catering for kinesthetic learners in the classroom
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Lots of DramaApplying Creative
Solutions to Everyday Problems in the
Classroom
What we will cover in this workshop• Background information on Learning disabilities
and ways we learn• Creative Strategies and Practical ideas Preschool
– Yr 2- the prop box- Group drama based activities- Individual activities and strategies to develop
specific skills (Social / emotional / fine motor / sensory)
Different students have different needs
Students who have learning disabilities have one commonality, a processing deficit that interferes with their
learning.
individual processing differences occur in the following systems: Auditory language / Visual spatial /Tactile /
Motor planning and sequencingTo learn we must also be able to : focus and attend / engage and relate to others /
engage in simple two way gesturing / problem solve / creatively use of ideas and symbols / think logically (social and emotional capacities)
The thinking capacity comes from back and forth emotional signalling and meaningful use of language and for this the interaction with others is VITAL
What are the signs of disengagement in the classroom?
Talking- the students want to share ideas: SO TALK!• Shake & freeze/ run & stop/ exercises & opposites (do star
jump in slow motion!)The students want to talk so let them:• Tell a fact to a partner and report to the class• Human Graph- get them to discuss a topic in groups then
make decisions in groupings around the room.• Most accurate and interesting facts found (Lap tops)- give a
time limit and let the first ones to find tell the class.
What are the signs of disengagement in the classroom?
Loss of focus- fatigue, distracted, bored, disinterested. Students stare and fiddle. SO MOVE…• Allow a student to deliver the lesson- task• Xtranormal (software)- deliver lesson by
movie• Time trials on IWB- with concepts, facts,
equations, tasks.
What are the signs of disengagement in the classroom?
Fiddling during a task/ off task- may not understand task, distracted. SO MOVE• Use engaging sites to move kids- even with laptops. Eg:
Teacher tube, Promethian, Copacobana• Ask students to discuss/ consider different elements of a
concept and add their own responses (based on previous information given or research done) by moving around the room adding their own responses to posters on the wall or laptops set up in different locations.
• Group work to design/ discuss/ research- you choose the groups and set specific activities for LD students.
What are the signs of disengagement in the classroom?
Time of day or just after a busy activity/ break- Students are excited, social, tired, ‘crazy time’!SO MOVE THEM TO FOCUS SETTLE THEM!• Do a simple Kinesthetic movement activity-
Circle Freeze, Zip and Zap, Run Freeze • Brain quiz to time- run to board and log
answers and do a weekly tally of results• Quiet activity- read, write a story, reflections.
Hyperactive•Fidgets and wiggles, can’t sit still and never seems to stop moving•Gets up to wander, shifts from activity to activity•Has difficulty playing quietly , slowing down and relaxing•Talks excessively, making too much noise
Impulsive•Speaks without permission, blurting out answers•Can’t wait for directions before proceeding•Can’t wait for their turn•Interrupts others, grabs materials
InattentiveCan’t stay focusedDoesn’t listenDisorganisedEasily distractedforgetful
Have you seen this child in your classroom?
Poor social Interaction•Avoids eye contact or appears to be looking through other people•Do not communicate emotions through facial expressions•Don’t like physical contact•Does not interact well with peers or make friends•Prefers to be alone•Does not take turns when playing with others
Communication difficulties•Do not initiate conversations with others •Do not ask others questions•Repeat what they hear rather than responding appropriately (echolalic)•Repeats the same phrase over and over again•Limited make believe play skills•Engage in repetitive non functional activities •Repetitive motor mannerisms ie waves fingers in front of face•Very shy•Difficulty expressing their emotions •Very slow to respond with speach
Poor Fine Motor skills•Has difficulty doing up buttons and zippers•Manipulating small objects such as coins]•Screwing and unscrewing •Using scissors, making craft, •Turning things over or turning the pages of a book•Doing anything that requires small precise hand movements•Doing puzzles•Developing a correct pencil grip
Sensory processing difficulties•Avoids messy play, movement experiences, playground equipment, certain sounds, smells, or tastes •Is a picky eater and resists trying new foods•Refuse to walk barefoot on grass or sand•May walk on toes only
Poor gross motor skillspoor gross motor skills; jumping, catching a ball, jumping jacks, climbing a ladder etc.
