District Resources for Students with Learning Differences

Resources for students with learning differences

Acknowledgement and Introduction

This document is intended as a resource in coordination with “RCS Learning Plan (Covid-19)” to support students with learning differences during school closure due to Covid-19. We urge school teams and families to focus first on the health, safety, and well-being of students. We encourage flexibility and collaboration while schools remain closed. Rutherford County Schools is deeply committed to supporting educational opportunities for all students. We appreciate the collective effort of students, families, teachers, and support staff as we rise to the challenge of supporting our students and families during school closure.

General Accommodations for Students with Learning Differences

Accommodation	Definition	Example (s)
Allow movement/breaks	Allow student to have frequent movement breaks to help with attention/focus	Timer Brain Breaks, such as https://www.gonoodle.com/ First/then statements (e.g., “first complete [insert task], then you may [insert reward]”)
Calculator	A small electronic device used to make mathematical calculations using a keyboard and visual display.	Calculator on phone, computer, tablet, or handheld calculator
Check for Understanding	A periodic check of student understanding	Checking student’s work to ensure he/she is understanding the material or asking if the student has any questions about the content
Chunking/Segmenting Assignment	Break assignments into smaller sections	Have students complete 5 problems at a time instead of the entire assignment at one time.
Grid or Lined Paper	Paper with built in spacing to help organize and solve math problems such as long division, decimals, and fractions.	Grid paper
Highlight Key Words/ Points	Highlight or underline keywords/points within the text to maximize understanding Highlight clue words indicating the task the directions are asking them to do.	Math -highlight key words that indicate the needed operation(s). Reading -highlight clue words for the task the questions are asking them to do.
Math Manipulatives	Any small objects used to help student solve math problems	Cereal, Coins, Blocks, Crayons, Skittles
Quiet Location	To ensure focus, ensure the student has a quiet location to work.	Student works away from environmental distractions such as TV, siblings, center of the home
Redirection	Prompting to refocus attention to the current task.	“You’ve been doing a great job, let’s keep working”
Repetition/Rephrasing	Rephrase/Reword the question or directions in a way that students can understand Repeat the directions or questions as needed for task completion	Simplify or re-explain the directions by Using language at the level of a child’s understanding. Take unnecessary words out of questions or directions to simplify
Rewards and Reinforcers	Provide a reward to reinforce good choices upon completion of tasks or a specified number of tasks.	Student chooses their favorite activity, Stickers, Star on paper, Positive reinforcement (nice work)
Scribe	A person will write a student’s answer as they dictate it, word-for-word.	If your child states “the boy runned at the park” you will write the answer exactly as they stated it. Do not correct grammar
Speech to Text	Students can talk while the software will type what they say. Remember to say punctuation marks ex. “period”	Google Voice Typing
Text to Speech	Software will read the text on the screen	Human Reader Google Read & Write(extension)
Visual Aids	Visuals such as pictures, charts, or drawings that help students complete a task.	Multiplication Chart 100s Chart Graphic Organizers Task Strips Checklist
Word Processor	Any technology that can be used to type a response	Google Docs Microsoft Word Chrome Extensions for Struggling Students and Special Needs

General Academic Resources

Content	Site	Link
For grades K-12: Lessons in Early literacy, Language, Reading, Social Studies, and Science. Students take a placement test that provides a personalized lesson pathway to meet each student's individual needs. Students can log in by going to the RCS district clever portal and selecting the Moby Max tile.	Moby Max	https://www.mobymax.com/signin
PreK-12 digital media service with more than 30,000 learning materials	PBS Learning Media	https://tn.pbslearningmedia.org/
Preschool through 8th grade Home schooling E-Courses	A Better Way to Homeschool	https://abetterwaytohomeschool.com/homeschooling-classes
Educational games for grades PreK through 6 that will keep kids engaged and having fun. Topics include math, reading, typing, just-for-fun logic games	ABCya!	https://www.abcya.com/

Adapted/Modified Curriculum/Life Skills

Life skills curriculum for students in grades K-12. These resources include strategies for teaching social and emotional skills. We have included several example sites and direct links.

