Let’s talk about how to work in a special education class with a high student, low staff ratio!

Now, I know, this is a touchy subject – class size.  Special education is known for their lower class sizes, or are they?  This year, in addition to having a large class (14 students) I also do not have enough staff to help me teach the way I am used to – or want to.  No lie, it has not been easy and I have had to make some sacrifices, but I am making it work, for now.

Not only is my TK-1st grade class large this year, I only have two classroom assistants.  In previous years, I have had three, so this has been a MAJOR adjustment.  

With that being said, I want to share what I’m doing that is working for my high student, low staff situation.

Make Safety the First Priority

When working with a high student low staff ratio in my special education classroom, safety absolutely has to be my first priority – even over academics.  To ensure safety, I go with my paraprofessionals at arrival times, recess, and dismissal times.  Our students are small – meaning we cannot take our eyes off of them, and this helps decrease the number of students everyone is watching at one time.  In previous years, I have been able to use my prep time during arrival and recess, but this year, it is just not safe for my students.

I know this is not practical for every teacher – but this is what has to be done for my class this year.   I also make sure my paraprofessionals and I each carry a walkie-talkie so we can communicate, in the event something happens. 

In the classroom, I have made my centers visually open so that I can see my students at all times, no matter where they are at. 

More Independent Centers

To help alleviate the large group of students, I have six centers this year.  Two centers are teacher-led and four are independent centers.  I utilize one paraprofessional to run a center and the other to act as a floater between my four independent centers.  

These are my teacher-led centers:

• ELA – run by a paraprofessional.  The para works on Easy Matching Weekly Workbooks, Leveled Daily Curriculum, and supplemental activities that include manipulative objects.  
• Math/IEP goals – run by me.  I do Easy Matching Weekly Workbooks, Leveled Daily Curriculum, and supplemental activities that include manipulative objects.  I also use my center to work on IEP goals and assess students. 

These are my independent centers: 

• Boom Cards –  Read my blog post about my Boom Cards center here.  

• Play/Leisure/Sensory –  Students have a choice of a few toys, books, or some sensory items.  This has been hard to keep students in this area this year so some of my students are also able to do iPad during this time because I do not have staff to help keep my students in the area.

• Reading –  Students have a choice between tangible books or an iPad with the epic app.  This is a great app, even for my students who are non-readers.  There is a “read to me” option that reads the books to the students.  I love this because it also highlights the words as it is reading!  My iPads have Guided Access enabled so students are not able to get out of the epic app during this time.  

• Task Boxes – During my task box center, students check their visual wall schedule, take an icon and match it to the corresponding bin.  They then walk the box to the table, open it up, and perform the activity.  When they are done, they place the box in the all done box and check their schedule.  Once they have completed all tasks on their schedule, they get iPad time.  

My task box visuals are from Simply Special Ed.  This system is similar to The Autism Helper’s.  You can get theirs here.

My independent centers took a lot of time to facilitate and teach at the beginning of the year, so I helped my floater and let students do fun engaging activities or iPad (anything that would keep them engaged at the table) at my center for the first month of school.  Honestly, sometimes I still have to do this, and my classroom is fine.

For more information about independent centers, read The Dos and Don’ts of Independent Work by Stephanie.

Make Things Engaging

Having a high student, low staff ratio is not easy.  Especially when keeping students in their assigned spaces throughout the school day.  I have learned that I just need to make things more engaging for the students and they are more likely to stay in their center.  I have tried SO MANY different toys, activities, and products this year and some have been successful.  Here is a small list of the things my students this year love to do:

• The Autism Helper’s Easy Matching Weekly Workbooks.
• iPad – Precisely apps such as Number Blocks, Teach Your Monster to Read, Hot Wheels, and Square Panda (needs letters and base).
• Manipulative objects/tactile activities such as  Lakeshore Alphabet Teaching Tubs, Hide and Seek Alphabet, and Pluffle.
• Toys such as the Spin Again.

If you are reading this post, it’s likely you are in the same situation as me.  My best advice for you is to keep trying.  Talk with your students’ parents to find out what your students love and use those, ask your administration to buy materials, and most importantly – take care of yourself.  As long as your students go home safe to their families each day, you have had a successful day.  Finally, I want you to remember that you are not alone.

Thank you for reading!  Let me know what questions you have in the comments!