Visual Schedules and Student Menus

Visual Schedules

Visual Schedules are one of the most effective ways to let English Language Learners know what is coming up next in class. Most people respond more quickly to visual images instead of texts. The idea of providing visual stimuli for all learners improves their understanding of the tasks, helps to create predictable routine, and increases the chance that they will follow through with less fuss and reduced anxiety. A visual schedule also promotes literacy development and reinforces verbal instruction. It teaches sequencing, planning as a progression of events and follow through. The schedule is also a concrete way to make changes that are easily identifiable.

Visual schedules can be easily found online, or made with images and text that is appropriate for the grade level and subject area.

Here is an example of a visual schedule. This one is free to print for your classroom!

https://cdn.thisreadingmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/VSSC-SF-TRM.pdf

You may also have a paid software program available to your school or district like Board Maker.

Student Menus with PECS

Student menus are a way of creating a visual set of instructions for student to follow at designated times in the day. These menus can come in the form of pocket cards which are select daily tasks placed in a pocket display, or Velcro taped to a task board. Tasks may be easily interchanged, and involve individual or group participation, that students can work on independently or with another student(s).

Here is some further information on choice boards, menus and tic tac toe boards.

This is a blank choice board which you can download free and edit for your students needs. (copy and paste the url)