Check in with Mrs G

Teaching Special Education & Social Skills

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Use Picture Books to Teach in Special Education

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Two Ways to Use Picture Books

I love using picture books to teach social skills in special education groups. Students of all ages connect with the messages and benefit from the visuals. I use picture books to do one of two things: Introduce a new concept or reinforce a current learning target.

Using them with Older Students

When using them with my older students (in most case for me, my 5th through 8th graders) I typically start with a disclaimer that sounds something like this, “These books are for kids much younger than you but I like them. Please humor me and let me read them. If you end up liking them too you can tell me after. If not, you don’t have to listen.” It works! By page two most of my students are enthralled.

When I have older students that need a little more convincing, I invite kiddos from my younger grade levels in to join us for group. This works because most of the topics we address in social skills group are life long skills that all of my students can benefit from developing. I let my older student in on the lesson plan and explain to them that they are helping the younger students understand the big ideas from the book. It is amazing how my older students turn into tolerant role models (who love picture books) when we are joined by my littles.

When I read books aloud in my social groups I screen the content carefully. Each book is chosen with a focus on relevance. Of course good visuals are a plus too! Over the years a few books have emerged as clear favorites with my kiddos. (One book even draws consistent cheers from my fifth graders each time I bring it out!)

using picture books to teach social skills in special education groups

Here are some of my student’s favorite picture books by topic:

My Student’s 5 Favorite Picture Books about Special Needs

My Student’s 5 Favorite Picture Books about Anger

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5 Fidgets for your Special Ed Classroom

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I know that the fidget spinner craze has turned MANY of my colleagues against the idea of using fidgets in the classroom. I don’t disagree that the spinner craze got out of control but, as a sped teacher I still love a good use of a fidget. The rule in my classroom is that fidgets are tools and not toys. Everyone is welcome to use one during our group time. We practice holding them discretely under the table. If I see them, I get to take them. It works remarkably well! Students cannot bring their own, they can only borrow the ones I have provided. Here is a list of my five favorite fidgets to use in your special ed classroom.

5 Fidgets for your Special Ed Classroom

  1.  Metal Flippy Key Chain: Great because its metal, easy to clean and durable.
  2. Tangled Toy: A popular choice with my younger students who are just learning how to use tools to cope with sensory needs.
  3. Marble: These I love because they are inexpensive and seem to last.
  4. The Cube: The cube is my personal favorite! Works really well for my older students who are anxious.
  5. Tiny Finger Fidget: These make the list because they are the most discreet of all my fidgets and a good way to get reluctant students interested in learning more about fidgets.

Build Relationships & Teach!

Learn more about the way I teach social skills, build relationships with my students and teach them to work as a team!

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5 Tools for Teaching Pre-Writing Skills

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teaching-pre-writing-skills

Getting your students ready to write is all about building strength and interest!

I like to combine fine motor and dexterity building activities into my writing groups. It helps with pre-writing skills and keeps the kiddos engaged! Some of the activities are so fun, I use them as our behavior incentive. Here are five tools I use to support my pre-writing students.

5 Writing Tools for Teaching Pre-Writing Skills

  1. Twist and Write Pencils: My most favorite tool and my students most favorite too! These pencils force students to hold their pencil in a tripod grasp and look like a rocket. What could be better?! (Bonus= they are refillable and come with extra thick lead.)  
  2. Tongs: Helping students learn to master tongs turns any tiny items (think dice, toys, matchbox cars, figurines, etc.) into a lesson in fine motor development
  3. Playdough: Builds strength and dexterity while being creative! Playdough gets me an instant buy-in from my students of all ages.  
  4. Fingers Trainer: I stumbled across these and my students fell in love. Don’t let the adorable elephant fool you, these are hard work! The possibilities for group activities and creativity are endless!
  5. String & Beads: Beads and string give students the extra incentive of allowing students to take their creations home or wear them! 

Writing in the Elementary Classroom Should be Fun

Read more about the ways I work with my reluctant writers, why I teach writing fluency and how I make sure my kiddos get a few minutes of writing in each morning!

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5 Must Haves for Running a Social Skills Group

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Participating in social skills group should be as engaging and fun as possible. My first groups were awful. Then, they became so fun that we were not covering much content. I have a come a long way towards making them interesting and valuable. Here are five things I will never be without when running my groups.

