Thursday, December 28, 2017

The Best of 2017!


It's almost the new year friends! As 2017 draws to an end, I like to look back and reflect on what went well and what didn't. It's also always exciting to see which blog posts were your favorites. Today I'm featuring the posts that were most favored from 2017 with you, in order from least to most popular!
Whether you're a new teacher or veteran teacher, see what other special educators say are their necessities! Read it here.

Read all about my PECS organization system here.

SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies link up is always a hit and receives thousands of clicks each week! Check it out every single Sunday, right here!
My Snow Blizzard was such a hit on IG that I blogged about it and it's turned out to be one of my most popular posts! Read all about this fun winter experiment here.

Twenty websites to use in your classroom and they're ALL FREE! Read all about it here.

Read all about my Intermediate SPED Scope and Sequence here.

I'm big on student self-monitoring! Read all about how I manage it here.
This para countdown to summer is so fun! Read the details and grab the free tags here.

Learn how to differentiate your centers easily in this blog post! Read it here.

MY MOST POPULAR READ BLOG POST in 2017..."IEP Goal Banks!"

Cheers to a fabulous 2018!


Sunday, December 17, 2017

SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies Link Up

Welcome to SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies!! Every Sunday I host this freebie link up here on my blog for Special Education Teachers! Visit every week to download free resources for your classroom! If this is your first time visiting, you can access all of the freebies from previous link ups by clicking on "SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies" under "My Files" on my right sidebar. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you're a TPT seller, blogger, or resource creator, I invite you to link up and share your own freebie(s) using the link up tool below! 


Link Up Rules

1. All resources must be FREE! It can be free for the day, but please delete your link once you mark it back to paid.
2. You may link up 1-3 freebies.
3. Your freebie can link to your blog or store.
4. Freebie does not have to be related specifically to SPED, but should be practical for SPED.
5. If you are linking up from your blog, using this image in your post and linking back to my blog is not required, but is greatly appreciated! 

6. Share this image on your social media so others can enjoy all of these freebies!

*I recommend using an image of your freebie & not your button when linking up. 

 Feel free to share the image above all over your social media to let other teachers know about these freebies! 

The link up tool will close on Saturday each week, but "forever" freebies will remain accessible! Come back every Sunday to link up or download new freebies!

Sunday, December 10, 2017

SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies Link Up

Welcome to SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies!! Every Sunday I host this freebie link up here on my blog for Special Education Teachers! Visit every week to download free resources for your classroom! If this is your first time visiting, you can access all of the freebies from previous link ups by clicking on "SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies" under "My Files" on my right sidebar. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you're a TPT seller, blogger, or resource creator, I invite you to link up and share your own freebie(s) using the link up tool below! 


Link Up Rules

1. All resources must be FREE! It can be free for the day, but please delete your link once you mark it back to paid.
2. You may link up 1-3 freebies.
3. Your freebie can link to your blog or store.
4. Freebie does not have to be related specifically to SPED, but should be practical for SPED.
5. If you are linking up from your blog, using this image in your post and linking back to my blog is not required, but is greatly appreciated! 

6. Share this image on your social media so others can enjoy all of these freebies!

*I recommend using an image of your freebie & not your button when linking up. 

 Feel free to share the image above all over your social media to let other teachers know about these freebies! 

The link up tool will close on Saturday each week, but "forever" freebies will remain accessible! Come back every Sunday to link up or download new freebies!

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Daily Advent Calendar Giveaway!!!

Have you been following The Bender Bunch Advent Calendar?? Count down the days 'til Christmas with me with a new offer, prize, or giveaway EVERY SINGLE DAY from now 'til Christmas!! 

Here's what you've missed out on so far!
There are some great prizes, offers, and giveaways coming your way, so don't miss a day! To take part in these daily deals and count down the days 'til Christmas with The Bender Bunch, stay tuned to The Bender Bunch Facebook page! All giveaways will be hosted there!

Happy Holidays from The Bender Bunch!

