Teaching and Parenting Resources

I've created an educational consulting business

2008-12-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

Hello, it has been awhile since I last posted. I've created a newly developed educational consulting business for parent(s), educators and care providers. The name of my website: www.childrenadvocacyspecialneeds.com

The name of my business is called, CATS- Child Advocacy Teacher Support. CATS- is an educational consulting business for parent(s), educators and care providers who work with specialized populations. The services I provide are on-line, as well as direct services in the community. At CATS, there is a holistic approach in providing you with the tools and teaching strategies to better facilitate optimum growth and success in a child. By collaborating we can creatively problem solve and strengthen skills that you already have.

I provide professional consultation and training to parent(s), educators and care providers on Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorders, Developmental Disabilities with Challenged Learning Styles and Behavioral Interventions.

Please check out my website!

Successful Classroom Management Strategies

2008-02-25T13:01:00.000-08:00

Greetings. As a teacher we have to juggle so many hats throughout the day. I would like to share with you some of my classroom management strategies that worked. These strategies are useful at the elementary level in all classrooms.

Defining spaces in your classroom fosters independence in children and allows them to be successful. You can do this by taking a photo of each space or finding a picture in a magazine. You will then want to laminate the photo or picture. The spaces I am referring to are: reading area, work area, play area, circle area, free time area, and computer area. I have seen some teachers be even more explicit by having a photo on each bin for children to put materials into.

I know as a teacher that much confusion takes place when children line up at the door. In this next teaching strategy, I would like to discuss how you can make this transition run much smoother. In the past, I have used several methods. Some worked and others didn't. You can use a bright colored electrician's tape on the floor. Yes, you better check in with your janitor to make sure the tape you are using is correct. If you have 15 children in your classroom, you'll make 15 "X" shapes on the floor. I've found this method of using tape last much longer and is durable over time. Children now have a clear boundary of where they need to be when lining up at the door.

Ms. C

Nose Picking

2008-02-25T12:19:00.000-08:00

Greetings. Today I would like to talk about a behavior that most children do and this is "nose picking." The intensity of this behavior will vary among children. I had one child in my classroom that would pick his nose so much that he had frequent nose bleeds.

As a parent or educator you can modify this behavior by simply providing an alternative. This alternative is asking your student or child to "please, go wash your hands" each time they start to pick their nose. It is not necessary to make a fuss over it or to draw attention to the child. The child will soon figure out that each time they start to pick their nose, there will be a verbal
prompt, "please, go wash your hands." You are modifying their behavior and you'll see within a few weeks that the behavior will decrease.

At the beginning you'll be giving a verbal prompt to the child. After a week or two, you can eliminate the verbal prompt and provide a non-verbal prompt which is the "action" of washing your hands. This means putting your hands together as if you're washing your hands. Having lots of Kleenex available is also helpful!

Ms. C

Transition Strategy For Classroom or Home

2008-02-17T17:29:00.001-08:00

Greetings. I mentioned before in my previous post how important smooth transitions are to children. I would like to share with you today an educational strategy that I learned while teaching children with developmental delays. All you need is a piece of paper without lines and two bright colored markers.

This is a skill that you can learn with ease. The catch is you have to be involved for this teaching strategy to be effective. Children need to know where they need to begin, how much work needs to be completed, and is the ending near. This applies to the classroom as well as in the home. You can simply take a piece of paper without lines that is large enough for your child to view. You will make a rectangle in the center of the paper with your colored marker. You are now sitting down with your student or child to model how this teaching strategy will work.

You will make a "X" to indicate the beginning of what you have assigned your student or child to start working on. If your child is having some difficulties cleaning up his/her room, you can use this teaching strategy. You will monitor how much "time" goes by before making another "X" right below the first "X." Make the "X" large enough that your child or student can see it nearby. As time passes, you monitor how much time you are giving your student or child to complete what you have assigned.

You will then make a third "X", I would explain to your child or student that this is the last "X" and you'll need to finish up with what you are doing. To indicate that it's time to finish, draw a line through the (X) with the other colored marker. This means it's time to stop.

This is an effective teaching strategy that does not require a lot of materials. It can easily be done.

Ms. C

Recycling During Lunch Hour

2008-02-06T19:47:00.000-08:00

Hello. Recently I worked at a Middle School in Oregon that had an effective recycling program during their lunch. Containers were individually labeled with pictures. There was a huge bin for students to put their forks and spoons into, another for food waste material and then a hand crunchier for milk cartons. Each student passed through quickly and systematically and it worked.

