Every child has their own way of learning and as teachers, we play a powerful role in helping them feel safe, seen, and successful. Here are 5 strategies that I use to promote inclusive learning for my Special Ed Classroom.
1. In my Classroomwe:
Offer choices in how students learn (visuals, hands-on, listening, movement).
Use visual schedules and clear routines to help reduce anxiety.
Allow extra time for transitions or assignments.
Create quiet spaces or “calm corners” for breaks.
2.WeCelebrate Strengths by:
Focusing on what each student can do, not just where they struggle.
Share positive feedback often — even for small steps.
Highlight special interests to motivate learning (e.g., dinosaurs, trains, superheroes).
Encourage peer recognition of everyone’s strengths.
3.WeUse Clear, Supportive Communication
Speak insimple language.
Give one instruction at a time, when needed.
Use visual aids (pictures, icons, charts) to support understanding.
Offer choices when possible (“Do you want to write with a pencil or a marker?”).
4.Friendship & Kindness
Build a classroom culture where differences are normal and celebrated.
Teach and model kindness, sharing and friendship. Use buddy systems to promote friendships and cooperative learning.
Read inclusive books and discuss different ways of thinking.
It’s such an exciting time, especially for our littlest learners who thrive with hands-on, visual, and sensory-rich activities. If you’re working with children in a preschool/Kindergarten, special education setting, these transition table-top activities can be a gentle and engaging way to ease into routines while learning to transition between tasks. Here’s a list of 5 simple tabletop activities perfect for those early days back, with a focus on fine motor skills, early literacy, and numeracy:
1. Playdough letter & Number Mats
Squish, roll, press! Create custom laminated mats with each child’s name and numbers 1–5. Let them form the letters and numerals using playdough snakes, encouraging finger strength and shape recognition. Add cookie cutters or rollers for extra sensory fun.
2. Pom-Pom Drop with Tongs
Set up cups labeled with numbers and a bin of colorful pom-poms. Children use tongs or adapted tweezers to transfer the pom-poms into the correct cup—fantastic for counting practice and fine motor coordination. Try textured pom-poms for added tactile input.
3. Alphabet Soup Sensory Tray
Fill a shallow bin with dry pasta or rice and scatter plastic or foam letters inside. Provide spoons, scoops, or small ladles for learners to “scoop” letters out and match to visual cue cards or alphabet mats. Engages multiple senses while working on letter ID.
4. Stickers, Dots, Letters and Numbers
Offer large printouts of letters and numbers and invite children to place small circle stickers (like garage sale dots) along the lines. It’s calming, fun, and fantastic for developing finger dexterity and spatial awareness.
5. Build-a-Tower Counting Game
Provide numbered cards (1–10) alongside a set of stacking blocks or Duplo bricks. Kids draw a card and build a tower with the matching number of blocks. Add visual supports for non-verbal communication—like number boards or thumbs-up visuals—for celebrating each success.
Visual supports are a superpower in the special ed classroom—especially for non-verbal learners! They make abstract concepts concrete, help with transitions and understanding, and boost independence.
These low-prep, hands-on activities are not only accessible for non-verbal kiddos, but they’re also filled with opportunities for choice-making, shared attention, and joyful participation.
For many children with autism or other special needs, traditional books can sometimes be a passive experience. But what if books could become hands-on, engaging, and tailored to each child’s communication and learning style? Enter interactive, adapted books with detachable visuals—a game-changer in special education classrooms.
What Are Interactive, Adapted Books?
Interactive books are modified versions of regular storybooks or nonfiction texts that include:
1. Velcro-backed visuals (like symbols, pictures, or words)
2. Interactive elements (like flaps, matching tasks, or fill-in-the-blank pages)
3. Simple, repetitive language to build understanding
These books are especially helpful for:
* Students with autism
* Nonverbal or minimally verbal learners
* Kids working on expressive and receptive language skills
Detachable visuals allow students to:
Actively participate in reading by matching, choosing, or sequencing pictures
Reinforce communication with photos, pictures or symbols
Improve attention span by making reading more dynamic
Practice fine motor skills by pulling and placing Velcro-backed pieces
How to Use Adapted Books in the Classroom
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
1. Choose the Right Book
* Pick a story or concept that matches the student’s interest and comprehension level.
* Common themes include: feelings, animals, routines, weather, or food.
2. Prepare the Book
* Print and laminate each page.
* Add Velcro dots to the detachable visuals and matching spots in the book.
* Organize visuals on a “choice board” or in a binder for easy access.
3. Model and Prompt
* Read the book aloud and model how to match or place visuals.
* Prompt students to interact (“Can you find the red apple?” or “What comes next?”).
4. Encourage Communication
* Use visuals to practice answering WH-questions (What? Where? Who?).
* Offer sentence starters or AAC support to promote expressive language.
5. Make it Routine
* Use adapted books during circle time, one-on-one sessions, or independent work stations.
Tips for Success
* Start simple: Use 2–3 visuals per page and gradually increase as the student grows more confident.
* Use themes: Rotate books based on seasons, holidays, or IEP goals.
* Personalize visuals: Include real photos of students or classroom objects when possible.
