Word Puzzles (Normally $27.99, Now $17.49)

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Melissa and Doug Word Puzzles

Grab them here!

These wooden puzzle boards with letters can be an excellent tool for a special education classroom!

Here’s how they can be used effectively:

1. Sight Word and Vocabulary Practice
Students can match the wooden letters to the word that matches a picture, reinforcing sight word recognition and vocabulary.

Great for nonverbal students or early readers who benefit from visual support.

2. Spelling Skills

Teachers can guide students to spell simple CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words by identifying the picture and finding the correct letters.

Students with fine motor challenges benefit from the tactile engagement of placing letters.

3. Fine Motor Development

Picking up and placing the wooden letters helps strengthen hand muscles and hand-eye coordination, which is great for students working on motor skills goals in their IEPs.

4. Independent Work or Centers

These puzzle boards fit well in literacy centers or as an independent task. They’re self-contained and easy to manage, so students can complete them with minimal assistance.

Could be used as a calm, screen-free activity for students needing a sensory break while still learning.

5. Errorless Learning Opportunities

You can limit the letter choices to just the ones needed for each board, making it easier for students who are just beginning to spell or need more success-based learning.

6. Differentiated Instruction

For higher-level students, teachers can cover the picture and have them spell the word from memory.

For emerging learners, the picture provides context and support to encourage learning without frustration.

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy here.

Voice Changer (Normally $24.99, NOW $14.99 with coupon)

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy here

Boost Confidence in Students with a Voice Changer: A Fun and Effective Tool

As educators, we know that some students may struggle to find the confidence to speak up in class. Whether it's due to shyness, anxiety, or just the fear of being wrong, encouraging students to use their voice is an important step in their growth. One fun and effective way to help students build confidence is by incorporating a voice changer into your classroom.

A voice changer is a great tool that can turn a regular speaking activity into a rewarding experience. By altering their voice in playful ways, students may feel more comfortable and willing to participate. It helps them move past fears of judgment and builds a sense of accomplishment when they hear their own voices in a new and fun light.

Here are a few ways a voice changer can be used:

  1. Role-Playing: Encourage students to use different voices for characters in stories or scenarios. It makes the activity more engaging and lowers the stakes for speaking.
  2. Rewards: Use the voice changer as a positive reinforcement tool. When students participate, they get to hear their voice in a fun way, making them feel more confident to try again.
  3. Speech Practice: For students working on speech or language skills, a voice changer can be an innovative way to make practicing more enjoyable and less intimidating.

By integrating a voice changer into classroom activities, you can help create an environment where students feel empowered to speak up and share their ideas. It’s a simple tool that can have a big impact on their self-esteem and communication skills!









My Favorite January Resources for Special Education Classrooms

Sunday, January 9, 2022

 

It's JANUARY 9th, which means most of you are heading into your second week of being back at work since winter break. The first week back is typically a crazy week for everyone. Everyone is adjusting to getting up early, having a routine, and listening to directions. The second week back you can finally dive back into the curriculum and supplemental materials, focus on direct instruction for IEP goals, and start getting back into the routine of taking data. 

Since it is January, I have a list of WINTER resources that are ideal for Early Childhood Special Education or Moderate to Severe Special Education. 

    1. January Math Basic Skills Unit 


    2. January ELA Basic Skills Unit


*I have been working really hard to give my January Basic Skills Units a little revamp. The new and improved versions of both the math and ELA September units have been uploaded to Teachers Pay Teachers. 

3. Penguins Adapted Book

4. Snowmen Adapted Book

5. Winter Vocabulary Worksheets: Special Ed or Early Elementary No Prep Printable Pack

6. Winter Vocabulary Real Photo "I See" Adapted Book for Special Education

7January Activity *Memory* Book for Young Learners or Special Education

8. Sentence Building Worksheets for Special Education Classrooms: Winter

January FREEBIES! 


*I have two FREE resources for you that are perfect for January. 

  • Grab my simple, New Year's Activity here. 

  • Grab my Winter Hat Glyph here. 



8 Resources to Get Your Year Started Off Right in Your Moderate to Severe Special Education Classroom

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

There are so many quality resources on Teachers Pay Teachers that sometimes it is overwhelming to know where to begin. Today I am sharing 8 of my favorite resources for the beginning (and entire) school year! 

1. Check-In Interactive PDF

When I taught the upper grades (4th-6th grade) I used this resource everyday! My students started each day by determining who is here, choosing a way to greet one another, and by writing or typing their name on the board. This interactive PDF makes your morning attendance/check-in time so simple! 


