Introduction

This fall, we broke down the details of classroom setup. Mindfully setting up your classroom and implementing routines will set students (and your team) up for success. This month, we will dive into how to set up and implement centers. Centers maximize skill development for all autistic students, regardless of age or level of need. They are a powerful tool to organize instruction and make learning more purposeful.

Whether you are in the beginning phases of implementing centers or you are a pro, these seven steps will help you transform your centers:

• Carefully select your centers to ensure that they meet the needs of your students.
• Prepare your classroom for centers.
• Establish a clear center rotation schedule to keep everything running smoothly.
• Plan out the details of each center.
• Collect and organize all necessary supplies.
• Teach your students how to navigate and rotate between centers.
• Coach your paraprofessionals to become experts at handling the centers.

Regardless of where you are in centers journey, these steps will help strengthen your setup and execution.

I will discuss these steps in detail and provide examples across all ages. But first, it's essential to define centers and why they are one of the most integral parts of your day.

• Designated and defined areas in the classroom
• Small groups of students (2-4) who are taught to rotate independently from center to center with a visual schedule
• Teachers and paras typically remain in the same center
• Skills taught in centers are differentiated to meet the needs of all the learners in the classroom

• Maximize skill development for students with significant learning and behavioral needs

• Provide ability to differentiate and give explicit instruction

• Flexible activities

• Students are engaged

• Effectively manage and teach behavior skills

• Allow students the opportunity to get up and move (in a functional way)

Next week, we'll discuss Step 1: Choose your Centers. We'll cover the main types of centers, as well as many different center options. And I will also share examples from Minnesota classrooms.

Check out the Welcome Winter unit in Theme's First! Theme units include original songs, books, and activities that support students’ skill development and generalization with content that’s fun, accessible, and theme-based. These monthly units now include an expanded Social Studies suite, containing fun, theme-related activities that reinforce cultural engagement. Included in all Themes First! units are lessons, activities, and worksheets for group and independent work at a wide range of levels.

Link to Welcome, Winter! Monthly Theme Calendar

Date/Time: March 5th, 2024 from 3:00-4:30

Where: Virtual

Cost: Free

Join us on March 5th, 2024 for the next EBP webinar! The topic will be on promoting AAC use in the classroom. Make sure you subscribe to the ASD listserv or follow the MN ASD Educators Facebook page to get update information on this training and other upcoming opportunities!

Date/Time: May 7th, 2024 from 3:00-4:30

Where: Virtual

Cost: Free

Join us for our last ASD EBP Webinar (formally known as STAR Webinars) of the 2023-2024 school year! During this webinar, Michele Glynn, ASD Specialist, will discuss using simple video modeling, modeling, and peer modeling to practice and promote positive behaviors that support student engagement and learning.

Feel free to contact me for any questions or concerns via email or phone. I'm also available to chat via Zoom Mondays from 7:30-8:00 AM and 3:00-3:30 PM. If these times do not work for your schedule, please email me and we will find a time that will work for both of us.

Use the link below to ask questions about this week's Tuesday Tips 'N' Tricks and/or give suggestions on future topics.

Paraprofessional Training Series

Para Training Series: Step One: Define Roles

Para Training Series: Step Two: Creating a Team Mindset

Para Training Series: Step Three, Part 1: Planning

Para Training Series: Step Three, Part 2: Planning

Para Training Series: Step Four: Training

Para Training Series: Next Steps

Classroom Set Up Series

Classroom Set Up: The Why

Classroom Set Up: Visually and Physically Defining Your Layout

Classroom Set Up: Classroom Schedules

Classroom Set Up: Para Schedules

Classroom Set Up: Individual Schedules

Classroom Set Up: Individual Schedules FAQ

Classroom Set Up: Visual Supports

Classroom Set Up: Teaching Visual Supports

Classroom Set Up: Creating Visual Supports

Classroom Set Up: Teaching Routines and Expectations

Classroom Set Up: Routines and Expectations

Tuesday Tips 'N' Tricks is made possible by Minnesota Low Incidence Projects