Special Education Classroom Daily Schedule- Snack/Recess/Book Time
After the earned
free time after work centers students check their schedule and get ready for breakfast/snack. The entire school gets to eat snack during
recess. However, I do snack inside my
classroom before recess. I like to keep
it structured and functional within the classroom so we have all of our tools
handy. I utilize this time of day to
really focus on communication. My school
SLP pushes in during this time to help with different students and their IEP
goals. Overall, this is a quick 15
minute snack time that takes place in the classroom. The rule is- “if you don’t ask, you must not
be hungry.” During snack we have
communication devices, switches, PECs books and iPad apps. Check out the chapter on COMMUNICATION
to learn more about how we use snack as a tool for communication!
free time after work centers students check their schedule and get ready for breakfast/snack. The entire school gets to eat snack during
recess. However, I do snack inside my
classroom before recess. I like to keep
it structured and functional within the classroom so we have all of our tools
handy. I utilize this time of day to
really focus on communication. My school
SLP pushes in during this time to help with different students and their IEP
goals. Overall, this is a quick 15
minute snack time that takes place in the classroom. The rule is- “if you don’t ask, you must not
be hungry.” During snack we have
communication devices, switches, PECs books and iPad apps. Check out the chapter on COMMUNICATION
to learn more about how we use snack as a tool for communication!
Recess is exactly
what you would expect- play time outside.
Recess is a very unstructured activity.
In an ideal world, all of my students would mainstream with their peers
for social interaction with no challenges.
Of course, this is not the case.
I have some students go to the playground during recess while other’s
who have more anxiety surrounded by huge groups of people play on the
grass. I store a bunch of outside
appropriate toys in a wagon so that students can roll out the toys during
recess to the designated grassy play area.
My staff work hard to recruit and supervise social buddies during recess
to promote communication and
social interaction for my students. I do
not go out to recess with my staff, this is my only teacher prep time during
the day!
what you would expect- play time outside.
Recess is a very unstructured activity.
In an ideal world, all of my students would mainstream with their peers
for social interaction with no challenges.
Of course, this is not the case.
I have some students go to the playground during recess while other’s
who have more anxiety surrounded by huge groups of people play on the
grass. I store a bunch of outside
appropriate toys in a wagon so that students can roll out the toys during
recess to the designated grassy play area.
My staff work hard to recruit and supervise social buddies during recess
to promote communication and
social interaction for my students. I do
not go out to recess with my staff, this is my only teacher prep time during
the day!
After recess, my
students come in and participate in reading time. I have a book helper
pass out book baskets to students and let each student pick a book or two.
If the student is on task, I allow them to get a “reading
buddy” to help them read. Some students choose to read to their
“reading buddy.” “Reading
Buddies” are such a FUN way to teach our students to remain in their seats
and read/look at a book. It helps them stay engaged and interested!
My reading buddies change depending on the interests of my students.
This year I have some stuffed animals, blankets and pillows. It’s
important to note: the stuffed animals and toys that are in the reading
buddies time are ONLY used during reading time. They are not uses as
reinforcers or toys throughout the day. I try not to mix the toys for
different activities or their novelty will wear off!
students come in and participate in reading time. I have a book helper
pass out book baskets to students and let each student pick a book or two.
If the student is on task, I allow them to get a “reading
buddy” to help them read. Some students choose to read to their
“reading buddy.” “Reading
Buddies” are such a FUN way to teach our students to remain in their seats
and read/look at a book. It helps them stay engaged and interested!
My reading buddies change depending on the interests of my students.
This year I have some stuffed animals, blankets and pillows. It’s
important to note: the stuffed animals and toys that are in the reading
buddies time are ONLY used during reading time. They are not uses as
reinforcers or toys throughout the day. I try not to mix the toys for
different activities or their novelty will wear off!
I keep my books in
book baskets. I’ve found its much easier to grab a basket and walk around
to let a student choose a book from the basket. The library gets too
messy without the baskets as my students have a difficult time sliding the
books in a bookshelf! The baskets are a quick fix! During book time I
play classical music to help calm my students after an active recess.
book baskets. I’ve found its much easier to grab a basket and walk around
to let a student choose a book from the basket. The library gets too
messy without the baskets as my students have a difficult time sliding the
books in a bookshelf! The baskets are a quick fix! During book time I
play classical music to help calm my students after an active recess.
It
is during book time that we also do all of our toileting needs for the second
time in the day. My aides take the students who need supervision in small
groups. The ones that have health needs/diapers are taken one by one to
the changing room. I stay in the room and supervise the students that
are not using the restroom at the time and interact during reading time.
We are efficient and are able to get all toileting done in 15 minutes or so.
I choose to do this all at once (3 x a day) to minimize the distractions
during work centers and such. If a student has to use the restroom and an
aide needs to go, it can throw off the work centers.
I have taken over
the handicapped bathroom with a ton of visuals. I use visual supports
within the restroom to assist students who are being potty trained. To
read more about toilet training check out visual supports section In
this blog series.
the handicapped bathroom with a ton of visuals. I use visual supports
within the restroom to assist students who are being potty trained. To
read more about toilet training check out visual supports section In
this blog series.
Thanks for reading about my snack/recess/book time routines. Check back tomorrow to learn about afternoon work centers and Calendar!
