On a scale of 1-10, how are you doing? |
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As educators, it’s easy to get caught up in a fast-paced curriculum and classroom. I ask that for a moment, you pause and reflect on your current emotional state. How are you? Are you thriving or at least feeling okay? Are you taking care of yourself?
These may seem like minor questions, but unexamined emotions have a massive impact on our lives. As a result, this may reflect in our classroom environment and our interactions with students. To combat the unintentional emotional desertion, take some time this week (or even a few quiet moments today) to breathe and focus on the space around you. What do you see, hear, smell, feel, and touch? Rediscovering the present moment makes all the difference. Above all, remember, you’re doing great work, and you’ve got this.
Bonus mindfulness suggestion: Share this present moment activity with your students for a "harmony in the classroom" moment.
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Science Tools & Modules for Students! |
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With the pandemic, classrooms may feel trickier to navigate than before. Don’t worry - as educators, we can easily adapt to design an effective, efficient and modern learning space.
One suggestion for teaching science online is to keep students engaged by utilizing tools such as video creation or private (teacher-supervised) student discussions. You can also advance their creativity by offering students fun external resources that relate to the daily or weekly lessons, such as YouTube videos or even science apps for them to try at home.
For hybrid and in-person classrooms, practice frequent sanitization. Class can continue similar to pre-pandemic times with the addition of masks, PPE, and necessary precautions in place. Though it may seem initially overwhelming, remember to take it one day (or class) at a time.
As the great physicist and chemist Marie Curie said, “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”
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Exclusive TLC Science Module |
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Speaking of the new age of science education, we’re excited to share our own science module. With this tool, educators can offer students simple methods to learn science with ease.
This all-in-one tool can be an amazing resource for blossoming students interest in Science.
A few of the valuable features of this module include:
- The Scientific Method Graphic
- Homework Helpers
- Experiments & Simulations
- Media Gallery
Reminder: Practice active guidance with students through the module learning process, and offer a helping hand when needed. Providing students with adequate support during in person and virtual lessons in science class is crucial, as small efforts can contribute to great academic success. We hope you and your class love this learning resource as much as we do!
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Instructional Websites & Apps to Support Science Classrooms |
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NASA's Visualization explorer is perfect for expanding upon concepts learned in class or research for projects, this NASA app helps students explore our universe even more. With articles and visuals, students can discover more about the earth, the solar system, and beyond in depth. NASA adds new stories every week to keep the app and its information up to date.
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With NOVA, students can learn about chemical elements and molecular structure. Explore an interactive periodic table to learn more about each element, including its properties, uses, and other interesting facts. Build an atom in the atomic sandbox where you can experiment with atomic structure and determine how many electrons, protons, and neutrons you need to construct an element based on its atomic number and weight.
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Design Squad Nation is an app and website that allows classmates to compete to solve fun engineering problems. The resources help students gain a stronger understanding of the design process and the connection between engineering and the things we use in everyday life. This app equips students with science and math skills, and lays the foundation they need to participate in engineering activities later in life.
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Tappity is a great app that is like having the perfect science teacher available for children all of the time. Complex topics are broken down and explained in a clear and age-suitable way. Concepts are explained, demonstrated, and illustrated perfectly for young scientists ages 4-10.
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RtI-E 3.0: Eligibility for SLD Using RtI within a Multi-Tiered System of Support |
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In 2007, the State of Florida revised its eligibility criteria for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). These revisions incorporated evidence-based practices in determining if students respond to instruction/intervention (RtI) as part of a comprehensive evaluation. For the last two years, the Florida Department of Education sponsored a series of face-to-face regional meetings, webinars, and virtual meetings linked through the use of technology to increase district capacity to successfully use RTI within a MTSS as part of a comprehensive evaluation for SLD eligibility determination. Florida’s Problem Solving/Response to Intervention Project staff developed and presented this content made available to all Florida school districts. For our third year, we are pleased to announce RtI-E 3.0 to continue this support to district and schools. Detailed information can be found in the RtI-E 3.0 Launch & Introduction Module (click the icon below to access). |
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Focus on the One: Desired Results, Horizontal Alignment & Vertical Articulation |
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- What role does horizontal alignment play in your multi-tiered system of support?
- What does planning for vertically articulated curriculum look like?
- In what ways can our collaborative teams support and advance curriculum alignment?
We're here to help. Focus on the One: Desired Results, Horizontal Alignment & Vertical Articulation, our second challenge in the series, comprises of insights, expertise, and resources to support your teaching and learning.
Here's a sneak peek into each component of the self-paced challenge:
- Podcast
- We were lucky to have a wonderful conversation with Florida Educator, consultant, curriculum specialist, and author Jodi O'Meara around how Florida educators can utilize horizontal alignment and vertical articulation for more intentional and systematic decision making.
