Summer Adapted Binder for Special Education

I’m so excited to share my summer adapted binder with you today! If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know already how much I love to use adapted books and adapted binders with my students. I have them in a bunch of different themes, subjects and skills. But these seasonal adapted binders are always some of my favorites! In this blog post I’m sharing a sneak peek inside my summer adapted binder, how to prep it… And where you can download it to use with your students too!

When it comes to summer in the special education classroom – whether you’re prepping for ESY, wrapping up the school year, or just trying to keep your students engaged without reinventing the wheel – the struggle is real. We all want resources that are meaningful, easy to prep, and actually work for our students.

That’s why I’ve been using the same Summer Adapted Binder for six summers straight. And honestly? I’m not stopping anytime soon.

This one binder has become a summer must-have in my classroom – and today I’m sharing exactly why it works, what’s inside, and how you can use it to save your sanity during one of the most chaotic times of the year.

What Is the Summer Adapted Binder?

The Summer Adapted Binder is a ready-to-go, print-and-prep resource designed for special education teachers, therapists, and homeschool families who want to provide structured, hands-on activities for students during the summer months.

It’s packed with:

Visual supports
Interactive pieces
Errorless and leveled tasks
Skill-building activities that reinforce IEP goals and functional learning

It focuses on essential skills like matching, sorting, counting, fine motor work, and more – all wrapped in a summer theme that keeps students engaged and connected to the season.

Why I’ve Used This Binder for 6 Summers in a Row

Honestly, once I started using this adapted binder, it quickly became a non-negotiable part of my summer routine. Here’s why:

1. It’s Visually Engaging and Student-Friendly

The bright visuals and simple layouts make it easy for students to understand what’s expected of them. Even my most reluctant learners are drawn in by the colors and summer-themed activities.

2. It’s Versatile

I’ve used this binder for:

ESY (Extended School Year)
End-of-year calm-down stations
Independent work time
Morning tubs
Small groups and 1:1 sessions
Even home learning packs for families

Wherever we’re working – this binder fits.

3. It Promotes Independence

So many of the tasks in this binder are designed for independent success. That’s huge for my students, especially in the summer when routines are shifting and energy is all over the place. This binder helps them stay grounded, focused, and confident.

4. It’s Low-Prep (for Real)

Print, laminate, add Velcro if you want – and done. I keep mine in a binder so it’s easy to reuse year after year. The upfront prep is minimal, and the long-term use is unmatched.

What’s Inside the Summer Adapted Binder?

Here’s a peek at what kinds of tasks are included:

Matching Tasks

Match summer objects to outlines or identical images
Match beach items, popsicles, flip-flops, and more
Great for visual discrimination and attention to detail

Sorting Activities

Sort items by category (e.g., hot vs cold, summer clothes vs winter clothes)
Sort by size, color, or type
Easy to scaffold across ability levels

Counting and Number Activities

Count beach balls, ice cream scoops, watermelon slices
Match numbers to quantities
Perfect for practicing one-to-one correspondence and early math skills

Fine Motor and Velcro Tasks

Use Velcro to move pieces, complete patterns, and engage in hands-on learning
Strengthen finger muscles and improve coordination
Great prep for handwriting and self-help tasks

Basic Concepts

Big/small, full/empty, top/bottom
Left/right directionality
Positioning and spatial awareness

Everything is clearly labeled and easy to navigate – just what your classroom (and your sanity) needs as summer approaches.

Who Is This Binder For?

The Summer Adapted Binder is ideal for:

Special education teachers looking for independent or small group tasks
Speech therapists and OTs who want visual, interactive tools
Parents or homeschool families supporting neurodivergent children at home
ESY staff needing consistent, structured materials with minimal prep

It’s been especially helpful for students who benefit from:

Visual schedules and supports
Task box-style learning
Errorless learning
Predictable, routine-based environments

How I Use It in My Classroom

Here’s how this binder fits into my summer setup:

➤ Morning Work

I keep it ready for students to work on while we finish arrival routines. It gives them something calming and familiar to settle into.

➤ Independent Work Stations

I rotate binder pages in and out of student workboxes depending on their goals and needs.

➤ 1:1 and Small Group Instruction

We use binder tasks for quick warm-ups, guided teaching, or data collection in a low-pressure format.

➤ ESY Packets

I’ve even printed pages from this binder to send home with families – it gives them structure without overwhelm.

What Other Teachers Are Saying

“This binder saved me during ESY. I didn’t have to think – just print, prep, and go!”
“My students loved the visuals, and it kept them focused during a very overstimulating time of year.”
“This will be a go-to in my summer bag of tricks forever.”

The activities included are;

Matching identical images
Matching b/w to colour images
Matching the sequence of building a sandcastle
Ordering the sequence of building a sandcastle
Matching symbols to images
Match symbol verbs to image verbs
Matching kids holding identical numbers
Match numbers to ten frames
Counting seashells on the beach
Matching 2D shapes to 2D shape ice creams
Ordering the life cycle of a turtle
Matching identical image feelings
Match symbol feelings to image feelings
Match feeling names to image feelings
Color matching crabs
Matching color sharks to color splats
Matching the direction images
Point to…
Matching 2D shapes to 2D shape ice creams
Matching 2D shape names to 2D shape ice creams
Feed the boy healthy foods
Feed the girl unhealthy foods
Matching ‘counting fingers’ to numbers – ice cream cones
Trace over uppercase letters
Trace over lowercase letters

Ready to Try It?

Whether you’re wrapping up the school year or planning ahead for ESY, the Summer Adapted Binder can make your life so much easier – and your students’ summer experience so much smoother.

🌴 Want to grab your copy?
You can get it right here:
👉 Click to get the Summer Adapted Binder on TpT

You don’t need to reinvent summer learning every year.
Sometimes, the best resources are the ones that last – and keep working year after year.

This Summer Adapted Binder has become one of those staples in my classroom.
And if you’re looking for something that blends structure, visual supports, skill-building, and fun – I think it might become one of yours too. ☀️