Introduce back to school concepts of names, classroom rules, sounds, feelings, schedules, school workers, and making friends with the Beginning of the Year Little Books For Big Thinkers book set bundle.

WHAT IS LITTLE BOOKS FOR BIG THINKERS?

Little Books For Big Thinkers is a book series designed specifically for early learners. It covers common early childhood themes presented in developmentally appropriate texts. Little Books For Big Thinkers is inclusive of all learners. Lucy from The Alternative Way to Pre-K and I came together to create books that could supplement the books given to us by our curriculum. Lucy uses, and I used to use, the Creative Curriculum in our classes and realized quickly that most of the books were not appropriate for our preschool self-contained classes. So not only can these books be used in any preschool classroom, we also aligned them to Creative Curriculum studies. Each purchase from Little Books For Big Thinkers comes with one book with typical text and pictures, one book with symbol text version that includes supporting visuals. Each book can be used in the classroom, online, or at home. 

DO YOU TEACH LITTLE LEARNERS?

These little books are perfect for any little learner. We kept the language very general and simple so you can use this with a wide range of learners. You can use these books as a large group read aloud, in small groups, virtually during distance learning and so much more!

DO YOU USE THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM?

If you use the Creative Curriculum, these books align perfectly with the Beginning of the Year Study. We would recommend using these alongside the books that the Creative Curriculum provides, or using them to replace those books. This depends on your student’s reading comprehension skills levels. 

We are both familiar with, and have used, the Creative Curriculum in our preschool special education classrooms. We would typically spend 1-2 weeks on each focus question. We wrote one book for each focus question. 

HOW CAN I USE LITTLE BOOKS FOR BIG THINKERS BOOKS DURING DISTANCE LEARNING?

• We recommend using the books as read alouds as if you were in the classroom. You can screenshare the book and go through it with your whole class or in small groups. You can also print and prep the books and read them to your students during your virtual meetings. 
• We recommend sharing these books with your students and their families via whatever online platform you are using (Google Classroom, Seesaw, Schoology, etc.) so that they can read and review them on their own time.

BOOKS WE HAVE MADE SO FAR:

1. Names at School Social Story – Little Books For Big Thinkers
2. Sad and Scared at School Social Story – Little Books For Big Thinkers
3. School and Classroom Rules Social Story – Little Books For Big Thinkers
4. School Schedule Social Story – Little Books For Big Thinkers
5. Who Works At School Social Story – Little Books For Big Thinkers
6. Making Friends at School Social Story – Little Books For Big Thinkers
7. Sounds You Hear At School Social Story – Little Books For Big Thinkers
8. BUNDLE

EXCLUSIVE BUNDLE BONUS FILE!!

The Beginning of the Year School Stories Bundle exclusively offers all stories in boom card format. That means, students can have each beginning of the year social story read to them and at their own pace. The students will be able to listen to each story with automatic sound. They will also be able to click the button when they are ready for the next page, developing their independence skills! To preview click here: https://wow.boomlearning.com/store/bundle/NWTiJZ4sDqTy9q6Zt?ref=self

HOW TO PREP THE BOOKS:

Method 1: Bind the book with a binding machine and coils

Method 2: Put each page in a sheet protector and use binder rings to hold them together

Method 3: Use a portfolio cover and print the pages on normal paper

Method 4: Use the Happy Planner rings

Method 5: Simply print and staple!

TPT is having a SITEWIDE SALE!!

This means most sellers will be making their stores 20% off and TPT will be giving an additional 5% off. In order to get the full 25% off you MUST use the code CYBER20 at checkout. 

I thought I would help you by letting you know 3 MUST HAVES that you should purchase during the TPT sale. 

BUNDLES

Bundles are such a steal on a normal day, but during a SALE they are priced so low that it is just a no brainer!!! Bundles are essentially a bunch of products that are related put together in one place and DISCOUNTED! Most bundles are also growing bundles. This means that sellers will add to the bundle over time. As long as you purchase the bundle, you will have lifetime access to any updates and additions that the seller chooses to make to the bundle. 

