• Home
  • About
  • FREE Resource Library
  • Blog
  • Complete List of Products
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • My Downloads
    • My Cart
    • Checkout
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

Special Needs for Special Kids

Providing you tools to save time and build confidence teaching students with the most significant disabilities

January 11, 2016

Circle Maps in Special Ed

Circle maps are a type of graphic organizer or thinking map.  It is a wonderful tool for helping students visualize what they know about a particular topic.  Below is a short video of how these can be used in a typical classroom setting.

video clip

So, how and why should you use circle maps in your special education setting?  I found circle maps to be an invaluable tool with my students, even for those who were more severely affected.  Circle maps provide a visual representation of the subject matter which the student can easily refer back to.  Here are some tips if you decide to use circle maps as part of your lesson plan:

  1.  Match the student’s learning level.

We all know that in a special education class, there are many different learning levels.  For my students on the symbol level, I would often use symbols from Boardmaker.  Some of my students were readers,  and I would use either words alone or words paired with symbols.  If my students where on the picture level, I would look for realistic pictures from either magazines or google searches for realistic images related to the content.  Finally, I always had at least one student on an object learning level.  So, I would try to find some actual objects that the student could manipulate and place inside a real circle map most often using a hula hoop.

2.  Keep it consistent.

Once you identify the learning level of your student, use the same symbols, pictures, words or objects in the circle map that you will also use for the assessment.  This will help reinforce the content during this early learning phase and make evaluating the results of the assessment more valid.

3.  Don’t forget to generalize.

We know students with disabilities, especially autism often have a hard time generalizing content.  Once they see a penguin, it will forever be that black and white bird they saw in the movie, March of the Penguins.  But, penguins can look very different and are still considered penguins.  That is why, it is important to introduce variations on the pictures or symbols you are using in various additional activities.  This can also be done with a separate circle map that contains all different kinds of penguins.

This concept also works very well when building number sense in your math lessons.  Creating a circle map for each number and displaying all the different ways you can represent that number can be quite powerful.

  • Tally marks
  • Sets of objects
  • Number word
  • Number of fingers
  • Various fonts and colors
  • Dots

Click on the button below to download this FREE circle map of the number two.

Aviary Photo_130970021143777249

4.  Use as a study guide

Circle maps make great study guides. Students can take them home to review the content with parents and even use them while taking the assessment.  Many of our students with autism are visual learners, and being able to organize the content in this format makes it easier for them to organize the information in their minds and recall at a later date.  The circle map below is part of my Penguin Science unit that you can download from my store on teacherspayteachers by clicking on the image below.

Aviary Photo_130970029122581400

Slide1     Slide4

5.  Consider adding distractors.

If your students are at the appropriate learning level, you can also add incorrect answers or distractors into your picture selection as well.  Most of my products do not include these distractors, as my students were often not at that level.  I was mainly focused on errorless teaching for the majority of my lesson, so it was easier for me not to include them.  However, they would be a nice addition to your higher level learners.

I hope this has encouraged you to consider adding circle maps to your teaching tool box especially if you teach students with special learning needs.  They are an engaging activity that can bring a lot of value to the content you are presenting.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Previous
Next

SHOP

Check out my resources

SHOP NOW

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Hi!

I'm Christa Joy

My mission is to give parents and teachers the tools they need in order to feel effective and confident teaching even the most challenging of students.
Read More

Join our Newsletter

Sign up for access to the free library!

New on the Blog

Best strategies for behavior management: a roundup of 10 posts and helpful downloads

California Gold Rush for kids in special education classrooms

Hands-on activities for rocks and minerals in a special education classroom

My Shop

Complete curriculum units in math, ELA, science, social studies as well as social story units for students Pre-K through high school.

SHOP NOW

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Join our Newsletter

Sign up for access to the free library!

It's another Wednesday, and another free worksheet It's another Wednesday, and another free worksheet. Have you ever had your students write a story? This is a great way to start. Download the free worksheet this week and get your students writing a story about their perfect day. Message me for the link or go to my bio. Download it here: https://bit.ly/2OW3lmQ #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #distancelearning
What does your perfect day look like? Give your s What does your perfect day look like? Give your students a chance to describe their perfect day using either their own words and pictures or choosing from some that are provided. If you want to get this worksheet free this Wednesday then send me a DM and I will get you the info. #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #myperfectday
Who has the time to hunt down the perfect behavior Who has the time to hunt down the perfect behavior strategy or social story? I know parents are teachers are BUSY!! . So, I pulled together my top 10 blog posts that contain strategies for behavior management in the classroom, home, and the community. Al in one easy-to-find place and clickable list. . It includes: Attention Seeking Behavior: Strategies for the classroom Power Cards: an effective behavior management tool Dealing with profanity in the classroom Picture schedule for home: An effective and easy tool for behavior management How to solve this common behavior problem Escape behavior interventions for school and home Being a Good Sport Community Trips & Challenging Behaviors Part 1 Community Trips & Challenging Behaviors Part 2 Safety in the community for the individual, you, and the public. . The best part! They ALL have a free download to help you out, NOW, when you need it most. . Send me a DM for the link, or read more here: https://specialneedsforspecialkids.org/2021/02/22/best-strategies-for-behavior-management-a-roundup-of-10-posts-and-helpful-downloads/ #specialneedsforspecialkids #behaviormanagement #behaviorstrategies
This year.... I stepped back from making new resou This year.... I stepped back from making new resources this year so I could spend time updating, expanding, and (honestly) improving some older units. With almost 800 resources this is a BIG commitment. It will likely take me all of 2021 to get through my novel units. But I am determined and know it will be worth it in the long run for YOU. For teachers who work with those students who are the MOST severely impacted. That is where my 💕 lies. With those teachers who are determined to do what no one thinks is possible. I want you to have the best tools possible so you can focus your attention, time and energy on teaching and not hunting for resources. It may be a long year, but I am devoted to this mission and these teachers. #specialneedsforspecialkids #specialeducationteacher #specialedteacher
FREE for you ❤️️. . Three new downloads adde FREE for you ❤️️. . Three new downloads added to the Free Resource Library. A little ELA, a little math, and a little life skills practice. . Something for everyone. Click the link in my bio. Find this image, and head over. . Need the password? Message me to sign up. . https://specialneedsforspecialkids.org/resource-library/ #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeresourcelibrary #distancelearning
FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE . There is a GREAT free w FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE . There is a GREAT free worksheet this Wednesday. The digital version has an additional step for students to complete. ❤️️💚💙 . Want the link? Just MESSAGE ME, and I will send you the direct link to the worksheet so you can use it today!! #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #distancelearning
Is the California Gold Rush in your curriculum? N Is the California Gold Rush in your curriculum? Need some ideas on how to make this work for students in a special education setting with significant challenges? . I have ideas on books, activities, vocabulary, assessment, and MORE!! With the right materials, this can be a fun time period to teach about. . Head over to my latest blog post for some great ideas and a free panning for gold activity you can download. . Click the link in my bio or DM me for the link. #specialneedsforspecialkids #californiagoldrush #socialstudiesteacher
I wanted to let everyone know I am DONE updating a I wanted to let everyone know I am DONE updating and expanding James and the Giant Peach :). . I have separated it into 2 separate units. One is completely in color and one is complete in black and white. . I also added comprehension questions. There are 3 questions for each chapter (these chapters are so short) with 3 picture answer choices. . Remember, if you already own it, you get all these updates for free. . DM me for the direct link to check it out 🙂 #specialedteacher #jamesandthegiantpeach #roalddahl
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Special Needs for Special Kids · Hello You Designs