Accommodation	Definition	Site(s)
Adaptive curriculum in Math and ELA for Grades K-8		Adaptive Curriculum: https://www.adaptivecurriculum.com/us/
Adaptive curriculum in Science		Scootpad: https://www.scootpad.com/index
Activity Schedule	An activity schedule is a visual representation or sequence of pictures or words that represent each step during an activity. For example, an activity schedule might list the specific steps involved in brushing teeth, getting dressed, or playing with play dough.	https://www.template.net/business/schedule-templates/activity-schedule-template/ https://www.printablesample.com/kids-activity-schedule-templates.html
File Folder Games	Includes free templates to file folder games	https://filefolderfun.com/
Have Fun Teaching	Worksheets, coloring pages, flash cards, activities, videos, songs and more tools that teach every standard.	https://www.havefunteaching.com/

Academic Resources: Reading

Free Touch Math Samples: https://www.touchmath.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=freestuff.welcome

Click on appropriate grade level

Touch Math:

Videos are available on Youtube.com showing how to do touch math.

Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/

Students practice at their own pace, first filling in gaps in their understanding and then accelerating their learning.

Quick Math: https://quickmath.com/#c=simplify_algstepssimplify&v217=8855%2F45

Enter your math problem or search term, press the button, and they show you the step-by-step work and answer instantly (2nd grade through college)

Imagine Math: https://math.imaginelearning.com/users/sign_in/

High School Math Intervention

Students should use the log in information provided by his/her teacher

Freckle (Free): https://www.freckle.com/

Reflex Math: https://www.reflexmath.com/

iReady: https://login.i-ready.com/

Students log in through Clever account

There is also an app available i-Ready for Students

Academic Resources: Writing

No Red Ink: https://www.noredink.com/

Online curriculum that builds better writers.

Paragraph Punch: https://paragraphpunch.com/

Teaches students how to write a paragraph through interactive online tutorial

ReadWriteThink: http://www.readwritethink.org/

StoryBird: https://storybird.com/

*** Fine Motor Handwriting See Below***

Resources: Autism

School Closure Autism Kit:

https://www.autismspeaks.org/science-news/how-handle-school-closures-and-services-your-child-autism

Autism Toolkit: 

https://qrcgcustomers.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/account4876975/6576200_1.pdf?0.9405035283981562

Educate Autism: http://www.educateautism.com/

Educate Autism is a website dedicated to helping those working with children with autism by providing free teaching materials, various tutorials to help you make your own teaching aids and articles to provide information about teaching methods and behavioral principles.

Autism Classroom: http://autismclassroom.com/

AutismClassroom.com is an online resource for parents, educators and administrators about setting up classrooms, setting up home and teaching children with autism. AutismClassroom.com provides free teaching materials, information on free and low-cost trainings and mobile apps.

Resources: Behavior

University of South Florida Family Engagement Page:

https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/Implementation/family.html

Contains resources across a variety of languages on teaching social/emotional skills, addressing problem behavior (found under “backpack connection”), family connection (teaching play skills), social stories, and general resources. (Scroll to the bottom of the page)

Autism Speaks: https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/challenging-behaviors-tool-kit

“Challenging Behaviors Toolkit” contains videos for parents to watch.

Child Mind Institute - Guide to problem behavior: https://childmind.org/guide/parents-guide-to-problem-behavior/

Contains information on providing reinforcement for appropriate behaviors, setting boundaries/not delivering rewards for inappropriate behaviors, how to deliver instructions, and helping deal with emotions

Cosmic Kids Yoga:

Videos are available on Youtube.com that promote yoga, movement/body awareness, mindfulness and relaxation designed for kids ages 3+

Resources: Fine Motor/Handwriting

Handwriting Heroes: (Visit your App Store)

Our playful heroes teach students how to form their letters through captivating stories, hilarious animations, and catchy songs. The format is simple, and the pace is fast!

The OT Tool Box: https://www.theottoolbox.com/

At home OT, PT, and Speech Therapy resources designed to build skills in children through movement and play.

Learning Without Tears: https://www.lwtears.com/

Includes the Handwriting without tears program which teach students letter formation through developmentally appropriate, multisensory strategies and child friendly lessons and activities. Right now, families/parents can access the pre-K interactive teaching tool and/or handwriting interactive teaching tool for 90 days at no cost. Families can also access keyboarding without tears for free by contacting their customer service.

