Thank you, readers, for remaining loyal and continuing to read my poor blog while I try to get back into the swing of school. Sometimes my blog is the first thing to be neglected when school is back in session. I want to make a goal of blogging at least once a week. Maybe if I write it...it will happen ;)
So, what have I been up to?
Well...school started on August 6! So early! It has been an amazing two weeks in though! I am loving my new school home and the teachers and staff in this building are awesome. (Not knocking my old teacher buddies...they are equally as awesome, but I sure do love my new colleagues and I especially love the new commute!)
My days have been spent adjusting schedules and building relationships with my new students. Everything is really coming together. I plan on sharing my special ed binder with all of you very soon. I would love for you to see how I organize all of that wonderful sped paperwork and maybe you can give me suggestions too!
After school...easily could be called a whirlwind! BTS means new soccer teams, new gymnastics schedule, Boy Scouts, choir, Wednesday night Kidz City @ church...and the list goes on! I really wouldn't change a thing. I enjoy watching my kids do activities that they love and are good at!
Well, friends... help me keep to my once a week blogging promise! I will be bringing you "meatier" posts very soon. Well, as soon as my mind and body get back to school routine!
:)
Kim
Monday, August 19, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Back to School Sale
In honor of my first day of school...I'm hosting a sale at my TPT store for one day only!! 20% off all items! Now's the time to clear your wishlist!
Happy New Year!! B2S13!!
Kim
Kim
Sunday, August 4, 2013
New Room Pics & BTS Freebie
I have been so, so busy lately. I finally finished decorating my classroom! We had open house last Thursday and school begins on Tuesday. I was so excited to meet some of my new kiddos!
Take a look around my room!
Take a look around my room!
Cheesing for my mommy! She brought her camera to open house and took several pictures of us! It was like I was a kid again! Here's me and my desk!
Bubba says he is the teacher! Chloe made it so! :)
My very own classroom!! First time in 10 years that I've had a room all my own!
The board and alphabet! Thank you LadyBug Teacher Files for the cute alphabet!
Just a little organization and my "safe" & sensory corner.
The new library! Beautiful!
My book worms hanging out in the library!
New computers in the library/media center!
New room collage!
And because I love my readers so much and I have been a rotten blogger because of the big move...here is a Back to School Freebie for you!
I am going to use this scavenger hunt to help my students get familiar with my new classroom and with their new friends! Click the picture below to download from my TPT store.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Mission: New Year, New Room (Update)
My room is coming together slowly, but surely. My husband has helped tremendously by spending our date night helping me put together shelves and moving my amazingly heavy desk.
I hope you enjoy a little preview of my room in progress.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Mission: New Year, New Room
It's been since Friday since I have posted...whoa! Sorry about that, but it has been super crazy around here! We were allowed in our new school on Monday, so my mind and body have been preoccupied with all things school. I took one load of my belongings to the school and have one or maybe two loads left to go. My husband works during the day, so I am working in the evenings or whatever time I can squeeze in between the time he comes home and Bible School! That's not really leaving much time! Open House is 8 days!! EEEKKK!!
Since I'm not able to be at the school as much I would like this week, I am am doing a lot of work at home. Thankfully my mom is heading my way this coming week to help watch kids and help me to put my room in order!
This is my first new classroom picture! So much to do...so little time. Right now that huge whiteboard is standing in my way. It is supposed to be moved very soon so I can begin moving things around.
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Since I'm not able to be at the school as much I would like this week, I am am doing a lot of work at home. Thankfully my mom is heading my way this coming week to help watch kids and help me to put my room in order!
This is my first new classroom picture! So much to do...so little time. Right now that huge whiteboard is standing in my way. It is supposed to be moved very soon so I can begin moving things around.
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Here are some pics of my decor and my precious daughter and hubby helping cut out laminating! Now that's LOVE! :)
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Wish me luck! I can't wait to bring you more pictures of the finished product!
Friday, July 19, 2013
Friday! Wooo!--Weekly Fave Pins
I've been a little MIA this week in the bloggy world. SCM is my excuse. SCM stands for Safe Crisis Management, so if you gotta problem with it...you're goin' down!! :) Just kidding of course! I have been trained this week though in restraint and de-escalation strategies. Two things have come out of this training; one I'm certified in SCM, two my leg muscles are killin'! Whew! I haven't work them out enough this summer obviously!
