This is our Check-In area. Each morning, the students unpack their belongings, turn in their homework to the polka dot bin (I will have to change the mismatched pink for this year...because that will just drive me bonkers...) and turn their traveling folders into the file organizer. This table is also where they will find morning work materials.
Here is an up close peek at the bulletin board. I do not have my schedule for the 2014-2015 school year yet, so last year's will have to do. I also got rid of my lunch menus and student pull out schedules from the previous year, but you can see where they are located.
Many of my special learners last year made excellent transitions from one task to another, and the schedules at the front of the room were sufficient for most of my students. I like having the Check-In area right as you enter and leave the room because it is easy for both students and staff to refer to on a daily basis.
As the year carried on; however, there were two students in particular that needed a bit of motivating to get work finished. The majority of my student population is classified with an emotional disturbance or behavioral disorder. Keeping schedules consistent is crucial. For these two students, I decided to incorporate visual schedules into their days to help keep motivation flowing. Typically used for children with autism, these charts can be implemented for a student no matter what his or her needs may be.
Image graphics are from the Autism Classroom News. |
Smiley Face graphics are from Creative Clips. iPad graphic is from the Autism Classroom News. |
Some Tips about the Visual Schedules:
1. Laminate the Boards: This gives you the option to write choices instead of using picture cards. It also prolongs the life of the board.
2. I allow my students to pick their board color schemes and graphic checklist choices. This helps make the board more cheerful and personalized.
3. I don't always use picture cue cards. Sometimes it is more appropriate to write actual words for students, particularly if they are higher functioning. Often, I have students fill in the board themselves.
Visual Schedule Systems are excellent resources to incorporate even in the general education system. You can grab my boards on my TpT store. I have 4 color schemes available, as well as black and white printer friendly versions. These boards come with 44 pre-made cue cards (21 color/21 b&w) as well as 12 blank cue cards for customization.
Only one more day left in the Blog Hop...tomorrow we are talking about "WHAT" are our favorite teaching resources. Fun fun fun!
Also, if you haven't registered already, tomorrow is the last night of my BTS Giveaway 1. Giveaway 2 goes live at midnight!
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