Camouflage Mosaic Soldier

Just felt like sharing. My Life Skills class (a few years ago) entered a school competition. Ned, the yo-yo guy, visited our campus. The principal challenged all the students to create their very own yo-yo Ted poster. My students didn't usually participate in the school's projects so I took it upon myself to make it a classroom project. I had two students that were interested in soldiers so this is what we created. Also, I thought it was cute to see such a big guy with a little, bitty yo-yo. Look closely, the yo-yo is behind one of the students.

World History - Ancient Egypt: Pharaohs, Pyramids, Mummies, & Pyramids

Visit us again!!!

Soon, I will post a bundle of the activities, worksheets, games, and vocabulary 

that my students completed this week.

We watched...

We built pyramids...

Measurement Booklet - Math

Elementary and Intermediate Math Teachers - Check this out!!! An easy, visual graphic organizer that shows you how to convert gallons, half-gallons, quarts, pints, and cups. This is so easy that learning challenged students will be able to grasp the concept. So, don't waste any time - Go check it out.

Check out my TpT Store at 

Education - Unplugged.

World History - Archaeological Dig

Why are these Sophomores so engaged? They"re archaeologists of course!

They're using paintbrushes to dig though the sand. When they find an artifact (a piece of a puzzle), they have to try to fit it to the other found pieces. Then, they guess what they think the puzzle picture may be. This turned out to be a very fun project. The puzzle picture was a small kitten. They guessed dinosaur, plant, tree, lion, monkey, and furniture. (Oh, I only put about 1/3 of the puzzle pieces in the sand.) I was then able to explain that many times archaeologists do the same thing. They only get fractions to the puzzle and they have to make their best educated guess.

Measurement Booklet

I'm working on a new booklet for Teachers pay Teachers. 

I can't wait to share it. Hopefully, I'll have it completed tomorrow.

Here's a sneak peak...

U.S. History - Underground Railroad

My 11th grade U.S. History Class is reviewing U.S. History before 1877. 

We are currently talking about the Underground Railroad. 

This week we read

and

The instructions to the quilt and lantern 
can be purchased in the 
Underground Railroad Bundle. 
This bundle also includes a 
Pick-Your-Own-Ending Story Booklet, 
Vocabulary Flashcards, 
and a Vocabulary Quiz. 
It also includes an additional resource page.

We made quilt blocks and hung them on the wall.

We viewed Reading Rainbow Episode: Follow the Drinkin' Gourd. 

If you have a Discovery Education account, you can view it here. 

We made lanterns. We learned that a
lantern hanging on a hitching post
meant the place was a safehouse.

Two Digit Multiplication Study Guide

Just created this study guide for my 4th grade after school students.They have been struggling with remembering all the steps and which order they should multiply. Their teacher instructs them to put an x in the filler zero so they don't get confused. 

Click here to get your own copy.

World Geography - World Map Mosaic

I took a similar map to this one and used the Elmo to blow it up and draw it onto white butcher paper.

The students took different shades of blue and green construction paper and tore them into small pieces. I mixed Elmer's glue with water and they glued the pieces onto the butcher paper. (There were 4 students in a group. It took them 3 class periods to complete the project.) I then outlined the continents with a permanent black marker.

Their IEP's range from coloring the oceans blue and the continents green to labeling the continents and oceans.

This is the final product. It is about 2.5' wide. I will make labels of the oceans and continents and the students will place them on the map on Monday.

Color-wheel Time Clock

Teach your student how to tell time with this color wheel clock. Many students confuse the hour hand when it gets close to the next hour. For example: 5:45 – Often times the student wants to say 6:45 because the hour hand is closer to 6:00. This clock clarifies the confusion by using color coding. Anytime the hour hand is within the hour the color coincides with that hour. So at 5:45 the hour hand would still be in the tan section, the child would see the number 5 is tan. This make learning to tell time so simple that even the struggling student can catch on.

This overlay was originally made for a student with autism.

Click here for the template and instructions to make this overlay.

I like to use the Judy clocks because they have gears. When you move the minute hand the hour hand moves, too.  Instructions: 1. Print out the clock. 2. Cut it out. 3. Laminate. 4. Cut a hole in the center (big enough to fit over the hour & minute hand bolt. 5. Unscrew the minute and hour hand on the Judy clock. 6. Place the clock template on top of the bolt and then screw the hands back on.

You can buy the Judy clocks here.

U.S. Pledge Poster - Free Download

I recently started a Teachers Pay Teachers Store. If you would like to check out my products visit http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Education-unplugged .

Click here for a free download of the above pledge poster.

Classroom Constitution - Rules

The first few weeks of school we usually review the Declaration and Constitution. As part of our "Celebrate Freedom Week" we make our own Classroom Constitution. We go over freedoms and responsibilities. Then, we list the freedoms and responsibilities for our school. I write down all the student's comments from all classes and organize them into our very own Constitution. (I type it up on Word, use the Elmo to blow it up, and then copy it onto a poster board.) Then, each student signs it. This year, I did not have enough room on the Constitution so I printed out scrolls and had each class sign their name on a scroll.

Our district is also memorizing the Student Motto. So, I cut the letters out with my Cricut and have them posted on one of my walls. I have the students say the motto every day along with the U.S. and Texas pledge.

I love the fact that between the Classroom Constitution and the Student Motto it is hard for my students to get away with too much. I can say. "Didn't you sign the Constitution saying you wouldn't call anyone names?" "Is that respectful? Didn't you say the motto, today?"

A tidbit about me...

I teach at a very unique campus. All the students at our school are labeled Intellectually Disabled (I.D. fka M.R.) along with Emotionally Disturbed (E.R.). My students live at the State Supported Living Center and get bused to our campus each day. They were appointed there by a judge. Most of the students rarely see their family; however, with good behavior sometimes they do receive family visits and occasionally get home visits.

Since, the Living Center is in our district we have a special campus. I enjoy being able to teach an individual topic (History) in a special ed. setting. In most schools the special ed teacher is responsible for teaching all subjects and usually in multiple grade levels. This way we have multiple grade levels that rotate between teachers for the different subjects just like a regular Junior High and High School.

With all this said I get the opportunity to teach World Geography (9th grade), World History (10th grade), U.S. History (11th grade) and U.S. Government/Economics (12th grade) to the 'special' population.

I also have a special needs adult son. I just wished he had had the same learning opportunities that my students are receiving. A teacher is able to prepare and teach so much more when they only have to focus on one subject verses five (or 20 if they're teaching all grade levels).

I've created this website in hopes to share some of the activities and lessons that I've created and am continuously concocting in my head. With the little bit of information, ideas, activities and lessons available for those struggling with learning differences and with all the hoopla with students staying on grade level I thought this might be helpful to others. Also, if I can create something that struggling students can grasp it might make it all that much easier for those that don't struggle. So, hope I can find time to journal and update this site and I encourage you to visit often.