* Celebrate participation: Use praise, tokens, or sensory breaks as reinforcement.
Free & Low-Cost Resources
Looking for ready-made templates or printable adapted books? Try:
* Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT)
* Tarheel Reader
Interactive, adapted books don’t just teach literacy—they create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that build communication, confidence, and connection. Whether you’re working with a pre-verbal preschooler or a student learning to use AAC, these books offer a powerful tool for inclusive, engaging education.
Classroom management in a special education setting isn’t just about keeping order—it’s about creating a space where every student feels safe, supported, and empowered to learn. Whether you’re a new teacher or just looking for a refresher, this ultimate classroom management plan will help you build a strong foundation for success.
1. Set Clear Expectations from Day One
Students thrive when they know what’s expected of them. Establish clear, simple rules and routines early on. Use visual aids, pictures, or even role-playing to reinforce rules. Keep the language consistent and positive—for example:
Connection comes before correction. Get to know your students—what they like, what triggers them, what helps them calm down. A strong teacher-student relationship is the cornerstone of good behavior. Take time to:
Greet students warmly each day
Show interest in their hobbies
Celebrate small wins
3. Structure the Environment for Success
A well-organized classroom can reduce distractions and promote independence. Try this:
Use labeled bins and clear visuals for materials
Create defined spaces (e.g., a calm-down corner, group work area)
Keep transitions smooth with visual schedules or timers
4. Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Anticipate challenges before they happen. For example:
Use sensory breaks for students who get overstimulated
Provide fidgets or alternative seating for students with focus issues
Modify tasks to meet individual needs
Being proactive also means recognizing and praising positive behaviors more often than correcting negative ones.
5. Use a Consistent Behavior Plan
Consistency is key. Choose a behavior management system that works for your group, such as:
Token economies (students earn points or stickers for positive behavior)
Color charts or behavior contracts
Positive reinforcement systems customized to the student (like earning extra iPad time)
Make sure to communicate the plan with paraprofessionals, parents, and anyone else working with your students.
6. Collaborate with Your Team
You’re not in this alone. Collaborate with:
Paraprofessionals
Therapists (OT, speech, etc.)
Parents and caregivers
Share strategies, stay consistent, and support one another.
7. Reflect and Adjust
No plan is perfect—and that’s okay. What works for one group might not work for the next. Reflect regularly:
What’s working well?
What needs tweaking?
How are the students responding?
Stay flexible and be willing to change what’s not working.
Effective classroom management in special education is all about structure, relationships, and consistency. When students feel safe and understood, real learning can happen. With a solid plan in place, you can build a classroom where every child has the opportunity to shine.
Fun with Numbers! Easy & Engaging Number Games for Preschoolers and Kids in Special Education
Learning numbers can be a blast—especially when we turn it into a game! Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, these playful number activities are perfect for preschoolers and children in special education settings. They’re designed to build number recognition, counting skills, and confidence… all while having FUN! These summer-themed number activities are designed for preschoolers and students in special education, with a focus on visual supports, matching, and hands-on fun.
The best part? Most of these can be laminated and reused as file folder games, worksheets, or task boxes—perfect for classrooms, therapy sessions, or at home!
Materials Needed:
Printable ice cream cones with numbers (1–10)
Printable scoops with dots, ten frames, or number words
How to Play: Students match the correct number of scoops to the cone by counting the dots or reading the number word. Velcro makes it interactive!
Skills Targeted: Number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, visual matching
Number prompts (e.g., “Add 4 shells to the bucket!”)
How to Play: Give kids a scene and a number. They count and glue the correct number of shells onto the picture. Bonus: You can reuse this with different animals (like turtles or starfish)!
Skills Targeted: Counting, following directions, fine motor skills
How to Play: Kids match seeds to the correct watermelon slice. You can also make it a “puzzle” where they have to match pieces that fit together.
Skills Targeted: Number ID, matching quantities to numerals, visual discrimination
Materials Needed:
Printable sand pails labeled with numbers
Small images (like shells, flip-flops, or sunglasses) in sets of 1–10
How to Play: Students “sort” the correct number of summer items into each bucket. Laminate and use Velcro dots for a reusable file folder activity.
Skills Targeted: Sorting, counting, number sense
Materials Needed:
Printable suns with ten frames
Clothespins or cards with numerals 1–10
How to Play: Students count how many “rays” or dots are on the sun and clip or match the correct number. Easy to turn into a file folder or dry-erase activity.
Skills Targeted: Counting, ten frame recognition, fine motor coordination
How to Play: Students trace the number with their finger or a crayon. Add a sensory element by tracing numbers in a shallow tray filled with sand or salt!
Skills Targeted: Number formation, sensory input, pre-writing skills.
💡 BONUS TIP:
For extra durability, laminate your materials and store them in labeled file folders or task boxes. Add visuals and step-by-step instructions for independence!
Wrap-Up: Summer learning can be low-stress and high-fun! These file folder games and worksheets bring sunshine into math time—helping children strengthen number skills while keeping things seasonal and playful. Perfect for your summer school setup or at-home activities!
For more Summer Themed Resources click the links below
