A place for teachers and other providers of special education services to support each other, share information, and discuss topics, including assessment.
First time teaching in LifeSkills/Autism classroom....HELP!
Hi! I am coming from 10 years experience working with students with SLD. I have just been hired to start up a new K-3 lifeskills classroom, from ground zero. I'll have 11 students and 3 assistants. 4 kinders in the morning, 5 kinders in the afternoon and 2 1st graders all day. My classroom doesn't even have furniture in it yet, let alone materials. They are all on order. If you were me, what would be the FIRST things you would have up and ready to go by Sept 7th? I want to utilize what little time I have to get as much done as I can. I have access to their IEP's and have already looked over goals and objectives. I will have access to STAR, Edmark, Read Well K and Handwriting without Tears. THANKS!!
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Certainly be sensory
Certainly be sensory sensitive when setting up your classroom and speak with your administrator about resources that may be available at other campuses or even the central office. Good Luck!
Firstly, kudos to you for
Firstly, kudos to you for jumping into this. There are so many people who would not and there is such a big need out there. I've been teaching a moderate/severe class for the past nine years at Dublin High. Even though I'm at the other end of the age group for our kids I remember feeling as you did my first year.
I concur with the blog from Autsim.com above and most of what everyone else has to say here. The challenge for you is to simply accept that you will be in a dynamic situation that will change from day to day. Unlike a traditional classroom setting, you cannot expect the students to sit in their desks. At times it will be like surfing waves. Sometimes it will be calm and other days stormy with big waves crashing.
The main priority is to keep the kids safe. Complacency is your biggest enemy. Know your students. Create a system to track student behaviors, triggers, preferences, etc. Find opportunities for them to explore and do things, as well as to work on sitting, communicating, socializing, etc. Communicate with parents and help them to help you, to help the students at home. Have protocols in place for days or times when things don't work the way you planned.
You should also get a copy of the SEACO Binder that has a subset of California Standards and Best Practices in it to help you feel secure in what it is you are doing in the classroom and how you have it set up.
Exercise and opportunities to be outside- not isolated are really important. Find out what the students' preferences are and use those to negotiate new learning opportunities.
Get a Smart Board, an IPAD and check out: www.starfall.com, http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Home&pid=1.
I also have some other resources on my website if you need more.
Good luck and enjoy the ride!!!! You will learn so much about yourself and your students from this job. Also remember to take time for your self and breath....:)