Your students could design such a recycling program. The cost of starting a recycling program is relatively cheap. You need to purchase several huge bins for placement of each plastic or food item. Then find a farmer or an orgainic gardner who would like the food waste. You can use and reuse and feel positive that you are contributing toward the betterment of are environment.

Recycling School Products

2008-02-06T19:13:00.000-08:00

Greetings. Today, I would like to talk about recycling. Does your child's school recycle paper, tin cans, paper products, and plastics? As a teacher, do you recycle? There are a lot of materials in the classroom that can be recycled and is easily done. Students can can be encourage to get involve and to learn why it's such an important act towards preserving our environment.

During lunch time, I have seen students throw away plastics, food waste, and milk cartons in alarming amounts. This shouldn't happen. Recycling is not difficult to do. It just takes some extra time and it's fun!

Ms. C

OPB T.V. Special "The Medicated Child"

2008-01-09T16:23:00.000-08:00

Greetings. Last night there was a very interesting documentary on "Front Line" televised by OPB. The documentary was titled, "The Medicated Child." It is worthwhile to view if your child is instructed to use prescription medications to alter his/her behaviors to become more normalized. I was greatly alarmed when I heard that over 1 million children are medicated on a daily basis. Some of these children are taking up to 8 pills a day and can barely function because they are so doped up.

My personal views of the documentary is that there are too many children on prescription drugs. Children require positive role models in their lives. Too much violence on T.V. and aggression that children may follow.

If you are interested in viewing this documentary, you can go to OPB and a list of showings will come up for January 8, 2008. The episode #2605. The documentary will last 56 minutes. I will continue more on this subject matter in my next post.

Ms. C

School Field Trip Day

2008-01-04T19:28:00.000-08:00

Greetings. Field trip day is always a very exciting time for your students. If you have students with special needs, this day has to be very organized and planned out in advanced. First, you have to decide where your students want to go and then plan from there. Most children with autism spectrum disorder need plenty of warning that a big event is going to take place. This is where a picture schedule for that particular day can be very handy.

This a grand time for parents to volunteer and get a chance to meet other parents and students. Every school has guidelines and a protocol to follow when arranging a field trip; to how many adults need to be present, carrying a first-aid kit, having a parent list available, organizing school lunches, and a cellphone for emergencies.

Best of all, everyone has a great time.
Ms. C

The Gap Between The Classroom and Home Setting

2008-01-04T16:53:00.000-08:00

Greetings. As a special education teacher, I always looked forward to a child's IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) meeting or a parent conference meeting because this was my opportunity to interact directly with each child's parents.

During those meetings, I would share with each child's parents how their child was progressing on their goals and objectives and what goals and objectives needed to be continued. It also was important for me to discuss with each child's parents some of the teaching techniques and tools that I'd used successfully with their child.

I would encourage parents to try some of the same teaching techniques at home with their child. What I found is that parents really needed a hand with setting up a variety of teaching tools (picture schedules, behavioral plans, environmental arrangement) in their home. I could show parents what I had developed and how it should be used with their child, but for parents to actually make it, it took time they did not have. This was discouraging for me because I didn't have the extra time or resources to make teaching tools for parents to use with their child in the home.

Please, your comments and ideas are important!
Ms. C

Happy Cooking

2008-01-04T16:40:00.000-08:00

Greetings. Is everyone recuperating from the holidays? I feel frazzle dazzle from all the potlucks that we had at our place. Why are potlucks so much work? Don't they suppose to be easy because friends and family are bringing dishes too? Anymore, I suggest dishes for my guest to bring and that seems to work. In the past, I would always say, "bring what you like to make" well I found out that most of my friends are not culinary people. Sometimes only a dish or two would present itself at the dinner table.

Well, happy cooking in your kitchen!
Ms. C

Fever and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2007-12-28T14:46:00.000-08:00

Greetings. Recently, there has been exposure in the media world about children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and how they react differently to a fever when ill. Studies have shown that there is improvement in their cognitive abilities and behaviors when affected with a fever. Normally, children with autism spectrum disorder have poor connections between synapses in their brains. This can lead to limited verbal and non-verbal communication skills and difficulties interacting with others in social situations. Also, children may have unusual repetitive behaviors and their cognitive skills could be severely impacted, or heightened.

