ABC Tracing Worksheets - Letters and Words

I have listed a new set of worksheets in my Etsy shop today.  They are handwriting / tracing worksheets for  each letter of the alphabet.  They also include a worksheet for tracing words that begin with each letter of the alphabet.  There are 48 sheets in all.

This is the first time I have listed these handwriting sheets by themselves.  In the past, they have always been a part of my larger ABC Unit.  However, I've had a couple of requests to list just the ABC tracing pages and, so, here they are!  Click on the link below and enjoy!

ABC Tracing Pages

Language Development during Circle Time

I tend to have an extended Circle Time in my special needs classroom.  We can sometimes spend up to 45 minutes or longer participating in all sorts of academic activities.  One of my students' favorite parts of Circle Time is what we call Talk Time.  

Most of my students are delayed in language.  They have difficulty communicating and holding conversations.  To help them build these skills, I decided to begin Talk Time.  It started by my asking each student at the table what they had for dinner the night before.  This simple question pulled on several different skills, including deciphering between past and present, remembering specific events, language recall, and participating in the give and take of conversation.  It became such a hit, that the students would remind me to ask them if I forgot.  

I decided to expand the practice.  Now, I have a small container in which I keep questions written on little pieces of paper.  My calendar helper gets to choose a question each morning.  If he or she can read it, then I let them.  If they need help, I provide it.  Then, using a pointer, the helper asks each student that question.  The helper uses recall to ask the same question each time.  The students are required to try their best to answer the question.  My nonverbal students use adapted communication devices.  I try to keep the questions simple enough that each student can answer.  I can adapt the question by changing it to a yes/no answer.  Some examples are:

• What did you do after school yesterday? / Did you go outside after school yesterday?
• What did you do last weekend? / Did you go shopping last weekend?
• Where did you go over winter break? / Did you visit family over winter break?

The calendar helper loves using the pointer and the students are excited because you and the others are interested in their answers.  It's become the most popular part of our mornings!

Already Planning for Next Year!

Well,  I just finished cleaning and packing up my classroom for the school year and I am already planning for next year!  I have summer school in less than 3 weeks, so I've been planning for those 5 weeks, as well.

I am so excited because I have many ideas for printables to create for my classroom and the shop!  I am planning on finishing the alphabet lapbooks.  I will also be include more sorting boards, some category (go-together) activities, and some board games!

If you have any ideas you would like me to work on, please let me know!  I would love to have more suggestions!

In the meantime, have a wonderful, educational summer!  Use every moment to teach!

This Amazing Kid - My Son with Autism

Sometimes I forget how far my son has truly come.  I see him every day, so those changes that he's made - large and numerous - sometimes slip my attention.

My son completed his 8th grade promotion ceremony on Monday, June 13th.  During the ceremony, he won a citizenship award and received his certificate.  He walked across the stage, received the paper, thanked the teacher, shook hands with the principal, walked back down and returned to his seat.

Eight years ago, you never would have convinced me he would be able to do any of that.

I didn't realize it at first, but then parents of his friends began coming up to us after the ceremony and saying how amazed they were at how far he had come since preschool.  Of course, I agreed, but then my husband and I looked at each other and really thought about it.

**As little as 3 years ago, he would have had trouble walking up the stairs.
**As little as 2 years ago, he would have had trouble shaking hands and thanking someone.
** As little as 8 months ago - the beginning of the school year, he would have had much difficulty with the lights in the gym and the noise from the voices and applause echoing.

We thought about it some more and realized that, at one point, we never thought he'd talk, let alone hold a conversation with his teacher about his award.  We never thought he'd have friends, let alone the large number of friends who cheered loudly when he walked across the stage.  We never thought he could handle social situations on any level without walking along the fringe, pacing and stimming, let alone walk around mingling and meeting new people.

Wow.  It really hit us how amazing he really is.  To overcome all of these issues he's had for so long.

Ok, I know I'm biased.  But that's okay.  He's wonderful.  And I thank everyone who's helped him in middle school become the poised young man he is.

Amazing.

HUGE Summer Begins Sale! 50% Off Entire Order!

