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I’m new to covering as a Teacher in Sped in Washington State.I just started online College to get a BA in Elementary Education.I have been a Para in Sped for 7yrs & 7 months now.My Teaching will start on August 24,2022.I know nothing about the paperwork or to set up curriculum for the kids.We deal with Preschool to 8th grade.Some Head Start kids which are 3yrs old to 4yrs old.I am kinda on my own for curriculum. Our kids do a lot on laptops for Reading,Math,and some writing.They use to journals.
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How do I effectively utilize my special ed ea?
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Put the chairs in a circle and push the desks aside. Tell them this is how it’s going to be because we need to start on time. Offer the desks back when they realize you mean business and then do the circle activity like North Carolina teacher suggested. They will not like the circle because everyone is looking at them - well they perceive that - and that alone might be an incentive. You have to be light hearted though. Tell them you’re not angry etc but this is the consequence for not settling down. Play it off like this is the only solution you could think of. Them elicit their ideas on how they can help the class start on time. Let them know the desks go back to normal when you think they’re ready. You’re keeping it light and game like but you’re in control again. I taught middle school for 19 yrs to a rough crowd. I’ve found structure works when you are light hearted about it. As soon as they perceive a heavy hand, they rebel. But it’s all smoke and mirrors. Lol. Good luck. The most important thing is to tell them we have a problem and you need their help to solve it. You can even turn it into a persuasive writing assignment.
From a self-contained perspective: I have an activity they can do independently waiting on their desk.
Have you considered doing some type of circle activity? Set ground rules that everyone will have a chance to speak, but only one at a time. Lead them in being the ones to create the rules. Then for five to ten minutes each morning, depending on the level of participation or the discussion, have them talk about either a random issue (one they might be dealing with on the bus), or what they did the night before, weekend plans, etc. It gives each one their voice and brings the class together towards a common goal.
What kind of warmups are you doing? Can you redirect that energy into a discussion on the lesson from the day before? When I taught middle school, I had a warmup on the board every morning that referred to what we had gone over the day before. Sometimes it was a video they had to respond to.
I like the instant activity. I had a humanities teacher in high school who always had music playing while we entered, and had us write a journal entry on our initial reaction. It was great! All different genres, eras, etc.
Start a routine right away at the beginning of the year involving a bell-ringer, followed by another activity that will prepare them for class. I use bell-ringer, followed by “Mad, Sad, Glad (name one thing today or yesterday that made you mad, sad, and glad).” I also meet the kids at the door and sometimes hand out printed instructions.
What about an instant activity. So when they walk in they read the board and do what the board says. Like a hook. So could be would you rather. Have them stand on one side of the room for one answer and one side for the other. Then compare and talk wow more people would rather floss their teeth with a rats tails then wash their hair with Bird poop . Lol but something catchy... then ok please now go to your seats and get out book and pencil... etc
I would do some activity that involved repeating and movement