5 Must Haves for Running a Social Skills Group:

  1. Cranium Brain Break: I love this game! It has enough individual brain breaks for the entire school year, it is highly engaging and contained in a package small enough to live on the corner of your teacher desk. 
  2. Felt Board & Scraps: In the beginning of the year, I have each student create their own character out of felt. We use these characters all year long to role play scenarios and build perspective taking skills. It is especially helpful when a conflict occurs within the group!
  3. Puppets: At least one. His name is Mike… Between me and you, Mike is kind of a jerk. He has unexpected behaviors. When he shows up he models bad behavior and gives the students a chance to teach him what is expected. In my experience, if you commit to it, bringing Mike to group works (even with 5th graders)!
  4. Picture Charades: A good opportunity to teach perspective taking and get students out of their comfort zones. Specifically choosing a charades game that requires no reading levels the playing field for your students who maybe reluctant to engage due to their limited reading skills.
  5. Mailbox: Yes, you read that right! A mailbox. Encourage students to write letters and notes to you and your paraeducators. They can leave anonymous questions or tell you something important that they may not want to say aloud. My mailbox guarantees my students the chance to connect one on one with me anytime. It gives me the chance to take the temperature of the group and assess the needs of individual students. I write letters back to individual students and address some as a group. My mailbox is a cornerstone of my classroom.

Teaching a Social Skills Group is the Best

Read more about how I run my social skills groups, help students have fun with following directions, and build relationships with my students!

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Special Education Classroom Supply List: 10 Must Haves

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means we may make a small commission at no cost to you if you click and purchase something we recommend. The suggested products are ones we have tried and love! For more information see our full disclosure policy. Thank you for your support!

special-education-classroom-supply-list

Are you setting Up your Special Education Classroom?

When you first walk into your sped classroom, there are things people just don’t tell you. For example, you may not have an actual classroom. You may be in a closet, or a converted staff lounge, like I was. Or, you may be “gifted” an entire classroom of mostly broken materials from the 80’s left by the former teacher (thanks dude!). While there maybe some gems in the pile (especially if you run a social skills group), it is a task. When I finally got my first classroom cleaned out and organized, I was asked by my administrator, “What do you need?”. I had no idea. None. I couldn’t even guess. But now I have my special education classroom supply list, a few things that I would NEVER teach without.

Special Education Classroom Supply List

  1. Visual Timers: I love visual timers for behavior modification, creating smooth transitions, and helping students learn how to pace themselves academically. 
  2. Velcro of all shapes and sizes: What don’t I use Velcro for?! File folders, attaching visual cues to walls, labeling bins, personalizing spaces for students, and rotating visual schedules are all made easier with Velcro. 
  3. Personal Laminator  & Laminator Pouches : Setting up your classroom for the first time is a huge undertaking. You will buy, print, and make SO MANY things. So, the ones that I hope to use for many many years I laminate with my personal laminator. The pouches are significantly thicker than the kind at schools. It is a little more work up front but it makes my resources last forever!
  4. Task Card Storage Box: These photo storage boxes are the PERFECT size for task cards and flash cards. I have one for math, one for ELA and one for my social skills games.
  5. Magazine Files: I use these over and over for keeping student workbooks, book bins and journals organized. A nice Velcro label makes them versatile. 
  6. Plastic Tubs for IEP bins: I create an IEP bin for each of my students. These bins have the materials needed to take data on their individual goals. It keeps my progress monitoring organized and timely! 
  7. Privacy Screens: Each seat in my room has a privacy screen assigned to it. I teach my students to access their screens when needed. This helps my students get their work done and recognize their own learning styles.  
  8. Baby Wipes: Because… kids. 
  9. Note Cards: You will find teachers, parents staff members and students that you cannot live without. They will make your days so much more enjoyable and help you in ways you never imagined! I like to take a few minutes and write them quick notes of appreciation. 
  10. Sticky Chart Paper: In small group settings I am a huge fan of having the students collaborate on making anchor charts. Bringing concepts to life as a group increases student engagement and retention. These chart papers are amazing because they stick anywhere! This is especially helpful when you have many different groups throughout the day. However, I will say that they are more expensive then they should be. So, if you use them often see if your school will buy them. 

Welcome to Wonderful World of Teaching Special Education!

For all of its trials my heart will forever be in the world of special education. Mostly, with the kids and with those other teachers who are cut from the same cloth. In other words, you are here and I am glad! It is so incredibly worth it. You can read more about how I teach Social Skills Groups, Manage my Special Education Classroom, and Build Relationships with my students using a check in check out model!

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FREE Resources

Here are three FREE Resources to help you in your special education classroom:

Check In Check Out

Writing Intervention for Elementary

Vocational Reading for High School Life Skills