Spring into your class!
Hey there, teacher friends! Spring has finally arrived! As teachers, we know that this season is the perfect time to refresh our classroom and keep our students engaged and motivated. Whether you’re a high school, primary or a specialist teacher, there are plenty of ways to make the most of this Spring season. In this blog post, I will be chatting to you all about Spring and how we can use it effectively in our classrooms. So, here is a list of how we can start the season of spring off on the right foot! Take some time to reflect on the past year What worked well? What didn’t? As teachers we are masters of self reflecting and pivoting constantly. So why not consider all the progress your students have made and use this information to adjust your lesson plans and activities! Implement things that worked and worked well! Spring is a season that is sometimes about making new, however reflecting on the past – is also a really great strategy. Set new goals! Spring is the perfect time to set new goals for yourself and your students! Whether you’re looking to improve communication skills, socialisation, or academic achievements, remember to make your goals SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It’s also a great time to really take a look at those ILP’s / EIP’s and discuss with caregivers, parents, students and stakeholders what we would like to really focus upon for each student and their diverse learning needs? What are our focuses collectively as a team? ? Get organised and Spring Clean! Spring is a great time to stay organised and freshen up your teaching resources! Make sure your lesson plans and materials are up-to-date and easily accessible. Consider using online tools such as Google Drive to keep everything in one place. And Yes… I have to do this too, have a clean up of your drives! Spring Clean them out and have order and folders that actually help you with your resources and teaching. It’s also a great opportunity to add some spring-themed decorations to your classroom to create a fun and inviting learning environment. Integrate outdoor activities! Spring is the perfect time to take learning outside! Consider incorporating outdoor activities into your lesson plans, such as nature walks, gardening, or science experiments. We are very lucky in our school as we have a lake across the road. Student’s love to access it and integrate our learning with the outdoors. Not only will your students get some fresh air and exercise, but they’ll also have the opportunity to learn in a new and exciting environment. Stay positive and motivated! As the weather warms up, it’s important to stay positive and motivated. Find ways to stay inspired, whether it’s through professional development opportunities, collaborating with colleagues, looking at new resources for your students or simply taking some time for yourself. Remember that your enthusiasm and energy can have a big impact on your students’ success.☕ Spring Resources Speaking of resources, don’t forget to check out our Spring teaching resources. It’s a great way to incorporate the spirit of spring into your lesson plans and help your students reach their full potential. Click the links to check them out! Spring is the perfect time to refresh your special education classroom and keep your students engaged and motivated. By setting new goals, getting organised, integrating outdoor activities, and staying positive and motivated, you can make the most of this season and set yourself and your students up for springing success. Click here for the link to all our spring resources So, what are your favourite Spring resources to use in the classroom? Thank You! ❤️ Thanks for hanging out with us! We hope you found this post helpful to both you and your special students. Be sure to check us out when it comes to special education teaching resources and ideas, The Special Education Studio is where it’s at. Visit our website and socials for helpful tips, resources, and personalised support.
Autumn activities for your class to enjoy!
Hey there, teacher friends! Autumn is a wonderful season for learning and exploring with your special education class. From the changing leaves to the cooler weather, there are plenty of opportunities to engage your students in sensory experiences, creative projects, and outdoor activities. Here are some fall teacher ideas to help you get you started this autumn! Leaf Art How about some leafy art! Collect a variety of leaves in different shapes and colours and use them to create leaf art with your students. You can make leaf rubbings, leaf prints, or leaf collages. This activity is a great way to encourage creativity and fine motor skills, while also exploring the sensory aspects of the changing season. Autumn Bulletin Board Stores We love using our bulletin board – life skills shop tasks in class. They are sooooo visual in learning simple addition and calculating prices of items. We have real life bulletin board images with prices (various shops created each month) and display them on our classroom whiteboard. This gives life skills to our classroom and has students order from a real classroom shop! A great activity for this fall! Click on the link to find out more about this visual Autumn bulletin board Scavenger Hunt Create an autumn-themed scavenger hunt for your students to explore the outdoors. You can include items such as pine cones, acorns, or leaves in different colours. This activity is a great way to promote problem-solving skills and teamwork, while also getting your students up and moving. Pumpkin Decorating Provide your students with small pumpkins and a variety of decorating materials, such as paint, markers, stickers, or sting, and let them decorate their own pumpkins. This activity is a fun way to encourage creativity and fine motor skills, while also providing an opportunity for self-expression. So why not take advantage of this season to create unforgettable moments with your students? By embracing the spirit of autumn and fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity, you can help your students develop a lifelong love of learning and a deeper appreciation for the world around them. So, what are your favourite Autumn / fall activities to do with your class? Let us know in the comments below! And if you’re looking for some amazing teaching resources to support your special education students, check out our website for some great ideas! Thank You! ❤️ Thanks for hanging out with us! We hope you found this post helpful to both you and your special students. Be sure to check us out when it comes to special education teaching resources and ideas, The Special Education Studio is where it’s at. Visit our website and socials for helpful tips, resources, and personalised support.