Sunday, December 3, 2017

SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies Link Up

Welcome to SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies!! Every Sunday I host this freebie link up here on my blog for Special Education Teachers! Visit every week to download free resources for your classroom! If this is your first time visiting, you can access all of the freebies from previous link ups by clicking on "SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies" under "My Files" on my right sidebar. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you're a TPT seller, blogger, or resource creator, I invite you to link up and share your own freebie(s) using the link up tool below! 


Link Up Rules

1. All resources must be FREE! It can be free for the day, but please delete your link once you mark it back to paid.
2. You may link up 1-3 freebies.
3. Your freebie can link to your blog or store.
4. Freebie does not have to be related specifically to SPED, but should be practical for SPED.
5. If you are linking up from your blog, using this image in your post and linking back to my blog is not required, but is greatly appreciated! 

6. Share this image on your social media so others can enjoy all of these freebies!

*I recommend using an image of your freebie & not your button when linking up. 

 Feel free to share the image above all over your social media to let other teachers know about these freebies! 

The link up tool will close on Saturday each week, but "forever" freebies will remain accessible! Come back every Sunday to link up or download new freebies!



Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Tired of Dried Out Markers, Missing Caps? No More!!!


Sick and tired of finding markers with the lids off and dried out, only to be thrown away?!! I was so sick of it that I finally retired my markers 2 years ago and only allow my students to use colored pencils and crayons now! Well thanks to "Magik Stix," markers are coming back to The Bender Bunch Classroom! 

These markers are a teacher's and parent's dream! I mean where have you been all my life!?
The seller of these, "Pencilgrip.com" guarantees these markers will not dry out with the cap off for 7 days, but that's an understatement! I tested a marker from this pack while traveling across country this past week and check out these results!

 I'm actually on Day 15 now (not pictured) and this marker, WITH NO LID, is still writing perfectly, as if it were brand new!!! Amazing! I can't wait to see just how many days I can go!! 

You can get these in sets of 12 for $9.99. That may seem a little pricey, but when I did the math and figured how much I was spending on regular markers before I retired them, the dried up markers I was throwing away, or even the ones that caps didn't get placed on tightly enough that dried up, I'll actually be saving money! Magik Stix are definitely my new "go to" marker!!! Now if they could just make these available in DRY ERASE, how awesome would that be?!!

The Pencil Grip, Inc. also has some amazing paint markers that I love! 
These paint markers are literally solid tempera paint and the best thing ever!! My students can paint with no mess, no brushes, no water, no smocks!!! :)

And it's smudge proof and dries instantly!! My students want to paint every day now with these Kwik Stix and I don't mind because they are absolutely mess free!

The "Kwik Stix" are available in primary, neon, and metallic colors and are $11.99 for a 12-pack! They also have a classroom pack available that includes 96 stix that I'm planning to purchase here

These also make excellent Christmas gifts! I just ordered for my nieces and nephews!

While shopping for my markers, I also found a great selection of pencil grips too that might be worth checking out! 



But back to these absolutely AMAZING markers and paint sticks that I'm in love with!!! The Pencil Grip, Inc. is giving away a set of "Kwik Stix" and "Magik Stix" to one of you!! Enter below to receive a set to try out with your kids!!! 



Sunday, November 26, 2017

SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies Link Up

Welcome to SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies!! Every Sunday I host this freebie link up here on my blog for Special Education Teachers! Visit every week to download free resources for your classroom! If this is your first time visiting, you can access all of the freebies from previous link ups by clicking on "SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies" under "My Files" on my right sidebar. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you're a TPT seller, blogger, or resource creator, I invite you to link up and share your own freebie(s) using the link up tool below! 


Link Up Rules

1. All resources must be FREE! It can be free for the day, but please delete your link once you mark it back to paid.
2. You may link up 1-3 freebies.
3. Your freebie can link to your blog or store.
4. Freebie does not have to be related specifically to SPED, but should be practical for SPED.
5. If you are linking up from your blog, using this image in your post and linking back to my blog is not required, but is greatly appreciated! 

6. Share this image on your social media so others can enjoy all of these freebies!

*I recommend using an image of your freebie & not your button when linking up. 

