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Enhance Your Museum Experience: A Guide for Families with Specialized Educational and Accessibility Needs
Embarking on a museum trip with a child who has specialized educational or accessibility needs can be both exciting and challenging. To ensure a smooth and enriching experience, careful preparation is key. Before heading out, it's essential to lay the groundwork at home. Simple strategies such as creating social stories, packing a quiet bag with familiar items, and introducing exhibit materials through at-home lessons can help ease anxieties and build anticipation. Upon arrival at the museum, navigating the logistics becomes crucial. Inquire about handicap parking, accessible entrances, and any special accommodations available. Familiarize yourself with the museum's food policies and explore options for dining, ensuring your child's dietary needs are met. Confidence in navigating the museum's layout is vital, so take advantage of downloadable maps or virtual tours to plan your route in advance. Understanding the different spaces within the museum is also essential. Be aware of areas with sensory triggers such as loud noises or bright lights, as well as quiet zones for relaxation. Utilize educational materials provided by the museum to prepare your child beforehand and enhance their learning experience during and after the visit. Partnering with organizations like the International Association for Creation and SPED Homeschool can provide valuable resources and support. Explore options for guided tours or audio tours, and inquire about admission discounts or special passes to make the trip more affordable. Finally, don't hesitate to communicate your child's specific needs to museum staff, as they are often willing to accommodate and ensure a memorable visit for all. By following these comprehensive preparations and utilizing the provided resources, families can embark on museum adventures with confidence, knowing they've laid the groundwork for a successful and enjoyable experience tailored to their child's unique needs. Here is the link to watch our interview on YouTube with the President of IAC, Steven Policastro https://youtu.be/-UgbOayZEg4
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How NOT to Transition to High School
By Peggy Ployhar I wish I could say I was calm, cool, and collected when I transitioned my oldest into high school, but I wasn’t. Instead, I was a massive bundle of nerves. To make matters worse, in my pursuit to try to turn my frenzied state into a systematic approach for the upcoming transition, I signed up to attend a “How to Homeschool High School” workshop for typical students. I subsequently left that full-day seminar almost in tears because I felt the outline I had been given to follow was a near impossible task to require from my son. Needless to say, I have made it through the high school years now with all three of my differently wired learners. Over the years, I have learned a lot about what is really important when transitioning into high school for an atypical student, and what you need to throw out the window OR put off until later so you don’t lose your mind. Below are my biggest tips for transitioning, so you don’t make the same mistakes I did. 10 Tips for Making Your Homeschool Transition to High School Successful Start with the Right Perspective and Make a Preliminary Plan To start your first year of homeschooling high school in a much less stressful state than I did, here are five perspective-setting points to guide you: Focus on where your child is now, not where you wish they would have been when starting their high school transition. Develop general graduation expectations you and your spouse feel your student must accomplish before you will allow them to receive a diploma. Include your student’s aspirations, skills, and interests in your plan. Don’t even look at putting together a transcript until the end of your first year. This time delay will allow you to get a better handle on what pace your child can keep and reduce stress. Each year, focus on three main goals and make those goals measurable and relevant to the items in your preliminary plan. Fill in with other classes and activities once you feel your student is making progress on these critical goals. Take One Year at a Time It would be wonderful if we and our children had a clear-cut idea of where their lives are headed after high school, but very few do. Instead of setting up for failure with a four-year plan before you start, write your plan one year at a time with a projected outcome you can tweak along the way. Develop Your Whole Child Through the Process High school years can be overloaded with academics, but non-academic education is also crucial. Teach your young adult life skills such as cooking, cleaning, yard work, budgeting, faith development, driving, and working with others to round out their education. Follow the Checklist At SPED Homeschool, we have developed a high school checklist (see the attached document) to help parents remember all the important things when homeschooling a student with special educational needs. School However Long It Takes High school for many students with special needs or learning disabilities extends beyond their 18th birthday. Most states allow homeschooling as long as necessary for their transition into post-high school life. Check your state’s homeschool laws, but keep in mind that the IDEA allows for special education services up to age 21 (22 in some states), so many states allow the same for homeschooled students. Don’t Be Afraid to Be Creative Many parents move towards a more formal approach to education when their student enters high school. However, you don’t have to mimic traditional school. For instance, I used unit studies all through high school with my oldest child, offering the hands-on approach he needed to stay engaged. Don’t Let the Transcript Hold You Captive High school is a great time for your student to discover what they love and what they don’t. Taking a less rigid approach allows your student to learn new skills without feeling enslaved to them if they lose interest. At the end of the year, it is easier to group related activities into a creatively labeled class rather than forcing your student through a subject they lost interest in. Derailments Happen Sometimes, events during your student’s schooling can derail your plans. This doesn’t mean you have failed your child or that their future is bleak. When my second oldest quit school at 16, I was anything but calm. However, I have seen how this apparent derailment has worked out in God’s plan. Keep the Bigger Picture Always in Front of You When you start to stress, take a step back and ensure you are not stressing over the small stuff. Pray, ask God for a renewed perspective, and focus on helping your student achieve their main three yearly goals. Trust that the rest will fall into place. Stay Connected Don’t do this alone; it’s easy to think you are the only one struggling. You need fellowship! The SPED Homeschool Homeschool Heroes community is a great way to connect with other parents who understand what it’s like because they live out the same scenarios in their homeschools. If you follow these 10 tips, you will transition into these wonderful years with your student much more gracefully than I did. These were my favorite years of homeschooling my boys because I was front and center in their lives as they moved from children to adults. I pray your years ahead will be equally blessed as you persevere into your homeschooling high school years.
