Classroom Set up

Now for the fun part! Setting up the classroom :)


Since I have two positions, I like to have defined space for my preschoolers and for my elementary students.  One half of my room is our "centers or free choice time" the other side is my work table for my elementary kiddos, a direct instruction work area for my preschoolers (also used as a seperate work area for my elementary kids), my desk area, and individual work desks for my elementary students that have a structured 1, 2, 3 work system.


Direct Instruction for Elementary:
I kind of explained this in a previous post but in this area, I have an awesome shelf with multiple spaces in it. On each shelf, I separate my things  that are specific to each students' goal work. I also label on the front of each shelf the students' names so in case there is a sub or if my associates do direct instruction work they know what to pull.  In a box next to that, I have my reinforcers/rewards for my students. Also hanging in that area are my students' progress monitoring clipboards.

Work at Desk:
Also in my classroom is two "work at desk" or independent work areas. Each area has a shelf (bought at target) with 3 shelves within them. At the beginning of the year, I have my associates make a 1, 2,3 work system. Things that I put in here for my kids to work on, is work that my students have already mastered. We take the first few weeks of school to teach them how to match their number, do their work, return their work task, match the next number...and so on...Dividers for this area were made out of pvc pipe and sheets from Walmart. (see pic below) I also have a specific shelf in my room that has the work tasks on them only. They are divided out by student skill level so it makes it easier for my associates to pull for them to do independent work.

Below is a panoramic picture of what my classroom looks like. Let me know if you have any questions!!

Half of my classroom..From left: Desk area, direct instruction, independent work area, message center.

Independent work area with 1, 2, 3 set up.

Shelf with work tasks

Student Organization

The next organization part I start (it takes quite a long time!) is organizing all of my students things. I have a .5 time resource position and a .5 time self contained preschool program so there is a lot of paperwork and things to be put together! 

I start by color coordinating all of my students things. Their lockers and picture/object schedule is a certain color, their table spot, their progress monitoring clipboards, their spot at group. This way, I do not have to have their confidential information on display AND they know where their designated spot is to allow for consistency. Each child has a daily notebook that gets sent home and that is also in their color. 

After that, I go through their IEP goal work and print each of their goal pages. I make sure all of their progress monitoring sheets are printed and up to date and put on separate clipboards according to each child and their color. After I have gone through all of their goals, I create a spreadsheet with each students name and their goals. I write on this document weekly so I can input it online from a simple sheet and am not running around looking for their scores. 

 For my preschoolers, I have clipboards that have all goal work are hanging in my "direct instruction" work area (where I do goal work with them). Their most current progress monitoring data hangs on clipboards there.  Also, in my direct instruction area I have an awesome shelf that has baskets where I can put all of the things I need for direct instruction and can put my reinforcers. 

For my morning students, I have a shelf that has their current progress monitoring data (that is covered). Each student has a "mailbox". There is where their associates (if they have one) leave their daily clipboards with any progress monitoring data so I can write it in my spreadsheet. It is also where I leave any papers for them to take home. 

For my morning kids' progress monitoring, I have bins that have each goal work in on a shelf.

Color cordinated locker spaces (Some students have schedules that are not stationary and some have object to object schedules)

Direct instruction/goal work shelves

Progress monitoring data clipboards

Picture (sideways) of my students' daily notebook.

My elementary students' daily data/weekly data. Also, each child has a clipboard that opens so I can insert any social stories, etc.

Where to start?

Working in a level II classroom involves a lot of organization and planning. The first place I start planning at the beginning of the school year is for my associates. I have 6 associates in my program. If I weren't organized with them, they would be at my desk each day during my precious planning time asking me what they can do :) 

So, below you will see a picture of my "message board". Each associate has their own mailbox (my .5 time associates share). At the beginning of the year, I write them a greeting letter and explain to them their expectations from me in the classroom. After they get the chance to read it, we talk about questions they have.  Their expectations looked something like this: 1 check your mailbox for important information, read your "to do" notebook and finish things, check the "mailbox", ask the classroom teacher if they need assistance with anything. Setting these expectations up from the start have made this year run so smoothly! AND,  we are all able to spend our time doing productive work. 

Also included on my message board posted is; my schedule, my associates schedules, my lesson plans/newsletters, and a weekly calendar where we jot down important events for the week.

In each mailbox includes:*Welcome letter*"To Do" notebook*Boardmaker necklace with picture expectations

Setting Up My Classroom

Oh--the joy of going back to school. This adrenaline rush beats through my veins. Once August hits, I eat, sleep, and breathe school. Everything I buy, read, or attend to has to deal with school. Maybe its missing my students, maybe its the excitement of seeing them again, or maybe its the readiness of the challenge the upcoming year will bring. You see, I don't have the typical classroom where students are quietly learning at their desks/tables and the teacher is in front of the class. You wont walk into my classroom and see small groups of students working together to enhance their learning. No, my room is much different...

I teach in a special education classroom. While it seems like chaos and does not look like a general education classroom, I guarantee learning goes on :)

I wanted to start a blog to aid special ed teachers. I am constantly on Pinterest or online looking for ideas. Now, I am not saying that my way is the end all, but I want to share ideas with other teachers what works for me. Also, things I have in my classroom may not align with beliefs of other school districts, but aligns with what my district believes in..

Thanks for looking :)

This is my first blog in a very very long time. I am sitting home on a Friday night..Mmm..its beautiful to relax. I am doing my usual nightly search on Pinterest. I started this blog because I would love to share some of the successes and failures in my special education classroom. I hope that this will help me to connect with other special education teachers/ideas so we can share techniques and strategies to help make our students able to function in a "typical" world.