Note to self

These are few things I have found myself saying lately...

-"Don't forget to download YOUTUBE videos using YTD Video Downloader"---internet at school is frustrating sometimes.I have so many songs for circle time from YOUTUBE that the kids get frustrated and so do I!

-"Don't forget to get a TARP!!!"---finding sensory play can get out of hand sometimes! Took a while to clean up the spaghetti noodles off the floor that the kiddos had so much fun with!!

 

"Don't forget to give my para-pro the lesson plans for the week" I have forgotten the past couple of weeks!

Don't forget to get paperwork together and send it to Central Office! I sure do wish I had a decent planning time or even one workday a month to get all the paperwork and planning I need to do! Hehe

"Keep 1st things 1st!" I tend to get sidetracked very easily...working hard to stay on top of things and not get behind with lesson plans, materials, IEP paperwork and parent communication.

Therapist Log

Working in Special Education is a TEAM effort. There are many therapists (OT, PT, SLP, etc.) that come in and out of the classroom. It is hard to keep up with which child was served each day. It is also difficult to make sure that each child is served and their IEP goals are being addressed specifically. As the Case Manager I am responsible for making sure that all these things happen. I created a LOG sheet to put in a folder for each therapist. I will put a copy of the IEP goals for each child served  in the folder so they can refer to them. Hope this helps.

Task Boxes

I LOVE task boxes! I try to make boxes that work with children's IEP and interest. I have slowly been making boxes and collecting items the past 2 years and so far I have almost 50 boxes. This post will cover 18 Task Boxes. These are mostly fine motor skills, but they may also incorporate other skills. 

I use plastic shoe boxes for their size and durability. Some I have had my hubby cut holes and I glued smaller containers inside for sorting.

Today I just organized them and hope it works. I gave each tub a number and then stacked them in my closet. I will put a list of the Task Boxes on the cabinet door. This will allow the therapist that work with the children in my room and the classroom assistant to know what is available and where to find it. 

Task boxes can be used in a variety of ways, and I've done it all! I have given children "assignments" that include 3-4 boxes and then they can chose a reward. I use them for table play times if we don't have time to go to centers or in-between activities. I OFTEN pull them when working 1/1 or in small groups to teach and give the child the extra guided practice that he/she needs. Sometimes I have a child ask for one at center time and that is so fun for me, because I know they are practicing a skill they need to practice.  

Here are 18 of my Task Boxes.....

Task Box 1: Unifix cubes. One side they are separated and the other side they are put together..they can take them apart or put them together..color really doesn't matter. Some kiddos like to keep them separated.

Task Box 2: Stacking cups. (I need to add more cups). The first cup is glued to the lid and the children are to stack more cups on top.This is a favorite of many of my students.

Task Box 3:  Lacing boards. Depending on the child's abilities they complete the number of cards you assign. They can pick which ones they complete.

Task Box 4:  Lacing disks. Start out with just a couple and as the child progresses you add more to the cup that is in the lid. You want the child to complete with little frustration.

Task Box 5: Lacing large beads. Put the number of beads you want the child to string on the lid. Child may use chenille stick (pipe cleaner) or string. Again, start with a few and add as the child's ability improves.

Task Box 6: Lacing Medium beads (Do this only when child has mastered the larger beads). Again, use chenille stick or string. Use the same process as the large beads.

Task Box 7: Using tongs to pick up bones and put in bowl. (there was another part to this, but it was lost in the move). This is from Lakeshore and they have several different themes. I like to use the larger tongs. Increase the number as they become successful until they do all the bones.

Task Box 8: (same as Box 1) Unifix cubes. One side they are separated and the other side they are put together..they can take them apart or put them together..color really doesn't matter. Some kiddos like to keep them separated. 

 Task Box 9: Velcro cubes. The children are to pick off one cube at a time and put it in the bucket. There is a small Velcro circle on each block. This makes the child have to pull. It's a great 'task completion' for those children you need to reward quickly, but they need to earn it. I have one child in my class who loves to do this. She has even learned to put the cubes back on, which is hard because there is only one piece of Velcro on each cube.

 Task Box 10: Large peg boards. I have some that are numbers and some that are not. I like the numbers because it gives a sense of completion and you can slowly increase the number required. I have the children put them in and then to clean up they have to take them out again. 

Task Box 11:  Bear links. They have to push to put together and pull apart to clean up. 

Task Box 12: DUPLO blocks. They stack them and then they have to pull them apart to clean up. Lots of fine motor and hand/eye coordination. 

Task Box 13: Using Tongs with pom poms. Move the poms from one bowl to the other. Vary the number according to the child's ability. 

Task Box 14:  Clothespin Drop. The children drop one clothespin at a time into the box. The hole is sized so the pin will only fit in one direction. Again, vary the number according to the child's ability or attention. Another favorite for my students who struggle with fine motor.

Task Box 15: Lacing boards. Depending on the child's abilities they complete the number of cards you assign. They can pick which ones they complete.

Task Box 16: Block building/imitation. This can be just stacking the blocks or block imitation where they build a copy of what you have built. There are only 1 inch blocks in this task box. 

 Task Box 17: Block imitation-basic color 1 inch cubes are used. You build it and the child copies it.

Task Box 18: Block imitation from pictures. This is the last step in block imitation. Depending on the child's level you either put the blocks needed to complete the building in a Ziploc bag, then later add a few extra to the bag the child won't use and last, they pick from the box of blocks. Be sure you have the blocks needed for the structures. It could easily frustrate a child if a piece is missing.

Great Task Box Resource:

Shoebox Tasks- http://www.shoeboxtasks.com/

If you have or know of a great Task Box site, let me know so I can add it to my page.

Thanks!

Mrs. Trish

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!