Small Group Rotations with Moderate/Severe Special Education Students

Summary

In this insightful video, Mrs. Nation, an SDC kindergarten teacher, shares her innovative teaching methods for students with moderate to severe disabilities. With a focus on small group rotations, she emphasizes the importance of individualized attention, sensory breaks, and a structured routine to enhance learning. By using a first-then reward system, Mrs. Nation effectively motivates her students, many of whom are non-verbal. The video highlights the challenges and successes of engaging students with unique needs, illustrating the patience and adaptability required to create a supportive learning environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The teacher, Mrs. Nation, works with a special education class consisting of 10 students, 9 of whom are non-verbal.
• 😀 Daily routines include large group activities where students review calendars, songs, shapes, and letters before breaking into smaller groups.
• 😀 Small group rotations help students focus better; each group session lasts about 15 minutes, allowing for targeted instruction.
• 😀 A reward system called 'first-then' is implemented to motivate students by pairing tasks with desired items or activities.
• 😀 The sensory room is used for quick breaks, helping students relax and recharge before returning to focused tasks.
• 😀 Activities are tailored to each student's individual needs, focusing on skills such as color identification and sitting still.
• 😀 The teacher uses calming techniques, like a music chime, to signal transitions between activities.
• 😀 Teachers are encouraged to be flexible, adapting to students' behaviors and learning styles while maintaining engagement.
• 😀 Classroom setup minimizes distractions, splitting the room to manage noise and allow for different learning environments.
• 😀 Frequent breaks and sensory activities are vital for students with autism and other disabilities to stay calm and engaged.

Q & A

What is the role of Mrs. Nation in the classroom?

Mrs. Nation is an SDC (Special Day Class) kindergarten teacher who teaches students with moderate to severe disabilities.

How many students are in Mrs. Nation's class, and what are their communication skills like?

There are 10 students in the class, and 9 of them are non-verbal, meaning they have little to no communication skills.

What activities are included in the large group time?

During large group time, students review the daily calendar, sing ABC songs, and engage in number songs, shapes, and letters.

Why does Mrs. Nation use small group rotations?

Small group rotations help students focus better, allowing for more tailored instruction with about three students at a time.

What is the 'first-then' reward system mentioned in the transcript?

'First-then' is a reward system where students are told what task they need to complete first before receiving a preferred item or activity.

How long do the small group sessions typically last?

Each small group session typically lasts about 15 minutes, though it can be adjusted based on the students' engagement levels.

What is the purpose of the sensory room in Mrs. Nation's classroom?

The sensory room provides students with a space to take a break and relax, which is crucial for managing their engagement and focus.

What teaching strategies does Mrs. Nation use to address the varying needs of her students?

Mrs. Nation uses direct instruction, patience, and repetition, focusing on specific goals for each student while accommodating different learning styles.

How does Mrs. Nation manage distractions in the classroom?

The classroom is set up to minimize distractions by dividing the space and ensuring that noise and visual distractions are reduced.

Why is it important to give students with disabilities frequent breaks?

Frequent breaks are important because they help keep students calm and ready to engage, especially since tasks that seem easy can be quite challenging for them.