BACK 2 SCHOOL BLOWOUT---#2

As promised, monitoring sheet are on the agenda for today.  What special education teacher is complete without her monitoring sheets?  This is a tedious process for me year after year.  I think that for each of my 8 years teaching I have found new way to collect data.  Last year I found something that worked for me.

Here are a few steps to follow to create your own data sheets:

ACADEMIC GOALS:
I like to use easyCBM for monitoring math, reading, and fluency goals.  http://www.easycbm.com/index.php
This program gives you the ability to test, score, and generate a report online.
Sometimes, though, my goals do not match what is on easyCBM.  If this is the case, I use http://www.interventioncentral.org/.  This allows me some flexibility in making my own probes.

BEHAVIOR GOALS:
This is the tedious process I am talking about!  I finally decided to use a calendar like one seen here.

I use the calendar monitoring sheet with student's with behavior goals, but are not EBD.  I have a different process for those students (a little more involved).

Here is a visual of my behavior monitoring:  (I hope it will be of help while I try to explain my process to you)  :)   Please note: This is a pretend child and pretend pluses and minuses...all of the real ones are filed away in due process folders! :)  I just put enough data on here to try to make my idea make sense to you!

1.  I put the student's name at the top.
2.  I write out the student's benchmarks (1, 2, 3, 4) at the top.
3.  Along the side I write each class I monitor the student in (Morning Work, Writing, Reading, Math).  Then I use the good ole +/- system to note whether the student was displaying the behavior indicated in the benchmark.
4.  I use the notes sections and the back of the calendar for anecdotal notes.
5.  At the end of every week, I count the number of pluses out of the total number of available pluses to get a percentage.

EBD MONITORING:

For students labeled with Emotional/Behavior Disorders, I create a daily points program.  Each morning I meet with these students and we have a social group time.  During this time, we practice social skills, anger management, making friends, etc.  We also decide what reinforcer the student is work toward for the day and how many points it will take to earn the reinforcer.   The student places the desired reinforcer on my desk and can carry a picture of the object if wanted throughout the day as a reminder.  Below are links to my daily points sheets and summary sheet.  The summary sheet just gives me a good place to put my percentages.  I can look at the percentages quickly and look for ups and downs and patterns over time.

Daily Points Sheet
Daily Points Weekly Summary Sheet

In summary, I use an EXCEL sheet to make graphs of my data.  Graphs make the information easier to read for parents and teachers!  This is so easy to use.  The dates for this  school year are already plugged in on one axis.  You just type in the percentage for the week.  A running average is kept and data points are plotted on the graph!  A teacher from my previous school district developed this spreadsheet! Kudos to her!

So this is just a picture of it from my computer.  I could not get the EXCEL file to post on here.  (IF you know how...I would appreciate the directions).  :)   Until then, if you would like a copy of this, leave me a comment with your email and I will send it to you.  

I hope you found some inspiration here and that you find monitoring a little easier this year!  It doesn't have to be difficult and we all know it's not pretty, but it is SPEC ED!!!  Whew!!

Here's to a great new year and to hoping we don't all drown in paperwork!! :)

Kim

Back to School Blowout #1--UPDATE

A new school year is almost underway.  It is definitely hard to believe that is this time of year.  Doesn't it seem like a week in the summer goes by so much more quickly than a week, in say, October?  Nevertheless,  Back To School time is here.

During this summer, our school has been under construction and we have not been allowed in the building.  It is under strict lockdown!  :)  The happy face is because, that just gave me a reason NOT to go to the school and to NOT feel guilty about it.  I have spent hours searching for new behavior plans, social skills lessons, and pinning cute, new teaching ideas online, but I have not been in the building.  In fact, I can't even be back in the building until August 10.  Whew, talk about stressful!! Our kids come back on the 15th and everyone's classroom is covered in dust and dirt and all of our belongings are packed away in pods.  It is going to be crazy there in about a week!!  For now I am working on the "paperwork side" of special education.  If you know anything about spec. ed. then you know that over half of my job is paperwork.  

The first thing I do at the beginning of every school year is to get my Special Ed. Binder in order.  It includes:

1. Student data sheet

2. Parent contact sheet

3. IEP

4. Monitoring sheets

Student Data Sheet                    Parent Contact Sheet

************************************UPDATE****************************

I thought you might like to see a picture of my binder.  This is my binder from last year.  Nothing fancy, but extremely necessary. :)

Here is the data sheet from last year, so the one posted is update.  I like to keep the student data sheet in a page protector.  The page protector allows me to put notes from parents in behind the sheet.  The next sheet I have is the parent contact sheet, then IEP, and lastly monitoring.  This works for me, because everything for every kid is all in one place.  I also put stick on labels on each protector so I  can flip right to each kid's information.  I put the kids data sheets in by grade level and alphabetical order.

My New (School) Year Resolution is STAY ORGANIZED!  I always start out great, but when school really gets in full swing it becomes more difficult to stay on top of things.  This year I will do better!  My theory is if I write, then it is so!  Let's help keep each other accountable! :)

I am linking up with two great blogs:  http://www.teachingblogaddict.com for their FREEBIE FRIDAY.  Download my free data sheets and let me know what you think! & http://www.teachingmaddeness.com/  Cute new blog I have discovered and she is hosting a New School Year Resolution Linky Party!  Join in on the fun!

New House Decorations!

