Alphabet Clip-Ons (A Fine Motor Task Pack)

Posting two nights in a row makes me feel like quite the overachiever but with tonight's post, I've uploaded one of my absolute favorite resources to my TpT Store!

[Drumroll.]

I've created a set of 52 phonemic awareness alphabet clip-ons! Keeping in mind the value of differentiated instruction, I included two levels for my learners (with, most likely, more to come).

The first set asks the kiddo to match a letter to the correct picture. For instance, F is for fish and G is for green.

The second set asks the learner to match a picture to the correct letter, like apple and "A" or dog and "D."

With either set, the topography (what the response "looks like") can vary. To start, a learner may point to the correct answer. Circling the letter is a quick way, as well. My favorite way, though, is for students to cover the correct answer with a clothespin (yes, yes the ever trusty clothespin!).

The best part is, this product is super easy to assemble... just print, laminate, and cut! Download it soon here from my TpT store!

As you can tell, I'm still on the independent learning task kick... mostly because my co-teacher does most of the whole group planning but I'm also very excited to share some of my "Fall into Fun" activities over the next few months. In fact, I promise that my next post won't use clothespins at all! ;)

Happy Teaching!

Kortnie C.

Ordering Numbers File Folder and Fine Motor Strip Freebie

Whew! I can't believe it's already been over a week since my last post. Just when it feels like I get a grip on everything, life throws a curve ball!

Don't worry, though, because I have a late-night (yes, 9:30 is "late" for me) freebie that could be used as an independent task, center, or basically anywhere else you can name.

A common skill acquisition program in our classroom is numbers. Our starting point is usually 1-5 and we build the kiddos up as long as the functionality remains. To practice this, I've bundled a 14-page freebie with 5 file folders and 17 number strips.

I intend to assemble the file folders by level (i.e. ordering number cards 1-5, 1-12, 1-18, 1-24, and 1-30). My kiddos will be able to finish a file folder that I've started for them (by including a few numbers to begin with) or start from scratch ordering to their ability.

The number strips will be used two ways: by asking kiddos to write in the missing numbers with a dry erase marker or clip on pre-numbered clothespins in the correct spot. Either way, I'm determined to teach them those tricky "teen" numbers!

Grab a copy of this and other freebies in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store! I'm keeping this short and sweet tonight but promise to post more soon!

Happy Teaching!

Kortnie C.

P.S. I'll try to update this post tomorrow with the assembled file folders and fine motor strips so check back soon!

Environmental Print Cards (FREEBIE)

As we delve deeper into the school year, we are beginning to target new, specific skills for our students. One such skill is reading environmental print. Environmental print is just about any words/phrases within an individual's natural context. Common examples are labels on food boxes, restaurant logos, and traffic signs.

Explicitly teaching these words to kiddos will benefit them many ways by expanding their receptive and expressive language. Environmental print is a practical starting point for teaching some individuals how to read.

To teach this skill, I made a set of Environmental Print Cards available (for FREE!) in my TpT store.

Even if your kiddos know how to read, these could be great practice for learning more practical words. I plan on fading the picture out over time until they are reading just the word, without the remainder of the logo.

Any suggestions of words for my second set?


Happy Teaching,
Kortnie C.

September Currently

Hooray for my first link-up from Farley's Blog! Feel free to join the fun (I did, even though I am a bit late)!

Check out my September Currently:

Listening: Even though the game's a rerun, watching it is getting me excited for the upcoming season!

Loving: Although I miss summer, 90+ temperatures in the classroom was very difficult to handle! I'm excited to start decorating for autumn soon, too.

Thinking: Three, three-hour classes fill my weeks and with each comes pages and pages of reading! Trust me, I love to read but between the textbooks and the articles, my highlighters are going dry during the second week!

Wanting: If only I could extend my day by a few hours... all in favor of 30-hour days?! I know, I know, it's probably a bad idea...

Needing: Some relaxation which will most likely be in the form of a warm/hot shower! A spa package would be appreciated, though. I'll keep dreaming.

<3: Once I find a routine that is able to balance teaching, school, blogging, researching, and so on and so forth, I will be one happy lady.


I'd say my priorities are just about aligned; I'm getting more and more into the "swing of things" each day. In fact, I had a productive weekend buying a few holiday supplies for the classroom, as well as making PVC pipe dividers. In case you haven't heard, you can section off a room or create a "screen" for blocking computer station for less than $20 using PVC pipes and fabric!

Check back soon for a post detailing the building process!

Happy Teaching!
Kortnie C.