We are celebrating the end of the school year and the beginning of the summer break!  Our printables are great outside of the classroom as well as in the classroom.  Use our activities to keep up academic skills during the summer.  Our file folder games and matching board are also great to keep in the car during traveling!

Simple visit our Etsy shop, fill up your cart, and use the coupon code BBPSummer11 at checkout to receive 50% off your entire cart!

Free Printable - Preschool Counting Worksheet - Our First Freebie!

Hello, everyone!  We are happy to provide our first freebie - a printable preschool counting worksheet.  Enjoy!

Freebies on the Way! - Printable Worksheets, Games, etc.

I have been very busy trying to sort through my materials this week.  I am going to start offering freebies for my followers.  I am working on just how to do this, since I am new to the blogosphere.  But start looking for free printable worksheets, games, mini books, coloring pages, and more!  I am hoping to offer you quality printables that will help you in your classrooms and homes!

If you have any ideas on specifics, let me know.  I would love to create new items that you may want!

Have a great weekend!

Games and Social Skills for Students with Autism

When my son was growing up, one of the things I noticed was that he did not play games with other students.  This wasn't just about "parallel play," but he didn't want to play structured games, like board games, with other children.  I didn't know why then.  At first, I thought he didn't understand the rules of the game.  I would try to teach him at home, but he wasn't interested.

As I started working with special needs students in my class, I started realizing that they also had trouble with wanting to or knowing how to play games.  I finally realized why.   It wasn't just that they didn't understand the rules of how to physically play the games.  They didn't understand the social rules, either.  I was taught that sometimes students need to be directly instructed how to do some things that many of us learn just by watching or being around others.  Not just be taught how, but actually practice those skills.

• taking turns
• cheering on another player
• congratulating another player
• taking a loss well
• not boasting or bragging when doing well or winning
• trying again if at first you don't succeed
• understanding that rules need to be followed, even if you don't like them

These lessons, of course, extend beyond the board games, which is why I wanted to write this post in the first place.  I have a student who likes to race through everything.  His math worksheet, putting away his papers, walking to lunch, and even throwing away trash.  It's been a problem all year.  I asked him why, but he had trouble explaining it (which makes sense, considering he has a language disability).  He finally told me he had to win.  That was it, but it was enough.

We began working on this by playing board games every day.  We play one board game each afternoon.  It  was difficult at first.  He would cry, get angry, sulk, you name it.  We would keep telling him, "this is how you play the game."  Then we would model for him, and the others, how to congratulate other players, say, "oh well," and shrug.  It took several weeks, but it worked.  He can now play without getting frustrated.  He has slowed down his work, too, and his walking.

The other day, my paraprofessional was talking with his mother, explaining how proud of him we were.  The mom looked at her, cocked her head, and said, "So, that's it."  Curious, my para asked her what she meant.  She said that usually, her son has a meltdown if his sister finishes her breakfast before he does.  But that morning, the sister finished first and the son didn't even notice.  He was able to generalize the social skills we had been working on.

Eureka!  

Animal File Folder Game for Preschool and Kindergarten

One of my favorite offerings is the Animal Crackers File Folder Game for Preschool and Kindergarten.  This game is colorful and fun.  Your students will sort the animal pictures into two categories - farm animals and wild animals.  Categorization is an important skills for young children to hone early. 

I love the graphics.  The animals are so cute!  Graphics (c) Cheryl Seslar.  Used with permission.

Welcome!

I am very excited to join the blogosphere!  It's going to be great sharing tips and tricks, as well as freebies of our products, with you!

Just a bit of background about me.  I am a special education teacher.  In particular, I teach students with significant disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, Downs syndrome, and others.  The products I create and sell are tested in my classroom.  The products that my kids really love and play over and over are the ones that I carry in my shop.

I am also the proud parent of a middle schooler with autism.  My wonderful son is the reason I was inspired to become a special education teacher in the first place.  I learned so much from him and from working with him when he was younger.  I use those lessons learned in my creations.

I would love for you to visit my shop - Busy Bee Printables - to review all of my fun items.  You can also see a few of my offerings at Teachers Pay Teachers.  The products on TPT are packaged a little differently.  Either way, my products are high quality and fun to use!