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SEPTEMBER VAULT
START STRONG
Build routines. Know your students. Lead your team. Simplify your data.
September can feel like a lot. This month's resources are designed to help you focus on the foundations that make the rest of the year easier.
SEPTEMBER VAULT
START STRONG
Build routines. Know your students. Lead your team. Simplify your data.
September can feel like a lot. This month’s resources are designed to help you focus on the foundations that make the rest of the year easier.
1. SEPTEMBER APE SURVIVAL SHEET
What to focus on during the first month of school.
Use this one-page guide to keep September manageable and prioritize the routines, relationships, and student information that matter most.
Best for: printing, planning, and monthly reflection.
2. VISUAL ROUTINE TOOLS
Help students understand what happens next.
Use these visual supports to create more predictable APE routines and reduce unnecessary verbal prompting.
Includes:
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Whole-Class Visual Schedule
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First / Then Board
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Station Sequence
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Choice Board
The Canva version lets you change activities, wording, student-specific visuals, and layout.
3. GETTING TO KNOW YOUR APE STUDENT
Know the student before the skill.
Use this profile to learn more about a student’s communication, processing, motivators, supports, sensory needs, and independence.
This is especially useful at the beginning of the year or when a new student enters your program.
FEATURED SEPTEMBER RESOURCE
BUILDING BETTER PARA PARTNERSHIPS IN APE
Managing children and leading adults are different skills—and APE teachers have to do both.
Strong paraeducator partnerships don’t happen automatically. They are built through communication, clear expectations, mutual respect, and a shared focus on student independence.
PARA PARTNERSHIP PACK
Includes:
Meet Your Para
A 5-minute relationship-building tool to learn about experience, strengths, communication preferences, and expectations.
What Works for This Student?
Capture what the paraeducator already knows about communication, motivation, support strategies, and participation.
Your Role in APE
A simple Before • During • After guide for clarifying expectations.
Para Partnership Check-In
A quick follow-up tool for identifying what is working and what needs adjustment.
[DOWNLOAD PARA PARTNERSHIP PACK]
FROM THE RESEARCH
These resources build on work developed through research and professional practice in:
Fuller, S., & Lieberman, L. (2024). Paraeducators in Physical Education: Communication Is Key. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 95(4), 45–50.
5. SIMPLE APE DATA TOOLS
Collect enough data to make decisions—not so much that you stop teaching.
Use these tools to keep data collection realistic during actual APE classes.
Includes:
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Student Data Rotation Tracker
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Quick Skill Data Sheet
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Prompt & Independence Tracker
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60-Second Observation Notes
The Google Sheets version includes editable trackers, dropdowns, and automatic calculations.
QUICK START
Not sure where to begin?
If you’re brand-new to APE:
Start with the September APE Survival Sheet.
If your students struggle with transitions:
Start with the Visual Routine Tools.
If you’re learning new students:
Start with Getting to Know Your APE Student.
If you work with multiple paraeducators:
Start with the Para Partnership Pack.
If data collection feels overwhelming:
Start with the Simple APE Data Tools.
COMPLETE SEPTEMBER COLLECTION
At the very bottom, I'd repeat the main CTA:
Want everything in one place?
Download the complete September Start Strong collection.
[DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE SEPTEMBER BUNDLE]
New resources are added to the Vault each month.