Ice Cream Baggie Recipe

If you haven't tried this yet I highly recommend doing it with your kids. We have made it every year and the kids really have a great time making their own little creations! http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ice-Cream-Recipe-with-Visuals

Banking Your Money

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Banking-Your-Money

Here is a fun little packet on basic banking skills.  I talk a little bit about using an ATM but would highly recommend this web site here http://www.gcflearnfree.org/everydaylife/atm,  This web site has great tutorials featuring basic life skills.

Recreation and Leisure

This afternoon in class we worked on a worksheet about Recreation and Leisure.  This is very important in the clientele I work with. Our hopes are that when they do end up leaving us at 22, they continue to spend time in the community doing things that they enjoy.  
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Recreation-and-Leisure

Balloon Greenhouses

 We had a fun day today, but boy did I come home dirty!  Probably wasn't a good day to wear a white shirt to school. 

I found this cute idea on Pinterest a few months ago for building greenhouses inside balloons.  I was able to purchase the clear balloons from a local party store to do the project.  I had the kids blow up the balloons a few times to make them more pliable.  Then we used a funnel to add the soil, seeds and water into the balloons. Removing the balloon from the funnel occasionally splattered mud (which apparently is funny).  The kids then blew up the balloons and we tied them.  We planted radishes that should sprout in 3 - 5 days.  We also planted 2 seeds in each balloon, so hopefully at least one will grow!  I will post a picture of our results.

Sorting Activity Boxes

I wanted to post some pictures of some of the activity boxes we use in my room.  Box 1 - This box seems to be one that everyone enjoys.  I even have students from other rooms come borrow this box.  It is VERY easy for most of my kids, but some have to try harder.  Basically it is just putting the right token into the correct color bowl.

Box 2 - This is a new box that I put together a few weeks ago.  A friend gave me these cute first aide boxes.  I emptied the contents of each box, took a picture of each item and have the students refill each box.  They have a laminated guide that shows each item, how many of each item to put in each kit and in what order.  So far only two kids have tried it, but both did very well.  (the contents are all different kinds of bandages)

Box 3 - My grandfather recently passed away and when I went to his house to help clean it out I found all these great nuts and bolts.  There are 10 of each size and 6 different sizes.  The kids have to find the proper nut and screw, put them together, and separate them into sizes in the bins.  One of my autistic students has picked it as his activity two days in a row!  I will try to post more soon.

Self-Control

Self-control is a big issue with some of my students.  They can go from 0 - 60 in no time.  This worksheet talks about what happens to us when we lose control.  It also gives examples of what we can do instead or before we lose control.  

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Self-Control-Worksheet

Citizenship Skills

 Here is a new worksheet I put together over the weekend for my kids.  I have felt so "un" creative lately for some reason, and actually haven't put together a worksheet in a couple weeks.  I set myself a goal of covering 4 areas this weekend and finished 3 of them, so not that bad.  This one is on citizenship.  I hope you enjoy it!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Citizenship-Skills-Worksheet

Morning Work April Folders

Here are some of the practice worksheets that are in our morning folders this month.   I put the 10 of these into one packet!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Morning-Work-April