Check out my products!

I have been adding some products to my teacher pay teachers page. 

Check out the latest additions! :)

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Natalia

Data..Take Data!!!!

Sorry I have been MIA (Missing in action)! I have been super busy with my new class.

I can't began to stress the importance of taking data. Not only is it good to records keeping but it will help you CYA (Cover your assessts!! LOL). Yes. I am trying to become very data driven for several purposes.

I have data for bathroom... to show student's independence when attending to the bathroom.

I have data to show prompting levels needed throughout a day.. to show that is student requires x amount of prompts to complete given task. (this is good to show the need a student truly has)

I have data for devices... to show if a student is using the correct assigned communication device or to show a student being successful in a trial for a device or just to show a student is successful with their communication device.

I have data for each IEP goals... very important to prove if a student is progressing or regressing.

I have posted on teachers pay teachers some of the data sheets I have created. Take a look.

Open House.. What to do?

Beginning schools entails Open House... I know the name varies state to state.

But I wanted to review some of the details of what I do for my open house.

Around 3 years ago, I discovered that use a powerpoint presentation to cover everything needed. Normally this helps direct our parents to avoid discussing anything specific on their child.

I always begin by create a take home folder.

Inside I make a copy of my contact and the autism coach information. I put any forms I need to be completed. Also I add a copy of the homenote, agenda, t-shirt and communication triangle. Of course, I have some art and craft created by the students, and some edible with cute note.

Onto the powerpoint...the more descriptive on every detail, the less parents will have any questions at then.

I has always seemed to cover all their questions with my presentation. I always start my night by stating "Please parents remember this night is for me to review all the classroom and academic details, I cannot review anything specific on a students IEP or a student specific question." It will set the tone from the beginning.

Here is what I review in the powerpoint:

1. Meet the teacher (Quick Bio)
2. Triangle of success (Communication)
3. Ways to communicate
4. Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
5. Snack
6. Classroom Rules
7. Behavior Plan
8. Hierarchy Prompt Chart
9. Media Center
10. Our Daily Schedule (Not specific just overall general)
11. Schedules
12. Classroom Design
13. Each Center and their description
14. Occupational and Speech Therapy
15. Curriculum (I go through each available curriculum and a brief description)
16. Homework (My philosophy and how I handle homework)
17. Online Resources
18. Ieps
19. Conferences
20. Progress Reports/ Report Cards
21. Volunteering/Chaperoning Policy
22. Room Parents
23. Autism Coach
24. Questions
25. To do before leaving check list.

This may seem like a lot.. but it works like magic!!! Promise.. Keeps everyone guided and normally I have no questions. Parents have loved it! :)

Hope this helped..

Schedule...

 

I have 7 students... 3 nonverbal. It can be very challenging to make the schedule work, especially if you have never met the students.

I was asked to post my schedule. This has changed like 7 times by now and it might be changing again.

I have 2 paras in my classroom. Some students rotate centers 2 times. 

Key-

MW Morning Work

TT- Teacher Time

Lang Language

WG  Whole Group

FM Fine Motor

Comp Computer

B Bathroom

Calendar And Morning Group

 Morning Group has varied through the years depending on the schools needs. 

I had a lot of goals this summer for morning group.. but as we all know students will always direct your class. 

We have had to take it slowly!!! Therefore... much of my morning set up is display right now.

I am going to be creating a morning board based on the Adventures of Room 83 since I feel it would be more engaging for my students. Right now it is too distracting and busy for my students.

However, we use other morning activities.

When students arrive they each must make their name. Depending on their abilities, it is in order or scrambled. 

For one student, I had to make a name to match letter by letter since he was having trouble.  

This activity helps students be busy as soon as they sit down, while students are getting their folders/lunch/snacks out of their backpacks. You can call it our bell work.

Then, we sing our morning song. :)

Afterwards, we review our monthly events... Everyday! Yes you heard me, everyday.

We try to make this interactive. 

Summer: Use visuals or tangibles... beach ball, bathing suits, review what we do and where we go during summer time.

School starts: Students will identify the school they go to. 

I use a visual strip that say "I go to ...School"

Each student has to say the complete sentence.

Meet Teachers: The group will say good morning to each teacher. We play a game to see who can identify each teacher's name.

Meet Friends: The group will say good morning to each friend. 

 

 For nonverbal students I use the tech talk. 

When it is time for meet teachers, student have pictures of all the teachers they encounter and class friends. 

They will receptively identify each teacher/friend.

The device will state for their verbally.

 

2013-2014 Classroom... Take a look!!

This year I decided to go with a primary theme... Since I have KG-1st.

I couldn't have set up my class without my assistant and her kids help!! :) It takes a team to get this done. :)

I have added the student's pictures in every area, due to their needs to relate their names to themselves. :)