KEEP YOUR SCIENCE LESSONS OFF THE ENDANGERED LIST
Presenter(s)
Roxanne Butterfield
Slater Software, Inc.
351 Badger Lane
Guffey CO 80820
Day Phone: 719 479-2255
Fax: 719 479-2254
Email: roxanne@slatersoftware.com
Science lessons with visual supports for reading, writing, and
comprehension! Learn about the new Simply Science units for K-8 grades.
Free CD to everyone.
Shrinking habitats. Endangered species. Electricity.
Magnets. These concepts are often difficult
to teach to children with significant disabilities because they lack background
knowledge and have low language levels. With adaptations of regular
education curriculum and individualized materials, these students can
understand and learn science concepts. Attendees will learn about Simply
Science--Animals and Simply Science--Energy in this one-hour demonstration.
Special education teachers have been vocal in expressing a need for adapted
materials in the content areas for their students. Not only do they want
the lessons, they want the lessons to also provide them a way to continue
literacy instruction in the content areas. Simply Science meets those
educators’ needs. The complex concepts are written in simple language,
and the vocabulary requirements have been reduced. This enables children
with low language and/or cognitive levels to learn the curriculum as well as
work on improving reading and writing performance.
The focus of the Simply Science collection is to bring abstract concepts
down to a concrete level. Using adapted text (symbols paired with text),
students with reading levels below grade level will now be able to access
science curriculum taught in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. The
Simply Science collection contains 10 units for each topic. Since the
content of the units aligns with national and state standards, teachers have
ready-made materials available to them that fit nicely with the curriculum
covered in regular education classrooms.
Throughout the presentation, examples of the lessons and supporting
assignments that make up the Simply Science units will be shared. There
are experiments in adapted text, writing assignments which are supported with PixWriter software, interactive lessons involving peers and
family, and much more.
The materials contained in Simply Science will be shown as they relate to
students with disabilities who are taught in inclusive classrooms. One
case study is described below:
John is a 13-year-old with severe physical impairment which affects speech
production and computer access. Testing of intellectual ability is
inconclusive, but the observations of parents and teachers place him within the
average range. John has had limited reading instruction since
most of his educational plan has focus on physical therapy and devising a
means for reliable communication. He presently communicates with eye-gaze
and is learning to use a switch for scanning. Until two years ago, John
spent the majority of his day in a self-contained life-skills
classroom.
The Problem: How do we insure John's learning within the regular
education 7th grade science class? What must be done for him to learn the
science concepts, participate in class, and demonstrate his learning?
The Solution : Many factors must be
considered to insure John’s success. As we look at the challenges John
presents, we will consider how to present lessons to him to maximize his
learning.
The attendees will learn of other students whohave
demonstrated succss in using the Simply Science materials.Each person will receive a CD of the adapted
materials shown during the session.
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