Something About Mary

I purchased this Mary on the Move series about 5 years ago after borrowing one of the videos from a co-worker. There's something about Mary that is so captivating to the students who watch it. The videos follow Mary, who is a young down syndrome girl living on her own. The videos are both serious and funny as Mary and her friends tackle everyday tasks like cleaning house, getting to where you need to be on time, and planning a dinner party for friends. I would highly recommend this series to your video library.

You can read more about it here.
http://www.attainmentfamily.com/MOTM

Emotion Cards

I have been searching for affordable emotion cards for ages now for my classroom and couldn't seem to find what I was looking for. I have no problem finding ones with little kids but none with adults. I wanted them large and realistic looking.  I told my co-worker yesterday that I was finished looking and was going to go on-line this weekend and find my own pics to make a PowerPoint presentation.  Her reply "Why don't you just take pictures of our staff?"  OMG why didn't I think of that!  

So, I spent yesterday and part of today trying to convince my co-workers what a "GREAT IDEA" this was. In the end I ended up with 23 emotion pics! They are absolutely fantastic and I can't wait to do a class with them!  I have each picture twice in the presentation.  The first one just showing the face (I blocked out my co-workers face here, but believe me it was priceless).  I figure we will use this slide to talk about what emotion we think it might be and why someone would have that emotion.  When they click the next slide (PowerPoint novice) it will give the answer of what emotion the teacher was going for.  The kids are going to just LOVE this!!!!  I will update you next week and let you know how it went.

Teaching Moment

One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give someone living or working with a person with special needs it to let them do as much for themselves as they can. I know sometimes it's easier and faster to do it for them, but we are not teaching them to be the independent young adults that we want them to be.  

Last week I was standing in line with one of my students at Starbucks.  In front of me was another of the students from our program with an aide waiting to order. I know this young man and was anxious to watch  his exchange with the cashier.  He is autistic and very quiet but I knew he could do it!  What happened next caught me off guard. When the barista asked him what he wanted the aide turned to him and asked him. When the young man told her what he wanted she turned back to the barista and told her.  When the barista asked what size the same exchange happened  (from this point on the barista only exchanged conversation with the aide and not the student).  When given the amount owed the aide removed it from his wallet and put the change back in.  When the barista asked his NAME the aide told her!  I was so sad to see such a perfect learning experience had just been wasted. 

What is our long term goal?  Do we want them to be able to do their own laundry?  Make themselves a snack?  Order their own food?  OF COURSE!  Just because someone has a disability it doesn't mean that they can not learn.  It may take them longer.  They may do it differently.  But with time, love and patience these kids can do things that most people didn't believe they could. I couldn't even count how many "teaching moments" happen during my day.  I too need to be reminded sometimes to slow down and take advantage of these times. What better way to teach a skill than to do it hands on while it's happening!

Hope everyone had a great 3 day weekend!

P.S. check out this guys clip art depicting kids with disabilities. I love them!
 http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/A-Sketchy-Guy

The Fire Drill

We have been back in school for exactly 2 weeks and I am exhausted! I think we have ironed out most of the glitches our main one being getting 175 kids on 22 buses at two different loading zones at the end of the day! Thursday our office staff color coded each route and we made tags for each students to wear showing their color, name, and route number.  Yesterday was only our second day trying the color coding and I actually think it went pretty smooth.  Now all we need to do is get the teachers to REMEMBER to send the kids down to the cafeteria with their color tags!  Here is a worksheet we will be using in the next couple weeks about fire drills.  Let's hope that goes smoothly as well.  

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Th-Fire-Drill-853515 

Hope everyone is enjoying the new year!

Community Based Outings

 Our program does a lot of community based outings. As much as we are trying to get our kids used to being in the community we are also trying to get the community used to being around our kids.  Once a week I have to arrange some sort of hour long outing for my kids to attend.  With limited "free" attractions where I live. Coming up with new, entertaining, educational and interesting outings to do can sometimes be difficult especially the later in the year it gets.  

 So, to avoid trying to find "101 ways to entertain yourself at Walmart" I have started putting together activity sheets for a variety of stores in our community.  Last year I posted some that could be used at the pharmacy, grocery store and Walmart or Target.  Here are the links if you missed them. 
http://empoweredbythem.blogspot.com/2012/04/pharmacy-hunt.
html http://empoweredbythem.blogspot.com/2012/04/grocery-store-activity.
html http://empoweredbythem.blogspot.com/2013/02/grocery-shopping-scavenger-hunt.html http://empoweredbythem.blogspot.com/2012/09/superstore-shopping.html

I put together these three worksheets over the weekend that I plan on using this year. It's a good idea to go over the worksheets before you leave for the outing in case there is any explaining to do.  I think it also gets them excited to get there and start working.  I keep my kids in small groups (2-3 per staff) so that we don't clog any aisle with our presence.  I am sure when these stores see a bus unloading a bunch of kids out front of their doors they might be a little concerned. Remember we want this to be a great experience for EVERYONE involved!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Community-Outing-Worksheets-835804

Ready or Not Here They Come!

