293. 5 Ways to Simplify Your SPED Classroom Before the Holidays

293. 5 Ways to Simplify Your SPED Classroom Before the Holidays

The holiday season can feel like a blur of glitter, behavior spikes, and teacher burnout. In Episode 293 of Be The Exception, Dawn shares 5 ways to simplify your SPED classroom — so you can support your students and protect your peace. You'll learn: ✔️ What routines are worth streamlining now ✔️ How to build in calm, quiet moments each day ✔️ Why you should prep sub plans before you need them ✔️ How to use repetition as a strategy, not a cop-out ✔️ When to give yourself permission to lower the bar 📦 Plus: Dawn shares her favorite low-prep units, editable sub plan templates, and visuals that make the season easier. 🎧 Listen now + grab what you need inside The Exceptional Collective. Check out this blog post with classroom-tested ideas you can swipe: Special Education Christmas Activities You'll Actually Use [https://xbdizvxp.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fwww.cultivatingexceptionalminds.com%2Fspecial-education-christmas-activities%2F/1/0100019afa640365-48ec5bf5-b25c-4bbf-af7b-afc3e3a18a15-000000/yel_5-cVD4vHbJRGZ4w64sIL36s=455] Holiday Freebie: Grab it here [https://cultivatingexceptionalminds.myflodesk.com/holidayfreebie]

292. How to Revise IEPs Mid-Year Without Losing Your Mind

Mid-year IEP revisions don't have to be stressful. Learn how to review student progress, adjust goals, and revise services with ease using templates and team input. Body: The holidays are approaching—and so are mid-year IEP reviews. In Episode 292 of Be The Exception, Dawn shares practical strategies for updating IEPs based on Q2 progress and real-time data. Learn how to: * Know when to revise an IEP mid-year * Use academic + behavior data to guide changes * Collaborate with your team to make smart service adjustments * Use amendment templates to save time 🎧 Tune in for tips that will help you walk into your next IEP meeting with confidence (and way less stress). 🧠 Access the full set of editable IEP review tools inside The Exceptional Collective.

291. Using Data to Drive Behavior and IEP Decisions (Before the Holidays Hit)

Feeling behind on data collection before midyear IEPs? This episode is here to help. In Episode 291 of Be The Exception, Dawn walks you through how to track behavior and academic growth in ways that actually work for busy special education teachers. You'll learn: * What types of data to collect before the holidays * How to track both academic and behavior on the same form * What patterns to look for before revising IEP goals * Ways to make your system para-friendly and sustainable If you're prepping for January IEP meetings, this episode will help you walk in with confidence and clarity. 🎧 Tune in now + grab the editable data tracker inside The Exceptional Collective [https://www.cultivatingexceptionalminds.com/the-exceptional-collective/].

290. How I Use Fall and Thanksgiving Activities to Build Communication and Core Vocabulary

In this episode, Dawn shares how to use seasonal adapted units like Fall Leaves and Thanksgiving to hit AAC, core vocabulary, math, and reading goals in special ed classrooms. Seasonal doesn't mean shallow. In this episode of BTE, I'm walking you through how I use my Fall Leaves and Thanksgiving-themed adapted units to build communication and core vocabulary—without adding more to my plate. You'll hear: * Why seasonal units improve engagement * How I hit multiple IEP goals with one activity * Easy ways to incorporate AAC, fine motor, reading, and math * What's included in the Fall Leaves unit * How to set up paras to run stations with confidence Whether you're a new SPED teacher or a seasoned pro, this episode will give you real-life ways to simplify and strengthen your November planning. 🎧 Listen now + grab the Fall Leaves Unit today. 👉 TPT Fall Leaves Unit [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fall-Leaves-Unit-Adapted-for-Special-Ed-File-Folders-Task-Cards-Thanksgiving-10536537] 👉 Exceptional Collective Link [https://www.cultivatingexceptionalminds.com/the-exceptional-collective/] 👉 Fall Fine Motor Freebie [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fall-Fine-Motor-Freebie-4964876] + free Digital Slides [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fall-Daily-Agenda-Google-Slides-Template-Daily-Agenda-Thanksgiving-November-7423315] November Leaves Blog Post [https://www.cultivatingexceptionalminds.com/special-education-thanksgiving-activities/] Thanksgiving Ideas for Special Education Classrooms [https://www.cultivatingexceptionalminds.com/how_to_have_a_student_led_thanksgiving_feast/]

289. 3 Low-Prep Ways to Acknowledge Veterans Day in Your SPED Classroom

Learn three easy, respectful ways to acknowledge Veterans Day in your special education classroom. No complex crafts or prep required—just meaningful, inclusive ideas that build gratitude and community. Veterans Day is a meaningful opportunity to teach students about respect, service, and gratitude. But in special education, we often need to simplify, scaffold, and reduce prep—without losing the heart behind the lesson. In this episode of Be The Exception, I'm sharing three low-prep ideas to bring Veterans Day to life in your SPED classroom: * Visual "Thank You" card activities with sentence starters * Books and videos paired with simple communication builders * A collaborative "Wall of Honor" display to include families and staff Each activity can be adapted for non-verbal learners, AAC users, and mixed ability levels—and they require minimal prep. 🎧 Listen now for ideas you can use this week. 🧡 Grab the full resource inside The Exceptional Collective [https://www.cultivatingexceptionalminds.com/the-exceptional-collective/] Veterans' Day Freebie [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Veterans-Day-Special-Education-Veterans-Day-Activities-Veterans-Day-Cards-10453207] Full Veterans' Day Adapted Resource [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Veterans-Day-Veterans-Day-Activities-Veterans-Day-Cards-Adapted-Book-Special-Ed-4183604] American Symbols Social Studies [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/American-Symbols-Social-Studies-Unit-Adapted-US-History-for-Special-Education-7576807] Veterans' Day Blog Post [https://www.cultivatingexceptionalminds.com/veterans-day-activities-for-special-education/]