tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77311330920258901182024-03-08T15:35:33.190-05:00The Primary GalHi! I'm Amanda Wilp, author of The Primary Gal. I teach special education and have a nerdy passion for differentiation and progress monitoring. I have also taught fifth grade, which I LOVED and miss so much! I love to integrate technology and make learning engaging and meaningful. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-77856795449562088232020-07-31T08:30:00.000-04:002020-07-31T08:30:04.364-04:00Special Education Math: This is How I Structure My 20 Minute Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqQ4B2HqyKsNs1tjPsUh9BvNnJ90hkIo-1aiOr3LxN5HucbIJt244GWZvrr1fHaeWeRWaXhF4cUK6WhB4i6AKrV1Yk5jUGB_MwNG-hPcrVtuONnhB7BZxp1gO43rrnMs7BuzGFDwMUS0/s793/SPED+Math+Routine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="793" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqQ4B2HqyKsNs1tjPsUh9BvNnJ90hkIo-1aiOr3LxN5HucbIJt244GWZvrr1fHaeWeRWaXhF4cUK6WhB4i6AKrV1Yk5jUGB_MwNG-hPcrVtuONnhB7BZxp1gO43rrnMs7BuzGFDwMUS0/w640-h446/SPED+Math+Routine.png" width="640" /></a></div><div>As a special education teacher, I cover so many grade levels. I struggle to fit in time for math. Typically, I have about twenty minutes for each group. </div><div><br /></div><div>In that twenty minute small group, I have SO many things to cover. I like to practice multi-digit addition and subtraction, as well as math facts. Depending on the group, I also cover other skills that are critical for my students, like reading graphs, telling time, counting money, word problems, and number patterns. </div><div><br /></div><div>But how do I get all of that done in twenty minutes? </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcpE_1-SGWP6oVx4mEKajSsN3NiEg0hMHA3jpoo1z9R21mY2bHbPjoOpG9q5Y1YqAqRBiDDppG5MYCycFkInfaNM_O5rSa2QK-vfn_zxuzIBTFg3TlnfNQXCxik85YtxfH8Y9evDVMp8/s2048/ACS_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="2048" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcpE_1-SGWP6oVx4mEKajSsN3NiEg0hMHA3jpoo1z9R21mY2bHbPjoOpG9q5Y1YqAqRBiDDppG5MYCycFkInfaNM_O5rSa2QK-vfn_zxuzIBTFg3TlnfNQXCxik85YtxfH8Y9evDVMp8/w640-h462/ACS_0371.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">10 Minutes: Addition & Subtraction Computation</h2><div>I spend the first ten minutes of our group working on computation. We begin with addition and subtraction WITHOUT regrouping. As the year progresses, we begin working on addition and subtraction with regrouping. </div><div><br /></div><div>For my students, we often work hard throughout the entire year in order to master this goal. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjciS9_BuvpQxyj9b0gsSQ7ZRt4GXzMsAVCCk9WSNfz-RJ6QsaGfJGr9Q4MUc05_PBOe1bnba1YIbMHcdnQQ7Fd8fRA3CLfJdnxVtwIIABiWraoHsK4uCmaAqjoykS0fyNoe3OnYztGt8/s2048/ACS_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="2048" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjciS9_BuvpQxyj9b0gsSQ7ZRt4GXzMsAVCCk9WSNfz-RJ6QsaGfJGr9Q4MUc05_PBOe1bnba1YIbMHcdnQQ7Fd8fRA3CLfJdnxVtwIIABiWraoHsK4uCmaAqjoykS0fyNoe3OnYztGt8/w640-h456/ACS_0364.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">2 Minutes: Prize Box Problem</h2><div>I don't know about your kids, but my students with disabilities are often capable of so much more than they believe. In my small groups, I found that they were relying heavily on ME to guide them through each problem. I needed a way to motivate them to try problems on their own. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I began to have them complete a prize box problem. I set a timer for ten minutes when we first begin our group. We work through each problem in our booklet until the timer goes off. When it does, the very next problem becomes our prize box problem. </div><div><br /></div><div>If they can solve it correct on their own, they can get in the prize box. It's simple but effective! Earlier in the school year, I had different requirements to get in the prize box, such as starting in the correct column, trying to regroup, or attempting the problem by themselves. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YHt5Npba_9W9orLGXnFZ9HQjUQUvlmp2tAn0LhaMHKSF_vC5jonL7a2CZSvEAqKZqCgrccc7Eqdcrf1D-ENYvBq56ELTqBncynGewy6qgydpWWayRFFmzb9txpZMy8ro4_3n8tal0IA/s2048/ACS_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YHt5Npba_9W9orLGXnFZ9HQjUQUvlmp2tAn0LhaMHKSF_vC5jonL7a2CZSvEAqKZqCgrccc7Eqdcrf1D-ENYvBq56ELTqBncynGewy6qgydpWWayRFFmzb9txpZMy8ro4_3n8tal0IA/w640-h452/ACS_0372.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">5 Minutes: Critical Math Skills</h2><div>We are PUSHED for time, and we have gotten pretty good at speeding through some of these critical skills. We practice things like reading graphs, telling time, counting money, solving word problems, and number patterns. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRFr3cfD-E-rOMl3NKIze0V5iih1fLso_pZLeVope1kJbWCHZbP4a7htB46FlScPsSqo5pCBkofgDeFnV3G_659Cb0pZjOr13GqP6BSXRSn020Go9c6AryPF41GE862m2eTye9d-pvcU/s2048/ACS_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRFr3cfD-E-rOMl3NKIze0V5iih1fLso_pZLeVope1kJbWCHZbP4a7htB46FlScPsSqo5pCBkofgDeFnV3G_659Cb0pZjOr13GqP6BSXRSn020Go9c6AryPF41GE862m2eTye9d-pvcU/w640-h480/ACS_0370.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">3 Minutes: Timed Math Fact Test</h2><div>While this group is usually focusing on larger problems, I still think solving math facts fluently is important. At our school, a lot of our classroom teachers give some form of timed math fact test, whether it be on paper or digitally.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think my students need that practice in a safe place. We work on small mastering small goals in a few minutes per day. </div>Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-4897084877120996472020-07-29T09:00:00.000-04:002020-07-29T09:00:01.503-04:00How to Juggle In Person and Online Teaching<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZSCdEwYGNTwaBCKlTdf1q-48qiIjfd7x1iXksDhwGjZJwIyBvXrapUBSCBKCOXiEUARrh2QtLxWIXzAEs0HQc3qTwPg5RUJf619dY-0arHm6PgU4vbWJooTy07Xnz-xCexK9C_XLpNM/s791/How+to+Juggle+In+Person+%2526+Online+Teaching.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="791" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZSCdEwYGNTwaBCKlTdf1q-48qiIjfd7x1iXksDhwGjZJwIyBvXrapUBSCBKCOXiEUARrh2QtLxWIXzAEs0HQc3qTwPg5RUJf619dY-0arHm6PgU4vbWJooTy07Xnz-xCexK9C_XLpNM/w640-h462/How+to+Juggle+In+Person+%2526+Online+Teaching.png" width="640" /></a></div><div>Shew! This is a tough one. Juggling in person and online teaching is going to be a BIG part of our school year. Here are the things that I'm planning to try. Will it work? I don't know. Will I likely have to revise this blog post a few weeks into school, probably! But here are my thoughts. </div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Set a Schedule</h2><div>I am going to set a schedule, just like I would do if it were a "normal" school year. I'll share this with parents and let them know what time their child will need to be present in my small group. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Place Your Laptop in One Seat</h2><div>I plan to have a designated spot in the middle of my table for my laptop. For each group, I'll turn on Google Meet and sit directly across from the laptop. Then, I'll be able to see and hear my students attending online. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am planning to use <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/2020/07/how-to-use-google-classroom-in-special.html" target="_blank">Google Classroom's Meeting Link</a> feature to help save time transitioning from one group to another. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Run Group Like Normal</h2><div>At this moment, I plan to run my group like normal. Each group will likely vary as far as the number of in person students versus online students. That's ok! I want to try to serve as many kids as I can throughout the day. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm planning to use my phone or iPad like a document camera, so that my at home students can see what we are doing together. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Send Supplies for Online Learners</h2><div>In my small groups, we use highlighters, markers, pencils, crayons, hundreds charts, and printable booklets. Depending on their grade level and IEP goals, we sometimes use spinners and dice as well. I plan to package those materials up and send them home. </div><div><br /></div><div>For some students, I think this will be difficult. I'm still planning to try because I think it will significantly help them to be successful in the group. </div><div><br /></div><div>What are your ideas for juggling in person and online teaching?</div>Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-35381277015548414692020-07-27T08:17:00.000-04:002020-07-27T08:17:19.284-04:005 Simple Ways to Make Virtual Small Groups a Success<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnb7-xCt1Ribm6q2udjo8vUwhhmMqE1FDQPK5bIBU4DKQK7TFzxddewXUZlqnEMZc1kvuZ-sj77Qo5Xh8_aGCnFEEItrtpqKo2NxsCARu3HzGYJyjNpa3jF-atC7QZkHAxqjqgkpRNK64/s792/Virtual+Small+Groups.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="792" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnb7-xCt1Ribm6q2udjo8vUwhhmMqE1FDQPK5bIBU4DKQK7TFzxddewXUZlqnEMZc1kvuZ-sj77Qo5Xh8_aGCnFEEItrtpqKo2NxsCARu3HzGYJyjNpa3jF-atC7QZkHAxqjqgkpRNK64/w640-h460/Virtual+Small+Groups.png" width="640" /></a></div>I have a feeling we'll be doing a lot of virtual learning this year. Our special education students need structure and routine more than ever, and it's our job to help make virtual learning successful with small groups. <div><br /></div><div>Here are five simple ways to make your small groups a success as you dive in to virtual learning. <br /><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Set a Schedule</h2><div>When will you meet with your small groups? Set a daily or weekly schedule where your students KNOW that they'll be meeting with you using a platform like <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/2020/07/how-to-use-google-meet-in-special.html" target="_blank">Google Meet</a> or <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/2020/07/how-to-use-zoom-in-special-education.html" target="_blank">Zoom</a>. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Communicate with Parents</h2><div>Let your parents know when you'll be meeting and what their child will need to do. It's important to let them know how critical these small group times are. Although it can be hard sometimes, communication with parents is so important. </div><div><br /></div><div>There will be things that arise and prevent students from joining my groups, but I try to be in constant communication with my parents. I want them to be comfortable sending me a text or email to let me know what's up!</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Record Meeting</h2><div>Now, there are 101 rules around recording meetings, so do some checking to see what you're allowed to do. If a child cannot attend your meeting, many platforms offer the ability to record the session. If they can't attend live, they can watch the recording of all or part of the meeting at a later time. </div><div><br /></div><div>What can you record YOURSELF doing to help them continue to grow and progress at home? It doesn't need to be student faces and the silly things that are said and done in the small group. Think about how you can let your students make up missed "classwork". </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Share Screen</h2><div>Learn how to share your screen. This will allow you to share PowerPoint files, PDFs, and other lessons with your students. I love to be able to model and walk through activities that we would have typically completed in class. Is it different? Sure. But it is a great way to share REAL lessons with your students. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Prep Supplies & Communicate</h2><div>If you know students are going to need specific items, bag them up and do your best to get them to your students. I know that this step isn't possible in all scenarios. For me, I want to send home highlighters, markers, pencils, hundreds charts, and several weeks of <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Primary-Gal/Category/SPED-Interventions-446259" target="_blank">our printable booklets</a>. </div></div>Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-69393717291714208512020-07-25T20:10:00.002-04:002020-07-25T20:10:39.666-04:00Fun and Simple Virtual Rewards for Students<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrEKdbs44GIOM-cc6EkSwq6DHTpCRqdjKZePRuxIww4qdKN3-Cm42vyUrHEP-GHOtUFzC_Q3qa-p1ZvFDQLSdQ9rofOqTTcctf-iUmrl2Mx-P6IoV1W640dWjCqfzwCUaReb89sGWUy4/s792/Simple+Rewards+for+Virtual+Learning.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="792" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrEKdbs44GIOM-cc6EkSwq6DHTpCRqdjKZePRuxIww4qdKN3-Cm42vyUrHEP-GHOtUFzC_Q3qa-p1ZvFDQLSdQ9rofOqTTcctf-iUmrl2Mx-P6IoV1W640dWjCqfzwCUaReb89sGWUy4/w640-h464/Simple+Rewards+for+Virtual+Learning.png" width="640" /></a></div><div>Some of us will be starting the school year doing virtual learning. For others, like myself, I'll be starting the year in the classroom, but Lord knows how long that will last. I feel like we'll quickly be finding ourselves back in the virtual learning world. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last year, I was looking for a way to motivate my students and give rewards to them during virtual learning. Here are a few simple ideas to make virtual learning more successful and motivating for our students. </div><h2 style="text-align: left;">"Lunch Date"</h2><div>A lunch date is a great motivator for students. Using Zoom, Google Meet, or another video conferencing platform, you and your students could have lunch together. They'll love it!</div><div><br /></div><div>You could make this something that multiple students can earn or one on one with a parent present! Either way, it will be a great way to let your kids get some quality time with you in a casual setting. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Special Share</h2><div>Some of your kids might not like this option, I know I would have rather died than share a story with my class. Other kids? They LOVE the opportunity to share a story with their teacher and classmates. Use this to your advantage and let them share something special at the beginning or end of your virtual small group. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Be the Teacher</h2><div>What routines do you have in your small group that you could turn over to a student? I've let my students greet others as they join the group, choose students to read aloud, or keep track of our time. </div><div><br /></div><div>Either way, they'll feel special and motivated to keep working hard in your small group. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Choose the Game or Greeting</h2><div>If you play games, sing songs, or do various morning meeting style activities, let your student earn the right to choose the activity. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Bingo Night</h2><div>My favorite reward is Bingo Night!!! My kids love bingo both in person and online. When I played with my kids, I used sight words. I drew a blank board for them to copy. Then, I gave them a word bank and told them to fill in their homemade bingo board with the words. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also added a printable board, but many of my students weren't able to print it. But that was ok, it gave them an example of what their board should look like. </div><div><br /></div><div>This could also be done digitally, but I wasn't brave enough to tackle it with my first graders! 😂</div>Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-9544371296087612542020-07-16T21:22:00.001-04:002020-07-16T21:22:29.490-04:00How to Use Google Meet in Special Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-UV0Ul4udhBzsSk6rz1AFU7hwcQpzaLG4jkc4xi5zhjyQ_gfAXb8X-b5bHpGsaMWHlqsvsKHhDNefAOlZatYauduaTYE_8szFKthUUxRzsUSGAj1uVNmkcFoK6CO6oL2-tKLMYzPeHw/s795/How+to+Use+Google+Meet+in+Special+Education.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="795" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-UV0Ul4udhBzsSk6rz1AFU7hwcQpzaLG4jkc4xi5zhjyQ_gfAXb8X-b5bHpGsaMWHlqsvsKHhDNefAOlZatYauduaTYE_8szFKthUUxRzsUSGAj1uVNmkcFoK6CO6oL2-tKLMYzPeHw/w640-h442/How+to+Use+Google+Meet+in+Special+Education.png" width="640" /></a></div>Google Meet was a HUGE blessing to me as a special education teacher. I was able to continue to hold small groups throughout distance learning and meet with parents for case conferences. I couldn't have continued to teach my students without Google Meet. <div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lNjo6n6KDk4" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Set Up a Google Meet</h2><div>For special education, I found myself constantly needing to schedule a Google Meet for one reason or another. I used Meets for small group sessions, one on one tutoring sessions, and annual case conferences with parents and other staff members. </div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JbaPtW5pv84" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Generate a Permanent Meeting Link</h2><div>I found that my students got a little overwhelmed with the Google Classroom Stream. By creating a permanent link, my students could just click the link and join the Google Meet without scrolling through homework assignments and annoucements. </div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ns9zcOw_i24" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Share Your Screen in Google Meet</h2><div>Whether you are walking through general education material, sharing a PowerPoint presentation, or teaching a lesson with a PDF, sharing your screen is extremely important. