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Jean M. Slater,MS
Speech/Language Pathologist
351 Badger Lane
Guffey, CO 80820
719-479-2255
Fax: 719-479-2254
http://www.slatersoftware.com
jean@slatersoftware.com
Teaching literacy skills by pairing pictures and print is
becoming widely used. Educators are experiencing first-hand how
well children learn when graphics are added to text. However,
sometimes school district administrators, parents and even
regular education staff question the how’s and why’s
of using the picture-plus-text adaptation. This presentation will
give educators the information they need to take back to their
home districts. They will learn the best practices in teaching
reading and writing skills when pictures are paired with text,
see many examples of materials that have been used by students,
and learn the facts--backed by research--about reading
improvement in students with moderate to severe disabilities.
Everyone will receive a packet of this information.
With all the focus on literacy with individuals with significant
delays, teachers are learning about technology available to use
with those students. They are learning about materials and
applications they can make or buy to increase the literacy levels
of their students. Products which use pictures or graphics to
support text to teach reading and writing are gaining in use and
popularity. Educators are using these products to improve
literacy skills in students with significant delays in cognitive,
speech/language, and learning. Attendees to this conference and
others, are learning how to use the software in demonstrations
and hands-on labs. They hear presenters tell about the
application of the software with students, and they come away
with wonderful ideas and materials that they can take back to
their home schools.
However, as the sophistication level of educators rises in this
field, and as school districts strive to meet standards and
retain accountability, some people are asking the
“hard” questions about benefits and general use
protocols. What has been missing from the presentations and the
information given to educators, however, is the rationale for
modifying academic materials using the pictures-plus-text
software programs. This presentation will provide that
information.
The educators attending this session will receive information
they can take back to their school districts explaining how and
why the strategy will be used with students. They will be able to
talk with parents and administrators about how the adaptations
will increase student participation, skill development, and
success. They will have information backed by research that will
validate the use of pictures and text as a means to teach
word-identification and comprehension of printed materials.
Attendees will receive a packet of information that can be used
in informal or formal presentations to parents, administrators,
and staff. Included in this packet will be research summaries,
objectives that will be addressed, and examples of specific
materials that can be used to address those objectives
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