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!

Bullying Videos Games and Power Points

Hi Everyone,
If are looking for resources to do with Bullying, here is a one stop shop for videos, games, web sites and Power Points for a range of audiences. A fantastic resource!

A Request from Mary Jo in the UK

Mary Jo said...
Hello, I am trying to put together a four year topic grid for key stage two. I teach in a special school. I wondered whether anyone would be happy to send me their topic grid to look at?

Many thanks.

maryjomultistripe@hotmail.co.uk

Sue said,

Hi Mary Jo,

I hope that someone who reads the blog will be able to help you. I use an Australian curriculum so I'm not much help to you!

Australian Money Interactive Activities

Hi Everyone,
My colleague Marg introduced me to the Rosetta Primary School site this week. This Tasmanian primary school has developed some brilliant interactive activities that can be used on computers or interactive white boards. I am going to use the coin calculator in class next week but there are many more applications which you might like to use with your class. Even our overseas visitors might like to have a look at our beautiful looking coins and notes.

Woodlands Junior School

Hi Everyone,
The Woodlands Junior School site is another one of those amazing school sites that you drop in to look at one activity and end up spending hours on! I have been searching this site today for maths games for the 100 theme on our Junior Crew Maths Blog this week. I could just have easily spent my day looking through the Literacy and Science areas too. There is so much great content on this site. Take a look by clicking on the picture, I guarantee it won't be a quick one!

Animal School Movie

I was visiting a blog called 'Ed Tech Solutions- Teaching Every Child' and they had a link to this short movie called Animal School . The blog author said it was a must see movie. They were right. It's just a short film, very similar to one you might attach to an email but the message is very powerful. Click on the picture to find out why.

Free Musical Widgets - Button Beats.com

Hi Everyone,
I was visiting the blog 'Free resources on the net for Special Education' today. Paul always has something interesting to look at. Check this out! He found a site that you can download free musical widgets. I have put a synthesiser and drum kit on my classroom blogs already. Just click on the Button Beat link under the widget.


ButtonBeats.com

Peep and the Big Wide World - Science

Hi Everyone,
Peep and the Big Wide World- Anywhere Activities, are a collection of science activities and resources suitable for Junior and Special needs children. I draw on this site for really cheap and practical things to do with my class; which is full of science hungry, tell me how the world works kids! Attached to the site is a daily video area where Peep and the big Wide world episodes can be viewed on line. I am so taken with is feature that I have attached it to my class blog for quick access. The science video changes on a daily basis. There is a Video guide at the side of the video area, which tells which video will be shown each day for a 2 week period. The Peep and the Big Wide World site has loads of other interactive games and activities that are suitable for Early Years and Primary students.
I'm going to go and watch another video click here if you would like to join me

Vocaroo - Click on the arrow please!

TES Connect UK & Kids Club

Hi Everyone,

I was looking through the latest downloads in TES Connect today, which is a free member site, and came across this web site in the Special Education section. Kids Club is full of quality downloads suitable for children with special needs and 'Early Years' classrooms. The Stories and Props section has some great resources for 'Circle Time' activities. This is another site that is under construction so put it in your favourites and check in regularly to see what's new.

Inclusion Resources : Communication 4 All

Hi Everyone,
Bev Evans is in the process of creating a fantastic web site with a focus on providing inclusive practice resources for teachers. Communication 4 All covers a good range of curriculum areas and age groups. It has loads of high quality, free downloads. Bev is currently adding to the site, so it would be a good one to check regularly for updates. So check it out and remember to sign the guest book.

The Northumberland Grid for Learning - Resources

Hi Everyone,
I have just spent some time adding some more books to the Junior Crew Book Shelf. I found some fantastic interactive books on The Northumberland Grid for Learning Teaching and Learning Web Site. It has an enormous number of resources for Early years and Primary Classrooms. Click on the picture and the link will take you to a simple online jigsaw puzzle page. The underlined links in the text will take you to exactly where they say they will
I have finally learned how to hyperlink my pictures in posts. I'm feeling very pleased with myself.

i-board Interactive Resources

Hi Everyone,
I have to tell you about this site. Log on to discover loads of demonstration programs for interactive whiteboard use for Lower Primary and Special Education students. Click on the Evaluation Copy Box when you are in the program. To enter click here.

