Visual schedules

In gen Ed, it's important to post the schedule and expectations. There is a lot of research out there supporting it. In special Ed, it's also important but can look very different. It is essential that students know what their day looks like and what is expected of them.

I am working with students who don't do well with change, they need to know what's coming and what I will be expecting them to do. If I change the schedule or it wasn't clear, it can be very bad for some of my friends; when it's bad for them it's bad for everyone.

For new special educators (like myself) this can result in some trial and error. I started the year with two schedules. One for my 3rd-4th graders and one for my 5th grader.

I now have 6 schedules for 8 students and another schedule for my aids that is subject to change at any time based on student needs and the day.

 I have moved from having my schedules posted on my white board to having individual schedules on students desks. The schedules are on a Velcro strip and students need to physically move the pieces as they complete their tasks. The pieces have board maker pictures and simple labels.  We will start using them on Monday.

Hopefully this method works well for my students. Between my aids and myself, we've spent atleast to 10 hours printing,  cutting, laminating, Velco-ing and setting up to use these new schedules. Classroom set up is never easy and it takes a long time. This year it has been nonstop. We keep changing things as student needs change.

Next, I need to create break cards :D

Maybe we will  have it all figured out by Christmas break.

I abhor paperwork! (My seventh grade English teacher told me to never use the word hate.)

In the general education classroom, I thought there was a lot of paperwork. I had to make lots of copies, grade papers, keep track of grades, write progress reports and report cards; and occasionally I would need to sign some IEP papers for a special education teacher.

 I was wrong. 

I had it good and didn't even know how good I had it.

Now...

I have to write those IEPs. In undergrad we had "practiced" writing IEPs in my special education class, but having to write a REAL, LEGAL, BINDING document is STRESSFUL! 

Everything needs to be correct, exact, no room for errors. 

There are timelines. LEGAL timelines. Timelines that have real consequences and ramifications if they are not met. 

But that's not all

I also still need to do progress reports, report cards, grading, creating, printing, copying, ect. 

I am not a Type A teacher. 

Staying organized is difficult for me. I like to go where the wind blows. I need new systems, because my usual sticky note system is failing me miserably.

I am drowning in a sea of sticky notes! SOS please some one help me!

Ain't no tired like SDC teacher tired

We've been in school for about a month now. It's been one of the most challenging months of my career. I've laughed, I've cried, I've gone to bed at 7 because I was exhausted and stayed up to midnight because I couldn't sleep without finishing something. I've made mistakes and started building relationships.

Help!

 I've also asked for help. Lots of help. I have a small class, but each student has very different needs and it is hard to meet them all. I have been lucky, I have two wonderful aids/para-educators who are right there beside me; helping me meet those needs. I have supportive administration who comes when I call and hasn't once made me feel like I'm in it alone. 

I need a nap!

Even with all this support, I'm exhausted. I'm mentally, emotionally and physically drained. 

This song has been stuck in my head all week...

"I've been high, I've been low.... You saved me San Francisco" 

TGIF 

3 day weekend! I'm ready to get away for a few days so I can come back rejuvenated!