Workbasket Wednesday Linkup

Today I'm linking up with Chris from Autism Classroom News for Workbasket Wednesday.

I want to share a few great free file folder tasks I stumbled upon today.  I love file folder tasks!  Easy to store, and there are free ones all over the Internet.

Both come from Kids Activities Blog.

The first involves matching capital letters to lowercase letters and 1:1 correspondence counting.  Download and print the PDF here.

The second is a simple pattern matching activity.  Download and print here.

One thing that a lot of teachers find challenging about creating file folder tasks is laminating the large manila file folder.  Not all are lucky enough to have access to a quality large laminating machine.  Some buy those expensive 11 x 17 laminate sheets for their home laminator, but I've been successfully using a technique I learned from Denise from Sunny Days in Second Grade.

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Anybody else have a work task they'd like to share?  Join the linkup here.

Teach happy!

Currently - September 2014

Pretty new to the teaching blogosphere, so I'll start with an introduction.  My name is Natalie.  I've been a paraeducator for 3 years and an intern teacher for 5 months.  Currently pursuing my M/S credential.

My last school was not the best fit for a first year teacher.  9 kids in a 6th-10th M/S autism class, with 4 students needing 1:1 aides and 1 guy needing 2:1 support.  Heavy aggression.  I took a head butt to the face, suffered a concussion, and was out for 2 weeks.  A few weeks ago, I got called into HR after school and was informed that I wasn't meeting their expectations and was being laid off.  I loved the students and the faculty, but the turnover and burnout rate at that NPS was very high, so I didn't fight it.

All that aside, I really do love teaching and I love special ed.  Having grown up with learning disabilities and mental illness myself, I empathize with the kids and I refuse to be the adult who gives up on a child.  My blog is all about keeping your head above water in trying times.  Basically, teach happy!

As my currently suggests, I am currently building my teaching portfolio and interviewing.  The Job Hunting Teacher Series on Mindful Rambles has been very helpful, but if anybody else has some advice for me, I'm all ears.

Join the link-up at Oh Boy 4th Grade.

Teach happy!