New house...check
Decorated main living area...check
Internet hooked up...check
Pictures posted for your viewing pleasure...check!
School related posts...I'm getting to it...stay tuned for a Back To School Post Blowout starting tonight!!!

Before I get back into full school mode, I thought my loyal readers would like an update of how our house is coming along!  I am still loving it!


New house number!

Living room

Dining room

Dine-in Kitchen area/Breakfast area

Standing in kitchen looking back toward living room

My coffee area!  Very important!! I ♥ Keurig!

More pictures will be coming of the other areas of the house.  Right now, there are lots of boxes and little decoration in other rooms of the house!  

I hope you enjoy the house shots.  My hopes for this blog is for it to become more about me, lots of teaching ideas, and just fun for all of  you to read.  I hope I can share some ideas that will inspire you, whether it is for your home or your classroom!

Love,

Kim

Internet

We have been living without the Internet, except for our phones for the past 2 weeks since we moved to the new house. Do you know how super hard it is to blog on your phone? Well, it's not easy!!
Good news...new posts coming soon!!! We have internet again (in as out an hour anyway). Hang on to you britches because I am about to blow up the blogosphere!!! LOL!

Kim

Pinning from your iPhone

Have you ever had the dilemma of browsing on your iPhone and finding something you love, but had no way to Pin it to your Pinterest boards from your phone? Well, problem solved!!

Follow these simple instruction to pin to your hearts content (from your phone).

1. Modify an existing bookmark on your iPhone. Select any old bookmark, and click Edit. Change the name of the bookmark to Pinterest or somethjng else so you know this is where to pin.

2. Copy/paste the following into the URL window:

javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script'); e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'); e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8'); e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());

3. Click Done and Done.

4..When you come across an image that you'd like to pin click Bookmarks at the bottom of the window (it looks like an open book).

5. Click on the Pinterest bookmark you created. This will pull all of the photos into a grid for you to choose from. Select the image you want to pin and Pinterest will open, allowing you to choose a category and give a caption to your Pin.

Ta-da!! iPhone magic, baby!!

I would like to thank www.simplythenest.com for teaching me this awesome trick!! Now, I will never have the inability to pin again!!

Move In Day

The day finally came! After finding the house of our dreams in April, signing a contract in May, and living with family, in hotels, and with friends throughout June, we finally close on our new house today! This makes me one of the happiest and most blessed girls on the planet right now!

It's all ours!!!

Patience

I am having a difficult time right now trying to be patient.  I know that good things will come to those who wait, but why does waiting have to be so stinkin' hard?  So during a little alone time this morning, many prayers, and the thought of patience on my mind I am giving you just a little thought for the day:

This really hit home with me.  Maybe it will you, too.  I know I'm not the only one out there waiting on something (some of you are even waiting on a house like I am), so I hope that this helps you to remember to exercise your faith and bear the hardship for the time being...endure, friends (and speaking to myself here too) it will be worth it in the end.  

Kim

What's on my Mind

By this time during the summer, I start to feel the downhill slide (you know...back to school).  My pinterest boards would be filling up with school related pins, internet searches would consist of new lessons and behavior mod. plans, and I would be scouring the office supply for the latest and greatest in markers, pens, and organizing supplies; this summer is different.

Here is our finished house!

This summer though, my brain has been consumed by the thoughts of moving and decorating.  I am so anxious to be in the house!  We have had a few setbacks, nothing serious, just paperwork business, nevertheless we are ready to be in the house.  We are hoping to close this week.

So instead of some neat lesson plan, cute bulletin board, or activities for kids.  You get to see some of my Pinspirations for the new house...hope you enjoy!

Here are my TOP 5 + 1 (from the hubby) :)  (PS...I taught him how to use Pinterest and now he is hooked!  Just don't tell him I said so!)

For the breakfast area:

source

For the stairway:

source

For the playroom:

source

For Chloe's room:

source

Also, Chloe's room:


And one of my husband's additions:

source

If you want to see more of my Pins go here.  This is not our first home, but it is definitely the home we have dreamed of for many years.  We are beyond blessed to be able to have a house to make into a beautiful home.  Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated as we get ready to settle into our new home!

Kim

Summertime inspiration???

Well, my bloggy friends, I am at my parents for a little bit this summer doing some visiting and waiting for our new house to be finished. 
I am looking for a little summertime inspiration while I am here in Western Kentucky.  I'm thinking about a little shopping trip to the Learning Railroad in Paducah, one of my favorite teacher stores.  We shall see what this summer holds, be looking for something exciting soon!
Until then, the kids and I will be swimming and playing outside!  Hope you are having a great summer!  What are your plans for this beautiful season?

Kim

Happy Summer

It's been a long time since I have posted, so I just wanted to say, "Hello!"  After spring break this year it has been a crazy, busy time of year.  I think I have had more ARCs this year in April and May than ever in my entire special ed. career!  Just one of those lovely things about special education.

This time of year always makes me feel nostalgic.  It is a time to reflect on the year, think about what worked, find a way to fix what didn't, and to enjoy the last few days with the kids of this year!  This year has had its ups and downs, just like any year.  It seemed like a year of unpredictable events from our spec. ed. director retiring at the beginning of the year, to being involved in a Numeracy project that consumed a lot of my time, and being surprised with an Outstanding Educator Award today!  Wow!  What a year!  I have enjoyed this year and I will be sad to see my 5th graders head to middle school, but it is time.  Another season of life is ending and I will enjoy the summer that is approaching and begin preparing for a new year!!

Happy Summer, Teachers!!!

Kim