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think this is great asset for our special education students. With a screen share, they can continue to participate in activities and have help with difficult tasks. I used screen share to explain general education tasks with them one on one. </div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kJUNJjpNlqY" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Use Your Phone as a Document Camera</h2><div>Walking through your daily lessons WITH your students is extremely valuable. By using your phone as a document camera, you'll be able to share written documents with your students. I love this for our students with disabilities because so many rely on copying from their teacher. This is one important strategy for helping them complete tasks while digital learning. </div>Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-88559181718582379152020-07-15T17:48:00.000-04:002020-07-15T17:48:53.963-04:00How to Use Zoom in Special Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi653MsNyOhl-_LZyHa3bNdvckKf7hLkESGqSUF5Sx7VEvnG9H4n0E6T4kSObLaihw0rtp7xLmwsDS5AJlSEaqo1iT5qo7gDpojdR9wHXRvPIJzB3Ls5bOP2Z20XeTpyLJ5nhwxVXhA-Fc/s793/How+to+Use+Zoom+in+Special+Education.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="793" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi653MsNyOhl-_LZyHa3bNdvckKf7hLkESGqSUF5Sx7VEvnG9H4n0E6T4kSObLaihw0rtp7xLmwsDS5AJlSEaqo1iT5qo7gDpojdR9wHXRvPIJzB3Ls5bOP2Z20XeTpyLJ5nhwxVXhA-Fc/w640-h464/How+to+Use+Zoom+in+Special+Education.png" width="640" /></a></div>Zoom has been a life-saver since we were thrown head first into digital learning. I especially loved Zoom in special education. It was a great way to continue to hold small groups even though we weren't together in person. It was also useful for annual case conferences and other special education meetings. <div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aR7M3UpGkhQ" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Set Up a Zoom Meeting</h2><div>After setting up an account, you can set up meetings with many different features. Decide what is right for you and your students. I like that I can set recurring meetings for my small groups. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7kGuwT1uMsc" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Share a Meeting with Students</h2><div>Since I use Google Classroom, I can easily share the meeting information with my classrooms. My small groups can continue to meet as usual by clicking the URL that is sent to them. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't use Google Classroom, that's ok! Just share the link in the platform that you prefer or are required to use. </div><div><br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IPKNp7ORCI4" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Use Your Phone as a Document Camera</h2><div>For my students, I find that they need a model. They need someone to guide them through assignments. In some cases, they need step by step instruction. I found that using my phone as a document camera is a valuable asset to our students. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9W5Pi0LBZQU" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Share Your Screen on Zoom</h2><div>If the tech involved in the last post has you worried, this is a much SIMPLER solution! You can still share lessons, Power Points, or other files with your students. You can even pull up assignments and walk them through it or read it aloud to them. It's an easy feature that can allow you to do so many things with them during a small group or one on one session. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EghTx3UaxEQ" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Use Your Phone as a Document Camera {Apple Users}</h2><div>My mind was BLOWN! When I went to record the screen sharing video, I discovered that I could use AirPlay to create a document camera. If you are an Apple lover, check out this video! </div><div><br /></div>Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-83395386589600918772020-07-14T12:42:00.000-04:002020-07-14T12:42:15.528-04:00How to Use Boom Cards in Special Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB8Rdn4o7MHeIGU5jxy3BHFNyLSf_YneIN4Gm40WwnQak8TD0w_oy2gut2QvPr_aZaqORM5PaThIa4rIulukIWSf2-koPSvQzX-UNB3zEKMn9ORI3TciDCgkK-QKYCI_fg63folKBMbA/s791/Boom+Learning+for+Special+Education.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="791" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB8Rdn4o7MHeIGU5jxy3BHFNyLSf_YneIN4Gm40WwnQak8TD0w_oy2gut2QvPr_aZaqORM5PaThIa4rIulukIWSf2-koPSvQzX-UNB3zEKMn9ORI3TciDCgkK-QKYCI_fg63folKBMbA/w640-h446/Boom+Learning+for+Special+Education.png" width="640" /></a></div>I have not been a long time Boom Learning user, but I have been in LOVE with it for special education. Here's why: Some Boom Cards have audio that will read aloud to students. Using Boom cards has been a live saver in special education. In my mind, they have endless opportunities. <div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pGXd5v52q18" width="560"></iframe></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Set Up a Class on Boom Learning</h2><div>Setting up your class on Boom Learning is very easy! You can add your own list or bring them in from Google Classroom. With a few clicks, your students will be ready in no time. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9YQxN46vtkw" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Assign Boom Decks</h2><div>Assigning Boom Decks to your students can also be done with just a few clicks. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also encourage you to explore some of the options, like hiding cards, allowing students to surrender if they don't know an answer, and whether you'll allow students to complete the deck multiple times. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sQFtmRmmy7w" width="560"></iframe></div></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Use Boom in Special Education</h2><div>What can Boom do anyway? In this video, I'll show a few examples of how I plan to use Boom with my students. There are so many options that make Boom great for students with disabilities. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o1TkEqFdqWs" width="560"></iframe></div><div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Purchasing Boom Decks</h2><div>Once you purchase points, you can use them to buy Boom Decks to use with your students. The options are endless! </div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PLinbN6QERs" width="560"></iframe></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Access from a TpT Purchase</h2><div>I absolutely love that TpT sellers can add Boom Decks to their products. I'm working on converting my reading series over to Boom decks. I think it will make accommodations and independent learning much easier. </div><div><br /></div><div>This video shows you just how it is to add them to your account. </div>
</div>Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-42950388438208273492020-07-13T19:42:00.005-04:002020-08-01T21:30:20.584-04:00How to Use Google Classroom in Special Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOfaHol-ZAwcWWsyDVxj2X437n-b-XzWj92VsgipvCUvsv6XvtwDvZBO5rAret_xZvbigWnxEk2u0KQqgJStnrFX9ICbJUrZm8Jv-n6UdUeHUt7cnu2xT6KKqx_KM2MlpNr87i95dVV4/s791/How+to+Use+Google+Classroom+in+Special+Education.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="791" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOfaHol-ZAwcWWsyDVxj2X437n-b-XzWj92VsgipvCUvsv6XvtwDvZBO5rAret_xZvbigWnxEk2u0KQqgJStnrFX9ICbJUrZm8Jv-n6UdUeHUt7cnu2xT6KKqx_KM2MlpNr87i95dVV4/w640-h446/How+to+Use+Google+Classroom+in+Special+Education.png" width="640" /></a></div>I have used Google Classroom since it first launched in 2014. I absolutely love it as a way to share things with my special education students. In this blog post, I want to share with you my tips for using Google Classroom in Special Education, specifically in a resource room. <div><br /></div><div>I'll also be sharing how to do basic tasks in Google Classroom, such as setting up your classroom and adding students. </div><div><br /></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Set up a Google Classroom</h2><div>You and your students will need to have Gmail accounts in order to use Google Classroom. To set up your classroom, go to <a href="http://classroom.google.com">classroom.google.com</a> and follow the directions in this video. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rpRwSYzDCKg" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Add Students to Your Google Classroom</h2><div>There are two ways to add students to Google Classroom. I'll show you BOTH in this video, but I find the second way easier for my younger students. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sjyWvIO2cbg" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Make a Screen Recording</h2><div>For my special education students, I like to keep things as easy as possible, but I also want it to be meaningful. I have also needed to make screen recordings to show my students how to do various assignments for their general education teachers. </div><div><br /></div><div>Knowing how to make a screen recording has been a game changer for me. </div><div><br /></div><div>I use the digital files in my reading series to create daily screen recordings. In each video, I record myself tapping our sight words, pounding our decodable words, reading the daily reading passages, sharing answers to reading comprehension questions, and discussing reading skills. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6xD04loJnck" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Assign a YouTube Video</h2><div>After I record my video, I upload it to YouTube and share it with my students. This is SOOO much easier than I had originally thought. Plus, my kids commented on me being a YouTuber!!! 😂</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ASQ4kKcJa2k" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Share a Google Doc or Slide</h2><div>Besides daily videos for reading, I also had my students work on spelling our weekly words. I did this using Google Slides. I also added audio to my files to share the words with them. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SsPB4OBOBoQ" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Add Audio to a Google Slide</h2><div>Adding audio made a HUGE difference in my kids' ability to complete both grade level tasks and resource room work. Plus, it is incredible simple and free to do! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V9zyvuWwM9Q" width="560"></iframe><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Keep Student Names Confidential</h2><div style="text-align: left;">In Special Education, confidentiality is always important. We don't want to create extra work for ourselves, but we do need to keep confidentiality in mind when adding our students to online platforms. In this video, I'll show you how you can share the same assignment with multiple "classes". You classes can be individualize for each student on your caseload. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VXsPpPr9GLo" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Differentiate in Google Classroom</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Differentiation is important, even in our digital classrooms. In this video, I'll show you an easy way to assign something to only a few students in your classroom. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sKJeOfeB24c" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Make Digital Worksheets</h2><div style="text-align: left;">If you have PDFs that you've purchased from TpT, this video is helpful in knowing how to make them digital. It isn't a perfect solution, but it can be helpful in a pinch! </div></div>Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-79071090928571619272020-07-13T11:59:00.000-04:002020-07-25T21:04:05.881-04:00Simple Special Education Tips to Prepare for a New School Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLGTp0zV3uyhTk4gsyH_rs92a7nUxXePNvqbvExSE6DOqXR2Vjsj9W9fZL4yb3iaxj_wYTsFgcnMpfu_UBZQHEQS3ouPzBRGuFogRWOWCBuzlhk1TG7tzj7-tdkDHigwtp9VUsk1HKqo/s791/Special+Education+Tips+to+Prepare+for+a+New+School+Year.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="791" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLGTp0zV3uyhTk4gsyH_rs92a7nUxXePNvqbvExSE6DOqXR2Vjsj9W9fZL4yb3iaxj_wYTsFgcnMpfu_UBZQHEQS3ouPzBRGuFogRWOWCBuzlhk1TG7tzj7-tdkDHigwtp9VUsk1HKqo/w640-h402/Special+Education+Tips+to+Prepare+for+a+New+School+Year.png" width="640" /></a></div>Goodness, as a special education teacher, there are about 100 things to do every day. We need the summer to rest, relax, and prepare for the new school year. In this post, I'll be sharing ten things that I try to do every summer in order to prepare for the next year. <div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Reflect on Last Year</h2><div>Be honest with yourself. What went well? What didn't go well? What changes would you like to make for next year? As teachers, we should always be looking to grow, learn, and change. I try to reflect and determine a handful of strengths and a handful of weaknesses. </div><div><br /></div><div>As I'm writing this, it is the summer of 2020. Which means, I just wrapped up a spring season of eLearning. I had a lot of things that went well, and a few things I discovered as problems areas. Try to think of your reflection in two chunks--before eLearning and after eLearning. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Find New Routines</h2><div>From your reflection, you might discover that you need a few new routines. Maybe it is a before or after school routine to keep yourself organized or feeling like you are ahead of the game. It could be something you do during your prep to help save time. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also like to think about academic weaknesses in my students and find routines that we can do on a daily or weekly basis to help them improve. In this blog post, <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/2020/06/SpecialEducationSmallGroupRoutines.html" target="_blank">I have a few routines that I use in my small reading groups every day.</a> </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Explore New Websites</h2><div>As we enter into another year of digital learning, we might need to explore new websites. What will make digital learning easier? Once we are back to "normal", what will make learning easier or more efficient? </div><div><br /></div><div>A few ideas that I've been exploring this summer are <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/2020/07/how-to-use-google-classroom-in-special.html" target="_blank">Google Classroom</a>, <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/2020/07/how-to-use-boom-cards-in-special.html" target="_blank">Boom Learning</a>, <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/2020/07/how-to-use-zoom-in-special-education.html" target="_blank">Zoom</a>, <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/2020/07/how-to-use-google-meet-in-special.html" target="_blank">Google Meet</a>, and Seesaw. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Brainstorm a Better Year</h2><div>Imagine if you could have the perfect year. What would it look like? Would you be able to pull smaller groups? Push in to the general education classrooms more? Have a better intervention for reading? </div><div><br /></div><div>For me, I have been brainstorming what the perfect RTI system will look like. I'm not thinking about what my principal will think. I'm not thinking about what the grade level teachers will think or say. I'm just brainstorming. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now that I know what I want, I'm going to work backwards and start deciding how I can make that happen. What hurdles will I need to jump over to get the perfect system in place? </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Shop for Supplies</h2><div>For me, this is the FUN part! I love school supply shopping. And as special education teachers, we often don't have kids bringing in a backpack full of supplies. <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/2020/06/SpecialEducationTeacherSupplies.html" target="_blank">Here is a list of supplies</a> that I like to be on the lookout for over the summer. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Create an Amazon Wishlist</h2><div>Do you always have a list of things that are little out of your price range? If you do, create an Amazon wishlist. You can easily share it to your social media so your friends and family members have the opportunity to help out. If your district allows, you can also share it with your students' parents. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had a friend on Facebook post her Amazon wishlist. She had everything from $5-10 chapter books for her classroom library to more expensive items for flexible seating options. </div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Learn from Others</h2><div>I love to get ideas from others. Some of my favorite activities and routines have come from Facebook groups. If you are a special education teacher, I invite you to join <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheResourceRoom/" target="_blank">The Resource Room</a> Facebook Group. </div><div><br /></div><div>During the summer, you can also join book studies or other online professional development. I learned so much from my book study this summer. I can't wait to implement some of the ideas I got both from the book and the other teachers. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Review & Organize IEPs</h2><div>Nothing feels better than getting organized and ready for an upcoming school year. Review IEPs and make notes of things that need to change, goals, and services. I like to keep my <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/2018/05/simple-special-education-tips-for-new.html" target="_blank">IEPs in a binder</a>, so they can be referenced quickly and easily. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Prepare for Progress Monitoring</h2><div>Progress Monitoring can get away from me if I'm not prepared. I suggest taking some time to plan for progress monitoring. <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/2020/06/how-to-make-progress-monitoring-tub.html" target="_blank">In this post, I share what I put in my progress monitoring tub to help me be ready for the school year!</a></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Relax & Recharge</h2><div>This is the MOST important tip! It is so easy to get sucked into all of the beautiful and genius ideas you see on Instagram, Pinterest, and in Facebook Groups. Take time to unplug and relax. I know I often have to remind myself that it's ok to take a break. It's ok to take a vacation or sit and read a book. It's also ok to have an unproductive week where you barely get out of your pajamas and watch Netflix all day every day. Put yourself first, so you can be ready! </div>Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-40401622894532074932020-07-11T12:04:00.000-04:002020-07-11T12:04:06.307-04:005 Quick & Easy Ideas to Motivate Your Students in Math<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIBM3LUHT2jXTQVwiUa2DJ_zfvyWqGXlbozGdsqEM1D8wg-ISbAmUjqjLaEs_2VqWqj5_1Fz0c5JK5RB7ms7-W6ZYD7c20xDX-cc0Jc2MQy8335Mnu2PTVWJ0qrN_fmBLnvHrWRRW8G0/s793/Math+Intervention+Ideas.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image of 3 digits workbook with phone, math bingo sheet, and countdown card with text 5 Quick & Easy Math Ideas to Motivate your Students" border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="793" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIBM3LUHT2jXTQVwiUa2DJ_zfvyWqGXlbozGdsqEM1D8wg-ISbAmUjqjLaEs_2VqWqj5_1Fz0c5JK5RB7ms7-W6ZYD7c20xDX-cc0Jc2MQy8335Mnu2PTVWJ0qrN_fmBLnvHrWRRW8G0/w640-h452/Math+Intervention+Ideas.png" title="5 Quick and Easy Math Ideas to Motivate your Students" width="640" /></a></div>
