99 Search Results for recipes
March 13, 2013
by Robin Parker -
Saint Patrick’s Day is coming up. We love focusing on holidays in our sessions because it is a chance to teach new vocabulary and as importantly (if not more for some learners) it is a chance to teach social conversation about what many people in the community are talking about. Holiday’s also give us fun ways to focus on many other goals as well. The theme (in this case – a holiday) can serve as the platform for any goal that is appropriate. We just always ask ourselves (and our graduate students)- ‘What is the point’ or ‘What is the Goal’ when we have a great new themed activity. This is a time to work on core and fringe vocabulary, social conversation and interaction, play skills, and more. These are some fun activities matched to goals that we use to get ready for Saint Patrick’s Day. Surveys & or Questions–... [Read More...]
December 27, 2012
by Robin Parker -
The New Year is almost here. But first is hopefully a big New Year’s Eve celebration whether at home or in the community. We usually bring a home made ‘dish’ with us where ever we ‘go’ or ‘stay’. New Year’s Eve is a family event for us and as we have said before we cook and bake as part of our holiday season traditions. Here are some great visual recipes sites and one new visual recipe from us to you. Special Chef– The recipes are organized with a shopping list, category of food, level of difficulty and lesson guides. Food Tastes Better Outside (Widgit)– Visual recipes for healthy picnic food. Symbolworld Recipe Section– Many recipes simply illustrated using widget symbols. Speaking of Speech Cooking Materials- Visual recipes presented in different ways Chocolate Covered Pretzels- Our recipe on Teachers Pay Teachers. ... [Read More...]
December 25, 2012
by Robin Parker -
5 Ideas for Creating Language Rich Holiday Traditions The holiday season is a great time to initiate and continue traditions. Since we try to NOT create more work for ourselves if possible, most of our traditions have evolved from activities that helped us at some point. We like holiday traditions because they tend to ease the chaos by building in predictable routines. Each year we talk about traditions (for awhile this was a new vocabulary word), we sometimes write them down, illustrate them, and look at the list at the beginning of the next holiday season. Your family probably has many traditions that might just need to be named and organized. But if you are looking to add some new traditions, here are some of our favorites. If you have any, please share. Photography & Stories– Pictures are a great way to tell a story or talk about... [Read More...]
December 6, 2012
by Robin Parker -
The holidays are prAACtically here and depending upon the holiday traditions you celebrate they may be closer than you realize. Time seems to fly after Thanksgiving and before you know it, social norms seem to dictate gift exchanges, lots of invitations to people’s houses, and of course many gifts for friends and family. An easy way to accomplish gift giving is to ‘gift an app’. You can give apps that are pure fun, educational or a combination of both. To top it off, it is easy to stay within budget, avoid traffic, avoid crowds, and save tons of time (no need to wait for it to arrive). Before you think it’s too complicated, check out these ‘Gifting an App’ instructions by Cult of Mac. The process could not be simpler and you can email the recipient(s) or print out a gift certificate (if necessary right before the gift is needed).... [Read More...]
November 24, 2012
by Robin Parker -
We love incorporating new vocabulary into fun motivating activities even when we are doing direct vocabulary instruction. We embed new vocabulary in activities using all of the language modalities- reading, writing, talking, and listening. We use planned vocabulary instruction activities as well as unexpected opportunities to embed new vocabulary. We like to stay within the theme of vocabulary learning but try and stay flexible in case a perfect opportunity arises that allows us to reflect back on an old vocabulary theme or mention a future planned theme. The main goal of direct vocabulary instruction is more than learning a new list of words, it is learning robust word knowledge so that language skills can be broadened. Consider these vocabulary instruction steps by Robert Marzano. These steps were not specifically developed for AAC users but if we add a language focus and a little more fun and active participation, they... [Read More...]
November 10, 2012
by Robin Parker -
Vocabulary instruction is a topic not often discussed for beginning communicators. As we work with beginning communicators the primary focus is often vocabulary selection for communication displays. This is understandable as the beginning communicator has many needs, but that is no excuse for leaving out vocabulary instruction. Direct vocabulary instruction helps expand broader vocabulary selection options, literacy skills, and world knowledge. With that in mind, see below for vocabulary instruction philosophies, notes, and activities for the beginning communicator. Please let us know about your favorite vocabulary instruction activities. Vocabulary Instruction for the Beginning Communicator: 5 Philosophies Vocabulary instruction involves a systematic TEACHING process. Add vocabulary as an activity on the daily schedule and then have a mini-schedule for the specific vocabulary instruction activities for that day. Carole introduced general steps for vocabulary instruction last week. For the beginning communicator, also apply an errorless learning paradigm. Gradually, add comprehension checks, but... [Read More...]
May 24, 2012
by Robin Parker -
Memorial Day Weekend is big for us. We remember, appreciate, and honor the people who have protected our freedoms. We both have annual relaxing weekends planned. As we started to get ready, though, we started looking for Memorial Day AAC materials. It was surprising to see that there was not much to be found. We found some gluten-casein free Memorial Day recipes, which are great, but what about symbols to go with the recipes or symbols to explain the holiday and what about AAC language activities for the typical long weekend or trip? Not much…. So as we began preparing for our own weekends, these are some of the things we have done or are doing for PrAACtical AAC at home and on our mini-vacations: – Before We Leave Create a personal participation story (modified social story) so ALL the children can SEE the language for the trip. Here’s something that... [Read More...]
May 5, 2012
by Robin Parker -
We love when our students are kept up to date with current events. Often times, current events are not explained to students with significant communication challenges because the language surrounding the event seems “complicated” or “too high” (not actually our words but unfortunately ones we have heard). However, we know ALL our students understand some aspects of major current events because that is what everyone around is talking about (back in the day… American Idol winners or the Super Bowl, or even just the anniversary of the Titanic Tragedy). So it is great when we have access to symbol based newspapers that take complicated topics and make them more concrete and then add symbols so we do not have to do all the work. We love News- 2- You which includes various activities, levels, recipes, and even jokes. The ONLY problem with News-2-You is the price (We think it is... [Read More...]
January 4, 2012
by Robin Parker -
We have been thinking about what we would love to do more of for 2012. We seem to be thinking in 5’s. So in getting organized and goal focused for the year we will spend the next 5 days discussing 5 goals. Our first goal is More Cooking. We love to cook with EVERYONE. Cooking is an activity that everyone needs to do for independence. Cooking can also be a leisure activity and it is often naturally motivating because of the end result (our personal favorite)- eating. 1. You can use any of the picture recipe directions that are already on common food products. The picture supports may need to be enlarged at the beginning but the idea is to use the picture directions on many packaged foods. These natural AAC supports were pointed out to me several years ago by Dr. Bridget Taylor. 2. Check out Your Special Chef which was... [Read More...]