13 Halloween Books and Movies
Hey there, teacher friends! Did you know that October is National Book Month for all our American teachers friends? How cool is that! So let’s kick off October with a real “treat”. As Halloween approaches, many teachers are looking for books and films that they can share with their students to celebrate this holiday season. Whether you’re looking for novels and movies that are spooky, mysterious, or just plain fun, there are plenty of options available. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing some of my top 13 favourite Halloween books and movies for teachers that are perfect for your Special Education class. So get ready to add some Halloween magic to your classroom! Pig the Monster by Aaron Blabey “Pig the Monster” is a children’s book featuring a lovable but self-centred pug who sets out to scare his friend Trevor to show off his bravery. However, things do not go as planned, leading to a hilarious and heartwarming story that teaches valuable lessons about empathy, kindness, and treating others with respect. The book is perfect for Special Education students, with engaging storytelling and adorable illustrations. The Witches by Roald Dahl “The Witches” by Roald Dahl is a beloved children’s book that has been captivating readers for decades! It tells the story of a young boy who discovers a coven of witches who are planning to turn all children into mice. It’s one of our favourites to read in our classroom. One of the things that makes “The Witches” such a special book is its message. Dahl uses his story to teach children about the importance of courage, kindness, and acceptance. He shows them that even when things seem hopeless, there is always a way to triumph over adversity. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K Rowling I know… How could we not include it? I mean it made everyone fall in love with reading again, it’s an icon. “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” is a magical adventure that introduces readers to the wizarding world. J.K. Rowling’s writing is enchanting, and her characters are unforgettable. This book is a must-read for both children and adults who love fantasy and adventure. Plus, it even has a chapter (chpt 10) entitled “Halloween”! Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson “Room on the Broom” is not only an entertaining read, but it is also a great picture book for special education classes. The colorful illustrations and simple, rhyming text make it an accessible read for students with various learning abilities. The book’s positive themes of friendship, kindness, and cooperation can also be used as a valuable teaching tool for social-emotional learning in the classroom. There was an Old Mummy who swallowed a Spider by Jennifer Ward “There Was an Old Mummy Who Swallowed a Spider” is a funny and colourful picture book suitable for high school students with special education needs. The rhyming text and humorous illustrations make it an accessible read for students with different learning abilities, and it can also be used to teach science topics like animals and the food chain in an engaging way. Frankenstein By Usborne Young Reading (Rosie Dickins) I actually stumbled across these amazing book sets at my local library. They are really great for special education! These are easy reading chapter books, yet still have the harder subject matter that maybe older students require. “Frankenstein” by Usborne Young Reading is a beautifully illustrated and simplified retelling of the classic horror story. The manageable chapter lengths and accessible language make it an engaging and enjoyable read for students with different learning abilities, as well as introducing them to classic horror literature. Gnome Alone Gnome Alone is an animated film that promotes teamwork, acceptance, and addresses themes of fear and courage. The movie features a strong female protagonist and teaches children the importance of working together and appreciating differences – perfect for special education classes! There is also a good comedy element to the movie, making it a great choice for this Halloween season. Hocus Pocus by Walt Disney Hocus Pocus is a Halloween classic that has been entertaining audiences since its release in 1993. The movie tells the story of three witches who are resurrected in Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night and must be stopped before they can cause havoc on the town. The movie teaches important lessons about the consequences of bullying, the power of friendship, and the