Affordable solar powered gadgets

Help your students work on fine motor skills and learn about solar energy with some of these affordable DIY maker kits.

http://www.browndoggadgets.com/collections/early-education

       

         

A Request to Lego

Please help lobby Lego to make conductive (Maker) Legos by sharing this article/request.

"As an educator and assistive technology practitioner I work on ways to improve access for kids with disabilities.  One technique my colleagues and I use involves using a small micro controller (MakeyMakey) in conjunction with conductive materials (e.g. bananas, clay, etc) to make customized switches.  These switches can automate a voice, turn on a light, or play a song. 

I was excited to hear about Legos commitment to reducing the use of plastics and moving toward a more bio-degradable alternative.  Partly for the environmental reasons and partly for the hope that Legos could some day be conductive, allowing kids and AT practitioners alike to make tools for kids with disabilities.  

I'm writing in hopes that you might be able to consider using conductive materials in developing the next generation of Lego.  It would certainly open a lot of doors for our kids.

Thank you kindly for your time and consideration,"

Pete Carpenter (occupational therapist, father, and Lego fan) 

If you have thoughts or questions, please add to the comments section below.

LEGO for Occupational Therapists: Tips for Incorporating LEGO Into Your Occupational Therapy Program

http://blog.brickmarketplace.com/2016/04/lego-for-occupational-therapists-tips.html?m=1
author: Meaghan Nanson

Occupational therapists have a fun, difficult, and rewarding job. Their goal is to help people with specific physical, emotional, social or developmental needs participate in a full range of activities regardless of disability or other perceived barriers. In short, they provide specialized assistance to people of all ages who want to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Using elements of physical therapy, speech-language therapy, art therapy and more, occupational therapists create an environment that mimics the activities required in daily life – albeit sometimes in fun, creative ways. 

 This is where LEGO toys come in..... (See full article here) 

Rosie and Travis Piano and Violin Duet

Social Skills

AUsomely Social

Fun, innovative approaches to teaching Social Skills and Social Thinking® (based on the works of experts Michelle G. Winner and Stephanie Madrigal.)

http://stretchingsocialskills.blogspot.com/p/youtube-links-for-social-skills.html

Related page:Welcome to Jill’s Social/Emotional Skills Sharing Site!
https://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/2012/12/27/teaching-kids-about-distractions/?platform=hootsuite

Building Accessible Playgrounds in PPS

Harper's Playground

Resources:

PPS's current criteria for playgrounds

related articles: 

Harper's playground 

Would kids play outside more if they had access to school playgrounds?

If you know of a school planning to build or redesign a playground, please leave a comment or contact Pete Carpenter MOT, OTR/L at pcarpent@pps.net

Affordable Summer Camps for Students

Portland Parks and Rec. Camps for Kids

Elite Sports Academy: 

Elite Sports Academy, a Portland based non-profit, offers a cost efficient summer camp to children in low-income families. The camp will focus on education and sports training. Camps start on June 13th, and it will run until August 26th. The cost will be only $25 per week.  The camp will be held at King School from 10am-3pm Monday-Friday, with early drop off and late pick up from 7:30am-5:30pm at no additional cost. There will also be free breakfast and lunch provided every day. 
any questions or would like more information, please feel free to email me at ajwhite1191@gmail.com or call me at 928-814-9648.

 

 

The Adolescent Brain: OHSU informative presentation

https://echo360ess.ohsu.edu:8443/ess/echo/presentation/2a967f84-7a64-4887-bb36-1d19306c44c3

Universal Design for Learning Guidelines

Sensory Screening and Education

Results of a Sensory Screening of a 4th grade class (click here) 

Results

Perpetual Motion in Room 17: Time-lapse video

What can we learn from this?  What were some of the themes, movement patterns?
What were some of the most popular spaces?  Were these areas popular because the
micro-environment was inviting?  How and in what way does the design of the classroom (desk placement and other static features) affect the  movement and shape of the class?  How much do the activities and teacher instructions influence the clusters, movement, and shape of the class?

One thing is clear, many of the students movement needs are encouraged and fulfilled.

Thank you Pamela Kennedy for sharing this fascinating and entertaining video.

EdcampPDX, April 23, 2016

https://ppsintech.wordpress.com/2016/03/18/edcamppdx-april-23-2016/

Literacy Resources

Tumble Books
http://www.tumblebooklibrary.com/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f

Open Books
http://openebooks.net

AAC Provider List - (Oregon / Washington private practice)

Greater Portland / Washington AAC Provider List (link here)

AT provider list coming soon

Generation Yes: http://genyes.org/

http://genyes.org/

Project-Based Learning

All Generation YES programs involve students designing, constructing, and assessing projects aligned to student and teacher learning.

Student Tech Leaders

We believe that teams of well-prepared K-12 students are the key strategy for realizing meaningful technology integration. All Generation YES programs have STLs at the center.

Tech Integration

Providing support and resources to schools using technology for improved learning opportunities and academic achievement is a primary goal of the nonprofit Generation YES.

Data Collection & Assessment

Guided authentic assessment and reporting provides students with feedback and educators with solid data on student progress.

