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How to Assemble an Adapted Book in a Three Ring Binder

A while back, I received an email from a teacher that wanted to use adapted books in her classroom, but she didn't have access to binding combs or a binding machine. I guess I assumed that most teachers had access to binding machines at their schools.  But apparently many do not.  So if you fall into that category and are looking for an alternate method to assemble your books, here is the "tried and true," "3 ring binder" method. For this assembly method, I am going to use my new, "Where's The Student' Standing?" Adapted Book, that focuses on locations in the school. So let's get started!

To assemble your adapted book, you will need a 1 inch, three ring binder, plastic sheet covers, and velcro dots.

3 Ring Binder, Plastic Sheet Covers, Velcro Dots and File Folder


In this assembly method, you will not need to laminate the pages of your book, because they will be protected by the plastic sheet covers. You will only need laminate any matching or interactive pieces that the book may have.

So, the first step is to slip the title page, into the outer plastic cover of the binder and put your plastic sheet covers inside the binder.

Title Page Inside Plastic on Outer Cover of 3 Ring Binder

Next you'll put the story inside of the plastic sheet covers.  I always put two pages per sheet cover. This way the story will flow from front to back. I find using the plastic sheet covers so much faster than laminating and cutting the pages out.  But the plastic sheet covers aren't cheap! ;(

Story on Both Sides of Plastic Sheets, Velcro Dots On Top of Plastic Sheets
Then you will want to add your Velcro dots.  I LOVE Velcro dots. Can I just say that these are the best invention in perhaps, EVER?   I hand-cut Velcro for several years, often leaving my hands achy and my scissors all gunky.  I can't tell you how many pairs of scissors I ruined--and I know so many of you know exactly what I am talking about.  But, never again, my Friends!  Velcro dots are pre-cut, and just about the perfect size for most activities.  And I have to admit--my inner "Type A Teacher" is so satisfied by their perfectly round, perfectly symmetrical appearance on my books. ;)

So next you will place a 1 soft-sided Velcro dot on top of the plastic sheet cover, inside each blank square where, the students will be matching their pieces. (Please see above picture)

After that, you will create a choice board for your matching pieces.  I love using a file folder for this, because it provides nice visual organization for students and it makes storing the pieces so neat and easy.  In this particular book, there are matching pieces, in addition to pieces for an object/association exercise that comes after the book.

I attach my my matching pieces to the book on the outside of the file folder using Velcro dots.  Make sure to attach rough-sided Velcro to the back of each piece so that they will match up to the soft sided Velcro you have already put in your book.

Matching pieces to book

On the inside of the file folder, I attach the matching pieces that go to the object/association activity. This keeps the pieces separate as you are working with students, and provides that visual organization that many students need.

Matching Pieces to Object/Association Activity

As you read through the book with students, they only use the pieces on the front cover of the file folder.

Story and Matching Pieces

When you finish the book, and begin to work through the object/association matching activity, you open up the file folder to reveal the pieces the matching pieces that go with that activity. This set up works for any adapted book that has an additional activity at the end of it.

Matching Pieces That Go With Object/Association Activity

When you are completely finished with the book and matching activity, you just slip the file folder (with matching pieces attached) inside the sleeve of the 3 ring binder cover.  This makes storage so simple and your book is ready to go for the next time you use it.

File Folder And Pieces Stored in Inner Sleeve

So, my question for you is-- Which assembly method do you use?  Binding combs or binders and why?  Or are you using something totally different and unique? I'd love to know! ;)

A Quick Footnote:  I threw this question out to File Folder Heaven Facebook Page after I had published this post. From the feedback, I received, I learned than many teachers still prefer the traditional binding comb method. Some are using the binder method.  Several use a standard hole punch with three small metal rings. One teacher uses a hole punch with tied ribbon and one teacher reported using a hole punch with zip ties.  (Now those are a couple of methods that I'm going to have to try!)

My husband always swears that a zip tie will fix anything.... ;)

The Adapted Song Books Bundle

For those that have asked, the Adapted Song Books Bundle is finally complete. I am so sorry that is has taken me so long to pull it together.  But I finally feel like this collection is complete enough to bundle.  The current bundle includes all 29 books in the collection! ;)


You can see the complete collection of Adapted Song Books here:

Complete Adapted Song Books Collection

And find the bundle below:

Adapted Song Books Bundle

or on TPT Here!


More Monsters!

So here's the story. . .

I didn't really have any intention of writing any more monster books this year.  But I suppose these monsters had other plans for me.  I couldn't get these cute and furry little trouble-makers out of my brain. And what's a girl to do when she's got 19 hours of idle time to kill on a family road trip? Immerse herself in a great, summer page-turner?  Of course not--She's supposed to write more monster books! ;)

So here they are.

"When Monsters Play Outside" introduces and reviews appropriate playground behavior. It's no surprise that these unruly little guys are always getting hurt because they are always doing the wrong thing.


Sample Text:

"When monsters play outside,
  they show no monster pride.
 They stand up on the swings.
 They hang from lots of things.
 They roll in mud and dirt.
 They're always getting hurt!"

And you can download it here:  "When Monsters Play Outside"

Or on TPT Here:

Click Here to Download It!

The next edition in the monster series takes place in the school library.  "When Monsters Check Out Books," introduces and reviews appropriate library behavior. These naughty little fellows really know how to upset the school librarian.  When they are not climbing the library shelves, they are growling and grunting and eating pages out of books!  Thank goodness there are some well- behaved children around to show them what is appropriate!