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Homeschool IEP Accommodations How-To
By Amy Vickrey, MSE, MEd Accommodations are a frequently used term when children struggle with academics, but it can be challenging to determine the right accommodations for each individual child. An accommodation is simply a change in the way a child accesses the information they need to learn. To determine appropriate accommodations, consider annual testing, psycho-educational assessments, therapy assessments, parent observations, performance on schoolwork, and behaviors that arise in specific situations, such as sitting for long periods or during certain academic subjects. Accommodations can address needs that are academic, behavioral, cognitive, or related to executive functioning. Finding the right accommodations might be a process, or you might find one that helps on the first try. Guiding Questions and Tips What are your child’s strengths? Strengths can be used, sometimes creatively, to support weaknesses. What are your child’s weaknesses? Activities and materials should not be so hard that weaknesses cause frustration. If your child is struggling, it’s okay to back up to an easier level before moving forward. Focus activities on one skill at a time. For example, if you are working on writing, focus on writing. If you are working on spelling, it’s okay to spell out loud or use letter tiles if writing is physically challenging. Pair a strength with a weakness. For example, if reading is a challenge, pair a physical book with an audiobook or read the book aloud together. Allow your child to verbally respond to questions if writing is frustrating, unless the goal is specifically to write. Consider a lesser accommodation first. For example, use a math chart before a calculator or raised line paper before a computer. Give yourself permission to skip or change activities that do not work for your child. No curriculum is perfect. Make it fit your child instead of trying to make your child fit the curriculum. If your child struggles with reading, it’s okay to read the questions and answer choices to them in any subject, including reading. This is an allowable accommodation for most standardized tests in schools. Ask questions! Ask other parents what has worked for their children in similar situations. They may have an idea you haven’t tried yet. Ask your child! Often, children know what is easy and what is hard for them. Sometimes they have creative solutions that adults wouldn’t think of, or that they find fun and motivating. Children can learn from videos and educational games, sometimes more than from a workbook. Some children need to be moving to learn. Make learning interactive or allow for movement and creativity in seating arrangements. Remember, behavior is communication. If your child’s behavior changes during specific activities, it may be their way of saying “this isn’t working for me.” Use as many senses as possible. Even just chewing gum or snacking can sometimes make a difference in the learning process. The more senses are engaged, the more pathways are built, and the easier your child will remember the information later. For more information and tips on accommodations, check out these additional resources: Creative Ways to Homeschool Special Education (Video interview) Creating a Unique Homeschool Learning Oasis (Video interview) Whether you need simple accommodations, such as reading questions aloud, or more creative solutions, thinking through these 14 tips can help guide parents to effective ways to support their child. By accommodating weaknesses and focusing on strengths, your child can achieve their goals. Supporting weaknesses and reducing frustrations lead to a love of learning, which encourages lifelong learning and helps children become independent adults who can find answers to questions they encounter. Amy Vickrey is the Training Manager at SPED Homeschool.
