Skip to main content

Class #4 Take Aways

Some takeaways from our last class:
1. Unite for Literacy website is an impressive site that is free and excellent for early and beginning readers. It includes great features, like narration. Each book can be read aloud to the reader. But the reader may find it tricky to follow along to the words as the words are not highlighted as they are read aloud. Another feature is the selection of languages the stories can be read it. This makes me think of the early french learners in our school system. I know some teachers find it challenging to find good french resources, but look no further, this is a great one to use! Another great feature is the broad categories of topics, and the use of realistic pictures in the stories. There is sure to be a topic every student will like on this site.





                                                     A Website Primary Teachers Will Love | Adventures in Literacy Land 
2. Our Menti reflection for this class allowed us to really reflect on the past few months of our new teaching reality.
  • One positive reflection of COVID teaching and learning- during the past few months we have adapted to a virtual world of online teaching and learning. Although our school board put together a website of resources for families, teachers were given the innovative stepping stone to create a platform for connect to their students in an unusual way during these uncertain times. Staying connected to our students and families was a very important step during these times. 
  • One barrier you faced when teaching online during COVID- one barrier was ensuring all students had internet and computer access to stay connected. 
3. Student Case Studies- Jake's Story
Jake's story is incredible. From going to focusing on developing functional skills to communication skills is a big step, but Jake was ready for it! A main factor in his success is the people working with him, his mother and consistent home care providers. Starting with light-tech communication systems, Jake is able to make steps towards means of communication in his first session. As Jake progresses through light-tech systems he continues to gain success in his means of communication. In just a few short years Jake is using two-switch step scanning, and alphabet flip chart with with partner assistance to communicate what he wants to write. Jake's story is just one example of how effective different types of technology can help students succeed.

Comments

  1. KarwicJune 18, 2020 at 5:54 PM

    Unite For Literacy is an excellent resource for us to share with our students and parents. The option for the books to be shared in a variety of languages is so welcoming in our culturally diverse classrooms. As you mentioned, our French students, too, will have the opportunity to avail of another great literacy resource. The variety of resources available to us and them will strengthen our UDL environment.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Class #3 Take Aways

In our third class we dove deeper into understand Universal Design for Learning. What is UDL? This is a question that gets asked often. The answer is that UDL is a set of principles or framework optimized to give all individuals an opportunity to learn. The Cast website provides us with a great overview and explanation of UDL. Let's have a dinner party! During this class activity we had to plan a meal for many people with dietary restrictions. Planning a meal with many restrictions faced us with a challenge. But once we thought about it, we thought that keeping it simple with options might be best. This in activity, related to accommodating many different students with a variety of needs in the classroom. This activity really showcases the importance of really knowing our students, their strengths and needs. Especially areas they need help in, and getting them the appropriate assistance they need. The Dinner Party Analogy is explained by Katie Novak.   Google R...
1 comment
Read more

Critique #2: Take the Pencil Out of the Process

In this article by Leslie Broun, it was written out of personal and professional experience of allowing students with ASD to use keyboards in the classroom. I'm sure as we were all reading, we thought of a student, or many, who struggle with paper and pencil writing activities, and who would benefit from the use of a keyboard. Broun explains that many students struggle with physical act of printing and the writing process. These difficulties interfere with their academic performance. Some students never grasp the skills to use pencil and paper to express their thoughts. The inability to form letters correctly is call dysgraphia or dyscriptia (printing and writing). Some students with ASD also struggle with the motor tasks of printing and writing. Theses students who struggle can lose out in other areas such as academic participation and sometimes demonstrate poor behavior. But, with the simple substitution of a keyboard, these students can flourish. Having computer devices in a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Class #1 Take Aways

Myth of Average When talking about the jagged learning profile, the visual Todd Rose shows us on screen really puts it into perspective for us. It really visualizes that no child is average, and does not fit into one given set of criteria. Each child is made up of a set of unique characteristics, and to think we can put each child into an average category in unlikely. All children learn differently, and at different paces. So how can we place any one child into a set average category for learning?  The importance of being flexible for your students is another point I took away from this video. Being able to work with their strengths and building up their needs in a way that is suitable for them is important in their success. Being flexible is teaching to all your students. Average destroys talent. This really stuck with me when it was talked about in the video. There are so many students who have amazing talents. Sometimes these talents may not fit into the curriculum so they g...
4 comments
Read more