. 

If you have not joined yet, consider it.  Here are a few recommendations for what to do once you join:

~Use hashtags to find people with similar interests.
~Provide original content.  Speak from the heart to share the message you have for the world.
~ Mentor other educators. Veteran teachers can use this tool to help mentor and provide advice to new teachers.
~Visit other’s classrooms and get to see the décor and instructional ideas. This is a terrific opportunity to share ideas and answer questions as the broadcast airs.
~Bring out your inner Oprah. Obviously,  you are the host.  Jazz up the broadcast with an interview or two.  Or, be like the one of the teachers I saw early who had a “give-away” Oprah style. 

     
What every you choose to do-- have fun!