Some top-selling bundles from my store that are VERY DISCOUNTED during the sale are…

1. BOOM Cards bundle – every BOOM set from my store
2. Interactive PDF bundle – every Interactive PDF in my store 
3. Preschool Paper Assessment bundle – includes all materials for the paper assessment
4. Little Books For Big Tinkers – School Social Stories Bundle
5. Creative Curriculum Study Posters bundle – includes every CC poster in my store
6. Handwriting bundle – includes prewriting, lowercase letters, uppercase letters and a mix of upper/lowercase letters
7. AND SO MANY MORE

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DIGITAL MATERIALS/ACTIVITIES

This year is a little different. Although digital materials are always a fun addition to your classroom, this year they are essential. Most of us are going to be fully virtual to start the year or a mix of virtual and in-person. Either way, digital materials are going to be a huge part of how we teach now. Over the past 6 months I have created a bunch of digital materials so that I could effectively teach my students during distance learning. I have posted those, and so many more, in my TPT store so that you can use them too! I talk a LOT about how I taught during distance learning in my Instagram Story highlights. 

Some top-selling digital activities from my store that are ON SALE during the sale are…

1. Editable Morning Meeting/Classroom Slides
2. Editable Meet the Teacher/Open House Slides
3. Little Books For Big Thinkers – School Social Stories Bundle
4. Insects Study Bundle for Distance Learning
5. Roads Study Mini Books and Activities for Distance Learning
6. BOOM Cards bundle – every BOOM set from my store
7. Interactive PDF bundle – every Interactive PDF in my store 
8. Scavenger hunt games!
9. Questions of the Day!
10. AND SO MUCH MORE

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ASSESSMENT MATERIALS

No matter what type of classroom you’re in, it is essential to have a way to assess your students. In my preschool self-contained classroom, I would assess my students 2-3 times a year. I would use my preschool assessment resources. Since we will be mostly digital to start the school year, I have created a DIGITAL ASSESSMENT for you to effectively assess your students from home OR in school. No more big assessment bins or 100s of assessment papers. Now, you can assess your students FULL VIRTUALLY. 

You can read more about the digital assessment HERE. 

Alright, now that you know my 3 must-haves it is time to get your carts ready!!!!!!!

As always, if you have any questions please email me or message me on Instagram!

SHOP NOW

During distance learning I was struggled to find a way to assess my students properly. Typically, I assess their general academic skills 2-3 times a year to make sure that they are making progress and to update their IEPs (Individualized Education Plans). 

I brought home my assessment bin with all of my assessment materials in it, in hopes that I would be able to assess most of my students. This was not easy through the computer. 

I found myself holding up flashcard-type materials to the camera on my computer, while also trying to move my head in a certain way so that I can see the child and make sure that they could see what I was holding. Picture that for a second…it wasn’t a good sight. 

I knew that this method would not work long term, and I had a feeling that I was not the only teacher with this problem. As distance learning continued through the rest of the school year and ESY it was pretty clear that we would not be able to return in the Fall like we typically do. We were either going to have a hybrid model where students come every other day or we would be going fully virtual. As this became more obvious, I knew I had to do something for other teachers to be able to effectively assess their students while at home, as well as in the classroom. 

That is when the DIGITAL ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT came to life!

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This product comes with links to a google form and two google sheets. When you click on the links you will be forced to ‘make a copy’ of the documents. By making a copy you become the owner of the google document. This means you can edit, delete, copy, add, and so much more. I included everything I could think of into this assessment. It is basically a digital version of my paper preschool assessment (pictured below). I do understand that there may be skills that you do not want to assess in this assessment. In that case, you can simply delete those slides from the google slides and delete those questions from the google form. It is completely CUSTOMIZABLE. 

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Product Details: 

Google form: Use to track student responses to the assessment. Google forms then allows you to see your responses in a spreadsheet, which is what I would do to see all the student data. When you click the link on the last page you now have your OWN copy of this digital assessment google form. You can edit it HOWEVER you want. You can then fill out the form for each student. To see the data, go to ‘responses’ and press ‘create spreadsheet’.

