Well I've been back at school for three weeks and finally feeling like I'm getting into the groove of being back in school. It's been super busy (isn't it always). The beginning of the school year is always a whirlwind of setting up classrooms, getting back into a routine of getting up earlier and going to bed earlier than summertime. It's that time of year, for a fresh start with new routines, new ways of teaching and for some teachers a new set of students. Since I teach special education resource I have mostly the same students, with a few new transfer in students. That makes for a busy start of the school year, since I have to hit the ground running as far as setting up iep meetings and getting settled into new routines. I have some sweet kids this year, but I also have some characters in my room this year. I've been working with my students on beginning year assessments (both my own, and school wide), rules and routines.
Most of my students need to work on mastering their multiplication facts. Mastering, and or memorizing is pretty difficult, so I work with them on at least knowing how to solve multiplication facts even though they don't have the answers memorized. I use a mixture of ways to teach it multiplication. I use touch math, which starts with repeated addition and skip counting which is the foundation of mastering the math facts.
I also recently discovered Xtra Math which helps students practice and master math facts. My students have really enjoyed being able to use it, and most of them look forward to it, and the opportunity to practice their math facts.
Another strategy is using Super Speed Math from Whole Brain Teaching. They pair up with each other and practice their math facts with a partner, and the other person has the answers and checks as they go along. We also play math war, where they have to solve multiplication problems (using times tables), and whoever gets the highest answer gets all the cards.
What do you do to teach multiplication facts? Any other great websites out there to help students practice their math facts?
Hope everyone has a great school year!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
I hope everyone had a good weekend! It's been really hot here in Phoenix, so I've been doing my best to stay cool. Usually I don't mind the heat so much, as long as it doesn't get over 110. Unfortunately, it's been over 110 this weekend, and hasn't been cooling down in the evenings, which helps. I've been staying indoors, watching movies, and swimming to stay school. Today I'm linking up with Neely and Ashley for their weekly Sunday Social.
This Weeks Questions:
1. What is something you’ve always wanted to do but are afraid of? Scuba Diving or Surfing. I'd love to learn how to do both of them, and probably will eventually, I just need to work up the courage to do it.
2. Where do you see yourself in five years? Living here in Phoenix, traveling all over the US and Europe, being a published author and photographer and continuing to teach.
3. What are you looking forward to before the end of 2013? I can't think of anything specific, just enjoying cooler weather and hopefully a road trip or two.
4. What are your hopes for your blog? I'd like to continue to grow my blog, gain more followers, post regularly, build a community and more interactions on my blog, learn how to create and sell products and start earning money from my blog.
5. Do you always see yourself living in your current town/city? I think so, I love Arizona, but sometimes think it would be cool to live along the coast either in CA, or Oregon, maybe even New York City or somewhere in Europe.
6. What is your morning routine? I have breakfast, watch the morning shows (Good Morning America for me) and get ready to go to work. I'd like to work in a work out in the morning, but always lose my motivation.
Next Weeks Questions:
1. What do you miss most about being a kid?
2. Dd you have a nickname growing up? What was it?
3. What was your favorite thing to do at recess?
4. What did you want to be when you grew up?
5. Did you participate in any school activities?
6. What is the funniest thing you did as a kid that your parents still remind you about?
Have a good weekend everyone!!
So it was back to work for me, last week. It's been pretty good, setting up my classwork, catching up with students and trying to get my schedule figured out! Scheduling is always the biggest headache of teaching resource, trying to coordinate with the general education teachers and figuring out the best time to pull students so it doesn't conflict with specials, lunch, and the meat and potatoes of the lessons. It's always changing as well, as teachers make changes, and I have students joining us throughout the school year if they've transferred in, or recently qualified for services.
Anyway, I don't know about your school, but ours uses a school wide behavior system called PBIS, which is short for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. A fellow teacher recommended a website called PBIS World which has a list of behaviors, click on the behavior, and it has a list of descriptions of the behaviors, click yes my student fits that description, or no they don't. If you click yes they have a suggestions to help you with these students, as well as Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions. They also have all sorts of resources for tracking behaviors, interventions, and tracking data. It's similar to the PRIM manual which is the Pre Referral Intervention Manual, which is a great resource for special education teachers (especially resource teachers).
Free Printable Behavior Charts is another great resource, and website I found through this website. They have a lot of different behavior charts that you can use in your classroom, or that parents can use at home.
I've already talked about Class Dojo which is also a great resource for reinforcing positive behavior in the classroom. All of these resources are free!
Any other great resources out there for helping with and tracking behavior and/or goals? I'd love to hear about them!!
Hope you enjoy your weekend!
Is it that time of the year already? I had a long, relaxing summer. I spent time working on my blog, and catching up with friends. Then I went to our cottage in Minnesota this summer for a month of swimming, relaxing and spending time with family, and friends. My nieces came out (twins) and spent some time out there before their parents came. I loved spending so much time with them.
Then one last weekend getaway in San Clemente, CA before going back to school. It was so nice to get away from the heat again!! I love Arizona, but this time of year is really hot!! Here is a picture of the pier.
Last week I returned back to school. In between meeting and catching up with friends, I worked on putting my room together. I'm lucky to have a room to myself.
Here are some of the pictures from my room-
This is where my students store their materials (books, notebooks etc.), as well as filing cabinets.
This is my main teaching area. This is where I do direct instruction and my groups meet. You may be able to see my new document camera which also came with a new projector that was put in my room last year.
Here is my desk. Behind me is where a lot of teaching materials are stored. I also keep a lot of information that I need handy access there.
Now starts the process of getting organized,
scheduling students (always a headache) assessing them, and planning. It should be an interesting year. This is the first year our school is getting an Autism program in our building. I've worked with some students that are on the higher end of the autism program, but not with a wider variety of students. I won't actually be working with them, I'll still be doing resource, but I'm looking forward to learning more about them.
Anyway, today was the second day of school! It went fairly smoothly, and I'm looking forward to a great year.
It's almost the weekend!! Happy Wednesday!!
I'm linking up with Farley again for her August Currently and it's back to school for me.
I've been back for a few days and the kids return next Tuesday. Four more days!!
Listening- I'm listening to Pandora-the Paris Combo station. I love it because there are all sorts of french jazz on it and it's mellow and fun!!
Loving- I finally quit cable, bought an antennae and a roku for netflix, as well as some other fun channels. I'm loving netflix and finding all sorts of fun stuff to watch.
Thinking- School is back and right now we're just in the process of going through meetings and setting up. The kids return next week!
Wanting- I really need to go back to school shopping and buy fun stuff for my classroom. Unfortunately, I need to wait for my first paycheck!!
Needing - I'm working on finishing up my classroom and get it ready for the school year. I'd love to get it all cutesy and looking good and organized for the coming school year.
B2s must haves:
* A new cart to keep all my stuff together.
* A good teacher bag that helps keep everything organized
* A cute lunch bag (and a new school outfit)!
What are you doing currently? Come link up with Farley and let us know what you're doing currently!!