Sample Text:

"When monsters check out books,
  they wreck library nooks.
 They climb library shelves.
 They can't control themselves.
 They throw the books about--
 They eat the pages out!"

And you can download it here:  "When Monsters Check Out Books"

Or on TPT Here:

Click Here to Download It!

I think these little monsters are so much fun!  I sure hope ya'll enjoy them this year and perhaps your students can teach these little monsters a thing or two about how to behave.

When Monsters Go To School

If you are lying on the beach right now, reading your favorite book and sipping on a cool frosty... (lemonade??), please promptly disregard this post and return to doing exactly that. (It's SUMMER IS HERE..... Wooooo-Hooooo!!!) But I'm so excited about these two little books that I just had to share them with you.


The first book, "When Monsters Go to School," teaches appropriate school behavior by comparing what these silly little monsters do at school to what children do at school.  I wrote this book several years ago, but I've just updated it with brand new clip art.  This updated version now includes 4 "Don't Be a Monster" behavior reminder posters that you can review at the end of the book, or display around your classroom as great visual reminders.

  Behavior Reminder Posters for When Monsters Go to School
































Sample Story Text:

"When Monsters go to school,
 they break all the rules.
 They scream and yell inside--
 Hold up their books and hide--
 Daydream with open eyes,
 Chomp all their school supplies..."

If you would like a copy of this FREE book for your classroom, you can find it here:

"When Monsters Go To School" 

or on TPT here:

Click Here to Download It!

I am so excited about this year's book.  Can I tell you how much I love these little monsters? In my latest version, "When Monsters Eat Their Lunch," these misbehaving monsters are at it again!  And boy, do they ever make a mess?

http://www.filefolderheaven.com/autism-tasks/classroom-helpers/when-monsters-eat-their-lunch-book

These smacking, slurping, screaming, shouting,  mess-making monsters serve as a fun reminder for appropriate cafeteria behavior.

Sample Story Text:

"When Monsters eat their lunch,
they smack and slurp and crunch!
They jump out of their chairs.
They get food stuck in their hairs.
They scream and yell and shout!
They leave their garbage out...."

This book also includes four behavior reminder posters that you can review with your students, display around your classroom, or even the school cafeteria.

Behavior Reminder Posters for "When Monsters Eat Their Lunch"
If you would like a copy of this FREE book for your classroom, you can find it here:

"When Monsters Eat Their Lunch"

or on TPT here:

Click Here to Download It!

As always, if you download and enjoy these books, I hope you'll share them with your "little monsters" too! ;)

Happy, HAPPY Summer Ya'll!

Updated Summer Freebie



Hey Everybody--

Just a quick note to let you know that I've updated the adapted book freebie, "I Saw It At the Beach." I love this book for this time of year, but I felt like it was lacking some happy faces. ;)  So I've added them. 

There's this little cutie...

And this one....

And this one....I just love this little dude! ;)

If you want to download the updated copy (freebie!), you can find it

Oh, Happy, Happy May Everybody! Hang in there, myFriends!  Here's to turning the corner and racing to the finish line!

It's Just a Little Freebie

Hey Friends--

This is "Just a Little Freebie," to help you have a no-hassle Mother's Day Card for your "Littles," to give to their precious Mommy's on Mother's Day.

There are six different cards included in the download.  All you have to do is choose the card that looks most like your student.  Print the card.  Help them with their handprint.  (Laminate if you choose.) And it's ready to go!

The poem on the card reads:

"It's just a little handprint.
 It's all I have for you.
 A teeny-tiny, token is the best that I can do.
 It's just a little handprint.
 My gift for you is small.
 But you always think my handprint
 is the greatest gift of all!"  

(All rights reserved:  www.filefolderheaven.com)

Ya'll can find it here:  Mother's Day Card Freebie

Just add handprint!
Hope ya love it! ;)

Task Cards and More



Oh my goodness ya'll! I think I have fallen in love with these activities.  They are low-prep/no prep, easy to differentiate to address a wide-variety of skill levels and offer many opportunities for students to practice skills in different ways.

First up: Task Cards! 

Ocean Animals:  Matching Word to Real Picture
Why do I love task cards for our special learners?  Mainly because they don't require Velcro! ;) But also because they are so versatile. Students can complete them as a clothespin task: Just add clothespins! Students can complete them as a paperclip task:  Just add paperclips!  Students can complete them as a marker task:  Just add dry erase markers! Students can complete them as a cookie sheet activity: Just add magnets! Students can also complete them in a therapy setting by pointing to their answers, when given a verbal prompt.

  
Task Card Clothespin Task 
Task Card Paperclip Task
Task Card Dry Erase Marker Activity
Task Card Cookie Sheet Activity
So easy!  See what I mean?

My other new favorite?  "Find and Cover" Cookie Sheet Activities!  I love these hands-on activities because they are so easy to prep!  Just print (laminate if you choose).  Put them on a cookie sheet and provide button magnets for students to complete the task. There is no cutting whatsoever, and NO Velcro! YAY! Here are some examples of "Find and Cover" Cookie Sheet Activities that I made for an ocean unit.

Find and Cover the Red Fish:  Focuses on identifying by color.  Students locate the red fish and cover them with magnets.
  
Find and Cover the Ocean Animals:  Focuses on identifying a class of things.  Students locate and cover all of the animals that live in the ocean.
To see these activities on the File Folder Heaven website, follow the links below: