New Middle School CI teacher...HELP

[arnolamy]

Hello...I just got my FIRST job teaching in a brand new program for middle school students with CI, Autism, and SXI. I have a full washer and drier as well as a kitchen. Obviously my students ability ranges greatly...anywhere from K-4th grade.
I was looking for any good programs out there on social skills, personal hygiene, and even sex ed. I am starting from scratch and I am lost.

Also any general tips on this grade/ability level would be GREATLY appreciated....life skills, learning centers, fun math, assessments, cooking, CBI....!!
Thanks so much!

[aimeentanner]

What are your building finances like? Is your administration willing to purchase curriculum for you, or do you have to beg/borrow/steal? Spend as much time as you can on the internet...there are tons of free lesson plans you can use - and remember, they don't HAVE to be sped to be used. You can adapt ANY lesson for your students. Talk to your general education teachers and see what they are teaching their students, and then adapt it for yours.
You'll be fine!!

[bella mundi]

I make a lot of my own life skills curriculum from scratch. Our social skills are done through games and songs, and everyday activities. I made *everything* into a situation where the kids have to use their social skills, as well as explicitly teach them.

But for sex ed, I recommend the Circles curriculum, it's great for kids with developmental disabilities. It's more to do with personal space and touching yourself and other people appropriately (middle school tends to have those issues - even the normal ones!)

Cooking is always great! Make recipes with visuals. There are even some websites with picture recipes (the links are saved on my work computer - sorry!). Offer to do people's laundry for a small fee (like a dollar a load) and use the money to help buy classroom materials. We wash people's blankets, towels, washcloths, art smocks, etc.

If you have more specific questions, I'm happy to help!