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How to Create a Hands-On Unit Study
By Dawn Spence When I taught public school, the one thing that inspired me the most was creating units. A fellow teacher and I developed a space unit for our 40 fourth graders, and the learning and excitement our students expressed made teaching come alive. When I started teaching my twin girls in preschool, I knew that units were the way to go. I created units on the ocean, fall, winter, and the zoo. It was the most memorable year of teaching. I still enjoy doing units with my kids, filled with lots of interactive learning and activities. Creating a unit is not hard, but it does take some planning. When you write your unit, you can use it as your only curriculum. Planning Your Unit Topic First, plan out what excites you and your learner. If the learning is engaging and holds your learner's interest, the learning will follow. I found “fall” to be a unit that can be adapted to both older and younger students. “Fall” also works well for all types of learners. Map Subjects Next, map out what subjects you want to include in your unit. You can easily involve core subjects and much more. When I created my “fall” unit, I included math, science, history, language arts, reading, and art. You can make the lessons simple or complex. I would draw a map and under each subject, list what I wanted to cover. For example, math using pumpkins was hands-on and made everyone eager for school in the morning. If your state includes Good Citizenship, you can add that as well. Don't forget to include field trips to bring your unit to life for your learner. Also, decide how long you want your unit to last. Develop Lessons Now, it’s time to develop your lessons. This step can be fun and overwhelming. There are so many activities you can add to your unit and many places to get ideas. I started with Teachers Pay Teachers, File Folder Heaven, and homeschooling blogs. I gathered ideas, and sometimes the activities I saw inspired me to create my own. I have created a sample graphic organizer to help with your planning. (Click here to download this free document.) Determine Assessments Lastly, decide how you want to grade or assess your learner's progress. You can create a lapbook, and at the end of the unit, your student could present what they learned with a hands-on project or report.  Units can be a great way to have fun while learning and engage your student. I also found that I could see my child’s interests and what excited them to learn. Have you created a unit study that you would like to share? If so, comment below or share it as new content on this article page or in the dicsussion on a tagged page.
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Homeschooling Outside: Hands-On Spring Learning Activities
by Peggy Ployhar Having spent most of my life in cold northern states, the arrival of spring always brings a sense of excitement. The opportunity to get outside and indulge in outdoor hobbies that were mere dreams during the winter months is something I eagerly anticipate. For this springtime learning activity blog, I want to share some ideas on how to enjoy the warmer weather while taking advantage of the incredible learning potential the outdoors offers for your children. Whether you prefer gardening, science, exploring, or art, these top free activities from the SPED Homeschool Spring Pinterest board provide a plethora of fun and educational outdoor activities. Gardening An Introduction to Plants for Kids This resource offers a variety of multi-sensory activities, field trip ideas, and video suggestions that can keep you studying plants for weeks! Getting Your Hands Dirty Gardening Unit From seeds to literature about gardening, this unit covers everything, including learning about the critters that help gardens thrive. Plant Studies Spring Dandelion Unit Explore dandelions through notebooking, experiments, art projects, and recipes. Easy Seed Science Activities Discover 10 creative ways to study how seeds grow, complete with hands-on experiment links for each. Insect Studies Ant Unit Study This unit includes books, videos, art projects, and more, all focused on ants. Grasshoppers and Cricket Study Combine literature and science to learn about these fascinating insects. Animal Studies Montessori-Inspired Bird Unit Hands-on bird-themed learning activities suitable for various levels of learners. A Frog Unit Study Teach your children about frogs while incorporating language arts, math, science, and even lessons on godly character. Exploring Survival Themed Books Unit Studies for Teens and Tweens A great list of books and accompanying unit studies to inspire your older students to take their learning outdoors. Nature Walks & Scavenger Hunts Explore over 30 ways to hike, hunt, and discover the great outdoors. Nature & the Arts Art & Nature Study with Beatrix Potter Study nature through the lens of Beatrix Potter's work, combining art and nature exploration. Claude Monet Unit Study Use this extensive list of resources to study Claude Monet and learn how to create art inspired by nature, embracing the principles of impressionism. Be sure to check out all the SPED Homeschool Pinterest boards for even more creative and inspiring ways to homeschool your student with special educational needs.
