Resource Room Savers!!

Wow,

What would I have done without amazing mentor teachers, friends and my mother the last few weeks? I realized how many ideas I have stolen from the wonderful teachers in my life (you all know who you are). I was always told...never re-invent anything if it's already been made! 

This is very true. I was able to structure my resource room according to supplemental & reinforcing reading, math, spelling and writing activities I have seen during my past teaching experiences. My resource room is an instructional room where I provide the instruction. Students do not bring outside work from their general education classes. 

The programs I will be using are as follows:

• Everyday Math
• Leveled Literacy Intervention
• Discovery Reading
• Lexia
• Read Naturally
• Spelling & Journal.

I will let you all know the benefits of these programs in more detail as soon as I become more fluent in them. They all have great components, and they are used school-wide.

I really think the main advice I would give to myself a month ago would be "DON'T RUSH TO SCHEDULE STUDENTS THE FIRST WEEK." I rushed! Instead, give yourself some time to view the general education teacher's schedules, review your student's IEP's and hours they need to be serviced for special education services, and write up all their goals and put them on a poster in your room so it is very easy for you to progress monitor constantly. Take time to breathe.

Goals should be evaluated each month and you can make it easier on yourself by having the goals visible throughout the room. The students being aware of their goals also puts responsibility/accountability on them which is a necessary attribute to have, especially if you will need accommodations provided for you in different settings throughout your academic career.

I have also found the importance of structure and teaching a routine in the resource room setting. I am using a token economy, and the students are responding well to this. Students can earn money according to their behavior in class.

I implemented a whole group earning system where students must exhibit positive behaviors to earn a water drop to put inside the pail on the bulletin board. When this pail is full, the students will earn a class pizza party! I want to teach these 5th graders the importance of team-work.

So far, so good. If you have any ideas for me, PLEASE, let me know. I love sharing ideas!!


Miss P

Great website for Math Skills K-8th grade!!

This is a great website that includes free math skills practice for children ages K-8th grade! You can use the "Math Practice" area to practice math skills with your kiddos or students at anytime for FREE. The website provides state standards as well! This comes in very handy...especially since school districts are very vocal about aligning all content taught with state standards, for all teachers, even special education teachers. If you know your child or student needs to work on a specific area in math, it is easy to navigate through the practice section to find the perfect fit.

The practice section allows the children to complete the math problems on the computer which increases motivation and makes learning fun! We know how our kids in the 21st century adore technology!

Parents---You can join the website for $79 per year and receive more benefits and access to more activities and updates on your child's progress. 

Teachers---there is also a membership available for $199 that gives all your students access to the comprehensive math activities, keeps track of student progress and allows you as a teacher to set goals according to the areas that your student needs more remediation in. 

I am going to use this website as a resource during my first year of teaching!
 
I'll keep you updated as to how useful the site proves itself to be. If it is, I may think about signing up for a teacher membership!! 

Check it out....

http://www.ixl.com/math/grades

I can't get enough of......OLIVIA!

From the first moment I caught a glimpse of the cover of the "Olivia" series by Ian Falconer....(a small diva pig with big dreams and personality)... I fell in love instantly! This series not only encompasses humor for children, but also makes us step back as adults to remember the creativity and HUGE dreams of our little ones. 

I totally recommend having these books in your lower elementary classrooms as I believe they are fun for all children and will motivate your students to read, read, read!! These books are very entertaining and great read-aloud stories. You'll never guess what Olivia will get into next....and her confidence is contagious!

Olivia's Website--Click here to check her out!

Relaxation Centers in the Classroom

Our students with special needs, along with students within the general education population, deal with multiple stresses that impact their daily performance in an academic setting. With this said, often when a teacher sees a student who is not working to their potential, the first response is to criticize the student and tell them if they do not perform, there will be a consequence of some sort that follows. 

Instead of denying the stress our students deal with in the 21st century, let's try to incorporate activities into our classroom that decrease this stress. I know I would have benefited from these practices throughout my entire public school career. I was a high anxiety child and often had stomachaches that sent me to the office, and eventually home. If a child is sent home, they are missing out on social and academic learning opportunities that are so critical for a child!

In an attempt to find some easy resources for teachers to turn to for ideas on relaxation centers, I came across a great article:

Reading Rockets

Here are a few ideas that one could incorporate into their relaxation center, which by the way, should not be confused with a sensory area.The relaxation center is meant for the student to come to and be calm.The student will take part in some activities that allow the mind to release the thoughts that are causing anxiety at that particular time.

Relaxation centers

To assure that stress management will not be shelved and simply discussed once a year, a relaxation center can be set up, to which students can be assigned regularly (two to three times per week). A chart indicating the time each student spends at the center may be useful. Designate a small area, relatively free from sound and noise distractions. A study carrel with a comfortable chair should be provided. Decorate the immediate area with calm colors and soothing pictures or wallpaper designs. A cassette player with earphones will be needed. A collection of relaxation audio cassettes should be housed, as should biofeedback equipment if possible.

The special education classroom may be the only place where these children will be equipped with stress management skills which will become increasingly more important as the pressures to achieve academically increase.

(Some information from article "Stress Management for the Learning Disabled" by Ronald L. Rubenzer 1988).

