The Nuts & Bolts of the Blog

Blogger vs Edublogs

Edublogs is a blogging application for educators. It is the application most favoured by the Education Department because of cyber -safety issues. I have tried on a number of occasions to create a blog using the Edublogs site but find the site difficult to navigate my way around and the online tutorials confusing because of my lack of technical knowledge once I get past the set up stage. However, I'm sure that if I sat alongside a very patient 'flesh and blood' ICT coach who was prepared to work at my pace I would be able to master the Edublogs application.

Blogger is much more user friendly for technically challenged people like myself and I like the blog templates, which allow you to create a site that appeals to visual learners. Many schools use the Blogger application to produce fantastic sites .

My Blog is really 8 blogs which have been designed with a specific propose and audience in mind that have been linked to form a blogging network.

Teacher Space

Junior Crew Class Blog 2009

Room 13 Class Blog 2008

Maths Space

Junior Crew Spelling

Junior Crew Book Shelf

Junior Crew Virtual Gallery

Kids Space

All of the blogs follow a similar organisational pattern .

So let's take a tour !

English language Learners with Learning Disabilities.

Click on the picture to watch the web cast

Reading Rockets

Hi Everyone,
I have decided to use the Reading Rockets web site as my professional reading this week. It has hundreds of articles, video and other resource links about the teaching and learning of reading. The great thing about this site is that it is directed at a variety of audiences. There are sections for teachers, parents, principals and librarians, and allied services such as speech pathologists and psychologists. Take a look for yourself. It will be well worth the effort.

Literactive

Hi Everyone,
The kids in my class will be completing activities from the Literactive site this week. Literactive is a free online comprehensive, phonics based reading program for early learners. There are online games to play, guided reading books to share and games and worksheets that can be downloaded if you apply for free registration with the site.
Why don't you take a look. It might be just the program you need to add some mid year variety for readers who need that extra bit of support.

Roots & Wings

Hi Everyone,
I spend a lot of time reading the blogs of parents who have children with special needs. It helps me to keep my priorities in order and keep the end goal in mind. I am just part of a team of people who want to give our children the best possible opportunity to lead an enviable life.
I have a blogroll of parent blogs right at the bottom of this page. It's a great place to go when you are feeling overwhelmed because these blogs are filled with such great ideas and exude positive energy.

I have been emailing back a forth with an amazing mum this week. Katrina has a son with special needs and she shares a blog' Roots and Wings' with two of her sisters. They write about all sorts of things. I was really impressed with a post that Katrina wrote, that passed on great tips from her years of working side by side with an occupational therapist, to help her son with some sensory/ motor issues. Click on the picture above and scroll down to the post on April 28th to see for yourself.

Tomorrow will be the Junior Crew's first day back at school. I hope that they have enjoyed the holidays and are just as excited to be coming back to school as I am. You can visit our classroom by clicking on the rocket link in the right margin any time. We'd love to hear from you too :)

Special Education Resources- TES Connect

Hi Everyone,
I registered with TES Connect last year and have been downloading resources and reading great articles, on Mainstream and Special Education topics from this site every week.
I didn't know that they have over 900 Special Needs resources but I'm not at all surprised!

18 Nursery Rhymes- Northumberland Grid for Learning

Hi Everyone,
I added this reading activity to the Junior Crew Book Shelf last night.
The site has 18 well known nursery rhymes, set up in 3 sets of 6 rhymes so they can be be easily used as a 'make a choice activity' during Circle Time. I am looking forward to using the program on an interactive white board, during our next junior assembly. The program allows you to read the rhymes yourself, have them read to you or sing along with a group of children.

If you want to test out your student's memory skills, there are sequencing activities and teaching notes for each of the rhymes too. I am constantly amazed at the number of fantastic free resources there are online if you are prepared to look for them. Check out this one by clicking on the pictures and and the Junior Crew Bookshelf by clicking on the hyperlinks.

Junior Crew Book Shelf

Hi Everyone,
Over the past year I have been putting together a virtual bookshelf of hundreds of online stories, videos and information text sites. I got tired of finding really great sites and then forgetting where I had found the material when I went to search for it again.
The kids in my class explore this site independently but we really enjoy reading online books or watching an educational video together at the end of the day.
I hope that you find the resources helpful.

Learn to be Buddies

Hi Everyone,
This morning I spent some time visiting Amanda Gray's web site and blog. Amanda is an Australian university lecturer who specialises in working with kids with challenging behaviours. I have been following her blog for some time and really enjoy reading her posts which are full of easy to read, evidence based interventions and strategies.
Make sure that you scroll down the right margin of her blog to find the web site link because Amanda also writes ( very inexpensive) books, music and designs games that can be used in the classroom to teach pragmatic skills and support anti -bullying programs.
Take some time to read the blog posts that were written in May as they contain some great practical ideas for teachers in both mainstream and special education classes and while you're at it, sign up for the newsletter.

Jig Zone - Online Puzzles

Hi Everyone,
Have you discovered Jig Zone yet?
It is a child friendly online jig saw puzzle program which allows you to tailor make and /or complete jigsaws at your own level of ability. There are hundreds of different puzzles available in a range of cuts.
This site is a favourite free choice activity for many of the students in my classroom and is used as a soothing activity for one of my students with ASD.
The puzzles can be embedded into blogs and websites and are great fun to do together on an interactive white board.

Messy Art - Teacher's TV

Junior Crew Virtual Gallery



Teacher's TV


Hi Everyone,

I am a very big fan of Teacher's TV. During the school holidays I love to sit up in bed with my lap top on my lap and watch their latest videos while sipping coffee. Today I watched some of their art videos.

I am not art trained but love to teach it. The videos give me some great ideas but also provide me with the technical knowledge I need to teach well.

Teacher's TV has a range of filters so that you can search for videos that relate to your setting. They have some fantastic resources for mainstream and special education teachers.
If you would like to check out what my class has been working on lately just click on the Virtual Gallery Link.

Speaking of Speech.com

Hi Everyone,

The Speaking of Speech web site is a great one to explore for all sorts of language reasons however today I want to point out that it is loaded with ready made social stories. Some are photographic others made with Board Maker. The site covers an incredible number of social skills topics. Nose picking is something that has come up regularly in my conversations with other teachers of late which is why I have linked to that particular social but you will find a social story or script to cover almost any social emergency for any age or ability range. If that's not enough incentive to explore the site click on the 'Guess Who' board to access their ready made Board Maker speech therapy games. Click on any one of the pictures to discover the site for yourself.

Positively Autsim - Free resources

Hi Everyone,
If you haven't had a look a the Positively Autism site yet the school holidays are a good time to do some serious downloading. I used the site last term to download work tasks and some fine motor cutting templates. You will also find lots of free data collection forms, game boards and visual aids. The site managers are adding new material to the site regularly so make sure you keep checking in to see what's new. Don't forget to check out all of the other online ASD resources in the blog margin under Autism links. I hope that you are all enjoying the holiday break :)

Board Maker Free Trial

Hi Everyone,

Mayer-Johnson, the makers of the Board Maker visual aid program, are offering a 30 day free trial of their product which can be downloaded from the Internet. Although expensive, Board Maker is an excellent visual tool to assist children with learning challenges. This is a great opportunity to convince school principals and unit leaders that your school needs to invest in the software !

Typing / Keyboarding Programs for Kids

Power Typing

Dance Mat

Hi Everyone,

This term I used the Dance Mat Typing Program in my classroom to teach the kids keyboard awareness skills. I had no expectations that the kids would learn to touch type, but that is exactly what happened!

This highly engaging program kept my kids glued to the keyboard during keyboarding lessons and I found them choosing to work on their typing skills during 'choice time'.

I have been looking for a follow up program that will appeal to my students who have finished the Dance Mat program. I think the Power Typing program might just be the one!

Scroll down the right margin of the blog until you find my ICT links. You will find lots of great keyboarding games there.

Mr Jenkinsons' Cupboard

Hi Everyone,

If you haven't discovered Teacher's TV yet the site has set up a fun way of generating interest. A visit to Mr Jenkinson's Cupboard might be just the motivation you need to become a Teacher's TV devotee!

When you visit the cupboard you will be asked to choose a primary or secondary focus, play a quick game and then you will be presented with 6 inspiring short videos that relate to your setting . Check it out!

ESL Flashcards.com

Hi Everyone,
ESL Flashcards.com is a great source of free visual materials for children who are visual learners as well as those students learning a second language. it covers a huge range of topics and has a host of other resources linked to it that will have you browsing for hours!

Eye Tracking Exercises

Hi Everyone,
I have been working on eye tracking exercises with some of my students who are challenged in this area. Eye Can learn is a fun site which allows children to work on exercises online. Some of these activities work brilliantly on our Smart Board for a quick whole group focus. I have added them to my class blog page so that we have quick access in breaks between lessons. Little and often is the rule that I use when presenting students with this kind of activity because your eyes will definitely feel like they have had a work out when you have finished!
The site also has lots of links to other vision sites which may be of interest. Have fun with it!

Sparkle Box

Hi Everyone,
Sparkle Box is a great site to explore if you are looking for downloadable resources to support visual learners in both mainstream and special education settings.Take the time to download the free tool bar and save yourself loads of time preparing visual aids for your classroom!

Ten things Every Child with Autism Wishes You knew

Hi Everyone,

While researching information for an I was writing, I found Ellen Notbohm's web site. Ellen wrote the book Ten things Every Child with Autism Wishes You knew. You will find information on all of her books by clicking on the picture link to her web site. Or you can have a look at a PDF version of her Ten Things Every child with Autism Wishes You knew by clicking on the PDF picture link. it's a good read so check it out.

Sensory Processing Disorder

Hi Everyone,

I am on study leave at the moment writing an essay for my ASD course. The topic is on Sensory Modulation Disorder. This is a huge issue in my classroom for my students with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder. Students with Sensory Processing Disorders are often incorrectly diagnosed with ADHD and given inappropriate drug interventions for a problem better worked through with an occupational therapist.

Lucy Jane Miller Ph. D. has produced a great body of literature and research on the topic. The first photo link will take you to a 1/2 hour podcast where Lucy explains in very simple terms . Click on the red arrow to download the podcast( it took about 3 minutes to download on my system ).

The second photo link will take you to a video news report about sensory processing disorders. Following this hyperlink will take you to an interesting article I am using for my research into the topic.

Autism Speaks - Video Glossary

Hi Everyone,
While searching for some information on sensory arousal management strategies for kids with ASD, I came across the Autism Speaks Video Glossary. Once you have registered you can watch a great range of short videos on autism topics. It's well worth a look.

Softschools.com

Hi Everyone,

I discovered Softschools.com this week while looking for some subtraction worksheets for my class. It's another one of those sites that you can spend hours looking at so be warned. It has lots of online learning activities and printables for kids from Pre K to Middle Years and covers the main learning domains. Well worth a look :)

Self Registration on the Interactive Whiteboard - Bev Evans

Hi Everyone,
Have you visited Communication 4 All yet? If you are an Early years or Primary teacher Bev Evans' site will keep you downloading for hours. Today I had a close look at the self registration interactive white board resources in the Early Years section. Name a child who wouldn't love to register their presence by shooting a rocket across an interactive white board first thing in the morning! There are registration programs on all sorts of themes like: balloons, flowers , fish pirates, animals and the seasons- just to name a few!
If you do visit, have a good look around the site because Bev is adding new material all the time.

Kidsnumbers.com

Hi Everyone,

I was visiting Paul 's blog Free Resources on the Net for Special Education yesterday. I explored a site that he had recommended called Kidsnumbers.com. It is a maths site that uses great visuals to give kids practise and teaching in the area of the 4 operations. it even has a selection of songs to go with each topic area. I haven't had a chance to explore all of the site which includes other key learning areas yet but I will be using the multiplication games in my classroom on Monday. Thanks for the tip Paul. Click on the links or on the picture to explore both sites yourself.

Change Maker - Interactive Money Program

Hi Everyone,

Here is another great interactive program for your maths sessions on money. The Change Maker program is part of the Funbrain site. It helps students learn how to make change. Choose your currency by clicking on a flag. It would be fun to see how to make up change in another country too!

Click here or on the picture to get started!

Pics for PECS and Visual Aids for Learning

Hi Everyone,
The most commonly asked question from visitors to my classroom is,
Where did you get your visual aids from?'
I use Pics for PECS, which is a $50 computer disc that can be used on both Word and Apple systems and free downloads from Visual Aids for Learning.

Although our school has access to 'Board Maker, which is a brilliant but much more expensive visual aid program , I find that Pics for PECS has been a useful and complete source of images for my schedule board and for students using picture exchange as their major form of communication.

Mainstream teachers tend to find the Pics for PECS and Visual Aids for Learning images are more 'mainstream friendly'.

Visual images are not just for the Early Years classroom. These images and suitable for visual learners and students with a range of learning challenges throughout the Primary years.

Visual Aids for Learning, provides loads of free down loadable images which print beautifully. I use the emotions and behavior cards in my class every day.

These are both great resources if you are just starting out in working with a child with special needs in your classroom. Click on the images to find out more about these products.

4 Ingredients - Kim McCosker & Rachael Bermingham

Hi Everyone,

My Junior Crew class will be learning all about healthy eating in health and physical education classes and measurement in maths this term. We will be using cooking activities to make the link between the two subject areas. I use the 4 Ingredients books by Kim Mc Cosker & Rachael Bermingham as my main recipe resource because the recipes are easy to use, read and very cheap to make!

Once introduced to the recipes, my primary students are able to manage to cook with very little help from me, other than to keep a watchful eye on them while they are using sharp knives and hot stoves or frying pans.

By the end of this term my students will be able to make 5 breakfast and lunch meals on their own and translate this skill from school to home.

The books can be purchased from major retail outlets in Australia and are available to purchase online for less than $20 each.

Social Skills for Kids - Patricia Robinson

Hi Everyone,

Patricia Robinson is a therapist with a special interest in working with kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD.

Today at the Autism workshop that I attended we spent a lot of time talking about the needs of students with Aspergers Syndrome. Today Patricia's post is on the same topic and is well worth a read if you are committed to setting up Aspergers friendly environments and teaching routines.