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Why Art Is Essential in Learning
By Dawn Jackson, M.Ed What is art? Is it merely an opportunity for your child to view life from a new perspective, or is it just another mess that ends up needing cleanup by the end of the day? As a homeschool mom of three, I’ve experienced my fair share of creative chaos. I recall the vibrant murals we painted on the kitchen wall, featuring the animals we were studying. We made homemade playdough and amassed a collection of rubber stamps to craft beautiful art and cards for our loved ones. I initially saw these activities as simply fun and a way for my own artistic brain to alleviate the daily overwhelm. However, I soon realized the profound impact these art activities were having on my children, nurturing their innate curiosity and need for play. I was driven to achieve homeschooling perfection, striving for the best curriculum and ensuring they learned everything necessary for life. Yet, what I discovered from our art days was far more valuable than I had ever imagined. The benefits of art play are so remarkable and extensive that it’s challenging to capture them all in words. For instance, observe the magic that happens when paint hits paper. Add a spritz of water from a spray bottle and watch it blend and flow. If you're feeling adventurous, hand them a straw and let them blow paint into wiggly lines. Once it dries, they can go back and add eyes, features, and bodies to create their own creatures. The result? Curiosity takes flight, invention soars, and spontaneity is embraced. What lessons are unfolding here? As a teacher and coach, I remind myself of the objectives behind the art activities I present. What can children gain from these enriching experiences? How can art teach them to perceive the world around them differently? I’ve utilized art in various ways with children: as a therapeutic tool for emotional expression, a medium for spontaneous play, a means to tell stories, a way to explore the perspectives of master artists, or simply as a relaxing activity. Art is a beautiful gift from our Creator, the greatest artist of all, enabling us to view the world through fresh lenses. These are the valuable lessons children can gain from their art experiences. Yes, art can be messy, and it requires thinking outside the box to gather the right supplies and set aside any self-doubt about creativity. I encourage parents to provide a wide array of fun materials for their children to explore—different papers, grocery bags, old books, journals, paints, oil pastels, and chalk. Each texture presents a unique challenge and learning opportunity. Through art, you can gain insights into how your child thinks, feels, and approaches new experiences, perhaps discovering a budding artist you never knew existed. The most rewarding aspect of creating art with your child is the joy it brings to your heart as you reconnect with your inner child. When your child hears the joy in your laughter, they’ll feel inspired to join in the fun. Maybe today is the perfect day to start a new routine of daily art creation. Step outside and remember to bring along that box of chalk. Enjoy the process!
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Do Homeschool Students Need a Public School IEP?
By Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L, from Homeschool OT and Casey Waugh, OTR/L In early 2017, my eight-year-old was hit directly in the eye with a Frisbee. He saw it leave his friend’s hand but didn’t realize it was about to give him a swollen, black-and-blue eye. Around the same time, he asked me, “Mom, how do you read when the words are moving on the page?” As an occupational therapist, I recognized that he wasn’t succeeding in his educational or social goals. It was time to seek help. As homeschoolers, we can tailor our children’s education to their needs, adjusting the pace, curriculum, and environment. However, building a team that includes doctors and therapists can be beneficial. When struggles specifically affect educational performance, a public school IEP can be warranted. 1. What is a Public School IEP? An IEP, or Individualized Education Plan, outlines a special education program to help a student progress and succeed in learning. It’s created for students with disabilities or learning differences that impact their performance socially, behaviorally, or functionally in an academic setting. IEPs are developed by a team that includes educators, parents, and sometimes the student. To receive an IEP, a student must have a disability identified in IDEA (the federal law governing special education) that adversely impacts their academic progress. If you suspect your child has a learning difference, your local school district can conduct a full educational evaluation. We began this process by contacting the Director of Special Education in our school district. A simple email requesting assistance led to scheduled testing within 60 days. My son spent three half-days at the school with a psychologist and occupational therapist for standardized reading, comprehension, and motor testing. 2. Why Would a Homeschooled Child Need a Public School IEP? If your child struggles to progress despite schedule changes, movement breaks, curriculum adjustments, and pairing motivating subjects with challenging ones, an IEP might be helpful. A thorough educational evaluation can determine if there’s an underlying reason, like a specific learning disability or processing concern, for your child’s struggles. Evaluations may include input from other professionals, such as occupational therapists. If an IEP is deemed appropriate, services might be provided at home or at a public school. For our son, the diagnosis was “reading delay, unspecified,” indicating he was behind his peers without a specific reason identified. The school recommended testing accommodations, dual enrollment for Wilson Reading System instruction, and monthly OT sessions. For us, the most important part was securing testing accommodations for future exams like the SAT or ACT. 3. If a Homeschooled Child Has a Public School IEP, What is the School’s Responsibility? Under federal law, school districts must evaluate and identify children with disabilities and develop IEPs for those in need, including homeschooled children. However, the way services are offered varies by state. Some states consider homeschooling a “private school,” which affects the support plan. In our case, we declined certain services as we felt we could provide equivalent instruction at home based on my expertise as an OT. 4. If a Homeschooled Child Has a Public School IEP, What is the Parents’ Responsibility? Parents play a crucial role in the IEP team, particularly in homeschooling. You can adjust accommodations and modifications to meet your child’s needs without going through the school. Depending on your state, there may be specific requirements for tracking and recording information and completing assessments. An IEP is reviewed annually, but you can ask questions or request changes at any time. It’s helpful to organize your data and list major concerns before meetings. Since our son’s assessment provided a diagnosis and recommendations, Pennsylvania law requires us to use a homeschool evaluator with a special education background. She reviews our goals each year and provides a written assessment, which has been helpful for us. 5. What Should a Homeschool Parent Expect at an IEP Meeting? IEP meetings involve the entire team to develop an education plan for your child. Meetings typically last at least an hour and include special education and general education teachers, a school district representative, someone to interpret evaluation results, and any related service providers. You should receive a draft IEP ahead of the meeting. The draft can be adjusted, allowing the meeting to focus on problem-solving and addressing major concerns. IEPs can be revised throughout the year if needed. As an OT and homeschool parent, I’ve experienced IEP meetings from both sides. A few surprises included: A general education teacher who didn’t know my son had to be present because the law requires it. Special education services with specific time requirements, despite our different educational setting. Getting an IEP can provide valuable information for developing home education plans and accessing services and accommodations. Author Bios: Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with experience in pediatrics and home health, and a homeschooling parent. She founded Collins Academy Therapy Services, aka HomeschoolOT, to educate parents on creating homeschools designed for students' needs and to train occupational therapists to serve the homeschool community. Find Sarah online at Homeschool OT, on Instagram, and in her Facebook group. Casey Waugh, OTR/L is an occupational therapist from Pittsburgh, PA, specializing in feeding, sensory processing, and parent education. She provides individualized supports for parents of children with sensory differences and helps navigate the special education process as a Master IEP Coach. Find her on social media @ottimewithcasey 
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4 Things to Prepare Before Writing Your Child's Homeschool IEP
By Dawn Spence A common abbreviation in special education is IEP, which stands for your child’s Individualized Education Plan. This plan outlines your child’s academic and behavioral goals and is tailored to their unique abilities, helping guide their learning journey. Before you start writing your child’s IEP, gather the necessary information to create appropriate goals and objectives. 1. List Your Child’s Strengths and Weaknesses Begin by listing what your child does well and the areas where they need growth. This process defines their Present Levels of Performance (PLOPS). I found a useful checklist for $2.00, which you can find here. Additionally, searching “present levels” or “PLOPS” on Teachers Pay Teachers yields various forms, some even subject-specific (e.g., math, English), and many are free. This information is crucial for writing your IEP, as it establishes the foundation for what you want your child to learn and achieve. Document their strengths and weaknesses in both academic and behavioral areas. 2. Gather Former Testing or Observations Collect any previous testing results from school districts, home assessments, or tutoring sessions. These reports often include areas for improvement and may suggest goals. 3. Collaborate with Therapists If your child receives therapy, therapists can be a valuable resource. They often have checklists for therapy goals. Collaborating with my daughter’s therapists, we cover as many goals as possible. Therapists can identify strengths and weaknesses that you might not notice. 4. Compile Work Samples from Current Curriculum For example, if your child can add but struggles with subtraction, this helps you set relevant goals. Many curriculums offer placement tests to determine your child’s current level and progression path. These tests are often available online for free. Moving Forward With all your resources and information gathered, you’re ready to start writing your IEP. In the meantime, check out the IEP resources on our IEP Pinterest board.
