The Active Learning Community consists of its
practitioners, teachers, therapists and parents, the learners,
and all the support troops: friends, family, aides, etc. Active
Learning is an international practice (Europe, Canada,
Australia), and is popular in Texas, the Michigan region with a
growing practice in California. See
"Who Does Active Learning"
LilliWorks Foundation has in the past focused upon supplying Active
Learning equipment, and held a major convention in 2005.
As we have made progress in the equipment and financial,
LilliWorks is shifting focus to include more outreach and
community support.
The Active Learning Group is a Yahoo email group that is now
moderated with Diane Montgomery, a teacher who has been
practicing Active Learning for years. We'll get the best
possible answers to your questions, including asking Dr.
Nielsen, herself.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/activeLearning/
Here is a sample:
Hi,
I have a 10 year old that is cognitively in the 18 mos-3 yr
level. He's on home/hospital school due to medical issues.
I'm putting together a hanging pegboard that I was thinking
to put on the wall. He is able to scoot over to what he
wants, so I hope that he will go over to the pegboard. So
far I have different textured items, a couple that make
noise and some bright colored plastic toys. He likes to put
things in his mouth, so I'm looking for ideas of things to
put on the pegboard that won't be a hazard to him.
I've not read any of the books, but have been to a few talks
on Active Learning.
I would like to incorporate his pegboard into his IEP with a
goal. I haven't a clue where to start.
Could someone recommend a book to start reading? His teacher
and Vision therapist are also interested in reading up on
this. I've also heard that the Functional Scheme is a good
place when trying to figure out goals and levels?
Thank you in advance for any help.
Bridget
Good Morning,
Yes, you are off to a good
start. I also started off with position boards. Which books
you want to read depends on your focus. Step by Step focuses
of developmental levels and the equipment. It is one of my
favorites. Educational approaches is a variety of essays
written by Dr. Nielsen that cover different topics. The
comprehending hand focuses on vision, but it also applies to
all children with disabilities and has a list of objects
that would be good for children to grow with. Are you Bind?
focuses on the emotional levels and theory. And space and
self focuses on developmental levels and the little room.
They are all good and I recommend reading all of them.
As far as goals go, a possible
goal could be something like this:
By __(date)__, (name) will
reach, touch, grab, pull, push or otherwise interact with
objects, for his developmental level, tied to a peg board by
means of elastic covered with tubing (to prevent injury),
when given the board either on a tray or standing up for 15
to 20 minutes for 3 out of 5 days.
Objectives would then state the
minutes at 10, 15, with the goal to 20.
The goal doesn't have to be so
specific as to the construction of the position board, but I
don't know how much is understood, so I described it instead
of stating the name. If you would like me to tweak it, I
would be happy to do so if you give me a direction that it
needs to go in.
The functional scheme is highly
recommended. It will tell you exactly which level your son
is on in each of the 20 areas that are assessed. It is also
very good to give you ideas of what to offer your son. If
you purchase it, come back here and I will guide you through
using it.
Please continue to ask questions
and do your research. I wish you well. Diane
Thank you,
Diane Montgomery
Resources...
LilliWorks offers the following to the Active Learning
community:
- An
Active Learning Group (Above) A Yahoo email group that acts
as a forum to help answer your questions about Active
Learning. We'll ask experts to answer your queries.
- Active Learning Newletters that have a variety of
articles, tips and tricks.
- Used Equipment List for some bargains.
- An Active Learning IEP with sample Active
Learning goals.
- An Active Learning Convention: now planning for
the next one
- Articles and Stories on this website
Share your story...
If you are practicing Active Learning, we want to hear from
you. Share your experience and your success. A short
paragraph or two and a photo, we'll add to the "Who's Practicing
Active Learning" section of our website.
Links
Here are some useful links, relevant to Active Learning.