importance of standing up for what is right. This could be a good idea if teachers wanted to utilise these themes, so that that for students to learn and discuss its topic further. The nightmare before Christmas by Tim burton Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a beloved animated movie that gives you all the spooky feels! If you’re studying design and animation, this movie is definitely worth checking out! It’s the perfect way to set the tone for a Halloween celebration in your class! This movie is one of our top favourites and is sure to get you in the Halloween spirit! The witches – older version We absolutely love anything spooky with Anjelica Huston – She is amazing! If you want to be really intrigued, watch the older 1990 version of “The Witches”! This is the best witch movie in our class’s opinion – it’s magical and adventurous! Students could perhaps do a film study and compare both versions of the movie – making notes of similarities and differences. It’s a truly great movie to watch with your class and get into the Halloween spirit! The little vampire Although “The Little Vampire” movie didn’t do amazing at the box office in 2017, it’s still a good little movie to watch! It stars Rudolph, a 13-year-old vampire, who meets Tony, a 13-year-old human. Both help each other to fight against the notorious vampire hunter after Rudolf and his family. It’s spooky and exciting, yet also has great social undertones for courage and friendship! It’s definitely a movie worth checking out with your
Vocational Work Skills for students
Hey there, teacher friends! As we prepare our students for the workforce, it’s important to help them develop vocational skills that will set them up for success. In this post, I’ll be sharing some ideas on how you can incorporate vocational skills into your classroom. Let’s dive in! Communication Skills We all know that communication is key in any job. Help your students improve their speaking and listening skills by providing opportunities for them to practise. You could even have them practise role-playing scenarios, like conducting a job interview or presenting a project. And don’t forget about written communication – teach your students how to write professional emails and reports that will impress potential employers. Computer Skills In today’s digital age, it’s essential that students have a basic understanding of computer programs. Teach them how to use software programs like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You could even have them create a presentation on a topic they’re passionate about! And with social media being such a big part of our lives, it’s important for students to understand how to use it for professional purposes. Time Management ⏰ Time management is something we all struggle with, but it’s a crucial skill to have in the workforce. Teach your students how to prioritise tasks, set goals, and manage their time effectively. ⏱️ You could have them create a study schedule or even a personal calendar to help them stay organised. Remember, a little planning goes a long way! Customer Service In many industries, customer service is essential. Teach your students how to interact with customers in a professional and friendly manner. They should know how to handle customer complaints with grace and provide excellent customer service that will leave a lasting impression. Technical Skills If your students are interested in industries like construction or manufacturing, technical skills are a must. Teach them how to use tools and equipment, and how to read technical drawings and schematics. You could even have them work on a hands-on project to put their skills to the test! Leadership Leadership skills are important in any job, regardless of the industry. Teach your students how to delegate tasks, motivate others, and make decisions. Encourage them to lead by example and communicate effectively with their team If you need some Vocational resources for your students – please Click HERE to grab my vocational bundle Unit for Special education student’s diverse individual needs. It’s differentiated and covers all months of the year in preparing students form a variety of explored career paths. Thank You! ❤️ Thanks for hanging out with us! We hope you found this post helpful to both you and your special students. Be sure to check us out when it comes to special education teaching resources and ideas, The Special Education Studio is where it’s at. Visit our website and socials for helpful tips, resources, and personalised support.
Life Skill Math Fun!