Different ways we learnThere are three main learning styles: visual,
auditory and kinaesthetic. Visual learners learn best by viewing
demonstrations, creating charts and reading silently.
Auditory learners learn best by listening to a teacher's explanation, joining class discussions and
reading aloud.Kinesthetic learners learn best by actively doing things to take part in the lesson, moving and touching.
Children enter kindergarten as kinesthetic and tactual learners.
By second or third grade, some students have become visual learners. During the late elementary years some students, primarily females, become auditory learners. Yet, many adults, especially males, maintain kinesthetic and tactual strengths throughout their lives."(Teaching Secondary Students Through Their Individual Learning
Styles, Rita Stafford and Kenneth J. Dunn; Allyn and Bacon, 1993)
Creative Strategies and Practical Ideas
• Meet the child at his or her functional emotional developmental level• Enter the child’s world - be prepared to play• Make it Fun• Be creative• Don’t be afraid or embarrased• Model the behaviour/skill you want to see developed• Use your voice and facial expressions to “energise” up or down• always keep it simple and use lots of repetition to reinforce your point. • Choose the stimulus for activities from what you are doing in class• Think of kinasthetic learning as “practical literacy” for young people
who find 'action' easier than the written word
The Prop Box• Props can be used to stimulate a child’s imagination, creativity and ability to find interesting
problems to explore and solve -- the very foundation that contributes to children's success in school.
Props help to capture a childs attention and keep them engaged
Props can be used to develop specific skills
The Prop Box• 1. Large square s of fabric- white cloth can become a surrendering flag, or any
manner of garment. A multicoloured cloth can repressent a flower garden or butterfly wings, green cloth for grass or a grasshopper, blue cloth for the sky or the ocean
2. A Slinky- This item could be inspiration for a movement, used as an instrument, worn as a bangle, or be a unique hand prop for a character.
4. A jar of bubbles- Besides creating great atmosphere, bubbles can be used in warm up and concentration exercises. For example, blow several and everyone follows one until it pops, with their eyes or their bodies.
5. A roll of Aluminum Foil- Apart form its mundane functions, which might come up in an improvisation, foil can be molded into pieces of jewelry,
armor, or can turn someone into a robot.
6. Several pairs of Sunglasses and Eyeglasses- A pair of glasses will help an child take on a character more easily,
7. A Mirror- It could be used for practicing facial expressions, and concentration exercises.
8. A Flashlight- Used for instant special effects, such as a spotlight. It is also good as a starting point for an improvisation.
9. A Towel- Like the white fabric, it can be used for many different situations, but its thickness will change the ways in which it is used.
10. Puppets- The puppets' mouths should be moveable, because then it can imitate facial expressions more easily. It can be used as a teaching companion, an extra character in a scene, or a way to get someone shy to talk or teach socialisation skills
11. Hats- Ideally, I would have a helmet, a beret/cap, a clown hat, a big floppy lady's hat, and an international hat. The urge to dress up and become someone else stay throughout a person's life, and a hat is the simplest way to signal a change of character.