How to Keep Parents in the Loop

To start, I created an e-card for this blog post. I promised a post earlier in the week but we lost electricity at my house on Wednesday. Then, Open House was on Thursday and next thing I know, it's Sunday afternoon! In class this week, we were reviewing the basics of determinism and, well, let's just say I found this quote fitting for my situation.

Anyways, this week was parent Open House, which kept me very busy. We created a video to depict "A Day in the Life" of our students as well as other small things. In the spirit of this, today, I have a few ways to bridge home-school communication. In the classroom, we do this multiple ways including daily, weekly, and monthly measures.

Daily, each child takes home a letter outlining skills practiced, activities attended, what they ate for lunch, as well as any other special notes. We also provide parents with a "Sneak Peek at Our Week" through a weekly newsletter. In this is our weekly schedule with any events and our "Day" schedule, our current focus (i.e. body parts, autumn), an FYI, and a Don't Forget section.

On the monthly level, we send home a "Map of Our Month" that outlines the "Day" schedule, as well as any CBI trips, birthdays, holidays, and so on.

All three forms are designed to promote communication between home and school. Parents appreciate being in the loop, especially when the student is unable to communicate about their school day to a great extent.

If you're interested in promoting communication with your students' parents, grab a copy of my Weekly Newsletter and Monthly Calendar Mega Pack, which includes over 30 pages for the whole calendar year!

Happy Teaching!

Kortnie C.

MORE D.I.Y. Fine Motor Tasks: Concept Circles

I love simple ideas that I am able to use across students, skills, etc. When I first made this resource, I realized I would be using it. A lot. Luckily, it is composed of some of my favorite characteristics: easy and inexpensive to make. I have about six of these in my classroom now, with more plans to add as the kiddos master the ones we currently use. So, what exactly am I talking about? Do-It-Yourself Concept Circles!

To make these, all you really need is a skill, any skill, in mind. They are the perfect, easy-to-make resource for just about any kiddo with any repertoire. The ones in my classroom now include matching colors, counting 1-12, counting 13-20, and letter sounds a-e. I've created these with other materials, too (as pictured below).

The possibilities for these are endless. Materials necessary for the circles shown are clothespins, permanent markers, and card stock. I've added Mayer Johnson picture symbols to mine as well as other crafty items like sequins. I also laminate for durability, of course. (Who am I kidding, I laminate almost everything!)

The gist is simple; the student matches the clothespin with the correct space on the circle. Once taught, they are great as an independent activity for practicing a skill. Just be sure to teach how to "use" a clothespin to your kiddo(s) first!

To help you get started, download a copy of my concept circle templates for FREE here in my TpT store. Templates included are blank circle, 4-piece circle, 6-piece circle, 8-piece circle, 10-piece circle, and 12-piece circle. Also included in the download are TWO uppercase alphabet skill circles (A-L and M-Z).

To use the alphabet skill circles, print and laminate. Then, grab 24 clothespins. For matching uppercase with uppercase, use a permanent marker print an uppercase letter on each clothespin. For matching uppercase to lowercase, print a lowercase letter on each clothespin. Simple, right?

If you haven't already, be sure to "like" Adventures with ABA in AS on Facebook for exclusive freebies and information!

Happy Teaching!

Kortnie C.

Line Up Visual (100th Like Surprise Flash Freebie!)

This post is coming a little later in the day than I anticipated. Cleaning my entire house didn't help especially after I noticed something very alarming.

I know: YUCK.

The name of this substance is beyond my knowledge but I'm assuming it comes from years of a wooden cabinet being unpolished or uncleaned. See, I moved into my current home (a rental) in July of this year and, well... I suppose "clean" can be a subjective word. At least I know I'll make my mom proud! Now that the cabinet debacle is resolved, I have something for you! In honor of hitting 100+ likes on Facebook, I wanted to say thank you with an extended flash freebie! This freebie will only be free for two hours so snag it up quick!

Lining up is often difficult for individuals of any type, even adults. But really, who wants to wait in line? To help my students with this skill, I created a line up visual for positioning on the floor. When I first did this, I used plain ol' construction paper and scissors (a pic of that to come later). Although it served it's purpose, I wanted to make it more functional and physically appealing.

Now we can line up by name, number, or color! I love how the differentiation is built into this resource. By assigning each student a number or color, they automatically know where to stand in line. Plus, it helps keep it straight...er! If a student is absent, we simply skip over their spot. Right now, I'm working on making a printable version of these for on-the-go. Remember, this resource will be free for only two hours tonight! Grab it or take a shot at making your own!

Grab the flash freebie here!

Happy Teaching,
Kortnie C.