We Love Special Education Teachers-Bloghop!! Freebies and Giveaways!

Did we mention how much we love special educators??! 

Well just to show you how much, 24 of us have joined together to help you start your new year out with a BOOM! 

We are beyond excited and even more excited for you! Ok, maybe even just a wee bit jealous! :)

These 24 awesome special educators, including me, have put together 5 fabulous giveaways and a freebie hop with over 20 freebies just for you!! 

Shall we get this party going!!? 

Are you ready?

The first 3 giveaways are split into 3 categories; early childhood, primary, and intermediate! So be sure to enter the one for your grade level! You can click on any of the pictures to view the product in their store or to wishlist it in case you don't win!!{wink}

Here's a look at everything one teacher will win in the Early Childhood Pack!

WOW!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here's a look at everything one teacher will win in the Primary Pack!

Seriously!!!!?? Are you feeling the Love?!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here's a look at everything one teacher will win in the Intermediate Pack! As you know, it can be a challenge finding resources on TpT for this level, but we did manage to put a few things together that we think you'll love!

a Rafflecopter giveaway But wait! There's MORE! David at "Attainment Company" was generous enough to give two lucky teachers a copy of this e-Book for their iPad. (This e-Book is compatible ONLY for iPad, so if you do not have an iPad do not enter!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway How many of you have seen this book, or are even using it in your classroom to assess and determine presents levels?? Brigance CIBS

Last year a new and improved updated version was released...... Brigance CIBS II

and we're super excited that Robin at "Curriculum Associates" has generously donated it for us to give to one of you!! Folks, this is a $339.00 value!! Now this one definitely makes us just a wee bit jealous!  (Our apologies, but this one is for U.S. residents only) a Rafflecopter giveaway And now it's time for a............... FREEBIE HOP!

INSERT YOUR FREEBIE HERE!!!!

Oh "Appy" Day: Tech on Tuesday: Back for the New Year (with a Link Up!) & Running Records

Oh Happy Day, friends!! Oh "Appy" Day: Tech on Tuesday is back for the new school year!  I had several comments and people telling me that they enjoyed this series, so this school year not only will I be sharing my favorite apps and other "techy" type posts on Tuesdays, but you will be able to as well!  Every Tuesday link up with me and get "Appy!"  

The beginning of the year always brings collecting baseline data to this special ed teacher's life!  :)

For my reading assessments over the years I have tried different types of assessments--sight word assessments, Fry assessments, comprehension checks...but I always seem to go back to the same assessment...Running Records.  As many of you know from reading this blog, I {heart} Reading A-Z.  Reading A-Z provides me with all of the passages I need for every reading level I need through 5th grade.  Each level has two fiction and two non fiction passages to take a running record along with the recording sheets that are needed to document errors, self corrections, etc.  Here is the downside to running records...more paperwork.  This special ed teacher does not need anymore paperwork!  (Can I get an amen?!)

Here's where my new fave app comes in...Running Records Calculator ($3.99)

5  5 +1 Reasons I love this app:

1.  So simple to use.  To use this app...just hit start!  How much easier could it get?!  The app records the student's voice as he/she reads whatever passage you have available.  

2.  Record errors or self corrections by tapping!  So easy, seriously!  When the student makes a mistake or self correction, simply tap error or self correction.  Easy!

3.  When the reading is finished, tap done and get instant results.  Time, words per minute, accuracy, and self correction rate is all recorded and easy to view right at the top of the screen.

4.  Use on iPhone or iPad!

5.  Email the results to yourself automatically!  You can have (paper or digital) documentation of the running record by tapping email and then typing straight into your email the information needed to document the passage your student read.  

6. There is a lite version of this app that you can try for free! :)

Ok, friends!  It's your turn!  Link up your technology posts below.  It can be an app, tech tutorial, computer program, anything that has to do with technology is a go!

An InLinkz Link-up

Blast Off! Back to School Sale!!

It's that time of year again!! I can't believe school starts on Wednesday!  You know what else that means though...a SALE at TPT!  Hurry over to my store and get your wishlist items today (or tomorrow)! ;)  Click the picture below to head on over to my store!

Setting Up the Resource Classroom: Small Group Area

Today's Setup: The Small Group Area

The Small Group Area may be one of the easiest places to get setup.  In my room this consists of a kidney shaped tables and chairs. 

Told you it was easy!

Okay, okay…I know what you are thinking!  It really isn’t that simple—well it sort of is—but I know you didn’t come here just to read get a table and chairs!  Honestly, yes the majority of my small group teaching is done at the kidney table.  Last year, I didn’t get the kidney table until the end of the year and I am so thankful to start this year out with one.  Most of last year, I used tables grouped in fours, but that took up so much room in my small space and I also didn’t like that I could be with all of my kids at once.  I felt like I spent a lot of time standing in front of them teaching instead of being “right in there with them.”  Hence the reason I love a kidney or U-shaped table.  I can be within arms reach of all of my kids at one time and feel like I am right in the middle of their learning (and well literally I am!)   Many times at the small group area, I am teaching some sort of scripted intervention, leading a guided reading group or leading a math intervention group and for these reasons there are certain tools I like to have very near to me.