 Well here it is, my classroom, ready for another year!  We have a new teacher this year that referred to my classroom the other day as the "Pinterest" room.  She says it was a compliment, so I am going to take it as that, lol.

 I am not quite done with this one yet (I had to print more coins), but this year everyday after reading the morning message we are going to practice counting coins.  I'm hoping by doing it daily, it will make it easier to remember.

We will continue to work on our timeline which I loved doing last year. I also have a couple NEW ideas up which I am keeping a secret until we start working on them so you will get a better picture about what we are doing.  Can't wait!!!!

Gift Cards and Special Education

I am not a huge fan of gift cards when it comes to my students.  I understand that they are more convenient to add funds too and using them prevents the students from spending their money on things other than what it was intended for. The problem with gift cards, in my opinion, is that's keeping the kids from learning the real concept of money.  Most of the time they have no idea how much is even on the card.  They just use it until someone tells them it's no good anymore.  Nothing like waiting in line for 10 minutes at Target with a student who is waiting to purchase his lunch with a gift card he has with zero balance, right? 

I try to encourage my parents throughout the year to send cash with the students when we go on our outings.  No better way to teach kids about money, making purchases, and getting change than letting them actually do it themselves!

I did go ahead and put together a worksheet on using gift cards. I know we will continue to see them throughout the school year so we might as well be prepared.  

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Life-Skills-Using-Gift-Cards-831902

Activity Box Contents

I started back to work yesterday calling my parents and adding a few fun things to the walls.  I have so many great things I am going to be doing with my kids this year I can hardly wait!  I had a request from a couple people wanting to know what the contents of my activity boxes were, so I took some pictures to show you.  Currently we have 22 activity boxes on our shelves. If you have any questions about a box just leave me a comment and I will get back to you.  A few of these items I found on Pinterest and I'm sure I can find the links if you need them.

L - R *Students have to separate money by denomination, tall the amount of each coin, write the amount of money they have of each coin, then graph each coin.  *Pattern Blocks - especially loved by my autistic students * For each number on the card the students have to add that many mini clothespins. * Sorting by colors into the corresponding bowls.

L - R * Make each pattern using the blocks * Link the amount of clips to each number so they match * Stamping out their personal info * 100 chart (my higher kids use the other side that doesn't have the numbers

L - R * Money eggs - open each egg, add up the amount of coins and write it on the corresponding number on their answer page * Playdough measuring - Students roll playdough into snake like figures to match the measurement shown on each card * Roll two dice add the numbers of each dice to the worksheet and add * Dice in Dice - Roll two dice, use the outside number first and write that amount on the first line, do the same for the second dice, then add the amounts.

L - R *Place the proper nut onto each bolt sort into buckets (not shown) * Make a clock - students much add numbers, cut, out clock and hands, punch holes and put together * Roll 1 dice in dice, use the outside number than the inside number to get your total.  Then do 10 more and ten less of that number * Students must weigh each of the items on their worksheet (lbs and oz) for example, 3 books, 10 markers, then find three more things they want to measure and add those to their answer sheet as well.

L - R * Geoboards- follow the patterns on the laminated cards to make a matching pattern.  * Students put their color blocks randomly on the card.  Taking turns, roll 2 dice and if one of the numbers matches a number you have a block on you can remove 1 block from that number * Counting Coins - there are 5  cards up to 41 - 50 place the amount of money asked for in the row provided * Match the time on each block to the time on the sheet.

L - R * students need to add the proper amount of each item into each first aid kit according to the paper.  * Peg blocks. - for my lower kids I may only bring out one box and pegs, my higher kids like to bring them all out and see who can do it the fastest.

Temple Grandin

As many of you know (or maybe not) I have always had this huge fascination with autism. I have been to many conferences over the years and love all the information they have to offer.  I am super excited this upcoming weekend to have the opportunity to hear Temple Grandin speak IN PERSON!  I have watched her movie, read her book and have seen her speak on varies talk shows and documentaries, but to be in the same room as her will be such an honor.  Who better to get information on autism from, than someone who has autism.  Right?

This school year I will be adding 3 incoming students to my class.  All boys, all with autism.  I figure the more I know, the better equipped I am to be the teacher they deserve. So here's to hoping I learn many new things this weekend!