A story teller with ALS - OPB with Dave Miller

http://www.opb.org/radio/programs/thinkoutloud/segment/at-home-with-als-tol/

Co: Writer Universal

Co:Writer Universal accross platforms: I haven't tested it yet, and would love any testimonials / feedback on it's performance.
  http://donjohnston.com/cowriter/

New AAC app. produced locally by Lucas Steuber of Language Craft

Executive functioning for high school students education for teachers, parents

iPads for students with speech apraxia

http://www.apraxia-kids.org/2016-ipads-for-apraxia-program-information-application/

Columbia Regional Events Calendar

CRP Class Calendar: http://www.crporegon.org/Page/2

Video Modeling for Students with ASD: A Hands On Workshop

Lifespan: The Post-High School Gap: Preparing for life after graduation by Diane Wiscarson and Amy Reid

Full article here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BziJzz8UGlvza0dZX1N3SGlmTXc/view?usp=sharing

Technologist In Training Program: Bring your school up to speed

PPS Board of Education Superintendent Report Excerpt 1/12/16

Write Start Handwriting Program: Co-teaching

http://www.write-start-handwriting.org/index.html

Ellen Meets an Inspiring Young Woman

PPS Bond Accessibility Work

"Improved accessibility is a priority of the PPS School Building Improvement Bond"

Access ramp at Wilson High School 2013
New Elevator at James John K-5 2015
Suzanne Stahl, Angela Jarvis-Holland, Carole Smith

Timeline: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/files/bond/Bond_Program_Graphic_Schedule_3_19_15_v4.pdf
Get involved: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/bond/9073.htm



Community members, PPS designers, and Portland Parks and Rec. meet to discuss plans/updates for Grant High School.

Oregonian: Educator collaboration keeps all students involved at Portland elementary

video: http://video-embed.oregonlive.com/services/player/bcpid1949055967001?bctid=4655980199001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAPLpuSqE~,a1DdoZJH5WQo4iWaJj1w_CktvJfhQVVG

Full article here:
http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2015/12/educator_collaboration_keeps_a.html#incart_river_index

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Tech. tools for the classroom

http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/

Impulse control article

http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/1443/147796/impulsive-behaviors/

Spelling with Nuts and Bolts -combining literacy, spelling, and fine motor

http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2013/05/spelling-with-nuts-bolts.html

also:
http://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/2013/03/15/18-tactile-spelling-activities/

VITA

website: http://ict.usc.edu/prototypes/vita/

Customized website for students with orthopedic impairment using eye gaze technology

Resource: Occupational Therapy Plan - an activity idea search engine for pediatric occupational therapy activities

Occupational Therapy Plan - an activity idea search engine for pediatric occupational therapy activities

http://www.otplan.com/default.aspx

Smarter Balanced Accommodation Guidelines

http://www.smarterbalanced.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/SmarterBalanced_Guidelines.pdf

Practice test (to trial accessibility tools): http://www.smarterbalanced.org/practice-test/

Does Handwriting Need to be Saved?

Career Moxie: 40 best online tools for occupational therapists

http://mastersinoccupationaltherapy.org/2011/40-best-online-tools-for-occupational-therapists/

Visual Schedule to Teach Bedtime Routines: ATN Autism Treatment Network, AIR P: Autism Intervention Research

Social Story Creator

Story Board That: https://www.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-creator
This is a handy and fairly intuitive website that allows the user to create a story or comic using a a variety of characters, images, scenes, and uploaded images.  It appears to work on the iPad as well.
Here is a sample illustrating student's need for movement and heavy work:

Also see: 10 Sites / Apps for Creative Writing
http://www.slideshare.net/rbyrnetech/10-sites-apps-to-inspire-creative-writing
https://tp053.k12.sd.us/Following%20Rules%20at%20School.htm

OT with Martha - Letter folding jig

Hand crank electric generator

This little electric generator may be used in a variety of contexts, from a cause and effect activity (turning a light on), a science lesson (how electricity is produced), or recharging a cell phone / tablet.  Students can literally feel the work needed to power modern electronics, lights, fans, etc.
Cost: the hand crank generator was approximately $20, materials (scrap wood, adjustable bracket, screws): approximately $5

submitted by Pete Carpenter OTR/L

Handwriting Worksheet Maker

Handwriting Worksheet Maker:  Customize handwriting worksheets by content size, color, print vs cursive, dots vs hollow/outline, etc.  Ex: have student practice specific letters or their own name.  

http://handwritingpractice.net/handwriting/index.html
Also see:
http://www.softschools.com/custom/worksheets/words.jsp
http://www.worksheetworks.com/english/writing/handwriting.html
Worksheet works also has math geography, English, mazes, money and some other cutting and prewriting worksheets
http://www.writingwizard.longcountdown.com/handwriting_practice_worksheet_maker.html
This one is geared toward ESL students. Create writing worksheets lets you choose letter style and size and variety of practice options eg trace copy or freehand. Single words like vocabulary lists or phrases. 
http://www.toolsforeducators.com
A great site for free printable custom resources eg custom bingo cards, lotto cards, crossword maker, game boards, custom paper dice maker, certificate maker, more
Many topics to choose from eg animals, foods, vehicles, occupations, prepositions
http://www.eslflashcards.com

Google Docs Speech Recognition Add on

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/speech-recognition/idmniglhlcjfkhncgbiiecmianekpheh?utm_source=permalink

Low Cost Toys / Activities

http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/toys.html


resource from Martha Thomas

also see: 
Balloon hover craft: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbAuaN8wIvA

Balloon rocket: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6NIgPIh7HU

Victory Academy: Clackamas County school serving children affected by Autism

http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2015/08/victory_academy_autism_school.html

Victory Academy is a year-round private school serving children affected by autism. Stephanie Yao Long/Staff

Chirp - Music Therapy in Portland

http://chirpmusictherapy.com/faq/about-us/

 

Using a Noise Level Monitor in the Classroom

Rosa Parks, SuperSensory Space

Kindergartens Ringing the Bell for Play Inside the Classroom

NYT online article: http://nyti.ms/1GoOHYj

" Using play to develop academic knowledge — as well as social skills... "

Just Breathe

http://youtu.be/RVA2N6tX2cg