Student teaching can be an exciting and nerve-wracking time - for both the student and the cooperating teacher! If you are hosting a student teacher this year, here are 12 teacher-tested tips to make it go smoothly. Student Teacher Hosting Tips 1 - Be Welcoming Make sure that your student teacher knows that she is welcome in your classroom. Give her a space of her own and be generous with your inclusion of her in the classroom and the school. Introduce her to other teachers, take ... Read More about 12 Tips for Hosting a Student Teacher
How to Color Code for Larger Special Education Caseloads
What happens when you want to color code your caseload, but your caseload numbers outdo the standard 12-pack of colors... what do you do? Are you doomed to have to forgo color-coding altogether? Why Color Code Your Students' Files and Work Color coding is the ultimate way to get and stay organized. It teaches students how to easily find their containers, binders, pencil cups, and more. It helps you easily find the bins and binders that you need for each student so that you can get ... Read More about How to Color Code for Larger Special Education Caseloads
Christmas Books for Special Education Classrooms
Christmas is coming, and I bet your students are filled with extra energy and mischief! I know mine always are. The magic of Christmas is so amazing, and books can bring that even more to life. I love reading books to my students that go along with the theme we are talking about. (THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS.) Note: when choosing books for your classroom, make sure you choose books appropriate for their intellectual level. You may be wasting time by reading a book written in ... Read More about Christmas Books for Special Education Classrooms
10 Tips for Managing and Using Visual Schedules
Does the thought of using visual schedules with your students make you cringe? It's not that we don't know that visual schedules help and it's not that we don't want to use them, it's just that visual schedules have so many pieces and can be so unwieldy to manage. It's overwhelming. But what if it didn't have to be? What is managing and using visual schedules could be easy for you and effective for your students? Check out the 10 tips below to make visual schedules your new favorite ... Read More about 10 Tips for Managing and Using Visual Schedules
How to Make an Editable Classroom Schedule in Google Sheets
Classroom schedules are so helpful for so many of our Special Ed students. The visual representation of what's going to happen and when helps ease their anxiety and helps them prepare mentally and emotionally for the transition from one class or subject to another. But creating those schedules can be cumbersome and, if you have multiple students with different classes, very time consuming. So, I created an editable classroom schedule in Google Sheets that I think will make your life much ... Read More about How to Make an Editable Classroom Schedule in Google Sheets
Understanding Adaptations for All Students
Recently, we discussed the nine different types of adaptations and how they play an important role in a student's education. While knowing the different adaptations is important, understanding adaptations in terms of their curricular, instructional, and ecological placement is equally as important. Without this understanding, it can be difficult to make the right adaptations at the right time for the right students. Understanding Adaptations' Placement There are three main ... Read More about Understanding Adaptations for All Students
15 Books for Celebrating Holidays Around the World
These 15 Holidays Around the World Books are perfect for young children to learn about different traditions around the world. These books makes for a wonderful unit to expand children's knowledge of the world. There are so many interesting things that people do for the Holidays. I have picked books that are about a variety of traditions, and some feature a bunch of celebrations in one book. There are fiction and nonfiction titles to use in your classroom. Check out the titles below and let ... Read More about 15 Books for Celebrating Holidays Around the World
December Books for Special Education Classrooms
Winter is a magical time of year, and kids love it! The beautiful white snow, crisp air, and a nice cozy house make it the perfect time of year to spend more time reading. I have compiled a list of 20 books that are just waiting to be read in December! I have picked a mix of themes and focuses since December lends itself to many things. There are fun books about snowmen, a list of silly gingerbread books, some nonfiction titles that will teach your students about snow, and more! These books ... Read More about December Books for Special Education Classrooms
Things Teachers Can Do to Improve Student Behavior
What can teachers do to improve student behavior? Whether you are in a general ed classroom or a special ed setting, there are always students who will test the behavior boundaries... some intentionally and most others, not intentionally. That's why it's so important to have some tricks in your teacher bag for helping students behave in a way that's appropriate and respectful. The tips and tactics below will help your students be better versions of themselves and will help you be a ... Read More about Things Teachers Can Do to Improve Student Behavior