Here is a link to the conference (it's in Pasadena Ca) if anyone wants to make some last minute plans.  It looks like it's going to be a good one!
http://autismconferencesofamerica.com/

Another Year

Yesterday was graduation day for my program.  I only had one student graduating this year and it is very sad for me knowing that I will likely never see her again.  This time of the year is not always my favorite.  Not just because we will lose those we have spent the last few years with day in and day out, but also because it brings on my least favorite time of the year, SUMMER BREAK!  Now trust me, I love all of the days off I get during the school year.  Three day weekends, spring and winter break, I love them all.  But, two weeks is about the maximum that I enjoy being off and sometimes even that is to long!  I am a broke empty nester, and sitting at home for 6 long weeks is just not that enjoyable to me anymore.  I know, I know, I can work in the yard, clean the house, work on home projects that require little or no money. All of which is fine for the first few weeks but than I start to get bored!

I also find myself worrying about my kids.  

*Are they regressing?  
*Are they eating 3 meals a day? 
*Are they getting the attention they deserve?

I know the six weeks will be over before I know it and before to long I will be wishing I had another break, lol.  

In the mean time, I hope you all had a great 2012/2013 school year and that YOU enjoy your time off this summer!

Dirt Cups

~ Week 3 ~

For our cooking class this week we made Dirt Cups.  I was trying to find another reason for the kids to use the knives and cutting boards again and this worked out great!  Each student was given 3 Oreo cookies to make into "dirt".  After the cookies were cut, we made one box of chocolate pudding as directed and added a half container of Cool Whip (I have no idea why I added this). The students than layered half their "dirt", a ladle of the "mud", the other half of their "dirt" and topped each with a gummy worm!  

Great fun!

Left Center Right

 This is one of our favorite games to play in class. If you haven't played this yet, the object of the game is to be the last player with a token.  We start by all sitting around a large table. Each player starts with 3 tokens (sometimes we use candy).  When it is your turn you will roll the 3 dice. (If you have 3 tokens you roll 3 dice, 2 tokens 2 dice, 1 token 1 dice, zero tokens you pass until you are passed tokens again).

For each dice you roll you will have 4 options:
L - pass a token to the person on your left
R - pass a token to the person on your right
C - token goes into a bowl in the center of the table.  This token is now "dead"
"DOT" - This mean you do nothing with this dice (no passing)

I used to have to write a big L and R on the table in front of about half my kids with a dry erase marker.  After a few months they all have mastered their left from their rights! It really gets crazy when it gets down to the last few tokens on the table!

I have even played this game at BBQ's with young and old alike using cash.  That gets really competitive!

Cooking Class - Hamburger Cookies

Week 2 - Today we made these adorable hamburger cookies in our cooking class! The kids got a kick every time I said "add your mustard/ketchup now".  I think every one of them said at least once "I don't like mustard/ketchup/lettuce."  I had to keep reassuring them that it was frosting!  They were able to put these together all on their own.  Time from start to finish about 30 minutes.   

Hamburger Cookies:

Vanilla Wafers
Grasshopper Cookies (Keebler)
Yellow frosting
Red frosting
green tinted coconut

We mixed the coconut and yellow frosting ourselves.  I wasn't sure I could get a good red color for the ketchup so I bought that one already mixed and in a tube.

Scavenger Hunt

 I have been trying to come up with some activities for the kids to do in the mornings OUTSIDE, before the temperature gets miserable.  We did this silent scavenger hunt this morning and had a great time.  I had the kids in groups of 3 students and an aide with each group.  As to not "disturb" the other classes they had to do the scavenger hunt without talking!

The object of the game was to go from classroom to classroom (or offices) and hand the clipboard to any adult staff member (we have at least 4 per classroom).  The instruction page was on top, so the staff members read the directions than turned the page to see if there was something they could give all while my kids stood silently (and tried to keep from giggling).  The giving staff had to mark off the item they gave (one per person) than leave their initials in the box after each item.  I gave the kids 30 minutes to get as many items as they could.  Only one team was able to get all the items, but the other two teams were very close.   All in all, they were super excited and seemed to have a really good time!

P.S. if anything, we ended up with 4 half boxes of tissues!

Cooking Classes

 I have taught ESY (extended school year) for the last 10 years and absolutely love it!  While sticking to my usual topics I teach, I try to make ESY a little more hands-on, interesting and fun. This year we are doing "electives" two days a week, and I signed up to do a cooking class!  Today we did fruit kabobs!!!

The concentration on their faces when they were cutting and skewering was priceless! 

The cutting boards I found at the 99 cent store and the lettuce knives I ordered online from Casa.com for about 4 dollars a piece. The kids picked their own fruit, cut it into bite size pieces and threaded them onto their skewers.  They did an amazing job and were so proud of their creations (which they promptly ate!)

