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Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to put the brakes on the way we are doing things, and make a fresh start. That happened in our autism classrooms in January. After trying a new way of scheduling in the Fall, we shared honestly about what was working well and what we wanted to change. We've been in our new routine for a week and a half now. The difference was a great improvement with immediate results. I have found that in teaching students with autism, I have to be willing to take a risk and try new things. Some of them don't work so well. Others are surprisingly successful, and even open new doors of opportunities. Here are a few things I've picked up along the way as I step out to try something new: 1. Think about it for a while. I often get new ideas from others online or from other teachers and classrooms. Sometimes ideas just pop in my head. But when I do move forward to implement something, it never looks exactly like what someone else does. Giving myself some think time allows an idea to simmer and shape into something that is specialized for my class. 2. Start small. I am a global thinker, so I often think big. I think of all the possibilities of an idea. But when I start with something, I start with just a piece, allow it to grow, and then develop and reshape as we move forward. 3. Share ideas with others. When I'm beginning to think that i'd like to implement an idea, I start talking to people I trust. These are people who know me and my passion for teaching students with autism and are good listeners. If I say it out loud, it helps me hear the idea in a new way. The reactions of my listeners is important to me. Sometimes I get other ideas from them that I hadn't thought about. 4. Network. I think with others we can always be better than we can by ourselves. When I am moving toward implementation of an idea, I think about how I can get others involved. That doesn't mean putting something else on their plate, but giving them an opportunity to be a part of what is happening and sharing in the results. Even when things don't work out like I had expected, I always find positive outcomes. 5. Modify. Or drop it. I'm not afraid to discontinue something that doesn't feel or work right as I get into it. Often with modification, the idea can be molded into something else I hadn't originally planned. 6 Share success. I like to keep parents aware of the new things we are doing and how their children are growing and experiencing new things. Students with autism don't share experiences with their parents like other students may. I also want parents to see the potential in their chidlren through new experiences they may not get to try at home. 7. Build on success. I learn with successes and with ideas that are not what I would consider successful. But I use what I learn as I move forward--either by continuing with my new venture or trying something new. All in all, my students have been exposed to and learned new things because of my willingness to step out and take a risk. It's not the easiest route for me, but I wholeheartedly believe that it's best for my students. So as I reflect on the school year so far, I'm encouraged as we move forward with some new opportunities for my students. I already have a few ideas brewing in different stages--new ideas--new experiences--new learning! More good things to come, Jean www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Autism-Resources-By-Jean-K-Lawson   On this 4th of July, watching some Patriot, I'm thinking of the dedication and passion of people who have given so much to allow us freedoms we each enjoy every day. I want to give of myself passionately for what I believe in, and strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others. In appreciation to all of those to give so much to children, especially those with autism, I'm having a sale on all my resources at my TeachersPayTeachers store. That's a 20% savings from today through July 7. Thank you for your service and dedication to children. More good things ahead, Jean www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Autism-Resources-By-Jean-K-Lawson   When Teacher Appreciation Week comes around in May, it's usually during some of the most intense days of our school year for teachers. We are working hard to finish up assessments, update progress reports, get in all the end-of-year field trips and special days. How I appreciate the notes and gifts from students and their families. And the PTA knows just the things that delight teachers, like a cold class of sweet tea in the afternoon, lunches, and gift cards.
I love to save money anytime of the year. Since I spend so much for my classroom and students each year, I especially look for deals that will allow me to stretch my money so I can do more with less. I want to pass that gift of saving along to you this week so you can stretch your dollars. TeachersPayTeachers.com is having a site-wide sale May 9-10. I have all my resources on sale. And when you add this code you can save 28% on anything in my store: THANKYOU17 As you finish up this school year, may you have a sense of accomplishment for all your diligence this year. Your students are better for spending this year with you! More good things ahead, Jean We use social skills throughout every day to relate to others. Much of what we do has become automatic. Sometimes we have to stop and think about what is the right way to behave or act in a certain social situation. Children with autism often miss the most simple social interactions and may come across as insensitive when they are just unaware. The great thing is that when students are given explicit instruction, they are able to learn and practice many common social skills. Video modeling is an effective evidence-based intervention for teaching social skills. I've used this successfully many times in my classroom. After watching specific behaviors, we practice them in the classroom. I've used commercially produced videos. Some people create their own. The strategies I use most often to teach social skills are visuals and explicit instruction. I can purchase or make them inexpensively and use them wherever they are needed, e.g., in the restroom or hallway, on the playground or field trips. Here are a few simple steps for teaching and using visuals to teach social skills. 1. Show the visual to the student and give the student some time to look at the pictures before talking about it. 2. Depending on the student's level, read through the visual, step by step. 3. Role-play or practice the skill. 4. Use the visual as a prompt in everyday situations across settings. 5. Review and practice the skill periodically to keep it fresh. 6. Reinforce the student during practice and use of the skill across settings. Following are some Social Skills Resources to add to your collection. The 136 Essential Social Skills contains 18 checklists of specific social skills that are essential for any child to know and be able to use at school. The other two include visuals for two of the checklists. www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Autism-Resources-By-Jean-K-Lawson
Visit my store at TeachersPayTeachers.com for more visuals for communication and instruction. One of my favorite quotes by Temple Grandin is, "If I don't have a picture, I can't think." This drives me to create and use visuals throughout the day for my students with autism.