12. theraputty/plasterseen – great for making instant props, or using for fine motor activities
13. A stop sign – laminated and on red card. Use initiallly in conjunction with the word “freeze” can be a great visual cue the behaviour needs to stop
14. A musical Instrument (a tambarine is perfect) – great to signal the start and end of an activity or for associating movement with emotion / tempo / loud / soft
Drama based Group Activities
• Agree to some rules before you start the activity• Always make positive reinforcement when anyone contributes• Those disrupting will be excluded if they continue to interrupt the class• Keep activities moving- no chance for loss of focus. • When working in groups- keep the time short and count down. Move around and
check• The Teacher is the facilitator- not the controller• Always end with a discussion about the activity
Guidelines
Will help to develop both individual and group skillsEnhance the childs' abilities to communicate their ideas, images, and feelings in concert with others through dramatic actionCan often highlight strengths and weaknesses that may not have been obvious before
Body Moves
Procedure: Define the “acting space” in the room. Tell students they must remain in this space at all times
• Ask students to find their own space within the “acting space”• Explain and practice the rule – if you call “Freeze” (and hold up the Stop sign) they must stop
and freeze position.• Explore different ways to move your body through space• First our heads , then our arms / then our hands / then our legs / feet • Walking / tiptoeing / skipping / jumping / spinning / twisting / Tumbling/crab walk /bear walk• (you can do all these on the spot if space is limited)• At the end of the activity on the board list all the ways we discovered how to move our bodies
through space
Objective; Warm up activity great for developing motor skills, helps students to express their ideas, and focus . It is also great for kids who need to move
Evaluation: what was your favourite movement Were some movements harder than others
VariationsHow the world works - Looking at changing weather conditions ask students to show you how they
move when it is a very hot day/ cold day / rainy day / windy day /
Different situations: Investigate how do we move when we are in fast motion /slow motion / thick sticky mud/ walking on hot coals / in a snow storm /on a boat in a rough sea / on the moon / under the sea (make yourself a set of idea cards and keep them in your prop box)
Different animals / people: juggler, king, fireman, Different actions: fishing , painting , jugglingDifferent emotions: how would I move if I was happy, sad, angry, excitedDifferent seasons: what do we do in winter? Build a snow man, put on warm cloths etc Different directions: Forward, backwards, up, downDifferent activities of daily living: brush our hair , get dressed, eat our dinner, do a poo!
• All these ideas can be put on cards and students can draw out of the box a different movement variation
Movement to music = Before class make a tape containing short snippets of different types of music• Encourage students to move the way the music sounds. Stress that you must freeze when the
music stops
Shark SaysObjective: To practice focus and using the body.Procedure: Students must do exactly as "Shark Says." In this variation on "Simon Says," no student has to be "out."
Teacher uses motions inspired by sharks or other animals in the food chain.• Students sit or stand in circle (pre-schoolers focus better on activity when sitting)• Teacher becomes the "Shark" and stands in center of circle• "Shark" gives instructions (i.e. "Shark says: Show me your shark teeth", "Shark says: Bite like a
shark", "Shark says: Make claws like a crab")• Encourage students to use their imagination• Reinforce the individuality of each students' motionNote: This activity is designed to warm up the body and imagination. It is low-risk to ensure the success
of every student. To build on this activity, add emotions to the animal movements. For example: Shark says, "Snap your claws like an angry lobster."
Evaluation:• What was your favorite movement?• What does a shark/crab/octopus/etc. like to do?• What ocean animal would you like to be and why?
The RainforestObjective: reinforce learning,Preperation:Using masking tape (or chalk) draw a large outline of a rainforest tree on the floor. Be sure to give the trees roots, a trunk with
wide branches and a leaf canopyDisscussion: Discuss with the children what type of animals can be found in the rainforest and where would you find them, why
do animals live in the rainforest rather than the dessert eg a monkey in the branches, a worm in the earthProceedure:Ask the children to pick an animal they would like to be that lives in the rainforestOne at a time ask the children to stand up and tell you what animal they have chosen . Then ask them to move like that animal
to the part of the tree where they liveVariations:Construct a whole rainforest with students as the trees. Populate the rainforest with different animals Now pretend to enter the scene as a logger who is coming with his chainsaw to chop down the treesThe logger now moves slowly from tree to tree cutting them down The trees is allowed to die in dramatic “slow motion” Say to the children “now look around animals, can you live without the trees?” Point out to each animal why they cannot survive
and allow them to “die in slow motion” Once the animals are gone I might say ‘Oh no without trees I will have no oxygen to breath and I might die , But wait what