So, even though I have spent several hours four days this week in training, I have had time for Pinterest! I always got time for that! ;)
So, even though I have spent several hours four days this week in training, I have had time for Pinterest! I always got time for that! ;)
1. I think this Parts of a Friend poster is just adorable!
2. This is a great visual to help me remember what the functions of behavior could be in an acting out student. It also helps me explain function of behavior to other people that don't exactly speak special ed. lingo
3. On Monday, I get to get into my new classroom! I am so excited! I am about to burn up my classroom decor Pinterest board! This is one of my favorites for the door decoration.
4. This Sensory Tree would be such a cool idea for the classroom!
5. I am so excited about my new school and what all this experience has yet to bring. I am thankful that God has used me in different places and different schools for His purpose and now I will be going somewhere brand new and will be able to use what I've learned over the years to grow more there. I feel so blessed that God has continued to put me on the right path!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Top 10 Special Ed Teacher Tips
I recently guest blogged over at Meredith's blog at Diary of a First Year Teacher. I shared with her readers 10 tips for special education teachers. If you are a new teacher, I hope you learn something to take with you for that first year. I'm not going to lie, it is tough. If you a seasoned teacher, maybe these are a reminder for you. Either way, enjoy! Let me know if you learn something or if you have advice to add, leave me a comment!
.
1. Read those IEPs and psychological reports
Do you want to know who you kids are? Read their reports and IEP! These two very important documents give you (almost) all of the information you will need about your students. I say 'almost' because you can get so much great information from the paperwork, but some of the best information you will get on the students will come from the student's previous teachers and their parents! (More on this in a minute) As far as getting all of the pertinent information you will need the child's due process folder is the place to go. Oh, and don't just read...take notes! That's what 'good readers' do, right?! :) I suggest writing down the student's category of disability, due dates, minutes and location of services, related services, goals, and any information that is of extra special importance (behavior, programming, special transportation, etc).
2. Meet the Parents
Take the time to send a note, postcard, make a phone call, use a carrier pigeon ;) Just make contact with the parents. I have to admit that I used to be kind of nervous about calling parents, until I became one. I know that I want to know my children's teachers, so I figure other parents must feel the same way. Your students are going to know their child's classroom teacher, but are they going to know you? Make sure they do. Introduce yourself! You are taking care of their precious child's most unique needs. They deserve to know that someone qualified is watching out for and creating materials that will make their child be successful.
3. Prepare Materials
After you have gathered information from paperwork and people, now is the time to prepare the materials you will need to make successful programming for your students. Some of your students may have sensory needs, need a visual schedule, or a behavior plan. Have something prepared for the first day, so the students know your expectations and are started off on the right foot. Remain flexible though, what you prepared may need some tweaking after you meet the child in person.
This leads me to #4...
4. Be Flexible
This should probably be numero uno! Special education teachers should take a class in flexibilty. Schedules, students, due dates, are constantly changing. You have to hang in there and roll with the punches. Find a way to get organized so when the times get tough, you are able to bend with change! I can not tell you how many times I changed my schedule last year to accomodate different needs, gaining students, losing students, etc. I have learned the best laid plans can come to an end quickly when someone starts having a meltdown at 8am or forgets to take their medication and you find out about it at lunchtime! Just keep a level head and go with the flow!
5. Work WITH Your Co-Teachers
One thing that is difficult for some teachers is to go into a classroom of another teacher. Some people welcome you with open arms and others feel like you are cramping their space. My advice is to feel the person out, find out their teaching strategy, study their classroom management and then figure out where your personality and strengths will fit in. I do not want to go in and take over another teacher's classroom, I want to feel like I belong there and feel wanted and needed. Saying that, you do have to be upfront with your co-teachers and ask what they are comfortable with. See if your coteacher wants you to have huge, medium, or small part in the classroom. Just remember to keep the kids in mind first of all.
6. It's All About the Kids
Seriously! It is! Don't get caught up in the 'adult' junk! If what you are doing is not for the kids then is it worth doing. Do everything with the students in mind, not yourself!
7. Is This Eternally Significant?
Some "seasoned" teacher friends of mind always would say, "Is this (event, test, project) eternally signficant?" If it is isn't, then is in worth getting worked up over? Probably not. Keep things in perspective. Remember not to take things to personally, especially with "our" students. There will be days of meltdowns and tantrums, but so many times the meltdown isn't about you or even school at all. Keep a level head, take a deep breath, stay calm and deal with situation. This to shall pass.
