The Elementary Special Education Classroom - Part 1

How many students are in a special needs classroom?

Most special needs classrooms are labeled 12-1-1, 8-1-1 or 6-1-1. The first number is based on the maximum number of students in the class. The second number is for the classroom teacher. The third number is the number of para-professionals in the classroom. Para-proffessionals are teacher aides or assistants. Teacher aides are full classroom support. Teacher Aides need certification to hold this postion in most districts. There may be other support in classroom. These are 1-1 Aides, who directly work with a single student. Students need to have it written in there IEP in order to have a 1-1 aide.

What does a Special Needs Classroom look like?

The classroom is set up in a way that your child will quickly understand. Teachers normally use picture charts and picture schedules to show what the day will look like. Teachers realize the impotance of routines and schedules. The only way the schedule would be different is for specials (art, gym and music), class lunch time, or an assembly. Though every schedule is different.

An example of a schedule may look like this:

Morning Work - This may be a coloring page or worksheet on their desk. This keeps the student occupied while other students come in or are eating breakfast.

Morning Meeting - This is normally done on a smart board. A smart board is like a large computerized projector with a touch screen. Morning Meeting may consist of topics including Weather, Calendar and upvoming holidays. There are normally videos and songs played about Weather, Days of the week or upcoming holiday.

Circle Time - Circle time is where the students learn communication skills,turn taking and modeled behavior; Example... The teacher will roll a ball to a student.. The teacher will ask the student. Eric, What is favorite color? .. Eric may respond, holding the ball.. My faivorite color is red. Eric rolls the ball to Sue.. Eric asks Sue.. Sue, what is your favorite color? Sue answers, holding the ball.. My favorite color is red.. Etc. Everyone gets a chance with ball. As time goes on the questions get more advance. Topics can be.. What did you have for dinner or What did you do over the weekend? This also teaches patience for waiting for your turn and you only speak when you have the ball.

Class- Depending on the level, this could be math, writing, or reading.

Centers- This is where a group of children will work with a teacher, another group will work with the Teaching Assistant. Then they will switch. This to get some small group instruction in. Sometimes they will incorporate computer time in order to rotate 3 smaller groups.

Movement Break - Teachers normally will incorporate a movement break. Most teachers are a big fan of "Go Noodle'. Check them on youtube. Normally the teachers will pick 2 songs in a movement break.

Snack and break - Most teacher allow a snack break and to get a drink of water.

Specials- Your children will be attending Specials. Specials include Music, Gym, Art and Library.

Lunch - Most teachers will have their students have lunch in the cafetaria with support staff. This may not be for all teachers.

Recess - If it is nice weather the children will go outside on the playground.

Class- Depending on the level, this could be math,reading or writing.

Story Time - This is normally themed story. Common themes Holidays, Manners, Fairy Tales etc.

Project - They are crafts based on what theme the are working on.

Home

Services: Speech, Occupations Therapy, Physical Therapy are known as services. Providers will schedule your child for their service during the school day. Once scheduled, the students with have their services the same time and same days every week. Providers have at a lot of students to provide for in any school and sometimes they may work in multiple schools in a district. Some of these service can be be done individually or in a group. If every student in a class has the same service, they may do a class service. This is called, Pushed in. Most of the time they stick to their small groups. But sometimes they will Push in to the classroom. These are normally for fun activities. The Special Education Classroom - Part 2 .. I will be discussing...

How does your child communicate, especially if your child is non verbal. The world of Pecs, Sign Language, Schedules and Dynavox's.

Behavior stategies in the classroom and calming techniques

Get to know the Teacher and Aides in the classroom. Here is why

Special Ed teachers, do they really understand special needs students

Communication between parents and teachers. <P>

Thanks for stopping by. Part 2 will be up next Wednesday.