happens if we replant some trees or recycle our papper “Allow some of the trees to regrow and then encourage the animals to come back
erfly,
Being a Water MoleculePurpose: teach a concept - develope an understanding of how water molecules move from a liquid to a gas state –
topic specificProceedure: Define a specific drama space on the floor that is much bigger than the group can fill when closely
packed• Liquid state - Ask all students to move into the middle of the space and start to move freely amongst each
other (no Pushing or shoving allowed) Talk about the fluidity of the group and moving within the space how it is changing shape but maintaining its size
• Solid State - after they are moving comfortably, I tell the group that I am going to begin to take away energy from the group (demostrate sucking action) and that as their energy decreases they will begin to feel tired and not move as much or as fast
• As the children begin to slow down I remove even more “energy”. Finally I tell them to grab hold of one another and stop moving at all. The group congeals into a solid mass . Move around the group gently prodding and commenting on how solid it is and how it holds its shape
• Gaseous state – now I tell the students that I will begin to add energy. They can let go of each other and begin to move freely again. I comment that the group is once again changing shape. The I tell them I am adding even more energy, so they can move faster and noe there is so much energy added that they cannot stay together but can move anywhere in the space. Comment that they have now expanded to fill all the available space
• End by bringing the group back to where you startedDiscussion : ask students if this activity reminds them about anything that they have been learning in class, talk
about how they changed throughout the activity
camouflagePreparation : have pieces of cloth to represent an area where an animal or bird would stay
camouflaged eg brown cloth for a tree trunk, multicoloured for a flower garden, green for leaves and grass. Then have a duplicate piece of cloth for animals eg brown for a caterpillar, multicoloured for a butterfly, green for a grasshoper
Zip and Zap Purpose : A warm up exercise that helps to focus attention. It is also a great way to get children
to experiement with their voicesProceedure:Sit in a circle or shape so you can see everyones face. One person starts by saying Zip and a
clapping acting passing the zip to the person next to them. • Continue passing the Zip all the way around. ask the students to use a different voice to say
the word Zip – encourage the kids to be as creative as possible• If this is going realy well (this will take time to master!) tell the kids that they can change the
direction of the word flow by Saying Zap and thus sending the zip in the opposite direction
What’s in the Box
Zombie WalkPurpose :develop memory and concentration through a movement gameProcedure Have all students stand in a circle• The first person identified to start the game names someone across the room and at a
slow pace with arms outstretched in front of them, they start moving toward that person.
• Before they reach the person who’s name they have called out, that person must call out another persons name and start moving towards them.
• Emphasis to the person who’s name has been called out that they are NOT allowed to move or try to escape until they have called out someone else's name. (
• The first person stops when they reach the space where the person who’s name they called out had been vacated or they have caught their victom
• If the person who’s name has been called out does not move and is caught by the Zombie they have to sit down
Go over the idea of "focus" or "paying attention."
Who’s on the busPurpose: to encourage communication skills, and imagination and expand unit of enquiry about the
people we meetActivity: talk to children about different people that they might meet when out and about eg a
fireman , a police man, a teacher, a dentistTalk about why it is important to have these people in our societyTell the students that you are going to pretend to be a bus driver and pick up passengers but the
passenger must STOP the Bus and convince you as to why you should let them on the busAsk students to pick a person that they might like to be – reminding them of all the people you have
just talked about. MODEL roles for themAs the driver of the bus you now sit in the drivers seat and begin to drive the busStudents then are encouraged to come up one at a time and yell Stop the bus. You pretend to slam on
the brakes, wind down the window and ask who are you? (you may have to promt them ...Are you a teacher ....)
Then ask why do you want to get on my bus = encourage the students to give answers that relate directly to their chosen person. If stuck get the rest of the class to suggest reasons
When they have answered (or they have chosen an answer from the group) let them sit beside you on the bus!
You may want to limit this to 4 or 5 students each time you play it !! Otherwise it gets VERY crowded on the bus!
Looking Glass
Purpose: individual development of facial expressions and body languageProceedure: Sit close enough to a student that you can both see each others face in the mirrorDemonstrate an emotion and ask the student if they know how you are feelingName an emotion and ask them to show you what it looks like.Improvise a simple scene and encourage the student to respond ie my dads very sick / I’d going
to a party do you want to come to?
