Lessons From Lifeskills: Skating and Participating

Although we are mostly a self-contained classroom, our kids have many opportunities to spend time with their friends in the general education setting. This year, for the first time since I started teaching, we are part of a general education 'team'. Each team is made up of roughly four general education classes. We're part of the team located in our hallway and are loving it! Theta is a seventh grade team, so we are on the seventh grade lunch and specials (think PE, music, art) rotation. We also have the opportunity to join in with special activities like assemblies and classroom events.

Yes, we've even gotten to watch our wonderful social

studies teachers mummify a chicken!

We love our art, music and wellness classes - our classroom assistants help modify activities to make them meaningful for each student. This year our class is split into three groups; one group goes to art for a semester, another goes to music, the third group goes to the sensory room or kitchen for a fine/gross motor activity (we switch at the semester). More on this later...

We also eat in the cafeteria during the seventh grade lunch. In past years we've spread out to spend time with our general education friends, but this year my group seems to want to sit together. I know that views are polarized on this, but I like that my kids enjoy each other's company. I'll always offer them the opportunity to eat at other tables, but I won't stop them from sitting with each other.

Now onto some fun pictures! In December our class got to participate in an AWESOME roller skating activity in Wellness! We strapped on our gear and hit the gym...