Organize your classroom so that each student has her own desk. If students share tables or desks, they are more likely to engage in conflict or become distracted. Use the corners of the room as entertainment centers where students can play or read after finishing their work. This allows them to explore their imaginations and avoid distracting other students as they complete their tasks. Position the teacher’s desk at the front of the classroom, and the teacher’s aid’s desk at the back so together you can thoroughly supervise the students.
On the first day of class, introduce yourself to your students and explain that you are their teacher and it is your job to help them learn as much as possible. Tell them that you are not there to get them in trouble as long as they meet their responsibilities within the classroom. Calling guidelines “responsibilities” instead of “rules” will make complying seem more enjoyable and worthwhile. For example, explain that everyone has a responsibility to clean up after himself and treat other students with respect.
Give students placement tests during the first few days of class. Explain that you need them to take the test so that you can plan the best classes for their unique needs. Do not present the test as something that determines their grade or results in reward or punishment. Examine the tests after the students take them to help you set goals and plan activities for the rest of the year. Remember that students will be at very different levels and will need help in a wide range of areas. Arm yourself with information so you can do your best to meet all of these diverse needs.
Create more than one lesson plan for each day. A lesson plan for a special ed class usually involves choosing activities that will engage the students and help them work on the skills they are improving, such as reading or retention of information. However, you cannot predict exactly how your class will respond to any activity on a given day. For example, you might think that drawing on construction paper will be entertaining and productive, but students might not enjoy the task. To safeguard against running out of ideas, plan more activities than you have time for each day.