really cool picture schedule
Hilde
My son's special ed teacher developed a really cool picture schedule that
Michael uses at school and I thought I'd share the idea. It's a little
different from other picture schedules I've seen used. For those not
familiar with a picture schedule, it is a tool some children find useful to
help with transitions and to communicate school scedules, and sometimes
childrens needs, at school or home. It involves using pictures that
symbolize an activity or event in some sort of schedule or communication
book form. I hope I explained that OK.
The schedule is printed up sideways on two 8-1/2 X 11 papers ,one for
morning schedule one for afternoon. It includes pictures with words for
each class activity and each is titled with the day of the week since the
school schedule varies each day. Each morning when Michael arrives he gets
out his schedule and reviews it with his aide. After each activity Michael
has a smiley face stamp, we are going to get him a dinosaur one cause it's
higer interest to him, and stamps the activity completed. Then the aide
writes a little note next to the activity highlighting what they did, how
long Michael was able to stay with the activity and if any class friends
were involved. It now serves two purposes, helps Michael stick to task,
transition quicker and be more responsible for organizing himself AND it
gets sent home every day so I have something to talk with him about. It's
really cool and VERY simple and easy for everyone to use.
I thought it was cool and Michael really likes stamping.
Cheers,
Chatty Cathy
Valle Dwight
That does sound cool. I've been trying to get Aidan's school to institute a
picture schedule, and it's November and no progress....
Maybe I'll print out your note and bring it in for inspiration.
How old is Michael?
Thanks for sharing that idea,
Valle, mother of Timmy, 6, and Aidan, 3 (ds)
B. Mitchell
Hi, Valle and Cathy,
Hey, Valle, when you don't see the school making progress with your
suggestions, it's time to do it yourself! Mark's teachers have been using
picture schedules for years. They are great.
Ask the teacher if you can come in to the classroom some day and take
pictures. (Bring a couple rolls of film. You want lots of pictures to choose
from.) Tell her you want to make books for Aidan for Christmas of all his
friends, teachers, and activities at school. Make another book of family,
friends, relatives, pets, and things around the house too. Kids love these
homemade picture books. This willl help his speech development and give you
some things to talk about with him. If you write one easy word under the
pictures he will learn to read too. (Now that will impress the teacher!) The
speech therapist will proably want to do this too when she sees how successful
it is.
When you are at the school taking the pictures, be sure to keep track of the
order of their activities, then make a simple picture schedule for the teacher
and Aidan to use together. Tell her EVERYONE is doing this now and it is such
a help for kids with delays. And make a copy of chapter 18 in Pat Oelwein's
reading book for her.
Tell the teacher "a picture is worth a thousand words." Maybe that will
inspire her with this idea.
Have a nice weekend!
Barbara
Valle Dwight
>suggestions, it's time to do it yourself!
Ugh! That's what I was afraid of <g>. Guess I'll squeeze that in between the
board meetings, the PAC meetings, the parent volunteer days, the team meetings,
oh, yeah, and that book review I promised Joan Medlen a week ago! Oh, and I
guess work has to figure in there somewhere!
But you're right - we do have photo books at home and at Nonotuck (Aidan's
afternoon preschool). I have several scattered around the house - I think I'll
go in and add the words, as suggested.
His teacher did offer to make a photo book of his morning preschool friends to
help with the morning transition.
Well, I'd better get to work!
Thanks Barbara,
Donna Duffey
writes:
<< Hi, Valle and Cathy,
Hey, Valle, when you don't see the school making progress with your
suggestions, it's time to do it yourself! >>
Indeed. Maddie's school uses the pecs program, but Maddie doesn't get that
yet. Joan M. showed me how to make our own boards. I take pics all the time
and lamenate them here in my own house. CVS probably thinks there's
something wrong with me.......developing pictures every week of scrambled
eggs, sandwiches, oreos, cheese, pics of Barnie....LOL I also made the
identical one for the school and they use it. I took pics of all the rooms,
like library, gross motor room, playground, so that when they take her from
activity to activity, she is aware she is about to transition.
Donna