Modern Day African American History Month Unit

African American History Month is next month! I decided I wanted to incorporate Black History into my curriculum for the month of February, but in a way that is more meaningful and relevant for my special needs learners. While Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, Thurgood Marshall, Sojourner Truth (to name a few) are all no doubt remarkable and historical African American heroes in our history...but they are irrelevant for my special learners. 

I felt that my students would better benefit from learning about African American Heroes from the 21st century and even the late 20th century. I wanted to teach them about African Americans that they may have seen on T.V., heard on the radio, or possibly even heard their parents speak about. 

I designed this mini-unit to do just that and I will begin implementing it in my classroom next week. Here are the featured heroes. 

BARACK OBAMA

OPRAH WINFREY

GABRIELLE DOUGLAS

JORDIN SPARKS

MICHAEL JACKSON

MUHAMMAD ALI

MICHAEL JORDAN

MICHELLE OBAMA

DAVID ORTIZ

TIGER WOODS

I leveled it to meet 3 levels of learners in my classroom. My high functioning students and students working at a 3rd grade level or higher will be able to complete all of the activities above; a biographical passage, comprehension questions, a Venn Diagram, and write a short summary about each hero. 

For my middle functioning students, I plan to assist them with reading the passage or even read the passage to them. Then, they will complete the Venn Diagram with facts about the hero and the "Name That Person" cut-n-paste activity sheets below. 

For my lowest functioning students, I've included a simple 10-page activity booklet for them. Each page features one of the ten heroes and a couple of important facts about them. Students then circle a picture from a field of three indicating what the hero is known for. They can also complete the cut-n-paste sheets as well. 

I'm super excited to introduce this unit to my students next week! I know they will be much more excited to learn more about some of these role-models that they have probably seen, heard of, listened to, and can better relate to. 

If you think your students would better benefit from a more modern day unit for African American History Month, you can check out this mini-unit in my store here. 

Happy African American History Month!

Our WDSD Classroom Celebration!

I promised I'd be back to share pictures of #WDSD16 in my classroom! Our spring break actually started today, but that didn't stop us! We celebrated WDSD in my classroom on Friday!! {Side note: Isn't this photo the cutest!? I've been saving it since last year to share with you!} 

We wore crazy socks!!

We all wore blue and yellow ribbons!!

We watched this video from "Just Like You, Inc." You can view it on You Tube here. 

 We learned facts about kids with Down syndrome!

This sheet is from my WDSD Freebie Set!

We also made the adorable hats from this set, but I completely forgot to take pics of them in their hats!!! :(

And at the end of the day, we enjoyed yellow and blue mini cupcakes, so they could each enjoy one of both colors!!

 We had alot of fun celebrating, spreading awareness at my school, and learning more about Down syndrome! This is my first year teaching that I have not had any students with Down syndrome in my class, and I have really missed working with this special group of individuals this year!!! Cheers to Down syndrome!!!! :) :) :)

I also started a collaborative Pinterest board in honor of these neat and loving individuals for WDSD! 

Follow Traci Bender - The Bender Bunch's board Celebrate Down Syndrome on Pinterest.

If you'd like access to pin your images, resources, and celebrations onto this board, leave your email in the comments and I'll send you an invite!! :)

Bunches of Love for Down Syndrome, 

100th Day Trail Mix & Freebies

We celebrated Day 100 today!!!! I needed to change it up since I have had some of these students for 4-5 years. So...we did 100th day Trail Mix!!

We talked about how ten 10's make 100 using our base ten blocks and counted by 10's on our fingers. We put out 10 plates of 10 different items.
Items included:
pretzels
banana chips
goldfish
almonds
raisins
Chex cereal
Honeycombs
M & M's
marshmallows
sesame sticks

We gave each student a baggie with their name written on it. Students went around the table counting out 10 items from each plate to add to their baggie. 

This was great counting AND fine motor practice for some of my students. 

