Sensory Table- Visual Language Support

Do you work with students with low verbal skills? I have students in my classroom who are completely non-verbal, communicating with only pictures, students who use an AAC device, and some students who use verbal speech, but still benefit from some visual supports here and there.

The other thing about my students? They LOVE the sensory table. I think some of them would put their whole bodies inside of it if I'd let them. I try to change the table each month to provide different sensory experiences and build in some thematic vocabulary.

This month, for November, the base to our table is hay and I've added fake leaves, acorns, feathers, and some pine cones. You can also find pom-poms, some glitter foam leaves and plastic acorns/leaves.

I've created a visual support to use while working with kiddos at the sensory table. It is great for labeling, commenting, and in some cases even matching. We can practice identifying the colors we see the table, the objects we see and also placing items on top of the pictures to match the real item to the picture.

You can snag this visual support for {free} in my TpT store. I also had one created for the month of October if you want to grab that one for next year you can find it {here}.

I can't remember exactly what is in our December one, I know the base is green and red noodles with I believe tiny presents and pom-poms. There are other items as well, but I can't remember them right now.

Hope this freebie is something you can use!

Meet Marsha from A Differentiated Kindergarten

Ok, so I’m kind of feeling like it’s the first day of school.  I’m a little nervous, a bit apprehensive that I might screw up, but over-all excited to have the chance to introduce myself to all of the wonderful readers that take the time to follow all of us here on Freebielicious.

My name is Marsha M. Moffit McGuire  (I often joke with Annie that she's my long lost Moffit/Moffatt sister).  and I am the fingers behind  A Differentiated Kindergarten.  I’ve been blogging now for a little over a year and a half. Wow!  What a whirlwind adventure.   I can honestly admit that I didn’t have a clue what I was doing when I started out.   All I knew was that I was passionate about getting my classroom on the road to differentiated instruction, and I figured, if I put it out there to the public, maybe there would be others as interested in it as I was. 

Little did I know that along the way I would develop amazing friendships with other teachers I have never even met in person.  It truly is amazing how small the world has become thanks to the Internet and the blogging world.  Some of the best people I've met has been right here at Freebielicious.  

My inspiration, my desire to be a better teacher, a better mom and a better wife is  my family.    We are a family of M's.  (I always thought that it was weird when people named their kids all with the same first initial and now I'm one of those weird moms too.)  There is MacKale, McCoy, MaGill, Mike and me . . . Marsha.   

I am truly blessed beyond measure by these wonderful men that share their lives with me.  We live in the woods of Northern Michigan (not to be confused with the Upper Peninsula) where we can enjoy the outdoors, swimming, golfing, skiing (although I hate the snow), hiking and exploring.

I kind of think of having three boys as just a lot of noise with some dirt and stink mixed in for good measure.  They keep me hopping and on my toes.  I am traveling from one sport to another to another . . . but they are also my best source of inspiration.

They are the poster children for differentiation.  They are completely different from each other, different strengths, different interests and different learning styles.  I look at them and know  . . . 'this is why I differentiate my instruction.' 

And it's also why I love sharing products and ideas with you that will help you differentiate your instruction.  So for your pleasure, here are a couple of items to get you through the holidays.

This is an easy way to differentiate for your students who are still working on letters as well as those that are ready to tackle sight words.  Roll, Say, Keep Gingie is a class favorite for sure.

And because I LOVE all things that have to do with sensory tables . . . here's a little thing to use with (or without) your holiday sensory table.  

I like to put pine boughs or shredded colored paper in during the holidays.  This activity will have your students sorting for medial CVC sounds.  

It sure was great to get to know you all.  Please make sure you stop my blog to say hello.