Google slides – assessment materials: Use to assess each part of the assessment. The assessment materials align directly with the google form.

Google slides – assessment checklist: Fill in the boxes as you assess each student to help you keep track of your assessment progress.

How Can I Use This During Distance Learning?

I would screenshare the google slides with the materials. I would also have the google form up on my computer or on a separate device to track student responses as you go through the assessment. 

How Can I Use This When We Are Back In The Classroom?

If you want to be completely digital, I would have 2 devices out. Have the materials google slides pulled up on one and the assessment google form pulled up on the other.
OR
Use the paper assessment and the digital google slides materials
OR
Use the digital assessment google form with the printed and prepped materials

What Skills Are Included In The Digital Assessment?

• ID and Label Uppercase Letters
• ID and Label Lowercase Letters
• Letter Sounds
• Rote Counting
• Counting with 1:1 Correspondence
• ID and Label Numerals 0-20
• ID and Label Shapes
• Sorting Colors, Shapes, Sizes
• Patterns
• More/Less
• ID and Label Colors
• Name Recognition
• Writing Name
• Gross Motor Skills
• Pencil Grasp
• Drawing Skills
• Handwriting Skills
• Scissor Skills
• Developmental Handwriting Strokes
• Student Self Portrait
• Student Handwriting Sample
• Social/Emotional Skills

PURCHASE THE DIGITAL ASSESSMENT NOW!

To see more about the digital assessment head to my Instagram page or my Facebook Group!

As always, if you have any questions please email me or message me on Instagram!

Since I have showed you how to use an OSMO in my Instagram highlights and my last blog post, I thought it would be helpful to show you some examples of how I used my Osmo during distance learning. These pictures are screenshots from my Instagram story highlights from the past few months.

If you want to see me using the OSMO during a small group, head to my Instagram posts OR my OSMO & distance learning story highlights. 

Directed Drawings

These are drawings I either found for FREE on TPT/Pinterest/Google or that I came up with myself. My students LOVE these. I go step by step and show them how to draw the picture, while they follow along at home. Since we would do these at school, they know that I do a step first while they watch, then they go! I always remember to tell parents that these will not come out perfect, mine doesn’t even come out perfect. They will each be unique and special. I tell them to please let their child do it how they want unless they ASK for or need help.

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Task Boxes

Of course, all of my task boxes come from Michaela aka Especially Education aka Task Box Queen . I probably own every single task box bundle in her TPT store. I don’t print them all though. At the beginning of each school year, and throughout the year, I go through each bundle and print the ones that I KNOW will fit my students. Since each year is so different, I have probably printed them all by now 🙂
You can find Especially Education…
–> On Instagram
–> On her Blog
–> On TPT

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File Folders

Of course this file folder comes from a Made For Me Math unit: Colors! As soon as Michaela and Gabrielle (Teaching Special Thinkers) released Made For Me Math last year I purchased it. I knew they were both creative geniuses and I needed more academic, fun, easy-prep activities for my small groups! Michaela and Gabrielle also created Made For Me Literacy, which I used in my classroom. I highly recommend both!!

Sorting

This activity also comes from a Made For Me Math unit: comparing numbers to 10. Since I was using the OSMO I did not do this activity with a pocket chart as it was intended, we just made piles of ‘more’ and ‘less’.

Patterns

OF COURSE this activity also comes from a Made for Me Math unit: patterns and positional words.

Coloring Books

I purchased this coloring book at Target right before ESY (Extended School Year) started. I was trying to think of activities to engage my students since I was now able to use the OSMO. Since I had a few students just working on colors, I thought this would be perfect. Of course, they could not be the ones coloring. They had to request what color they wanted me to use, tell me what object they wanted me to color, and tell me when I should switch colors. This really focused on language skills, requesting and colors. They loved it!

