2017/2018 Classroom Reveal

Yes, I know its March and that we have already been in school for 7 months, but this year has been crazy busy, so I am just now getting around to doing my classroom reveal. This year I just moved to teaching an elementary significant needs class. Previously I have been teaching middle school, so I was excited that I would get to go a little more "cutesy" than I have in the past. I decided to stick with my "Black and Bright" theme, because let's face it....it looks awesome! I have really enjoyed how clean and classy it looks when it all comes together. 

When putting together a special education classroom, the first thing that I always consider are my boundaries and the different physical locations I want to make in my classroom. I have noticed if I do not break my classroom up, the class becomes a big play area that the students think they can run around in. This first section I'm going to show you is our "break area". 

I like having a break area, so the kids have a safe cozy spot they can go to cool down. Several of my kiddos even work towards some time in the break area. I have bean bags, weighted blankets, and a bungee chair (not pictured). I also keep puzzles, toys/fidgets, and books in here.

I also have a section in my classroom where I have student schedules. I have both visual schedules that my students use, as well as student schedules that my EA's can reference throughout the day. 

I also have an independent task box station in my classroom. It functions like most independent work stations where students match the symbol on their desk to the symbol on the task box.

Notice the task box symbols on the table. (I forgot to get a good picture of just the symbols) But this is a great picture of one of my kiddos working on their Welcome Work that you can also grab in my TPT store.

Another priority when I'm planning my classroom is student work spaces. Some of my students are able to work at our classroom tables with other students, but some need their own space designed specifically for them. I take lots of things into consideration when I'm deciding where these work spaces will be and what they will look like, including how much distraction they can tolerate, how close they are to the outside door, and so much more. Here is an example of one of my student specific work spaces.

This student's work area includes his visual schedule, drawers for my EA's to store his materials, and visuals that go along with his behavior management system.

One of the student's favorite stations in my classroom is the "Technology Area". This is where all of our computers and iPad are stored. Students often earn the privilege to hang out in these areas if we are not using the technology for academic purposes.

Please ignore the clutter underneath the desks! It's been organized since this picture was taken! (Moving classrooms can be a disaster sometimes!)

Now that I've shown you my student areas, I'll give you a glimpse of the spaces I have for the adults in my class. I decided this year that I didn't want a teacher desk in my classroom. I just do all of my work at a regular kidney table, so I can also use it to teach students. Here is a picture of the table that I use as my "desk".

Notice the bulletin board in the corner! I love having a space to hang up student work!

I also made an area for my EA's (paras, paraeducators, whatever you choose to call them). I have a bulletin board that I put all of my para visuals on. It is helpful to just have some of the important stuff posted, so we don't forget. 

You can find these posters in my Paraeducator Bundle on my TPT store.

I also have a teacher toolbox where I keep all of my PECS symbols nice and organized. This has been the best system I've found for doing this. In this area, I also put drawers that I can stick stuff in incase an EA ever has any free time. They can pull things that need to be done out of these drawers.

This about sums up my classroom for this year! I hope you have found this useful or can grab some ideas for you own classroom!

Adapted Books in a Special Education Classroom

I'm just going to be honest....I am OBSESSED with using adapted books in my classroom! They are a good "grab and go" activity, if I have a little extra time after a lesson to fill. My EA's also use these in the general education classrooms, when a reading passage or activity may be over my kiddos' levels.

I organize my books in bins so they are easily accessible to any adult who needs one for a lesson or activity.

In my classroom, I use the counting adapted books to teach basic counting skills. It is nice for my kiddos to change up themes and activities from just the normal counting activities. My students enjoy the different themes and stories that often go a long with them. I even have a couple of counting from 11-20 for my higher kiddos.

I use "WH" questions adapted books that are wonderful to practice or track IEP comprehension goal data. I can use one to go along with an upcoming holiday or to teach a skill that is being taught in their regular education classroom. I have found that it is nice to have the comprehension questions immediately after the passage. It is also helpful to have a visual along with the words for my nonreaders. I am constantly adding new adapted books to my library to keep learning interesting and fun for my students.

This is an adapted book I use to teach my students about Hanukkah. You can find this book here.

All of my adapted books can be found on my Teachers Pay Teachers store, SPEDitorials. 

I also offer an Adapted Books Growing Bundle in my store that I upload new books to regularly. You will definitely get the best bang for your buck with this bundle!