 Feel free to share the image above all over your social media to let other teachers know about these freebies! 

The link up tool will close on Saturday each week, but "forever" freebies will remain accessible! Come back every Sunday to link up or download new freebies!


Sunday, November 12, 2017

SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies Link Up

Welcome to SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies!! Every Sunday I host this freebie link up here on my blog for Special Education Teachers! Visit every week to download free resources for your classroom! If this is your first time visiting, you can access all of the freebies from previous link ups by clicking on "SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies" under "My Files" on my right sidebar. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you're a TPT seller, blogger, or resource creator, I invite you to link up and share your own freebie(s) using the link up tool below! 


Link Up Rules

1. All resources must be FREE! It can be free for the day, but please delete your link once you mark it back to paid.
2. You may link up 1-3 freebies.
3. Your freebie can link to your blog or store.
4. Freebie does not have to be related specifically to SPED, but should be practical for SPED.
5. If you are linking up from your blog, using this image in your post and linking back to my blog is not required, but is greatly appreciated! 

6. Share this image on your social media so others can enjoy all of these freebies!

*I recommend using an image of your freebie & not your button when linking up. 

 Feel free to share the image above all over your social media to let other teachers know about these freebies! 

The link up tool will close on Saturday each week, but "forever" freebies will remain accessible! Come back every Sunday to link up or download new freebies!

Sunday, November 5, 2017

SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies Link Up

Welcome to SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies!! Every Sunday I host this freebie link up here on my blog for Special Education Teachers! Visit every week to download free resources for your classroom! If this is your first time visiting, you can access all of the freebies from previous link ups by clicking on "SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies" under "My Files" on my right sidebar. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you're a TPT seller, blogger, or resource creator, I invite you to link up and share your own freebie(s) using the link up tool below! 


Link Up Rules

1. All resources must be FREE! It can be free for the day, but please delete your link once you mark it back to paid.
2. You may link up 1-3 freebies.
3. Your freebie can link to your blog or store.
4. Freebie does not have to be related specifically to SPED, but should be practical for SPED.
5. If you are linking up from your blog, using this image in your post and linking back to my blog is not required, but is greatly appreciated! 

6. Share this image on your social media so others can enjoy all of these freebies!

*I recommend using an image of your freebie & not your button when linking up. 

 Feel free to share the image above all over your social media to let other teachers know about these freebies! 

The link up tool will close on Saturday each week, but "forever" freebies will remain accessible! Come back every Sunday to link up or download new freebies!

Sunday, October 29, 2017

SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies Link Up

Welcome to SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies!! Every Sunday I host this freebie link up here on my blog for Special Education Teachers! Visit every week to download free resources for your classroom! If this is your first time visiting, you can access all of the freebies from previous link ups by clicking on "SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies" under "My Files" on my right sidebar. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you're a TPT seller, blogger, or resource creator, I invite you to link up and share your own freebie(s) using the link up tool below! 


Link Up Rules

1. All resources must be FREE! It can be free for the day, but please delete your link once you mark it back to paid.
2. You may link up 1-3 freebies.
3. Your freebie can link to your blog or store.
4. Freebie does not have to be related specifically to SPED, but should be practical for SPED.
5. If you are linking up from your blog, using this image in your post and linking back to my blog is not required, but is greatly appreciated! 

6. Share this image on your social media so others can enjoy all of these freebies!

*I recommend using an image of your freebie & not your button when linking up. 

 Feel free to share the image above all over your social media to let other teachers know about these freebies! 

The link up tool will close on Saturday each week, but "forever" freebies will remain accessible! Come back every Sunday to link up or download new freebies!

Sunday, October 22, 2017

SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies Link Up

Welcome to SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies!! Every Sunday I host this freebie link up here on my blog for Special Education Teachers! Visit every week to download free resources for your classroom! If this is your first time visiting, you can access all of the freebies from previous link ups by clicking on "SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies" under "My Files" on my right sidebar. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you're a TPT seller, blogger, or resource creator, I invite you to link up and share your own freebie(s) using the link up tool below! 



