Inclusion Idea

I know the push for students with disabilities is to get them into the general education classroom. One challenge I have faced is determining how my students are coping in the general classroom. When a paraprofessional or I look in on them I need to be able to decide if help is needed for the student or the teacher. I just saw a wonderful idea when I visited a High School. The students took with them a 3x5 car that was folded in half. One side was green and said, "doing fine" the other side was red and said, "I need help". I could simply walk by the door and see how each student was doing in the classes, without making a big deal, walking in, interrupting. Obviously a little training would have to be done to teach the student when and why to turn the card from green to red.

Alice in Wonderland

We had a fun Halloween party with the kids that I tutor. My family dressed up as the characters from Alice in Wonderland. The costumes were amazing and my friend Janeen made the red and white queen dresses.

Yes I have a dark secret I love to dress my dogs up in costumes. It completely mortifies them and I find great joy in that... he, he, he

Initiating Conversation

You know when you are working with a kid that is so independent they don't have to initiate conversation because they can meet all of their own needs. Well that is when a little sabotage is necessary. For kids that are younger and may not possess the best fine motor skills you can simply place desired items in a clear plastic container that they cannot open independently. This way they will have to ask for help from another individual. If the child is nonverbal then I also attach an image either a photograph or picture representation on the container so that they can bring the picture to someone thereby initiating an interaction. Now when you are working with those more tricky kids that are willing to climb onto of the refrigerator to get their favorite cookies down or can open any container you have tried that is when you have to become more tricky too. One thing that works well are prescription bottles with locking lids. The bottles are slightly see threw and then I color the lid so that is doesn't look as much like a prescription bottle. I then place things like toy cars, Squinkies (which I don't understand the craze for but the kids do love them), treats, and other favorite items in the bottles. Another thing you can try is locking up the cupboard that has the desired items such as favorite treats and toys. Then place pictures of all the items on the door so the child knows what is inside. They can then tell you or bring you the picture of the item wanted thereby initiating conversation.