Rhythm Masters Teacher Guide
Special Education Playbook
Rhythm Masters Teacher Guide
Structured Rotations & Therapy Integration for K-2 Essential Skills
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The Rhythm Philosophy
K-2 Essential Skills classrooms thrive on predictability, visual clarity, and micro-rotations. This guide is optimized to prevent sensory overload while embedding high-frequency therapy push-ins (Speech, OT, PT) directly into academic and functional centers.
Key Target
Pacing: 20-minute work blocks. 3-minute structured transitions with music or visual countdowns.
The 3-Station Rotation Model
A
Direct Instruction
Focus on individualized IEP goals, errorless teaching, discrete trials, and foundational literacy/math.
B
Independent Boxes
Structured work system (left-to-right). Tasks must be 100% mastered to build confidence & automaticity.
C
Therapy & Sensory
Speech push-in, fine motor OT integration, gross motor PT, and sensory regulation breaks.
Group Rotation Matrix (60 Min Block)
Divide class into Blue, Red, & Green groups based on learning styles.
| Time / Block | Group 1 (Blue) | Group 2 (Red) | Group 3 (Green) |
|---|
| | | |
| Rotation 1 | | | |
20 Minutes
| Station A
Direct (Teacher)
| Station B
Independent Work
| Station C
Sensory & Therapy
|
|
Rotation 2
20 Minutes
| Station B
Independent Work
| Station C
Sensory & Therapy
| Station A
Direct (Teacher)
|
|
Rotation 3
20 Minutes
| Station C
Sensory & Therapy
| Station A
Direct (Teacher)
| Station B
Independent Work
|
Designed for K-2 Essential Skills Classroom
Color-code student folders & work boxes to match Blue, Red, & Green group assignments.
Special Education Playbook
Comprehensive Daily Layout
Transitions, Pacing, & Hourly Flow
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| Time | Activity & Focus | Transition & Pacing Strategy |
|---|
| 8:30 - 8:50 AM | Arrival & Morning Routine | |
| Cubby check-in, visual schedule setups, wash hands, bathrooming. | | |
| Use a 5-minute song loop. First visual helper starts on a light box. Hands-on check-off lists at student cubbies. |
| 8:50 - 9:10 AM | Interactive Circle Time
Morning message, calendar math, music & movement.
| Students sit on defined carpet spots (poly spots or sensory cushions). Use digital visual timer on board. |
| 9:10 - 10:10 AM | ELA Centers (Rotations)
Structured reading levels, handwriting, IEP task cards.
| 3 rotations × 20 mins. 3-min transition intervals. Use clean auditory transition chimes. High speech therapy integration. |
| 10:10 - 10:30 AM | Sensory / Recess
Gross motor play or heavy work sensory circuit inside.
| Line-up cue: "Hands down, quiet feet." Visual boundary cards used for outdoor/indoor transition. |
| 10:30 - 11:30 AM | Math Centers (Rotations)
Math manipulatives, patterns, touch math, sorting.
| 3 rotations × 20 mins. Clear workstation visual labels. Direct instruction features errorless learning boards. |
| 11:30 - 12:15 PM | Lunch & Hygiene
Eating, self-help cleaning, dynamic functional life skills.
| Hand-washing steps visually listed at sink. First/Then board ("Eat lunch, Then playground") for every student. |
| 12:15 - 12:45 PM | Therapeutic Focus / OT / PT
Gross motor lab, fine motor bin play, social skills circle.
| Targeted push-in therapy directly with classroom paras assisting with modeling. Highly individualized. |
| 12:45 - 1:15 PM | Rest & Sensory Decompression
Low lights, noise-canceling headphones, weighted lap pads.
| Calming instrumental music. Visual break cards made available at every seat for sensory regulation. |
| 1:15 - 1:45 PM | Social Play & Exploration
Dramatic play, sensory tubs, group peer modeling.
| Communication devices pre-programmed with turn-taking phrases: "My turn", "More please", "Stop". |
| 1:45 - 2:15 PM | Life Skills / Dismissal Prep
Backpack packing, coats, reflection, home folder checks.
| Individual visual "Pack My Bag" check-lists. High emphasis on independence and fine-motor mastery of zippers/buttons. |
Ensure visual schedules are updated daily before arrival. K-2 Essential Skills Framework
Special Education Playbook
Zoning & Therapy Integration
Staff Coordination, Push-In Collaboration & Para Roles
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Staff Zoning Plan (Teacher + 2 Paraeducators)
Zoning guides eliminate classroom dead space and clarify exactly who is instructing, supporting, or managing behaviors at any given moment. This prevents passive monitoring.
Lead Teacher (Zone 1)
- Facilitates Station A (Direct Instruction).
- Runs ongoing probes & monitors IEP data.
- Manages communication devices & adaptive tech updates.
- Runs core circle time lessons.
Paraeducator 1 (Zone 2)
- Monitors Station B (Independent Bins).
- Prompts only when needed using the hierarchy of least prompts.
- Resets independent folders & records compliance data.
- Guides restroom & snack life-skills.
Paraeducator 2 (Zone 3)
- Manages Station C (Sensory/Therapy).
- Co-facilitates push-in therapy routines alongside therapists.
- Administers sensory sensory-circuits.
- Handles physical transfers & cool-down spots.
Therapy Integration & Collaboration Strategies
SLP
Push-In during ELA & Circle Time
Therapists model LAMP/AAC device usage during morning meeting. Direct integration during Station A direct literacy blocks to align vocabulary target goals directly with IEP outcomes.
OT
Push-In during Independent Work & Fine Motor Lab
Collaborates with Para 1 on structuring the independent bins (e.g., adaptive pencil grips, slant boards, physical boundaries for matching cards, velcro stabilizers for workbooks).
PT
Push-In during Sensory Circuit & Gym/Recess
Integrates core strengthening & balance activities directly within the sensory rotation. Guides team on proper dynamic seating postures (cushions, visual bounds, specialized standers).
Pro-Tip: Set a 3-minute "Transition Buffer" playlist. Play the same transition song for each rotation. When the song starts, students tidy up. When it ends, they must sit at their new station. No verbal prompting required!