Link Up Rules

1. All resources must be FREE! It can be free for the day, but please delete your link once you mark it back to paid.
2. You may link up 1-3 freebies.
3. Your freebie can link to your blog or store.
4. Freebie does not have to be related specifically to SPED, but should be practical for SPED.
5. If you are linking up from your blog, using this image in your post and linking back to my blog is not required, but is greatly appreciated! 

6. Share this image on your social media so others can enjoy all of these freebies!

*I recommend using an image of your freebie & not your button when linking up. 

 Feel free to share the image above all over your social media to let other teachers know about these freebies! 

The link up tool will close on Saturday each week, but "forever" freebies will remain accessible! Come back every Sunday to link up or download new freebies!


Sunday, October 15, 2017

SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies Link Up

Welcome to SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies!! Every Sunday I host this freebie link up here on my blog for Special Education Teachers! Visit every week to download free resources for your classroom! If this is your first time visiting, you can access all of the freebies from previous link ups by clicking on "SPEDtacular Sunday Freebies" under "My Files" on my right sidebar. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you're a TPT seller, blogger, or resource creator, I invite you to link up and share your own freebie(s) using the link up tool below! 



Link Up Rules

1. All resources must be FREE! It can be free for the day, but please delete your link once you mark it back to paid.
2. You may link up 1-3 freebies.
3. Your freebie can link to your blog or store.
4. Freebie does not have to be related specifically to SPED, but should be practical for SPED.
5. If you are linking up from your blog, using this image in your post and linking back to my blog is not required, but is greatly appreciated! 

6. Share this image on your social media so others can enjoy all of these freebies!

*I recommend using an image of your freebie & not your button when linking up. 

 Feel free to share the image above all over your social media to let other teachers know about these freebies! 

The link up tool will close on Saturday each week, but "forever" freebies will remain accessible! Come back every Sunday to link up or download new freebies!


Sunday, October 8, 2017

Set Up a Buddy Program at Your School


Buddy Programs are so wonderful! They allow a child with special needs to be paired up with a typical peer that becomes their buddy. They and their buddy have lunch together, hangout, help one another out, recognize one another for special events, and whatever else good friends do. Our students not only get to have a buddy, but they also get to be a buddy to someone too! The Buddy Program gives children a sense of belonging and is a great way to build and sustain relationships between general education and special education children.

Have you wanted to implement a Buddy Program at your school, but didn't know where to start? 

Well today I'm sharing my Buddy Pack with you that will provide you with everything you'll need to start your own Buddy Program and it's editable!

It's super easy to implement and includes Step-by-step directions.
The Buddy Program should be optional, so a "Volunteer Student Letter" is included that you will have GE teachers send home with their students. Depending on how many buddies you need, you may want to start with just inviting one GE class to participate as you don't want to end up with too many buddies to assign. 1-2 buddies per student is good.
 A blank Volunteer Student Letterhead is included in case you'd like to customize your own letter.
Attach the "Share Your Favorites" Sheet to the "Volunteer Student Letter" to help your students learn a little bit about their buddies.
 A Good Buddy Checklist is included to help buddies understand their responsibilities as a buddy. You will review this with your buddies once you know who they are and meet with them.
 Buddy Slips are used to assign buddies and include a short paragraph about their buddies interests, favorites, or maybe even their least favorite things. This is where you will also include important information a buddy may need to know.
 Use the "Buddy Assignment Sheet" to keep track of your buddy assignments and designated times if applicable.
My students love having a buddy and being a buddy too! My buddies typically have lunch together, play at recess, and come into my classroom and help. They are also invited to our class birthday parties and other celebrations. This year I'm going to try to also plan a Buddy Pizza Party. 

You will find that some of your buddies will dwindle in the beginning as you'll have that handful of kids that won't take it serious and will decide they'd rather play with their own friends. But that's okay. You can always recruit other classes and you'll always end up with a handful of dedicated, loyal buddies. I also like to switch up my buddies from time to time and offer sign ups at different times throughout the year. 

You can download the FREE Buddy Program Pack here and get started at your school today!