Organization - grade K-5
😎
Teaching about thinking...
Thinking about teaching...
and so it goes.
Organization, Special Needs K-2
One of the biggest challenges in my classroom has been organization. Organizational challenges are not new for children with special needs but they can be monstrous to tackle. I have had students from K-12th grade. With every grade level comes a different challenge. And not only students with special needs have organizational challenges. Some classroom environments require the use of specific folders, some require the use of totes or cinch bags, some ban the use of binders. When you have your own classroom as an Intervention Specialist or Special Needs Teacher the organization challenge can be minimized because well, you are the expert, you know your students needs and you design a plan with all students in mind. Step into the world of inclusion and we sometimes feel as though Pandora's box is opened and the small stuff is maximized. We sweat it! Why? Because we know what works and what doesn't! Missing assignments, forgotten utensils, tears and behaviors Oh My!
The organization maze can be overwhelming for a student with special needs so I'll attempt to break my ideas and tested tools into grade bands in hopes of helping you prepare for the upcoming school year.
Let's start at the beginning...
Kindergarten through grade two. Any good organization plan starts with assessment.
Ah......data....how I love you.
Before your first students steps foot in the classroom, do an assessment of your classroom. Check for all supply holders and storage space for labels. Any labels that are faded or tattered go ahead and replace with bright bold easy to read font. Use masking or duct tape on the floor to clearly define spaces. Rugs can also be used for the same purpose. Remnants with duct tape borders are great for this. It takes some time to tape the edges but it will be worth it. Put away items not in use such as seasonal items and extra books and other supplies. If you don’t have a storage closet create a storage space. Using the same color totes are best. Simple solid panel curtains are also helpful to designate space. Avoid chaotic patterns. Color coding is also helpful. This is another teacher blog that contains some great information https://www.mrsdscorner.com/staying-organized-in-sped-tips-for/
Back to data....ah....did I tell you I love it? At this level, data can be quickly gathered by observations and short checklists. So once your kiddos start back to school, introduce and review your organization plan everyday for the first couple weeks. At this point, you will begin to see which kiddos need a little more help. Then you can begin to collect data. The goal is to find out how many times the behavior is occurring (frequency) so we know which behavior to pinpoint. There is much more information that could be gathered here for a student with a suspected disability but since I am trying to stick with organizational challenges for any student I am keeping it very basic. So, once the behavior is identified (child misplaces items for example) then we can look at the environment. In this grade level, many teachers organize the classroom in pods or small groups with supplies in the center of each grouping. Some may have a general supply area where all supplies are stored. The key to organization is for students to be able to identify where items go and to know when the items should be put back or placed in the proper area. It is also important to review this process several times at the beginning of the year and periodically throughout. Student excel when expectations are clear. Something as simple as clearly explaining where the scissors are to be placed may seem redundant but necessary. I will go into active instruction in another blog but when we want a student to understand....we get them involved. We let them move, demonstrate, show their understanding. telling them, talking until we turn blue or yelling does not work. It isn't active learning. This age needs to show they know!
If your classroom is designed for each child to have their own supplies at their desk, first make sure that the student has the supplies they need in their own container. The container should be easily identifiable. I prefer clear pencil pouches. This can be purchased at Walmart for about $1 during school supply time. I always purchase several because I know there are going to be kiddos who do not have a supply pouch. They are so cheap it is easy to use them to replace broken ones (we know this is disastrous but when it can be easily replaced - we can all move on) Here is the link but any inexpensive see through pouch would work. Even Ziploc would work.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pen-Gear-Durable-See-Through-Binder-Pouch-7-25-x-10-25-Black/608189346
Another great idea that works for all students is the clip system for turning in assignments. Check it out
Let me get back to my data point. The reason data collection is so important is because when we collect data we can then look back at what is occurring in the environment prior to the behavior (missing assignment, forgotten pencil). Let me say that again. Once we know what the behavior is .....because we have identified it is happening regularly, we can then identify any thing in the environment that is happening prior to the behavior. This is where the special needs and behavior therapy experience comes in to play even in an inclusive classroom. For example, maybe your child seems extremely unorganized and your data shows it is often occurring on Thursday mornings. You learn the kiddo stays the night with a family member every Wednesday night and the bedtime schedule is interrupted. Without the proper data collection this may not be something you discover. With a solid organizational system in place in the classroom your child will be supported and disorganization challenges will be minimized.
