more to come...

Summer is winding down... only 18 more days until the dreaded in-services start. I would MUCH rather be in my classroom working with my students (even if I do get a two hour lunch). I have a few more pinterest projects I am working on and will post. Once the school year starts I will be posting more often since I will be doing school projects and trying new ideas more. In the mean time I am hoping to go on a quick trip to Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio, TX. It is an amazing amusement park solely for those with special needs! Hopefully two family schedules will finally find some time for us to go! Until then... check out Morgan's Wonderland!

DIY Pocket Chart

Today I put together one on my pins on Pinterest.

Mine doesn't look exactly like it but I think it is going to work out great. I take daily data on the current IEP goals for each of my students- I plan on keeping their data paperwork in this so it is easily accessible to myself, my teacher assistant and/or therapists.

Here are the supplies I used. I also used a razor blade to cut some of the tape (I'll show you where).

File Folders- Pack of 24 from Target $6.29 (I used 7 for this project and can use the extras in my classroom).
Pretty Duct Tape- $3.99 from Target
Scotch Tape
Scissors
Razor blade or box cutter

My folders had lines on the outside so I used those as an attachment point. If your folders do not have lines you can use a ruler to make them even or eyeball it... I am a tad OCD so I would have found a ruler otherwise. lol

Here is Aaryn-Nicole helping me. She is getting over chicken pox so she is "airing out" in just her diaper.

You can see I've taped the back to the front of the next folder. I also started with the bottom folder and worked my way up. I put a line of duct tape in between the attaching folders- just make sure you don't attach it where the next folder doesn't open. They should all open until you put the long piece of duct tape on.

I used scotch tape to attach the folders from behind. They all still open and I've begun putting on the tape in between each folder as stated above.

I added another folder upside down at the top just to make a uniform look. This is totally optional.

I cut the tape at the top of each folder so that papers could go in side ways (hotdog style) if needed.

Finished product.

Here is the completed pocket chart standing up. I plan on using a large binder clip at the top then attaching it to one of those removable 3M hooks on a wall or door in my room. I will post pictures of that when I return to school in August.



Here is the link for the original author/creator.

I would suggest doing this without a toddler... it will be way easier and faster. Even still, I completed it and can not wait to use it for my data sheets.

Total cost: $10.28
You could do this way cheaper I am sure if you bought a smaller pack of folders or had the stuff just laying around. I have a ton of folders left over that I know I will use and the cute duct tape I am sure will rig up something else.

:)

I LOVE looking at blogs and Pinterest to gather ideas for my classroom. There are a lot of really great bloggers with great ideas but I've yet to find one that is solely for the population I teach. Here I am hoping to find others like me, to gather and post ideas and share our love for teaching special ed. I teach severe/profound special ed at a school in Fort Worth, Tx. Our kids have multiple disabilities and are medically fragile. We are especially lucky in my district to have our own school where our students (who I lovingly call my sweeties) can thrive. However, schools like ours are few and students like ours are ether forced to be in a classroom with peers that are of varying abilities or go on Homebound Service. I don't know how many times I've been asked, "What do you teach them?" "Is it like a hospital?" "Why are my tax dollars going to that?"... all these questions really irritate me but are valid and open up an avenue for me to discuss the amazing things happening at our school.

:)