Need a SUPER EASY way to adapt books QUICKLY? Use Boardmaker to “Symbolate,”
the text.
There are many ways to adapt books using Boardmaker. This way is super fast and easy. Check out this video on how to do it using the text symbolate option as well as copying and pasting images from the book directly from the Web!
As a Transition Teacher, I am always on the lookout for FREE community based activities.
I turned visiting Free Little Libraries into a lesson. In our classroom, we would use the computers to look up Free Little Libraries. Here is the website: littlefreelibrary.org
We practiced searching for them by zip code. We would then map out our walk or bus route (travel training, safety, community based instruction, etc.)
I went to Home Depot and Lowes and got some FREE paint sample cards. We used them to make bookmarks (Using stamps and decorative punches).
We would leave our bookmarks in a cute, decorated shoebox, old Amazon box, or cup in or near the Free Little Library.
We are still working on rebuilding our job and volunteer activities, so this has been a fun, educational activity to help fill in some gaps in our daily schedule.
The, “Learn How to Become,” website has a ton of content for career exploration. You can explore career families and choose any career imaginable.
Next, there are details on job outlook and salary. You can select the specific State you live in. You can learn step-by-step paths to becoming a chef.
Next, you can read TIPS on how to become a Chef from an interview of someone currently working in that field.
Finally, there are links to Culinary School and Chef Career Resources. Check out my video walk through of this website to get you up to speed and start using this in your classroom right away!
Now back to our regularly scheduled program...
Summer 2021! Time for Extended School Year with my Community Based Transition Adult Program. Here in California, we are just now, “opening.” We have been one of the most restricted States in the U.S. during the Covid Pandemic. Now we are finally getting back to our in-person program (THANK GOODNESS!!!).
Many of our student jobs were lost during the shutdown. Volunteering stopped and is still extremely limited. So this summer, I decided to focus on Recreation and Leisure and Daily Living Skills!
The days are a little harder to fill without our jobs, but we will persevere and get back working as soon as we can. Here are some TIPS on how to stay cool while you are out an about with your class this summer:
Need help getting organized for ESY? I have 2 FREE ESY ORGANIZERS AND LESSON PLANNERS FOR YOU!
Tropical ESY Organizer:
Ice Cream Treats ESY Planner:
You have completed the top portion of the ITP checkboxes. Invited the appropriate Transition Services Agencies, AND completed formal or informal transition assessments (like my Interest Inventory or Visual Supports Interest Inventory).
Now it’s time to fill out the Individual Transition Plan, Post Secondary Goal Statements. Oftentimes, I see general statements in this section, but the statements should be more specific and based on your assessment results.
Let’s look at a few examples...
Here is one for Employment...
To help get you started, I created a template with sample statements for you to use to help you write this section of the ITP.
Download this FREE resource from my Murphy Marketplace TPT Store (PDF and Google Doc editable version).
And here is a video step-by-step:
Who do I invite to the Transition IEP?
In addition to the traditional IEP members, for a Transition IEP, you need to invite the STUDENT and Transition Services Agency Representatives.
Student Participation
Provide training and structure for the student to meaningfully participate in their IEP. Students of all levels can produce a simple PowerPoint presentation about themselves and present it at the beginning of their IEP meeting - their strengths, preferences, interests, and goals in the following Transition domains: Education/Training, Employment, and Independent Living Skills. Non-verbal or non-reading students can use assistive technology, communication devices, or text to speech technology to give their presentation.
With parental and student consent, I have made videos of my students doing a presentation about their strengths, preferences, and interests prior to the IEP if they did not want to attend the meeting in person. Videoing the student ahead of time also works well for students with behavior challenges (from severe or violent behaviors to mild behaviors, like having social anxiety when speaking in front of a group).
Transition Services or Adult Agency Representatives
Are there agencies in your community that are likely to provide Transition services in the areas of Employment, Education or Training, and Independent Living?
Some examples include:
Is it appropriate to invite the agency?
It may be too early to invite the agency. For example, Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) will not provide services until the student is close to 18, graduating, or aging-out of school (Check with your local DOR office for eligibility requirements). Therefore, you would invite them according to the student’s upcoming age at the IEP. Regional Center representatives can be invited (if the student is a qualifying client) to the IEP for students regardless of their age. Community Colleges and their Disability Support Student Services representatives rarely attend IEP meetings, however, you can provide documentation of this connection/service.
Here is an example of how the top section and checkboxes should be filled out:
As always, refer to your local State, SELPA, school site, and District’s guidelines on compliant Transition Plan forms. :)
To be, “College Ready,” students must take - Algebra, Geometry, Integrated Math, etc...but what about Consumer Math?! Learning how to manage a budget, balance a checkbook, and figure out interest rates, are all essential skills for success in adulthood.
This FREE online activity on the California Career Zone website is awesome! Students can choose their lifestyle or choose their salary and figure out a budget. As students answer each question, the system will plug in the average costs for their choice based on their selected geographical area (not just California - you can choose any State and most cities).
Check out this video step-by-step on how to do this activity!