Here is what else we are making this summer:  Rice Krispy Treats, Dirt Cups (complete with gummy worms) and Hamburger Cookies!  I can't wait!

Autism

Since I first started teaching I have always had a fascination with autism.  My first year I had an amazing student in my class. He knew everything there was to know about music.  He had started playing music by ear at around 2 years old.  He could listen to a jingle on a commercial and replay it on his little piano.  He knew who wrote what song, what album it was on, when it was released etc.  He was truly an amazing guy.   Since that time, I have been intrigued to learn everything I can about autism.  I have attending most of our local conferences and thanks to my district have been able to attend a few throughout California each year.  It's fascinates me the complexity of the disorder, how each case is so much the same, but SO much different. 

Lately I have noticed a lot more emphasis has been put on by the media to help educate us on autism.  The World of Jenks is a must see show!  I have watched both seasons and just love Chad.  He made me laugh, he made me cry, he reminded me in little ways of the students that have walked through my doors in the past 10 years.  We watched him struggle in his transition into adulthood, but cheered him on along the way.  You can watch full episodes here.  I do suggest that you start from the beginning.

http://www.mtv.com/shows/world_of_jenks/series.jhtml

Just this week Katie Couric did her full show on autism.  She even had Dr. Temple Grandin on!  An AMAZING woman!

http://www.katiecouric.com/on-the-show/2013/05/30/living-with-autism/

Also this week I stumbled upon a show on Discovery Health called "This is Autism". The show follows Louis Theroux as he meets 4 families with autistic children.  Oh what I would do to be able to spend a week at the school that Nicky goes to!  I know this show was on again yesterday, so hopefully you will have the opportunity to watch it.  http://health.discovery.com/tv-shows/psych-week/videos/this-is-autism.htm

Have you noticed an incline of education on autism lately? With 1 in 88 children being affected, seems really important that we start educating everyone.  10 years ago  most people didn't know anyone with autism.  Soon if not now, everyone will know an individual or a family that has been affected.

Writing Checks

 Here is a unit on check writing.  I haven't decided if I am going to add this to my curriculum next year because it may be a bit difficult for the class I have (at least this year). 

 It followed the path of where I was in writing our banking unit and I am pretty sure some of our higher classes will have fun with it even if I don't.  It really will depend a lot on the level of students I get next year as to what extra curriculum I will add.  

 Different kids seem to bring different circumstances.  One more day of school!! (well, until Monday when we start summer school!)  
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Life-Skills-Writing-Checks-711980

Playdough Measuring

I got this idea from Jamie over at Life Skills in High School! I added it as a new activity box and the kids absolutely loved it!  I usually don't allow more than 2 kids per activity, but as you can see, there were so many who wanted to try it, I got conned into adding a third!  It makes all this time I spend searching for fun and education activities for my kids worth while.

If you would like to see it on Jamie's blog, head over to  http://lifeskillsinhighschool.blogspot.com/.

Thanks,

Food Comparison

I put these fun food comparison cards together a couple weeks ago since we, along with our district, are working on a big healthy eating kick.  There are 18 cards in all.  I cut them out and laminated them back to back.  I showed each card to the students and read them the food items.  Then I had them vote on which item they thought was the healthiest.  They got pretty competitive and it was a lot of fun!

Memorial Day Freebie

Memorial Day Freebie!

Pick up your copy today!







http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Memorial-Day-Freebie-702772

Child Care

Sometimes I just draw a blank when it comes to deciding what kind of worksheets I want to do.  A lot of my ideas come from fellow workers who have a particular situation that they need help with or maybe I am at a conference and someone describes a problem and "bing" my light bulb goes off.  A lot of my worksheets are written with a particular student in mind.  If Johnny has a hard time keeping his hands to himself than waa laa we get a worksheet out on how to keep our hands to ourselves!  If Brook is getting ready to open a bank account and will need to know how to use an ATM machine, we get on that right away!  (actually working on that one right now) 

I got this idea here from a teacher who asked me on TPT if I had a worksheet on Child Care.  I did not at the time, BUT... wait...wait.... NOW WE DO!  This will be a great lesson to use in my classroom too.  I can't wait!  

The suggestions are greatly appreciated, so keep them coming!            http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Child-Care-701479

Summer Variety Pack

Hi guys,

I just finished up my summer work packets for the kids and thought I would share.  They will work in these folders as they arrive in the morning and than finish up after breakfast until it is time to break for electives at 9:00 a.m.  Besides these worksheets I have added a few of the color by code pages I get from TPT.  The kids really love those!  There is a big variety of activities here and plenty of review of things we have worked on all year.  

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Fun-Pack