Targeting IEP Goas & Taking Data During Online Teaching

There are A LOT of tough things about teaching online. Two of the things that felt the trickiest for me when we started with remote learning in the spring were: targeting IEP goals and collecting data. Over the summer, I figured out a plan to make this easier. I've been doing this system since August & I hope it can help you too!

Tips for Collecting Data during Online Learning

Taking meaningful data during online learning is tricky! There are so many things that impact collecting data when you aren't face to face with students... from caregivers providing prompts, just trying to juggle technology and the general distractions that come with teaching online. I'm sharing a few tips that have helped me with collecting data during online learning, I hope they can help you too!

Tips for Morning Meeting during Online Learning

You probably know that I LOVE morning meeting / circle time! It's always been one of my favorite times of the day. I was scared that morning meeting would be impossible and not as enjoyable for students when we switched to online learning... but we love it just as much as when we are in-person! Keep reading for tips for morning meeting during online learning!

Using Visual Supports During Online Learning

If your students need visual supports during in-person learning, then it's likely that they will need visuals during online learning too. Keep reading for freebies, tips and things to think about when using visual supports during online learning.

FREE Websites to use for Interactive Manipulatives

We know that many of our students benefit from using hands-on manipulatives when completing tasks and learning new material... This makes teaching online and the thought of returning to schools with restrictions around items in our classroom/ shared supplies super tricky...

During online / distance learning, I started using interactive manipulatives online with my students! They might not be the traditional "hands-on" materials, but they really helped to support my students! Keep reading to see ideas for using online interactive materials and free websites!

Structured Independent Work During Remote Learning using Technology

I've always loved teaching students to work independently in the classroom! I've shared about how a student's ability to work (and play) independently will also benefit families at home.  If you want to know more about why I think independent work is so important, check out this post!

Many of my students are only working on technology during remote / distance learning, so I was determined to create a system for students to work independently using technology. If you want to support students with working independently on technology at home, then I have some tips & ideas for you!

Online / Distance Learning in my Special Education Classroom

I get a lot of questions about what online / distance learning looks like for my classroom. It can be tough to answer because everything is SO differentiated based on each students' needs.

Our families and school teams worked together to create contingency learning plans for each student (these were basically really long Prior Written Notices). These plans outline how work will be provided (printed or online), how much work the student will be provided each day, how often the student will have contact with teachers, what supports for the student will look like, etc.

Since I obviously can't speak about specific students / plans, I'm going to show 2 basic  examples of how I'm doing online / distance learning and answer some of my FAQs.

How To: Add Audio to Google Slides™ for Online / Remote Learning

Adding audio to Google Slides™ during online learning has been a GAME CHANGER for me! I can use it to "read" the directions to students, add prompts to activities or "read" them passages. It took me quite a bit of time and Google™ researching to figure out how to do it, so I wanted to create a simple tutorial so you can try it!

Please remember I'm not a technology guru. If you try this tutorial and run into any issues, please spend some time looking for answers on Google™ & YouTube because I likely won't be able to answer them since I'm so new to this too :-P

FREEBIES To Use During Online Learning

Online learning is TOUGH! There are so many different websites, materials and ideas out there that it can be really overwhelming. I'm hoping to make things a little easier for you by doing a quick round up with five freebies that you can use during online learning!

How To: Create Clickable PDFs for Online Learning

I'm going to be honest... I never thought I'd be sharing blog posts about how to use technology or creating online materials! I've always been savvy with creating materials for Teachers Pay Teachers, but in general, I never considered myself amazing with technology!

Over the last few weeks, I've learned A LOT that has made online teaching easier for me and made accessing the technology easier for students & their families. 

Clickable PDFs are something that have saved me SO much time and they've made navigating technology simpler for my students. 

Creating Online Interactive Materials for Students with Google Forms™

We are living in some wild times of trying to figure out online learning for our students! It's an adjustment for students, families and teachers to try to make this all work. This situation has required parents to become teachers and forced teachers to get even more creative with their teaching!

I don't consider myself a tech wizard or expert by any means... I've had to spend hours watching YouTube videos and searching online for how to make materials for online learning. Through this whole online learning journey, I've started using Google Forms™ as a way for students to answer comprehension questions and to collect data. So I'm here to share a simple tutorial for making Google Forms™ to use with students.