Class Five

Homemade AT Presentations

It was go great to listen to each groups explanation of their homemade AT. There are so many cheap items that can be used for AT. It was nice to see the different items groups chose, but also fun to see how others used some of the same items in a different way. I cannot wait to go back to my school and receive a request for AT support from a teacher because I now have an arsenal of ideas to start sharing with them. I am always frustrated with the long wait for AT support from our "specialist". At least now I have something substantial to help support the teachers in my building in the now until the specialist can arrive.

Here are a few of my favourites from the day…..

Tracy and Alecia's tensor wrap was phenomenal. I really liked how they brought a concept that is extremely popular and expensive into the real world and found an alternative that really works. Their water snakes are also so very versatile for so many different types of students. I was picturing a couple of different students as they spoke and know this tool in particular would be extremely beneficial for them for different reasons. Another idea I really liked from the presentations was the flannel back table cloths. These were a great idea for reducing noise (kids playing with blocks). Such a little item could be very beneficial, especially in a primary classroom where centres are happening and the teachers is working with individual students. It can get very loud very quickly and this simple, inexpensive tool can help. Nick presented the pool noodle that could act as an extension of a students self to help in phys-ed class. I love hearing about ideas that work in classes outside of the core classes because sometimes these get overlooked and shouldn't. I also liked how he made it clear that the pool noodle didn't have to be just for the individual with the impairment but for all students. When thinking about UDL you are not singling out a student, but enhancing the learning of all. I loved the use of the sandpaper to create a storyboard. The difference in the textures is a huge help when it comes to having visually impaired or hearing impaired individuals interact and communicate with others. So many individuals can certainly benefit from this tool. I never in a million years would have thought of this particular tool and am very thankful it was presented. Finally I loved Dave's idea of making the classroom more welcoming by inputting Dollarstore items like flowers, bird pies and bright colours in the classroom environment. Joanne Syms at conference day talked about creating community into the school/classroom and creating that safe environment for learning. I think this is exactly what she was talking about! Making our classrooms reflect our personal "style"or creating that "classroom vibe" as well as the type of learning environment we feel is key to our students learning is important. Finally the magnetic letters on a cooking sheet is so great for students nonverbal or verbal. I have a student who is strong academically, but struggles socially and refuses to complete classroom tasks (especially written tasks), but I think he would LOVE using this to create sentences or answer questions. This would be a fun way for him to take part in classroom activities and reduce behavioural concerns as he stays engaged.

I think that it is important to note that the you can think "inside the box"-using items for what they are meant for i.e. egg cracker or thinking "outside the box" like the flannel back table cloths for limiting noise. It is amazing that projects have been so forward thinking and have created items that work for individuals of differing needs. Companies themselves are no longer accepting the norm, but looking for more ways to reach more people.

When we presented our soap to the class I really liked Michelle's thought on what it could be used for. Michelle talked about opening up the soap and pouring it into a bin so that students could make letters in the soap incorporating sensory and learning into one activity. I myself never thought about opening up the soap and using it for anything other than using it as a whole. Thank-you for making me think outside the "soap container".

One group mentioned gummy bears as a type of incentive. With todays healthy food policies I definitely did not considering adding this to my list of items. Eatables as a way to motivate students or a form of conditioning is a great idea and we should be incorporating it a little more into our teaching. We support PEBS in schools which is heavily rewards based so why not eatables :) When I think about this concept I think about Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory and how he conditioned Penny using chocolate….whatever works :)

Personally I could be conditioned very easily with the right combination of chocolate and ice cream!

Availability of AAC

It was great to have the opportunity to explore today and discover AAC is not only accessible via Apple products. AAC can be accessed/located within places such as Microsoft Webstore, Google Play-Android, iTunes-App Store and Chrome Web Store. Our board has switched to Google and has invested a lot of money into Chrome books, so knowing which programs can be accessed on these devices are beneficial. We want to maximize the technology we have without having to spend extra money on keeping up with the most modern devices. Also, some students have their own pieces of technology and knowing you can find programming that works and supports their learning is key. Having a wide range of resources to choose from is wonderful!