Back to School Activities - Free Sample and Whole Body Listening Download!

I finally, completed my 71 page Back to School Writing Prompts and Activities packet! Click {here} to check out the packet on TpT.  I have been doing these activities in my classroom for a number of years now.  The packet contains 10 different back to school activities, an extensive back to school picture book list, and four file folder word walls with pictures.  The packet focuses on the first week of school and on establishing classroom rules and routines.  I am a firm believer in establishing rules and routines the first two weeks of school.  This packet reflects that, with over half of it dedicated to activities that will help create an effective classroom environment.  Lessons scaffold off picture books such as First Day Jitters, Know and Follow the Rules, The Little Engine that Could, Hands are Not for Hitting, Words are Not for Hurting, Listen and Learn, Mary Wore Her Red Dress, and Don't Squeal Unless It's a Big Deal.

Have you heard of "Whole Body Listening"?  I have created an eight page free sample around the "Whole Body Listening" section of the packet. Click {here} to download the sample.  My school's exceptional speech therapist introduced it to me 10 years ago.  Our school, is home to our district's ABA program of four classes.  I am the consult/inclusion teacher for first grade and often the mainstreaming classroom for the first grade ABA students.  "Whole Body Listening" is based on an article by Susan Poulette (see below for mor info).  We use a "Whole Body Listening" social story at our school and we use the term for appropriate listening skills.  Social stories work well with ABA students (students on the autism spectrum) to explain appropriate behavior.  Social stories also work well with general education students.  For more information on "Whole Body Listening" download my sample.

*Susanne Poulette, a New York speech pathologist coined the term "Whole-Body Listening" with this article (click {here} to read it): Whole-Body Listening: Developing Active Auditory Skills, Susanne P. Truesdale Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools Vol.21 183-184 July1990.