Mini Eraser Activities 

My students and love mini erasers, of course! So, I made a pack with a bunch of activities that we could do during distance learning! You can get these pages from my mini erasers pack in my TPT store.

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Grab my MINI ERASER ACTIVITIES PACK here 

Read Alouds

In virtual sessions it is hard to hold up a book to the camera on your computer! Using your OSMO allows you to see your students on your computer screen, not have to position the book and your head in the camera, and your students can see the whole book clearly.

Cooking Activities

On our last day of ESY this summer we did a cooking project!! It was SOOO helpful to have the OSMO for this! We made a PB&J sandwich and a fruit kabob!

How Do I Do This With My Students That Are Non-Verbal?

At this time I do not have students that are non-verbal. Luckily, my friend Lucy from @thealternativewaytoprek does and she is an AAC device expert! Here is what she has about this:

“So Rachel is a genius and came up with using the OSMO for virtual learning. A lot of people have been asking “Can this work with my non-verbal students?” The answer is yes! Lets first get one thing clear. There is a difference between non-verbal and low cognition. Non-verbal students simply do not use expressive language to communicate. Instead they use receptive language. This can come in the form of AAC, PECS, or whatever visuals you may use. The best way to use the OSMO with non-verbal students is the same way you would teach in the classroom, modeling. Hopefully you have a similar device as your student’s, core board, or visual. When you are teaching via the OSOMO you have your device, they have theirs,  and  you model. It is that simple. Now, if you are referring as to how to use the OSMO for students with low cognition that is whole another topic. Realistically, that is going to be tough. They are going to require an adult to prompt if not use hand over hand. I suggest making a video tutorial of yourself along with a written step by step guide on how parents can prompt their students. You can also make a video of how they can model their child’s AAC device at home. ” –Lucy @thealternativewaytoprek

I hope that you found these activities and ideas helpful! As I think of more I will add them to this post. I would love to see how you use your OSMO for distance learning!! If you post, please tag me so I can see 🙂

When distance learning started back in March I felt helpless. Without my physical materials I didn’t know how I was going to engage my preschool special education students. For a few weeks I made it work, just using digital materials and activities. This was fine, but it didn’t feel like enough since I knew we were in this for a while. 

When I saw Tiffany from @KraftyinKinder using the OSMO on her story I knew I had to look into it!! Tiffany was so sweet and helpful when I asked her questions about it. I told her I already owned an iPad stand from Amazon (linked here) so I wanted to try just getting the reflector. She told me it was worth a try, so that’s what I did. 

I only bought the $10 reflector replacement and I use my stand from amazon. $10!!! THAT IS IT!!!

Disclaimer:

1. I do not know what iPads and computers this works with. Before purchasing the OSMO you should check that your iPad connects to your computer and that you can use QuickTime player to display what is on your iPad screen (directions below). If this works then you are probably ok to use the OSMO. 
2. I do not know much about OSMO and all of the kits and games they sell. You MIGHT probably need the OSMO base to use those. I truly don’t know. Read their website first and check their FAQ page.
3. A follower told me this does not work with an iPad Pro!

My technology details:

iPad: iPad Air 3rd gen

Computer: MacBook Pro 2017 or 2018 (probably can’t get this one anymore…too old)

Projector: OSMO Reflector Replacement – the one that says “Reflector for New Base for iPad $10”

iPad Stand:  Adjustable Tablet/Phone Stand

Adapter: USB C to USB Adapter

Wire: Apple Lightning to USB Cable

Now you’re probably thinking how does it work???
Let me tell you…

This method is JUST FOR MACS! Scroll for other computers…

1. Download the free OSMO Projector App on your iPad 
2. Open the OSMO app on your iPad 
3. Put the iPad on the stand
4. Place the OSMO on your iPad, over the front camera 
5. You should now be able to see the table on the iPad screen 
6. Plug in the wire and the adapter, connecting your computer to your iPad 
7. Open ‘finder’ on your Mac
8. Double click ‘Applications’
9. Double click ‘Quick Time Player’ 
10. In the top left of your computer click ‘file’ 
11. Click ‘new iMovie recording’
12. Next to the record button there is a drop down arrow. Click iPad. 
13. There you go!
14. If you want to screen share, just share the quick time player window 