- Application Sheet
- Bridge your learning to your practice with this document that highlights practical actions Florida educators can consider for horizontal alignment and vertical articulation. Want to try it out? We've got you covered. The Application Sheet has two blue "Try it Now" icons for actionable steps.
- Summary Video
- This < 3-minute video provides a quick but informative summary of the role horizontal alignment and vertical articulation play in intentional and systematic decision making.
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01/12/21
Tobii Dynavox
Distance Learning Tools for Education & Communication Success (Part One)
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03/09/21
Tobii Dynavox
Distance Learning Tools for Education & Communication Success (Part Two)
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Many HATs and More! Assistive Technology is More Than Hearing Aids. |
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The past year has brought tremendous growth and development in the field of educational and assistive technologies. Not only were we bombarded with cool new tools, but it seemed like every day familiar and trusted apps were (are) pushing out updates (I’m looking at you, Zoom). It’s a glorious benefit of competition. A question RMTC-D/HH often gets asked is “what is the best [enter a category of device or resource] used for students who are deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH)?” The truth of the matter is that “best” is a relative, and often temporary term, and will be different from child to child, and possibly even from one environment to another for the same child. For example, a student who was able to access auditory information in an acoustically-sound environment while in school may now find listening difficult because of the use of masks or while participating in online learning. Conversely, what once was an option ruled out because of lack of accessibility may now be utilized due to upgrades and/or improvements. The only thing constant is change - tech, delivery, and the kids themselves.
IEP teams are tasked with making sure each student receives a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the LRE, and this includes consideration of assistive technology. A comprehensive assistive technology (AT) evaluation is the cornerstone of ensuring students are provided with the supports and equipment necessary to have equitable access to communication and learning. For students who are D/HH, the AT evaluation often ends at the audiologist’s recommendations for hearing assistive technology (HAT), such as personal and classroom amplification, but a student who is D/HH may require devices beyond amplification. Hearing levels fall along a continuum of degrees, “the majority of these individuals have mild hearing loss.” (Goman & Lin, 2016) Unfortunately, many applications and tools such as text-to-speech and speech-to-text are often omitted from consideration based on a label related to hearing, when they may be the key to unlocking print-based content and response. Tools such as Learning Ally and Bookshare may benefit students who are eligible for D/HH services and should not be dismissed based solely on the eligibility label.
Tools such as the Placement and Readiness Checklist, and the newly updated draft Florida Individual Performance Profile (FLIPP, modified from the Colorado version) may guide teams to find the areas in which students need improved accessibility and support. These resources can be included as part of the comprehensive AT evaluation. This is another reason why knowledge of the specialized needs and collaboration with a teacher for students who are D/HH (ToDHH) is critical at every step of the AT consideration.
As always, RMTC-D/HH is here to support IEP teams and AT professionals throughout the AT evaluation process, with the selection and trial of tools, and the training of professionals in the district serving students who are D/HH. Reach out to our team at info@rmtcdhh.org.
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The FDLRS Administration Project is pleased to invite district AT professionals to partner with their local FDLRS Technology Specialist to join us in these upcoming events. Don’t forget to contact your local FDLRS Technology Specialist for training and information on AT, UDL, or AIM/AEM. To locate your local FDLRS center Technology Specialist, visit our website www.fdlrs.org.
WATI Online Study Groups:
Join us for an Online Group Study of OCALI's ATIM Using the WATI AT Assessment Process. In these studies, we will review the steps of information gathering, decision-making, and trial use; become familiar with individual WATI forms for each step, and read examples and case studies to help learn to use the WATI AT assessment process.
Participate in the conversation only or earn in-service points. A certificate of completion will be given to those who complete group study activities and tasks, earning between 6-18 in-service points. Participants may use the certificate to apply for in-service credits through their local school district by following their district policies. For more information, contact Susan Saunders @ saunderss@nefec.org 850.792.5826.
FDLRS & LATS Roundtables
An opportunity to network, connect and learn with your fellow Assistive Technology peers across the state. Pose questions, respond to others, share your observations and ideas. February 12, 2021 10-11AM EST
Parent & Educator Webinars
Please visit the FDLRS.org website to view and share recorded webinars presented this past spring, developed specifically to assist parents and educators during quarantine and moving to learn remotely.
Topics for parents include:
Topics for educators include:
Free Parent Webinars Fridays with FDLRS
The FDLRS Administration Project and Associate Centers Network are proud to offer a series of parent webinars to take place virtually over the 2020-2021 school year. The 90-minute webinars are conducted during lunch hours, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM EST on a designated Friday. These webinars are free of charge and open to parents, families, and professionals working with children with disabilities or those with unique needs.
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This resource was funded through the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services with IDEA Part B dollars. The information and resources are provided as a free awareness service to the educational community and do not reflect any specific endorsement by any parties involved. Please note that access to some resources may be blocked by individual school districts. |
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