Alphabet Soup: Version AAC & IEP

Communication is such an important goal for students with disabilities, and it should be included in a student’s IEP.  Specifically, augmentative communication devices need to be integrated in an IEP.

When reviewing or making revisions to an IEP, the IEP team should keep the following in mind, regarding an augmentative communication device:

Communication devices & Learned Helplessness

Now, to switch things up a little bit, this post will be about helping students overcome learned helplessness.  For students with disabilities, especially those who have been disempowered throughout their life, learned helplessness is common.  Students who have communication issues, have severe physical, intellectual, and other types of disabilities sometimes lose power over their environment, causing disempowerment.

When students are provided with tools and supports to assist, some don’t know what to do with that new power.  Yet another role of a teacher is helping these students learn to navigate through their environment, learning how and when to exert control in their own lives.  Regarding communication devices, some helpful tips for teachers are:

:: Daily expectations of communication (activities, picking a book, where to eat, what to do, etc.)

:: Daily report to parents, via the student

:: Allow natural consequences to occur, and help the student fix it

:: Don’t manipulate the environment at all times: provide less support, or no support at times

:: Provide choice-making options whenever possible

:: Encourage the student to reject or protest something

Circle 21 Game

Further exploring the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives, which I talked about in yesterday’s post, I came across a fun game:  Circle 21.  I was perusing through the many manipulatives, and found this game.  This goal is for students of any age and math level, and it helps enhance learning by applying problem-solving strategies, along with basic numeracy skills.

I’m always looking for fun, interesting ways to get my students engaging their mathematical minds, and here is my newest discovery.  The goal is to make sure all there numbers in one circle add up to 21.  This game takes some planning and guessing – along with knowing your math facts!

There three other versions to be played: Circle 3 (this involves decimals!), Circle 99, and Circle 0.  All can be found on NLVM’s website!

My Mathematical Life - thanks, TechMatrix!

When exploring the “Search” tools on TechMatrix, I discovered many other resources to use in my classroom.  I specifically was looking for algebra and equation resources, and boy did I find them!  I compared four different programs: My Mathematical Life, Academy of Math, Basic Algebra Shape-Up, and Classworks.

My favorite out of those four was My Mathematical Life.  I wasn’t able to play around with it too much, but I loved what I saw of it!  Check out the YouTube review below to get a preview.  The first thing I hear when introducing a new unit: “When am I ever going to use this?”  Applying math to real life is such a huge struggle for students, and one that this program does a nice job of bridging that gap!

Take a look when you get a chance, you might come across something that you see a use for!

Low-Tech and Mid-Tech Adaptations to Complete Assignmen

In my other posts, I’ve talked about math fact fluency, visual-spatial difficulties, and teaching math concepts and corresponding technologies to incorporate in your classroom where you see fit.  

Sometimes, technology isn’t going to be the answer for your student, or it won’t be enough.  There was a world before technology boomed, and those methods worked.  Technology should not replace a teacher, but enhance teaching.  Has anyone ever taught a math lesson, and this is the response you get?

You aren’t alone!  I’ve been there, seen that, pulled my hair out, and started back at square one.  I've found that starting simple is better, and adding on tech later works best for me.  This means using low or mid tech first!  There are some low-tech and mid-tech options to help adapt work for your student.  I use these every day in my classroom.

      ~ My favorite: manipulatives

~ My students’ favorites: Multiplication tables

~ What’s your favorite?

 

Teach Math Concepts, Skills, Problem Solving

There are also many apps and games to help foster math concepts, skills, and problem solving strategies for students with disabilities.  

First things, first…do you want to use a concrete manipulative or a virtual manipulative?  This question should revolve around your student in mind, and what their needs and goals are.  The ones I’m going to focus on today are virtual manipulatives and other virtual applications to incorporate in your classroom.

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives – *GOLD MINE ALERT!*

Ø  categories to navigate:

o   number & operations

o   algebra

o   geometry

o   measurement

o   data analysis & probablility

o   grade level bands 

Illuminations – *GOLD MINE ALERT!* online activities to support conceptual development, along with lesson plan options for teachers to view and use

Internet 4 Classrooms – free Web portal to help find free resources to use in the classroom and at home

Virtual Laboratories in Probability and Statistics – geared towards students taking these advanced classes and include Java-based applications

Math Playground

Ø  Free activities provided:

o   Math Games

o   Word Problems

o   Logic Puzzle

§  Thinking Blocks: practice with multistep problems

Destination Math – for students K-12 to develop math reasoning, conceptual understanding, and problem solving

Ø  Use of animation and audio

Ø  Explicit step-by-step instructions, when necessary

Ø  Full Spanish version

 Which one is your favorite?

Tools for Visual-Spatial or Motor Control Difficulties

In addition to the games I posted yesterday, there are a few tech tools to address visual-spatial or motor control difficulties.  These issues could include: difficulty writing numbers, lining up digits, reading their own handwriting, creating visual representations, not copying down correct numbers, transposing digits, and others.  

Luckily, in a world of technology, you can find your solution on the web!  Check out the table below to match a program (listed at the top) to your specific concepts/skills, age, and tech features.  This is by no means a comprehensive list of programs that are readily available. Let me know if there are any I should check out myself!