If I Can See It, I Can Understand It Structuring the Classroom

Do you…….. Have a calendar/PDA ? Have a calendar/PDA ? Use a meeting agenda? Use a meeting agenda? Have a list of “things to do” on your desk/refrigerator? Have a list of “things to do” on your desk/refrigerator? Make a shopping list? Make a shopping list? Follow a recipe? Follow a recipe? Read a sign to tell you what line to stand in or what door to exit from? Read a sign to tell you what line to stand in or what door to exit from?

How about….. Use a menu at a restaurant? (Really like it when there are pictures) Use a menu at a restaurant? (Really like it when there are pictures) Prefer pictorial directions when assembling something? Prefer pictorial directions when assembling something? Use a map? Use a map? Use place cards at a dinner party? Use place cards at a dinner party?

A Little Test! Number your paper to 10 Number your paper to 10 Name each thing, animal, place, etc. Name each thing, animal, place, etc. We’re going fast so be ready We’re going fast so be ready

( – 12) x 7 =

If I Can See It I Can Understand About 40% of all learners are visual learners About 40% of all learners are visual learners Visual learners think in images Visual learners think in images If the largest group of learners in a classroom are visual, why are we talking so much? If the largest group of learners in a classroom are visual, why are we talking so much?

Do You Rely On Visual Cues?

Clear Structure in the Classroom

Higher-Level Graphic Organizers Venn Diagram Venn Diagram Venn Diagram Venn Diagram Cause & Effect Cause & Effect Cause & Effect Cause & Effect Hamburger Hamburger Hamburger Pros & Cons Pros & Cons Pros & Cons Pros & Cons Character Study Character Study Notetaker Vocabulary Sketches Vocabulary Sketches

Table Discussion Discuss with the people at your table ways you use visual structure in your classroom. Discuss with the people at your table ways you use visual structure in your classroom. As a group, make a list of 10 examples of visual structure As a group, make a list of 10 examples of visual structure Choose one person to report back to the group. Choose one person to report back to the group. You have 15 minutes You have 15 minutes

Ways Schools are Already Structured Visual Visual Lines in hallways Lines in hallways Rows of desks Rows of desks Place for finished papers Place for finished papers Posted schedule & rules Posted schedule & rules Auditory Auditory Bells Bells Timers Timers Music Music

Predictable Routines Posting a daily schedule Posting a daily schedule Specific to that day Specific to that day Library Library Computer Lab Computer Lab Assembly Assembly

Routines Within the Day Morning Morning Colored folder containing work Colored folder containing work May contain incomplete work from day before May contain incomplete work from day before May be morning work for entire week May be morning work for entire week When complete placed in same color basket, box, etc. When complete placed in same color basket, box, etc. What to do when finished What to do when finished Different colored folder with brain teasers, math logic problems, etc. Different colored folder with brain teasers, math logic problems, etc. Work which can be completed independently Work which can be completed independently When complete placed in same color basket, box, etc. When complete placed in same color basket, box, etc.

One corner of the board The morning routine The morning routine For non-readers use pictures For non-readers use pictures Permanent placement for easy reference Permanent placement for easy reference Easily referenced by substitutes Easily referenced by substitutes

Red Folder Blue Folder Read Until Time for Spelling

Lists “Don’t Forget” List for Art, Computer, Library, etc. “Don’t Forget” List for Art, Computer, Library, etc. Posted by the door Posted by the door On board on appropriate day On board on appropriate day Materials needed for classroom project Materials needed for classroom project Post on board when time to get ready Post on board when time to get ready Visual Directions Visual Directions

Areas of the Room Reading Corner Reading Corner Group Table Group Table Writing Center Writing Center Clear Defined & Labeled Clear Defined & Labeled Use Physical Boundaries if Possible Use Physical Boundaries if Possible Bookshelves Bookshelves Carpet tape – colored Carpet tape – colored Area rugs Area rugs

Behavioral & Social Prompts Class rules Class rules Social Reminders Social Reminders Listen – Discuss cues Listen – Discuss cues Transition Directions Transition Directions Line up Line up Time for lunch Time for lunch Go back to seat Go back to seat

Choice or Not a Choice Activities Activities Computer Computer Reading corner Reading corner Outdoor games Outdoor games Listening to story on tape Listening to story on tape Rewards Rewards No Homework No Homework Free time activities Free time activities

Settling an Argument! Compromise Go Your Separate Ways Discuss it Later Flip a Coin Scissors, rock, paper Get Help from a Mediator Talk About Differences Calmly Agree to Disagree

A Little Imagination And Some Creative Thinking