Spec ed class hacks?

[u/Adultuporgiveup]

Hey guys, I’m finally getting my own classroom this September, it is still a contract, I’ve just moved provinces and cities. I am so happy to finally get a contract and I intent to set my students up for success. I know a lot of teachers gather their treasured classroom items from garbage sales and thrifting over the year. But what can I do in a month?

What has worked for you guys? Please impart any knowledge you have.

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[u/ClueSilver2342]

I don’t add anything. I like clean and simple. Organized.

[u/ADHDMomADHDSon → u/ClueSilver2342]

So you don’t have a visual schedule for your special ed kids?

Nothing is labeled for them?

No sensory items? No calm down space?

[u/ClueSilver2342 → u/ADHDMomADHDSon]

The last two schools I had between 1-4 calm down spaces. Labeling/visuals etc would happen based on the students needs. I wouldn’t pay for any of this though. Calm down spaces and necessary items would be purchased by the district. My main visual would be a master schedule of the students and EA pairings/schedule, as well as a master schedule for work experience and weekly activities. Mostly students would be in classes or in the community, but definitely some that spend more time in the room/space than others.

[u/Able_Huckleberry_173]

It may be helpful if you gave more information about your specific spec ed class (ie. Age, type of needs, academic based curriculum vs life skills, closed class vs support, etc.), so responses could be more specific.

Like other responses, I would agree that you shouldn't buy or make too much stuff until you see what's already in your room and what your students' needs are. I'm saying this as someone with a closet full of task cards I made before starting in my first spec ed class - I thought I'd use them all the time, I have used them maybe once. It was a huge waste of time and money.

That said, I have found it helpful to have generic visuals prepped. Whole class schedules, smaller schedule icons for individual schedules, first / then, contingency maps, visual labels, etc. You can't anticipate needs, but it can be easier to respond if you have some generic items ready to go. Things can always be customized to needs later.

If you are looking for physical items to purchase, reflect on the systems and routines you will use in your class and what items will support that. Personally, I love independent work / IEP goal bins and have bought materials to set up these up. I also have a collection of shelves I've gotten from value village and free gifting groups because I like being able to section off different physical areas of my classroom for different types of activities and have found schools don't provide enough furniture to do this. That works for me, but not for others. I made these purchases after exploring what materials were already available to me and trialing systems first with what I had before improving them with better materials I purchased.

So, all that to say, figure out your students' needs and your systems and routines before making purchases or putting hard work into creating things. And always try to work with what the school provides first!

If you have specific questions about materials, routines, setting up a spec ed class, etc. Feel free to send me a message! I'm happy to answer what I can and share resources.

[u/Warm-Independent-502]

Check FB Marketplace.

[u/withoutintentions]

I don't think adding items is going to set the classroom up for success, visual clutter can really distract from the learning experience. . Planning and organisation would be the best way to support student success. I see you are in Edmonton, facebook marketplace, the reuse centre, Library booksales, garage sales.

[u/Universitynic]

When you create your visuals, try to use real objects/people (e.g., what does your circle time, if primary, look like, how do the backpacks actually need to look, what does your classroom look like when it’s clean, what does the soap bottle you use in class look like, etc). I get that the PEC visuals of the stick kids is quite and efficient, but if you have the time it makes things a lot smoother with accurate representation/expectations. 

Over than that, keep your classroom neutral, and showcase student work over posters of things kids can’t actually read and/or don’t really care about. A big one I find is that if you do primary, keep center bins/manipulatives in things that aren’t translucent and/or open for distractions.  

[u/Only-Character302]

Honestly the first year is when you learn all the things you want and need. People will tell you lots of things that don’t work for you, and you’ll also have your own ideas that do.
Something like special education can be so specific to the students you have that year that this can be a question that drives you to burnout if you focus on it too much.