How I survived my first semester teaching pt 2

View part 1 of this post to read my top 10 tips from my first-semester teaching!

I'm sharing 8 forms and documents I used during my first semester as a special education teacher. I hope some of them can be helpful to you!

This log saved my life when I couldn't remember when or what I talked about with different parents. I know that sounds bad. But when you trying to remember a million things, you need to write them down.

FREEBIE
These little lists have saved my life! I laminate them and use them as checklists, roll calls, and to-do lists, or pass them out to staff and parents who need a list of students. Be mindful of FERPA information when distributing lists. I usually have a few versions. One list with first names only for parties and such. And the others with ID number or name and grade level for related services and support staff.

FREEBIE!
I have found this to be the most efficient way to send home forms to parents. I attach a form reminder sheet to the front of the papers that need to return. Since then, I have had a 90% return rate. Originally, I was getting a 10% return and needed a million reminders.

Please and thank you are still magic words!
After I receive the completed and signed paperwork, I send a thank-you note back home. It shows my appreciation for doing what I ask. It must be a Texan / Southern Hospitality thing, but a little thank you goes a long way, and a handwritten note makes it even further!

Speaking of Thank You...
A simple way to thank the parents and teachers for attending meetings. It can be challenging to take off work to come to school for a meeting. I go out of my way, which takes a few seconds, to send thank you notes for attending the meeting.

This chart is perfect when you’re in a bind and you need to jot down the behavior of a student. Pull out this handy ABC chart and fill it out. Now you don’t have to remember every detail! You’ve already documented it while it was happening (or immediately after the incident.)
I make several copies and keep the blanks in a binder. At the end of the day/week, I input them into our data program. It takes the guesswork out of data and behavior tracking. It eases my stress because I don’t have to remember so much info.

One of my MOST USED forms during my first year of teaching. I only have 7 students on my caseload this year(2013), but I fill out every space on this form for ARD/IEP meetings. It keeps me from missing deadlines. I lose fewer paper papers. I make fewer errors when contacting people when planning for meetings.

I use this handy little form to help guide my sub to the info as soon as (s)he needs it. Think of it as a cheat sheet for your sub!

Which form did you think was the most enlightening? Is there a form you use that's not on this list? If so, let me know in the comments!