Below please include links to Web 2.0 resources that would be valuable to teachers of learners with mild disabilities.
Jennifer Velazquez Boardmaker is a program that allows you to create communication boards, or different kinds of projects to use with students. Once you have this program I recommend using Boardmaker Share this allows you to see/use other peoples projects without having to recreate your own. I also enjoy browsing the site to get new ideas. You must have the Boardmaker cd in the computer to access Boardmaker share online.
Jennifer Velazquez
This is a website that has different templates to game shows that can be put into a powerpoint to use for review in the classroom. http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/ppt-games/ Mary Gelezauskas
These are some great videos that you can use with students for cause and effect learning When working in an autism program I saw how engaging these short videos were. They can be used with touch screens or with a switch! Students of all ages loved these videos! Working on pressing the switch or touch was also a great time to help the children with taking turns. scrhttp://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Switch+%2F+Touch+Screen+Videos&pid=74een
*note* if link does not work search Priory Woods School and then click on resources* Mary Gelezauskas www.mimioconnect.com
This is a wonderful FREE website that I use frequently in my classroom. There is an abundance of mimio (smartboard) activities. The lessons can be searched by grade level or by content. Like apps on the IPAD the mimio activities really engage many different types of learners while making learning highly interactive and fun.
Jennifer Velazquez- I came across this website and I thought that this would be a great website for parents to visit. This explains many things about special education to parents.Understanding special education
Todd Gierman - A MUST watch for all Special Educators!!! This is a You Tube video entitled "District Prepares for an IEP Meeting". To sum it up, the video compares outside placements, outside evaluations, and the overall special education system to Nazi Germany. You have to check this out...it will be worth your time (4 min). Here is the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69w96cFdPMk
Todd Gierman - Here is a link to a video of a "Mock IEP Team Meeting". This is a mock IEP meeting at the secondary level staged and performed by some college students at Boise State University. This was set up for a special education class to show how an IEP meeting should work, and how to create a "team" plan for student success. When I hire new staff it seems like their biggest fear is having to sit in, and assist in running, IEP meetings for the first time. We do "mock" IEP meetings in my district to help alleviate that initial "fear". Once my staff sits through a few meetings, all anxiety is gone...which is a very good thing! Here is the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1O9kaPSBzY
Carly first came to my attention several years ago when I saw a segment about her on 20/20. I was amazed. Carly is a high school student with autism. While Carly is nonverbal this doesn’t mean she is without a voice. Carly communicates by typing on the computer. She is able to offer wonderful insight into a mind affected by autism and what it is like being an individual with autism. The following is the link to Carly’s website. I strongly encourage everyone to check out Carly’s story and interviews. They are deeply moving, motivating, and insightful. Mary Gelezauskas http://carlysvoice.com/
Here is a website that I use often in the classroom. http://www.wolframalpha.com/ It is a search engine (I like it better than Google) The students have a lot of fun with it in the classroom. They can for example just type in their name and it will tell them how popular it is, make a graph, find the average age of the person with the same name, etc. This can be a valuable resource in the classroom if used appropriately. I use it a lot for math. I thought I would share as this website is valuable to all types of learners.
Sarah Klan
Another website I like to use in my classroom is https://www.xtramath.org This is a fantastic website that I use for my students with mild disabilities or students who need some extra help in mathematics. It is free to join and very easy to manage. The website prints completion certificates, when modules are finished and the kids love it. It is similar to a "mad minute" although it is online and there is a teacher online who can guide you through the program. Smiley face stickers are awarded online for speedy answers and it gives the teacher weekly feedback about how students are progressing. Students can also use it on an iPhone or iPad, etc.
Sarah Klan
Susan Clark - This is a cute kid's website that has short videos, stories, and games on specific topics and subjects. There are many free resources available here without paying for the membership. Brain Pop
Susan Clark - Here is a pretty extensive list of books relating to autism. There is also a section of fiction books containing characters with autism and books about autism written for kids. autism books
Jennifer Velazquez
Boardmaker is a program that allows you to create communication boards, or different kinds of projects to use with students. Once you have this program I recommend using Boardmaker Share this allows you to see/use other peoples projects without having to recreate your own. I also enjoy browsing the site to get new ideas. You must have the Boardmaker cd in the computer to access Boardmaker share online.
