New Special Education Teacher

Hi,
I'm a new high school special education teacher. I will be teaching children with MR. How do I start the first day of class? I need some suggestions.

Thanks,

I presently teach inmates at Waupun Prison. They are all adults and 'special' as far as needs go. Start by some evaluation process. Look at their past records. Plan on giving each an individualized plan. Although some group activities di wonders for my boys at RAcine prison. Students need to be able to help others- thus helping and reinforcing their own skills. It is best if some background work is done before that first day, but in my case the first day with the student is the first day with the background info! And I get a first day each Monday, 52 weeks per year! When I taught high school in the 70's, it was more lecture to the general population. My 'mainstreamed' students needed additional attention- they need the individualized approach. Lots of 'new ideas' in the past 35 years of my tenure- it all works with the right presentation- Keep the student's needs as first priority. Good luck and enjoy.

I have been a special ed. teacher in one of chicago's inner city school for almost 5 years. One of the most important things that I do is impliment a daily behavior management plan. Something tangible, not just 'verbal' and something with consequences,positive and negative. Most important make sure that your students have control over it - teach them to own their behavior otherwise every wonderful lesson that try to teach will fail because you will spend most of your time correcting behaviors (wasting time). Set your students up to succeed by organizing yourself and them. Let them know exactly what you expect from them in terms of behaviors and be consistent every single day. I call my behavior management plan a 'success plan' it is a simple sheet of paper where they track their own behavior. Good luck!!!