Special Ed teachers-self-contained

I've been a math teacher for the NYCDOE for 5 years. I've taught inclusion 3 of those years. I've been on child care for 2 years and while on child care, I got certified to teach SWD 7-12.

I just got hired for September teaching 7th and 8th grade Special Ed (math) in a self-contained and ICT setting.

Any tips for self-contained?? I've taught the material before. I know there are differences now with Common Core, but I'm not concerned about the content or ICT. Self-contained will be new for me, so I'd love any advice from those who teach in a self-contained setting!!

Thanks!

Re: Special Ed teachers-self-contained

Re: Special Ed teachers-self-contained

Thanks. Yes, also a city school.

Special Ed teachers-self-contained

I taught 7th and 8th grade self-contained for a year (English and SS). It was a challenge, but luckily my classes were much smaller than 12:1:1. If you have any specific concerns, let me know and I will see if I can help!! I had a bunch of different levels and disabilities all within one class, along with many behavior issues. It was honestly, my most difficult year teaching (between the age, learning issues, and behavior). Congrats on your new job!!

Re: Special Ed teachers-self-contained

Congrats on your new job. I teach 6th grade self contained math. I think a lot depends on the students and their disabilities. I have also been lucky to have classes smaller than 12:1. Will you have a paraprofessional?

Anyway, some things that I think work well...
- have a good seating arrangement. I had tables of 3 or 4- depending on the class some tables only had 2 students at it.
- routines. As soon as they come in make sure they know what to do. My students had to get their notebooks, fill in table of contents and then work on the problem of the day.
- This is along the same lines of routines but all my lessons were set up similarly.
1) problem of the day/review of problem
2) Teacher directed- go over new vocab- students wrote down definitions, teacher teaches new info/shows example, students do examples on their own, review as a class
3) stations- 3 station set up. Groups work on different problems for x amount of time and then switched to the next group

Use lots of hands on stuff. Figure out what your students like- math games on the computer, prizes.

My students this year liked having parties. Every month I would write the new party on the board. ex. HALLOWEEN PARTY. every time they really acted out I would cross out a letter. If each letter was a crossed out we wouldn't have a party.

Ohhh and give them jobs. One person to hand out notebooks, one hands out manipulatives, someone to collect homework.

Try not to have any downtime. Sorry this is long, hope it helps!!