They were proud to show off their own Trail Mix they made themselves!!

Then they got to enjoy!!

 This student didn't waste any time!!! Haha :) :)
I put the leftovers from the paper plates into one gallon size ziploc baggie and will use it for a class snack!

For a couple more ideas, you can grab a couple of 100 Day printables here and here.

Have you celebrated your 100th day yet?

Recognize Your Paras on Paraprofessional Day 11/18

November 18th is Paraprofessional Day!!! These individuals play such a huge role within schools, yet probably receive the least recognition. They care about kids just as much as you. Many of them spend their own money for classroom treats and give their own time for after school events. Many of them go home each evening with thoughts of a kid stuck in their head, just like you...thinking of ways they can reach a student. Many of them SHOULD have become teachers themselves! 

I have two amazing paras! I mean AMAZING! Lately, I've been thinking that I need to do more throughout the year to recognize my paras. While I always thank them for their hard work and bring them little treats for the holidays, I decided I wanted to do some extra special things for them this year! So I shouted out to some of my blogging friends for some ideas! I'm happy to share these fabulous ideas with you and help you prepare to recognize your paras on Paraprofessional Day and all throughout the year!!! :)

Here's what they had to say...

Autism Educators says, "First and foremost, we laugh. Add a little laughter to an extra challenging day, and it goes a long way. Having started this journey many years ago as a paraprofessional myself, I understand how important it is to show them the same respect and to share the "not so fun" tasks, like changing diapers or messes, disassembling task boxes, etc.; whenever possible. I like to also celebrate my para's birthday in a big way and have the kids get involved. They love it, and she does too!"

On Paraprofessional Day: Change all of the diapers and take care of all of the pottying needs. 

Learning Ahoy says she asks her paras for their opinion and input. "I let them know I trust their judgment. I always try to get them something for holidays and the end of the year. Last year the sped team had lunch catered for all of the paras at the end of the school year." 

On Paraprofessional Day: Cater lunch

Mrs. P's Specialities says, "I randomly leave them treats throughout the school year. We also have a special celebration in the spring to thank them for all of their hard work. The therapists and I pool money and get them each a gift. I write them each a personal thank you card and we make them breakfast or lunch. My teaching assistants are amazing!"

On Paraprofessional Day: Bring them breakfast, a gift, or a thank you card.

Mrs. D's Corner says, "My aide loves monster energy drinks, so occasionally I'll get him one. Last year for para day, I made him a gift basket with monsters and then a picture of our class." 

On Paraprofessional Day: Make them a gift basket with their favorite things or bring them one of their favorite things.

Miss, Hey, Miss says, "I try to meet with them before school starts and take them out to lunch, write little notes during the year, get them little goodies and gifts. We definitely look back and laugh over the little things or we go crazy."

On Paraprofessional Day: Have fun, let loose and laugh a lot!! Take them out to dinner after school.

The Eager Teacher says, "I make my aides lunch sporadically in the year...I will make soup and bring it in or baked mac and cheese. Any day that you don't have to make a lunch is a good day! I text them the night before and say don't pack a lunch!"

On Paraprofessional Day: Surprise them with lunch with a text the night before! Consider making their favorites. 

Our Sunshine Committee is also scouring our Pinterest boards, as we plan to place some sort of cute treat/quote in all of the para's mailboxes at our school on Paraprofessional's Day!

You can find some simple, easy, and inexpensive gift ideas for your paras on these two Pinterest Boards!

Follow Traci Bender - The Bender Bunch's board Teacher to Teacher Gifts on Pinterest.

Follow Traci Bender - The Bender Bunch's board Gift ideas on Pinterest.

Don't forget to recognize your paraprofessionals on November 18th....and all throughout the year! Whether it's just a simple verbal thank you, a coffee, a luncheon, or a gift...your thoughtfulness will go a long way and remind them how valuable they are to your school! Just like our students.... even adults need positive reinforcement!! :)