8. Get Organized
Purchase a big desk calendar, and at the beginning of the year, write down all of your annual review due dates, re-evaluation due dates, and any other important dates. Make sure you look at this calendar daily and know what is coming up. Don't get behind, because there is no catching up!
9. Get Organized #2
Find a monitoring system that works for you. Everyone is different and monitoring of IEP goals can be accomplished 5000 different ways. I like to use an excel document to plot my probe percentages that I gather from curriculum based measures, rubrics, and other assessments. Find your way!
10. Document, document, document & Save
In special ed, "they" say, "If it isn't written down, it didn't happen." Document everything! Parent phone calls, meeting notes, co-teacher conversations, work samples...everything! Save that documentation and also save work samples. You will need these at some point in your career. I like to keep my documentation in a binder that is tabbed for each student. I keep work samples in a file folder box with a lid. Each student has a labeled hanging file folder that stores weekly work samples for each IEP goal.
*And a BONUS*
Become One with the Paperwork
Since I first mentioned becoming a special education teacher, people have groaned and told me that it is so much paperwork. They weren't kidding! There is a lot of paperwork. You have to find a way to stay on top of it (maybe that's why I have 2 tips for being organized)! I like to make one afternoon about logging in my monitoring probes and filing paperwork. If you don't do it, then you will be spending so much time at the end of the year filing and worrying. Don't do that to yourself. Get a system! :)
I hope you have a wonderful new school year!
.
1. Read those IEPs and psychological reports
Do you want to know who you kids are? Read their reports and IEP! These two very important documents give you (almost) all of the information you will need about your students. I say 'almost' because you can get so much great information from the paperwork, but some of the best information you will get on the students will come from the student's previous teachers and their parents! (More on this in a minute) As far as getting all of the pertinent information you will need the child's due process folder is the place to go. Oh, and don't just read...take notes! That's what 'good readers' do, right?! :) I suggest writing down the student's category of disability, due dates, minutes and location of services, related services, goals, and any information that is of extra special importance (behavior, programming, special transportation, etc).
2. Meet the Parents
Take the time to send a note, postcard, make a phone call, use a carrier pigeon ;) Just make contact with the parents. I have to admit that I used to be kind of nervous about calling parents, until I became one. I know that I want to know my children's teachers, so I figure other parents must feel the same way. Your students are going to know their child's classroom teacher, but are they going to know you? Make sure they do. Introduce yourself! You are taking care of their precious child's most unique needs. They deserve to know that someone qualified is watching out for and creating materials that will make their child be successful.
3. Prepare Materials
After you have gathered information from paperwork and people, now is the time to prepare the materials you will need to make successful programming for your students. Some of your students may have sensory needs, need a visual schedule, or a behavior plan. Have something prepared for the first day, so the students know your expectations and are started off on the right foot. Remain flexible though, what you prepared may need some tweaking after you meet the child in person.
This leads me to #4...
4. Be Flexible
This should probably be numero uno! Special education teachers should take a class in flexibilty. Schedules, students, due dates, are constantly changing. You have to hang in there and roll with the punches. Find a way to get organized so when the times get tough, you are able to bend with change! I can not tell you how many times I changed my schedule last year to accomodate different needs, gaining students, losing students, etc. I have learned the best laid plans can come to an end quickly when someone starts having a meltdown at 8am or forgets to take their medication and you find out about it at lunchtime! Just keep a level head and go with the flow!
5. Work WITH Your Co-Teachers
One thing that is difficult for some teachers is to go into a classroom of another teacher. Some people welcome you with open arms and others feel like you are cramping their space. My advice is to feel the person out, find out their teaching strategy, study their classroom management and then figure out where your personality and strengths will fit in. I do not want to go in and take over another teacher's classroom, I want to feel like I belong there and feel wanted and needed. Saying that, you do have to be upfront with your co-teachers and ask what they are comfortable with. See if your coteacher wants you to have huge, medium, or small part in the classroom. Just remember to keep the kids in mind first of all.
6. It's All About the Kids
Seriously! It is! Don't get caught up in the 'adult' junk! If what you are doing is not for the kids then is it worth doing. Do everything with the students in mind, not yourself!
7. Is This Eternally Significant?
Some "seasoned" teacher friends of mind always would say, "Is this (event, test, project) eternally signficant?" If it is isn't, then is in worth getting worked up over? Probably not. Keep things in perspective. Remember not to take things to personally, especially with "our" students. There will be days of meltdowns and tantrums, but so many times the meltdown isn't about you or even school at all. Keep a level head, take a deep breath, stay calm and deal with situation. This to shall pass.