2. Check-Out Interactive PDF

When I taught the upper grades (4th-6th grade), my students ended each day by answering two questions: 1) how did you feel today? and 2) what was your favorite part of the day? My students then were prompted through four steps of lining up: 1) stand up, 2) push in your chair, 3) get your backpack, and 4) line up! This interactive PDF will help those last few minutes of the day go by smoothly, keeping your students engaged and addressing important social skills. 

As of 1/20/2017, this pack includes editable and non-editable data sheets! Remove stress from your teaching day by purchasing and downloading this data collection pack. It is filled with data sheets for measuring basic academic skills, such as counting, identifying letters, and matching. It is perfect for special education classrooms! 

Includes:
Numbers 1-30 Data Sheets
Numbers 1-50 Data Sheets
Numbers 1-100 Data Sheets
Letter Data Sheets
Shapes Data Sheets
Money Data Sheets
Colors Data Sheets
Personal Information Data Sheets
Days of the Week Data Sheets
Months of the Year Data Sheets
Tracing Lines Data Sheets
Tracing Shapes Data Sheets
Cutting Lines Data Sheets
Writing Name Data Sheets
Numbers 1-100 Flashcards
Uppercase Letters Flashcards
Lowercase Letters Flashcards
Shapes Flashcards
Money Flashcards
Colors Flashcards
Community Signs Flashcards
Days of the Week Flashcards
Months of the Year Flashcards
Various Matching Activities for the skills listed above 

You can read more about data collection here. 


4. Homework Through the Year for Special Education Classrooms

I wanted to create a homework system that is practical, meaningful, repetitive, and easy for parents to complete with their child daily. I am hopeful that this weekly homework worksheet will help parents get involved in their child’s education and will help generalize some of the skills we are working on in class. This worksheet can easily be differentiated for the various students in your classroom.
Watch the following video tutorial here so that you can take advantage of all that this product has to offer. 


5. Whole Group and Individual Token Board System for Special Education Classrooms

This resource was created to be used in a moderate to severe SDC classroom. With that said, it can also be used in other classroom settings. This product was created to teach students the concept of token boards. This product can be used as a whole class behavior management system, an individual behavior management system, or as a combination whole class and individual behavior management system. 


6. Simple Task Box System for Special Education Classrooms


It is what it says it is, a super simple task box system!



7. Visual Behavior Clip-Chart for Special Education Classrooms



8. Visual Calendar Templates 


When I taught the upper grades, I would create a visual lunch menu each month using pictures so that my students could be more independent while reading the menu each day. This resource includes two templates for August 2019 - July 2020 so that you can quickly and easily create your own visual menu or visual calendar for your classroom.

You can read more about how I used this in my classroom here. 




Delightfully Differentiated Activities: Apple Themed (FREEBIE)

Monday, July 15, 2019
I love differentiation. 

I love the idea of all students being able to access the same resource at their unique learning levels.

I love finding ways to streamline my classroom prep and spending (yes, I stick to a classroom budget each month).

I love organization. 

Say "hello" to my newest product, Delightfully Differentiated Activities. 




My hope is that my Delightfully Differentiated Activities will included all three things I love: differentiation, time and money saving strategies, and organization ideas! I had so much fun creating this new resource for you and your students! I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do. It is perfect for Early Childhood Special Education! 

This blog post will give you a brief summary of the resource. I also include supply recommendations and organization tips for the resource. The links that are included are Amazon Affiliate links. 

Recommended Supplies: (click on the item to be directed to Amazon) 
#1: Attribute Apples #2: Multi-Page Sheet Protectors  / #3: Storage Clipboards / #4: Ziploc Bags (snack size) / #5: Lamination Sheets / #6 Laminator / #7 Velcro / #8 Cardstock




recommend using page protectors for the activity pages instead of lamination sheets to cut down on prep time and cost and to make storage a bit easier. The only part of this unit that needs to be laminated is the activity pieces. I also recommend storing this product in storage clipboards. This is a new storage system that I have fallen in love with, and I hope you will too! 

What's included? 

There are six different activities with numerous different levels. Each activity includes a hands-on activity, 3 or 4 levels of task activity, and 1 worksheet. Let's take a look!

1. Matching Activities






2. Number Activities




3. Counting Activities





4. Sort by Color Activities





5. Sort by Size Activities





6. Preposition Practice Activities




I have also included a data sheet that is simple and easy to implement for you are your classroom staff. 


You can download this resource for FREE by subscribing to my newsletter. Also, (spoiler alert) I will be creating a growing bundle for this resource so that you can have differentiated activities for the entire year. 





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