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Ms. Bear’s Classroom Edit display name

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Play, creativity, fun, and imagination drive early language development and learning. I follow this philosophy in therapy, but with the range of needs and skills my students present, I am often challenged with finding an activity to engage every student in a group of 4 – 8 during whole group lessons. Arts and craft projects have filled this need. Hands on activities create fun and engaging opportunities for increasing communication, improving learning of basic skills, and enabling better skill retention. I am so encouraged when I see a proud, nonverbal student pointing to something they have created or another student using a communication device to request an object from their peer. Students are thrilled to see their artwork displayed in the school halls and on classroom walls. I have found that working on arts and crafts projects improves student attention, increases their success in following directions, encourages more functional pragmatic language and reduces negative behaviors. For many of my students, hands on activities has been the key to open their doors to communication. The materials such as Sequins, glue and paint, I have selected will be used in various arts and craft projects throughout the school year such as Footprint Penguins in the Snow, Valentine’s Day Friendship Flowers, Pompom Bugs, Under the Sea Creations, etc. The Time Timer will give students visual support to help them transition from one activity to the next. I have seen firsthand the benefits arts and craft activities bring to my students with special needs and ask for your help to keep that door to communication and learning open.

About my class

Play, creativity, fun, and imagination drive early language development and learning. I follow this philosophy in therapy, but with the range of needs and skills my students present, I am often challenged with finding an activity to engage every student in a group of 4 – 8 during whole group lessons. Arts and craft projects have filled this need. Hands on activities create fun and engaging opportunities for increasing communication, improving learning of basic skills, and enabling better skill retention. I am so encouraged when I see a proud, nonverbal student pointing to something they have created or another student using a communication device to request an object from their peer. Students are thrilled to see their artwork displayed in the school halls and on classroom walls. I have found that working on arts and crafts projects improves student attention, increases their success in following directions, encourages more functional pragmatic language and reduces negative behaviors. For many of my students, hands on activities has been the key to open their doors to communication. The materials such as Sequins, glue and paint, I have selected will be used in various arts and craft projects throughout the school year such as Footprint Penguins in the Snow, Valentine’s Day Friendship Flowers, Pompom Bugs, Under the Sea Creations, etc. The Time Timer will give students visual support to help them transition from one activity to the next. I have seen firsthand the benefits arts and craft activities bring to my students with special needs and ask for your help to keep that door to communication and learning open.

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