We are introducing sequencing in stories and our social scripts and the students are responding very well so far.
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Location:NYC
Monday, September 10, 2012
New semester, new students
With a group of new students entering the school we have begun using a newly developed communication book. As these students are all 5 years old we are using 6 symbols on the page rather than 12.
We are introducing sequencing in stories and our social scripts and the students are responding very well so far.
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We are introducing sequencing in stories and our social scripts and the students are responding very well so far.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, June 29, 2012
AVA Camp Day 4 Continued...The Dance
Wow! Anyone who knows me knows I do not dance...however how could I possibly refuse multiple invitations from the adorable Cory? Before I knew it I was whirling around the dance floor and I'm sure, making a complete fool of myself lol!
Two of the highlights for me were watching the Dance-Off! A circle on the dance floor which allowed each of the campers to showcase their dance moves. Once again I was blown away by the talent of these campers. There were some really great dancers!
The second highlight was an imitation of John Travolta and Olivia Newton Johns song Summer Nights, performed by myself and Daron! We even brought a tear to J-Macs eye it was so moving, LOL!
I can't wait to see what our last day will bring!
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Two of the highlights for me were watching the Dance-Off! A circle on the dance floor which allowed each of the campers to showcase their dance moves. Once again I was blown away by the talent of these campers. There were some really great dancers!
The second highlight was an imitation of John Travolta and Olivia Newton Johns song Summer Nights, performed by myself and Daron! We even brought a tear to J-Macs eye it was so moving, LOL!
I can't wait to see what our last day will bring!
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Thursday, June 28, 2012
AVA Camp Day 4
It's warming up here in Wisconsin and camp is progressing and becoming more crazy by the second!
This mornings language class included choosing awards for our fellow campers and games!
Our group were guessing what sports personalities they had written on paper that they couldn't see! Each team member answered questions to ascertain who their sportsperson was!
After lunch we talked about goals for the coming year and I was impressed and astounded by the mature goals set by each of the campers. Goals such as finding a job, applying to college, being a better boyfriend, improving communication skills and power chair driving skills.
This group of campers have high expectations for themselves and this gives me great hope. I love that they are able to believe in themselves and I look forward to seeing how each of them develops in the coming year.
We watch a movie this afternoon, "Only God Could Hear Me", check it our here on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=2r9pvtNTx4k&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Tonight is the dance.....looking forward to more fun, communication and of course a good dose of craziness!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
This mornings language class included choosing awards for our fellow campers and games!
Our group were guessing what sports personalities they had written on paper that they couldn't see! Each team member answered questions to ascertain who their sportsperson was!
After lunch we talked about goals for the coming year and I was impressed and astounded by the mature goals set by each of the campers. Goals such as finding a job, applying to college, being a better boyfriend, improving communication skills and power chair driving skills.
This group of campers have high expectations for themselves and this gives me great hope. I love that they are able to believe in themselves and I look forward to seeing how each of them develops in the coming year.
We watch a movie this afternoon, "Only God Could Hear Me", check it our here on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=2r9pvtNTx4k&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Tonight is the dance.....looking forward to more fun, communication and of course a good dose of craziness!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
AVA Camp Day 3
Language class this morning was working on Hollywood movie skits!
Our group had Twilight and each camper was given a character and lines in the script. The campers had to create props and then act the scene out in front of the other campers!
It was great watching everyone create their lines then practice acting out the script. We saw scenes from Harry Potter, Twilight, Finding Nemo and Toy Story. All the scenes went really well and got laughs, the campers all added their own unique personalities to the performances. It made the idea of a performance using our communication systems at Standing Tall seen totally achievable!!!
The afternoon was a talent show and was an absolute hoot. The campers did everything from a top ten list of reasons to return to camp, a dance, stand up comedy and a fantastic rendition of YMCA by some of the camp councilors!
The evening was The Amazing Show! Magic and comedy that was funny and the campers had a blast!
Night time brought on more games and a mammoth round of UNO ensued! Again each of the campers was responsible for their own moves, communicating using devices and vocalizations to indicate their choices. Once again I got more ideas about how to allow my students to have more control over their activities and integrate their devices and communication systems. So many possibilities, so many opportunities, so much potential!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Our group had Twilight and each camper was given a character and lines in the script. The campers had to create props and then act the scene out in front of the other campers!
It was great watching everyone create their lines then practice acting out the script. We saw scenes from Harry Potter, Twilight, Finding Nemo and Toy Story. All the scenes went really well and got laughs, the campers all added their own unique personalities to the performances. It made the idea of a performance using our communication systems at Standing Tall seen totally achievable!!!
