It's no secret that I teach students with special needs (and absolutely LOVE it!). I have a smaller class size, but the diverse needs of all of my students keeps me on my toes. It's actually a really awesome thing because it gets the creativity in my brain rolling. After discovering the unique needs of each of my students, I knew I had to come up with something for Calendar Time first thing in the morning. It's such an important skill that my students need to have, that I needed to make sure ... Read More about Calendar Folder Activities for Special Ed
Keys to Success in the Classroom
When it comes to teaching, there are some keys to success that make your classroom life a whole lot easier. Sure... some of them you can learn in college, but most of them are what you learn from good 'ole classroom experience. The keys can range from something so small and easy... to something intricate that takes time to implement. Even though I'm a semi-neat freak and have a place for everything, I feel like I can never be too organized in the classroom, especially as a special ... Read More about Keys to Success in the Classroom
DIY Sticky Note Clipboard + Freebie!
If you happen to follow me on Instagram or on Facebook, you may have seen this photo:I'm absolutely awful at keeping secrets when I am so stinkin' excited about things I am working on. So I posted this photo to give ya'll a sneak peek at what I was up to.Any guesses?!Well you don't really need to guess because it's #MondayMadeIt and I can share with you!Let's start out with this forever FREEBIE that is now an exclusive blog freebie. If you're anything like me, you have post it notes all over ... Read More about DIY Sticky Note Clipboard + Freebie!
6 Ways to Keep Parents “In the Know”
Being a teacher, it is so important to keep parents in the loop about what is going on in your classroom and with their child. Some days are easier than others, and some conversations with parents go easier than others for sure. We've all been there. One of your students had a really rough day, so you call home expecting the parent to be oh-not-so-responsive. To your surprise, the parent is super helpful and says [the parent will] talk to their child tonight... and it actually happens. You ... Read More about 6 Ways to Keep Parents “In the Know”
Data and Assessment using Student Folders | Resource Setting
Assessment... it is so important in education, but can also be so much for for teachers when we already have so much on our plates. But you know what, no worries! We've got this. You've got this. Going into my 5th year as a special education teacher, it's something that I've attempted in many different ways. I think that as long as you're collecting data as often as you should be (this all depends on the student's IEP and district guidelines), then there is not one set way to collect the ... Read More about Data and Assessment using Student Folders | Resource Setting
Classroom + Home DIY Projects | Monday Made It
It's that time of the week again! I love linking up with 4th Grade Frolics each week and seeing what the rest of you are making. So inspiring and motivating! I had some help this week with my two Monday Made It projects. My mom is in town for a few weeks visiting, and she's super creative (it's where I get my creative genes from), so I've been picking her brain on a few things. This idea started like most of the other ones I've had... "I saw this idea on Pinterest." We've all been there. ... Read More about Classroom + Home DIY Projects | Monday Made It
Back to School and Parent Involvement
Whether any of us want to admit it or not, back to school is coming. For some of us, it's here... and we can certainly smell the scent of freshly sharpened pencils. That smells makes any teacher just jump with joy, right? (Maybe during the middle of the school year, not so much during the back to school rush, am I right?!). For others of us, don't tell me you haven't been scoping out the back to school aisles at Target! I've seen your Instagram posts... I know! I'm super excited to start ... Read More about Back to School and Parent Involvement
Behavior Management + a Point System
Behavior management in any classroom is a tough thing to handle, and to some teachers it's natural... and to the rest of us, it doesn't come as easy. But we handle our own and do what works best for our classroom and our students. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. View the full disclosure policy here. And honestly, ya know... since we're being honest... no two school years are the same. What works one year may absolutely bomb the next year, and that's okay! It's ... Read More about Behavior Management + a Point System
Teacher Fashion Thursday – Volume 3
Ever since high school, I've always thought of Back to School as a time to stock up on wardrobe essentials. You can get some great deals during back to school sales! Let me say that I was (and still am not) one to spend $50+ on one shirt or $80+ on one pair of jeans. I always have used coupons and shopped during sales. I rarely purchase anything at full price... I just can't bring myself to do it! *Can I get a hands up for Plato's Closet, too?! So I decided over the weekend that I was going to ... Read More about Teacher Fashion Thursday – Volume 3
