Work Task Boxes

So while I have been patiently awaiting moving to my own classroom (Dec. 12th!!) I have been working on setting up a work task/ organization system for the classroom I am in now. Work boxes are used a lot in our district but previously had not been utilized in this classroom because many of the pre-made tasks were too difficult for our students. We had to come up with some very simple tasks that our students would be able to do independently. Here are some pictures of the system I put in place:

Shelves Designated for work boxes

Clear boxes so students can see what's inside

Icons located in the student's schedule match with icons velcroed to work boxes

One of the easier work tasks, the student simply puts the block into the hole (fine motor)

One of the more complex tasks, students must locate correct lids and put them on the corresponding container 

This is an eye-gaze board used with one of our low-motor students to select his choice by looking in the direction of his choice in one of the corners. 

I will keep you all updated with the status of my future classroom, can't wait to develop some systems that will work with my own students!! 

FINALLY!!

The news I have been waiting for! I got a call today from human resources in the district I am student teaching in offering me a position as a middle school Special Ed. teacher! I am going to sign my contract tomorrow and will start as soon as I am finished student teaching. I am so excited to finally have my own room, my own students, and be a "real" teacher! I have not observed the class yet but I am told they are all on alternate state assessment and will be served mainly in my room and then go with regular ed. to specials like art, music, lunch, etc. It sounds like exactly what I was hoping for and I can't wait to spend winter break setting up my room and getting everything ready. I am a little nervous about starting in the middle of a school year but I am sure it will turn out ok.. Whew! Feeling super excited/nervous/relieved.

Data collection

Oh data..I know it is so important to collect but it can be tedious developing a system that works. I am current revamping some of my supervising teacher's data collection sheets which he keeps in individual binders for each student. Here are a few examples of some different goals and their data sheets:

How do some of you collect data? Do you do it daily/weekly/ etc? Any suggestions or advice?

Exciting Times!

I mentioned in my previous post about the two jobs I applied for. Well the elementary position was filled but I have an interview on Thursday with the principal for the middle school position. The only way I would be able to get it is if I start out as a long-term sub until my certification goes through. (they said it could take up to 8 weeks!) Anyways he said I need to come prepared with a general lesson that I would teach all of my students. The class is all "alternate assessment" kiddos so he said focus on functional. I was thinking about taking a visual schedule I have constructed and maybe adding some sort of time component down the side next to the icons. I can then explain the variety of ways I can teach my students to follow their schedule, use it to teach time, etc. I think it could be used  in teaching time management, sequencing, matching, job readiness, and increasing independence. What do you think? Any comments or suggestions? I am eager to hear any advice, this is my first interview!!