This article and an encounter I witnessed a few mornings ago have left me wondering how to help. On Tuesday morning, as I arrived to the elementary school where I teach and walked through the playground toward my class, I witnessed an encounter between a former student of mine and a general education student. Here’s … Continue reading
These ideas are so helpful in preparing kids for routine doctor visits as well! 10 Ways To Help Prepare Your Special Needs Child For A Hospital Emergency Visit Continue reading
Worthy App: Super Stretch I’d been searching for a way to incorporate calming, meditative strategies into my daily schedule, especially when trying to help my most scattered students to sit still and focus, and this iPad and iPhone app is PERFECT! It makes soothing yoga stretches fun and accessible for kids. The English version is … Continue reading
Studies show that many students focus better and achieve more when listening to music as they work. I have always looked for soothing music to play at specific times in the classroom, but it’s tricky to find the right sound. Some classical and instrumental music is too uptempo and distracting and music I find soothing … Continue reading
What You’ll Need: Colored dot stickers for desks Who It’s For: Students who have difficulty speaking to one another, asking questions or having conversations 1. Choose two colors of dot stickers and place them in alternating order on the students’ desks. I’ll use green and yellow, here, as examples. 2. Each morning, write a conversation … Continue reading
What it is: A behavior strategy to increase motivation and decrease unwanted behaviors Who it’s for: Parents or teachers of children who need motivation to complete tasks or follow directions What you’ll need: A printed copy of this page://emailpangea.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/slide16.jpg , a sheet protector or even a large Ziploc bag, and a dry erase or Vis-a-Vis … Continue reading
What it is:: A line-walking strategy to decrease arguments Who it’s for: Your whole class What you’ll need: Duct tape, a poster chart, Velcro This is seemingly simple, but it has been a HUGE help for students who benefit from structure, predictability, and boundaries. My students used to fight over who would be at the … Continue reading
What it is: A strategy for helping children cope with unexpected schedule changes Who it’s for: Parents or teachers who have kids that resist changes in routine What you’ll need: A dye cut or other cutout of a person, a laminator, a magnet or tape Students with Autism can have a difficult time with changes in schedule … Continue reading
What it is: A classroom strategy to cut down on shouting out Who it’s for: Teachers of students who have a hard time remembering to raise their hand before talking What you’ll need: Just a spot on your white or chalk board to keep score My students have difficulty with impulse control which leads to a lot of … Continue reading
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