Organizing the Classroom Training Session 5 PowerPoint Created by Candice Styer & Suzanne Fitzgerald info@sdesworks.com www.styer-fitzgerald.com

Training Objectives To prepare Progress-Tracking Data Sheets and Reproducible Materials for easy use. To create a classroom environment that supports student engagement and independence. To set up a practical and consistent schedule to manage all interaction with students.

Process of Implementation

Preparing Data Sheets & Reproducibles It is important to organize each student’s progress- tracking data sheets. Each student has his or her own set of data sheets that covers the entire Elementary or Secondary Curriculum. Getting the data sheets ready to use will save you time and eliminate potential gaps in continuous instruction.

Preparing Data Sheets & Reproducibles Organize student notebooks in a way that accomplishes these three things: Each student has his or her own progress- tracking data sheets divided into current lessons, past lessons, lessons yet to be taught. Each student’s progress-tracking data sheets and reproducibles are easily accessible for use by you or others, like paraeducators, who might be working with the student. Extra copies of the data sheets and reproducibles for each content area and lesson are ready in case they are needed and are easily accessible. There is not one right way to prepare the progress-tracking data sheets and Reproducible Materials. All that matters is that they are organized in a way that accomplishes these three things:

Preparing Data Sheets in a Notebook Most teachers find it handiest to keep the data sheets for the current lessons in a notebook. With this format, the notebooks are easily stored and accessible for students and staff.

Put Extra Copies in a File Cabinet for Easy Access Most teachers also find it easiest to keep the data sheets and reproducbiles for lessons completed and lessons yet to be taught in a file cabinet or file box. Or, you could keep everything in one large notebook with dividers.

Remember: Progress-Tracking Data Sheet Masters are included in the Teaching Package. You will likely need multiple copies of each type of data sheet. Keeping additional copies of all the progress- tracking data sheets increases efficiency & accessibility of materials. Be sure to pull out only the data sheets that the student needs for the lessons they are working on. Each lesson’s data sheet contains several places to record the student’s performance, but rarely does a student master a lesson in the number of days that are provided on one data sheet. Therefore, you will likely need multiple copies of each one. If you have additional copies of all the progress-tracking data sheets made ahead of time, and organized in an proficient manner, your teaching time will be more efficient and won’t interrupt the flow of instruction. A ready-to-use full set of Progress-Tracking Data Sheets comes with the Second Edition Student Package. Both the First and Second Editions have data sheet masters in PDF files located on the Reproducbile Materials CD so you can easily make extra copies when needed.

Ideas for Organizing Student Notebooks

Ideas for Organizing Reproducible Materials

Activity 1—Planning Ahead Grab one Student Package Pull out the Student Assessment & set it aside. Looking at the remaining student materials, think about how you will organize them for each student in your classroom.

Classroom Environment Ideas for Setting up your Classroom Separate work and leisure or break areas and reinforce behavior appropriate to each area. Arrange furniture and materials for maximum independence. Minimize distractions. Create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages a sense of belonging. Every classroom will look different because you bring your own personality and preferences to the classroom set-up. Plus, classroom facilities vary. But, incorporating the following ideas, in whatever way is appropriate to your setting, results in a classroom environment that communicates clear expectations, and promotes student engagement in meaningful learning activities.

Setting Up Your Classroom

Separate Work & Break Areas

Minimize Distractions

Create One-on-One Work Spaces

Create Independent Work Areas

Create Small Group Work Spaces

Create a Welcoming Atmosphere

Scheduling The Importance of Scheduling Maximizes each student’s learning opportunities Eliminates down time Provides staff and helpers with a clear guide to their daily activities A schedule makes it possible to maximize each student’s learning opportunities. A workable schedule that you, para-educators, and other helpers in the room, as well as students, learn to use consistently will limit down time and facilitate independence. A consistent and predictable schedule also provides staff and helpers with a clear guide to their daily activities.

Scheduling Inconsistent or No Scheduling The likelihood increases that there will be: Excessive down and wasted time Staff and student confusion Increased behavioral issues Insufficient time to work on IEP goals Dependence on teaching to the group Inability to carry out an individualized program to address each student’s instructional level and growth potential Being inconsistent with your schedule or not having a schedule at all contributes to a range of issues.

Continue to: Scheduling Examples