A Message from McElrath:

We’ve been busy in special education this past month. Co-Teachers dove into progress monitoring best practices and were briefly introduced to the AIMSWEB PLUS system that we will use to streamline progress monitoring of IEP goals. Self contained teachers learned about the 27 Evidence Based Practices for working with students with disabilities and earned certificates for completing the Picture Exchange Communication System training with AFIRM. Our special educational paraprofessionals took a walk through an IEP and learned about all the requirements by IDEA for a compliant Individualized Education Program. Needless to say, we are ready for the Christmas holidays!

I hope that each one of you spend time making memories and enjoying friends and family.

Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!

Discussions with Dr. Holley:

The Minds of Boys:

Spatial-Mechanical Functioning

Boys have more cortical area in the brain devoted to spatial-mechanical functioning. Spatial-mechanical functioning makes boys want to move objects through the air, such as balls, paper airplanes , or just their arms and legs. Knowing this fact can be helpful with trying to find ways to engage students, especially boys, in the learning process. Next time you are conducting a review or a question and answer session, try adding movement to gain student participation like this: Ask the class a question. Call a student's name and toss them a soft koosh-ball to catch. The child answers the question and then he tosses the ball back. To change this up, instead, give the student a Nerf ball to shoot through a hoop, or "volley" a balloon back to the teacher. Bean bags can also work nicely. Before beginning any activity that requires movement in the classroom, always demonstrate what behavior will be regarded as appropriate.