Hey there, teacher friends! Let’s chat Math… I know I can hear some people groaning already…. However Math doesn’t have to be boring and a BIG yawn fest. Mathematics is an essential subject that plays a crucial role in our daily lives, but for many students, it can be a challenging and intimidating subject. As a teacher, one of your primary goals is to make math learning enjoyable and engaging for your students. Making math fun can help your students develop a positive attitude towards the subject, which can have a significant impact on their learning outcomes. In this blog post, we will explore some fun and creative ways to teach math in the classroom that can help your students build their math skills while having fun at the same time. Let’s get started – I have some creative ideas for you. Math Olympics Have students compete in different maths challenges such as speed maths, mental maths, and estimation challenges. This can help students develop their maths skills and build their confidence in a fun and interactive way. This is a great one to illustrate inclusivity of cultures and embed it into your curriculum! Math Manipulatives Math manipulatives are crucial tools for teaching maths concepts! They help students to see, touch, and interact with abstract ideas in a more tangible way, improving their understanding and retention of new concepts. Here’s a snapshot of our MAB Block Task Cards in action, providing hands-on learning with colourful blocks to help students practise counting and basic addition skills. We often pull out the MAB blocks or even counters to help this task box set. Have a look at some of our math task card resources Maths Art Maths Art is always a favourite activity. Having various visual learners in my class, it really helps having illustrated tasks to help with mathematical learning. One of my students’ favourites is colour by code. Colour by code is a colouring activity based upon rounding up prices. Students colour a created image based upon the money specified that needs rounding up in price, with the answers represented by various colours. These are all differentiated for different learning levels, with a variety of images per pack. We usually complete a colour by code activity with a different holidays / seasons to make it extra fun! Click here to purchase. Maths Escape Room Create an escape room game that involves solving maths problems to progress through different rooms. This can be a fun and challenging way for students to work together to solve problems and develop their critical thinking skills. Menu Maths These are bright, differentiated life skills activities, based upon ordering from a menu. Students are given a poster of created prices (various posters included) and work their way through a progression of maths equations. It’s like going to the store and ordering food without having to leave the classroom. It’s could be accompanied by how to order social situations and role play activities. Menu maths is a great way to take your students on a life skills excursion of cuisines without leaving the classroom. Click here to see menu maths resources! The good thing about maths, is it can be embedded in most things students are learning. By making maths enjoyable and exciting it won’t even feel like they are actually learning! In maths special education students can build their maths skills, yet also develop additional life skills whilst learning the subject. What are your favourite Maths tasks? I would love to know ! Connect with us on Instagram. Thank You! ❤️ Thanks for hanging out with us! We hope you found this post helpful to both you and your special students. Be sure to check us out when it comes to special education teaching resources and ideas, The Special Education Studio is where it’s at. Visit our website and socials for helpful tips, resources, and personalised support.
Thanksgiving classroom ideas!
Hey there, teacher friends! We actually have turkeys at our school! We have an agricultural faculty attached to our school. Not kidding! Its awesome! And it always makes me think how Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year for classrooms to come together and celebrate all the things they are thankful for. In this blog post, we will explore five fun and engaging activities that cater to the unique needs and strengths of special learners during this Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving Crafts Arts and crafts activities are always popular with students. Get your students in the holiday spirit by creating thanksgiving-themed crafts Create a special Thanksgiving craft You can create a turkey craft using construction paper or make a Thanksgiving-themed sensory bottle. You can also have your learner help with creating Thanksgiving decorations such as a wreath to display in the classroom or a gratitude bulletin board. Focus on gratitude Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and focus on gratitude. You can create a gratitude activity by having your learner create a gratitude journal or a gratitude tree. You can encourage them to write down things they are thankful for or draw pictures of things that make them happy. You can also encourage them to share what they are thankful for during the Thanksgiving meal. Here is a free printable for a gratitude jar activity if you would like it Volunteer in the community Volunteering in the community can be a great way to teach special learners the importance of giving back and showing gratitude. You can volunteer at a local fundraiser, help with a Thanksgiving meal for a charity group, or participate in a local event. This can be a great way to create meaningful memories while also giving back to the community. Autumn / Fall Bulletin board shops We love using our bulletin board – life skills shop tasks in class. They are sooooo visual in learning simple addition and calculating prices of items. We have real life bulletin board images with prices (various shops created each month) and display them on our classroom whiteboard. This gives life skills to our classroom and has students order from a real classroom shop! A great activity for this Thanksgiving holiday. Click on the link to find out more about this visual Autumn bulletin board By embracing creativity, empathy, and inclusion, we can help special learners fully participate in the holiday festivities and create positive memories that will last a lifetime. So this Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks for the unique gifts and talents of every special learner and celebrate their unique contribution to our lives. Happy Thanksgiving! Thank You! ❤️ Thanks for hanging out with us! We hope you found this post helpful to both you and your special students. Be sure to check us out when it comes to special education teaching resources and ideas, The Special Education Studio is where it’s at. Visit our website and socials for helpful tips, resources, and personalised support.