The Importance of Emotional Literacy
Classrooms are emotional places. We experience emotions as teachers and students on a minute by minute basis. Teachers are making decisions, big and small, constantly. Children are experiencing frustration, excitement, and disappointment regularly. Being able to identify those feelings expressively and/or receptively is hugely important in a child’s social development. Welcome to the SPED Connection, a collection of tips and tricks from other special educators all over the world. ... Read More about The Importance of Emotional Literacy
20 Thanksgiving Books for Special Ed Classrooms
These 20 Thanksgiving books have been handpicked for young learners to teach about traditions, turkeys and grow their imaginations! Thanksgiving is such a great holiday to teach about other's traditions because they all are centered around thankfulness and gratitude. This list of Thanksgiving books has fiction and nonfiction titles. As well as some really silly books to bring laughter into the room and some great educational titles to enhance learning. Enjoy! (THIS POST CONTAINS ... Read More about 20 Thanksgiving Books for Special Ed Classrooms
13 Thanksgiving Activities for the Classroom
While many of us are anticipating the Christmas season, we can’t forget to celebrate Thanksgiving. November is officially here, which means it’s time to talk turkey- activities, that is! Read on for a list of our favorite Thanksgiving activities for the classroom this year. Turkey Crafts for the Classroom We love crafts in the special education classroom for so many reasons, including the opportunity for fine motor practice and multi-sensory exploration. Check out our roundup of ... Read More about 13 Thanksgiving Activities for the Classroom
Classroom Lessons for Thanksgiving (with resource links!)
I love prepping lessons for Thanksgiving for two reasons. Firstly, my students always enjoy the turkey-themed material, and secondly, it means we are that much closer to Christmas! With the holidays quickly approaching, there's a lot of student excitement buzzing around the room, so it's essential to have activities that will engage students and keep them focused. The Thanksgiving lessons in my classroom are incredibly hands-on and cover tons of academic skills! All About ... Read More about Classroom Lessons for Thanksgiving (with resource links!)
5 Key Supplies to Prep Any Resource at Home or at School
Prepping resources can be time-consuming - especially if you don't have the right supplies! Before you get started, make sure you have these five key supplies that will help you prep any resource at home or at school! Key Supplies to Prep Resources As someone who has prepped a lot of resources, I have gotten pretty good at narrowing down the supplies I need so that only those key supplies are what I purchase most frequently. Once you know what you need, it's a lot easier to save ... Read More about 5 Key Supplies to Prep Any Resource at Home or at School
20 November Books for Special Education Classrooms
November is here, and I have compiled a list of some great books to have in your classroom this fall. Check out this list of 20 November books to have in your classroom. There are fiction & nonfiction titles that will be great for young learners! These books focus on fall, gratitude, and the changing of the seasons. These concepts can be challenging for young students to understand, but these November books are just right for teaching with their simple vocabulary and captivating images. ... Read More about 20 November Books for Special Education Classrooms
Holiday Gift Guide for 2021
It's that time of year again when the joy of the season covers the stress that accompanies teaching. This year, make sure that the gifts you give are extra special and forever treasured! We have picked out some of our small businesses to highlight for the holidays. Most are teacher-run and all of them add attention and care to each order. Let's get shopping! 2021 Holiday Gift Guide for Teachers Little Words Projects Have a soft spot for word bracelets? Little Words ... Read More about Holiday Gift Guide for 2021
Save Money on Velcro with This Hack
As teachers, we spend a lot of money on Velcro. A lot! Well, those days of buying hook and loop closures by the pallet are over, because this Velcro hack will save you time and money! Velcro Hack As a Special Ed teacher who loves to use adapted books, Velcro has been a constant in my life for many years. Velcro on adapted books. Velcro on morning calendar. Velcro on work binders. Velcro on everything! And then I saw this hack that seemed too good to be true. Was there ... Read More about Save Money on Velcro with This Hack
Alternatives to Being Called a Special Ed Teacher
While the title of "Special Education Teacher" has been the norm for many years, districts and staff around the world have begun to shift the title to other things. There is debate about whether removing "special education" from the teacher's title also creates more of a gap in the understanding that a student's rights are protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). But, for the most part, teachers have adapted to and advocated for new titles if their districts ... Read More about Alternatives to Being Called a Special Ed Teacher