CALL Scotland: Communication, Access, Literacy and Learning

CALL Scotland: Communication, Access, Literacy and Learning is a great site designed by the University of Edinburgh. They have an "App Wheel" Series (https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/) that attempts to identify useful, relevant apps that can be used as tools for teaching and learning. Each wheel in the series in interactive, so all of the links take you directly to the App Store!

CALL Scotland has recently updated their Complex Needs Apps Wheel (https://www.callscotland.org.uk/common-assets/cm-files/posters/ipad-apps-for-learners-with-complex-additional-support-needs.pdf). There are some fantastic apps on this wheel and some of them are FREE. I will be reviewing some of the free apps over the next few weeks as my Blog post.

If you would like to see what other posters, leaflets or "App Wheels" CALL Scotland has to offer please visit the Posters and Leaflets page
(https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/) of the website.

The Power of Words

"The Power of Words" is a video that was created by Judy Endow. The video is a few years old so the ratio of individuals with ASD is old, but the message about person first language and actions still holds so very true.

Judy Endow, MSW is an author and international speaker on a variety of autism-related topics, is part of the Wisconsin DPI Statewide Autism Training Team and a board member of both the Autism Society of America, Wisconsin Chapter and the Autism National Committee. In addition, Judy is a member of the Autistic Global Initiative (AGI), a program of the Autism Research Institute that is self-run by a committee of autistic adults working in the autism fields. AGI is devoted to raising awareness on adults with autism and building bridges between all constituents in our autism community. Judy maintains a private practice in Madison, Wisconsin, providing consultation for families, school districts and other agencies. Besides having autism herself, Judy is the parent of three now grown sons, one of whom is on the autism spectrum. In her spare time Judy enjoys expressing her thoughts and ideas by creating one-of-a-kind hand-built pottery sculptures and painting with acrylics. Please visit www.judyendow.com for more information on Judy.

The video is just over 12 minutes long and worth the watch and reminder. Please take the time and watch:

The Power of Words (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6HY6gX3eEs)

Vitals

Do you have students with visible, or invisible, disabilities or conditions that could benefit from an alert system that can share secure information with first responders, providers & educators in real time? Vitals (https://thevitalsapp.com/) might be just what they need.

Vitals is a FREE app (https://goo.gl/XNszGr) that gives individuals, and their caregivers, the ability to create and manage a profile of personal information that can help first responders, care providers & educators.

Create and manage a personalized Vitals profile:

Include critical information for first responders: name, photo, age, height, weight, primary conditions, behavior triggers, de-escalation techniques and caregiver contact information.
Add as many emergency contacts to your Vitals profile as you need - giving first responders easy access to a phone number in an emergency situation.
Include personal audio and visual messages and techniques designed to help first responders interact in a crisis situation.
See a map view of where a Vitals interaction occurred between the first responder and Vitals beacon.
Add or change information anytime anywhere
All for Free!

Sign up for Vitals  (https://info.thevitalsapp.com/vitalsmn) today and get your first Beacon for free!

Indoor recess, break break, movement options...

Wow! It is sure was C-O-L-D here in Michigan last week, to be followed by almost Spring like temperatures over the weekend. It has been one crazy winter which makes outdoor recess unpredictable. Having some options available for unexpected indoor recess days is a must for all teachers. Some of the things that came to my mind are great options for getting your students up and moving. These options can be used for not only indoor recess but brain breaks or movement time for some of our fidgety students as well. Check out some of these options for your class!

A few weeks I made a post about a site called We Are Teachers (https://at-udl.blogspot.com/2019/01/we-are-teachers.html).  This site also created a post called Encourage Creative Movement in the Classroom with Free Wellness Way Printables (https://www.weareteachers.com/wellness-way/).   Check these options out for great activities for your students.

GoNoodle (https://www.gonoodle.com/) is a great site that has videos that can be used to boost productivity, improve behavior and build community.  Check out all of their great videos and take a look at their Blog (http://blog.gonoodle.com/) for even more wonderful activities as well.  

Yoga is a great calming movement activity.  

Cosmic Kids Yoga (https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga) is a great YouTube site full of fun yoga videos for kids.  There are some short 1-2 minute videos that show you and your students how to do the poses.  There are longer, 5-20 minute videos combining a series of poses that can be used for Brain Breaks or a short recess.  There are also some 30-60 minute videos (the Saturday morning series) that might be great for a longer indoor recess time.  

These are just a few options that you could use for indoor recess, brain breaks or other individual or all classroom movement times.  Check them out and give them a try.