Angela Reid Special Education Consultant

08/24/2026

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From

08/24/2026

Let's build independence through thoughtful supports! 💙

A well-designed independent work area helps students understand expectations, navigate tasks, and experience success with greater ease and confidence!

🏫 As you prepare your classroom, think about:
• Visual supports that show them what "to do"
• Organized and predictable materials
• Clear work sequences
• A designated finished location
• Communication supports that meet learner needs

Looking for visuals, icons, labels, activities, and other resources for your classroom?
👀 Visit the STAR Media Center for tools that can help bring your independent work systems to life!

🌟 What is one must-have feature in your independent work area? Share your tips with others in the comments!

08/24/2026

My kids absolutely LOVE this Halloween STEM Activity and Read Aloud!! 💀☠️

The K-2nd grade edition focuses on symmetry, and 3rd-4th grade focuses on angles!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bonaparte-Falls-Apart-Halloween-STEM-Activities-Skeleton-Math-Symmetry-Angles-15238051

08/24/2026

Kids with working memory challenges don’t just need to “try harder”...they need the right supports. Here are IEP and 504 accommodations that reduce overload and help students follow directions, stay organized, and show what they know.

Link in first comment.

08/24/2026

Did you know?

via Learning Wild - Kristen RB Peterson

08/24/2026

08/24/2026

It's not just about reading and math...

08/24/2026

Comment SCHEDULE and I'll send you the link!

"I'm never going to get this."

"This is too hard."

"Everyone else understands except me."

Most students have these thoughts at some point. The goal isn't to pretend they don't exist—it's to help students notice them and replace them with thoughts that help them keep going.

That's why I included these Thought Swaps in the Goose & Friends School Subject Kit.

As your classroom mascot introduces each subject, it can also introduce a healthier way to think about learning. Instead of getting stuck in frustration, students practice replacing unhelpful thoughts with ones that encourage effort, persistence, and asking for help when they need it.

It's a simple visual that fits naturally into your daily routine while helping build confidence and a growth mindset along the way.

Already an All-Access Hub member? You can find this resource by searching for Silly Goose Class Mascots School Subject Kit | Visual Daily Schedule | 5 Mascots.

Comment SCHEDULE and I'll send you the link!

08/24/2026

TIP TUESDAY 💚💜From our Friednds at the Adult Down Syndrome Center: Transitions—whether big milestones like graduating from high school or everyday changes like adjusting to a new pair of shoes—can be challenging for many people. For some individuals with Down syndrome, transitions may be especially difficult.

There are several reasons why transitions can feel challenging:

*Strong visual memory and established routines: Familiar routines can provide comfort and predictability, so changes may feel disruptive.
* Time can be abstract: Understanding the difference between “in 5 minutes” and “next week” may be difficult.
* Slower processing and literal language: Long, complex, or figurative instructions can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially during times of change.

In the webinar recording linked below, Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, shares practical strategies for supporting individuals with Down syndrome through transitions. She covers general strategies as well as approaches for specific situations, including starting a new school year, moving to a new home, adjusting to new teachers or staff, and more.

Whether the transition is big or small, thoughtful preparation, clear communication, and consistency can help make change feel more manageable and successful.
https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/navigating-transitions-practical-strategies-webinar-2-25-2026/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTwVadwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXYxaVVRT2hlRUZ4V05XcTZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEemWO98DcFM90_U8tAL_ddSOGktzyNWN7HTP_RtsbVjwjut_lnxs4P9sXvMwk_aem_JeinePRATgFGvE5tS462mQ

08/24/2026

Revamping instruction on a large scale is never easy.

A fresh debate over phonics in the "science of reading" points to a growing push for evidence-based teaching in classrooms.

📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/4gbckcV