7 Christmas class ideas!
Hey there, teacher friends! Christmas is a festive time of year that can be celebrated in special education classrooms in a variety of ways. Let’s jingle all the way into some chris-citing ideas to help you get started! Christmas Crafts Arts and crafts activities are always popular with students. Get your students in the holiday spirit by creating Christmas-themed crafts like ornaments, wreaths, or snowflakes with different materials like construction paper, paint, or even sensory materials like glitter or cotton balls. Ho ho ho, it’s time to get creative and deck those classroom halls! ✏️ Directed Drawings Directed drawing is an amazing activity that can be easily differentiated to meet the needs of learners of all abilities. By providing step-by-step instructions, learners who struggle with fine motor skills or attention to detail can still participate and create a beautiful piece of drawing. Additionally, learners who need an extra challenge can be given more complex templates or encouraged to add their own unique touches to their artwork. Click here for Christmas Directed Drawing resource Christmas Cooking Cooking is a fun way to celebrate any holiday, and Christmas is no exception! Have your students whip up some Christmas-themed snacks like sugar cookies or gingerbread houses, or involve them in the process of decorating a holiday cake. It’s time to bake up some Christmas magic in the school or classroom kitchen! Maybe you could even design the gingerbread houses students want to create as a design task. Or even sell them for fundraising ideas for your classroom. Get all the parents and kids involved this festive season. Task Cards Task cards are a versatile and engaging teaching tool that can be used to promote active learning and student-centred instruction. The Life Skill and Vocational Christmas – Next Dollar Up Task Cards are full of Differentiated activities (120+ Cards). Including student progress and IEP/ ILP prewritten goals, and answer pages for teachers! Also including numbered cards, Designed box covers, SMART Goals and Special Education Data tracking for students Click here for Christmas Task Card resources Christmas Story Time Reading books about the Christmas story can help students understand the meaning behind the holiday. Choose books with simple language and bright illustrations to engage your students and spark discussions about the story. Some of our classroom favourites are How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss The Night Before Christmas” by Clement C. Moore The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg and Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey Christmas Carol Singing Choose songs with simple lyrics and catchy tunes, or use visual aids like videos or song books to help students follow along. Singing Christmas carols is a fun and engaging way to celebrate the holiday. Let’s rock around the Christmas tree and sing some carols with our best “fa-la-la-la-la”! You could even together as a class practice sign language movements in singing the song, this is great maybe for non-verbal students. This way everyone can participate. ☀️Christmas morning warm ups The Christmas Day morning warm ups are a must for any Special Education classroom! This special edition of the Life Skill Daily Morning Work is full of Daily Emotional Santa check ins for students and Differentiated activities across a range of curriculums and key learning areas. Super Easy No prep, great for the busy Special Education Teacher ❤️ Each Warm Up page comes with Christmas Based: ✅Emotional Emoji Check in ✅Weekly traceable days ✅Calendar skills ✅Life Skills ✅Telling Time ✅Community Signs ✅Maths Skills ✅Literacy Skills ✅Daily Vocab words ✅World Culture ✅Binder Cover ✅Student Monitoring Page ✅Monthly Title Page ✅Completion Certificate Click here for Christmas Morning Warm Up resources Christmas is a wonderful time to bring some holiday cheer into your special education classroom. So, let’s have some holly jolly fun and celebrate Christmas with our special education kiddos and enjoy this magical special time together. If you are after a Bundle of Christmas activities, come and visit our store. Click the link. Thank You! ❤️ Thanks for hanging out with us! We hope you found this post helpful to both you and your special students. Be sure to check us out when it comes to special education teaching resources and ideas, The Special Education Studio is where it’s at. Visit our website and socials for helpful tips, resources, and personalised support.
