What other information do you need or topics do you want to discuss on Saturday?

Have you ever, in the moment, created an adaptation for a task that you didn’t even know you needed to consider?  What was going on that needed your adaptive strategy thinking?  What did you do to adapt for the situation?  How did it go? Did you figure it out right away, or did it take a few adjustments to get it right?  Was it something that you added to your own “toolbox of tricks” for the next time?  Tell us about your “on the spot” creative adaptive moment.

Also, if you have not given your order to Sue about what $25.00 worth of FREE adaptive items you would like to have for your classroom…have it in to her (e-mail) by Tues at 5pm! Please take advantage of this fantastic offer!

If you don’t know what i am talking about e-mail me and i will fill you in!

Fran

#1  As you are considering which adaptive tools, support materials, etc. that you would like to order, we are sure that you are ALSO considering, “what if?”  By this, we mean that as you have worked in your varied artistic careers, haven’t you had thoughts about a device, a material, a “thing” that would just be perfect for a person with a particular challenge?  Have you thought about, that if you just had enough money or someone to make it, that it could be made available?  Well, this week’s prompt is about just that….What is the one thing that would just be perfect for someone with a specific challenge to have access to for their own artistic engagement? Consider someone that you either are currently working with, or have worked with in the past. What were their strengths? What were their challenges that got you really thinking about how to assist them? What is it?

Hi all!

Thank you for being such a supportive and engaging group to work with! For this week, find a fable that resonates with you. It could be your favorite one, or one that teaches a moral that you might consider using in the future. We would like you to consider one different adapted/accommodated activities that you could do with a group of 12-5th grade students with various challenges in an inclusive placement, 6 students have challenges. The challenges that are presented by this group are 1 student with a hearing impairment, 2 students with cognitive challenges that function at about a second grade level, 2 students with physical challenges-one student in a wheelchair with limited mobility in her arms poor fine motor skills in her hands, and another student who is ambulatory, yet only has use of his non-dominant hand ( the other arm and hand can hold things down for support, but there are no fine motor skills.) and 1 student with a visual impairment, so that she works really close to the workspace to see what she is doing ( and is incredibly independent!). Using your own modality ( art, music, theatre, etc.), OR ANY or a couple of modalities, create 1 activities with adaptations that are based on your chosen fable for use with this group of students.

In case you would like a format, ( but you do not need to follow it) here is a basic one.

1. Name of Fable-tell us why you chose it.

2. Briefly describe an activity that you create after being inspired from your fable.

3. Indicate how you would plan to adapt it for the group of students indicated, or how you would adapt the activity specifically for one or more students. Consider any kind of adaptive strategy, from tools to templates, to creative interventions.

Choose an activity that you would like to do in your classroom, or with a group you may work with in the future. Share with us how you would make this activity UDL friendly. Be sure to identify the age or grade level for which you would be planning this activity.

Have a great week!

During the workshop, there was quite a lively discussion about UDL. What are questions or comments that you have or would like to discuss about UDL?  The three areas of Representation, Action/Expression and Engagement are designed to help facilitators of learning and experiences look at the ENTIRE process as meeting the needs of all the participants on multiple levels. Ideally, in planning and implementing an activity, if these are taken into consideration, most individuals should be able to be involved at some level in the activity- and potentially in many ways!  Offer some thoughts about your perceptions/perspectives about UDL and how you might use them to develop your work.

Here is your first question?

Identify two strategies that you are taking away from this workshop that you can implement in your present or current work?

What are they and explain how you would incorporate them in your work?

Let the discussion begin!

Sue and Fran.

(Please respond by the end of the day on Tues Jan 28)

Welcome to my new and improved website! I am passionate about bringing the art of theater to all people, especially those with special learning needs and disabilities. It is my belief that everyone has self worth, and it is my mission to help others discover that worth through their participation in theater. Particularly, I have the ability to create work that enables those with disabilities to work without boundaries.
Feel free to contact me with your theatrical performance, arts education, and professional development needs. I look forward to working with you!
– Fran Sillau