New school year, new ideas to try

I am anxious, nervous, full of little pricks and tingles in my belly.....why??? Well, summer is over in 2 weeks and I just barely crossed off the list of projects, fun, and plans I wanted to partake in and I am assigned to a new school. YIKES!!! All new adults, kids, schedules, lingo, undertones, and rituals to learn....luckily I am in tune with people, pick up nonverbal cues easily, and know how to navigate my way in the social world. I can't help but think about my kids with Aspergers and high functioning autism.... And what they must feel knowing school starts so soon. The kids who look like they can handle the new room, new kids, new teacher, new rituals, and new nuances of a group learning to form a community, but who are not wired for these new concepts to just become meaningful. These kids need some quick notes, easy visuals, or tips in close proximity to understand their new world. Here are some ideas to make the transition smoother for ALL of your kids: 1) make videos of routine tasks which are expected of the kids in your class, for instance where papers returning to school go, how to rotate through centers, how to get started on seat work, appropriate choices for breaks or quiet time, how to ask to use the restroom, a question, for help....sounds silly, but I promise it will cut own the repetition and frustrations of saying things over and over again. Put the videos on classroom computers for easy access to review....the beauty is they will be there forever!!!! 2)Allow the kids time to connect in the first couple of days with social centers with get to know you questions, pictures from target or toys-r-us flyers to look through and discuss interests, or develop polls of movies, cartoons, characters, music and let the kids poll each other to learn how to interact and practice social skills in a small group setting. 3)Create visuals to help with daily information like schedules, rules, clean desk, or what goes in folders. Good luck! Need some more ideas or thoughts on how to structure an activity or social skills idea....post a comment! Courtney :)