Fun Math Ideas in Sped Education
Hey there, teacher friends! I’m not going to lie, growing up I absolutely despised maths. It was definitely not my strong suit. However, I am now confident enough to know how to work out a discounted sale amount on a rack of clothes and how much change I should get when ordering a coffee – you know the important stuff. I have a vivid memory of a very old maths teacher, handing me the same old textbook, and writing a few notes on the board, then explaining in less than 5 minutes the unit in the book we had to complete. Then he would fall asleep, I’m pretty sure at the back of the classroom. We all know this story. However, it’s not the one I want told for my classroom. EVER! Maths can be a challenge for students with special needs, but with the right approach, it can also be a lot of fun! It doesn’t have to be a snooze fest; it can be actually enjoyable and, more importantly, skilling up our students for life. Here are some ideas for engaging and motivating maths activities you too could use in your classrooms.⭐️ Simple Math Games Maths games are a great way to make learning maths fun and engaging for special education students. There are soooooo many different maths games available that are easy to learn and really fun to actually play.▶️ One popular maths game in our classroom is a simple game of Uno, which can help students practise number recognition, counting, and addition skills. Our class was actually given a donated game of Yahtzee. We soon found out that it is another classic game that can be adapted for maths practice by having students roll dice and add up the numbers to practise addition and multiplication. The big one, Monopoly. Fantastic for life skills overall, even if you’re the banker and have to sort out and count money for players on the board. It’s long-lasting! Sometimes we have to leave it out on another table in our classroom for rainy day, as it takes a long time to get to the end. Sudoku is another popular maths game that can be a fun way to practise logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students become involved by filling in a grid with numbers so that each row, column, and 3×3 sub-grid contains all of the digits from 1 to 9. Math Manipulatives Math manipulatives are crucial tools for teaching maths concepts! They help students to see, touch, and interact with abstract ideas in a more tangible way, improving their understanding and retention of new concepts. Here’s a snapshot of our MAB Block Task Cards in action, providing hands-on learning with colourful blocks to help students practise counting and basic addition skills. We often pull out the MAB blocks or even counters to help this task box set. Visit our website to look at our resources Maths Art Maths Art is always a favourite activity. Having various visual learners in my class, it really helps having illustrated tasks to help with mathematical learning. One of my students’ favourites is colour by code. Colour by code is a colouring activity based upon rounding up prices. Students colour a created image based upon the money specified that needs rounding up in price, with the answers represented by various colours. These are all differentiated for different learning levels, with a variety of images per pack. We usually complete a colour by code activity with a different holidays / seasons to make it extra fun! Click here to look at colour by code resources Cooking and Baking Both cooking and baking are amazing subjects for mathematical learning for our special ed kiddos. When in the kitchen our students are faced with so many learning opportunities from following recipes and measuring ingredients to practising measurement and fractions. It has so many embedded life skills, but gives so many engaging maths based activities. Math Scavenger Hunt Maths problems can can be big adventurers. Really great for kinesthetic learning types. Why not create a fun scavenger hunt that requires solving maths problems to find clues in your own school. This could be a great team building exercise working on those social skills too. Math Songs and Videos Rapping times tables are a great one, and is great for key auditory learning students . There are many on You Tube! Just type into a channel search for catchy maths songs and videos on topics like fractions and multiplication. Or have students create their own catchy maths song / poem or rap. This would be a killer assignment to present your students mathematical skills. Maths Puzzles Sudoku and crosswords can challenge problem-solving and critical thinking skills, while reinforcing maths concepts. Or how about getting an old puzzle – and write maths equations on the backs of the pieces.Then let students put together with corresponding answers (fitting pieces). How cool would that be! Menu Maths These are bright, differentiated life skills activities, based upon ordering from a menu. Students are given a poster of created prices (various posters included) and work their way through a progression of maths equations. It’s like going to the store and