Teaching a successful reading curriculum which includes five components: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension challenging for educators of students who have complex communication needs. Research Once students have gained emergent literacy skills, it is essential to begin a comprehensive reading curriculum (Erickson, Hanser, Hatch, & Sanders, 2009). A successful reading curriculum will… Read More Moving From Emergent Literacy to Conventional Reading: Assistive Technology Supports for Nonverbal Students
Electronic Books: Assisting Struggling Readers
Electronic books can be a part of the classroom library and are useful to support struggling readers. Accessibility features such as audio support with text-to-speech, enhanced resources, and study tools are important and often necessary features for students with disabilities. Electronic books can be a part of the classroom library and are useful to… Read More Electronic Books: Assisting Struggling Readers
Thematic Teaching
“How will I find enough time to teach so many core content subjects and functional skills, too?” “What can I do to make lessons more exciting for the students and myself?” Teachers, if you are asking any of these questions, I have a two-word answer: thematic instruction. “How will I find enough time to… Read More Thematic Teaching
Let’s Get Ready to Write!
Writing is much more than forming words with a pencil. Putting thoughts or ideas in written form does not require the author to actually hand write the words (Copeland & Keefe, 2007). If your students have difficulty with writing, consider the following modifications. This is not a comprehensive list, so be sure to collaborate with… Read More Let’s Get Ready to Write!
Literacy in the Early Childhood Classroom
Teachers can provide literacy experiences for children during every part of the day. For example, items that encourage writing can be incorporated into all centers. Children can make traffic signs in the block center, take orders or write recipes in the dramatic play center. Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning (2007) describe specific indicators… Read More Literacy in the Early Childhood Classroom
Literacy Instruction with Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities
It is well known that becoming a successful reader is dependent on experiences and knowledge in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. There are many different kinds of activities and specific classroom experiences that will help students develop literacy skills that lead to reading success. Literacy skills are important for all students. Legislation, such as… Read More Literacy Instruction with Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities
Teaching Writing: Finding the “Right” Adaptations to Make it Happen for Students with Significant Disabilities
Students with significant disabilities can take an interest in writing and begin the early stages of writing when provided with adaptations.Below is a list of emergent writing skills and several links where you will find ideas and adaptations that can assist to “make it happen” for students with significant disabilities. It is often believed… Read More Teaching Writing: Finding the “Right” Adaptations to Make it Happen for Students with Significant Disabilities