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In my small math groups, we are often doing HARD work. We do it repeatedly in order to make it easier. But doing 3-Digit computation over and over can be frustrating and easy to avoid for our students with disabilities. I've been working to find <b>5 quick and easy ideas to motivate my students</b> in math by encouraging them to keep working hard and trying difficult tasks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtkIN9UNDvnrF_Qo7hgViY89UIkJ45mk_Fk0oukawKe-WbTTKorG5s7oSUstoNDWjIRtYdD66iAPh7Qj9tgvSOcflucFvqpHmGlv81QrwnzEjjAwU0ITjkUgYBgS4-L0JBM8Vp8yENtY/s4032/ACS_0361.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Math Intervention Workbook with Countdown/Token Board" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtkIN9UNDvnrF_Qo7hgViY89UIkJ45mk_Fk0oukawKe-WbTTKorG5s7oSUstoNDWjIRtYdD66iAPh7Qj9tgvSOcflucFvqpHmGlv81QrwnzEjjAwU0ITjkUgYBgS4-L0JBM8Vp8yENtY/w640-h480/ACS_0361.JPG" title="Countdown/Token Board" width="640" /></a></div>
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Countdown or Token Board</h2>
<div>I like to use a countdown or token board as a motivator to keep my students going. I add a number to the countdown board with each and every step of the problem. They can quickly earn rewards, such as a skittle, m&m, gummy bear, or goldfish. I like to use this for students who need behavior interventions or for students who are really struggling. It helps break up the tasks in small pieces. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwQF33rtIXFZIzlOqIw539v92wt7Yww191vieOewpGFYjuBRyjspEsosf7d-EEWLCfEjYDKDlfZox8Kjhydv36KwwezhKAbymO9rdHplrU-DAqYBDxS2gelH-gITJMnFzq2z0A3gzpWo/s4029/ACS_0365.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Math Intervention Workbook with Images of Assorted Candy" border="0" data-original-height="2612" data-original-width="4029" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwQF33rtIXFZIzlOqIw539v92wt7Yww191vieOewpGFYjuBRyjspEsosf7d-EEWLCfEjYDKDlfZox8Kjhydv36KwwezhKAbymO9rdHplrU-DAqYBDxS2gelH-gITJMnFzq2z0A3gzpWo/w640-h414/ACS_0365.JPG" title="Candy" width="640" /></a></div>
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Candy</h2>
<div>Speaking of candy, I like to give students candy to keep them motivated. Most kids will do anything for an m&m or two. If you are ok with giving your students candy, these are a few of my favorites. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoQVDtRYR_h2M9cVD5RwxOw7oBO2cquWjfo6mx_fU-TtnRGXOxEv7axn2PPi5nJ74aQ6q2pQBn58fC3nK-9PhP8dJQnbMvUFWJe1Pb3lgMN0Plr4pb45d3eV8ZJthkSgQEZXo7mOO4gA/s3817/ACS_0360.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Math Intervention Workbook with Math Bingo and Pencil" border="0" data-original-height="3014" data-original-width="3817" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoQVDtRYR_h2M9cVD5RwxOw7oBO2cquWjfo6mx_fU-TtnRGXOxEv7axn2PPi5nJ74aQ6q2pQBn58fC3nK-9PhP8dJQnbMvUFWJe1Pb3lgMN0Plr4pb45d3eV8ZJthkSgQEZXo7mOO4gA/w640-h506/ACS_0360.JPG" title="Math BINGO" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bingo</h2>
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My kids LOVE any kind of bingo, and math bingo is no exceptions. I write the answers on the board ahead of time and have the students add the numbers to their bingo boards. </div><div><br /></div><div>We solve the problems and mark them off on our bingo boards to see if we get a BINGO! I usually let the winner get a prize from the prize box. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvv1VxA8SzfwA_LXGQ4Y_8j3Vdp3ZPEtXfUoYvnkLItuiL4dTCah3dPYJZNw3E-z0lJTxnG1Vi3n_9XlWZWDZS8qABkI3a7YKUdEejRKj1wDec3_8VCYpC_g7oGHlnoLxhvkI79dxTCk/s4032/ACS_0362.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Math Intervention Workbook with Hand Holding Post It Note with Number 5" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvv1VxA8SzfwA_LXGQ4Y_8j3Vdp3ZPEtXfUoYvnkLItuiL4dTCah3dPYJZNw3E-z0lJTxnG1Vi3n_9XlWZWDZS8qABkI3a7YKUdEejRKj1wDec3_8VCYpC_g7oGHlnoLxhvkI79dxTCk/w640-h480/ACS_0362.JPG" title="Mystery Problem" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mystery Problem</h2>
<div>Once my students are a little more proficient at solving problems, I like to help them transition to being more independent. I do this by picking a mystery problem. I write the number on a Post-It note before we get started. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once they finish all of the problems, I check to see who has the mystery problem correct. Whoever has the problem correct can get a sticker, pick a prize, or be the line leader. The choices for the reward are endless!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxxkO7AZuEUQRrv8izutdyNRk_naDrJg9k4Qcaw1wn28H3DwDQqnJbDQU2noo6Na_uSQy_zovwfr6Et8J4IdVT-Y0qq-CEGIO2oPFxL8hFqPDuiYGcy1NPMmtr7pNuthpzGF3GaspTIQ/s4032/ACS_0364.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Math Intervention Workbook with Phone with Timer" border="0" data-original-height="2878" data-original-width="4032" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxxkO7AZuEUQRrv8izutdyNRk_naDrJg9k4Qcaw1wn28H3DwDQqnJbDQU2noo6Na_uSQy_zovwfr6Et8J4IdVT-Y0qq-CEGIO2oPFxL8hFqPDuiYGcy1NPMmtr7pNuthpzGF3GaspTIQ/w640-h456/ACS_0364.JPG" title="Prize Box Problem" width="640" /></a></div>
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Prize Box Problem</h2>
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This is such a simple and easy way to get your students excited about computation! I have timers set to go off each and every day at 1:00 and 1:25. This is about 15 minutes into our group. When the timer goes off, our next problem becomes our Prize Box Problem! </div><div><br /></div><div>This also helps ensure that we have time to complete the right hand side of our page. These computation problems can take a LONG time, especially if we are just learning the skill. It is a great way to motivate them to try something independently instead of relying on the rest of the group for answers. </div><div>
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These <b>5 quick and easy ideas to motivate your students in math</b> will help make your small groups run more efficiently and motivate your students to do their best! I mean who wouldn't want that?!</div>
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<a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/40416aa7bb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Freebie 2-Digit and 3-Digit Math Intervention Worksheets with Pencils text Free Download from The Primary Gal" border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="791" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Qs0BJe5Q8DYq6SeD-dCVTTBnHWtgpEUiRWt3WnhSA7YoP0DXehGP-MUR7PC7FhP-x-OBI5MvsawiJFI42VduXTD4_ljJOk6A54NsfXVyca7pcHb6eX9TCcZSeD4ff-jFxt7F2p0n_Xo/w640-h496/Math+Intervention+for+Special+Education.png" title="Free Download from The Primary Gal 2-Digit and 3-Digit Math Intervention" width="640" /></a></div>
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Would you like a free week of my 2-Digit and 3-Digit math interventions? They have saved me so much time and provided consistent intervention for my students. Plus, I've seen amazing growth in my students. <a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/40416aa7bb" target="_blank">Click here or the image above to grab the free week.</a> </div>
Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-76790704760975668882020-07-08T11:00:00.000-04:002020-07-08T11:00:01.408-04:00How to Make a Progress Monitoring Tub<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FFs1ZlnE-u8Qn6cGCQ2zvXxV1hQaeaZp6qkKApuqAdZKR0BscAbaQeIb33miDSKSgj77PWjXbkMXTL02zFs6tcxRs4Cq8y9fhA6fNFT5OTWjXTapyccKjH-t3K51diJOYADHEtV5DNE/s792/How+to+Make+a+Progress+Monitoring+Tub.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="792" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FFs1ZlnE-u8Qn6cGCQ2zvXxV1hQaeaZp6qkKApuqAdZKR0BscAbaQeIb33miDSKSgj77PWjXbkMXTL02zFs6tcxRs4Cq8y9fhA6fNFT5OTWjXTapyccKjH-t3K51diJOYADHEtV5DNE/w640-h460/How+to+Make+a+Progress+Monitoring+Tub.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Progress monitoring is a necessary part of being a Special Education Teacher. It is important to student growth, but it shouldn't take a lot of time. For me, I save time by creating a progress monitoring tub full of all of the essentials for assessing my students. </div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Progress Monitoring Storage</h2><div>Let's first start with the container. As teachers, we LOVE containers, tubs, and all things cute storage. I love this <a href="https://amzn.to/30ukNTd" target="_blank">ice cube chest from Amazon</a>. It is large enough to hold <a href="https://amzn.to/2Utn9hp" target="_blank">file folders</a>, but it is still small enough to carry around easily. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbT0hUsFOmf1Uq8pUrQgaV8fYNuMx4o-G6LOHQNu2Snc3ilaOTvWkWVWh2Tbej5L2V_OeduElspSd5XS3IXqcmjArbuqhqWvZiCgfYQxCZVTB2ZoOt6gE1JsZU5ohZ9FKmQxU7mHMwDc/s4032/ACS_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2936" data-original-width="4032" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbT0hUsFOmf1Uq8pUrQgaV8fYNuMx4o-G6LOHQNu2Snc3ilaOTvWkWVWh2Tbej5L2V_OeduElspSd5XS3IXqcmjArbuqhqWvZiCgfYQxCZVTB2ZoOt6gE1JsZU5ohZ9FKmQxU7mHMwDc/w640-h466/ACS_0359.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Progress Monitoring for Specific Skills</h2><div>I have various lists and rings filled with all of the things that I would commonly assess my students on. These might be lists of letters, numbers, decodable words, or sight words. They are easy to pull out and quickly assess a student's progress. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also have quick counting, math fact, and math computation assessments. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SXHQRjgCBgLjBiN59bcK9qBdJ6aMbm-661n7LjJsPLTTPT5quTHCb8jumj0t90DRREXndkll10t3YVD1QVZnx9AcryAKklnP1fl4xN-_PekZ9RXEoqFZq7RpJ_2t2_0MAEEu0Lhor2Y/s3993/ACS_0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2975" data-original-width="3993" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SXHQRjgCBgLjBiN59bcK9qBdJ6aMbm-661n7LjJsPLTTPT5quTHCb8jumj0t90DRREXndkll10t3YVD1QVZnx9AcryAKklnP1fl4xN-_PekZ9RXEoqFZq7RpJ_2t2_0MAEEu0Lhor2Y/w640-h476/ACS_0358.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Nonsense Words</h2><div>I have several kids who are excellent at memorization. I use nonsense words to assess them on their abiity to decode words that follow typical spelling patterns. I have these on word rings, as well as printed lists, just like real words. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-vRLD2BN159LVc5pVTPp-a28yI9GgdLIV-Oowow6xHNZ0p3MfzWWOXvsNxYzU5NtKY7y8Xz83DI0nBEuj8LVcyxxCaMZSvxcdsP666RM9HJqsVFuYB1bkX1wj09dQ8jJmHtc0p-lN68/s4032/ACS_0357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-vRLD2BN159LVc5pVTPp-a28yI9GgdLIV-Oowow6xHNZ0p3MfzWWOXvsNxYzU5NtKY7y8Xz83DI0nBEuj8LVcyxxCaMZSvxcdsP666RM9HJqsVFuYB1bkX1wj09dQ8jJmHtc0p-lN68/w640-h480/ACS_0357.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Informal Assessments</h2><div>I keep a clipboard with all of my informal assessments. I use these to assess move-in students and students being evaluated. It help me get a quick snapshot of their strengths and weaknesses. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can click here to find these <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Assessments-for-Special-Education-Present-Level-of-Performance-PLOP-4730198?utm_source=Blog%20Post%20%7C%20What's%20Inside%20My%20Progress%20Monitoring%20Tub&utm_campaign=Informal%20Assessments" target="_blank">informal assessments on TpT</a>. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Writing Utensils</h2><div>I always try to keep a handful of pencils and my favorite pen in my progress monitoring tub. Typically, if I'm assessing something, it is in the hallway during my prep. I need to have everything that we will need to make that assessment faster. They'll need a pencil to solve math problems and complete a spelling test, depending on the tests that I need to give them. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Sticks or Other Rewards</h2><div>Depending on the student and the assessments you give, assessing them could be tough. I like to keep stickers or other motivational rewards handy. You never know when you might need them in order to bribe a student to get the results you need. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Progress-Monitoring-for-IEP-Goals-Forms-Tracking-Sheets-720187?utm_source=Blog%20Post%20%7C%20What's%20Inside%20My%20Progress%20Monitoring%20Tub&amp;amp;utm_campaign=Progress%20Monitoring%20Collection" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRYkSr3T9AEGM9MtFmcYOl35ZtLNE7BoUHBPZ1S4Lr8rDqsIS8qrm78R9bkutAGIYd1YVJK9Z3FmjGStKbHg8vgj28NAes7b1KHca0PpLMpsD0_9PM18_rrx7_t02Y73WILiDYYDOpqI/w200-h200/Slide1.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Nonsense-Words-Progress-Monitoring-Forms-Assessments-3845080?utm_source=Blog%20Post%20%7C%20What's%20Inside%20My%20Progress%20Monitoring%20Tub&amp;amp;utm_campaign=Nonsense%20Words" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifltX0WIexoW1JdZwPcf-Tw-rPQG2Q4TEajn-zT7Qn89NXVaZ7JPgU3FtPHjujXPcQbJrVI5YPooHWLrEb-BlFYHtkv8x1CXJEvZyyNxddTB0DoTkJXVASeInhlWVyhuUhSqAbPLOxOPo/w200-h200/Slide5.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Assessments-for-Special-Education-Present-Level-of-Performance-PLOP-4730198?utm_source=Blog%20Post%20%7C%20What's%20Inside%20My%20Progress%20Monitoring%20Tub&amp;amp;utm_campaign=Informal%20Assessments" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUu0wO5mqNYiRJYhTHNond0HG9l25RxhR02T4yGiXjy63jjhBCv8Due5Y0ARJt7tiaB12fUlnx0VRRL5N1KDT4ZpxlQGtv0PXer6rhpFkMk1HfXWk93W3wy9QK1lt3WBo1jItqGCNXkEE/w200-h200/Slide1.png" width="200" /></a></div></div>Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-53113886150150474332020-07-05T22:38:00.003-04:002020-07-06T21:02:23.097-04:00Special Education: What To Do in 30 Minute Groups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPLBzbJ2mRn1aL3q3GjhweE4izjQPMcNUGpqQyOYAcc4wJ85dpE74pvNrdHWnza0bxwoLUhgFTkYdO7c5FZs5RLc-EdyVz2P5ZeCN7O_jx_eRFQqLSy_UhyphenhyphenFq6YVXGc38hu6hWhC22d0/s792/Special+Education+Small+Groups.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="792" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPLBzbJ2mRn1aL3q3GjhweE4izjQPMcNUGpqQyOYAcc4wJ85dpE74pvNrdHWnza0bxwoLUhgFTkYdO7c5FZs5RLc-EdyVz2P5ZeCN7O_jx_eRFQqLSy_UhyphenhyphenFq6YVXGc38hu6hWhC22d0/w640-h398/Special+Education+Small+Groups.png" width="640" /></a></div>As a special education teacher, there are literally NEVER enough minutes in the school day. I do my best to make the most of the precious minutes that I have with my students, even if it's only for 30 minutes! <div><br /></div><div>For my reading groups, I typically have thirty minutes on my daily schedule. With transition time, I don't always have a full thirty minutes. I split my time between spelling and reading. In the images and descriptions below, you'll find a breakdown of the amount of time I spend each day on each area. <br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gTUtz2f_s6nrOPUKQ1ZDG8V7SMM-FZ3kEd1nHybcKjDjFd6bsLUz7H1969rzo1bqdP6qcmh0hpdgeb3QvIq-VYVGkYpUDgETjRwepFAQwIyDb2xKAwRF9BgcSkpfGqPh-oq6OVTuTuQ/s814/Monday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="814" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gTUtz2f_s6nrOPUKQ1ZDG8V7SMM-FZ3kEd1nHybcKjDjFd6bsLUz7H1969rzo1bqdP6qcmh0hpdgeb3QvIq-VYVGkYpUDgETjRwepFAQwIyDb2xKAwRF9BgcSkpfGqPh-oq6OVTuTuQ/w640-h246/Monday.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">I introduce a new phoneme or phonemes to my students. That will be a focus for the entire week. Depending on the level of my students, we have 5 or 10 spelling words. Some of my kids could probably handle larger lists, but I have found that adds to the amount of time focusing on spelling rather than reading. </p><p style="text-align: left;">For reading, I utilize my reading intervention to help my students cover a write array of reading skills in a short period of time. We also have words in our daily passages that review the new phoneme and review old phonemes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqltXymO38R-_H4MOY7OC4Bq-CBzuLxXAT5S5IP18dzJrqgrOGZeqNirYMMyJeSu4SLQuTr9E9F61sXIXe72jKgvoZmUqsfTGYRrNeGva3Aszf_r94lUs_QFID_hpR__dxXHxbHfOCruM/s813/Tuesday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="813" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqltXymO38R-_H4MOY7OC4Bq-CBzuLxXAT5S5IP18dzJrqgrOGZeqNirYMMyJeSu4SLQuTr9E9F61sXIXe72jKgvoZmUqsfTGYRrNeGva3Aszf_r94lUs_QFID_hpR__dxXHxbHfOCruM/w640-h248/Tuesday.png" width="640" /></a></div><div>On Tuesday, we use our letter tiles to spell our spelling words. I utilize my dry erase board to help my students fill in missing letters, stretch the words together, and provide a visual to organize the sounds as they hear them. </div><div><br /></div><div>Using Day 2 of our weekly reading book, we practice the same phoneme, review high frequency words, read together orally, and work to better understand what we are reading. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVoHGDjisuh7W-X1Frphb6o6rmXlS8Jfg7KVTy7kOgfjN6pfNsWhvGA9qZpTwMb55p-GResU5jW45alfoklwAA4ieff4MSZpgKGBcJuNlq1xh_FMuYrDWecHGoBIbxVPxizzmwsqf89I/s813/Wednesday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="813" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVoHGDjisuh7W-X1Frphb6o6rmXlS8Jfg7KVTy7kOgfjN6pfNsWhvGA9qZpTwMb55p-GResU5jW45alfoklwAA4ieff4MSZpgKGBcJuNlq1xh_FMuYrDWecHGoBIbxVPxizzmwsqf89I/w640-h266/Wednesday.png" width="640" /></a></div><div>On Wednesday, we take a practice test. I usually let my students use dry erase boards or Boogie Boards. It is a fun way to help them gauge their progress with the new phoneme. It also gives me a chance to see how they are doing. </div><div><br /></div><div>In reading, we grab our leveled readers and work through our daily routine! They love to do fluency checks on Wednesdays. It is a fun way for them to measure their own progress. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbq8vaZ0zkMt6A3VC_DNRGeVd3Wcv61UQlfx1bHK2EaYh5YsQAdeIBWi3je8mWZU6vLqszy9OOq8V1xE1hmvllSjLsmZo6ZkScgIpnqsYVli4o1sPEcocVQ_IlLpelqIrsqAGD2JlGUM/s813/Thursday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="813" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbq8vaZ0zkMt6A3VC_DNRGeVd3Wcv61UQlfx1bHK2EaYh5YsQAdeIBWi3je8mWZU6vLqszy9OOq8V1xE1hmvllSjLsmZo6ZkScgIpnqsYVli4o1sPEcocVQ_IlLpelqIrsqAGD2JlGUM/w640-h268/Thursday.png" width="640" /></a></div><div>We take our spelling test on Thursday. For a while, I was trying to do a spelling test on the same day as our reading and math tests. It just became too overwhelming for the kids...and ME! We were pushed for time, and I felt like I was constantly rushing them. I like that I can slow down and dedicate a fair amount of time to our spelling test. </div><div><br /></div><div>After spelling, we switch to our reading books and continue reading. My students are able to check their fluency, review both past and current phonemes, and write a sentence that I dictate to them. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98sDrXNnln75VuQbN2K1eb5Uc9QgDHm1oalzFzaCasovkm7cNms7mUc89WxUm_StvojJlUOI-hWkC5ZohyR4kk9PYFws1lH4v6JSyyX69vVueQJ5znfjZ46bmz21yGZSpgii3lUwFpo0/s812/Friday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="812" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98sDrXNnln75VuQbN2K1eb5Uc9QgDHm1oalzFzaCasovkm7cNms7mUc89WxUm_StvojJlUOI-hWkC5ZohyR4kk9PYFws1lH4v6JSyyX69vVueQJ5znfjZ46bmz21yGZSpgii3lUwFpo0/w640-h134/Friday.png" width="640" /></a></div><div>Friday is NOT my favorite day of the week, guys! I feel like all I get done is test, test, test. I pull my students a little differently on Fridays. Instead of pulling ability based groups, I usually pull them based on their homeroom on Friday. I helps if teachers in the same grade level aren't on the same reading story or math lesson. Most of the time time they are, but there are always weeks where we are thrown off. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3p0rATgTPpf5n-QtlWCZcbmlk8Y-C4Xs0-iRVgE1dcgD0Krh5sjcYoCgDC8wEPj-Gxa7o6djB_mnbNBaeYrBHeap_WMItBbML2OSB2MsLINeVSlnbl0MXJobvAC2DJmWpseLnP0s2bww/s640/SPED+Reading+Intervention.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3p0rATgTPpf5n-QtlWCZcbmlk8Y-C4Xs0-iRVgE1dcgD0Krh5sjcYoCgDC8wEPj-Gxa7o6djB_mnbNBaeYrBHeap_WMItBbML2OSB2MsLINeVSlnbl0MXJobvAC2DJmWpseLnP0s2bww/w480-h640/SPED+Reading+Intervention.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div>Did you notice that I referred to that leveled reader several times? Well, they've been a lifesaver for me. It helps me ensure that I'm doing all that I can for my students. It also saves me time when it comes to planning each week. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to give it a shot, I have a free week! <a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/d407fe4df5" target="_blank">You can download it by clicking here.</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>If you've already gotten the free week, you might be wondering where you can get MORE! If you'd like to check them out, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Special-Education-Reading-Curriculum-Intervention-Digital-Learning-Files-5314398?utm_source=Blog%20Post%20%7C%2030%20Minute%20SPED%20Group&utm_campaign=Reading%20Intervention%20Weeks%201-10" target="_blank">click here to see them on TpT. </a></div>Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-7601165866287420542020-07-01T20:05:00.002-04:002020-07-01T20:05:11.855-04:005 Professional Development Books for Special EducationI love to read. I'm also a total nerd when it comes to professional development and learning new things. I literally have bookshelves full of books. Some I've read. Others are on my "To Be Read" list. <div><br /></div><div>I feel like there is always something to learn in special education: a new strategy, developing research, a mindset shift. We can never learn or know enough. I hope that you will take a minute to browse these books and see if any of these areas are a good fit for you to read this summer. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dAew7DBjcTI_cEa38mZ5LGKW9r1H6W7nVUgPQjPcRiFTEXaEkyQriwnxyFS-oS0cnC8CBZSYrzxjHMahwZhQ3DmuWaB8_HbIt9vtaoxys5A2QEnYXTUAfKxFdEYPMzQSiE5hxlj9Mbc/s4032/ACS_0338.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dAew7DBjcTI_cEa38mZ5LGKW9r1H6W7nVUgPQjPcRiFTEXaEkyQriwnxyFS-oS0cnC8CBZSYrzxjHMahwZhQ3DmuWaB8_HbIt9vtaoxys5A2QEnYXTUAfKxFdEYPMzQSiE5hxlj9Mbc/w640-h480/ACS_0338.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Pre-Referral Intervention Manual</h2><div>This book is literally in every single school that I've ever worked in. That's how important it is. I have also rarely seen it utilized to it's fullest potential. In this book, you'll find THOUSANDS of researched based strategies for so many learning and behavioral difficulties. </div><div><br /></div><div>When you are asked what researched based strategies you are using for your students or students in the referral process, this is your go to. What I love most, you are already doing so many researched based strategies without even knowing it. This book is extremely valuable and easy to use! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmihHdzjSpx0NJhkh_gOBPMDiSL_f7rwFbnHQ_GQZapDy5N1AdqozKPzbQK1O4CvpO39-ndD9Nn3UShaWRkedYK4cMmATwdoVxjdDKZ838Y50MO0TgJ2apEdwJIj7i4PEiu-mkZgj-6HA/s4032/ACS_0339.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmihHdzjSpx0NJhkh_gOBPMDiSL_f7rwFbnHQ_GQZapDy5N1AdqozKPzbQK1O4CvpO39-ndD9Nn3UShaWRkedYK4cMmATwdoVxjdDKZ838Y50MO0TgJ2apEdwJIj7i4PEiu-mkZgj-6HA/w640-h480/ACS_0339.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Phonological Awareness Assessment Tools & Strategies</h2><div>If you read ANYTHING about Dyslexia, you'll quickly realize the important of phonological awareness. For me, I was asking myself what I could do to help my kids improve in this area. </div><div><br /></div><div>I received this book when I attended an Orton-Gillingham training last year. The activities inside are GOLD. They are simple, easy, and fun for the students to do. In many cases, they don't require any materials OR they can be done with things you already have around your home or classroom. It also breaks down strategies for things that you would do in Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y7k-MO4NJi_957ZcYdTQBT3ErT-0BU8bQCliCCpBbqYixwSsuSzQP_T7bMiqEWJyJN2Oa54DyLIiBdRubLXXNW8FtkdFpReZZtbqoGtQnq2YC18Sf7_bcrn5f6q3JFJnINFPGB6RR08/s4032/ACS_0340.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y7k-MO4NJi_957ZcYdTQBT3ErT-0BU8bQCliCCpBbqYixwSsuSzQP_T7bMiqEWJyJN2Oa54DyLIiBdRubLXXNW8FtkdFpReZZtbqoGtQnq2YC18Sf7_bcrn5f6q3JFJnINFPGB6RR08/w640-h480/ACS_0340.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Complete Learning Disabilities Handbook</h2><div>I'll be honest. This one isn't a fun read. This was actually a book that I had to buy when I was working on my masters. It is big and really thing, but it is LOADED with strategies for you to use with your students. When I am working on a new product line or struggling with a student who isn't making progress, I reference this book. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAopb0o3NMUZCK1s_7vH2jAeHnHryeSIweUJDV_d9EMCY9oGVfKoo5xLFuLjFxYaEbDnfgQu1DKq0rIJfwDPyDnxcn1vvA4ZO02ZbnzSAMajiCK1gvH0yu1j8-nT7zgS5jM11JzIpOeuY/s4032/ACS_0341.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAopb0o3NMUZCK1s_7vH2jAeHnHryeSIweUJDV_d9EMCY9oGVfKoo5xLFuLjFxYaEbDnfgQu1DKq0rIJfwDPyDnxcn1vvA4ZO02ZbnzSAMajiCK1gvH0yu1j8-nT7zgS5jM11JzIpOeuY/w640-h480/ACS_0341.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Take Control of Dyslexia & Other Reading Difficulties</h2><div>I LOVE this book. It is actually designed for students and adults with dyslexia to read themselves. However, I don't believe that it's just for people WITH dyslexia. I think it's also for people who will be HELPING people with dyslexia grow and learn. </div><div><br /></div><div>In this book, it discusses strategies for becoming a better reader, as well as explaining what dyslexia is and how we need to get to know our own learning style. It is a quick, easy read that is very helpful for teachers and parents. I plan to keep a few copies of this on my bookshelf at school to loan to general education teachers and parents. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsamR7ljNiguVU2ErEEoka7eV4pVP8T4mlJSZfcuYOF6LTlFlPU1zHI6JODvn6BRvOrna7C9jZrTNz-G4OM1K9SE_z58uwUgvSZAw8cOQIZc_QvQB05nJxvHhYTEn9P8ZwM3wMIgcxw8/s4032/ACS_0342.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsamR7ljNiguVU2ErEEoka7eV4pVP8T4mlJSZfcuYOF6LTlFlPU1zHI6JODvn6BRvOrna7C9jZrTNz-G4OM1K9SE_z58uwUgvSZAw8cOQIZc_QvQB05nJxvHhYTEn9P8ZwM3wMIgcxw8/w640-h480/ACS_0342.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Differentiation and the Brain</h2><div>This book is very heavy, like in research not weight! It dives deep into the neuroscience behind differentiation to allow us to help our students. It is a unique book that offers a great understanding of WHY we need to differentiate for our students and HOW we can make that happen. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/d407fe4df5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="791" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1JnswPPr7x_RPqXbFq9JSb4pzXEaRebsB0wrUn7XWWQHUTmGgmOadCM6DyDw0Y1xT0X-f0x9w7r0LEs8KNW8SflzFrIJMwvQXmj5gmSWSW_C0YlDu8nBNuxJagt5ndwADKOZc__3M28/w640-h494/SPED+Reading+Series+Free+Week.png" width="640" /></a></div><div>Special education teachers, I have something just for YOU! I have a free week of reading intervention that helps me tackle all sorts of challenging areas for my students. <a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/d407fe4df5" target="_blank">You can download it by clicking this link or the image above. </a></div>Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-35908649836218298232020-06-29T09:00:00.001-04:002020-07-06T21:02:54.198-04:00Small Group Routines: 7 Quick and Simple Things to Do Every Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIV13hBSJpiMz4XKtbioqHve2jfyyDdbAp9FZV-E8qvpBvg6XLtdfvkUH9zo3MYUDjOFq18Mrc5TgRtUkNXXTAtIYT7mbTGzTw6BltC8PTd5z34iOieur_zb7JnMHW22YoDyBpQ5-kqk/s792/Small+Group+Routines.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="792" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIV13hBSJpiMz4XKtbioqHve2jfyyDdbAp9FZV-E8qvpBvg6XLtdfvkUH9zo3MYUDjOFq18Mrc5TgRtUkNXXTAtIYT7mbTGzTw6BltC8PTd5z34iOieur_zb7JnMHW22YoDyBpQ5-kqk/w640-h434/Small+Group+Routines.png" width="640" /></a></div>In special education, our time is precious. Routines help to accomplish many tasks on a daily or weekly basis to ensure that our students are getting well rounded instruction. I use these routines to accomplish practice basic skills in my small reading groups.<br />
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<h1 style="text-align: left;">
Blending Words</h1>
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I lay out different letter cards on the table. What cards I have laid out depend on what group I have. In my lowest level group we work on CVC words where we have a vowel in the middle and we work on creating real and nonsense words that imitate CVC words. We work on stretching out the words. My students will give me a thumbs up if it is a real word and a thumbs down if it is a nonsense word. </div>
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<h1 style="text-align: left;">
Manipulating Sounds</h1>
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I build on manipulating sounds by having my students change on letter to spell a new word. Example of this would be change the word cat into fat. These words then become their spelling words for the week. I try to start with changing the beginning sounds then end with changing the end sound. </div>
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<h1 style="text-align: left;">
Sight Word Hunt</h1>
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When working on sight words I like to work on the students seeing them in their reading and tapping them (if you are familiar with Orton-Gillingham you know exactly what I am talking about). After using the tapping method multiple times we then look in our text for the sight word. Once we find our words we use highlighters to highlight the words. We also highlight our decode-able words. </div>
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<h1 style="text-align: left;">
Echo Reading</h1>
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After our sight word hunt we begin reading our level reader that we use. Most days we read our text three times. The first time reading is an echo reading. I read one sentence then the student's echo me. We continue this until we finish the story. This helps the students hear the story being read fluently and see the words in the story from the very beginning. </div>
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<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_W8gZ16CCc6DEvzChHvMFwPNWhIuVW8N0k9Ix7RrWgJj0ZEft7rEy4gwlS25KClG6zmefa4PYOdexIOPhMqu3CNF2uwux31jYddrM3hcbK8YalwA4o61EWkET1psupFLBNHrP19deKA/s4032/ACS_0337.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3014" data-original-width="4032" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_W8gZ16CCc6DEvzChHvMFwPNWhIuVW8N0k9Ix7RrWgJj0ZEft7rEy4gwlS25KClG6zmefa4PYOdexIOPhMqu3CNF2uwux31jYddrM3hcbK8YalwA4o61EWkET1psupFLBNHrP19deKA/w640-h478/ACS_0337.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">
Cloze Reading</h1>
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The scond time reading the story we do a cloze reading. With this type of reading I read a majority of the sentence then I pause and I need the students to help me fill in the next word. This makes the students work on tracking, makes them focus more attention on the text, and gives them a purpose by helping me read. It also helps reinforce decode-able words, sight words, and words we have worked on in the previous weeks. These are the words that I usually stop on and ask for their help.</div>
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<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG6cENmEu51L3qEVoPrS4sRVA-jSUwQsxEdJDHwd2VInjnt7ihdYMQtvbPO1fuKOVik5JKAeMbq3uUwBF9B4J1RMSbmMGXfODDAuRzmnMKWJoEKkuJEZ-7fMJmwIqhxpBKl30WpNMda0/s4032/ACS_0333.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG6cENmEu51L3qEVoPrS4sRVA-jSUwQsxEdJDHwd2VInjnt7ihdYMQtvbPO1fuKOVik5JKAeMbq3uUwBF9B4J1RMSbmMGXfODDAuRzmnMKWJoEKkuJEZ-7fMJmwIqhxpBKl30WpNMda0/w640-h480/ACS_0333.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">
Fluency Passages</h1>
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Reading fluency is something I just started implementing this year. We want our students to be good readers! One way to help make our students into good confident readers is by doing reading fluency. I started this in my groups by having my students read the first two passages at the beginning of the week and then reread those same two passages at the end of the week as reading fluency passages. We work together to read the passages three times to a timer (they start reading when the timer starts). I do sit and monitor the students one on one, but most of the time they are reading by themselves. This will help your students become better, faster readers, and build more stamina. </div>
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<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWKuxL25a-MPwZ9TU8XAQYibGmhHrMXnOPeqxpjUSbhMjJZM8uuL2sTPU6yX6seXrqBLUktIbkqMGvAaqwxqjqYiapmMIrgAK3Bw69SLzZ3r5vDM34jwUrEiD2FnxKL824AwMZgEsu5Y/s3798/ACS_0332.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2596" data-original-width="3798" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWKuxL25a-MPwZ9TU8XAQYibGmhHrMXnOPeqxpjUSbhMjJZM8uuL2sTPU6yX6seXrqBLUktIbkqMGvAaqwxqjqYiapmMIrgAK3Bw69SLzZ3r5vDM34jwUrEiD2FnxKL824AwMZgEsu5Y/w640-h438/ACS_0332.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<h1 style="text-align: left;">
Rhyming Words</h1>
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Rhyming words is something that is hard for our kids. To help my kids become more successful with rhyming words I bought a cheap set of rhyming word flashcards that way I would know all the words had something that would rhyme with them. I put these cards in one of my baskets and I pull them out when we have time. I show the students the card and I ask them if they can come up with a word that for example rhymes with man. We take turns listing the words because many words can rhyme with the word man. This gives everyone an opportunity to come up with a rhyming word. This is an easy activity to pull out when you only have a few minutes left of group, while you are waiting to transition, or when you are in the hallways walking them to or from class. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3p0rATgTPpf5n-QtlWCZcbmlk8Y-C4Xs0-iRVgE1dcgD0Krh5sjcYoCgDC8wEPj-Gxa7o6djB_mnbNBaeYrBHeap_WMItBbML2OSB2MsLINeVSlnbl0MXJobvAC2DJmWpseLnP0s2bww/s640/SPED+Reading+Intervention.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3p0rATgTPpf5n-QtlWCZcbmlk8Y-C4Xs0-iRVgE1dcgD0Krh5sjcYoCgDC8wEPj-Gxa7o6djB_mnbNBaeYrBHeap_WMItBbML2OSB2MsLINeVSlnbl0MXJobvAC2DJmWpseLnP0s2bww/w480-h640/SPED+Reading+Intervention.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Did you notice that I referred to that leveled reader several times? Well, they've been a lifesaver for me. It helps me ensure that I'm doing all that I can for my students. It also saves me time when it comes to planning each week. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you want to give it a shot, I have a free week! <a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/d407fe4df5" target="_blank">You can download it by clicking here.</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you've already gotten the free week, you might be wondering where you can get MORE! If you'd like to check them out, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Special-Education-Reading-Curriculum-Intervention-Digital-Learning-Files-5314398?utm_source=Blog%20Post%20%7C%2030%20Minute%20SPED%20Group&utm_campaign=Reading%20Intervention%20Weeks%201-10" target="_blank">click here to see them on TpT. </a></div></div>
Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-36839624648033239192020-06-27T17:49:00.002-04:002020-06-30T14:50:25.428-04:00Special Education Teachers: What supplies do I need most?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC58xjTqTHi4dUsVStGGqUB_pyE_dkTuFK53a7L71W-sg0MED7wBuDelI3Fe_k4k-exX292fSkyIu2qTGMRDlAfjbiIwYq_X9uXxIB8Ps5LNCMl9ZW0F2Nzv9PEam0RZzO6zNbprqcKOs/s794/Back+to+School+Supplies+for+SPED+Teachers.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image of school supplies with text Special Education Teachers: The Ultimate List of Back to School Supplies" border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="794" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC58xjTqTHi4dUsVStGGqUB_pyE_dkTuFK53a7L71W-sg0MED7wBuDelI3Fe_k4k-exX292fSkyIu2qTGMRDlAfjbiIwYq_X9uXxIB8Ps5LNCMl9ZW0F2Nzv9PEam0RZzO6zNbprqcKOs/w640-h376/Back+to+School+Supplies+for+SPED+Teachers.png" title="Special Education Teachers: The Ultimate List of Back to School Supplies" width="640" /></a></div>
It's almost that time! Depending on where you live, you will soon be seeing sales for school supplies. For us teachers seeing those school supplies can put us into two moods. First mood is give me all the school supplies I can get because who doesn't love new school supplies? The another mood is summer is not over so do not even think about getting out those school supplies! I am one where I get excited about new school supplies and a new year! As a special education teacher in a resource room, <b>what school supplies do I need most</b>?!<br />
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We often don't have students who are bringing in backpacks full of pencils, notebooks, and folders. It's up to us to stock up for those particular students. I secretly love this! Below, you'll find my supplies for the resource room that I find most valuable for students to use as well as what I need to keep myself organized and prep activities. </div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Supplies You'll Need Most f Student Use</h2>
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Notebooks</li>
<li>Folders</li>
<li>Pencils <i>(a LOT of pencils!)</i></li>
<li>Erasers</li>
<li>Crayons</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>Glue Sticks</li>
<li>Markers</li>
<li>Scented Markers</li>
<li>Colored Pens</li>
<li>Highlighters</li>
<li>Post-It Notes</li>
<li>Privacy Folders</li>
<li>Math Manipulatives</li>
<li>Hundreds Charts</li>
<li>Multiplication Charts</li>
<li>Spinners</li>
<li>Dice</li>
<li>Clipboards</li>
</ol>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Supplies You'll Need to Stay Organized</h2>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>File Folders for Each Student <i>(I like hanging file folders!)</i></li>
<li>Binders</li>
<li>Binder Tabs</li>
<li>Post-It Notes</li>
<li>Your Favorite Pens</li>
<li>Calendar</li>
<li>Highlighters</li>
<li>Clipboards</li>
</ol>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Supplies You'll Need to Prep Lessons & Activities</h2>
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Laminator</li>
<li>Laminating Sheets</li>
<li>Velcro</li>
<li>Colored Printer Paper</li>
<li>Cardstock</li>
<li>Spring Loaded Scissors</li>
<li>Paper Cutter</li>
<li>Ziplock Bags</li>
<li>Sharpies</li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/d407fe4df5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Image of reading intervention with text Free download" border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="790" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1aV05HdvaX1QfF6NEaBNJBN0bxV6FRkImtrhBNOfnvvNtkMRUgZaAdukuM6uPcBRQE1u3FMCKQiQRWqHwe_sSrXCQ_sruAYJ2pCmFPnnNjRK-G_Tp0F_LPWTgC7-tEioizdenpkZuCk/w640-h496/Special+Education+Reading+Series.png" title="Freebie: Reading Intervention" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've also been loving this reading intervention. I have a free week for you to try! <a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/d407fe4df5" target="_blank">Click this link or the image above to snag it for free. </a></div>
</div>
Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-38987244803840623342020-06-06T14:13:00.002-04:002020-06-23T12:48:56.521-04:00How to Use Graphs to Make Progress Monitoring EASY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkQ90qKpQOIsb_tWyreuU29qvK-GI3CL_Js81ZYaGYZHvOsxuX5ObftSYrXIfPY5-7HBUSxHxLCNNcRbZElFdHgIIJD0IGNwWjuwvkqEAcCanc3QZ_Q29PmnMcL_rl2YJHtAsiknuuao/s1600/Using+Graphs+to+Simplify+Progress+Monitoring.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Picture of two reading goal graphs with text Using Graphs to Simplify Progress Monitoring" border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="792" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkQ90qKpQOIsb_tWyreuU29qvK-GI3CL_Js81ZYaGYZHvOsxuX5ObftSYrXIfPY5-7HBUSxHxLCNNcRbZElFdHgIIJD0IGNwWjuwvkqEAcCanc3QZ_Q29PmnMcL_rl2YJHtAsiknuuao/s640/Using+Graphs+to+Simplify+Progress+Monitoring.png" title="Using Graphs to Simply Progress Monitoring" width="640" /></a></div>
Progress monitoring is overwhelming. Trust me. I know. It is one of the hardest things about being a special education teacher. It's also the most essential.<br />
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So, how can we make progress monitoring easier and save time? I think that using goal graphs <b>make progress monitoring easy</b> and can make our lives as special education teachers EASIER!<br />
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<h3>
<b>How to Use Graphs to Make Progress Monitoring EASY</b>:</h3>
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<h2>
Option 1: The Progress Monitoring Binder</h2>
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Inside my progress monitoring binder, I have tab for each student. I also have a graph for each goal that my students have. Because I'm a bit of a control freak, I add the data myself and do all of the coloring. </div>
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I love to take these graphs to IEP meetings, parent teacher conferences, or use to show students a visual of their own progress. </div>
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<h2>
Option 2: Student Data Folders</h2>
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This year, I promised myself that I would do something different. Instead of being the keeper of all the data, I would try to let go and allow my kids to keep their own data folders. I decided to start with my third graders. </div>
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After assessing them, I take a marker and draw a line to reflect their score. When we have time, the kids will color in their bar in order to build their graph. </div>
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<h2>
How to Make a Goal Graph</h2>
<h3>
Print Graphs</h3>
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I print out the graphs that I need. I usually try to think of the goals that I'll be tracking throughout the year. Will I need the vertical axis to have percentages, numbers 0-10, or something else? </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_disoo4d7Y1VbgYax5bzLEk-AJrfrNlIqWyR8MSTYhVOj_WGgP-NXANPwKvM3b8FuUMZD92WsN-4UcF22lwxeS4KbX8f4EyRzpGvPHmjRWatTjhE6i4AjW_KZIgL8g8nFXaOSkX2rUiU/s1600/ACS_0318.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Graphs for progress monitoring" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_disoo4d7Y1VbgYax5bzLEk-AJrfrNlIqWyR8MSTYhVOj_WGgP-NXANPwKvM3b8FuUMZD92WsN-4UcF22lwxeS4KbX8f4EyRzpGvPHmjRWatTjhE6i4AjW_KZIgL8g8nFXaOSkX2rUiU/s640/ACS_0318.JPG" title="Graphs to make Progress Monitoring EASY" width="640" /></a></div>
<h3>
Copy Graphs with Dates</h3>
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After I print the graphs, I add dates for when I plan to progress monitor. Then, I take these graphs to the copier and I make a lot of copies! I might make 50-100 copies, depending on the subject and the way the goal is measured! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lVgCdniW-6pmQvTJO1RfRxLmxRJn06kEl_XYjPeG79KMS_02UFS3tfz6WvI5gMAiOKbmmXw_d6i-RfheTA_3wH0K54LNQzdNtX0hyTzAsgNbMY3JKVx0V9DRLc0-xfqJeaP2Va-bFGA/s1600/ACS_0317.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Reading Goal Graph with a Goal Line, Ruler, and Marker" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lVgCdniW-6pmQvTJO1RfRxLmxRJn06kEl_XYjPeG79KMS_02UFS3tfz6WvI5gMAiOKbmmXw_d6i-RfheTA_3wH0K54LNQzdNtX0hyTzAsgNbMY3JKVx0V9DRLc0-xfqJeaP2Va-bFGA/s640/ACS_0317.JPG" title="Set Goal & Draw Goal Line" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Set Goal & Draw Goal Line</h3>
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Grab your ruler and a marker for this step! Add dots to reflect the starting point and ending points of your goal. The second data point that I add to the graph should reflect when their annual case conference is due. This lets me see where the student should be by a certain date. By looking at the goal line, I can see if my students are on track to meet their goal. I can also see if they are not making adequate progress or if they are ahead and might need an IEP revision.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKoRNPJ9RAWFEozCzoHdTUC08QohEuToaSFPufrLN79xBngXRlLtZaW8eltZAMhoNWFtRnknZgLy5mLaQRbyKMQMd5WdD0qFqu7zFu6G5AtjpIQgpZGSULgABPOwnSBzsL4HW4EgqERM/s1600/ACS_0315.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Reading Goal Graph with Data Points Added" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKoRNPJ9RAWFEozCzoHdTUC08QohEuToaSFPufrLN79xBngXRlLtZaW8eltZAMhoNWFtRnknZgLy5mLaQRbyKMQMd5WdD0qFqu7zFu6G5AtjpIQgpZGSULgABPOwnSBzsL4HW4EgqERM/s640/ACS_0315.JPG" title="Add Data Points" width="640" /></a></div>
<h3>
Add Data Points</h3>
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Once you begin collecting data, add them to your graph throughout the year. Many of our learners are visual. These graphs show a student (as well as their classroom teachers and their parents) how they are doing on their goals.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggewrxgz3cdjmLR5Usg4g4cgBeQQxqjTHxqUEJyro_BT67ec9zOulRWQDKQuez291s9x10R3tN-JAtfiJQr4ar9WCIrMXgEc2mVCvc38j-DMoNXsZ7Y9VfH-MkCRxfQ0IsIs4XSIXzEBA/s4032/ACS_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Extra Copies of Reading Goal Graphs" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggewrxgz3cdjmLR5Usg4g4cgBeQQxqjTHxqUEJyro_BT67ec9zOulRWQDKQuez291s9x10R3tN-JAtfiJQr4ar9WCIrMXgEc2mVCvc38j-DMoNXsZ7Y9VfH-MkCRxfQ0IsIs4XSIXzEBA/w640-h480/ACS_0310.JPG" title="Keep Extra Copies of Graphs" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Keep Extras</h3>
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I keep extras in the back of my binder. This helps me to be ready if a student completes a goal, a new student is added to my caseload, or as goals are changed throughout the school year.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-Progress-Monitoring-Tracking-Sheets-1027979"><img alt="Click here for your Editable Goal Graphs on TpT" border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="765" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbR-4vU1qdEqJ8ZV-hjxMbyfCCktW-yfjt7MIi6UrsfUGR7Raa-p8sPzjRjSZuMnlJ3LTZfGSYeFdwnVif5iVDdPBZ7NAvrlggAo71Lv-RZPfCl7r1aeStxdoxY4ISFVXSGttO1HIHdw/w640-h512/Goal+Graphs.png" title="Goal Graphs on TpT" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Could these graphs help <b>make progress monitoring easy</b> for you? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Grab them on TpT by clicking the image above!</span></div>
Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-37259901811719590302020-05-26T23:32:00.002-04:002020-06-30T15:01:40.068-04:00Special Education Teachers: Here's How to Get It All Done<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAtebkwOMYhUPZwte9AZINKJACf2hh3iuEhtMbv2i9L7bFXf_hiKkL0QY4lYQ_P2Shf-jjAoYcxJQcsmxCbc_COQDltGjHwksNkz6sLLecKYlqqz_n7s5xrHF24iT-ogva4MDVTywPHo/s1600/Tackle+Your+To+Do+List.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image of keyboard and to do list with text Sped Teachers Here's How I Tackle My To Do List" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="792" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAtebkwOMYhUPZwte9AZINKJACf2hh3iuEhtMbv2i9L7bFXf_hiKkL0QY4lYQ_P2Shf-jjAoYcxJQcsmxCbc_COQDltGjHwksNkz6sLLecKYlqqz_n7s5xrHF24iT-ogva4MDVTywPHo/s640/Tackle+Your+To+Do+List.png" title="Sped Teachers Here's How I Tackle My To Do List" width="640" /></a></div>
As a resource room teacher, I have SO many things that I need to get done. There are days where behaviors are crazy. Some days, I sit in meetings all afternoon and get next to nothing done.<br />
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However, I do have a few routines that I implement that I feel really help me "<b>Get It All Done</b>"...if that's even possible!<br />
<h2>
Quiet Tasks vs Busy Tasks</h2>
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In special education, many of us share a room with other adults. For me, I share my room with another special education teacher and three assistants. My prep is also during the lunch breaks of several of our assistants and others in our hallway. There are always people around once the school day begins. This makes it difficult to "<b>get it all done</b>".<br />
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I like to think of tasks as either quiet tasks or busy tasks. My busy tasks are things I can get done with other people in the room. My quiet tasks, on the other hand, are the tasks when I need peace and quiet. I usually come to school early and have the room to myself. I like to use this time to do things that require full focus and concentration. I struggle to read and understand when there are other people in the room. It's also hard for me to type reports when there are conversations that I want to be a part of. I know, I'm nosey!<br />
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I try to get one quiet task done every day. Maybe that's writing a report or reading several of the weekly reading stories. Either way, it is something I can accomplish while the room is silent. </div>
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<h2>
Pick a Day to Stay Late</h2>
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I like go to to school early, so I can get one quiet task completed for the day. I also have one day each week where I stay after school. I stay after school until everything <i>(within reason)</i> is accomplished. Usually, these tasks are the same from week to week.<br />
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On Fridays, I do not leave until all of my reading and spelling tests are graded. I lay out all of my homework for the upcoming week and make sure that my intervention booklets are in my folders for the next week.<br />
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My family knows that this is my routine. They know I'm going to stay late. Every other day, I try to leave school right when contract time ends or soon after. For me, that feels like balance! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrYP0ZqhS4vLHCXkltzeE_GJbI4epwfgdus8J0IaWVn8qdtdV6aNGO2dEm_SZXA8AjQo7VoBLXRR967vZft7tcVld0CmaNMlPFf3z5orIuaEO7NQjMfvOxnV-HDfgD2fmt9krt3RO804/s1600/ACS_0321.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image of shelf with multiple papers organized in folders " border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrYP0ZqhS4vLHCXkltzeE_GJbI4epwfgdus8J0IaWVn8qdtdV6aNGO2dEm_SZXA8AjQo7VoBLXRR967vZft7tcVld0CmaNMlPFf3z5orIuaEO7NQjMfvOxnV-HDfgD2fmt9krt3RO804/s640/ACS_0321.JPG" title="My paper filing system" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Batch Tasks</h2>
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Batching tasks is my biggest time saving tip! Whenever possible, I don't make just ONE week of copies. I make 6-10 weeks worth of copies. If I'm going to assess one student, I try to assess several. Here's what I mean:<br />
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<h3>
Readings Tests</h3>
I like to sit down and do all of my accommodations for a whole unit of reading tests. When I'm done with a unit, I add them to a binder that I keep for each grade level. </div>
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After I get done with each grade level, I take the binders to the copier and and make whole units worth of test copies. This allows me to be ready for the next six weeks of reading tests! I store them in order in the magazine files shown in the picture above.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyufDGFDIZMQyUyn0wv4bNltpBwDcwIoOPVY2JQb4GmOs5Wq-G83L8iyGHZgp8-HxJ8_Tit4-ZdTLIooW8snV1v-ueBlRrKWTZQiwq35mv9Dlj27eHv4fozZQYQXGwKBG9-WKJeD8iSZU/s1600/SPED+Reading+Intervention.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image of reading series batch printed" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyufDGFDIZMQyUyn0wv4bNltpBwDcwIoOPVY2JQb4GmOs5Wq-G83L8iyGHZgp8-HxJ8_Tit4-ZdTLIooW8snV1v-ueBlRrKWTZQiwq35mv9Dlj27eHv4fozZQYQXGwKBG9-WKJeD8iSZU/s640/SPED+Reading+Intervention.jpg" title="Batch Printing" width="480" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Interventions</h3>