ordering food without having to leave the classroom. It’s could be accompanied by how to order social situations and role play activities. Menu maths is a great way to take your students on a life skills excursion of cuisines without leaving the classroom. Click here to see menu maths resources! The good thing about maths, is it can be embedded in most things students are learning. By making maths enjoyable and exciting it won’t even feel like they are actually learning! In maths special education students can build their maths skills, yet also develop additional life skills whilst learning the subject. What are your favourite Maths tasks? I would love to know! Connect with us on Instagram. Thank You! ❤️ Thanks for hanging out with us! We hope you found this post helpful
Task Boxes in the Classroom
Hey there, teacher friends! Have you heard of task boxes? I’m assuming you have seen them somewhere…These nifty little tools are a fantastic way to help you in your Special Education classroom! I mean seriously, who knew that these simple tiny colourful boxes can cause a huge wave of awesomeness for any teacher. They come in a variety of colours and sizes, and I can first handedly admit their super powers or effectiveness. So grab your favourite cup of teacher fuel, ☕ and let’s dive into the world of task boxes! 1. Classroom Organisation Classroom organisation can often be a massive task in itself when trying to set up for particular materials and plan for the diverse learning needs in a variety of settings. That’s where task boxes come in! These little guys are like personal assistants, helping you improve productivity, organisation and efficiency in your classroom. Once upon a time in our classroom, we used to have a major problem finding all our dice for Maths tasks… We were constantly saying “Where the heck did I put that?” and “I haven’t seen that in a blue moon..” Not anymore! We use task boxes! They are all labelled and sooooo easy to find and the best part about it, students can access them now easily too. We have an order and a plan for our learning 🙂 Our classroom is structured in an orderly way. We have a system for our learning and supplies. 2. Incorporating for Differentiated Instruction As teachers understand that differentiated instruction is like the secret sauce that makes learning stick. It’s about creating an environment where every student receives the support they need to learn and grow. And when it comes to bringing this approach to life, task boxes are the way to go! Task boxes are like magic treasure chests that can be filled with all sorts of goodies to cater to every kind of learner. Maybe you could try placing their colourful visual aids inside, or fill them with engaging hands-on projects, how about thought-provoking task cards, or even smaller resources that are labelled for a particular student’s sensory needs. Task Boxes are made for individualised differentiated learning. 3. Cross Curricular Learning Task boxes are also great for creating cross curricular learning opportunities. In a special education setting as many teachers know and understand, we often have to multi-task and teach in multiple different methods and ways. This is where task boxes can become so handy! Let’s imagine I wanted to teach a history lesson based upon ‘Ancient Egypt’. One box may be dedicated to physically touching things from the past or a box with supplies to create a mummification process. This would be great for my kinesthetic learners or STEM learning. Another box I might set up could be, ordering dates in chronological order and doing a writing task. This would be a great task for my reader/writer and mathematics groups. Whilst another task box could contain a visual hieroglyphic secret message. In which my students have to decode to get an answer or recreate their own hieroglyphs. Great for art/design based learning. See how we are all studying history in this lesson, yet we are covering different methods and cross curricular learning opportunities for our students… Task boxes, yep, task boxes. 4.Classroom Centre Stations Classroom centres are always a regular go-to in our classroom. Centre activities give our class multiple learning opportunities yet still allow us as teachers to target very specific goals for each of our students. This is again where… drum roll please ‘Task Boxes’ can come in handy! For example, in our High School Special Education class – I might have one student that really needs to work on their times tables as part of his IEP goals. Another student in my class may need to spend some more time on maths tasks in simple mathematical equations as part of her goal this year. And one student may need to have extra fast finishing work once they have completed what I have arranged for them…. By creating task boxes centre stations, allow me to simultaneously – provide various learning opportunities in different areas to what individual students need. These boxes can deliver multiple different key learning areas to students at one time! It can also help students become more independent and empowered in their own learning experiences. 