Begin with the Environment Environmental tools include: Expanding use of centers Creative use of equipment and positioning Using daily routines as opportunity for extending literary experiences (e.g. walk like Brown Bear to circle) Structuring the Environment: Use the environment (stairs, furniture, playground) to develop skills rather than work on in isolation Take cues from students regarding strengths and weaknesses Extend Literacy Experience though Play: Play is both educational and therapeutic Play promotes active rather than passive learning. Teaching across Domains of Learning by extending literary experiences Personal Management Work Habits/Pre-vocational School/Community living Recreation and Leisure Academics/Functional Academics Communication Social Competence Motor Skills 1.Click in each cell on the existing text (i.e. page 1) to add text. 2.If typing upside down proves difficult for the bottom cells, rotate the text box, type, then rotate the text box upside down again (In Office 2007, click on the text & use the green icon to rotate. In Older versions of Office, use the Draw menu to flip the text box Vertically). 3.To add a graphic, first be certain that you are not currently inside a text box by clicking anywhere on the white border. 4.Add the graphic by using the drawing tools, pasting an item from the clipboard, or inserting a clip art object. 5.Resize, rotate, and move the graphic to its desired location. 6.If desired, click on the blue lines and delete them before printing (however, this will make trimming and folding more difficult). 7.Most inkjet printers will allow a ¼ inch border while many laser printers will not, so you may want to print using an inkjet or you may need to adjust your borders. 1.Click in each cell on the existing text (i.e. page 1) to add text. 2.If typing upside down proves difficult for the bottom cells, rotate the text box, type, then rotate the text box upside down again (In Office 2007, click on the text & use the green icon to rotate. In Older versions of Office, use the Draw menu to flip the text box Vertically). 3.To add a graphic, first be certain that you are not currently inside a text box by clicking anywhere on the white border. 4.Add the graphic by using the drawing tools, pasting an item from the clipboard, or inserting a clip art object. 5.Resize, rotate, and move the graphic to its desired location. 6.If desired, click on the blue lines and delete them before printing (however, this will make trimming and folding more difficult). 7.Most inkjet printers will allow a ¼ inch border while many laser printers will not, so you may want to print using an inkjet or you may need to adjust your borders. “Most new curriculum frameworks, guides or plans are focused on the connections or bridges between disciplines. Themes are often used as these bridges to emphasize critical thinking and problem-solving approaches. Theme based projects help students to make the transition from subject- area curriculum to an issue-centered learning.” ( See examples of theme based shtml A core book title can lend itself to a variety of theme topics Embed theme topics (e.g. feelings, self-control, friendship) in naturally occurring activities: Whole group Story Finger plays, rhymes, poems Phonemic awareness and speech and language Play Emergent writing/art Science/math/sensory Book area Blocks/construction Motor activities Sensory Tips for Teams: Multi-modal activities based around a book theme provide variety and motivation Make time for team planning! Theme-based activities should focus on purposeful play, which automatically stimulates integration of developmentally appropriate skills across all domains Keep ideas simple and relevant to the child Select theme-based activities that meet student needs Allow enough repetition to foster mastery Repeat exposure to skills across themes, simply changing the context, which promotes generalization Things to think about: What do my students need to learn? What are their individual needs? How is staff utilized? Are we having fun? Getting Started: Focus on the need Identify goals Develop activities that support the goals and embed in the schedule Work as a team Find our resources at: Why Extend Literacy Experiences? Multi-Modal learning helps children form connections, and embraces UDL Judith Schoonover Sally Norton-Darr