Studies all over the world are being conducted on these new findings. Reports from scientific researchers have found out that the fever can stimulate changes in the brain at a cellular level. This somehow calms a child with autism spectrum disorder. This is a global issue, with one in every 150 children impacted with autism. Males are four times more likely than females to get diagnosed with autism.

Ms. C

Location and Time of Taking a Break

2007-12-21T13:01:00.000-08:00

In the previous post, we talked about how to make and use a break card when your child or student becomes frustrated and starts to exhibit inappropriate behavior. In my classroom, I developed a quiet corner where students could go to take their break. I had overstuffed pillows and a wide selection of age-appropriate books. Students were only allowed to look at books while they were on a break.

I usually gave a student 5-7 minutes per break. Some students may need a longer amount of time or a shorter amount of time. It all depends on the needs of the student. What you are striving for is for the student to cool out and recenter themselves before coming back to the group, or task that is required of them. Good luck with this new teaching strategy!

Ms. C

Using A Break Card To Decrease Inappropriate Behaviors

2007-12-21T11:51:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays! Today, I am talking about how as educators and parents we have overused the word, "timeout" when working with children who are acting out inappropriately. What does the word "timeout" mean to a child? The word is actually meaningless to a child and carries a punitive action. I have found that by using the word "timeout" it does not change the behavior, it is only a punishment to that child. Children do not need to be punished.

What I've learned through my experience of teaching students is to provide a way for students to request for a break. Of course, I had students request for a break during work time or when completing an assignment. What I did to accommodate their request is to have each student complete a certain amount of work first before their break. The amount of work given should not be overwhelming to the student since they had just asked for a break. You can make break cards by using white card stock paper. I would copy a picture from a book, this picture would be a child looking at a book and above you can write the printed words, "break." I then would laminate the cards to make them last through the school year.

As a parent or educator, it is important to model (show how it will be used) to your students or child. If you see that your child is becoming frustrated and is starting to act out inappropriately
when working on a task. This is your cue. Some children may have difficulties noticing when they should take a break. This is your responsibility as a parent or educator to notice this. When this happens, you can offer the break card to your student or child. In my next post, I will talk about how long a break should be and the location of taking a break.

Ms. C

Homemade Bubbles

2007-12-14T12:37:00.000-08:00

In the previous post, I shared a cooking recipe with you on how to make homemade applesauce. This recipe is a little different because you will not be eating it. Here is a recipe for homemade bubbles. All kids love bubbles!

Homemade Bubbles

1 teaspoon glycerin
1/2 cup liquid detergent (Ivory Soap or Dawn Liquid)
1/2 water
plastic container with a tight lid
spoon
bowl

Measure and mix ingredients into a bowl. Pour the solution into a plastic container and let the mixture sit overnight for best results. Enjoy!

Ms. C

Classroom Cooking Recipe

2007-12-14T10:40:00.000-08:00

Greetings. Today, I am going to share a cooking recipe that I had used with my students. You can adapt the recipe accordingly to each student's skill level. Students love to participate in any fashion; from reading the recipe, to preparing the ingredients, measuring the ingredients, pouring and mixing the ingredients, and lastly and best of all eating the combination of the ingredients.

I feel so lucky to have lived in Oregon most of my life because of the wonderful selection of organic produce that you can find in most health food stores. One day in my classroom, we made homemade applesauce and the kids loved it! This cooking activity was successful because we had spent a couple of days on reviewing the content of the recipe before actually making it.

Homemade Applesauce

6 large apples
1/2 cup of water
1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice (from a lemon)
1/4 cup of fine sugar
pinch of allspice
pinch of cinnamon

You will need a large saucepan, hot plate, colander, large bowl, measuring cups, measuring spoon, towels, plastic knifes, and a cutting board. I would let the adults peel each of the apples and core the center. Then you can quarter each of the apples and let the students cut the apples into small pieces with their plastic knifes. Put the cut up pieces of apples into a large bowl. Add the water, fresh squeezed lemon juice, sugar, and spices. Stir all the ingredients together. Put the ingredients into a large saucepan and cook over a medium heat. The adult should be the only person around the stove stirring the apples. Cook until tender. Let the apples cool down before pressing them into the colander. Serve warm.