More good things ahead, Jean Lawson 5. Start looking at the calendar with your child and count the number of days until school begins. Decide together how you can mark the passing of each day. Maybe draw a smiley face on the day as part of an evening routine, or add a sticker, or make a big X on the day. Write down some special activities you can do on some of those days so your child has some things to look forward to before the 1st day of school.
4. Find out what supplies will be needed for the new school year. Make a list and do a scavenger hunt. Hunt around the house with your child and check off each item as you collect it. Make a separate list and let your child check off each item as you find it at the store. 3. Go through your child’s clothes and see what will be needed for the new school year. Draw pictures or write words, depending on your child’s level, of needed items. Look with your child online or shop together or have your child cross off each item that you bring home. 2. Shortly before school starts, talk more about school. Pick ways that connect with your child: Draw pictures of your child’s favorite things about school: the bus ride, classes, recess, lunch, teachers, friends, toys, school routines. Look at pictures from last school year. Let your child pretend to be the teacher. Drive by the school. Play on the school playground. 1. Enjoy the moments of the last days of summer break. Be present with family members. Avoid distractions and multi-tasking. Focus on being together. Keep it simple. Relax. 1. SIMPLIFY your stuff. With the rapid changes in the ways we teach, we have to let go of some old school stuff. I know it's hard, but next school year, you will have a new freedom.
Simplify hard copy files. I had collected so many reproducible books and photocopies over the years--good stuff, too--but I use them less and less as I find fresh resources online. When cleaning out, I ask myself, "Have I used these items in the last 3 years?" No? Pass it on to someone else or recycle the paper. If you think you might use it in the future, look at the format. Is it loose in hanging file folders? Think about 3-hole punching it and putting it in binders. These can still be stored in file drawers. I put my binders in large clear tubs. Then I labeled the tubs, listing what materials are inside. I can stack the tubs and still see what's in them when I need them. If I don't need them, they are already "packed" away for the end of the year and easily moved out of the room for summer room cleaning. Simplify hard drive files. This one gets me. Everytime I see something online, I save it because I just know some day I will use it. In the summer, I look at these materials just to remember what I have saved. Sometimes I reorganize. Sometimes I delete. Sometimes I put items on a list to use next school year. Another great oranizer for my online favorites is Livebinder.com. It's like a hanging folder file system of online sites. I use this extensively. In addition to keeping track of your stuff, you can also share these files with people you know or make them public for other people on the site to benefit from the collections you've made. This is free and easy to use. 2. IMMERSE yourself in something else! Find something unrelated to school and teaching and immerse yourself. If you can't afford a cruise, borrow a tent and find the nearest campground--or explore your own backyard or trails nearby. Or go to a part of your town you rarely go to, and explore it by walking. I have to leave the house and do something totally different to really get a break from the job. Otherwise, I'll end up on the computer and all of a sudden I'm searching and planning for school. I know it's almost impossible to let it all go and not think about your class when you're on vacation. That's where Tip 3 comes in. 3. Take a BRAIN BREAK! When you think of ideas for the next school year--and you will--write it down. Get a notebook and jot your ideas down as they come to you. Then put down the notebook and forget it. I save a lot of my ideas in Google Docs in a folder I set up for just that purpose. When I'm ready to plan, all my ideas are accessible at home and at school. Enjoy your break time away from your work. As you get closer to the start of the school year, look through your ideas. Some things you'll cross off. Others you'll pick up and flesh out. 4 Give yourself PERMISSION! It's so easy to make teaching a 365-day-a-year, 24-hour job. To be my best as a teacher, I have to be intentional and give myself permission to break away from it for a time. And the best part is that I find myself energized and eager for a new school year. Enjoy your summer break! Jean Lawson |
AuthorI want to be the best teacher my students can have! That happens as I keep growing and learning from research-based practices and other great teachers like you! Jean Lawson Archives
February 2018
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Photo from Bernd Thaller
