Especially Education

Adapted high-quality curriculum to help special education students succeed in the classroom

  • Especially Education
  • Home
  • Units
  • Shop TPT
  • Freebies
  • Blog
  • MFML
    • Facebook Group
  • About
    • Contact
You are here: Home / Behavior Management / Must-Haves in the Self-Contained Classroom

Must-Haves in the Self-Contained Classroom

August 17, 2016

Is it weird that I want to ask for nothing but TPT gift cards for Christmas? Last year I bought a laminator with my Christmas money, so I guess it’s not that weird.

There are just SO MANY good things on Teachers Pay Teachers! As a teacher in a self-contained SPED classroom, it can be challenging to find appropriate grade-level materials for my students. I am so thankful for Teachers Pay Teachers, because I honestly don’t know how else I would do it with the few resources I am provided.

Here are a few of my must-have items for the classroom:

Social Skills

Autism Adventures: The Behavior Basics Program)

Within reading the first 2 sentences of this bundle’s description, it was already in my cart. I find it so hard to find appropriate social skills lessons for my self-contained classroom. I am obsessed with Melissa Finch’s Behavior Basics Program. For $30, you get 13 weeks of lessons.There are different activities for each day of the week, including coloring pages, social stories, interactive notebooks, worksheets, and more. If you are looking for a new social skills program, I cannot say enough good things about this one.

Math

My Special Learners: Touch Money Packet

Screen Shot 2016-08-16 at 11.21.21 PM

We are a classroom of visual and tactile learners. I am a HUGE fan of touch math and was so happy that I found this touch money bundle! The clip-it cards and file folders are perfect for independent work, especially for my 1st and 2nd graders. I can’t wait to add the hands-on piggy bank adaptive book to our library! I might have to make a copy for each student, because I don’t see them wanting to share this one! Haha!

Reading

Super Heroes in SPED: Wh- Question Cards

Do your students struggle to answer basic wh- questions? I LOVE that these flash cards come with with all 5 wh- questions!! While my students do well with “what” questions, answering “who, where, when, and why” can be a challenge. I can’t wait to laminate and bind these cards and use them in my classroom!

Homework

Autism Helper: Leveled Homework Bundle

Finding homework for my students was a nightmare when I first started teaching. I purchased this bundle during my first year in the self-contained classroom and it has seriously saved me SO much time! I was a little hesitant because of the price, but it is worth every penny! This bundle comes with a year of homework activities in three levels of difficulty. Added bonus: reading the student responses makes my heart happy.

Organization

Mrs. D’s Corner: The Ultimate Special Education Binder

It’s no wonder this IEP Caseload binder is one of the top 100 Best Sellers! It has everything you could possibly need to organize your caseload and MORE! If you are a first year teacher or an experienced teacher looking for better ways to stay organized, this is the binder for you!! I love the IEP and caseload snapshots. Plus, it comes in several different colors and themes! (I have the black and white version and have printed it on colored paper!)

Behavior Management

Especially Education: The Life-Changing Starter Kit for SPED

Each item in this starter kit was created with the self-contained classroom in mind. This bundle has everything you need to get your special education classroom started: data sheets, visuals, schedules, handouts, positive behavior supports, and more! But don’t just take my word for it. See what other teachers have to say about this product here!

Working with Paraprofessionals

Simply Special Ed: Paraprofessional Binder for the Special Education Classroom

With 4 new paras at my school, I was definitely in need of something that could easily explain class expectations. THIS. IS. PERFECT! Not only does Alyssa include editable descriptions of classroom responsibilities, but she also explains prompting hierarchy and inclusion duties as well.

What are YOUR must have items in the classroom?

Be sure to check out Kayla from My Special Learners to see what must-have items she’s purchased for her classroom!

13645163_10210374927477634_1297598647039050256_n

«
»

Filed Under: Behavior Management Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The author
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

Get Access To Freebies

Search this website

Categories

Popular Posts

Planning for the First 2 Weeks of School in Your Special Education Classroom

FAQ: Task Boxes

Winter Sensory Science

Instilling Independence in the Classroom

Questions?

We have a wonderful and generous group of teachers in our MFML Facebook Group.
Join us and discover everything you need to know about using MFML in your classroom.

  • Facebook

Made for Me Literacy

Are you following Made For Me Literacy on Facebook and Instagram? We are always sharing news, updates, and tips on our socials. Don’t miss out – click below and follow MFML today!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Especially Education

Join the Especially Education social media communities for the latest updates, as well as tips and advice for special education educators like you.

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Especially Education © 2025