Classroom Assistants/Para-Professionals

I have worked with a few Classroom Assistants and I have loved them all. I find that as a teacher it is a difficult part of the job for me. I don't like telling adults what to do..is that weird? I can do this with children all day. I feel I'm getting better and asking and making lists for them on what I need help with-but still not my favorite part, yet again it does seem to help them and make them happy to know what I need. I know working effectively with the assistant is a vital part to helping my kiddos achieve all they can each and every day. Communication is the key!!
 I have started writing down my thoughts and realized I may not be the only one like this so I thought I would share. 

What Teachers Want Classroom Assistants to Know-Part I

Overview

A classroom assistant is to provide assistance to the teacher to allow the best education to be provided to the students. This may include clerical, hands on teaching, diaper changing, organizing etc. The best advice is to ask your classroom teacher what he/she needs to make the day more productive. If at any time you find yourself with nothing to do, then ASK what needs to be done, what needs to be prepared for the next activity or which child needs to work on IEP goals. Some teachers are proactive at this and others you may need to be the proactive one. 

IEP

You need to be very familiar with each child’s IEP. Ask the teacher for copies if they don’t offer. In our system assistants are required to sign they are aware of each child’s IEP goals and are responsible to help implement as needed. Teachers may ask for help with these goals. Make notes or take data on what you do with the children. Most teachers will have data sheets or a process in place. Find out what that is and how to use it.

The more you know about the children and what they need the better you will be at knowing what needs to be done. For example, if you know a child is working on learning to recognize the alphabet then while at centers you can find him and look for ways to incorporate letter recognition in play time, or pull him to the side and play a card game, or build with blocks that have letters on them, “find the block with the P on it.” (More on incorporating IEP goals later.)So reviewing IEPs are VERY important for the Classroom Assistant to be successful!

LESSON PLANS- 

Ask the teacher for a copy of the lesson plans and if the teacher can mark what you can do to help prepare that may keep you from having to ask what is needed. Most teachers put on their lesson plans what materials are needed, if you take the initiative and help get those together the teacher would be able to spend more time with the children or preparing activities she may not have had time to do. So again communication is the key along with being PROACTIVE! 

Daily Routine (EXAMPLE)

Greet children and help prepare table activities and engage with the children

Attendance Folder/Computer
Check Daily folders
Breakfast-assist as needed –getting food, opening items, feeding, etc.
Bathroom assistance/Diapers
Circle time-help model and keep children active/ participating
Help with teaching centers and small group...
Restroom/diapers
Lunch.. getting food, opening items, feeding, etc. 
Outside or large motor time...help do activity with class..play games with children
Nap time...folders and Lysol spray centers daily and clean them as needed, 
any prep for next day as needed, help snack area ready, prepare backpacks

COMING SOON!  Part II: Classroom Assistant's Guide to Behavior Challenges and FAQ (send me your questions!!) 

My New Room..Work in Progress

This year I am so excited to have a larger room. Last year I ended up with a MUCH larger class than expected and it was a little tight in our little room. This year I have a room large enough to accommodate all the center areas and work areas I need to keep these sweet kiddos engaged. Below is the blessing of a mess I came in to this summer. OH MY! I've worked only a few days and have gotten a lot done. While doing my daily in-service time on Pinterest I seen so many cute classrooms!  I have fallen in love with Schoolgirl Style and I was inspired by her Rainbow and Garden Classroom themes for my room. I can't wait to get it all together. I have been picking up items all over, Hobby Lobby, Wal-mart, Target have all gotten a fair share of my paycheck along with the local school supply store. Again, please don't tell the hubby-he may begin to realize I haven't actually bought groceries at these stores! hehe

  I will keep you updated on the progress.

Do you have a classroom Theme? I would love to see your room and your favorite center!

Blessed with this MESS!

Lots of storage that I filled up quickly!

Still a mess, but couldn't wait to put up the bulletin board!

Home Living-Still lots to do!.

Art area and sensory area near my SINK!!

Construction area..we'll see how long the blocks stay this neat.

Lesson Plans and Scheduling

For several years I've used DAILY lesson plan sheets that follow my schedule. Most days my schedule wasn't as I expected, so there was a lot of marking out and changing times. This year I think I'm going back to the Week at a Glance format. I am going to include each of the activities that occur in my day and fill in the activity/lesson that will be used or completed at that time. I think listing the items used in each center will also be helpful so I can be sure to rotate the supplies. I also try to make notes on which children I work 1/1 with each day. I try to work with each child a few minutes each day, but if I don't I make note of making sure I see them the next day they attend. I'll see how this works for me this year, I'm sure there will be more tweaks once school starts..

How do you organize  your lesson plans?

Last year's template:


This year's Template
 

SCHEDULING CHILDREN:

I have children with IEPs that attend 2 or 3 days per week depending on their needs.  I have "peer buddies" that visit for part of each day, usually mornings. These children do not have IEP goals and are to help model play, behavior and language.  Last year I had children with IEPs attending a variety of days with no routine to it. (I came in after school started and most of the kids were already scheduled.) This year I am working hard to have the kiddos that come 2 days a week come on Tuesday/Thursday and the 3 day a week kiddos come Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Right now the days are fairly even, but expect that as children turn 3 I will have more on T/R, if it gets too full I will have to schedule some differently. Right now I will have about 7 Special Needs children each day and hopefully 4 or 5 "peer buddies". I do have one classroom assistant.

How do you schedule your classes? Do they come different days?

Why Blog?

As many teachers have this summer, I've spent a lot of 'in-service' time on Pinterest, the Internet and supply stores. I have spent many hours looking and too much money (shhhh, don't tell my hubby) buying  things to better my classroom- for me and the students. Since I teach children with special needs ages 3-5, I find it difficult to find things that apply to their developmental levels.When our classrooms vary from typically developing, autism and it's many spectrums, Down Syndrome, language delays, speech delays, physical delays, Cerebral Palsy, and countless other BEAUTIFUL children, it is hard to find resources.  Don't get me wrong, I have found some great ones, but not as many as I thought would be out there. I thought this blog may be a great way for fellow Developmental Preschool/Special Education Preschool (however you are titled) to share ideas and create a community of teachers learning from each other. I will post things that I am doing in my room and  ask questions to other teachers so PLEASE contribute to this board!