Thanks for reading, stay tuned for part 2.
Teaching about thinking...
Thinking about teaching...
and so it goes.
Organization, Special Needs K-2
One of the biggest challenges in my classroom has been organization. Organizational challenges are not new for children with special needs but they can be monstrous to tackle. I have had students from K-12th grade. With every grade level comes a different challenge. And not only students with special needs have organizational challenges. Some classroom environments require the use of specific folders, some require the use of totes or cinch bags, some ban the use of binders. When you have your own classroom as an Intervention Specialist or Special Needs Teacher the organization challenge can be minimized because well, you are the expert, you know your students needs and you design a plan with all students in mind. Step into the world of inclusion and we sometimes feel as though Pandora's box is opened and the small stuff is maximized. We sweat it! Why? Because we know what works and what doesn't! Missing assignments, forgotten utensils, tears and behaviors Oh My!
The organization maze can be overwhelming for a student with special needs so I'll attempt to break my ideas and tested tools into grade bands in hopes of helping you prepare for the upcoming school year.
Let's start at the beginning...
Kindergarten through grade two. Any good organization plan starts with assessment.
Ah......data....how I love you.
Before your first students steps foot in the classroom, do an assessment of your classroom. Check for all supply holders and storage space for labels. Any labels that are faded or tattered go ahead and replace with bright bold easy to read font. Use masking or duct tape on the floor to clearly define spaces. Rugs can also be used for the same purpose. Remnants with duct tape borders are great for this. It takes some time to tape the edges but it will be worth it. Put away items not in use such as seasonal items and extra books and other supplies. If you don’t have a storage closet create a storage space. Using the same color totes are best. Simple solid panel curtains are also helpful to designate space. Avoid chaotic patterns. Color coding is also helpful. This is another teacher blog that contains some great information https://www.mrsdscorner.com/staying-organized-in-sped-tips-for/
Back to data....ah....did I tell you I love it? At this level, data can be quickly gathered by observations and short checklists. So once your kiddos start back to school, introduce and review your organization plan everyday for the first couple weeks. At this point, you will begin to see which kiddos need a little more help. Then you can begin to collect data. The goal is to find out how many times the behavior is occurring (frequency) so we know which behavior to pinpoint. There is much more information that could be gathered here for a student with a suspected disability but since I am trying to stick with organizational challenges for any student I am keeping it very basic. So, once the behavior is identified (child misplaces items for example) then we can look at the environment. In this grade level, many teachers organize the classroom in pods or small groups with supplies in the center of each grouping. Some may have a general supply area where all supplies are stored. The key to organization is for students to be able to identify where items go and to know when the items should be put back or placed in the proper area. It is also important to review this process several times at the beginning of the year and periodically throughout. Student excel when expectations are clear. Something as simple as clearly explaining where the scissors are to be placed may seem redundant but necessary. I will go into active instruction in another blog but when we want a student to understand....we get them involved. We let them move, demonstrate, show their understanding. telling them, talking until we turn blue or yelling does not work. It isn't active learning. This age needs to show they know!
If your classroom is designed for each child to have their own supplies at their desk, first make sure that the student has the supplies they need in their own container. The container should be easily identifiable. I prefer clear pencil pouches. This can be purchased at Walmart for about $1 during school supply time. I always purchase several because I know there are going to be kiddos who do not have a supply pouch. They are so cheap it is easy to use them to replace broken ones (we know this is disastrous but when it can be easily replaced - we can all move on) Here is the link but any inexpensive see through pouch would work. Even Ziploc would work.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pen-Gear-Durable-See-Through-Binder-Pouch-7-25-x-10-25-Black/608189346
Another great idea that works for all students is the clip system for turning in assignments. Check it out
http://www.inspiredelementary.com/2017/05/my-favorite-turn-in-basket.html?m=1
Thanks for reading, stay tuned for part 2.
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