Jennifer Velazquez
This is a website that has different templates to game shows that can be put into a powerpoint to use for review in the classroom. http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/ppt-games/
Mary Gelezauskas
These are some great videos that you can use with students for cause and effect learning When working in an autism program I saw how engaging these short videos were. They can be used with touch screens or with a switch! Students of all ages loved these videos! Working on pressing the switch or touch was also a great time to help the children with taking turns.
scrhttp://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Switch+%2F+Touch+Screen+Videos&pid=74een
*note* if link does not work search Priory Woods School and then click on resources*
Mary Gelezauskas
www.mimioconnect.com
This is a wonderful FREE website that I use frequently in my classroom. There is an abundance of mimio (smartboard) activities. The lessons can be searched by grade level or by content. Like apps on the IPAD the mimio activities really engage many different types of learners while making learning highly interactive and fun.
Jennifer Velazquez- I came across this website and I thought that this would be a great website for parents to visit. This explains many things about special education to parents.Understanding special education
Todd Gierman - A MUST watch for all Special Educators!!! This is a You Tube video entitled "District Prepares for an IEP Meeting". To sum it up, the video compares outside placements, outside evaluations, and the overall special education system to Nazi Germany. You have to check this out...it will be worth your time (4 min). Here is the link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69w96cFdPMk
Todd Gierman - Here is a link to a video of a "Mock IEP Team Meeting". This is a mock IEP meeting at the secondary level staged and performed by some college students at Boise State University. This was set up for a special education class to show how an IEP meeting should work, and how to create a "team" plan for student success. When I hire new staff it seems like their biggest fear is having to sit in, and assist in running, IEP meetings for the first time. We do "mock" IEP meetings in my district to help alleviate that initial "fear". Once my staff sits through a few meetings, all anxiety is gone...which is a very good thing! Here is the link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1O9kaPSBzY
Erin's Wiki on iPad and iPod Devices
http://swcccaseipad-ipodtouchprogrammeeting.wikispaces.com/
Carly first came to my attention several years ago when I saw a segment about her on 20/20. I was amazed. Carly is a high school student with autism. While Carly is nonverbal this doesn’t mean she is without a voice. Carly communicates by typing on the computer. She is able to offer wonderful insight into a mind affected by autism and what it is like being an individual with autism. The following is the link to Carly’s website. I strongly encourage everyone to check out Carly’s story and interviews. They are deeply moving, motivating, and insightful.
Mary Gelezauskas
http://carlysvoice.com/
Here is a website that I use often in the classroom.
http://www.wolframalpha.com/ It is a search engine (I like it better than Google) The students have a lot of fun with it in the classroom. They can for example just type in their name and it will tell them how popular it is, make a graph, find the average age of the person with the same name, etc. This can be a valuable resource in the classroom if used appropriately. I use it a lot for math. I thought I would share as this website is valuable to all types of learners.
Sarah Klan
Another website I like to use in my classroom is
https://www.xtramath.org This is a fantastic website that I use for my students with mild disabilities or students who need some extra help in mathematics. It is free to join and very easy to manage. The website prints completion certificates, when modules are finished and the kids love it. It is similar to a "mad minute" although it is online and there is a teacher online who can guide you through the program. Smiley face stickers are awarded online for speedy answers and it gives the teacher weekly feedback about how students are progressing. Students can also use it on an iPhone or iPad, etc.
Sarah Klan
Susan Clark - This is a cute kid's website that has short videos, stories, and games on specific topics and subjects. There are many free resources available here without paying for the membership.
Brain Pop
Susan Clark - Here is a pretty extensive list of books relating to autism. There is also a section of fiction books containing characters with autism and books about autism written for kids. autism books