5. Life Skill Learning – Task Cards Do you want to know what’s really exciting in the world of task boxes? TASK CARDS! Yes, I said it, task cards – they fit right inside a plastic task box perfectly! Some of you may be wondering though, what exactly is a task card? Well, task cards are small cards that provide instructions or questions related to a specific skill or topic. They’re versatile and can be used to teach a wide range of life skills for Special Ed students. Life skills task cards cover a range of skills, from basic hygiene and safety to more complex skills like cooking and money management. By using task cards, we can help our students become more independent and confident in their daily lives. So why not add a little fun to your classroom and start using life skills task cards? I include task cards in many of my lessons. If you’re pressed for time, I’ve even made a mega bundle life skill set for special education teachers. Check it out! ⭐Workplace Signs ⭐Road Signs ⭐Abbreviations ⭐Fractions Pizza ⭐Beach Safety ⭐Sorting Recycling ⭐Laundry Skills ⭐Community Places ⭐Next Dollar Up ⭐Emergencies ⭐MAB Blocks ⭐Calendar Skills ⭐Email Skills ⭐Kitchen Appliances and Utensils ⭐Cleaning and Supplies ⭐Do I Have Enough Money? ⭐Measuring Cups ⭐What To Wear?⭐Etiquette Skills ⭐Community Helpers⭐Travel Skills ⭐Food Storage ⭐Directional and Positional ⭐Nutritional Eating This Bundle is full of Differentiated activities (120+ Cards per each set). Including the following 24 TASK BOX SETS!!! What is your favourite way to use task boxes in your classroom? I would love to know! Thank You! ❤️ Thanks for hanging out with us! We hope you found this post helpful to both you and your special students. Be sure to check
Warm Ups this winter!
Hey there, teacher friends! It’s cold, it’s dark and we are all feeling it! Winter time can bring its own set of challenges for special education classes and its teachers. And yet, as temperatures drop and daylight dwindles, it’s important to keep students engaged and motivated! One way to do this is through daily warm-ups that promote physical activity, cognitive development, and socialisation. In today’s blog let’s look at all the wonderful winter daily warm Ups we can use to keep our kids motivated to learn! Morning Stretching Exercises Encourage students to start the day with a few simple stretching exercises. This can help them wake up their bodies and get their blood flowing. You can create a routine that includes stretches like arm circles, toe touches, and neck rolls. It’s also a great opportunity to practise counting and sequencing skills. Brain Teasers Winter is a great time to focus on cognitive development. Brain teasers are a fun way to challenge students and get them thinking creatively. You can use puzzles, riddles, and word games to help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Socialisation Activities For students with socialisation goals, winter can be a difficult time. Encourage socialisation with activities like conversation starters, team-building exercises, and cooperative games. These activities can help students build relationships with their peers and develop communication skills. Winter Themed Activities Winter offers a wealth of opportunities for themed activities. You can create a winter-themed sensory bin filled with snow, pinecones, and other winter objects. How about trying some of directed drawing or bulletin board winter themed activities? They are great for winter themed content to get your students motivated. Click here for this Winter resource Daily morning warm ups activity Daily warm-up resources are a great way to get students with special needs engaged and focused at the start of the day. If you are looking for easy, and engaging morning work, you will love my done-for-you morning work for each day of the school year mega bundle! ❤️ no matter what month your winter season falls in. It has Differentiated levelled activities across a range of curriculums and key learning areas. Click here to find out more about Winter Bulletin Boards By incorporating daily warm-ups into your special education class, you can help students stay engaged, motivated, and focused during the winter season. Remember to keep things fun and interactive to ensure that students enjoy the activities and stay engaged. Thank You! ❤️ Thanks for hanging out with us! We hope you found this post helpful to both you and your special students. ___________________________________________________ ⭐️Join our free resource library (aka The Studio) to get exclusive FREE content for your classroom! ✏️ Here, in the Studio you’ll get awesome, helpful teaching resources for your class, from Daily Morning Warm Up activities, easy printing classroom tasks, games and more!!! It’s all free, and exclusive to email subscribers. Download to your heart’s content! ___________________________________________________ Shoot me an email or Instagram message if you have a suggestion for something you would like to see in the library Studio. We’re thrilled to have you!