Organize! Organize! Organize!!

Long sigh. Summer is over and now it time to get back to reality. What is the first thing you should focus on??  Where should you begin? Lessons? Students? Papers, oh my!

I am a big picture person...So, I will start with the end in mind. This is a checklist that can let you know what we are aiming for. Will everything be perfect all the time? NO!!  But just to give you a good idea of what a SOLID ED classroom should look like...this is a great start. We have 5 areas which are further broken down below.

ED and ED-IP Classrooms

Evidence of Lesson Plans  Data collection for IEPs and BIPs  Standards Based Learning Objectives (posted or written)  Classroom Management System  Classroom Appearance

Lesson Plans ¨ Easily accessible for TAs, BAs, and Substitutes ¨ Curriculum aligned per grade level ¨ Explicit Social Skills instruction included (collaboration with special education counseling services)

Data Collection for IEPs and BIPs ¨ Evidence of data collection for IEP goals ¨ Evidence of data collection for BIP including replacement behavior (reward) and target behavior) ¨ Individual student data readily available for review

Standards Based Learning Objectives (posted or written) ¨ Curriculum aligned with grade level expectations ¨ Differentiated Instruction ¨ Learning objectives posted ¨ Teacher is prepared for lessons ¨ Engaging opportunities to respond ¨ Social skills/minor behaviors addressed when needed

Classroom Management System ¨ Data sheets easily accessible for staff ¨ Point sheets completed and reviewed with students every 30 mins ¨ Rules posted, taught, and reviewed ¨ Frequent intermittent reinforcement ¨ Reward for replacement behaviors ¨ Increased ratio of positive teacher interactions ¨ Classroom actively supervised at all times ¨ Smooth and efficient transitions ¨ Rapid pacing ¨ Behavior Specific Praise ¨ Earned Breaks (based on points) ¨ Engaging Fun Friday activities (based on clearly stated criteria) ¨ Consequences for unsafe behaviors ¨

Classroom Appearance ¨ Room is organized and neat ¨ Visually separated instructional areas ¨ Chill Area ¨ Area for relaxing ¨ Schedules posted ¨ Behavioral Expectations posted

You can click here to grab the file for your own records ED Observation Form