Beginning handwriting worksheets

We used these years ago to start Connor with simple verticle and horizontal strokes. It was critical that they were simple white backgrounds and with no extra text because it put him into sensory overload and he would wither shut down or tantrum. You can still see evidence of when we tried to use the cheap colored dry erase markers as well.

Hint: black ink dry erase pens usually work fairly well but if you are using an off brand it's usually best to stay away from the colors (especially red and green). You can always test it too on the backside of the worksheet/workbook and let it sit there over night.

Using the table easel

Here are some of the ways we use our table top easel. Sorry for the poor image quality,

 it's tough to get a good picture of a laminated surface without a glare :).

              

Here we are reviewing verbs (previously introduced) in sentence form and giving him visual cues (rather than verbal to avoid the echoic response). This gives him practice as narrator and will hopefully increase his mean length of utterances. The above cards show the circle and triange as different parts of speech with he/she on the circle and is/are on the triangle. We have also been working to get him to add the 'ing' to his verbs and this is an easy reminder for him. I don't use it every time, just as all other prompts I am working to fade them ALWAYS :).
 

With this set you could teach the Listener Responder (LR)/Receptive ID in a large array (but don't forget to mix it up and teach in a messy array as well). But you can also work on Features of items (right side of printed card) and then change it up to start working on the Intraverbal Fill- Ins (left side of printed card).

I would love more ideas on how to use this platform since it is inexpensive, stores compactly and is portable....everything we love.

Behind the photos you can see some pocket charts that I made (to save to $20-$30 each). We really try to use the vertical space and to keep our teaching items out and present because he absorbs everything arouond him. They are hanging from two plant hooks each that are screwed into the bottom side of the kitchen bartop.

Handwriting Made Fun!

Our new workbook
This is a great workbook by Mead to make handwriting fun. I broke this book down, laminated and rebound it so that we can use it over and over again. This was Connor's first attempt at it. He's come so far! He was smiling and laughing while he did the ENTIRE book 21 pages! Love it.

Connor's Favorite iPad Apps

UNDER CONSTUCTION SORRY :)
WE HAVE SO MANY FAVORITES AND HAVE TO GET THEM ORGANIZED


We only list the apps that we have purchased and find of educational value. Please feel free to suggest your favorites.

Our rating system:

5 smileys- Must have (for us), use everday or is of great educational value

1 smiley- a good fun time waster with at least some educational value

This is the Monster Maker App

cost $

rating

how we use it/ category

The is the Color by numbers/letters App

Having trouble teaching a specific skill or need a different perspective?

What would you like to see here?

Must Have ABA Verbal Behavior Books- my short list :)

All have descriptions, reviews and are for purchase @ amazon.com

GAMES- how fun do these look!?!

Ideas for classroom organization

This is a great idea for a visual work schedule (teacher and student). I think it would be even better if it had multiple levels for each subject though. Maybe like two hanging files sewn together with five pockets or so each and an in and out (left and right and diff colors) for each. It would make setting up the night before much easier and also give a visual reminder as to what needs to be done as well as to demonstrate progress and eventually completion for the student.

 Maye like this with a matching green one next to it for the 'In' box.

This is an easy was to set up a work/day schedule. You could also integrate (if using for a single student) a token system for each of the completed tasks or for behavior during that time frame.

This is a really neat pocket chart to teach begining graphing and mathmatical concepts but you could do so much more with it as well. Just customize it to fit the skill level that you are on, for example I could see using this to teach colors, to get children to aproximate/speak the words of colors, teach foods, anomals or objects wile organizing by their color........ the list is nearly endless :). It's also very visually engaging.



 This is one of my favorite purchases. This is our table top easle that folds up flat, has a handle to ttote it around and even a velcro pocket with a window to carry your word cards and pictures with you. I love it, so worth the $20. We use it at the table, on the ottoman in the living room, we take it to speech therapy it is so handy. We use it when tacting/labeling flashcards-every time he gets it right he gets to put it in the pocket and 'keep' it. We also use it to construct sentences, teach pronouns and narrate verbs with 'ing' as well as word families. Again, the sky is the limit with this kind of platform.

These three sets are such a great deal @ $20. They come with the easel and all the photo and word cards shown! I wish I would have found this before, it could have saved me a lot of time and ink :). I saw these @ discountschoolsupply.com so I'm not sure of the durrability of the easels, you may want to read the reviews before purchasing. These help to give an idea of some of the ways they can be used though.

Please share any ideas that you have to help us all become the best teachers and moms we can be to our kiddos.