More on Autism

I have yet to post anything on my interest in autism, which is really just silly! It only took one student, my first year of teaching, to make me completely obsessed with autism and finding any key possible to help unlock their world. I still have the video clip on my computer of the first time he ever answered the question "What's your name?" and I watch it whenever I need a reminder that these kiddos have the answer there all along...you just have to find the key to let it out!

Working with children on the spectrum within an ECSE classroom can be a puzzle, because the structure and routine they crave, isn't needed by all students. However, my personal experience has shown that every single child, regardless of disability, benefits from a structured and routine oriented environment. But how does one go about designing their classroom and schedule with this in mind? All the answers can be found in what has become my bible :), found here: Structured Teaching. This site includes some great pictures of what structured teaching looks like, but in case you need more, here is a presentation I gave at a T-TAC workshop using the information. There are loads of pictures throughout.

To see more pictures of TEACCH work systems, click here and then choose a year.

Two books to LIVE by when using work systems:
(I own both and used them constantly.)

How Do I Teach This Kid?

Tasks Galore

Need more reasons to love your SMARTBoard?

Five reasons to make the SMARTBoard

part of your early childhood life…

• SMARTBoard pages are FREE and so much faster to make than manipulatives and props for circle time, especially if you switch themes weekly!

• SMARTBoard lets you incorporate real world, concrete examples into circle time.

(video clips from United Streaming, web cams from the zoo,

pictures of each child, etc.)

• Visiting the computer lab or learning lab in your building helps to get your students up and moving. Yes, it’s another transition, but the more practice the better, right?!

• Loads of people share the pages they’ve created using the SMARTBoard. You can google just about any skill combined with the word SMARTBoard and most likely, there is a page available for you to download.

• The SMARTBoard helps us reach a generation of TV loving kids. It turns circle time into an interactive learning session! You can make it as structured and routine as you need to!

Five easy things to try tomorrow…

• Count to 9 or 12 when you orient the board.

• Try out an interactive website like those I’ve posted on my blog: www.followingmoments.blogspot.com . Peep and the Big Wide World is a huge hit!

• Let your kids go crazy practicing pre-writing strokes with the pens or their fingers.

• If you’re feeling brave, start out with simple sorting and sequencing activities.

• Watch online books like those found on Tumble Books or Storyplace.org.

A Quick SOTM Example

This past week, our Technology Specialist tried out her new video camera during my circle time activities. I thought I would upload an edited version to show just how I use my Song of the Month in our daily routine. I haven't uploaded this particular song to the blog yet, because I like to work out all the kinks (which seemed to take all month this time) before I share it with you! A few notes: The voice you hear is our Technology Specialist, she hears us sing this daily and likes to sing along sometimes. I blurred any clip that showed my kiddos' faces. I probably didn't need to, since I didn't identify anyone's last name, but I wanted to be on the safe side. And yes, I'm a bit energetic...but I am a preschool teacher after all, it comes with the territory.