Today is our National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Check out http://www.stayteen.org/ for a quiz for high school students. Many teens might say the quiz is "silly." But...it opens the door for the more important activity of starting a conversation. A delicate conversation topic as a teacher! But...having a class where 2 of my students were pregnant the following year, I regret not having those conversations. Providing information about local health departments, information on how ... Read Full Story
1st Listen. To yourself, that is.*What grade level or age group drew you towards working in special ed?*From the interview, which administrator & school team did you connect with?2nd Investigate. Ask your potential school sites a few more questions on a site visit. Did the interview team give you a tour of the school? If not, request one. Find out:*The number of students on your caseload.*What are the disability codes of the student you would be serving. To over-generalize....developing ... Read Full Story
Number one: Teachers.net. Specifically, the special education teacher chatboard As a college student to more experienced teacher, I always can find help and insight to issues on this chat board. I find the best ideas and resources come from other teachers and parents.Number two: Yahoo & Google. Specifically the yahoo news and google news sections. It is easy to find relevant, interesting, motivating material that can be adapted to different objectives. Instant, low prep, easy, literacy ba... Read Full Story
Lots! Many, maybe even most, students with autism will be in the general education classes. Because students on the Autism Spectrum have difficulty reading social cues without proper supports they can be be shunned by peers and labeled annoying/troublemakers by their teachers. Employing a "hidden curriculum" strategy by general education teachers can be very effective & helpful for the student. It is also very low prep and easy to implement. The “hidden curriculum” is the se... Read Full Story
Ah, the impulsive, distractable & hyperactive. Quite the combination!First & last, develop a relationship with the student. Find out what they are good at. Find out what they like. Find out what motivates them. Spend the first interactions of the day checking in with them....how was their morning? what did you eat for breakfast? what are your plans for the weekend? Nice job yesterday when you were listening during reading....etc. I have found with my students with "extreme ADHD&q... Read Full Story
Hello all-I'd like to let you know about my new ebook, "Classroom Strategies that Increase the Success of Students with Autism."Working with students & people with autism has always been a passion of mine. Last year after some serious advocating, begging & parent support, I was given the OK by admin to hold social-cognitive groups for my students with autism. Although I advocated for this to happen, it also cut into my prep time and increased the amount of prep I need... Read Full Story
Hello world.Please visit http://www.teacherhelpdesk.com for all your special education & new teacher resource needs. Hope this is helpful. Thanks much! Read Full Story
