How to Create A Focus Wall in a Special Education Classroom

Faded photo with large letters reading "Focus" with 4 posters below listing objectives for: letter, essential question, behavior, and math

One of the biggest benefits to teaching in a special education classroom is having the flexibility  to meet the students where they are at. Everything is specially designed to build upon their skills and make the content accessible.  With that being said, this focus on individualization can make it a challenge to create common learning targets for all students.

"Focus" written in large letters on a white board, 4 posters underneath  listing objectives for: letter, essential question, behavior, and math

I like to keep my overall classroom learning targets general, and my small group learning targets more specific.  For example, as a class we may be focusing on fractions and my 3 small groups could have more targeted objectives ranging from identifying whole objects to adding fractions with like denominators.

Large letters reading "learn." Below are 2 smaller subject cards and objectives, reading 1  I can match letters to sounds, reading 2 I can read CVC words.

Since my main classroom learning targets are general, I only have to swap them out once a week or once a month.  I find this far more manageable than trying to update our big focus wall daily.  The other time saving step that I take is pre-planning all of my weekly objectives.  I create a scope and sequence each year with all of the "big ideas" that I plan to teach.  I use this document to create my focus wall cards.  You can read more about how set up my scope and sequence HERE.

White literacy plan on a blue and green folder. Blue and green flair pens are placed on  the upper left corner of the document.

I like to print off all of my focus wall cards over the summer and organize them in the order that I plan to teach the topics (this is where that scope and sequence comes in handy!).  Since the cards are in order, it takes me less than 30 seconds to swap out the cards each week.  You heard that right... less than 30 seconds a week!

4 posters  listing objectives for: letter, essential question, behavior, and math

For my focus wall I typically include a weekly essential question, letter of the week, math focus, and behavior focus.  The letter and math cards are included in my Focus Wall Bundle, and I use the editable cards from the file to type out my essential question.  These questions align to our district's general education reading curriculum.


I created the behavior cards to align to Autism Adventures' Behavior Basics program.  The program is amazing and provides multiple levels of social stores and activities for 60 different behaviors and social skills.  It is well worth the investment.  If you are using the program and would like focus wall cards that align to each of the behaviors... you're in luck!  Mellissa from Autism Adventures was kind enough to allow me to share the cards with you!  You can pick up the exclusive download HERE.
2 pictures, on the left is a behavior poster for body language, on the right is the cover of a behavior mini posters with the word freebie above
Are you ready to set up your own focus wall?  Well I have some great news!  I have pulled together all of my focus wall products into one big discounted bundle and you can find it HERE.  Not a fan of the blue and green that is in my classroom?  Not to worry! I recently updated the file to include 27 color options.  I hope that this makes it easier for you to create the focus wall of your dreams!
a collage of 27 color pallets, three types of editable pages, and an alphabet card bonus freebie  
Do you want an even closer look at the product? Check out the video preview!  Have a great school year!


No comments