Distance Learning Resources

I have not addressed distance learning in my blog so far, just because things have been very busy, and everyone is overwhelmed- teachers, students, parents, OTs, speech therapists, etc. And boy, this has really been a learning curve for everyone...

There are so many free options that are being made available to educators and parents for helping with distance learning and teaching our students/kids. Way too many for me to list, but I am going to share a few of the ones that I have been going to and some of my favorites that have been helpful:

Tools to Grow- there are free resources, and a lot more that you can access with a subscription for around $50/year. They have added some interactive activities that I have used on Zoom with my students. This has been my go to source for activities, well worth the price. But the free stuff is also very good.  https://www.toolstogrowot.com/

Pink Oatmeal- again, free resources are available, and more with a subscription. Create an account to get on their email list and they will send you regular updates on what they have available.  https://www.pinkoatmeal.com/
They also have a YouTube channel that you can subscribe to:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8vkG5T-_sD7a0cRYZDS--w?view_as=subscriber

Teachers Pay Teachers- during this distance learning time, TpT has some free access for schools going on. There are some restrictions, but worth checking out. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/

Life Over C's- I use this website as a resource a lot, lots of freebies, a lot of curriculum based activities. Right now there are some digital activities for preschool and kindergarten age children, and activities for learning at home- no printing required. Check them out here: https://lifeovercs.com/

Learning Without Tears: Set up an account to access "Free Digital and Print Resources plus Expert Advice to Support Students Learning at Home." https://www.lwtears.com/

The Autism Helper: They have and Emergency Home School Kit available at a "name your price offer" from $0-$20. Includes 8 Weeks of Curriculum, Schedules & Training For Home Schooling During School Closings. Plus lots of other free materials and tons of useful information.  https://theautismhelper.com/

Pocket of Preschool: https://pocketofpreschool.com/ I love the graphics on the activities and printables from this website, also available on Teachers Pay Teachers. Check out these free distance learning idea lists for preschool, preK and kindergarten:
https://pocketofpreschool.com/distance-learning-idea-list-for-preschool-pre-k-and-kindergarten/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Earth+Day+Goodies%21+Use+in+the+Classroom+or+Virtutally%21&utm_campaign=april+17+earth+day

Your Therapy Source: https://www.yourtherapysource.com/ There are tons of activities available for purchase, but they also have a "Free Stuff" tab that you can access.

Typing.com: Free typing tutorial. You can connect this to your Google Classroom and have your students access, or have them directly access your class set up on the web site. You have the ability to check their progress on the individual practice lessons. https://www.typing.com/

I will add more to this list and update as I find more information that I find useful/helpful. Keep up the good work out there!

Additions:
The Inspired Treehouse https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/  Shares information, tips, and strategies re: kids' developmental challenges for parents, teachers, and caregivers.

The Pathway to Success https://www.thepathway2success.com/ Resources for social and emotional needs, executive functioning.

Reluctant Writers

Some strategies for Kids Who Don’t Like to Write…

• Use of a scribe
• Allow them to choose what to write with- pencils, pens, scented pencils or markers, etc.
• Put a worksheet in a wipe off sleeve and let them use dry erase markers to write with
• Allow them to type their answers on a computer keyboard
• Speech or Voice to Text- on Google Docs, open a new document- go to tools-select “voice typing” under the dropdown menu. Click on the microphone to begin.
• Complete written work with a partner (or peer)- take turns writing
• SnapType app on an iPad- allows worksheets to be typed/filled in on the iPad, saved and can also be sent in an email.
• GoWorkheet Maker app will do the same as above
• When typing, use word prediction- ie: Word Q, text editor for elementary and secondary
• Use a label maker for fill in the blank worksheets
• Use a voice memo app to record thoughts and sentences
• Modify the worksheet- provide a word bank or multiple choice for answers, circle the answer vs. writing answers out.
• Allow them to draw a picture of what they are thinking first, then write about what they drew (visual piece can be easier to describe vs. pulling from own thoughts)
• Provide sentence frames so they only has to fill in 1 or 2 words vs. write an entire sentence: The ____________ is ____________.  The ______________ has a ______________.

Consider that a student's reluctance to write may be due to several factors rather than just refusal (behavior)- is it difficult for him to organize his thoughts to put them to paper? Is the breakdown happening between formulating her thought to the process of writing it down? Is it a motor skill issue? Or a combination of both? A motor planning issue (his head telling him what to write but not being able to formulate a plan re: how to get it out of his head into something tangible)?

**While we want kids to write and continue to improve upon their written communication skills, supplementing that with technology is not giving up on that happening- we can’t help them to improve if they are not willing to engage in any sort of process at all.