As a teacher, you can make a copy of the recipe and give to each of your students. Each student can participate in this cooking activity. It might take some creativity on your part, but it can be done. Here are a couple of ideas. You can have several students write the recipe onto a large piece of white paper or onto a chalk board, students can make copies of the recipe and give to each student, there is preparatory and clean up work, produce needs to be washed and dried, apples need to be cut up into small pieces and measuring of the ingredients.

bon appetit
Ms. C

Student Loans

2007-12-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

Greetings. Here are a couple of link addresses in regards to having your Stafford Student Loans Forgiven: www.studentaid.ed.gov and www.studentaid.ed.gov/loanforgivenessforteachers

I think it is great that special education teachers are being acknowledge for their hard work. What I think is unreasonable is only providing these perks for recruiting teachers into the field. If you had worked as a special education teacher prior to October 1, 1998 and also had an outstanding balance on your loans. You are not eligible to have your student loans forgiven. These loans are only forgiven if you had borrowed money from your lender after October 1, 1998.

All special education teachers, should be able to qualify for a loan forgiveness program regardless of the October 1, 1998 time line. It is unfair not to recognize the hard work that we each have done.

Ms. C

Student Loan Forgiveness Application

2007-12-10T13:45:00.000-08:00

Greetings. Today, I would like to discuss about the hot topic on student loans. On February 8, 2006, a new provision was enacted to ensure the availability of student loan forgiveness up to $17,500 for newly hired special education teachers. President Bush signed a new legislation that will make a huge difference in recruiting qualified special education teachers.

I have to say, President Bush did well here by creating incentives for students to enter into the field of special education. What I think is sad, is that the criteria on the teacher loan forgiveness application is strict. They are strict about the type of loans you have and the date of your loans. If you are still paying on your Stafford Student Loans and they are dated prior to October 1, 1998. You will not qualify for the teacher loan forgiveness. In my next post, I will continue on this particular subject matter.

Ms. C

Picture Schedule For Morning Routine

2007-12-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

For this scenario, I will be using colored pictures that will be the size of 2 x 2. These pictures will be laminated to prevent any water or googy hands from staining them. I will be using the top to bottom approach which I discussed in the previous posts.

This particular student has Autism and requires a picture schedule for his morning routine at school. I will have 4 colored pictures on a strip of card stock paper. To the side of each picture will be a pocket which the student can place each picture into when the activity is completed.

When the student enters the classroom, he is prompt by his teacher to check his desk and to pick up his strip to begin his morning routine.

Morning Routine:

1). take coat off and hang up on hook ( I would have a picture of a student taking his/her coat off and hanging onto a hook)

2). write first name on class list ( A picture of a student writing). Some students may not be able to write their entire name. You may have a student who can only write the first letter in their name.

3). go to the job board to see what your job is for the day (The student's name will be next to the job). ( A picture of a job board as a cue)

4) sit at desk and work on puzzle ( A picture of a student sitting at their desk working)

I would have the next 4 pictures ready to go onto another strip, so that way you are always prepared. Remember, each student requires different levels of support. What you are creating for your student by using a visual picture schedule is ultimately some independence.

Ms. C

Learning Disabilities Can Vary

2007-12-03T14:10:00.001-08:00

Greetings, in the previous posts, I discussed in some detailed on how to develop a picture schedule for a student or child with a learning disability. As we know, learning disabilities can vary from student to student. Some student's may require a full-time teacher assistant because their learning disability is so severe. Other students may be moderately affected by their disability, but still require a lot of help to be successful throughout the day. When I write, I am thinking of a student who has a moderate disability, therefore; the reader can think of increasing or decreasing the amount of assistance for their student or child to be successful.

In the next post, I would like to discuss on how to teach your teacher assistants and child/student to be successful when using a picture schedule.

Ms.C

2 x 2 size for daily picture schedule

2007-12-01T12:49:00.000-08:00

As a parent or educator, you may not want to use photos to develop a picture schedule for your child or student. In the past, I have used "Board Maker" which is a computer program that is an encyclopedia of line drawings. These line drawings can be in color or black and white. I have used both. You can make them the size of 2 x 2 and if you have a computer, print them out.

If you have a student who is in a self-contained classroom; you can set up a small plastic cup on their desk or laminate an envelope where they can drop the picture into when the activity is completed. Again, a teacher assistant would need to assist the student until some independence has been created. You can also put the 2 x 2 pictures on strips of cardboard where they are attached to velcro. Each strip can then be put into a binder. I have put up to 4 pictures onto each strip.

