Resources

Classroom-Tested Resources

Welcome! Everything here has been used in my own special education classroom with real students who have diverse learning needs. These resources are designed to save you time while maintaining high expectations for all learners.

📚 Start Here: Most Popular Posts

New to the blog? Start with these classroom-tested strategies:

1. RACE/S Strategy for Writing – Step-by-step anchor chart guide for ELL & SPED students
2. Top 10 IEP AI Prompts – Transform your case management workflow
3. AI for Lesson Planning – Save hours every week
4. What Actually Works in Differentiation – Real classroom examples, not theory

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📚 Exciting News: A New eBook Series for Diverse Learners!

I’m thrilled to share something I’ve been working on: a series of 50 eBooks designed specifically for our students—the ones who need high-interest content that’s actually accessible.

What Makes These Different?

Each book centers on neurodiversity, multiculturalism, inclusion, and special education themes—because our students deserve to see themselves in what they read.

The reading experience:

• 📖 420L–820L Lexile range – Accessible for struggling readers without dumbing down the content
• ⚡ High-speed action – Fast-paced plots that keep students engaged
• 🧠 Neurodiversity-aligned – Characters and stories that honor different ways of thinking and learning
• 🎯 Low-prep – You don’t have time for 10-page teacher guides. Neither do I.
• 🛠️ Scaffolded for IEPs – Built-in supports for diverse learners

Multiple Formats for Real Classrooms

Because we all teach differently, each eBook comes in three versions:

📱 Standard eBook & Digital PDF
Perfect for whole-group instruction, small groups, or 1:1 devices. Read on any platform.

✏️ Easel Activities
Interactive digital worksheets where students can identify key moments, map character journeys, and engage with the story—no printing required.

✅ Easel Assessments
Ready-made quizzes to check for understanding without the heavy lift of creating and grading assessments from scratch.

Why I’m Creating This Series

Too many “high-interest, low-level” books feel patronizing or focus on topics our students have aged out of. These eBooks are different. They respect our students’ intelligence while meeting them where they are with reading skills.

Whether you teach self-contained SPED, inclusion, ELL, or reading intervention—these books are built for your classroom.

Stay tuned for Book 4 coming soon!

🤖 AI Tools I Actually Use

For Lesson Planning
– Gemini – Brainstorming differentiation strategies, creating scaffolds
– Claude – Writing IEP goals, generating reading passages at specific levels
– ChatGPT – Quick research on evidence-based practices

For Student Materials
– Diffit – Creates reading passages at multiple levels instantly
– MagicSchool AI – Generates accommodations and modifications
– Curipod – Interactive lessons with built-in engagement

For IEP Writing
– IEP Goal Bank AI – Standards-aligned goal suggestions
– Present Levels Generator – Helps articulate student strengths and needs

📖 Books That Changed My Teaching

– “The Reading Strategies Book“ by Jennifer Serravallo – 300+ strategies for every reading need
– “Making Content Comprehensible for English Learners” by Jana Echevarria – SIOP model essentials
– “UDL Now!” by Katie Novak – Practical universal design for learning
– “Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain” by Zaretta Hammond – Neuroscience meets equity
– “The Writing Strategies Book” by Jennifer Serravallo – Companion to reading strategies

🔗 Helpful Organizations & Communities

Professional Organizations
– Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
– International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
– TESOL International

Online Communities
– Special Education Teacher Facebook Groups – Support and resource sharing
– Teachers Pay Teachers Community – Collaborative educator network
– Understood.org – Parent and teacher resources for learning differences

💬 Questions About Resources?

Email me: solangala@yahoo.com

Connect on social:
– Instagram – Classroom snapshots and teaching tips
– Pinterest – Visual resources and anchor charts
– LinkedIn – Professional updates

📬 Get New Resources First

Want to be the first to know when I release new classroom-tested materials?

I send occasional updates with:
– New resource releases
– Teaching reflections from my classroom
– Practical strategies you can use Monday morning
– Exclusive subscriber-only freebies

*No spam, no overwhelm—just thoughtful resources when I have something worth sharing.*

Everything I share here comes from my classroom practice. I don’t create resources because they’re trendy—I create them because my students needed something that didn’t exist yet. I shared my stories here on my blog. Every lesson has been tested, revised, and refined with real students who have real IEPs, real language barriers, and real learning challenges.

If you use these resources, I’d love to hear how they work in your classroom. We’re all learning together.

— Maria Angala, NBCT