We've all been there. It's time for a transition in the classroom and no matter what you do, you just can't seem to get your students' attention. Before breaking out into a song and dance (or tears!), we're here to help you figure out how to get students' attention in no time. Instead of struggling, give one of these attention-getting strategies a try! Getting Students' Attention In teacher prep classes there isn't a lot of discussion about how to get students' attention. There ... Read More about How to Get Students’ Attention
The Behavior Management Hack Every Teacher Needs to Try
Have you ever had a student who just needs to get up and move around to get out excess energy? This behavior management hack can turn their day around and give them a purpose. The best part? You and your teaching BFF can be in on it together! Here's how to give your students the movement they need to refocus their behavior. Errand Runner Behavior Management Hack I learned this hack years ago when I was teaching in a Resource room. I had a couple of students who really needed to ... Read More about The Behavior Management Hack Every Teacher Needs to Try
5 Must-Try Math Websites for Special Ed
Making sure our students have enough math practice is vital. Thankfully, there are math websites that are great for special ed (and general ed!) that can be used while teaching in the classroom or online. Before diving into a website though, it's important to make sure that it's a good fit for your needs and your students' present levels. Here are some of our favorites and ones that other teachers have also recommended. Give them a try! Practice Math Facts Using These Math ... Read More about 5 Must-Try Math Websites for Special Ed
What Special Ed Teachers Want Parents to Know
Special Ed teachers have a lot of different responsibilities throughout the school day. Most times parents only see a small fraction of what we do and don't quite understand the scope of our work. So, we asked the amazing veteran Special Ed teachers in our group, Mrs. D's VIPs, what they want parents to know about life as a teacher. Their answers were heartfelt and telling of the discrepancies between what parents think they know about being a Special Ed teacher and what it's actually ... Read More about What Special Ed Teachers Want Parents to Know
The 7 Best Teacher Bags for Special Ed Teachers
Teachers have a lot of things to carry back and forth between home and school. Lesson plans, laptops, books, and binders are all frequent visitors in the trunks of teachers' cars. That's why great teacher bags are so important. Not only do they help contain the chaos of things that need to be brought home, but they also keep supplies organized so that they're easy to find once it's time to get to work. So, which ones are the best for special ed teachers? We have narrowed it down to the ... Read More about The 7 Best Teacher Bags for Special Ed Teachers
7 Ways to Be a Great Teacher This School Year
I know what you're thinking. This article is going to be about either one of two things. It's going to be about ways to teach and must-have lessons *or* it's going to be about classroom and behavior management that will make your classroom the talk of the school (in a good way of course). Nope. In fact, this article isn't about doing more at all. It's about doing less and taking care of your Most Valuable Teaching Resource (we'll call it our MVTR). And that resource is you. If you ... Read More about 7 Ways to Be a Great Teacher This School Year
Class Pets in the Special Ed Classroom
Have you ever had a classroom pet that your students help care for? Or maybe you thinking about introducing class pets in your special ed classroom? Whether you are thinking about adding a furry friend or one with scales, it is important to weigh all of the factors associated with keeping a living animal in the special ed classroom. Here are some of the top concerns administration and families typically have when class pets are introduced into the classroom setting, straight from the ... Read More about Class Pets in the Special Ed Classroom
10 Commandments of IEP Writing
Individualized Education Program (IEP) writing is a part of every special education teacher's job. Our teacher lives revolve around IEPs... whether we are writing IEPs, collecting data for IEPs, updating IEPs, or implementing IEPs - if you see a special ed teacher know that an IEP is not far away. But when it comes to writing IEPs, there are some things we should and should not do. Here are the 10 commandments of IEP writing. 1. Thou shall not copy and paste. Do not copy and ... Read More about 10 Commandments of IEP Writing
7 Life Skills to Teach in the Special Ed Classroom
Life skills are essential for students as they transition from childhood to adulthood. While many life skills are taught at home, oftentimes students come to us with specific goals for them written into their IEPs... and honestly, we - as special ed teachers - should be writing more functional goals into the IEPs we are writing too. But what are the life skills students need to know and how can you teach them? Life Skills to Teach in the Classroom Below is a list of some of the top ... Read More about 7 Life Skills to Teach in the Special Ed Classroom
Creating Task Boxes for Your Classroom
Task boxes are one of the most effective and easy-to-implement hands-on resources for any classroom. They can cover a variety of skills and meet students at their instructional level. But, while they are able to be used for years, they do require some assembly. So, what do you need to create task boxes for your classroom? The seven supplies below are a must! 7 Must-Have Supplies for Creating Task Boxes 1 - Cardstock Stock up on white and colorful cardstock when creating task ... Read More about Creating Task Boxes for Your Classroom
Setting Up a Self-Contained Elementary Classroom
Setting up an elementary self-contained classroom can be an overwhelming task to any teacher, but with the right preparation and organization, you'll be able to get it done in no time. Learn what is absolutely necessary and where you can compromise when setting up your self-contained classroom! Things to Think About When Setting Up the Self-Contained Elementary Classroom Include All of the Visuals Posters, anchor charts, word walls, procedure cards, and more all vital for the ... Read More about Setting Up a Self-Contained Elementary Classroom
6 Tips for Transitioning from Elementary to High School Special Ed
As a special education teacher, you know that each year brings new challenges and opportunities. One of the most challenging for teachers is transitioning from elementary to high school special ed. It's a big jump and while it might be exciting, it can also be intimidating. This blog post will give you six strategies for transitioning successfully from one grade level to another. For more tips and advice on this transition, be sure to hop in the free VIP Facebook group. 6 Tips for ... Read More about 6 Tips for Transitioning from Elementary to High School Special Ed
Tips for Building Successful Behavior Plans
Behavior plans are not the same for every student with special needs - nor should they be. Some students respond better to positive rewards, others to consequences. It is important that you know what your student responds best to before creating a plan. The tips below can help you create an effective and successful behavior plan for your special education students! What is a Behavior Plan? But first, what is a behavior plan, and why is it important? A behavior plan for ... Read More about Tips for Building Successful Behavior Plans
5 Bulletin Board Ideas for the Special Ed Classroom
I don't know about you, but I have a love/hate relationship with classroom bulletin boards. While I love them, they can be a lot of work to plan and put up. Thankfully, there are five bulletin board ideas that make things run smoothly and will have your classroom looking great in no time! Must-Have Bulletin Boards for the SpEd Classroom 1 - Show Off Students' Work Bulletin Boards One of the easiest bulletin boards to create is one based on your students' work. If you do a ... Read More about 5 Bulletin Board Ideas for the Special Ed Classroom
Do These 5 Things the First Weeks of School
Don't get me wrong, I love summer break as much as the next teacher, but there's something about the first weeks of school that get me excited and looking forward to heading back to the classroom. Maybe it's the decorating. Or maybe it's the fact that everything is so untouched and full of possibilities that keeps my mind working late at night. Either way, the first weeks of school undoubtedly set the foundation for the rest of the school year. In fact, setting that foundation is so ... Read More about Do These 5 Things the First Weeks of School
Training Topics for Paras
Paraprofessionals truly are the backbone to any special education classroom. And we know that professional development is important for teachers, but what about having our paras attend trainings with us? Providing your paras with the right training can help them succeed in the classroom and support you to the best of their abilities. And honestly, training for teachers, parents, and other individuals who work with a child who has an IEP can be written into the child's IEP under ... Read More about Training Topics for Paras
The 10 Best Apps for Special Education This School Year
Tablets and iPads are great, but if you don't know which apps to have available for your students they can be just another piece of tech in the classroom. That's why we searched for the best apps for special education that you can start using in your classroom today! As always, we recommend that you preview the apps before you use them with your students to make sure that they are a good fit for your class. 10 Must-Have Apps for Special Education Teach Your Monster to ... Read More about The 10 Best Apps for Special Education This School Year
11 Inexpensive Behavior Plan Rewards for Students
Extrinsic motivation is a sure thing for most students and even more so for students who have a behavior plan in place. But coming up with those behavior plan rewards can be tricky - and often expensive! Thankfully, there are a lot of inexpensive reward options that you can use instead. Check out the list of some of my favorite student rewards and stock up now to help your students get excited about meeting their behavior goals! This post contains affiliate links to items that might ... Read More about 11 Inexpensive Behavior Plan Rewards for Students