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

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.

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.

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