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I use several interventions in my small groups. I love these because I can copy a booklet and it gets us through the entire week. When I copy these, I usually do 5-10 weeks at a time. It takes a while to make each of these copies, but then they are DONE! </div>
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<h3>
Homework</h3>
Homework is something that many grade level teachers like me to give my students. I have a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spelling-Printables-for-ANY-List-Practice-Pages-for-5-10-or-20-Word-Lists-3648386?utm_source=Blog%20Post%20%7C%20How%20to%20Get%20It%20All%20Done&utm_campaign=Spelling%20Printables%20for%20Any%20List" target="_blank">product from TpT</a> that allows me type all my spelling words to generate homework right away. I can print homework for weeks at a time in minutes.</div>
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<h3>
Classroom Observations</h3>
In my school, I handle the paperwork for our evaluations. Part of that includes completing classroom observations. I like to pick an odd day, like right before break, to do my observations. My goal is to try to get as many done in one day as humanly possible. Then, I work to type those reports the following week. </div>
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<h3>
Assess Students on Present Levels of Performance</h3>
With evaluations, I also have to assess each the students prior to holding their meeting. My goal during my prep for one week is to get all those assessments done. Depending on how many students there are this could be quick and easy. Other times, this is quite a large list. </div>
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Here's a link to a <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/2019/08/PresentLevelofPerformance.html" target="_blank">blog post about assessing your students</a>. </div>
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<h3>
IEP Writing</h3>
After assessing students, I add writing IEPs to my to do list. I use the assessments to write their IEPs. After a good assessment, this part is easy! </div>
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<h3>
Lesson Plans</h3>
I use a template for my lesson plans. I usually print 6-10 weeks of the template and begin planning. I have a bucket for each group. I add any materials that I'll need to the bucket, and I'm done! </div>
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<h2>
<b>Grace</b></h2>
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SPED Teachers, give yourself some GRACE!<br />
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No one really <b>gets it all done</b>. No matter how hard we try, we'll still find ourselves with a crazy day or a week that just gets away from us. But when things get crazy, you'll know that you have the basics covered! If you can get a good system into place everything else will work itself out.</div>
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<a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/d407fe4df5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Image of reading intervention worksheets with text Free Download from The Primary Gal" border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="790" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2ajTL0G_vG5tDwIEg1-HjEMwRGUxMqUA3RqYyYGo2qcesC2hx4jkMCEHYeRbLdk_LqdMiMpEX7gz1JAqsKmOF56i3q-BXF3VhAJyJCRXnho0ov0-6Na57KKZOixcun-oj99aR37KNJU/w640-h496/Special+Education+Reading+Series.png" title="Free Download from The Primary Gal" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think this reading intervention could really help save you time and get it all done! Would you like to try a free week? <a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/d407fe4df5" target="_blank">You can download them by clicking here or the image above</a>. </div>
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Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-3734073003059446672020-02-17T16:55:00.000-05:002020-02-17T16:55:08.969-05:00How to Accommodate Students in the General Education Classroom {Reading}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0OLcPk2WdR5_P_v7unbsawBFL-hx6ILM0uuHPx-rfR9k2toLdIooO-uW066Ivlg6rnhzkZjmr69NOuUYXaC-KulLqLlnMwLpizxK_aPi0fHxVOQPUAm_ZTigoO4UGPtLyy05n2IARrM/s1600/Reading+Accommodations.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0OLcPk2WdR5_P_v7unbsawBFL-hx6ILM0uuHPx-rfR9k2toLdIooO-uW066Ivlg6rnhzkZjmr69NOuUYXaC-KulLqLlnMwLpizxK_aPi0fHxVOQPUAm_ZTigoO4UGPtLyy05n2IARrM/s640/Reading+Accommodations.png" width="640" /></a></div>
As a resource room teacher, I only get 30-45 minutes with some of my students. They spend a whole lot of time in the general education classroom. Meaning, they need accommodations! Accommodations can help them to be successful with grade level material.<br />
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Below, you'll find reading accommodations that can be used in the general education classroom or in your resource room.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEw94ICCa7EsG4c8od4Z9LdwDOsPYi3nuHlaM_HdZxGpS99ouAZoSjSXug_Q84i9pL6g8_sNufgXDBviyL_nVLcW8KUrJ2TIDJng16L0yHHdbx8DT6mpG6OTYG95bwwiH8WBr-YQyoY5g/s1600/ACS_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEw94ICCa7EsG4c8od4Z9LdwDOsPYi3nuHlaM_HdZxGpS99ouAZoSjSXug_Q84i9pL6g8_sNufgXDBviyL_nVLcW8KUrJ2TIDJng16L0yHHdbx8DT6mpG6OTYG95bwwiH8WBr-YQyoY5g/s640/ACS_0002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<h2>
Graphic Organizers </h2>
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Graphic Organizers are a perfect tool for differentiation and accommodation in the general education classroom. Students who are well trained in knowing what to do with a graphic organizer can often apply it to a passage at their independent reading level. I have found that my kids aren't always writing in complete sentences, but they are able to get ideas on paper! </div>
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Use a Screen Reader</h2>
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It's 2020, people! It would be fabulous if all of our kids could read each and every thing in front of them. But let's be honest, that isn't realistic. If you are sharing a document or website with your students, use a screen reader. You can download them for free as a Chrome Extension! </div>
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<h2>
Read Questions Orally</h2>
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I like to read questions aloud to my kids before we get started reading. It helps give them a purpose for reading and it helps them find a few key ideas or words to pay attention to. Reading the questions aloud won't solve all of a student's reading difficulties, but it will help them focus as they read.<br />
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I like this accommodation for two reasons. First, it is easy to transition from YOU previewing the questions to THEM previewing the questions. It also helps them get in the habit of practicing a test tasking strategy that many teachers preach to our students to try! </div>
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<h2>
Number Paragraphs and Questions</h2>
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In today's test-taking world of education, numbering paragraphs is often something that we see done on high stakes tests. I like to follow suit and help my students by writing the paragraph number under the question.<br />
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It helps my kids in two ways.<br />
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#1 They can easily chunk the test by reading a paragraph or two and stop to answer the question(s).<br />
#2 They aren't hunting and sorting all over the passage for the answers.<br />
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We know reading and testing is difficult for some of our kids, let's set them up for a little bit of success! </div>
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Rephrase the Question</h2>
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Guys, we talk a lot. People writing test questions talk a lot. Everything handed to our kids is text heavy. Help them by rephrasing the question. See if you can make it simpler. Try to slllloooooow it down. See if that helps them to understand WHAT they are supposed to be doing. </div>
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Let Them Draw</h2>
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Reading is tough. Many of our students don't visualize or know what to do inside their head as we read aloud, much less when we complicate it more by having them do the reading.<br />
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I like to have my kids draw what is happening in our reading stories each week. Some texts lend themselves to a picture better than others, but it's a good practice to help them visualize and make the reading come to life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjhTLs6QZ2SlIAPpiry6zLIfkzTggfBy80m7UIFeShkE7pHEd5HFMgN3URJhaIkRRw3_hlIetUpq7efmqYYnMxjvj1RJtRyRB51TCDhgIXzmtPTSkvVHvO8Li2HhBk0ZJFhe1nRDcvjI/s1600/ACS_0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjhTLs6QZ2SlIAPpiry6zLIfkzTggfBy80m7UIFeShkE7pHEd5HFMgN3URJhaIkRRw3_hlIetUpq7efmqYYnMxjvj1RJtRyRB51TCDhgIXzmtPTSkvVHvO8Li2HhBk0ZJFhe1nRDcvjI/s640/ACS_0247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Provide Sentence Stems</h2>
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I like to have my students use sentence stems to help them get their answers started. Most of my kids are able to answer open-ended questions independently, but only if they have a sentence stem. We use this cheat sheet all year long. <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/2018/02/a-simple-idea-for-helping-students.html">I shared more about these sentence stems in this blog post! </a></div>
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<h2>
Preteach Vocabulary Words</h2>
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Many students with disabilities have difficulty with vocabulary. Between low verbal comprehension scores or lack of complex vocabulary at home, they need help understanding key vocabulary words.<br />
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I like to help my kids better understand vocabulary with pictures, examples, stories, or synonyms. Even the words hidden inside questions can make it difficult for students to answer. Break it down and try to help them understand what they're reading or being asked to do.<br />
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What accommodations do you find to be the most helpful?</div>
Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-57598784113601205222020-02-03T17:38:00.000-05:002020-02-03T17:38:03.064-05:00How to Organize Your Picture Books with a Google Sheet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhO4OJUeUr42vOG6D7fK07v589d94swA05FlDQrJWZ4gpb8ERoz0to3wnHSdJ3eiNQkqVM-8OMP1mvcOXjI7FBb3ByYH1Yutf2nHvFaK-KKIekUrHkkSqHnBHeUMi_-tiKpDMiftc7ELY/s1600/Organize+Your+Picture+Books+Using+Google+Sheets.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1600" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhO4OJUeUr42vOG6D7fK07v589d94swA05FlDQrJWZ4gpb8ERoz0to3wnHSdJ3eiNQkqVM-8OMP1mvcOXjI7FBb3ByYH1Yutf2nHvFaK-KKIekUrHkkSqHnBHeUMi_-tiKpDMiftc7ELY/s640/Organize+Your+Picture+Books+Using+Google+Sheets.png" width="640" /></a></div>
I absolutely love picture books for teaching and modeling reading skills. But you know what? I can't afford to buy them all. I can't even remember which ones I have, which ones I use for what skill, or if I borrowed them from a friend.<br />
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The struggle is real, my friends.<br />
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Several years ago, I created a Google Sheet with all of my books. Actually, I had my high school helper type up most of the titles and authors for me! Then, as I used a picture book, I would jot down the skill that I taught. I also added books that I borrowed from friends or checked out from the library.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/fc3ff6f629">I want to share my file with you. You can download it here!</a></span></div>
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Using this File</h2>
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<h3>
Remember Where It Is Saved</h3>
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Once you opt-in above, you can access it from your Google Drive at any time. I like to bookmark mine to access it quickly and easily. If you use Google Chrome, click the little star in the corner of your browser. Then, it will appear just under your address bar. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsjI9sjYsmz79KiXG6DCdTUreyYfFhiKsqcaHlwMj3PPmFxK2u9d_xPb_EO60GPevfRyZfKRf1khHIPhq8ldjjA0WUB18QgUTKHe8Cvv2eslmonBZAojuX22NHaL3v9S-hp72UTX87hI/s1600/Know+How+to+Sort.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsjI9sjYsmz79KiXG6DCdTUreyYfFhiKsqcaHlwMj3PPmFxK2u9d_xPb_EO60GPevfRyZfKRf1khHIPhq8ldjjA0WUB18QgUTKHe8Cvv2eslmonBZAojuX22NHaL3v9S-hp72UTX87hI/s640/Know+How+to+Sort.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Know How to Sort</h3>
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Using the sort feature, you can sort your books by title, author, or reading skill! It will help you find your books faster. This is seriously the game changer!<br />
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To sort, click on the column that you want to organize your books by. Then, click "Data" and "Sort sheet by <b>Column ___</b>, A-->Z." You can choose and of the columns listed here!</div>
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<h3>
Record Where to Find the Book</h3>
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Do you own it? Did you borrow it? It is a library book? Use the drop down menu to record how you'll get your hands on it again next year.<br />
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<h3>
Pull It Up on Your Phone</h3>
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Have you ever been in a book store and found a classic book you love at a great price? Can't remember if you own it? Pull up the spreadsheet on your phone and find the title. You can quickly see if you should snag the book or if you already own a copy! You'll just need the Sheets app on your phone. </div>
Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-27335085785649607602020-01-27T06:00:00.000-05:002020-01-27T06:00:01.966-05:00Free Evaluation Checklist for Special Education Teachers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6_s2b-esUUR6L8M9v1GqLCv9GrT0YivaBO9qE8BuXrcdrhv6rs_reCsyYphGeqTW3GSKJcihosERutMKJLspMZ6H9bsxTJ_oWP-n0ynFnIZQtTB_2jFENtQ5BpJDXeHmv3LTqK4A5YQ/s1600/ACS_0242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6_s2b-esUUR6L8M9v1GqLCv9GrT0YivaBO9qE8BuXrcdrhv6rs_reCsyYphGeqTW3GSKJcihosERutMKJLspMZ6H9bsxTJ_oWP-n0ynFnIZQtTB_2jFENtQ5BpJDXeHmv3LTqK4A5YQ/s640/ACS_0242.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
How many special education evaluations do you have during one school year? I average about 20-30. And I must say, it is HARD to manage at times. This year, I started using a checklist to help keep my special education evaluations organized.<br />
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<a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/c2c034bff8"><span style="font-size: large;">You can download this printable for FREE by clicking here!</span></a></div>
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After downloading the freebie, you will be able to add your own customized pieces of the evaluation process. I have tried to include each tiny step of the process in hopes that I don't drop the ball on one or more pieces of the process.<br />
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I record when I receive general education teacher and parent packets to begin the evaluation, signature pages, rating scales, due dates, classroom observations, assessing students, and writing an IEP.<br />
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Tips for Managing Evaluations</h2>
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Review Your Checklist Weekly</h3>
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Each week, I browse through my checklist to see what I need to do to keep the evaluation moving. Maybe I need to pass out rating scales to general education teachers or call a parent to remind them to complete a portion of the paperwork. </div>
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Pass Out Rating Scales Early</h3>
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After having a few years of evaluations under my belt, I made a checklist of rating scales that I would need for each disability category. For example, I know students who are being evaluated for a Mild Intellectual Disability will need an ABAS-3 rating scale completed. </div>
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Instead of holding up the evaluation process, I *try* to pass them out to teachers once I receive a due date for the evaluation. This allows me to quickly pass it on the school psychologist and she has everything she needs when she's ready to write her report. </div>
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I drafted a quick list of rating scales that I knew she typically used. Then, I asked her if I had left anything off or made any errors. Now, it really speeds up the evaluation process and reduces the stress on the general education teacher who is responsible for completing ALL of those packets of information. </div>
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Batch Tasks</h3>
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I like to sit down and work on similar tasks all at the same time. For example, I might grab a couple of students and assess them on their Present Level of Performance. Then, I add that information into each of the future IEPs. I work better when I'm in the zone! </div>
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Writing FBA's? I do the same thing! It helps me to check several boxes off of my checklist at once AND I can often copy and paste several things while I'm working on the same task. </div>
Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-28675220908841885652020-01-17T16:55:00.000-05:002020-01-26T10:09:55.280-05:004 Mentor Texts for Teaching Compare & Contrast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wxqKRHyuy_PNBkxPpCWgvnwt3KNss2qvrLR8Cik0tEhEQE29sHA26UMdL4fgWCqMM97A29R7X-QNDLU5CXHJxPYBzEMYyr_WirzhLK7Pc6W5sfBXosD0hyphenhyphend6r6dBfdSAorL0KDhwrZ0/s1600/MTFT_Compare-Contrast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Girl wearing a backpack and holding books" border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1280" data-pin-description="Looking for mentor texts to teach your students to compare & contrast? In this post, I show you four engaging texts that I use to teach my students to compare key elements of literature. These texts are fun variations of classic fairy tales that your 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders will be sure to love! You can find descriptions of the texts & links to the books on Amazon. Be sure to get the FREE Mentor Text Cheat Sheet at the bottom! {third, fourth, fifth grade, reading comprehension}" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wxqKRHyuy_PNBkxPpCWgvnwt3KNss2qvrLR8Cik0tEhEQE29sHA26UMdL4fgWCqMM97A29R7X-QNDLU5CXHJxPYBzEMYyr_WirzhLK7Pc6W5sfBXosD0hyphenhyphend6r6dBfdSAorL0KDhwrZ0/s640/MTFT_Compare-Contrast.jpg" title="Mentor Texts for Compare and Contrast" width="640" /></a></div>
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I absolutely LOVE to teach students to <b>compare and contrast</b>. I can't explain it, but I love to take books that are obviously similar and pick them apart. I also love trying to find similarities between two very different books. </div>
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I like to introduce comparing and contrasting by using classic stories that many of my students know. In the post below, you'll find four books that I use throughout the week for teaching my students to compare key elements of each variation of classic fairy tales. </div>
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<i>If you are interested in snagging any of these books, click the picture to find it on Amazon. </i></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Seriously-Cinderella-SO-Annoying-Stepmother/dp/1404870482/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1R3BFMAM0R0RA&keywords=seriously+cinderalla+is+so+annoying&qid=1578770783&sprefix=SEriously+cin%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-2" target="_blank"><img alt="Mentor Text with text "Seriously, Cinderella is So Annoying!" and Graphic Organizer with text "Comparing Literature" " border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgb6kQntufdhTfaEjLTxMvwVhw4myn9x0EfFvKi6MNGqeXafBba3JV7lQTZW-1qaWZtqxXX3gy1npS4cSu0EAqq0jQZe4Gr-pChTPANcrT-FdGmkestY0cfZ30O2FbajjgJRNccRMhlk/s640/COMPARE+%2526+CONTRAST+Seriously%252C+Cinderella+is+So+Annoying%2521.JPG" title="Mentor Text and Graphic Organizer" width="640" /></a></div>
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Seriously, Cinderella is So Annoying</h2>
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I really love all of the books in this series, but this one is my favorite! Did you know that Cinderella was mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters because she never stopped talking? Why didn't she get to go to the ball? Well, she lost her voice, of course. This book is perfect for comparing to the classic version of Cinderella that we all know as well as many other versions from other countries.</div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2PXqYbK"><img alt="Mentor Text with text "Lon Po Po" and Graphic Organizer with text "Comparing Literature" " border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3p9xGlt0fM3K_cJ_kD54wNZq0i3J65n9Qf4gj4qGS33jezdk1E8MpdG641Huu2NQULOgyMlpGBPTIkJEewrzOz-hRDz71Zj4PKAV3g2Gl5UixsBeOLcq0Y9MSJLjsIVcb5uUftmsjzZ0/s640/COMPARE+%2526+CONTRAST+Lon+Po+Po.jpg" title="Mentor Text and Graphic Organizer" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lon Po Po</h2>
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I remember this being in our basal years ago. My kids loved it then and they still enjoy it now! This version of Little Red Riding Hood comes from China and does not disappoint. There are so many similarities and even more differences. It is great for comparing and contrasting!</div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2FalF3C" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Mentor Text with text "The Princess and the Pizza" and Graphic Organizer with text "Comparing Literature" " border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdh0r9BjgoFLqXBeqbBuuOvia0igROsj4H3DFX7f1Xu-yx1ytpF1LybFUkSwtXNasR0SKEjEDYiQqqmcoMiP3RBKVaDBl06DmvQiKfxULw-qi0fjfVUDZSkDI6f16AFdGM1Pe6sgf-PbU/s640/ACS_0235.jpg" title="Mentor Text and Graphic Organizer" width="640" /></a>The Princess and the Pizza</h2>
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This book is hilarious and the perfect upper elementary twist on a fairy tale. With cheap shots at other fairy tales and the silly tests to become a princess, my fifth graders loved this book year after year. </div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/35BIfOa"><img alt="Mentor Text with text "Believe Me, Goldilocks Rocks!" and Graphic Organizer with text "Comparing Literature" " border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9LW-ORcrJF5QNxc1NMVKPNKj4JV5kKrRNDtyE0nwqzFgSsZgSbFGpy0RH3ybFCE69bEnivpQUXkhttKoIbtcKuCCgt9Fw_0rbaPV4RNIFUpChZJbFMDV19P_DR3VfLafMdWHEnMSXXo/s640/ACS_0233.jpg" title="Mentor Text and Graphic Organizer" width="640" /></a></div>
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Believe Me, Goldilocks Rocks!</h2>
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Did Goldilocks break into the cottage or are she and Baby Bear (aka Sam) really besties? They text one another and jump on the bed! This is a fun retelling of the classic story from Baby Bear's perspective. </div>
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<a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/fc3ff6f629"><img alt="Click here for your FREE Mentor Text Cheat Sheet!" border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH_pY712HceJRjXBre64422E6wVhiBtwHZVqcoGl4OLJeSUsF5GapgzJrxiHdBxRREli0bAiGM85D8jIdCmtj2-rCK4GinD8v97e_s2MYcnlwLKobRYLMNQfFudUWfdcWG1aqwJGbL-Y/s640/Mentor+Text+Cheat+Sheet.png" title="FREE Mentor Text Cheat Sheet" width="640" /></a></div>
Do you love mentor texts as much as I do? Have trouble organizing them all?<br />
<br />
Do you want to use mentor texts but you don't know where to start?<br />
<br />
I have a FREE Mentor Text Cheat Sheet for you! In this Google Sheet, you'll find MY list of Mentor Texts and the reading skills that I use them to teach. You can add your own books, sort by author or reading skills, find shortcuts to my blog posts, AND<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">>>>my favorite feature<<<</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">>>>cue the drum roll, please<<<</span></div>
<br />
Choose from a dropdown menu to show where you can find the book. For example, I use a boatload of mentor texts in my reading instruction. I can't afford to buy them all. I find some in our school library, the local library, borrow from my teacher friends, and SOME of them, I do own!<br />
<br />
Using the dropdown menu, you can easily remind yourself where you can find your mentor text when you need it! Click the image above OR <a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/fc3ff6f629">click here</a> to grab it.</div>
Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-24734761045492390802020-01-14T16:55:00.000-05:002020-01-16T12:46:50.681-05:004 Mentor Texts for Teaching Synthesizing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_dFWWVf7Yx9X8Z4HrqWLiNkOCgSctss_KQcLUuEJrschXaa_lNy6NPPszYQqpvBGKWuKzhiWatcneXEUorvcqVuyX8q2xw9w-riE_vcsEwzMiKhthVREdmFz8NU7avpNCnAugYpOqFI/s1600/MTFT_Synthesizing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Boy standing and thinking with finger next to his mouth" border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1280" data-pin-description="Teaching students about synthesizing is hard! To help you out, I have written a blog post about 4 of my favorite mentor texts that you can use to teach your 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders about synthesizing. Each of these mentor texts is fun to read and will help your students to see how their thinking changes as the story progresses. All of these books can be found on Amazon. Be sure to grab the FREE Mentor Text Cheat Sheet at the bottom of the post! {third,fourth,fifth grade,reading comprehension}" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_dFWWVf7Yx9X8Z4HrqWLiNkOCgSctss_KQcLUuEJrschXaa_lNy6NPPszYQqpvBGKWuKzhiWatcneXEUorvcqVuyX8q2xw9w-riE_vcsEwzMiKhthVREdmFz8NU7avpNCnAugYpOqFI/s640/MTFT_Synthesizing.jpg" title="Mentor Texts for Synthesizing" width="640" /></a></div>
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Teaching students to recognize when a <b>synthesis</b> is happening is DIFFICULT! Like seriously, it was a really hard concept for me to wrap my mind around as a reader. Over time though, I began to see that nearly all characters in a story with a decent plot make some type of change over time. As a reader, our students can make a mindset shift as they read as well. </div>
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Below, I'm sharing four of my favorite books for helping students see a character or themselves as a reader make a shift in their thinking as the story progresses. </div>
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<i>If you are interested in snagging any of these books, click the picture to find it on Amazon. </i></div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/34DdtmC"><img alt="Mentor Text with text "The Littlest Matryoshka" and Graphic Organizer with text "Synthesizing While Reading"" border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwO1p7xt3_DP6JHhz4rhh3-eeTHCbRfl-rkZlyvhKRl6dbLxhm07mHOBbO8qX1VbvBSXLP3pzrByg-ZPVjciDz-izrXOOjBf9H4a_rjwPx-VuuADniEGDJY1Ssp8-aNu_W0HUMUagnFz4/s640/SYNTHESIZING+The+Little+Matryoshka.JPG" title="Mentor Text and Graphic Organizer" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Littlest Matryoshka</h2>
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I love using Matryoshka dolls to help my students visually see that their knowledge of a particular idea or topic is growing and changing as they read. The Littlest Matryoshka is perfect to both demonstrate the skill and tie in the visual! </div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/38WX3Jt"><img alt="Mentor Text with text "The Empty Pot" and Graphic Organizer with text "Synthesizing While Reading"" border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrIcC3JzP0Qye0AeAdd9yq9ESIlnmkx5qrtInQZPv9zpuRWzHqt2KzGm1R6KXR9q_AeSTT7ifWie7ByxLKU0RbAIyHMlCmlLCtP52lHstz6SQBu7ooFINMxBRG1i8-7UtKdpaRKlb14o/s640/SYNTHESIZING+The+Empty+Pot.jpg" title="Mentor Text and Graphic Organizer" width="640" /></a></div>
<h2>
The Empty Pot</h2>
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I'll be honest. I avoided reading this book for a looooonnnngg time. The cover didn't jump out at me, nor did the title. Once I finally gave it a chance, I loved it. I love it so much, that I use it to teach theme and synthesizing.<br />
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In this book, the Emperor was looking for a heir. To decide, he gave everyone a seed. Whoever could grow their seed into the most beautiful flower would be the heir. When the people in the village noticed that their plants aren't growing and they replaced them. Everyone does so, except for Ping. Ping returns to the Emperor with an empty pot.<br />
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As the reader, I was doubting Ping the entire way through the book. I mentally made a change in thinking as I grew to see what was happening. It's a great book and I wish I hadn't ignored it for so long! </div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2rZq3zr"><img alt="Mentor Text with text "Emma Kate" and Graphic Organizer with text "Synthesizing While Reading"" border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTEVeBlQ-e9cTTdsvfYZ9-ZATTXAMGVVBSWtb4umI8xVkHF2f_7XtZQ-zIDEuDHVXN5SWMxAEGsyeQi8nNRESW52IROGDCdWtvX9TADjXXXDN3xmF4AY3egABLDdZZJmnlt5qA73wiWc/s640/SYNTHESIZING+Emma+Kate.jpg" title="Mentor Text and Graphic Organizer" width="640" /></a></div>
<h2>
Emma Kate</h2>
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In some books, synthesizing happens throughout the entire book. Both the character and the reader are learning and growing as the story progresses. In Emma Kate, the change in thinking doesn't happen until the very end.<br />
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This book is sweet, adorable, and simple enough to see the lightbulb illuminate as you and your students make a synthesis! </div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2PyPlNK"><img alt="Mentor Text with text "The Giving Tree" and Graphic Organizer with text "Synthesizing While Reading"" border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1600" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7U17s-vLzEgelPmNgMiKS0LEeedShpFop9PB6rVSl2keQowmzypmFqXbfrx7KUN0StU6bdUsc3nybX5uaL4nVIbY6r8raY7BBU2aucq7xByJhqoj3F7DYyWfYpjoTjgBfuD6X0J80sw/s640/ACS_0229.jpg" title="Mentor Text and Graphic Organizer" width="640" /></a></div>
<h2>
The Giving Tree</h2>
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Are you tired of seeing my post about The Giving Tree?! I know I've shared it before, but it just fits here too! Shel Silverstein has packed this book with so many opportunities to teach an array of reading skills.<br />
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In this book, I feel that the reader should certainly be making a shift in thinking as we repeatedly watch the tree make sacrifice after sacrifice for the boy. Just as much as we can predict what is about to happen, we can see that the tree's happiness will be short-lived. How can this relate to your students' struggles? Their friends? The lives of an upper elementary student's parent?</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/fc3ff6f629"><img alt="Click here for your FREE Mentor Text Cheat Sheet!" border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH_pY712HceJRjXBre64422E6wVhiBtwHZVqcoGl4OLJeSUsF5GapgzJrxiHdBxRREli0bAiGM85D8jIdCmtj2-rCK4GinD8v97e_s2MYcnlwLKobRYLMNQfFudUWfdcWG1aqwJGbL-Y/s640/Mentor+Text+Cheat+Sheet.png" title="FREE Mentor Text Cheat Sheet" width="640" /></a></div>
Do you love mentor texts as much as I do? Have trouble organizing them all?<br />
<br />
Do you want to use mentor texts but you don't know where to start?<br />
<br />
I have a FREE Mentor Text Cheat Sheet for you! In this Google Sheet, you'll find MY list of Mentor Texts and the reading skills that I use them to teach. You can add your own books, sort by author or reading skills, find shortcuts to my blog posts, AND<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">>>>my favorite feature<<<</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">>>>cue the drum roll, please<<<</span></div>
<br />
Choose from a dropdown menu to show where you can find the book. For example, I use a boatload of mentor texts in my reading instruction. I can't afford to buy them all. I find some in our school library, the local library, borrow from my teacher friends, and SOME of them, I do own!<br />
<br />
Using the dropdown menu, you can easily remind yourself where you can find your mentor text when you need it! Click the image above OR <a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/fc3ff6f629">click here</a> to grab it.</div>
Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-87152515064778493252020-01-10T10:02:00.000-05:002020-01-20T15:10:19.563-05:00A Quick Anchor Chart for Organizing Background KnowledgeTaking a few minutes to access <b>background knowledge</b> can be an essential part of improving reading comprehension. Research shows that our brains need somewhere "to go" with the information as we read. Simply reminding students to think about their background knowledge isn't enough. For my special education students, I wanted a way to allow them to quickly think about what they already know and also use that same tool to aide in their comprehension as they read.<br />
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This strategy is quick and can can be made with your kids about nearly ANY subject or book. </div>
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During the week of this lesson, we were reading about the history of taking pictures. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Le_bA2DK5RFJGChSOtzD9VYxAQACAtt55VKZmeYjRbqOW8YkPT4IMYV9CaCoy2-v_3gAtxxrExBx0XqbrRJeQtHIe5Y26UAANa7ffuf795uQmbqGPnmy0KQUw7dEv5sPLyoqp9tPZGs/s1600/ACS_0131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Anchor Chart with topic in the middle and background knowledge bubbles around it" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" data-pin-description="Accessing background knowledge is an essential part of reading comprehension. In this blog post, I show you a quick and easy anchor chart that I like to use with my 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to help them organize their background knowledge. I walk you step-by-step through how I use this chart with my students & show how, with practice, students will be able to fill in their own mini anchor charts independently. Make sure you grab the Background Knowledge FREEBIE! {third, fourth, fifth graders}" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Le_bA2DK5RFJGChSOtzD9VYxAQACAtt55VKZmeYjRbqOW8YkPT4IMYV9CaCoy2-v_3gAtxxrExBx0XqbrRJeQtHIe5Y26UAANa7ffuf795uQmbqGPnmy0KQUw7dEv5sPLyoqp9tPZGs/s640/ACS_0131.jpg" title="A Quick Anchor Chart for Organizing Background Knowledge" width="640" /></a></div>
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I began by writing the topic in the center and asking them what they know. There really aren't any wrong answers. It can be as simple or complex as you want it. </div>
