Anyone else vaguely terrified by art projects? Combining the unpredictability of an autism classroom with paint seems like you are just asking for paint in your hair (it’s happened…). Art projects generally require multiple steps, multiple supplies, and are… messy. My kids (and ME) like things structured. We all thrive in an environment that is...

I am not sure if you heard the story last about Mikaela Lynch. She was a 9 year old girl with autism who wandered out of her California vacation home last Sunday and was found dead 3 days later. Mikaela drowned in a nearby marsh. Mikaela was nonverbal, loved the water, and had a history of wandering. Read the news story here. To say I have a heavy heart is an...

May is well under way and I have to admit – it kind of snuck up on me! Here are my lesson plans for the rest of May and start of June for my morning group. We are doing a read aloud of Mr. Sunny is Funny part of my Weird School Daze by Dan Gutman. My aunt gave my class a bunch of this series and I’d like to encourage some of my students to read these on...

I bet you all got confused when you read that title, hugh? Economy? Economy? Seems a little too advanced? A little too complicated? WRONG. My students are about to rock this economy unit and I cannot wait to show off their impressive knowledge when they are done. I am proud of my guys. I would have laughed in your face if you told me 3 years ago that I would be...

For our planting unit, we tip toed into a new area of arts and crafts that was previously untraveled to by my wee little classroom. Good thing we did – because it opened a whole new world of crafty possibilities. I am self-admittedly not the most creative person when it comes to getting my students into art. This craft is right up my alley – minimal prep,...

The last edition to my question answering book collection! You knew this was coming didn’t you?! I know you all were holding your breath with anticipation. I had the books for who, what, where, when, and how – and I would now like to introduce you all to Why Do You Feel? I love working on wh- questions in isolation through these adapted books. It had been...

Do you ever have those shock and awe moments where you think – “I can’t believe my student has never done this??” Sometimes our students’ experiences are so surprisingly limited that we have a difficult time gauging the width of their first hand knowledge. You can understand the root of the issue. Exposing our students to new experiences...

Ugh. Paperwork. Enough said. Am I right? You know what I am over. Those massive student files that look like they come from costco. Especially for my older students who have been in the system for a while – their files are freaken big. Now I don’t know about you – but I don’t need to have frequent access to my student’s IEP from their...

I know, I know, I know… it is not Friday but I had to give my freebie to you a day early in case you want to snag this idea for your Mother’s Day card making. I have this problem lately with crafts – I think of a super cute idea buuuut… maybe only 6 or 7 of my students can actually do it. I needed a Mother’s Day craft that could be done...

As part of our planting unit, we did this great tulip craft last week! I really wish I could take credit for this obscenely adorable creation but of course not. Who needs self made creativity when there is pinterest? Man – has pinterest made me laaaazy! I used to at least try to think of my own crafts but now… yea right! Why reinvent the wheel when...

  In case you haven’t heard every 3 – 4 minutes from every teacher blogger and their mother over the past few days – there is a sale going on. It’s kind of a big deal. This sale is celebrating us! Teacher Appreciation Sale on TpT – everything is 28% off! I am a little excited as you can tell! Well – I was half way done with...

You know I love differentiation. Make things accessible for multiple learning types. Well – when it comes to shopping – no exception here! There is a HUGE sale coming up on Teachers Pay Teacher – this Tuesday and Wednesday. No matter your shopping preference – I have a method to suit your shopping needs! But first, the sale details: Tuesday...

Fun and seasonal freebie today! It’s similar to the receptive language worksheets that I have been making loads of versions of lately – but makes it a little more structured. I have a few students working on some more basic ABLLS (Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills) tasks such as color identification and following one step direction....

Phew! The one on one aide for one of my students got approved! So after all that whoopla – now what to do with her? I completely revamped my student’s schedule since he know has a dedicated paraprofessional he can (hopefully) fit in a ton more work time! I updated his schedule, made a schedule for the aide, and also made a detailed schedule. I used the...

We had so much fun planting last week! It’s an undertaking – don’t get me wrong. I had dirt in my hair, under my finger nails, and all over my classroom. I got that no-you-did-not-get-dirt-absolutely-everywhere look from my custodian. I will need be buying him a nice little end of the year present. If you are a scared of the dirty teacher – no...

… a new adapted book. This book has replaced What’s Bugging You as the ever prized most favorite adapted book ever spot in my heart. It’s triumph occurred when I read this with one of my Spanish dominate and less verbal students last week and after reading 3 or 4 pages he was already mimicking the vocal pattern “I spy with my little...

If you are in this field you have likely had to deal with some students aggression (read this post about dealing with aggression). Not only can this be physically painful it tends to really mess with your teacher mojo. Your self confidence is shot. You feel beaten down – mentally and physically. Wine becomes your new best friend. I’ve been there. I in and...

New freebie alert! I got this adorable movie theater clipart set and knew I had to you this to make something awesome. I love inference activities for my higher functioning students. It works on higher level comprehension skills and problem solving abilities. It opens up their reading opportunities to include more complex texts! The world is full of inferences. So...

This book is good enough to eat! My kids are instantly engaged into anything food themed. Can you blame them? Who doesn’t love to eat! Don’t be shy about using these types of things to you advantage (hence my cupcake file folders and fast food adapted book). Use these motivating themes to get your students involved and interested in literacy! My new book...

To 1 on 1 or not to 1 on 1… that is the question. I have received a few emails lately inquiring about the difference and decision making behind a dedicated paraprofessional. This is a tricky grey area situation and something I am dealing with right now. There are a lot of a things to consider when deciding if a dedicated paraprofessional is the right decision...