Saturday 25 April 2015

V is for Visual communication, Visual timetables & Vintage knitting patterns


Can't believe we are down to the last 5 posts for this challenge!!

Visual communication-  Very few children in the mainstream schools I have worked in have been unable to communicate vocally so my practical experience of visual communication cards such as PECS is limited, however, friends working in special schools use these type of systems extensively.  A story sticks in my mind from one of them that a child for snack time was always offered verbally a choice between two drinks - blackcurrant or orange - and was just expected to nod for the one he wanted and he always chose orange. My friend new to the school and a great advocator of visual communication printed out two cards she had made - one for orange, one for blackcurrant and asked him to point to the one he wanted - very slowly he pointed at the one for blackcurrant and it became clear that because of his delay in being able to nod he had always ended up being given orange!!  Suddenly and for the first time in ages this child was able to communicate his actual preference!  This really made me think again about using more visuals in my own classroom particularly for younger children who might not realise exactly what is being spoken about.

I'd love to know if anyone else has stories of how the simplest of things unlocked something profound for someone :)

Visual timetables - I have found these to be very useful in a classroom not only for the children who need them such as those with autism or ADHD or any other anxiety problems but also for the rest of the class - it certainly helps get rid of the problems of continual questions of what are we doing next?  There are lots of websites now that offer free schedules and picture cards to download.  I have found sparklebox to be a really good one - http://www.sparklebox.co.uk/blue/class-management/routines-organisation/visual-timetable/daily-timetable.html#.VTsfTCHBzGc
It is then simply a case of printing out, laminating, attaching velcro to the daily lesson strip and the backs of the picture cards and away we go & they last for ever!!  This means once done each classroom can have one and they can be re-used the following year :)

Have you used a visual timetable in your classroom or do you have other ways to help children understand the structure of their day?

Vintage knitting patterns - because I am now able to do many more knitting projects I have been in search of patterns and have been extremely surprised as well as dismayed to see how much brand new single knitting patterns now retail for!!!  Luckily, many talented knitters are willing to share some of their patterns on the internet free of charge and I have also found that charity shops are a good source of older patterns too.  This has now led me into the world of vintage knitting patterns - some of which I obviously may use (see my H is for Hats post) but some just because they invoke such nostalgia.  I picked up this Woolworth's pattern book not so long ago
 and was immediately transported back to my childhood (no wonder I like colour so much!!!) of this type of vivid knitwear.
I have also been given my grandmother's special knitting book I can always remember which we believe dates back to the 1940s

It brings back lots of cosy memories of looking at it and thinking how elegant the ladies were in it and how I would wear things like that when I grew up!

Let me know what you think :)


V is for Viking freebie
I made this resource in response to the situation facing another special needs teacher over in the USA, Jannike over at specialedconnections.blogspot.com who is a definite Viking!!  Sometimes when things aren't going well we all need to be able to vent as well as send each other a hug over the internet. 
 I think once again those in special education are all struggling to square the circle between the wonderful students who keep us amazed at their grit and determination versus a school system that sees everything in terms of "academic grades" on a very uneven playing field :(

Wishing everyone a very restful and enjoyable weekend :)

19 comments:

  1. I love vintage books! Thanks for coming by. I am now following you! :)

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    1. Hi Naila - so pleased to see you were able to drop in and lovely to have you as a follower too:)

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  2. Enjoyed your post tremendously (and thanks for visiting mine). Although I have not worked with children, I used to be a telephonist at a residential home for deaf people who had other challenges (like autism, cerebral palsy etc). The transformation in people who 'heard' music for the first time by seeing light displays and feeling vibrations...it was truly wonderful.

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    1. Wow - I hadn't really thought about how light displays could help interpret music for deaf people - really insightful comment - many thanks :)

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  3. So enjoyed discovering your blog. There are so many interesting topics you've touched on. Thanks as well for stopping by!I'm following you as well.

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    1. Lovely to have you on board, Beverley - I thought when I found your blog we had one or two things in common!!! I'll be over again soon :)

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  4. Your visual communication story reminded me of when I was teaching a maths class in a P5/6/7 class. One of the girls was really struggling with the fraction work and just could not make them make sense. In the end I got four blocks, put them all together, explained this was a whole and then demonstrated what happened when we broke them apart.

    Seeing it in real life flicked a switch for her and just like that she got it. It's great when you see a break through like that. I bet that little boy was pleased to finally get the drink he actually wanted.

    And I love your vintage knitting book. I also collect vintage knitting books. I actually have two from the same range (I recognise the heading font ;-D). One was from my great-grandmother and the other was a bargain I found in a charity shop for 75p! I love the captions on the photos.

    Have you tried knitting anything from them?

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    1. Hi Click. I am glad you can add to how visual aids helped another child in their learning.
      I have to admit that as yet I have not made anything from either book but there are at least tow patterns I would like to try once I have mastered the art of crocheting!! My mum also tells me that she thinks both my brother and I had things knitted for us by my grandmother from her special book when we were babies and toddlers. That is the beauty about most baby & toddler knitwear it stays pretty much the same!! As for the captions - just be glad I didn't put in the one for a "dutch-cap"!!!!

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    2. My cousin wanted to get a pattern to kit a traditional Dutch hat but when she went to the wool shop she mistakenly asked for a pattern for dutch-cap! She said that she just went extremely red and left the shop!

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    3. Oh Eileen - I can just imagine!!

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  6. Visual aids are so important...even for us "regular thinking" folks ;) I always get a good laugh at old patterns because the models look so goofy and dated...too funny.
    Katie @TheCyborgMom

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    1. Yes I certainly agree I certainly prefer things visually!

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  7. Visual aids are the most important thing in classrooms and my most common recommendation, not only for timetables but "What I Need" cards, organisation, calendars, rules, job boards, step by step routines or activities.... the options are endless! :)

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    1. You are so right, Roslyn - I did have one for some children who kept forgetting key things to take home with them each night!!

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  8. neat post. Visual aids are important in any situation - I can see where that would be key in a special needs classroom. Your vintage knitting books are a hoot - garnering quite a skill.

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    1. The books do give a window into a world gone by certainly :)

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  9. Loved the way you wrote about the importance of visual aid.. and your take on the prompt is amazing..!!

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    1. Thank you, Geets for your kind comment and for stopping by :)

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