STAR Media Center Updates

We are so excited to share that we have another year of FREE access to the STAR Media Center! This resource normally costs $830 per teacher annually, but as a Minnesota educator, you get it completely free.

I cannot stress enough how amazing this resource is for your classroom. It’s filled with guides, visuals, and supports to help you implement the most important routines with confidence. Plus, you’ll get monthly theme-based units designed to make differentiation easy and keep students engaged.

If you’ve passed on the STAR Media Center before, I encourage you to take another look. The STAR team has been working hard to update visuals, refresh supports, and expand themed content. You’ll notice a more robust Themes First! collection and an even more inclusive Routine Essentials — making it better than ever!

Since teaching routines is one of our primary focuses at the start of the year, let’s dive into the new and improved Routine Essentials!

Routine Essentials include thirteen key daily routines designed to support classroom success:

• Transitions

• Circle Time

• Snack/Meal Time

• Arrival & Departure

• Specials

• Classroom Jobs

• Independent Work

• Bathroom/Self-Care

• Inclusion Supports

• Recess

• Small Group Instruction

• Self-Regulation (Behavior Supports)

• Play & Social Times

Most of the routines are supported with four essential components to give you everything you need to teach, practice, and master these routines from start to finish:

1. Getting Started – Guides and data collection tools

2. Pre-Teaching – Vocabulary and lessons introducing key concepts

3. Student Visual Supports – Tailored visuals based on each routine

4. During Routine Instruction – Instructor guides, visuals, and theme-based activities

Let's take a quick video walkthrough of Routine Essentials on the STAR Media Center.

Next week, we’ll explore STAR Media Center’s Themes First! — fresh monthly themes packed with engaging activities, visuals, and supports your students will love!

There is still time left to vote! We want Tuesday Tips & Tricks to be as helpful as possible for you! What topic would you like us to cover in upcoming editions? Cast your vote by clicking on last week's Tuesday Tips & Tricks and scroll down to the poll!

Navigating puberty can present unique challenges for students with autism, and it takes a team to support them through these changes. Join The STAR Media Center to learn practical strategies for making these important life lessons accessible to a variety of learners, ensuring everyone feels equipped and supported on this journey...adults included!

September 10: 3:30 p.m. CST OR 5:30 p.m. CST

This must-read newsletter is filled with exciting events, valuable opportunities, and expert insights for educators and professionals supporting students with ASD.

I’m especially excited about Leah Hicks' Communication Corner, where she explores strategies to expand AAC use beyond requesting. Leah shares powerful ways to help students express their thoughts, build meaningful connections, and navigate their world with greater independence. Plus, she’s included an amazing one-pager—perfect for sharing with colleagues!

Don’t miss out! Click the link below to access this incredible resource, and be sure to subscribe to receive the Minnesota Statewide ASD Newsletter in your inbox each quarter. Stay informed, inspired, and connected!

Check out the Back to School Themes First! Unit, which includes 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.

The next Themes First! release, September's My Fives Senses is ready to prep!

💡Print all the activities you plan to use for the upcoming month as soon as they become available. Put printed activities in a "prep" area equipped with a laminator, file folders, Velcro, labels, and baggies. If you have a large laminator, laminate all the activities at once! When you and your team have a few minutes to spare, laminate, cut, and Velcro. It helps to organize activities in trays by "Needs to be Prepped" and "Finished." Don't forget to teach your team how to prep the activities and to model this new expectation. Check out the How to Prep a Month-Long Themes First! Unit below.

Welcome Back! 9/2/2025

2023-2025 Tuesday Tips & Tricks

Feel free to reach out anytime with questions or concerns—I’m happy to help! You can contact me by email or phone, and I’m also available for quick Zoom chats on Fridays from 7:30–8:00 AM and 3:00–3:30 PM. If those times don’t work for your schedule, just send me an email, and we’ll find a time that works best 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.

Tuesday Tips & Tricks is funded with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using federal funding, CFDA 84.027A, Special Education – Grants to States. The contents of this newsletter does not necessarily represent the policy of the federal Department of Education, or the state Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the federal or state government.