For a student to become successful with using his picture schedule, it is important to model for your student, by saying, "it is time for P.E." take off the P.E. picture, where does it go? Then you can ask your student to recall where they are going. At the beginning, you want to provide as much support for the student to be successful. Then as the student gains ground on the use of the picture schedule, you will then slowly decrease the amount of support given.

best,
Ms.C

Photo Picture Schedule

2007-12-01T12:37:00.000-08:00

There is a lot to learn when developing a photo picture schedule for your child or student. When a picture schedule is ready to be used; you will want to model for your students on how to use it. Children with learning disabilities or specifically children with Autism Spectrum Disorder need to know where they are they going, what is coming next, and if there are any huge transitions during the day.

As adults, we like to know where we are going, what is coming next and if there are any huge transitions during the day. Were just able to handle it better that is all. I would suggest to have a teacher assistant work with the student until they are able to gain some independence on their own.

Ms.C

The Picture Classroom Schedule

2007-12-01T12:21:00.000-08:00

As a classroom teacher, it is imperative for students with learning disabilities to gain some independence. One way of this being done is to develop a photo picture schedule. You will need to take a photo of each activity with the student being in the photo. In the past, I have used a binder to put photos inside if a student is also attending a regular education classroom.

You can also put the photo picture schedule on a wall near the student's desk or onto the desk itself. Prior to making the photo picture schedule, it is important to write out the daily activities for each day. Like I mentioned in the previous post, you can also label the picture, so the student is pairing the visual with the written language. Some teachers will lay out the photos from top to bottom accordingly from the first activity to the last or across.

Ms.C

Photo Picture Schedule

2007-12-01T10:30:00.000-08:00

To develop a photo picture schedule you will need a camera. This can be a digital camera or one you can purchase cheaply from the store. As a teacher, you will want to take a photo of each activity for the entire day at school. As a parent, you may have a child who has difficulties with his/her morning routine. You will want to take a photo of each part of that routine. Prior to taking the photos, it is necessary to write out each activity or each part of the morning routine. This is crucial, otherwise, how will you know what photos to take.

For instance, a morning routine could have up to 5 steps: going to the bathroom, washing face, brushing teeth, brushing hair, or taking a bath. Every child is unique and may require more detailed steps. You will want to take a photo of your child while there at that particular step of the routine. Once you have taken a photo of each of the steps, you can then take the photos to your local copier store and get them laminated. This will prevent any water or googy hands from getting on the photos.

Once the photos are laminated, you can then develop a photo picture schedule from top to bottom. This means you will display the photos with the first activity showing and the last activity at the bottom. I have had marvelous results with my students using this learning tool. Most kids love to see themselves in a photo! You can also attach a sticker to the bottom of the photo saying in words what the child is doing. This way you are pairing the visual with the written words which is language.

I hope you find this post helpful and comments are welcome!
Ms.C

The usefulness of a picture schedule

2007-12-01T09:58:00.000-08:00

Greetings, I would like to share with you today parents and educators on how to develop a picture schedule for your child or students who have disabilities. A picture schedule can also be developed for a typically developing child who may need extra assistance.

A picture schedule is a visual tool that can be very useful for a child. It can be very simple or very elaborate. I have developed picture schedules from taking photos of each activity, drawing a quick sketch of the activity, utilizing magazines, and making copies of pictures from books. You can also find computer programs such as "Board Maker" that is like an encyclopedia of black and white drawings.

As an adult some of us carry a day planner. This planner tells us where we need to go, what time we need to meet with someone, and it generally provides necessary information for us to get through are day. A picture schedule is similar to a day planner, although it is a visual and written tool. I will continue in the next post on how to develop a photo picture schedule for your child or student in a home or classroom setting.

Ms. C

Teaching Strategy

2007-11-23T12:47:00.000-08:00

Greetings, today I would like to discuss with you about a teaching strategy that I had used while working with typically developing children and children with disabilities. Not all typically developing children require extra assistance while completing assignments, but some children do. This teaching strategy is also very effective when teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

During my years of teaching, I had found using a yellow highlighter can be a great tool. It is very inexpensive and it has a great purpose. When a student needs clarification in terms of what work needs to be completed or the beginning and ending of work, you can highlight these particular areas for them. Many students with learning disabilities become very frustrated when they do not understand the expectation of the assignment. As a teacher or parent, you can learn this teaching strategy thereby decreasing unwanted behavioral problems.

Some students may not require for their work to be highlighted, therefore; you can use a crayon or colored pencil to mark the beginning of the assignment, outline how much work needs to be completed, and then mark the ending. I hope you might consider trying this effective teaching strategy in your classroom or at home.

Ms.C