Mrs. D’s Favorite Fonts for Teachers [2014]
As a TpT Author, one thing that I love collecting more than clip art is fonts. One might say that I am a "font snob" and I'm okay with that. I mean, recognizing fonts in stores and on signs and knowing the name of the font is normal, right?! My font collection has grown quite a lot over the past 3 years since discovering TPT. I don't even know how many fonts I have actually downloaded onto my laptop, but it's a lot. Like a lot a lot. Probably 400+ fonts. See. I told you. Pinterest doesn't ... Read More about Mrs. D’s Favorite Fonts for Teachers [2014]
Back to School Memory Lapbook
Even though summer is still new, and on the horizon for others of us, I'm already thinking about Back to School. Call me crazy, but I am super excited about this new chapter in my life and getting back into the elementary classroom.I can't quite yet divulge what position I've taken, as I'm waiting for a more official announcement. Don't worry, it's coming though and I can't wait to share it with all of you! Anyway, I just finished this Back to School Memory Lapbook and I'm very proud of it! With ... Read More about Back to School Memory Lapbook
End of the Year Lapbook Memories
The end of the year is upon us. Yep, it is! Crazy, right? As ready as I am to be under those palm trees soaking up the sun, it feels like just a few weeks ago it was the beginning of the school year and now we are wrapping up. The struggles, the tears, the fun time, the achievements, the parties, all of the indoor recesses and snow days (if you happened to live in the North this winter; we ended up with 10+ days. I seriously lost count!)... all of the good and the bad, definitely more good than ... Read More about End of the Year Lapbook Memories
Pencil Challenge | Tips for Managing Pencil Loss
I think as teachers, we've all been there. It's the middle of the school year, or you've just come back from break or a long weekend, or maybe it's just Monday. Either way, a solid good ... okay, maybe only 8 of 24 students have pencils to start the day. By lunch time, it's down to 5 students. You just scratch your head and wonder: how does this happen? Trust me. I've been there. Multiple times. It can get frustrating, especially when school budgets are dropping and us teachers are forking out ... Read More about Pencil Challenge | Tips for Managing Pencil Loss
Go from “Hire Me!” to “I Got the Job!” | Teacher Tips
Over my last four years as a teacher, I have worked at four different schools. Yep, four. Even though now more than ever I am ready to stop moving around and stick with one district for a couple of years, I have had a lot of experience going to interviews and perfecting my resume (I guess those budget cuts did come in handy!). I've learned what helps me stick out as a candidate in a pool of hundreds and thousands of my fellow teachers and snag the job. I have it down to a science, really. And ... Read More about Go from “Hire Me!” to “I Got the Job!” | Teacher Tips
Black History Month Research Craftivity
Observed every February in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, Black History Month is powerful... meaningful... and an eye-opening time of year. Who are these important African Americans we see pictures of, what did they do, and why are they so important for our students to learn about? Celebrate the month by researching and learning about the journey of many important African American individuals who have helped shape history. Let's start with this... have you ever made a ... Read More about Black History Month Research Craftivity
Resource Room Setup | Classroom Reveal
Every special ed classroom set up is different. Truthfully, no two classrooms are the same. But that doesn't mean we can't collaborate and get ideas from one another. This is my classroom for the 2013-2014 school year as a 5th Grade Resource Teacher. I've been in my new school for a little over a month now and I feel like my room is finally where I want it to be. I'm sure I'll make a few changes as the year goes on, but for now I'm happy with it. :) Here are some pictures to show you just ... Read More about Resource Room Setup | Classroom Reveal
Teacher Fashion Thursday – V2
It's that time again & I'm really excited for this week's TFT! It's finally feeling like fall here in Pennsylvania, so I can finally wear adorable scarves, sweaters, & cardigans. ( credit ) One of my favorite things about discovering outfits on Pinterest is realizing you can mix colors together... just like the navy & army green. How perfect is this outfit for the everyday life of a teacher? Plus I think the boots totally make this outfit. ( credit )I think I mentioned this ... Read More about Teacher Fashion Thursday – V2
Teacher Fashion Thursday V1
So with all of your positive responses to last month's Teacher Outfit post {click here}, I decided to start a new series on the blog: Teacher Fashion Tuesday / Teacher Fashion Thursday! I will share 1 or 2 posts a month about cute outfits that are perfect for teaching. Last month's inspiration was fall / autumn. I showed a few pins from Pinterest of outfits I loved and explained how I would wear them. This time I want to focus on everyday outfits that are perfect for running your classroom, so ... Read More about Teacher Fashion Thursday V1