Welcome Back!
You teach a self-contained Special Education class & are headed back to school soon…but you’re not sure how to structure the first few weeks? I am here to help!
Going back to school can be overwhelming for SPED teachers, especially when you are new or have new students. As someone who goes back to school in early September, it used to give me intense anxiety as I started to see back-to-school sales popping up in August. Even though I love my students, going back can make me feel like I’m behind before I’ve even begun!
That’s why I know how important it is to plan out your first few weeks, BEFORE you are hit with the chaos of having your students arrive the first day.
#1 Review Rules & Expectations
It can be tough to decide what your “rules” will be at the start of the year, but reviewing expectations with students right away is very important! Try starting off the year by including the students – you can take their ideas & then type them into that year’s poster!
NOTE: As Special Educators, we often teach students who have trouble communicating. They may communicate with their behavior, instead of with their devices or words. While students will certainly end up “testing” your rules, having expectations laid out visually will help.
Click the image below if you’d like to grab the editable poster template.
So how else can we make sure to be prepared?
#2 Train Your Support Staff
Having a plan for training is SO important, and I’m putting it as #2 because I think it is often overlooked.
I once had a para tell me at the end of the school year that she loved working in my classroom, but wished she had been given more formal training before being thrown into day 1. She was my only new para that year, and since we had moved classrooms, I just didn’t make it a priority. I figured she would learn from the other paras through observation, and ask questions.
But this was the wrong approach! Paras are vital to how the classroom functions, and deserve our time to learn how to do their jobs properly. I now like to start the year off with a training on Para Expectations & Important Info, before the students arrive.
Then, I map out the trainings I will do for the rest of the year, depending on when we have time. I focus on these topics throughout the year for training:
Next . . . it’s important in any special education classroom to set up the space for success!
#3 Show Students
How to be Independent
(And I don’t mean decorations.) Hang visuals, labels, signs, checklists, etc. and then GO OVER how to use them in a group class.
You can spend a whole class period simply going over the visuals you have up in the room, practice using them, and find out what other types of visuals the students could use to be their most independent selves.
Doing so will ensure that students learn quickly how to navigate the routine & classroom as a whole!
If you’re not sure where to start with visuals, begin with a visual schedule. You can also check out my blog post on using visual schedules in the classroom.
#4 Get Your Class to Prep
So, you may have new students, or you may have many of the same students as last year. Either way, the transition from summer to back-to-school can sometimes feel pretty sudden
To get students to open up, it can help to share a little about yourself first. Some ideas for initial group classes you can have include:
You can also start with one of these free resources! (Click below)
Both of these activities can help break the ice and also serve as a productive use of time as you get to know your students.
#5 Review & Set Up IEP Goals
A final tip is to start the school year off with your students INVOLVED in the IEP process! And yes – EVERY student can be involved in some way.
Students should be aware of their own IEP goals, whether it be in picture form, a checklist, buttons in their device, or an accessible document on their computer.
You can spend multiple class periods at the start of the year having students learn about their IEP goals, mapping out how they will reach their goals during the year, etc.. I like to start by going over what an IEP & Vision are, with this freebie:
Help students with their self-determination skills by including them in the IEP process!
I hope these tips help you as you head back into the school year! Click here for a free 15-day PDF guide.
And last of all, if you are wondering how to set up your classroom, check out my recent blog post or head to one of the classroom tour videos below!