To share in a google meet:

1. Open a google meet 
2. Click ‘present’ 
3. Choose ‘share a window’ 
4. Choose the Quick Time Player window 

But Rachel, I’m a visual learner…

Well, same 🙂 So no worries! I walk through this step by step in my Instagram story highlights. In my OSMO highlight I show you the steps and in all of my Distance Learning highlights I show you how I have been using the OSMO.

The following 2 methods can work with a Mac OR a PC!

I own a Mac so I am no expert in what I am about to say. I recommend trying to connect your iPad to your computer first with these steps and THEN purchasing the OSMO and stand if this works!

1. On your computer get the app ‘Team Viewer’
2. On your iPad get the app: quick support from team viewer
3. Go into quick support and it gives you an ID (9 digit code)
4. On your computer, in team viewer, click ‘remote control’
5. On your computer, under ‘control remote computer’ put in the ‘partner ID’, which is the 9-digit code from your iPad.
6. On the computer click ‘connect’
7. On the iPad click ‘Allow”
8. Takes a second…then a screen comes up
9. On your iPad click ‘start broadcast’
10. Choose ‘start broadcast’
11. It comes in portrait, but you can rotate by using the buttons on the bottom. You can also make it full screen using the button in the top left corner.
12. When you screen share choose ‘iPad to screen share’
    ***The iPad should be able to do this WITHOUT a cord!
    ***You can record through team viewer (go to the top, extras, record, start)

If those steps didn’t work for you here is an alternative way (thanks to an insta follower)
1. Go to LetsView.com
2. Click on the download button
3. Download the app ‘Screen Mirroring: LetsView’ on your iPad
4. Once you have both of those downloaded open them up and on your iPad it’ll ask for a pin code. The code is on the top right corner on your laptop (see photo)
5. On your iPad press ‘try pin code’ and type in the code from the computer.
6. Once you input the code it will show how to turn on screen mirror your iPad.
7. In screen mirroring select ‘let’s view’
8. The screen mirroring will pop up on your computer screen
**To make it full screen choose the middle icon in the top right corner that says ‘more’. Choose ‘full screen’
–Then you open up Osmo Projector on your iPad!!!

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From a super helpful follower who has older technology!

How to mirror your iPad’s screen to to your PC (IOS 9.3.5)

1. Go to www.5kplayer.com
2. Scroll down until you see the blue download button
3. Select a blue link from under the download button to match your computer’s operating system (32 or 64-bit)
4. Allow the app to make “changes to your device” if you get that pop up message. Then, the program will start to download.
5. Click the blue install button
6. Click the blue launch button
7. On your PC Click the grey button that says “DLNA/AirPlay”
Note: on the left side of the screen scroll down to the Airplay tab and make sure that the button is toggled you on for AirPlay service, and that the status says running.
8. On your iPad, swipe up from the bottom of your screen until the control menu pops up. Look for the AirPlay button.
9. When the AirPlay button appears, click it then select the option for “5KPlayer-DESKTOP…” AND toggle on the option for mirroring!
Now you will see your iPad screen on your PC 🙂

From another amazing follower: How to use OSMO and ZOOM easily!

Step 1: Connect your iPad to your Mac (I have to use a USB-C cable)
Step 2: Open Zoom and click share screen
Step 3: In the basic share options click on “iphone/iPad via Cable”
Step 4: A message will appear asking you to “trust” this device if it is your first time doing this 
Step 5: Open the Osmo projector app on your iPad 
Step 6: Enjoy! 

Questions from Instagram:

Q: What exactly does it do?
A: The little red piece I buy reflects whatever is on my table. Easiest. $10 EVER.