Every time I have posted a question on this blog, Patricia has emailed me back. She is a great online resource.

On the right margin of this blog there are loads of links to other great resources covering a huge variety of topics.

If you would like to see the blogs that I read for inspiration, scroll all the way to the bottom of the blog ( It's a long way down!) to access my blogrolls.

Zac Browser

I love to visit the Blog Teachers Love Smart Boards. I find so many great applications there to use with my class. I received an email today from the author of the site, James Hollis, telling me about this site. If you are working with children with an ASD or very young children, with or without a disability this is definitely a site for you. It is designed to help students navigate around the web easily and has lots of fantastic sites accessible through the free program download. I am so impressed! Click on the picture to follow the link. Make sure you visit Teachers Love Smart Boards too!

Free Online Books and Videos for Kids

Hi Everyone,

I love using online books and videos to teach my room full of tech savvy visual learners so I created a blog to store all of the great resources that I find. There are hundreds of online stories, videos, songs, magazines and kids cartoons stored there, that are compatible with most school server blockers!I will put a permanent link in the right margin of the blog too. Just look for the flying books!

Help Kids Learn

Hi again,
Do you have kids in your class who love trains? How about some precious little people with limited mobility, who love playing switch games and reading simple switch stories?
If you answered yes to any of these, this is the site for you. Check it out!

Teaching Life Skills - A Parent's Guide

Hi Everyone,
I just finished my final Individual learning Plan for the term. As I mentioned yesterday, I have lots of children in my class with 'life skills' as a priority learning goal. On our ILP document we have a section for parents where we let them know what they can do at home to help support their child's progress in reaching their learning goals.
This document by Casey Family Programs is a 57 page manual on how parents can teach their children life skills at home. It's a great document because it covers ages from primary to adult and all of the experiences are embedded in normal life scenarios.
I am definitely going to print out a copy when I get to school.

Arthur- Life Skills

Hi again,

Arthur is one of my favourite story characters. I was really excited to find that the Arthur web site has loads of resources to support life skills topics because the Arthur character is so appealing to my students. I have linked this post directly to the life skills section. I don't have a life so I will be spending my Saturday night checking out the activities!

Education.com

Hi Everyone,
I have spent most of today writing individual learning plans for two of my students. Both kids have life skills as a priority goal for this term. I decided to have a look on the net for life skills sites to support their learning and I came across this great site which offers so much more than I was looking for. Education.com is an online magazine for teachers. It is definitely going to be one of my professional reading sources and I would strongly suggest that you add it to your favourites.

Jacob's Lessons

Hi Everyone,
This is a terrific site for pre-schoolers and children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The site was originally created by a father wishing to provide some online activities for his son. His wife, a behavioural analyst who works with kids with ASD, discovered that the activities also worked well for her clients. The activities are designed for children to use while working with an adult. I intend using them with children in my classroom next term.

Food Safe Music Videos

Hi Everyone,

This site is proof positive that you can make any topic interesting for just about any audience if you try hard enough. I know that I am promoting 2 hand washing sites in a row but I don't have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Not with regard to hand washing or germs anyway!
This one has great music clips, PowerPoint's and more about hygiene and food safety that would appeal to both primary and secondary students. I promise faithfully that I will move on now!

Crawford the Cat

Hi Everyone,
I never thought I would do cart wheels over finding a good 'hand washing skills' web site but today I came close. This is my new favourite site!
Crawford the Cat is a great site for teaching personal, practical and social skills to young children. the videos, online books and printables are fantastic!

File Folder Heaven

Hi Everyone,
Today I had a good look around the web for free downloads for children with ASD and found a site that could assist in teaching Early Years and for children with learning disabilities. This site offers interactive books and file folder games for free, as well as a selection that can be downloaded very inexpensively and safely. I emailed Natalie the web administrator earlier today ; she told me that the site is active and that she will be adding adding more materials this week. Why don't' you take a look!

Learning Page.com

Hi Everyone,
Today I became a member of Learning Page .com.
This means that I am now able to access loads of ready made work sheets, suitable for Early Years and Primary students, absolutely free. There are a huge range of worksheets to choose from and the sign up process is painless.

Positive Partnerships - Autism Spectrum Disorder

Hi Everyone,
I will be doing some training this week to prepare myself for a new role in supporting teachers who are new to teaching children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The Australian Autism Education and Training Consortium (AAETC) have produced a basic online course for people who would like to discover more about ASD and it's impact on learning.
There are courses aimed at parents, carers and teachers.
The course takes about 95 minutes to complete. It's interactive so you won't get bored. You don't even have to take the course in one sitting. It is broken up into modules that can be completed when ever you have time.
It is a simple introduction about ASD which answers lots of the most common questions people ask.
Click on the picture to get started!