Special Ed Class

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Home : 2004 : August : 12

Special Ed Class
By Lyddy

Hello Beth!
I was an Assistant Resource Specialist (classified)15 years ago for ten years and recently went back and completed my college education-after having an entirely different profession. This is my first year teaching
and I have a "LIF" (low intellectual functioning class) made up of 6th,7th and 8th graders.I discovered that at least where I am I am simply expected to just "do it" with little support and the room was a mess of old outdated and used (workbooks)materials. The first thing I did last month (school starts for me August 30th) was to get the IEP's and go over them. I created a sheet

and sumarized goals to see who could be placed together in reading, language and math groups (some do not fit into one). Some IEP's were not complete and I plan to test the first week. I am planning review work based on last years skill levels.The next thing I did was organize and clean up the room. I have just completed stocking crate files with folders according to subject.These are masters and worksheets (my own and some that were usable in the room). I am planning some daily oral language and spelling. I don't know if what I am doing is the right way to go about it but that is what I decided. I also divided up the room and created a literacy center, computer center, listening and meeting/art area (with L shaped tables). Student desks are in a semi circle so they will be facing me during group instruction as I only have 9 students. In the literacy center aside from fiction and non fiction books I put nature magazines, a map and blank postcards for the postcard exchange we will be doing and newspapers. I hope to develope these centers and include many independent activities. I also went to the State Ed site (I am in California)and aquainted myself with the framework that I will have to adapt for social studies, etc-above and beyond the IEP goals.My students range from Pre K to Fourth grade ability. I found good information on "A to Z Teacher Stuff", and in catalogs from Globe Feron and AGS. In my "favorites" I created folders for reference. I also joined "Ed-Helper" for leveled weekly spelling.I don't know if any of this helps but my concept was to familarize myself with the students on paper , check for vague goals and create documentation sheets. I have all areas for each student on one page-2 at the most for my quick reference and goal dates where I can mark in progress. I think the tricky thing about middle schoolers is capturing their interest and trying to find updated interesting materials to use. Please e-mail me if you have any suggestions for me and possibly we can share some ideas! I feel "lost" but I am trying my best to get organized. I plan to do introductions the first day and go over "classroom responsibilites" as well as some simple activities to promote a classroom "community". I like an idea I saw about making puzzle pieces that each student does about themselves and than "fitting" them together as a visual. I am not sending homework home the first week. Lyddy