Response to Intervention--Behavioral Model

After attending the MATCEI (Michigan Association of Teachers of Children with Emotional Impairment) conference in April, I was fortunate enough to learn a great detail about RTI from a behavioral model stand point. 

Let's give all students data based intervention for their behaviors and THEN...for the students who don't respond to that school-wide positive behavior support system, we will look at the function of their behaviors and see what we can do as teachers to increase their positive, appropriate behaviors through more data based interventions. 

I am sure I have mentioned the "Safe and Civil Schools" by Randy Sprick, but I wanted to mention that even if the school you teach at does not implement Randy's program, it would benefit your students to take a look at the positive behavior management system from the RTI standpoint! 

Here is the website, please visit for more information:

http://www.safeandcivilschools.com/

Berrien Springs Public Schools

I was recently hired for my first resource room teaching position in Berrien Springs Public Schools. Go Shamrocks!! BSPS partakes in district-wide learning goals to ensure that students practice and master the critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity skills essential to success and productivity in our 21st century global community. 

As we constantly assess our students, it is so important that we are evaluating these skills. Our goal is for our students to be able to ask themselves these questions so they can self monitor and become independent in these areas.

Here is a short overview of these indicators of success:

1. Critical Thinker- How do I think, reason and solve problems? 
2. Communicator- How do I understand and communicate ideas?
3. Collaborator- How do I work with others?
4. Creator- How do I demonstrate what I know, think or feel?

If our students are able to use these indicators of success, they will feel proud about their work and continue to reflect and make adjustments =)

Data Collection Forms and More!

Check out this website for generic data collection forms and information about teaching students with autism!

CLICK HERE: http://www.polyxo.com/data/

Theories of Behavior Problems in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment

My fellow special educator and friend, Kelly, and I were doing some research for an upcoming assignment. We found some interesting information in regards to theories on etiologies of behavior problems in individuals with cognitive impairment. I will break these concepts down in a comprehensive manner as it is always useful for educators to understand the function of our student’s behaviors. Behaviors are a form of COMMUNICATION!!
Learned helplessness: 

• Children with cognitive impairment often have difficulties communicating their needs, wants and feelings. The motor, sensory and communication difficulties impede the child's ability to act on the environment around them and effectively understand the results of their actions.
• When adults do not expect the child to inform them of his/her needs, the child becomes passive.
• This results in the child being misunderstood as well as a passive personality.

WHAT CAN WE DO? 

1. Provide adaptations and instruction for students so they can be aware and in control of their environment. 
2. Provide multiple means of communication (assistive technology)so they can voice and complete their own tasks.

Self-Injurious Behavior

• SIB is exhibited anywhere from 3-17% in students with cognitive impairment. SIB includes behaviors such as head banging, hair pulling, regurgitation, amputation of fingers and eye-poking.
• Many etiologies have been suggested including specific syndromes such as Retts and Lesch-Nyhan. There has also been studies that have found  alterations in neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine and opiods as well as seizures which may affect the chemical balance of the brain.
• Compulsive Behavior Disorders and Communication deficits also play a part in SIB.
• It is important to find the function of the behavior as these behaviors are very detrimental to development as well as cause intense physical harm and tissue damage to the students.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

1. Be PRO-ACTIVE!
2. Use a functional behavior analysis to assess the behavior that is being exhibited and the function of the behavior.
3. Have multiple people observe and collect data on the student!

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Sensory integration is a very important part of our daily functioning! Some of us are affected more by sensory stimulation around us, so it is important that we take this into account with our own children (does your child hate wearing certain clothes that feel "itchy” or become anxious around loud crowds or music) and students. 

Sensory Integration Activities are the lifeline to providing and achieving the necessary challenges for your child so they maximize

• Daily functioning
• Intellectual, social, and emotional development
• The development of a positive self-esteem
• A mind and body which is ready for learning
• Positive interactions in the world around him
• The achievement of normal developmental milestones 

Check out this website to find some easy and FUN activities to incorporate into lessons and everyday life with the ones you love! 

• Turning Therapy into Play: 
• http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-integration-activities.html

Great Social Stories and Social Skills Resources

While exploring on the computer with my mom on this rainy Saturday, we came across this great website "TinSnips-Special Education Resources." The site includes resources for teachers such as basic skills lessons, social stories, cooking, and time and money. Why re-invent when there are so many great resources already made to meet our students' needs? Fantastic! 

Love,
Miss P

WEBSITE: http://tinsnips.org/index.html

Discovery Education

Today I had the opportunity to go to a professional development on the Discovery Education assessment tool. I was provided with information on how to create classroom assessments to see my students' strengths and areas that still need remediation in math and reading. While I was there, I navigated throughout the discovery education website and found the following resources! Discovery Education is an interactive way to involve students in all content areas!

Discovery Education:

http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/index.cfm?campaign=flyout_teachers_add

On another note....check out Randy Sprick's Safe and Civil Schools....great behavioral RTI approach!!

http://www.safeandcivilschools.com/

Math Resources

Here is a great resource for primary grades when learning about money! Cara Carroll has some fantastic activities and games available for cheap download through the teacherspayteachers website! Enjoy =)

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Great-Coin-Collection

Have a fantastic week,

Miss Peterson