Social Skills Curriculum Overview
Let's talk about the all new Leveled Daily Curriculum - Social Skills! I have been using the Social Skills Curriculum in my classroom and let me tell you, this is a HUGE game changer for my students! My students are already familiar with other subjects of the...
Expanding on a Learner’s Language in Pre-K and Kindergarten
Teaching and modeling language use is complex at all ages. In early childhood classrooms, such as preschool and kindergarten, there are early language skills that teachers include in classrooms and daily lessons. Educational teams work together to scaffold and...
The Benefits of Cooking in the Classroom
Did you know that by incorporating cooking into your lesson plans, your students will continue to work on several skills? Cooking is an excellent opportunity to work on academic and functional skills by creating hands-on learning experiences for your students and...
Whole Group Lesson That Supports AAC
I've Been On a Mission Over the month of October, I made a goal with the SLP that works with my caseload to incorporate AAC into as many places as I possibly could. We put our heads together to take whole group activities and partner AAC modeling with it. Here's how I...
Modeling AAC During Read Aloud
Literacy & Communication Nothing makes me happier than combining literacy with communication opportunities. In my K-2 classroom 90% of my students use alternative methods to support their communication or use AAC exclusively as their voice. I've learned so much...
Fun Friday in the Classroom
Incorporating Fun Friday into your lesson planning will provide various hands-on learning opportunities for your students. It is a great way to end the week and give students a chance to get creative!Cooking and Art Incorporating cooking and art into your classroom...
IEP Goal Examples: Functional Routines
My goal is always to help other teachers with things that I struggled with. In my experience, it was hard to ask for help and I wanted people to believe that I had it all together. Being an educator is hard, and after my experiences, I learned that asking for help is...
Supporting Foundational Learners: The Power of Basic Learner Skills
In the realm of special education, providing tailored learning experiences for foundational learners is one of our superpowers. One valuable resource that can greatly benefit special education teachers, service providers and parents alike is the Easy Matching...
IEP Goal Examples: Play
When it comes to writing IEP goals or other goals we have for our learners, they always need to be individualized. While that is true, my team and I have always found that having a goal bank or a few ideas of different goals help get our minds thinking and writing. It...
Ignite Summer Learning with Exciting Themed Activities!
As the summer sun shines brightly, parents, teachers, and related service providers have a golden opportunity to integrate summer-themed activities into children's learning routines. By incorporating engaging and interactive tasks that encompass big and little...
3 Quick Ways to Help Staff Communication
Communication Teachers talk about the importance of communication all of the time, though most of the conversation is around home-school communication. When you have a room full of staff members, keeping in contact with one another and sharing information is...
Successful Student Transitions to a General Education Setting
The transition from a self-contained classroom to a general education setting is a huge milestone for the classroom team and the learner. It is something to celebrate! A learner who is going through this transition has gained skills and new independence. While...
Springtime Learning!
Spring is a wonderful time of year full of new growth, fresh starts, and warmer weather. As I approach this season, I love considering how I can incorporate spring themes into language and learning activities for my students. I have also been using alternative and...
Tips For Bringing Homeschool Learning Into The Community
I believe homeschoolers have an advantage because we can teach however and wherever we like. The goal of what we teach at school is to prepare our kids for the world, so it is a perfect opportunity to bring learning opportunities outside the classroom. My...
Core Word of the Week
Let’s talk about how I use core word of the week in my self-contained classroom! Core Words Core words are great for students who communicate both verbally and using AAC devices. Many of these core words are abstract and teaching...
Skills and Targets Families Can Carry Over
Working with families is an important part of any learner's success. There are strategies that I have found to be most successful. My team and I are sure to communicate with families in their preferred method at least once a week. Some families prefer daily notes,...
Holiday December Fun!
I cannot believe we are already to December. I knew it would come in the blink of an eye and I have to say I was more prepared with my themed activities! I have jam packed my December with engaging and differentiated activities in the few weeks that schools and...
AAC and Core Language Resources
Core Language and AAC Resources Just like academic levels, communication methods in my classroom vary greatly. I have students who are largely verbal, others who use sign language, AAC users and some who use a mix of all of the above! Over the last few years I've made...
Teaching WH Questions
What's that? Teaching WH questions has to be one of the most difficult tasks placed at the feet of Autism teachers. Answering WH questions is one of the most essential skills taught, and there are few quality resources out there to help teachers. Thankfully, The...
The Autistic Actress
Theatre is the place where people come to put on a mask and present a character that really isn't them. But certainly have made others believe this is who they truly are because they are just a part of a show a bigger picture. I never realized how much of my life was...