Basic Learner Skills Part 2: Play Skill Building
Welcome to part two of my basic learner skills series! If you are new to basic learner skills and the importance of them, check out my last blog HERE. Basic learner skills are the skills you need to “learn to learn”. They are so incredibly important, and I am here...
read moreManaging Smooth Classroom Schedules
The building that my classroom is housed in is an all preschool building. We have 10 classrooms in total with MANY related service team members, and two Early Childhood Assessment Teams. Not only do we have to manage all of our individual classroom schedules, but we...
read moreBasic Learner Skills Part 1: Visual Performance
Before you can learn a new skill, you must first “learn to learn”. If you have ever found yourself wondering why a student is not yet participating in circle time, or does not seem to follow directions, or has difficulty transitioning with a picture schedule, we must...
read moreHow to Maintain Open Communication
Preschool is often the first schooling experience that children have. My classroom team and I often hear excitement as well as fear from families when their child is registered and ready to start school. Families fear their child will not be able to tell them what...
read moreAll About Hand Strength
One of the main reasons students may get referred to OT relates to difficulty with fine motor skills and handwriting. Kids are not necessarily playing the same way they used to, which can really impact development of important motor skills, especially hand strength. ...
read moreFocus on Five: Teaching Writing Remotely
Teaching writing in any setting can be a challenge. It seemed like I was really getting in the groove with my writing instruction and then, we went remote! While this might have seemed frustrating at first, online learning has given me a chance to innovate my...
read moreWinter Themed Activities and Centers
I love a good theme. Teaching with a theme never gets old. In fact, I find it brings excitement and wonder back into the classroom after the holidays. Winter months always draw me to themes of snow, arctic animals and penguins. I intertwine themes in our center time....
read moreUsing Adapted Books to Work on Color Concepts
Still working on color concepts with your students? I created another adapted book series about colors. This series includes; “What Color is the Food?”, “What Color is the Animal?”, and “What Color is the School Supply?” Many of the students on my caseload are...
read moreCollecting Appropriate Baseline Data
Getting notification of a new student starting is always quite stressful for me. I LOVE having new students join our class and routine, but there is also a TON of information and paperwork that gets thrown at us when we get new students. First, I am invited to an...
read moreChoosing Curriculum in the Autism Classroom
Let's Talk Curriculum. "Where's the stuff?" I always laugh when I think back to Sasha telling the story of her first year teaching when she presented to our school district several years ago. She tells a story about looking around her classroom and realizing there was...
read moreThree Easy to Implement Virtual Ideas
I love finding easy to implement ideas for my families at home. Whether you’re teaching completely virtual, a hybrid, or coaching families, utilizing activities that most households have materials for is so important! I never want families to feel like they need to...
read more(FUN)ctional Routines
Practicing functional routines is an essential life skill. In doing so, our learners will work on becoming independent in the classroom, their homes, and their communities. Functional routines can be fun and motivating, even if they are challenging and stressful right...
read moreFocus on Five: Ways to Use Jamboard to Teach Math Concepts
I am continuing to teach remotely and still discovering new ways to use different Google Suite programs to help my students learn best. I have found that using Jamboard is a really great way to teach math skills. Not only does it make prep easy, but it offers visuals...
read moreCounting Adapted Book Series
Working on number concepts with your students? Check out this Counting Adapted Book Series. The set includes “How Many Do You See?”, “Let’s Count the Animals!”, and “I Can Count!” Each book has a different format but the goal is to work on those 1 to 1-10 number...
read moreHow to Organize all of the STAR Materials
As we head into winter break, my number one goal is to be prepared and ready for resuming school in January, whether it be in person or remote. Using my plan time efficiently has been a main focus while working from home. Staying organized, on top and ahead of lesson...
read moreLet’s Find Shapes and Shape Sorting Activities
I’ve been sharing about my shape themed adapted book series and “Let’s Find Shapes” is the final book in this series. The series includes “What Shape Do You See?”, “I See Shapes”, and “Let’s Find Shapes”. All these books are great to work on those basic shape...
read moreHoliday Fine Motor and Sensory Activities
The holidays are upon us! Today, I wanted to share five fun and easy holiday themed fine motor and sensory activities that you may want to try with your students or even your own kids at home. Most of the activities use materials you likely already have at home, or...
read moreEngaging Lesson Plans for Remote Learning
Gaining and maintaining attention through an iPad has been very difficult. Now that it is December, my team and I are working harder than we were in August to keep our kids wanting to come to virtual school! Many of our students are used to navigating the iPads while...
read moreI See Shapes Adapted Book with Free Shape Bingo Games
I’m still working with my students on those basic shape concepts so the plan for this week is my “I See Shapes” adapted book and one of my fun Shape Bingo games. I created a set of both Color and Shape Bingo Games that I wanted to share as a free resource for you to...
read moreWhat the Heck is ABA?
“We’d like the school psychologist to evaluate Greyson during preschool and at home. He may be eligible for a special kind of therapy”, I was told one day during Early Intervention Preschool for my then two-year-old son. “What kind of therapy?” I asked. And this was...
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