Functional Curriculum
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Presentation Transcript
Functional Curriculum For Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired with Additional Disabilities Nathalie de Wit, MS Perkins School for the Blind
Fundamental Questions • Where are we going? • How will we get there?
Functional Curriculum • What is Functional Curriculum? • A curriculum that helps our students learn their world around them • A curriculum that helps our students learn how to interact in this world • A curriculum that teaches our students in a systematic way what other students might gain through incidental learning • So, a curriculum that teaches functional skills
Things to think about… • Chronological Age • Natural Environments • Teach Incidental Learning • Importance of Routines • Individualization • Independence
Chronological Age • Are the activities age appropriate? • Are the students treated as their peers? • Are students given autonomy? • Is the focus on independence?
Natural Environments • Different types of environments • Home • School/Work • Community • Leisure • Carry-over • Routines • Independence
Incidental Learning • We need to teach it! • Routines • Opportunities throughout the day • Purposeful – what is the function?
Individualization Each student is unique Understand where the student is Understand the student’s goal How can we get there?
Routines are Crucial • Activities that teach should be part of the routine • Understanding within context • Activities: • Cooking • Hygiene • Object Identification • Independent activities • Pre-Voc
A Total Communication Approach • Using Behavior • Using Gestures • Using Manual Signs • Using Augmentative Communication Devices • Using Picture symbols or tactile symbols
Choices are Essential • Choices give students their voice • Choices make the world more predictable • Choices can increase preferred behavior • Choices can show comprehension
Daily Living Skills turn into Functional Curriculum Activities • Setting the table • Object Identification • Left/right – Top/Bottom – next to • Cleaning up after meals • In/out • Hygiene • Doing the laundry • Object Identification • Matching/Sorting • Texture Discrimination
Conclusion • Understand your student and his or her needs • Analyze each routine activity to understand what can be taught • Give choices • Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate!
Functional Curriculum Resources • Using Developmental Checklists such as The Oregon Project for Blind and Visually Impaired Pre-School Children: Skills Inventory • Independent Living Skills Assessment (ILSA) • Perkins Activity Resource Guide • http://www.tsbvi.edu/curriculum-a-publications/3/1032-functional-academics-a-curriculum-for-students-with-visual-impairments • http://products.brookespublishing.com/The-Syracuse-Community-Referenced-Curriculum-Guide-for-Students-with-Moderate-and-Severe-Disabilities-P314.aspx