Therapy street for kids : http://therapystreetforkids.com/

Offers resources for parents who are looking for occupational therapy activities that can be done at home and with household materials. Skill areas include fine motor, visual motor, crossing midline, self help skills, sensory processing and handwriting.

OT Learning Mom Activities: https://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/handwriting-for-kids.html

Includes simple learning activities that would help kids develop the skills they need for formal schooling

OT Plan: https://otplan.com/

Search engine that helps you find occupational therapy activity ideas by skill and by using common household materials

Resources: Social/Emotional

Emotional Well-Being: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Living-Well-With-MS/Emotional-Well-Being

Offers a variety of resources for nearly every aspect of emotional well-being

Feelings Chart:

Print or pull up one of the linked feelings charts. Have your child point to or talk about how s/he is feeling every morning. You can model this by talking about how you are feeling and why. Feel free to use these charts throughout the day as feelings change for you and/or your child. You can also make your own feelings chart with pictures of your child’s feelings.

Chart 1 Chart 2 Chart 3 Chart 4

Tantrums, Tears, and Tempers Behavior:

https://www.pacer.org/ec/early-development/behavior-is-communication.asp

Communication and strategies to help.

Social Emotional Learning Activities Free resources:

https://www.centervention.com/social-emotional-learning-activities/

Lessons, activities, and printables – in the following skill areas: Communication, Cooperation, Emotion Regulation, Empathy, Impulse Control, and Social Initiation

Resources: Speech/Language

 School-Home Reading Kits: www.ed.gov/pubs/CompactforReading/tablek.html

Kindergarten level, including recognizing letters, understanding words consist of a sequence of sounds, rhyming, building vocabulary, following directions, and more.

Mommy Speech Therapy: http://mommyspeechtherapy.com/?page_id=55

Words in various speech position, great for articulation, worksheet for speech sounds

Vocabulary builder

Learn idioms

Home Speech Home: https://www.home-speech-home.com/speech-therapy-word-lists.html

Speech therapy word list

Resources: Hearing

American Sign Language: https://www.lifeprint.com/

Kids stories in ASL as well as other news and information in ASL

Signed E-Books and Resourses:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rgAG1vqyU1RAlOZOXSvdyPk0Y4gPN51jOFTqLKN00hw/mobilebasic

ASL STEM Forum: https://aslstem.cs.washington.edu/

Resources: Vision

Subject		Website	Information
General	Bookshare	www.Bookshare.org	An accessible online library for those who qualify.
General	Zoomtext	www.freedomscientific.com	Offering Free access for home computers until June 30, 2020. JAWS-Screen reader Zoom Text-magnifier/reader
General	Hadley School for the Blind	https://hadley.edu/InstructionalVideos/	Instructional videos and tips on using vision accessibility features across tech tools and applications
ELA	YouTube Story Time	https://www.youtube.com/user/Storylineonline/videos	Stories read aloud by Authors & Famous people
General	Paths to Literacy Homework Hotline	https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resources/national-homework-hotline-blindvisually-impaired-students-nhh-bvi or https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resources/virtual-learning-academy	Homework help for blind and visually impaired students. This is an opportunity for students to participate in fun, daily activities, each day covering a different area of the Expanded Core Curriculum.

USING ACCESSIBILTY FEATURES in WINDOWS

In the search panel type in accessibility

Accessibility instructions

Adjust font size under “Make text bigger”
Adjust Screen Brightness under “Make everything brighter”
Changing background color
Adjust Cursor Size – on the left side under “Curser and Pointer”

Tips

Use a line marker to keep your place when reading-this can be an index card or ruler that you move down the page
Use wide tip marker to outline activities student is struggling to see
Use of highlighter to get student to focus on specific task

Extension Resources

Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth: A CTY Reading List: Good Books for Bright Kids

https://cty.jhu.edu/resources/cty-reading-list.html

Tennessee R.E.A.D.S: Reginal eBook & Audiobook Download System

https://reads.overdrive.com/

College Board: Big Future supports your college search and career exploration.

College Board's Big Future College Search

Khan Academy: educational lessons in a variety of subjects including AP

http://www.khanacademy.org/