“The secret to life is finding out what you love and then finding a way to get paid for it.” This small bit of wisdom was passed my way years ago by a former supervisor, and it’s wisdom I carry close because it echoes in our work every day. In education, we …
For classrooms where whole group instruction is the prefered mode of teaching, please mind the gap. The gap, the open space between the instructor and the learner is absolutely sacred. It is on this two way highway that information, ideas, and concepts are shared. Information is presented, questions are asked, …
If you are getting stuck on which points of the day to really focus on first with independence, look for the common routines. Look for events that take place everyday, at the same time, and have a very similar order to them. This can be a morning entry, getting lunch, math warm-ups, …
For young learners who frequently struggle with noncompliance the road to independence can be a long one. But every journey begins with a first step. Every journey begins with a plan. The 3 point prompt is not going to be appropriate for every early learner, but for many it can provide …
This is the prompt hierarchy, an essential component to promoting independence for learners. It provides a continuum of intrusiveness that should be at the forefront of our minds when working with those who are susceptible of becoming dependent on our help. As students navigate their day and are …
Independence is not bought, it is won. Through the small victories provided by passionate educators our leaners do more with less. But every warrior needs a battle cry, every competitor needs a cause, and ever special educator needs a mantra. Not just a reminder about the lives we change, but …
Those who consider themselves part of the Seattle Seahawks fandom pride themselves on their passion, their love, and their impact on the game. And to a large point they have made Seattle one of the best places for a player to call home. They refer to themselves as the 12th man and they …
Just as is it essential to explicitly share behavioral expectations so a student knows how to do something, they must know what to do. While the agenda can be shared on a schedule, all too often we forget to give ownership of the …
Despite giving adequate processing time when expressing behavioral expectations or schedule changes, students may continue to struggle with going from hearing to doing. While the learner may hear the words you are saying they may not be visualizing them accurately and hence …
Are you tired of having to repeat directions over and over? Your students may be too. When expressing simple expectations such as “sit down” or “raise your hand”, we may not immediately get what we are looking for. While it seems like they are just being non-compliant, they may not be …
