+ Learning for All
Anchor Charts
Anchor charts were used often to provide students with the resources to support their learning needs. They often explicitly taught the basic rules or guidelines of a topic, and then remained in the wall as a reminder for students to refer to often.
Seating Arrangements
- using tables for students who need a quiet spot free from distractions
- allowing a student to stand rather than sit for selected activities
- rearranging the seating plan on a regular basis until the best location for a student.
Writing Accomodations
During my undergraduate degree I volunteered as a of scribe for the Grade 3 EQAO Assessment. Scribing for this student allowed him to be assessed based on his true comprehension of a text, without having the conventions of spelling cloud his thinking. He was required to insert the capital letters and punctuation. This was a great experience to be a part of, as it allowed me to see the direct benefit of accommodating this student in order to promote his growth and success.
Working in a special needs school has provided me with various experiences of accommodating writing activities for students. By providing a choice of writing utensil and grips to one of my students was able to improve his writing ability significantly. In some specific cases it also helped to provide students with different types of paper, such as paper with grids, dotted middle lines or raised lines. One student in particular required large line spaces as his printing was extremely large due to the lack of fine motor skill development.
In a grade seven classroom students were accustomed to using word processors, spell checkers, and dictionaries. With all the tools available to students of the 21st century, it is important for teachers to be able to teach students how to use these tools effectively. I explicitly taught students how to use a dictionary, a word processor and the internet as spelling tools. From my personal experience, an accommodation such as this is not only beneficial for one individual, but it will work well to benefit each student in the class.
Working in a special needs school has provided me with various experiences of accommodating writing activities for students. By providing a choice of writing utensil and grips to one of my students was able to improve his writing ability significantly. In some specific cases it also helped to provide students with different types of paper, such as paper with grids, dotted middle lines or raised lines. One student in particular required large line spaces as his printing was extremely large due to the lack of fine motor skill development.
In a grade seven classroom students were accustomed to using word processors, spell checkers, and dictionaries. With all the tools available to students of the 21st century, it is important for teachers to be able to teach students how to use these tools effectively. I explicitly taught students how to use a dictionary, a word processor and the internet as spelling tools. From my personal experience, an accommodation such as this is not only beneficial for one individual, but it will work well to benefit each student in the class.
Audio Recordings
The use of text-to-speech technology, such as the Kurzweil technology, has been used in several ways through my teaching experience. With the use of text-to-speech technology I was able to ensure that a young girl was able to read the same reading material as her classmates, and participate in the class activities that followed. She was enrolled in a separate reading program with me during morning and afternoon sessions.
I noticed that a student in my classroom was struggling in Mathematics because the he was not able to explain his answers or processes using written reflections of justifications, due to his struggles with written text. I downloaded a speech-to-text app gave this student the opportunity to speak his reflection or explanation into the computer, and it would transfer the information into written text. This was printed and submitted for assessment. I was able to get a better grasp of his understanding as he was able to explain himself better using verbal language, rather then getting wrapped in the conventions of spelling.
I noticed that a student in my classroom was struggling in Mathematics because the he was not able to explain his answers or processes using written reflections of justifications, due to his struggles with written text. I downloaded a speech-to-text app gave this student the opportunity to speak his reflection or explanation into the computer, and it would transfer the information into written text. This was printed and submitted for assessment. I was able to get a better grasp of his understanding as he was able to explain himself better using verbal language, rather then getting wrapped in the conventions of spelling.
Visual Cues
A schedule was always maintained in all of my past classrooms to ensure students knew what to expect in their school day. The schedule photographed on the right was constructed with the Special Needs Coach in the school for one particular student in my classroom. She struggled with organization skills, and this severely affected her learning. The colours associated with each subject (seen on the right of the photo) provided constant reminders for her of which materials were required to sufficiently prepare for the next session. These visual cues, along with several verbal cues, were implemented to improve her preparation for success in school.
My experiences teaching at Jackson Special School in Australia also involved the integration of a schedule. Two particular students were extremely dependent on structure, and would react negatively if there was any deviance from the structure laid out at the beginning of the day. These two students were responsible for placing the daily activities on the schedule, and were always explained of any planned interruptions. The use of visual and verbal cues in this situation was very essential to student success.
Something as simple as a schedule posted on the board is useful to maintain structure and classroom management. It also introduces and exemplifies a level of organization for each student, as well as the teacher. Being sensitive to a student's needs is crucial in developing student success. Every little bit counts.
My experiences teaching at Jackson Special School in Australia also involved the integration of a schedule. Two particular students were extremely dependent on structure, and would react negatively if there was any deviance from the structure laid out at the beginning of the day. These two students were responsible for placing the daily activities on the schedule, and were always explained of any planned interruptions. The use of visual and verbal cues in this situation was very essential to student success.
Something as simple as a schedule posted on the board is useful to maintain structure and classroom management. It also introduces and exemplifies a level of organization for each student, as well as the teacher. Being sensitive to a student's needs is crucial in developing student success. Every little bit counts.
PECS
PECS or Picture Exchange Communication System has been successfully used with many children with an autism spectrum disorder. During my time at Jackson Special School, the use of the PECS pictorials were integrated in all aspects of the school due to the large concentration of Autistic students.
The use of the PECS program in my classroom assisted children in their communication development, which allowed them to meet various needs. Various children in my classroom varied in communication abilities. Some did not speak, and a few who were minimally effective communicators. Using PECS, pictures or objects in my classroom has given students the ability to communicate needs and wants, as well as express emotions and conflicts. I have grown accustomed to using PECS with various technology as well. Depending on the severity of the communication challenges and the funding available, students were accustomed to using various iPad or iPod technology to communicate their wants and needs. Effective integration of this technology gave students more confidence and independence in society.
The use of the PECS program in my classroom assisted children in their communication development, which allowed them to meet various needs. Various children in my classroom varied in communication abilities. Some did not speak, and a few who were minimally effective communicators. Using PECS, pictures or objects in my classroom has given students the ability to communicate needs and wants, as well as express emotions and conflicts. I have grown accustomed to using PECS with various technology as well. Depending on the severity of the communication challenges and the funding available, students were accustomed to using various iPad or iPod technology to communicate their wants and needs. Effective integration of this technology gave students more confidence and independence in society.