Curriculum Ideas - Coxhoe Primary School Site

Hi Everyone,

I have just stumbled upon the Coxhoe Primary School Site in Durham (UK ) and I would have to say it is one of the best school sites I have ever seen. I am going to spend hours checking this out. The curriculum links are amazing. As you can see by clicking on the picture above, they cover almost everything and the layout is very easy to use. If you visit, send them an email telling them how good their site is. I certainly will be. If you missed the last two links, click here to visit the site

Free Interactive Whiteboard Resources

Hi Everyone,
I am still getting ready to start the school year, so I have been slowly working through my 'Interactive Whiteboard Links', re-familiarising myself with the free materials there. You will find those links in the right margin of the blog. 'Teacher Led' is a new find. I am going to use their alphabet and spelling games in my classroom this semester. The programs are very easy to use and there are a wide range of activities. The site has a number of maths applications that I will also be using. If you would like to check it out for yourself just click here.

All the Daze - Sensory Program Ideas

Hi Everyone,
I have just spent a productive couple of hours on the All the Daze web site looking for fresh ideas to help settle my class when they return to school next week. Marcia has loads of free sensory ideas for teachers and parents. I highly reccomend this site. if you would like to check it out too click here!

Mr Bump Loses His Memory- Kindersite

Click here to read the story. Please tell us if you enjoyed it-or not!
I love the Mr Men stories and my class loves to read books online, especially on our Smart Board. We have set up Junior Book Shelf for others to read along with us. I teach a junior class, so all the books are at that level. It is linked to our class blog and you will find hundreds of online stories, videos, poems, jokes and audio books to choose from as well as a feature view for the day. Click here and we'll take you there!

Work Life Balance

Hi Everyone,
Aside from a serious addiction to blogging I have a major problem with work/life balance. So much so, that when I told my principal that I had decided to take control of the situation and go home earlier at the end of the day he just laughed and passed an unmentionable comment! Which, has made me all the more determined to do it - of course!
I really have to do something about it this year because I am team teaching with a graduate teacher and I don't want to set a poor example. Your first year of teaching is hard enough without dealing with an over zealous colleague!
I have to admit though, it won't be easy.
Did you have a look at the Teacher TV site yesterday?See the post below if you haven't. They have heaps of really good videos about getting the whole work life balance thing happening, teacher burn out how to deal with work place stress and all sorts of topics that are very useful for people like me. I have have already started watching them, but I might need a second or third viewing before I can apply it.
So here is my goal ,which I developed with my principal because I was incapable of coming up with something reasonable on my own!. I am going to leave the school at or before 5:15pm at least 4 days a week. I can stay at work up until 6:00 pm one day a week and beyond 6:00 pm only on a school council meeting nights. Chrissy ( my new colleague) is going to tell me to 'Go home!' if I look like I am falling off the wagon, and an arrange an intervention if it is required. AND, I have to confess on the blog if I blow it! Wish me luck

Troubled Minds - 4 Stories

Hi Everyone,
I just watched an excellent 15 minute long Video, on Teachers TV, called Troubled Minds- 4 Stories. it is an animated film that deals with 4 issues; Eating Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Aspergers Syndrome and Self harm. The animations are excellent and the narration is nothing short of amazing. If you are in the southern hemisphere is is best to watch Teachers TV early in the morning ( before 11:00) otherwise you get too much buffering. For northern hemisphere dwellers I assume that you would not have difficulties at any time. Follow the links or click here if you would like to have a look.

Online Stopwatch

Hi Everyone,
It is 3:00 in the morning Australian time and stinking hot. I can't sleep so here I am thinking about how I should be asleep. A great opportunity to write about the Online Stopwatch program that I use in my classroom. It could just as easily be used at home to motivate kids to tidy up their room, or finish any kind of task in a set time, where there is access to a computer/laptop.
I embedded mine into my blog, because for the majority of the time during the school day, our class blog is on screen on our interactive white board. I use it to give kids a visual five minute ( or what ever time you want to set it to) warning for pack up or task finishing time. We use it during our 30 minute relaxation session after lunch so that the kids who can't tell the time have a visual aid to help them understand how much time has passed and how much longer until relaxation is finished. I use it in maths sessions when I am teaching kids about time. One favourite is to have the kids turn their backs to the screen and put their hand up when they think a minute is up. The closest to the timer going off is the winner. When we need a quick physical break between activities we count how many jumping jacks we can do or run on the spot for a set time. On really challenging days we see if we can be completely silent for one minute! Kids love playing with it. There are a number of different timers to choose from including an egg timer,a bomb, a clock like a pie chart ( which is the one in the picture) and a regular stopwatch. .Let me know what you think once you have tried it :) Just click here.