8. Get Organized
Purchase a big desk calendar, and at the beginning of the year, write down all of your annual review due dates, re-evaluation due dates, and any other important dates. Make sure you look at this calendar daily and know what is coming up. Don't get behind, because there is no catching up!
9. Get Organized #2
Find a monitoring system that works for you. Everyone is different and monitoring of IEP goals can be accomplished 5000 different ways. I like to use an excel document to plot my probe percentages that I gather from curriculum based measures, rubrics, and other assessments. Find your way!
10. Document, document, document & Save
In special ed, "they" say, "If it isn't written down, it didn't happen." Document everything! Parent phone calls, meeting notes, co-teacher conversations, work samples...everything! Save that documentation and also save work samples. You will need these at some point in your career. I like to keep my documentation in a binder that is tabbed for each student. I keep work samples in a file folder box with a lid. Each student has a labeled hanging file folder that stores weekly work samples for each IEP goal.
*And a BONUS*
Become One with the Paperwork
Since I first mentioned becoming a special education teacher, people have groaned and told me that it is so much paperwork. They weren't kidding! There is a lot of paperwork. You have to find a way to stay on top of it (maybe that's why I have 2 tips for being organized)! I like to make one afternoon about logging in my monitoring probes and filing paperwork. If you don't do it, then you will be spending so much time at the end of the year filing and worrying. Don't do that to yourself. Get a system! :)
I hope you have a wonderful new school year!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
An Impromptu Vavcation
We are spending the weekend in the Smokies! The hubby went mini golfing while I doggie sit and catch up on some relaxation. :)
The Smoky Mountains are one of my favorite places in the United States!
So while I'm here living up the good life...you can read a blog post of mine over at Diary of a First Year Teacher. I am guest blogging there today about ten tips for new special Ed teachers!
Go check it out!
http://fromafirstyearteacher.blogspot.com/2013/07/guest-blogger-saturday-featuring-kim-hs.html
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
It's Officially Official!
Last night the staff of my new school had a painting party! It was so fun and we all made signs for our classrooms! You know the move is real when you start making things with your new school name on them...
Painting the background
Adding details. Our mascot is the lion!
Finished product! I love it!!
And one more of the finished product in my home. It is in one of the infamous piles awaiting a new home in my new classroom. :)
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Book Character Alphabet Line
I saw the cutest alphabet line on Pinterest, but when I went to the source I only found letters D-Z of the alphabet! What happened to ABC? Those are pretty important. You can't begin the alphabet without ABC! You can spell CAB without ABC! I knew I wanted these bad boys in a bad way! Guess it's time to go on a scavenger hunt!
I linked up with The Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried It Tuesday...because I tried to find this and I did! :) Is that pushing it?!
Guess what friends, it was my (and your) lucky day! I found the alphabet line I was looking for in PDF form. You can get it from the ProTeacher Boards. Only catch is that you will have to sign up for an account, but it is FREE! :) There are also a lot of great ideas here, so spend some time looking around while you are there.
Now here is the link. Don't click on the first link, because some pictures don't show up. Scroll down just a little bit and the author has the alphabet broken into 3 different files so that all of the picture come through.
Book Character Alphabet Line
Now, I already have an alphabet line for above the board that goes with my flower/garden classroom theme, but I thought this would be super cute for the library area. The kids, hopefully will be inspired to read the books that are on the alphabet line. I also thought it would be a cute and motivating idea to let them add their names with a dry erase marker or a little sticky note to the corresponding book/letter if they read the book. I can't wait to get this cute, cute, cute alphabet line hung in my classroom!
Kim
I linked up with The Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried It Tuesday...because I tried to find this and I did! :) Is that pushing it?!
Guess what friends, it was my (and your) lucky day! I found the alphabet line I was looking for in PDF form. You can get it from the ProTeacher Boards. Only catch is that you will have to sign up for an account, but it is FREE! :) There are also a lot of great ideas here, so spend some time looking around while you are there.
Book Character Alphabet Line
Now, I already have an alphabet line for above the board that goes with my flower/garden classroom theme, but I thought this would be super cute for the library area. The kids, hopefully will be inspired to read the books that are on the alphabet line. I also thought it would be a cute and motivating idea to let them add their names with a dry erase marker or a little sticky note to the corresponding book/letter if they read the book. I can't wait to get this cute, cute, cute alphabet line hung in my classroom!
Kim
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