Here is a picture of the table.  Please keep in mind I just got back in my room today, so what you are seeing is a work in progress.  

The table is only one area of small group learning in my small space.  I also like to have another space used to small group instruction.  This gives my kids an opportunity for movement, allows for natural transition from one part of a lesson to another, and helps with engagement.  My second small group area centers around the pocket chart/stand.  This is where our vocabulary instruction takes place.  I haven't decided on whether or not to move this stand to another spot in the room yet.  I would like to have it near some carpet for some comfy seating, but the room size doesn't really allow for that at this point.  

Speaking of where things go, here's a tip! I like to use PowerPoint to come up with a model of my room and the furniture in my room.  I can manipulate and move the pieces around without actually lifting any furniture!  So perfect! :)

Key:

Blue: Permanent/Cannot be Moved

Gray:  Desks or shelves that can be moved

I hope you find something here that inspires you or you get a good idea!

Tomorrow I will be back with more classroom setup idea!

2014 Classroom Setup: Setting Up The Resource Classroom (A Series)

This week is the week I move back into my classroom. If you have been following my blog very long, you know that I moved to a new school last year. It is a beautiful school, a brand new building, but it wasn’t complete at the beginning of last year. Our school was built in two phases. Each phase of the building has classroom (communities) for grades K-5. Phase one was completed last year and our school district went through a redistricting process to direct students to our building. Students and teachers filled up Phase 1 and throughout the course of the year Phase 2 was completed. The school district redistricted students again to fill up our school for the coming year. The end of our school year brought new excitement as we watched the new phase undergo the transformation from nothing to amazing! It also brought a lot of questions. Everyone wondered if they would be the one to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2. Recently, after hiring several new teachers, we found out who gets to move. Guess who is moving?! That’s right! This girl! I am excited about heading to the new phase. It is just like Phase 1, so my classroom is practically the same as the one I was in, but how many teachers can say that they have moved into a brand new classroom two years in a row? Before last year, I never had a classroom of my very own, so although I had a great time planning and decorating my previous room, I have a better idea of space planning and organization. (Or at least I think I do!)  Here is last year's classroom:

So, as this coming week goes I will be sharing with you how I am setting up my resource classroom. I will be focusing on five separate areas (perfect for Monday-Friday blog planning) ;)! Read this week to find out all about the 5 areas I think make a special education/resource room work!  I even made a new bloggy button, just for fun, and so you can Pin/Share and follow my process.

Special Ed Blog Hop! :)

I am linking up with Jamie from Tales of a Carolina Girl for her Special Education Blog Hop!  Head over to her blog to check out some great special education bloggers and welcome Jaime to the field of special ed.  I love finding other special ed. bloggers and creating a community to share ideas!

Kim :)

July Currently

Hello Bloggy Friends!

I figured there is no time better to get back into regular blogging than starting off July 1 with the new Currently from Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade!

Listening:  I have a love/hate relationship with the local news!  I love to watch the news so I feel like I am in the know, but I hate to watch the news because it is always bad news.  I can't even watch it when the kids are in the room, because some of the things reported on are inappropriate for little ears.  I think this love/hate thing stems from my childhood. :)  My dad had to watch the news every night...I mean every episode of the news...5:00 Local News, World News at 5:30, 6:00 Local News, and 10:00 Local News.  It's a habit, I guess, that can't be broken.  Plus...I only really get to watch the news in the summer...I don't have time for it during the school year.  :)  I digress...

Loving:  I love summer!  I love the pool, vacations, hanging out with my kids, exercising, blogging and creating on my schedule.  It is a wonderful time of year!!  BTW...speaking of creating...I have bundled all of my special education related products together in my TPT store.  ($15 value for $10!!!)  

Thinking: I should be cleaning or working on something.  It's hard to sit still and relax!  Do you have that problem?  The kids have their "creations" all over the place and there are piles of laundry to fold and put away, but here I am blogging to you! :)  Blogging is work...right? :)

Wanting:  Did you know that McDonald's ice coffees are only $1 right now?  I love the iced caramel mocha!  I want one so bad...but I know better!  I'm trying hard to resist temptation.  I'll have to wait until "cheat day!"

Needing:  Lunch: I'm hungry!  Lunchtime right after this post!

4th of July Plans:  We don't really go all out for the 4th.  We will probably grill some burgers, watch some fireworks, and maybe make these adorable cookies I found here:

Source: Our Best Bites
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2013/06/mocktails-munchies-how-to-create-a-stunningly-simple-patriotic-party-theme/

Summer!!

It's summer!  Yay!

Friends-
I just want you to know that I am still alive. :)  Life, school, paperwork, etc, etc, had taken over, but now school is out, my vacation is over, and my plan is to get back to regular blogging.  (I hope!)

Thanks for continuing to read my little blog even while I was on hiatus.  I am excited to share things I have learned over the past few months and to share with you some new ideas for next school year! :)

For now though...it is good to "see" you again!
Kim