In classrooms serving students with significant cognitive disabilities, a consistent and structured daily schedule is not just helpful, it is essential. Yet many classrooms struggle with unstructured time, inconsistent routines, and missed opportunities for meaningful instruction and communication.
Participants learn how to create a daily schedule that is visually supported, consistently implemented, and actively used throughout the day to promote engagement, independence, and smooth transitions.
We will also focus on the critical role of staff systems, ensuring that paraprofessionals have clearly defined schedules, roles, and responsibilities throughout the day so that all adults are aligned, purposeful, and actively supporting student outcomes.
Through real examples, hands-on planning, and practical strategies, participants will walk away with tools to:
- Reduce unstructured time and increase instructional minutes
- Use schedules as a tool for communication and behavior support
- Ensure both students and staff can consistently follow and reference the daily schedule
- Clearly define paraprofessional roles and responsibilities across the day
- Create predictable routines that support independence and reduce anxiety
By the end of the session, participants will be equipped to move beyond “having a schedule posted” to building a classroom where schedules are actively used, understood, and drive meaningful learning experiences for all students.
This session is free to members of the Special Education Cooperative.