The afternoon was a talent show and was an absolute hoot. The campers did everything from a top ten list of reasons to return to camp, a dance, stand up comedy and a fantastic rendition of YMCA by some of the camp councilors!
The evening was The Amazing Show! Magic and comedy that was funny and the campers had a blast!
Night time brought on more games and a mammoth round of UNO ensued! Again each of the campers was responsible for their own moves, communicating using devices and vocalizations to indicate their choices. Once again I got more ideas about how to allow my students to have more control over their activities and integrate their devices and communication systems. So many possibilities, so many opportunities, so much potential!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
AVA Camp Day 2
Today the campers get a personal interview with Jon Feucht the camp Director. He lectures at UW Whitewater and can give them advice about college life for individuals with disabilities; the pitfalls, the services, accommodations, organizing staffing etc.
His personal experiences are invaluable to the campers and offers them support and advice.
Our morning activities today focus on accessing the Internet. E-mails, Twitter, FB and texting.
The campers are introduced to abbreviations and emoticons and taken through the do's and don'ts of texting, emailing, using FB and Twitter.
This transitioned into a Hollywood quiz (that's our camp theme) and creating our own Hollywood handprints!
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His personal experiences are invaluable to the campers and offers them support and advice.
Our morning activities today focus on accessing the Internet. E-mails, Twitter, FB and texting.
The campers are introduced to abbreviations and emoticons and taken through the do's and don'ts of texting, emailing, using FB and Twitter.
This transitioned into a Hollywood quiz (that's our camp theme) and creating our own Hollywood handprints!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, June 25, 2012
Authentic Voices of America End of Day 1
We're exhausted, but in a good way!
The rest of the day at camp was filled with activities and more importantly opportunities for communication.
Lunch time everyone orders lunch in their own way! Then they sit together at tables and have conversations with each other and with the staff and helpers there. The tables are loud and lively and there is a lot of laughter!
This afternoon was swimming! An activity less about devices (for obvious reasons :0)) and more about fun! But there was no letting up in the laughter!
Dinner followed a similar pattern to lunch, more talk, more laughter, more noise and lots of food!
The evening activity was bowling and I don't think I have ever been in a more competitive environment LOL! On the whole there was sportsmanlike conduct but I'm sure I heard a few colorful phrases being thrown around the bowling alley!!!
I can hardly believe we have only been here one day!! The campers here are inspirational, the staff are some of the most motivating and dedicated I have ever had the pleasure of working with!
I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The rest of the day at camp was filled with activities and more importantly opportunities for communication.
Lunch time everyone orders lunch in their own way! Then they sit together at tables and have conversations with each other and with the staff and helpers there. The tables are loud and lively and there is a lot of laughter!
This afternoon was swimming! An activity less about devices (for obvious reasons :0)) and more about fun! But there was no letting up in the laughter!
Dinner followed a similar pattern to lunch, more talk, more laughter, more noise and lots of food!
The evening activity was bowling and I don't think I have ever been in a more competitive environment LOL! On the whole there was sportsmanlike conduct but I'm sure I heard a few colorful phrases being thrown around the bowling alley!!!
I can hardly believe we have only been here one day!! The campers here are inspirational, the staff are some of the most motivating and dedicated I have ever had the pleasure of working with!
I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Authentic Voice of America
It's camp week and Gregory, Daron and I are all up in Wisconsin at Whitewater for the Authentic Voices of America Camp.
The Camp Director is Jon Feucht. Jon is assisted by a talented and unique staff of professionals, some of whom are AAC users. Campers are counseled and mentored by persons with disabilities who are living active, productive lives.
Here's our week!
Day 1:
After some excitement with an unexpected fire drill we are in our language class!
We've created shirts for the end of camp and now we are playing Catchphrase. Each camper has a movie to describe using their device and their teammates have to guess it.
Greg's is trying out his eye gaze as well as his scanning this morning and is doing great!
There are some amazing campers here, they are driving their chairs independently with head arrays and accessing a range of devices with direct select, eye gaze and scanning!
I am blown away by the skills I am seeing here already and it's only the first morning!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The Camp Director is Jon Feucht. Jon is assisted by a talented and unique staff of professionals, some of whom are AAC users. Campers are counseled and mentored by persons with disabilities who are living active, productive lives.
Here's our week!
Day 1:
After some excitement with an unexpected fire drill we are in our language class!
We've created shirts for the end of camp and now we are playing Catchphrase. Each camper has a movie to describe using their device and their teammates have to guess it.
Greg's is trying out his eye gaze as well as his scanning this morning and is doing great!
There are some amazing campers here, they are driving their chairs independently with head arrays and accessing a range of devices with direct select, eye gaze and scanning!
I am blown away by the skills I am seeing here already and it's only the first morning!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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