Once you've created the plan for your centers, it's time to gather and systematically organize all of the required supplies. In a special education classroom, organization holds paramount importance because there always seems to be so much going on. We often have a ton of different materials and manipulatives to cater to the varying needs of our students. Moreover, we are responsible for preparing these materials. When special education teachers maintain a structured approach, they enhance preparedness and efficiency. Organization also helps with time management, accessibility, student engagement, and reducing overall stress. It can also contribute to a more calming atmosphere in the room.

When organizing all the materials in centers and around the classroom, we need to find a "home" for everything—a bin, drawer, spot on a shelf, or cabinet—and then label it. Labeling makes materials easy to find for adults and students and gives the item a permanent "home" in the classroom. Label items and materials your students will access with a picture and the word. Let's delve into some examples of effective methods for organizing ALL THE THINGS!

Keeping this area organized will make it so much easier to keep students engaged. As soon as you need to leave the space to run and get something, the students might see you go and decide to leave the area, too. Therefore, having everything you need organized in your direct instruction center is key! Below is an example of my direct instruction center. Yes, it's busy. Yes, it may be distracting. This center looked different every year. It depended on the students in my class. For some years, I wasn't able to have all of the anchor charts and independent work hanging up. I'd just store them in a bin and take them out as needed. Each year, your organization may have to change depending on the needs of your students.

Creating the materials we need for our centers is a big part of what we do. Organizing your prep area and the supplies needed will make it easier to complete this BIG task. Below are some examples of prep areas.

You don't need to be a "Type A" teacher to be organized. Start by finding a "home" and labeling all the materials you use every day. This might be calendar visuals and supplies, students' supplies, or the materials in your direct instruction station.

Once you have your daily materials organized, start to organize each of the areas in your classroom. These areas might include snack, the sink area, whole group, different centers, arrival/departure area, break area, and so on. Make this a team effort so everyone takes ownership of maintaining the organization in your classroom.

Next week, we will discuss how to prep and organize the month-long Themes First! unit: World in Bloom!

Check out the Amazing Construction unit in Themes First!, 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.

Link to Amazing Construction Theme Calendar

The latest Themes First! release, World in Bloom, is ready for prepping!

⭐⭐ ⭐ Tip: 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.

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

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