Bonnie White

Just a special education behavior teacher trying to do some good things.

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

A student suggested I add a maybe option to the problem solving flow chart today. Kids have amazing ideas when we listen to their voices. #problemsolving #behavior #sped

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

Teachers have hard days, too. Decided to use mine as an opportunity to model coping strategies in action. #SpecialEducation #behavior #behavealoud

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

I also see this with questions like “are you ready for X?” With an answer of “no” being viewed as disrespectful. The question was asked and answered honestly, and seems to present an option. It’s okay to say “it’s time for bed” when that’s what you mean.

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

Anyone seen the “it’s hot on the bottom” clip making the rounds? Before you get frustrated, try rephrasing - “it’s hot so you need to use the handles”. The 1st is a general (and subjective) observation, the 2nd is observation plus action.

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

Sometimes we don’t clearly communicate what we think we are. Lots of kids will take a statement like “it’s hot” as a passing comment that doesn’t require an action. Let’s work on explicitly telling people what we need from them.

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

T-Rex walks are maybe my favorite 90 second spark so far.

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

Behave aloud in the same way that you think aloud during a lesson. Kids need coping strategies explicitly taught and modeled just like they do inferential reasoning. “I notice that I’m feeling frustrated and my voice is getting loud, I’m going to pause and breathe before I go on”

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

Tap lights with different color options can be a great tool when you’re working with students who need visual cues.

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

Thank you @BagdadQuest for teaching this kinder kiddo the value of persistence, creative and flexible thinking, and the power of embracing the challenge.

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

Best part of this job: the chance to find the things that work best for individual kids. For this kiddo, it’s drawings of monster trucks. Each one is drawn in a series of stages throughout the day based on this student hitting his goal for that block.

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

I wish I was as good at advocating for myself as I am at advocating for kids.

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

When managing behavior, try “choices that hurt” and “choices that help” instead of “bad/good choices”. “Bad/good” doesn’t help kids understand what was wrong with the choice. Discuss: how did this choice help or hurt? What would have been more helpful?

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

Classroom behavior move: encourage kids to tell on each other. Instead of telling about something negative, tell about something positive. TJ let me borrow his scissors. Romina helped me find my glue. Depending on age have kids write down their “tattles”to read at end of the day.

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

SEL lesson today. Identify what you want, if it’s a possibility, and what to do if it is or isn’t a choice. #sel #1lisd #studentled

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

Well that was fun!

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

A student has spent weeks constructing his volcano model. Today, he gets to present his creation to the class and then we all get to go outside to make it erupt. So proud of his hard work.

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

It’s funny how none of the movies or books about great teachers start out with them opening the binder for their scripted curriculum to page one.

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

More passion projects in progress. Check out the work being done on this volcano (with plans to make one that really erupts) and seal habitat!

[Bonnie White @MsWhiteTheDino]

@BagdadPta thank y’all so much for a truly incredible teacher appreciation week. The effort and love that went into it was evident. Thanks also to all of the local businesses and campus folk who contributed to making us feel genuinely loved and celebrated. ❤️