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How to Write Homeschool IEP Goals and Objectives
By Amy Vickrey, MSE For some children, IEP goals will target a specific subject or area of weakness, with other topics playing a minor role. For others, the goals may encompass their entire focus for the year. Let's delve into the difference between goals and objectives. Goals A goal is the intended outcome you want to achieve in each area of weakness. Ideally, you should have 3-5 goals focusing on the most critical areas or those with the greatest need. The best goals follow the SMART formula: SMART IEP Goals Are: Specific Measurable Use Action Words Realistic Time-Limited Objectives Objectives are the steps you take to reach your goal. They break down the larger goal by time or skill. Example: Handwriting Goal: John will write his name, with correctly formed letters, in the correct order, three times over a week. Objective 1: John will use play-doh, art materials, and manipulatives to create the individual letters to spell his name, using a visual prompt, three times over a week. Objective 2: John will write the individual letters, J, O, H, and N using correct form, three times over the week. Objective 3: John will use play-doh, art materials, and manipulatives to create the letters to spell his name correctly, using a visual prompt, three times over a week. These objectives build on each other so that by the time John completes the last objective, he is ready to achieve the final goal of writing his name correctly. Objectives or Not? Whether to include objectives depends on personal preference and the specific goal. Objectives can provide focus and direction on the steps and skills leading up to a goal. Goals can be applied to any academic or life skill area, such as math or toilet training. Looking Ahead Now that you know how to write goals, you can create a more focused and purposeful school day. The next article in this series will help you track progress so you know when to modify the goal or set a new one. More Resources For additional ideas, check out our IEP Pinterest board or explore these links: Setting Annual IEP Goals: What You Need to Know IEP Goals and Objectives – 1000s to Choose From Creating SMART IEP Goals and Objectives
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Finding Engaging and Accessible Reading Content for Struggling Readers
By Peggy Ployhar One of the biggest challenges in teaching a child who struggles with reading is finding content that appeals to their intellectual level while matching their instructional level in subjects other than reading. Below are some excellent free resources for parents and educators seeking modified instructional reading texts to improve your child’s reading and comprehension skills. Instructional Reading Texts for Reading Comprehension: Already Modified for You ReadWorks: ReadWorks is a nonprofit that provides resources to help teach reading comprehension. You can search by topic, subject, reading passages, specific articles, or text paired with already developed lessons, vocabulary sets, and comprehension questions. Newsela: Newsela offers free access to news content written at five different reading levels, complete with comprehension quizzes. Search for content by reading level, topic, grade level, and find articles that include writing prompts. CommonLit: CommonLit is a free resource with a searchable library of passages for reading instruction for grades 3 to 12. You can create teacher and student accounts, assign comprehension assessments, and track progress. The site also offers Spanish passages and comprehension questions. News in Levels: Track progress of student reading of various world events Breaking News English: This UK-based site provides current event articles written at seven different reading levels. Each article includes a teacher lesson plan with vocabulary words, a table for organizing the text’s ideas, and a critical thinking exercise. For the Teachers Articles: A variety of free fictional articles written at three different reading levels for students from grade 3 to 10. Speech is Beautiful: 400 free adapted books for AAC users. Teachers Pay Teachers: Two stores on Teachers Pay Teachers that offer an extensive selection of lessons, books, and other teaching materials with modified reading texts are Miss A’s Mismatched Miracles and Ms. Meghan’s Special Minds and Hands. Modified Instructional Reading Texts: Modified by You If you haven't found exactly what you need, here are some free online resources to help you modify instructional texts you already own: Rewordify: Copy and paste complex text into this site to simplify the language, making it easier for a struggling student to comprehend. The site also offers options to include definitions of complex vocabulary words or create word learning sessions based on the converted vocabulary, building both spelling and vocabulary skills. Special Reads: While this site sells modified books for special needs readers, it also provides a free instructional article on how to modify your own text or books for your student. Improving reading comprehension and finding resources that fit your child’s interests and abilities can make an enormous difference in their academic success. These resources are cost-effective, allowing you to spend your time and energy helping your child progress and find success, rather than searching for the perfect materials.
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Adapting Math Curriculum for Special Needs Learners
By Dawn Spence No single curriculum is one-size-fits-all, especially in math. Children with special needs and learning differences often require tailored approaches to meet their educational needs. I have purchased curricula only to realize that my child could not complete the activities as written. That is when I have to adapt the curriculum to fit her needs. Math is an easier subject to accommodate and modify because it lends itself to using hands-on materials and can be done on a computer. Math is an abstract subject, but by using manipulatives or other accommodations, it can be made more concrete. Accommodating Math Here are some ways to accommodate your current math curriculum. These strategies can help teach our learners more effectively: Provide graph paper: Helps line up numbers so that information stays organized, especially helpful with long division. (Free printable graph paper available at printfreegraphpaper.com) Allow the use of calculators Provide visuals and stories: To help learn math facts List the steps: Provide written or visual steps for problem-solving Use dry erase boards: Instead of pencil and paper Reduce the number of problems: Do some problems together with your student before having them work independently Draw pictures of story problems Modifying Math Here are some ways to modify your math curriculum. These changes alter what we teach and what the learner is expected to learn: Create workboxes: Focus on specific skills Use stamps: For writing numbers for those who cannot write numbers yet Make problems multiple choice Use stickers or hands-on objects: To help your learner count Provide partial steps: Write some steps for the learner and have them complete the remaining steps Use real objects: To work out story problems This list is a starting point for modifying your math curriculum.