Schedules, Schedules Everywhere
With the start of every school year, and returning after break, and basically every Monday, I look at my classroom and see what might need to change and what is working! Classroom and individual schedules are one of the main items on my running to do list to...
Stereotypic Behaviors and Play Activities
For the next few weeks I plan on highlighting some amazing ideas I have learned from the book: The Activity Kit for Babies and Toddlers at Risk (Fein, Deborah et al. 2016). While the title focuses on young children, these ideas can be applied to many ages as the...
Using Everyday Routines to Coach Families
Using Everyday Routines to Coach Families I am so excited to share with you two books that I cannot seem to get enough of during this quarantine. Most likely, some or all of your work has been based around teleservices of some kind. The challenges that come with...
Setting Up a Structured Work Area in an Inclusion Classroom
Last week during my takeover I received many questions on inclusion practices and co teaching. Before my new pre-k3 program began, I specifically co taught in second grade for six years and then had a comprehensive classroom that serviced students in...
Increasing the Use of Visuals at Home!
We have to remember that in young children, receptive language is not yet fully developed. One of the “wants and needs” I hear often from families is that their child does not follow the directions they are given. Or that the usual, every day routines take so much support, and it becomes frustrating for both parent and child. The addition of visuals within the home has been the most successful change I have implemented.
Structured Work Time, Independent Work, and Integrated Centers
I love structure. I love it in school, and I love it as an adult in my life. You probably use it way more than you even realize it! Agendas during a PD? Yep, structure. To do lists? Yeah sorry not sorry that’s structure too. I think sometimes when...
Visual Timers You Can Use in Your Classroom
Timers are a must have in any classroom. They are great for fluency timing, teaching waiting, showing when transitions will come, and tracking behaviors. Visual timers have the added bonus of illustrating the passage of time. Many children may not yet...
Supporting Our Students AND Teachers in the General Education Classroom
There are so many moving parts that it takes to make general education inclusion successful and each situation is different. You have your team working within the room, the general management of the classroom, and all of the supports needed for your...
New Year, New Kids, New Setup!
Something I love most about being in the education field is the feeling of a fresh start each year. Even if you have looping students in the same room, you can always strengthen an area such as the writing center, independent work, or the overall flow of a...
Time Management and Waiting Visuals
Let me share a little secret - I stink at waiting. I get anxious. I get bored. I fidget. Waiting is hard for me. It's hard for many of our students. Waiting is a skill that needs to be taught. But we want to ensure that we are teaching waiting and time...
If I Were On a Teacher Island…
One of my biggest fears as a teacher? Being unprepared when behaviors start rolling out. Multiple choice question coming at you. The scene: busy teacher running from class to class, student forgot his schedule and starts melting down, do you: A. Leave...
Must-Have Behavior Visuals for Back to School
From token economies to I am Working for Boards visuals will help clarify – that yes, I will give you that gummy bear when you finish this pile of work. Our kids need that reassurance and they need the visuals to help illustrate that contingency. Visuals...
Christmas Party Planning Setup Kit
While the holidays do bring loads of fun things like social appropriateness to eating cookies and candy before 9am and an excuse to make online shopping your second job it also can bring a lot of challenges for our classrooms. Holidays equal schedule...
Behavior Plan Flow Charts
Writing a behavior plan is all about individualization. There is no one-size-fits-all formula that will work for every student. This process can be daunting and overwhelming. I get it. I've been there. Sitting in front of that document wondering where the heck you...
Schedule Based Token Boards
Token boards are a classroom essential. They provide a means of giving students reinforcement without constantly have cheetos or iPad breaks. Students work for a preferred item and earn stars or tokens along the way. I am really excited to shared these schedule based...
Color Coding: Helping Staff More than Students
I love a good color coding system because yes it's pretty and cute but I actually love it because it's so functional. Today let's talk about color coding and why sometimes it's more helpful to the staff than the students. And that's just fine. When staff know what's...
Community Trip Visuals
It's important to remember that community based instruction is still instruction. There is teaching going on. We can't disregard all of the valuable tools & strategies we use to teach our students on a daily basis. We need those tools more than ever when going out...
Social Story Adapted Books {Behavior Edition}
Social stories are a successful way to increase positive behaviors and decrease negative behaviors! I love social stories but sometimes I need something that is more interactive and hands-on. My new obsession is social story adapted books - combining two...
Behavior Visuals for Specials Classes
We talked about this earlier this month - how problems behaviors don't only occur within the four walls of our little classroom homes. Behaviors will occur throughout environment and are sometimes more likely in unfamiliar settings. Gym class, music class, and art...
Ultimate Packet of Behavior Management Visuals {SET 2}
Behavior visuals are my jam. Like seriously though. I excitedly started creating a behavior visual the other day only to realize I already had two versions of it made already. I love getting creative and thinking about different ways to prevent problem behaviors....