As a Teacher you know you need to have a well stocked toolbox! But for a Special Ed teacher this is especially true in order to run a successful classroom.
Students with such diverse needs will need more specialised resources to support their learning. In this article I would like to share with you a handful of essential tools that I’ve discovered, created and have helped with behavior management in my Special Ed classroom.
10 resources I find the most useful in my classroom for you to check out
It is important to remember that these resources are not just tools, but opportunities to empower and uplift students, and an opportunity for you to explore and implement them in your own classroom.
These printable cards help non-verbal children to communicate and regulate in Preschool, kindergarten and Special Education.
As a teacher our goal is to plan and make lessons accessible and these visual support cards are made to teach Functional communication skills to enable students with Special needs, be ready for the lessons you’ve planned.
These supports for social and emotional learning each have visual directions at the bottom of each card, which can help before unwanted behavior escalates by giving cue images for kids to know what alternative behaviors they can follow to regulate.
How to prepare
To prepare these cards, print out on cardstock, cut out and laminate for durability.
How to use
Add to Calm Down Corners. Have them handy on workstations and centers. Use “Wait” cards with a fidget box for students to use while they wait.
Are you a Special Education teacher who feels like your classroom is constantly in chaos? Do you struggle to manage behavior and create a calm learning environment for your students? If so, you’re not alone! Behavior management is a never ending challenge for special education teachers, but there are strategies and practical tips that can help you transform chaos into calm.
Throughout this post, I’ll help you with practical strategies and steps for you to start implementing them in your class today. From creating a structured and supportive environment to implementing effective interventions, I will guide you through the process of helping you master behavior management.
Creating a Structured and Supportive Environment
. Set time to build a structured environment by establishing clear expectations and routines. . . Provide your students with a sense of structure and predictability by clearly communicating the rules and procedures to your students you provide them with a sense of structure and predictability. This helps to minimize confusion and allows students to focus on their learning. . Consider creating visual supports, such as posters or charts, to display these expectations and refer to them regularly.
. To further promote structure and support, consider implementing classroom organization strategies. Ensure that your classroom is arranged in a way that allows for easy movement and minimizes distractions. . Provide designated spaces for different activities, such as quiet reading areas or group workstations with centre signs. This helps students understand where and how they should engage in different tasks, promoting a more focused and productive learning environment.
. Additionally, incorporating visual supports can be highly beneficial in creating a structured and supportive classroom. Visual aids, such as schedules, rules, and task boards, can assist students in understanding expectations and managing their time effectively. Furthermore, visual prompts can be particularly helpful for students with communication difficulties or those who struggle with transitions.
. Another valuable intervention is the implementation of social skills training. Many students in special education classrooms struggle with social interactions, making it difficult for them to navigate social situations and establish positive relationships with their peers. . By incorporating social skills training into the curriculum, students can learn important skills such as active listening, turn-taking, and conflict resolution. . Role-playing exercises and real-life scenarios can also help students practice applying these skills in a safe and supportive environment.
By implementing these effective interventions, Teachers can enhance behavior management in special education classrooms. These interventions address the specific needs of students, providing them with the support, strategies, and tools necessary to help them succeed academically and socially. When students are equipped with the skills and resources they need, they are more empowered to make positive choices and engage in behaviors that promote a calm and productive learning environment.
Children with SPED can sometimes find a classroom a bit confusing and can quickly become distressed with all the changes that are taking place around the room. My job is to help keep them calm and cope with what is happening. Sometimes I use visual supports to prepare and explain what is happening next.
I have found the “First and Then” Strategy a visual way of understanding what is expected throughout the day and a simple start to scheduling. As part of my structured teaching environment I use this simple timetable with individual work and in class activities.
Before starting a task and after a motivator assessment my young learners are offered a selection of visual reinforcers to choose from, this icon is placed in the “Then” side of the board.
And I place the icon of the task to be completed on the “First” side of the board. While teaching this strategy for the first few times I use quick errorless tasks and partially prompt my student if they become distressed.
Once established, my student will learn to follow the first activity independently and transfer to the next activity shown.
On the first day back to school I always introduce my Interactive Planner Binder to keep my young learners focused and motivated! Its full of visual strategies to help them plan their day, choose they’re reinforcer and stay in the area where they need to work.
I laminated the ones i made but you could easily place them in a pocket folder and use a dry wipe marker.
I’ve incorporated pages for my new students to jot down their name, grade and class, followed by their teachers name, their friends name, things they like and things they don’t.
There are pages with the days of the week for them to practice and tick off what day it is and same for seasons.
Having a schedule is so important so I’ve added spaces where i can write the order of the day and they can tick off as they go though it, handy to keep them on track!
Working for cards and reward choice keep them motivated!
Reminders of what to do when they feel angry, “first and then” when they get frustrated and what “I need” visuals for them to choose from.