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Since I've previewed the text, I can make the bubbles smaller if I know we aren't going to have much to add to that particular topic. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLd05jj1oyr9UOmPU5md6iv6c6rr6u2z8_ZR9yXlRZC85mejmNpsOWjIeaqSga9lJ89FT35IkP4wPftX37tzoRUZZfyhQm6KORqmXtdeGzQrdm0_k5t3kkowpsUmnowSkk6zLSTl-3eI/s1600/ACS_0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hand holding a pink marker with chart in the background" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLd05jj1oyr9UOmPU5md6iv6c6rr6u2z8_ZR9yXlRZC85mejmNpsOWjIeaqSga9lJ89FT35IkP4wPftX37tzoRUZZfyhQm6KORqmXtdeGzQrdm0_k5t3kkowpsUmnowSkk6zLSTl-3eI/s640/ACS_0130.jpg" title="Anchor Chart for Organizing Background Knowledge" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then, it's time to READ! We take turns reading two pages at a time, which is about two short paragraphs with very decodable words for my group of kids. After reading, we stop. I give my students one minute to THINK! I want them to have time to process information and decide what new information they are going to share. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then, we write what we THINK in PINK.</span></div>
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We record new information on the chart in PINK. Sometimes, it's a brand new bubble. Other times, it might be adding information to an existing bubble. Either way, we record what we're thinking after small amounts of text. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhej7djuW9QS3szegw9UQy3Xjcdaireu2Dgh62i29gwafjMeZbGyhsPKr6cctiv5nOUB_T-24J5pB-Y8SIau9lf8oxmfjv0UgjsHZEY7fCkexRUka0L7qNDClCvGVLIO7HagFfzZnwmYgA/s1600/ACS_0237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Textbook and student mini anchor chart for organizing background knowledge" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhej7djuW9QS3szegw9UQy3Xjcdaireu2Dgh62i29gwafjMeZbGyhsPKr6cctiv5nOUB_T-24J5pB-Y8SIau9lf8oxmfjv0UgjsHZEY7fCkexRUka0L7qNDClCvGVLIO7HagFfzZnwmYgA/s640/ACS_0237.jpg" title="Anchor Chart for Organizing Background Knowledge" width="640" /></a></div>
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Overtime, my students are working to create their own background knowledge bubbles. Although we are still working on independently reading and recording their thinking, they're trying! They are adding things that they know on their own mini anchor chart. It's a great way to give them a purpose as they read and help them understand what they're reading.<br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FPqn7g_0U7l1ViU-dCx3ecW9toiktunB/view?usp=sharing"><img alt="Click HERE for your Background Knowledge FREEBIE!" border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwILcU0VbV_fCn8U3dAGbEpqE9AH4W5wxbu59oIWS0sbJ08i2qrwSWmJls5fT7DzqeeVosH1O3j3WLFHYN7H5tgpRnRemmP6Jn9_IwztvX1Sn9rvQoUzwuUo3Cbjnp58tw5Q6hYhj1ICw/s640/Background+Knowledge+FREEBIE.png" title="Background Knowledge Freebie" width="640" /></a></div>
If you'd like to grab this simple background knowledge printable to help your students begin to organize their thoughts, grab it by clicking the image above or <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FPqn7g_0U7l1ViU-dCx3ecW9toiktunB/view?usp=sharing">clicking here</a>! </div>
Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-61824356758641374712020-01-08T04:00:00.000-05:002020-01-16T13:36:54.380-05:004 Mentor Texts for Teaching 1st & 3rd Person<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHcSo2zbdai6oBERpLGbEu4aP4b3TA27Bi-ykn6TEVrAJduCKFT4JRQZ03Ep21JK7q9pkuIkBPl_SM3T2BWN3u_VxR69fjVWCYHgjqUxu8LkZirQT8InXf9U1PkJ76oPmHavjDMW3vw0/s1600/MTFT_1st-3rd-Person.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-pin-description="WHO is telling the story? Third, fourth, and fifth grade students need to be able to identify 1st and 3rd person points of view. In this blog post, I share with you some of my favorite books (all by Aaron Reynolds) that I use when modeling various points of view. You can find brief summaries of these funny books as well as links to where you can get the books on Amazon. Be sure to grab the FREE Mentor Text Cheat Sheet at the bottom of the post! {3rd, 4th, 5th graders, reading comprehension}" alt="Boy sitting at desk with paper in front of him and pencil in hand" border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1280" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHcSo2zbdai6oBERpLGbEu4aP4b3TA27Bi-ykn6TEVrAJduCKFT4JRQZ03Ep21JK7q9pkuIkBPl_SM3T2BWN3u_VxR69fjVWCYHgjqUxu8LkZirQT8InXf9U1PkJ76oPmHavjDMW3vw0/s640/MTFT_1st-3rd-Person.jpg" title="Mentor Texts for 1st and 3rd Person" width="640" /></a></div>
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In my early years of teaching upper elementary, I struggled to help my students understand the difference of <b>1st and 3rd person</b> in a story. Honestly, I think I overcomplicated it!</div>
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I began having my students determine WHO was telling the story based on the pronouns used and the information that was given. Using a simple graphic organizer and several mentor texts, it slowly became easier for my students to see the <b>point of view</b> of a passage. The books below are just a few of the books (all by Aaron Reynolds) that I used for modeling various points of view! </div>
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<i>If you are interested in snagging any of these books, click the picture to find it on Amazon. </i></div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/34E3hdv"><img alt="Mentor Text with text "Creepy Carrots!" and Graphic Organizer with text "Point of View"" border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="1600" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFitz9s947x8s1aflsK5gWLTXTMNMaTlh7Iv1YgtYc-GMNM5T3TPaBgBQ3TS30CwU0duFfyBgWeaQP7JhwOVPCeqg_05pyi6TRz0fB1w5aqsBcUXViq7CWiJiMTiyOU7kL8yk_7pmVJZA/s640/POINT+OF+VIEW+Creepy+Carrots.JPG" title="Mentor Text and Graphic Organizer" width="640" /></a></div>
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Creepy Carrots</h2>
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I love everything that Aaron Reynolds writes, and I put it to work during the week that I teach Point of View. This is a hilarious story written in the third person about a bunny who believes that carrots are following him everywhere. And they are! They are playing a trick on him. The reason is pretty funny!<br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2PYL0lV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Mentor Text with text "President Squid" and Graphic Organizer with text "Point of View"" border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1600" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1D9ZFvOs6RxknkIBC9YOcLUNbuJKIkMnQpYZmzm_0v5vRUj9eEsONMRjI348Ic8ncMHfyEyejdPwyNeAK9OMD0HnIqy2YXK7gosl5KdiSK0pfprtB2gSqFu3VkXgIXCsLPTXbc9uANqk/s640/POINT+OF+VIEW+President+Squid.jpg" title="Mentor Text and Graphic Organizer" width="640" /></a></div>
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President Squid</h2>
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This book is just FUN to read aloud! Squid has five reasons why he should be the president. He wears a tie, has the biggest house ever, he's famous, he likes to talk, and he would be good at being the BIG BOSS! Once he meets a Sardine, his thoughts change. Whether those changes are for good or not...🤷🏻♀️</div>
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It's a silly book that my students LOVED having read aloud. We used this book to talk about a story told in the first person point of view, but you could also use it to review sequence, making predictions or synthesis. </div>
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2sEkCpy"><img alt="Mentor Text with text "Carnivores" and Graphic Organizer with text "Point of View"" border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoz1jYtRNzKqg4te1Jg9SXVYrEnos8tHxfshZGXKxdjBIj9FwFlCrzovlF8CvxBD9YM6eSkoDKNSVetN9dvOo3vNPdDYkgQGA3_99A28OekFkj61LvXxD-pqKmmR5wb1nZ02gJebc1QrQ/s640/POINT+OF+VIEW+Carnivores.jpg" title="Mentor Text and Graphic Organizer" width="640" /></a></div>
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Carnivores</h2>
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Maybe carnivores just get a bad rep. Sharks for example, why they are just fast eaters. The Big Bad Wolf? Well, he was just a quiet walker. He isn't sneaky.<br />
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In this hilarious book, the Carnivores get together to support one another as they discover that being a carnivore isn't a bad thing. It is just who they are. This book is witty and perfect for an upper elementary kids. It also ties in perfectly with a unit on ecosystems.<br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/34xpgmE"><img alt="Mentor Text with text "Nerdy Birdy" and Graphic Organizer with text "Point of View"" border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1600" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AoedouYwf8dpzmm8CgCMThyphenhyphenasJjQz76fz3fJAJ7F2UR8SEoe211rg1Dek9rlvB-EjiBwUnHsgcOA0MjUeUCB50xFxVMogXNNW3nQ0KUiRtKfxinwhpw6ctoHZrFjuPzWLxwSN0BvaHM/s640/ACS_0227.jpg" title="Mentor Text and Graphic Organizer" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nerdy Birdy</h2>
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My kids loved this book and Nerdy Birdy Tweets! I love using this particular book to train my students to see WHO is telling the story. What point of view is the book written in?<br />
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This story is about a bird who loves all things nerdy. It takes him a while to "find his flock" and feel like he fits in. I watch my fifth graders struggle to fit in every year. They need a reminder that it can take a while. Be you, and your flock will find you! </div>
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<a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/fc3ff6f629"><img alt="Click here for your FREE Mentor Text Cheat Sheet!" border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH_pY712HceJRjXBre64422E6wVhiBtwHZVqcoGl4OLJeSUsF5GapgzJrxiHdBxRREli0bAiGM85D8jIdCmtj2-rCK4GinD8v97e_s2MYcnlwLKobRYLMNQfFudUWfdcWG1aqwJGbL-Y/s640/Mentor+Text+Cheat+Sheet.png" title="FREE Mentor Text Cheat Sheet" width="640" /></a></div>
Do you love mentor texts as much as I do? Have trouble organizing them all?<br />
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Do you want to use mentor texts but you don't know where to start?<br />
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I have a FREE Mentor Text Cheat Sheet for you! In this Google Sheet, you'll find MY list of Mentor Texts and the reading skills that I use them to teach. You can add your own books, sort by author or reading skills, find shortcuts to my blog posts, AND<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">>>>my favorite feature<<<</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">>>>cue the drum roll, please<<<</span></div>
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Choose from a dropdown menu to show where you can find the book. For example, I use a boatload of mentor texts in my reading instruction. I can't afford to buy them all. I find some in our school library, the local library, borrow from my teacher friends, and SOME of them, I do own!<br />
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Using the dropdown menu, you can easily remind yourself where you can find your mentor text when you need it! Click the image above OR <a href="https://quiet-moon-3462.ck.page/fc3ff6f629">click here</a> to grab it.</div>
Amanda Wilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08239509481917245336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7731133092025890118.post-51771383765571244642020-01-03T09:34:00.000-05:002020-01-16T16:46:43.655-05:00A Quick & Easy Strategy for Determining the Main IdeaMy kids are getting pretty good at developing a <b>main idea</b> sentence when I provide them with key words. Which is great, right? But the point of reading (and unfortunately, testing) isn't to tell what the main idea is after your teacher gives you a list of five words.<br />
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No. We want our kids to be able to read a passage, and in a sentence or so, tell you what it was about.<br />
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As a way to build independence, we began brainstorming a list of POSSIBLE key words. We talked about WHY we were using the word possible.<br />
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Since we are only reading a small part of the text, we might later learn that the whole things ISN'T about something that we have written down. It's a work in progress.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kVobWLdf7-Kz8QURc-iDy_brG1KRnOWW8g4wqDNrS_nzUjB-lbe4jse4qX3ym_O6ICw4O70PvEvADbhHzvr81CoMfAjowEaHd9hP5uE0PKZLVy0Us2L58dmOnztdtbvyQrsNa5ZzSpQ/s1600/ACS_0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Text with text "What a Smart Idea!" and paper with text "Possible Keywords"" border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1600" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kVobWLdf7-Kz8QURc-iDy_brG1KRnOWW8g4wqDNrS_nzUjB-lbe4jse4qX3ym_O6ICw4O70PvEvADbhHzvr81CoMfAjowEaHd9hP5uE0PKZLVy0Us2L58dmOnztdtbvyQrsNa5ZzSpQ/s640/ACS_0133.jpg" title="Text with Possible Keywords paper" width="640" /></a></div>
After reading a few paragraphs about a spider that uses a clever trap to catch a frog, we made a list of possible key words. We wrote down anything and everything that seemed important.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9euHhPgrY3HCHMGMD542hhSRtZfW67yTjaB7nWTU_Eu9J4KF926lmi6J0TKsrMkmPf7P_t2j0caWuzri8m2T1aCRnLfrYRStfWRhtWhnZREyPvwxo9X1QmxNOmV1Kle-04WMOLBqGQk/s1600/ACS_0132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Text showing chimps and possible keywords paper with words written on it" border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9euHhPgrY3HCHMGMD542hhSRtZfW67yTjaB7nWTU_Eu9J4KF926lmi6J0TKsrMkmPf7P_t2j0caWuzri8m2T1aCRnLfrYRStfWRhtWhnZREyPvwxo9X1QmxNOmV1Kle-04WMOLBqGQk/s640/ACS_0132.jpg" title="Text and Possible Keywords Paper" width="640" /></a></div>
Then, we read another section of the text. In these paragraphs, we learned about chimps getting a snack. Since their hands were too large for the hole, they had to get creative. They used a stick to get their bugs.<br />
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After reading about the chimps, we added a few more words to our paper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX0SqYZyYMhb12-X8rGYc-N9ReMOoZ9qiIhDGlBmuVHDGC7W_fTsJTaCPQP4PFjedRnzhnVZZjhOXZfp2NCXxXMzTvAI61_S-NPDxMjMcUSFMC6eVW2Rsk2KPhCZltRcJufudu5F7mQs/s1600/ACS_0134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Possible Keywords paper with text crossed out or boxed around" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" data-pin-description="Finding the main idea of a passage can be tricky for some 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. I have come up with a quick and easy strategy that can help! In this blog post, I walk you through how I used this strategy with my own students. Trust me. It is simple for the kids to learn and IT WORKS! With some practice using this strategy, your students will be well on their way to writing their own main idea sentences! {third, fourth, fifth graders, reading comprehension}" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX0SqYZyYMhb12-X8rGYc-N9ReMOoZ9qiIhDGlBmuVHDGC7W_fTsJTaCPQP4PFjedRnzhnVZZjhOXZfp2NCXxXMzTvAI61_S-NPDxMjMcUSFMC6eVW2Rsk2KPhCZltRcJufudu5F7mQs/s640/ACS_0134.jpg" title="Possible Keywords paper" width="640" /></a></div>
After reading these two sections, we realized that we had a long list of animals. Did we REALLY need that many individual animals? Maybe we could choose a word or two that better describes those four words. My students wanted to replace spiders and chimps with the word animals. They also thought that the words frog and bugs could be replaced with the word prey. I loved to hear their thinking and was so proud of their vocabulary.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR3zVBOsRkiQGVBUINVl4sAWJunwAqtVqzNPQYs5qmY6Tc6KFJ-v_4d5OH7aZpXvjuReVougGSIPa8TzOGRA4IfpRl1lWUdZVfHsdE2mOQcmXz59dkwe1VKuo_Zxmz7yN521fB33QYOo/s1600/ACS_0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Text showing a picture of chimps and possible keywords paper with main idea sentence added" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR3zVBOsRkiQGVBUINVl4sAWJunwAqtVqzNPQYs5qmY6Tc6KFJ-v_4d5OH7aZpXvjuReVougGSIPa8TzOGRA4IfpRl1lWUdZVfHsdE2mOQcmXz59dkwe1VKuo_Zxmz7yN521fB33QYOo/s640/ACS_0135.jpg" title="Text and Possible Keywords paper" width="640" /></a></div>
After narrowing down a few keywords, we are ready to write a sentence that tells what the main idea of the passage is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTZZfJPREl9Il2hJS4KJ1pqMN2TxW1BBNRcfAaO4Dbt-TTpuQZv8fqnW09Ed6Ba7wYvaKgnlz3VWsEWI8YYPWFzDX9cG7ove2k_2NvZvLA87vmIt96-tO3DpHbR9c8VKYjllYExAdj1A/s1600/ACS_0136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Text showing art and possible keywords paper with words crossed out, words boxed, and the main idea sentence" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTZZfJPREl9Il2hJS4KJ1pqMN2TxW1BBNRcfAaO4Dbt-TTpuQZv8fqnW09Ed6Ba7wYvaKgnlz3VWsEWI8YYPWFzDX9cG7ove2k_2NvZvLA87vmIt96-tO3DpHbR9c8VKYjllYExAdj1A/s640/ACS_0136.jpg" title="Text and Possible Keywords paper" width="640" /></a></div>
The next week, we read about various artists and where they find inspiration. Once again, we jotted down several keywords after each page. Some of my students wanted to list each artist. Others thought that was a waste of time. They were already seeing that the whole passage wouldn't be all about ONE artist, but rather multiple artists. We could keep it simple.<br />
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By the time we finish our list, they are MORE than ready to begin transitioning to writing a main idea sentence that uses several of our keywords. It's also something that they can do on their own!<br />
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For more ideas on main idea, click <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/search?q=main+idea" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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