March 5, 2011   Welcome to Anger Stop
Animated characters explain how they feel about anger.

This site explores the many feelings and scenarios that children/teens
face with anger today. There is so much to this site, so explore!!

Anger Stop explores how anger builds and offers scenarios to choices
about dealing with anger. Dependance Depot explores how to respond
when offered drugs. Depression Alley explores sad feelings and how to feel better.
Worryville explores anxious feelings and how to be calm.
 
Click on t-bone who loves to make Monkey angry. How does Monkey handle this?
Click on Dr. Hyde who examines how the body changes when you are angry.
Click on Sgt. Steer who loves to fight. How can Monkey stay out of a fight? Help him stay calm.
On the Map click on the castle to find:
                    ~the Music Hall to explore music and feelings.
                    ~the Magic Lab to create a crystal world.
                    ~the Health Hut to learn about your heart, brain and neurons.
Check out:  Feeling Face Maker
                  E.Motion Reviews (refers to childrens movies to explain emotions)
 There is a place for Grown Ups!

Link:  http://www.cyke.com/anger.swf 

March 5, 2011

http://www.cyke.com/anger.swf

March 4, 2011    Word Prediction in Communication
Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs
This is an awesome resource with many forms of Assistive Technology.
Everything is here from special need scissors, shoes to program software.
There is a link of  resources for Program Support Assistants also known as the 'ParaProfessional.'
Check out the ipod App Round Up...

http://teachinglearnerswithmultipleneeds.blogspot.com/2009/07/options-for-writing-with-word.html

Other Word Prediction Programs:
Classroom Suite by Intellitools ... has word prediction with picture symbols supports and can be used with the Intellitools keyboard which can be a standard keyboard with enlarged keys or can be used with overlays to match whatever software you are using.

Boardmaker with Speaking Dynamically Pro ... has word prediction only with 'Boardmaker with Speaking Dynamicall Pro.' This program is known for being "the ultimate in symbol resources." As well add-on software is avaliable for every area of the curriculm and things that are just fun like coloring books and games.

Also see: 

Typ-O HD TTS Word Prediction App

Sites for Writing Children's Stories

 Also see:   TextSpeak TS-04
 http://www.textspeak.com/talktype.htm

Another App for the iPod Touch or iPhone is Look2Learn which aids in communication needs of early development for example a young student whose cognitive skills exceeds his/ her expressive communication, students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, students who have short or long-term communication challenges due to medical needs, as well as others who have a speech and language disorder.
The latest App is Stories2Learn an App designed to create social preparedness stories that can be downloaded from iTunes.  http://www.look2learn.com/look2learn/Home.html
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Classroom Spelling and Vocabulary Games

Classroom Spelling and Vocabulary Games
This is not the homework assigned but rather online technology I thought were quite relavent to writing prediction. Worth checking out!!

These interactive, online technologies provide the ultimate learning tool. It is used by thousands of classrooms around the world, BigIQkids supports existing curriculums or can generate customized, grade appropriate lessons from a database of over 40,000 words.

The spelling program includes spoken words and sentences plus spelling rules, definitions, antonyms & synonyms.

                    


http://www.bigiqkids.com/SpellingTest/FreeSpellingProgram.html

The vocabulary program includes language arts, science, math & social studies versions.

                


http://www.bigiqkids.com/VocabularyProgram/FreeVocabulary.html

Video: Assessments for Learning Challenges.
       This is a series of videos from "Reading Rockets"

In this video students are observed for reading fluency, phonological awareness, comprehension, and decoding ability for reading and writing. This video also strongly suggests PD days to help teachers identify any signs of difficulties (theory and practice). Classroom support is vital to successfully help struggling students in reading and writing. Intervention needs to be done early and as soon as a challenge presents itself. Early years are the most strategic time to begin. Students struggling with reading and writing can have a high emotional and motivational impact on the student and often many withdrawl.

Video Link: http://www.readingrockets.org/podcasts/intervention 

Document Review Response

Learning Disabilities in Basic Writing Skills: Disabilities in basic writing such as Dysgraphia affect the students ability to write words with correct spelling, appropriate word choice, and basic mechanics such as letter formation, grammar, and punctuation. Students with Learning Disabilities in basic writing may not understand the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent and often cannot distinguish the correct written word from the incorrect word. It seems that once a student is identified with trouble gripping the pencil and is unable to form letters or numbers that are ledgable on paper it should be assesed by a specialist.

 

Recently a teacher introduced an angled wooden desktop ledger to a student along with a shorter pencil (Hand Writing Without Tears pencil). The student was very awkward with his grip of a regular length pencil and he has poor posture when sitting. His letters and numbers are scribblings. He needed to be shown how to position his chair in closer to his desk and I showed him by example to relax his shoulders, by rolling to loosen them. The teacher had asked him to try holding his pencil in the "traditonal grip" to see if it would be more comfortable for him. With the new pencil grip and the angled desktop ledger when he prints his name his letters are taking on a better form. This works very well for a primary student. I very much believe keyboarding at an early age especially for children identified with writing disablilities is a skill to acquire.  There are many user friendly typing activities and sites available.

 

Please see the video on this link:

http://www.keyboardclassroom.com/page/show/home

 

More from this site:

http://www.keyboardclassroom.com/page/show/resources

 

 

This is an interactive 'writing help site' that includes downloads to save for off-line use.
It has  text organizers to assist students with the writing process

Writing text types covered include reports, procedures, explanations, expositions (persuasion, point of view), discussions, narratives, recounts, descriptions, responses (inc. reviews), letters, invitations, news articles and emails.

   Link: http://www.writingfun.com/

   Link: http://www.writingfun.com/writingfun2010.html
                
          

     My very first Blog !!

I had to put in a few resources I found helpful to me.
Here is a great article to check out ... very informative.

 

 Cyber Students Taught the Value of Social Skills

Virtual schools are adding social skills to the curricula to satisfy parents and students who worry about potential isolation in the online world. (Education Week)

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/01/12/15edtech_socialization.h30.html?tkn=XTLFmEk5ecE5PctuwxPr9i3njmek%2FeHJOVan&cmp=clp-edweek

Free Book
I have ordered this free book for myself and it is full of great info on Assistive Technology.
"Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology & Transition Planning"
Individuals may order one free copy of the guide. Additional print copies are available for $10. To request print copies, visit http://www.fctd.info/show/order_guides