If I Can See It, I If I Can See It, I Can Understand ItCan Understand It

Structuring the ClassroomStructuring the Classroom

Do you……..Do you……..

Have a calendar/PDA ?Have a calendar/PDA ? Use a meeting agenda?Use a meeting agenda? Have a list of “things to do” on your Have a list of “things to do” on your

desk/refrigerator?desk/refrigerator? Make a shopping list?Make a shopping list? Follow a recipe?Follow a recipe? Read a sign to tell you what line to Read a sign to tell you what line to

stand in or what door to exit from?stand in or what door to exit from?

How about…..How about…..

Use a menu at a restaurant? (Really Use a menu at a restaurant? (Really like it when there are pictures)like it when there are pictures)

Prefer pictorial directions when Prefer pictorial directions when assembling something?assembling something?

Use a map?Use a map? Use place cards at a dinner party?Use place cards at a dinner party?

A Little Test!A Little Test!

Number your paper to 10Number your paper to 10 Name each thing, animal, place, Name each thing, animal, place,

etc.etc. We’re going fast so be readyWe’re going fast so be ready

(60 + 83 – 12) x 7 =

If I Can See It I Can If I Can See It I Can UnderstandUnderstand

About 40% of all learners are visual About 40% of all learners are visual learnerslearners

Visual learners think in imagesVisual learners think in images If the largest group of learners in a If the largest group of learners in a

classroom are visual, why are we classroom are visual, why are we talking so much?talking so much?

Do You Rely On Visual Do You Rely On Visual Cues?Cues?

Clear Structure in the Clear Structure in the ClassroomClassroom

Higher-Level Graphic Higher-Level Graphic OrganizersOrganizers

Venn Diagram

Cause & Effect

Hamburger

Pros & Cons

Character Study

Notetaker

Vocabulary Sketches

Table DiscussionTable Discussion Discuss with the people at your table ways Discuss with the people at your table ways

you use visual structure in your classroom.you use visual structure in your classroom. As a group, make a list of 10 examples of As a group, make a list of 10 examples of

visual structurevisual structure Choose one person to report back to the Choose one person to report back to the

group.group. You have 15 minutesYou have 15 minutes

Ways Schools are Already Ways Schools are Already StructuredStructured

VisualVisual Lines in hallwaysLines in hallways Rows of desksRows of desks Place for finished papersPlace for finished papers Posted schedule & rulesPosted schedule & rules

AuditoryAuditory BellsBells TimersTimers MusicMusic

Predictable RoutinesPredictable Routines

Posting a daily Posting a daily scheduleschedule Specific to that daySpecific to that day LibraryLibrary Computer LabComputer Lab AssemblyAssembly

Routines Within the DayRoutines Within the Day

MorningMorning Colored folder containing workColored folder containing work

May contain incomplete work from day beforeMay contain incomplete work from day before May be morning work for entire weekMay be morning work for entire week When complete placed in same color basket, box, When complete placed in same color basket, box,

etc.etc. What to do when finishedWhat to do when finished

Different colored folder with brain teasers, math Different colored folder with brain teasers, math logic problems, etc.logic problems, etc.

Work which can be completed independentlyWork which can be completed independently When complete placed in same color basket, box, When complete placed in same color basket, box,

etc.etc.

One corner of the boardOne corner of the board

The morning routineThe morning routine For non-readers use picturesFor non-readers use pictures Permanent placement for easy Permanent placement for easy

referencereference Easily referenced by substitutesEasily referenced by substitutes

Red FolderBlue Folder

Read Until Time for Spelling

ListsLists

““Don’t Forget” List for Art, Don’t Forget” List for Art, Computer, Library, etc.Computer, Library, etc. Posted by the doorPosted by the door On board on appropriate dayOn board on appropriate day

Materials needed for classroom Materials needed for classroom projectproject Post on board when time to get readyPost on board when time to get ready

Visual DirectionsVisual Directions

Areas of the RoomAreas of the Room

Reading CornerReading Corner Group TableGroup Table Writing CenterWriting Center Clear Defined & LabeledClear Defined & Labeled Use Physical Boundaries if PossibleUse Physical Boundaries if Possible

BookshelvesBookshelves Carpet tape – coloredCarpet tape – colored Area rugsArea rugs

Behavioral & Social Behavioral & Social PromptsPrompts

Class rulesClass rules Social RemindersSocial Reminders Listen – Discuss cuesListen – Discuss cues Transition DirectionsTransition Directions

Line upLine up Time for lunchTime for lunch Go back to seatGo back to seat

Choice or Not a ChoiceChoice or Not a Choice

ActivitiesActivities ComputerComputer Reading cornerReading corner Outdoor gamesOutdoor games Listening to story on tapeListening to story on tape

RewardsRewards No HomeworkNo Homework Free time activitiesFree time activities

Settling an Argument!Settling an Argument!

Compromise

Go Your Separate

Ways

Discu

ss it Later

Flip a Coin

Scissors, rock,

paper

Get

Hel

p fr

om a

Med

iato

r

Talk

Abo

ut

Diff

eren

ces

Cal

mly

Agree to

Disagree

A Little Imagination

And

Some Creative Thinking