Individual based activities and stratergies
Puppet playObjective: enhance make believe play• Chose a favourite event in the child’s life and act it out using the puppets eg pretend you are
at a birthday party and blowing out the candles• Use puppets to put motions to familiar songs or rhymsLanguage development• Hold a conversation – you may initially have to talk for both puppts (yours and the students)• Practice a familiar song or rhymes• Have your puppet ask the students puppet simple questions that require simple answers . As
the student becomes more comfortable, ask increasingly more complex questionsSocialisationAfter teaching a social skill to the class use the puppets to reinforce the skill eg choose a skill,
model the skill using your puppet, promt the child to respond, then have the student model the skill using their puppet
Role play a situation that is unfamiliar to the child ie going to a party
Calm me Down• Calming Activities For An Overly Active Child Sound: Allow the child to listen to calming music with headphones• 3. Use a soft voice and slow down your speech and movements while talkingPressure - 4. Allow the child to lay on the floor in a secluded area with weighted blankets, heavy pillows or bean bag chairs on top
of them during written work or reading• 5. Push down heavily on the child's shoulders, with equal and constant pressure• At rest time apply firm even pressure down the backHeavey Jobs: Have the child be responsible for the heaviest work at clean up time; putting heavy books or objects away,
moving/pushing chairs in, wiping down tables etc.• 9. Make the child the "teacher's assistant"; carrying books to the library, allow them extra movement breaks with in-school
errands (taking notes to the office or another teacher, passing out papers etc.), or giving them "heavy work" chores such as sharpening pencils, erasing and cleaning blackboards and erasers, etc.
Physical movement: Provide opportunities for the child to jump on a mini trampoline, bounce on a therapy ball or sit on one instead of their chair to give them extra input. Incorporate a drama movement game into the dayly schedule
Have child do "chair push ups" (raising their body off the chair with hands next to them on their seat) and/or. Encourage twirling, spinning, rolling and swinging during physical education or recess Allow the child to have quiet fidget toys, chew toys/tubing, or squish/stress balls to squeeze while sitting and listening or during
desk work• 12• 13. tie Thera-Band around their chair and have them stretch it using their legs while doing desk work
Focus meObjective : to help children remain calm, focused and organized:• Use a soft plush carpet square for each child when sitting on the floor to keep them in their own
space.• If a child is easily distracted, make sure his seat is away from doorways or windows.• use alternative seating equipment; sit on therapy balls, t-stools, disco-sit, bean bag chairs, • Allow children to work in a variety of positions; laying flat on the floor propped on elbows, standing
at a table or easel, or lying on side and using a clipboard to write on• Use a soft, plush rug in play areas to help muffle noise.• If possible, have a rocking chair or glider rocker inside the classroom, and/or a hammock or swing
chair outside the classroom where a child can go to relax.• Allow children to use sleeping bags in a quiet reading corner.• Use a small tent or play hut with soft pillows and/or bean bag chair for a child to go to if over
aroused.
Modify movements
• For the student who is constantly tapping give them a mouse pad to tap on
• If a child is constantly touching something give them a soft ball or squashy toy to squeeze
• If always jiggling their feet and legs take 2 bungy cords and criss cross them from the front left table leg to the back right table leg and back left to front right. The student can bounce their leg on the bungy cord not the floor
Sensitize meWater Play: at the sink or water table, while the child is playing stand across from them and start
lightly rippling the water and gently splashing. Combine this with the imaginary play idea that a storm is coming. Introduce boats and undersea creatures, brushing occasionally against the child’s hands
Play in Sand or with clay or with shaving cream• Provide modeling clay, sand or shaving cream until you find a texture that the student
prefers. While the student plays put your hands in the sand, clay or cream wriggling your fingers, sifting the sand or helping the child make an object. Gently touch the child’s hands as you do this gradually increasing the time as they grow more confident with your touch
Everyday gestures Use lots of “high fives, handshakes, hugs and pats on the back to communicate encouragement
and approval
Enhancing fine Motor Skills• Stretch the Theraputty out and hide coins or any tiny objects in it. Then mush it up into a ball. It is now the child's job to
pull the putty apart and find all the objects you put in there (oh, make sure you count how many you put in there, because the child WILL keep asking if they found them all).
• Lots of different size clips and pegs that you clip on a line
• ree Cutting PracticeHave children cut play dough with scissors.Have children cut magazines and advertisements.Have children cut straws, yarn, or shredded paper.Have children make fringe on the edge of a piece of paper.
And finally …Remember for Creative Strategies and Practical Ideas
• Meet the child at his or her functional emotional developmental level• Enter the child’s world - be prepared to play• Make it Fun• Be creative• Don’t be afraid or embarrased• Model the behaviour/skill you want to see developed• Use your voice and facial expressions to “energise” up or down• always keep it simple and use lots of repetition to reinforce your point. • Choose the stimulus for activities from what you are doing in class• Think of kinasthetic learning as “practical literacy” for young people
who find 'action' easier than the written word
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