Q: Where to buy and what to buy?
A: I JUST got the reflector replacement from OSMO: https://www.playosmo.com/en/shopping-edu/accessories

Q: Why don’t you use the OSMO base?
A: The OSMO base actually tilts the iPad back slightly, whereas my stand makes the iPad stand straight up.

Q: Did your district or school pay for it?
A: No. I previously owned my Mac, iPad and iPad stand (purchased myself). I purchased the $10 reflector replacement from Osmo myself.

Q: I read on the app reviews that it can be blurry…have you experienced this?
A: Yes. A little bit. It is definitely not 100% clear, but I teach 3-5 year olds and we have been TOTALLY fine with it!!!

Q: What device does it work with?
A: Check out the FAQ page on OSMO’s site for more information about this: https://www.playosmo.com/en/faq/

Q: How do you take data while using the OSMO?
A: I keep a paper and pen nearby to take anecdotal notes. 

Q: What app do you need?
A: On your iPad get the FREE Osmo Projector app. It can also just work with the camera app.

Q: Have you used this to model writing?
A: No, but I am sure it would work well.  

I hope this was helpful!!! Please let me know if you have any questions by messaging me on Instagram.

LOVING THE IDEA OF AN OSMO?? Check out my other blog post about the OSMO where I show you everything I use it for!

As I am sure you saw on my instagram post, I am moving to 2^nd Grade. It still feels so weird to even say that because I have been in preschool for my whole teaching career so far. I know it’s only been 3 years, but that is a big deal. I haven’t moved my classroom in 3 years, I’ve been teaching the same thing since I was hired right out of college. Now I’m moving to 2^nd grade which is a pretty big jump. It’s going to be a huge change. My preschool classroom right now is fully self-contained special education.

In 2^nd grade, I am going to be co-teaching. So, at my school that means that I will be the special education teacher in an inclusion 2^nd grade classroom. It will be myself and a general education teacher teaching a typical sized class (20-25 students). We could have up to 8 special education students in the classroom that are mainly my responsibility, although we will both be teaching the entire class together. I will be in the classroom all day, so I don’t do any pull-out. 

I am so excited about this change. This was very much my choice. I wanted to move out of preschool. I love preschool and I love the team I work with, those are my best friends, but it was time for a change. There’s a couple of reasons why I wanted to move. Halfway through this school year, I started talking to my principal about possibly wanting to move out of preschool next year.

I recently graduated with my masters in Teacher Leadership, a principal certification, and a supervisor certification. Those are certifications that I want to eventually use. I felt that, in order to best do those jobs in the future, I needed more experiences than just being in preschool self-contained. That is not required for those jobs. I wanted more experiences so that when I am a supervisor and/or principal I can speak about the many different types of classrooms that I have experienced first-hand. 

Another reason for wanting to move was that I wanted to teach in a different environment with students that were a little bit older. There were also parts of the preschool program in my district that I was beginning to not like. Once I shared all of this information with my principal, we began talking about the different possibilities for next school year. I did want to stay at my school. I understood that if I didn’t want preschool, and there was nothing else for me at my school, I would have to go to another school in my district. My principal started to talk to me about co-teaching. As a special education teacher, that was the only other option at my school for next year.

At first, I was hesitant about co-teaching because I have loved having my own classroom, and my big, beautiful classroom down in the brand-new preschool hallway. My new classroom is going to be much smaller and have a lot less space for me. The teacher who I will be co-teaching with has worked in that classroom for many years already, so when I move in, I will not be able to bring all of my stuff with me. Once I started discussing the idea further with my principal and talking about how good it would be for me to get this experience, I was on board.                         

Then I had to tell all of the people closest to me at school first. I told my teammates, my teaching assistants and the speech therapist that works with my students first. It was super emotional, and there were definitely tears, but they totally understood. 

TPT update:

I still plan on making preschool and Creative Curriculum materials. I also hope to make grade level materials, especially second grade materials, as I learn the curriculum and material. 

If you have any questions, advice or suggestions for me please message me on Instagram!!

Thank you all for your endless support! I am truly so excited for this next adventure!!