Alternatives To Worksheets Book Review

I have 2 books that I really love using with my students. Alternatives To Worksheets and More Alternatives To Worksheets. These books have hands on activities for students that can be used with any subject. There are lots of ideas for centers and class presentations. These can be adapted for various levels. It has some patterns to copy for projects and uses inexpensive materials like sentence strips, construction paper, cereal boxes. The activities include pop ups, foldables, and more.

Accessing Grade Level Books- Adapted Chapter Books

     This past year I attended a wonderful researched based workshop on adapting chapter books. These adapted chapter books allow students with significant disabilities to participate in grade level texts. These books usually range from a few sentences to one page per chapter. It it uses picture symbols above words or real life pictures to enhance meaning. The text is simplified, but it follows the basic story and you can teach new vocabulary. This is great for inclusion too. The student can participate in grade level activities and have some idea of what the book is about.

   A chapter book can take 2-3 weeks to complete. First I make vocabulary cards with pictures and I also use the internet for vocabulary words.Then I start with the adapted version and then listened to regular version on tape and then we watch the movie. I use character webbs and all kinds of visuals as we go through the book. I was very surprised by how much my students were engaged and excited each day. I was very impressed with their comprehension skills. I actually used these books to the state alternative test.

Here are a couple of websites that have books already made:

• http://www.ric.edu/sherlockcenter/wwslist.html
• http://coedpages.uncc.edu/access/adaptedbooks.htm

  Here are webinars on teaching on teaching reading with adapted books:
http://idahotc.com/Webinars/tabid/218/categoryid/26/Default.aspx

Teaching Reading

     I use several different resources to teach reading. Most of my student are sight word readers, but a every once in while I get a student who needs more challenging material.  I use Edmark reading for teaching sight words and thank goodness they have a new edition, which looks very nice. I like Edmark and it works,but the older version was lacking in the comprehension area. I am not sure about the new one.

     I work with student one on one for the Edmark and I use Reading Milestones for our weekly story. It has more comprehension and lots of practice pages. I usually have 2-3 groups for this program. It is a scripted program, but it works and I like the extension activities.

     When I have students who are not challenged by Edmark or Reading Milestones then I use word families. I use the website, http://www.carlscorner.us.com/. There are lots of free things on here.


 

Book Review of : Teaching By Design by Kimberly Voss

This is a great book on how to use your computer to create materials for students with learning difficulties.
This book shows you how to make materials:

• wheels
• flipbooks
• sliders
• sight word card with pictures
• spelling & sentences
• visual schedules
• symmetry, time, and much more

It comes with a disk to help you design.