Embedded Files
As we reach the final term of this academic year, Roman Class are going to use holidays and holiday destinations as a line of enquiry to help us to continue to follow the transdisciplinary theme of Who We Are. Our senses help us to understand our world, find out what we like and do not like and how we can develop our communication skills to tell people our choices, preferences and wants.
Our central ideas that inform our learning are:-
What do our senses tell us about what we can smell, taste, see, touch and hear in different holiday "situations". Do we like texture of sand, do we like the coldness/sweetness of ice-cream.
What prior knowledge can we use to inform us about a new experience - will we be able to tell the adults if we like or dislike something. Have we done something similar before and prepared to take a risk to try something new - knowing that we are safe and supported.
How can we make choices and request more of something.
As well as all this, we will continue to work on measurement, number, and shape in our maths focussed sessions. Our love of reading has really developed over the year and we all have daily sessions where we listen to stories either in class or in our lovely library. As the days hopefully get warmer, we can have some time laying on the grass listening to a story too.
Week 1: The weather has been kind and so we have been using the outside space to work on our targets this week.
Drawing lines and circles in the sand. These are early writing skills and it is lots of fun using different tools and other medium.
Drawing lines and circles in the sand. These are early writing skills and it is lots of fun using different tools and other medium.
Using a communication "chatting sheet" to comment on what he was doing.
Using a communication "chatting sheet" to comment on what he was doing.
Following a circuit on the trim trail to practise all the gross motor skills needed to climb and move - as well as doing a bit of risk taking!
Following a circuit on the trim trail to practise all the gross motor skills needed to climb and move - as well as doing a bit of risk taking!
Exploring new experiences and giving amazing focus and gaze.
Exploring new experiences and giving amazing focus and gaze.
Putting hands into soil and helping to plant sunflower seeds.
Putting hands into soil and helping to plant sunflower seeds.
Showing great curiousity about what is happening so being an IB "Inquirer".
Showing great curiousity about what is happening so being an IB "Inquirer".
Using hands to explore different objects and to understand their use. Hearing the water slosh in the watering can is also a wonderful sensory experience for a student with visual impairment.
Using hands to explore different objects and to understand their use. Hearing the water slosh in the watering can is also a wonderful sensory experience for a student with visual impairment.
During Week 2 we have been doing lots of English work. The weather has been horrid (we are recording the weather in class this term so have an accurate record - probably more accurate than the Met office!). So when it rains, and is cold, there is nothing better than a book.
This student needs a lot of familiarity with objects - he has been looking at the story of the Hungry Caterpillar with an adult. This week he pulled the book to him and scanned the page.
This student needs a lot of familiarity with objects - he has been looking at the story of the Hungry Caterpillar with an adult. This week he pulled the book to him and scanned the page.
Scanning the page for a specific object, then ...
Scanning the page for a specific object, then ...
tapping on it when it is found.
tapping on it when it is found.
Scanning the page for different objects.
Then turning the page independently!
A piece of netting wafted above the students represents a cloudy day and encourages good eye gazing and tracking.
Whilst it is always fun to have a sensory, virtual experience of the weather during our class meetings - Romans have been hoping for sun in Week 3... and it came! Hurrah - best remember our sun cream.
Whilst it is always fun to have a sensory, virtual experience of the weather during our class meetings - Romans have been hoping for sun in Week 3... and it came! Hurrah - best remember our sun cream.
Using a choice of x3 symbols, this student was asked to say what the weather was doing. He looked out of the window before (correctly) choosing sunny.
This student chose from x2 symbols but was very, very happy because sunshine means playtimes and he loves to socialise and build on his play skills with all his peers in the phase.
As well as having our wonderful music teacher Jak come to deliver our lesson this week, he brought with him a visitor. The class really enjoyed meeting him and listening to his music.
As well as having our wonderful music teacher Jak come to deliver our lesson this week, he brought with him a visitor. The class really enjoyed meeting him and listening to his music.
Feeling an instrument is very important for a student with VI. This student felt the guitar and smiled because he loves music. He then tapped his feet as Dan played a little bit of reggae for him.
Feeling an instrument is very important for a student with VI. This student felt the guitar and smiled because he loves music. He then tapped his feet as Dan played a little bit of reggae for him.
This was an amazing week in our music lesson... This particular student has for over a year found music a very difficult activity because of sound sensitivity. This week she stayed in, smiled, and danced around. Everyone was so happy with her and how she has learned to self regulate and tolerate something she had previously found difficult.
This was an amazing week in our music lesson... This particular student has for over a year found music a very difficult activity because of sound sensitivity. This week she stayed in, smiled, and danced around. Everyone was so happy with her and how she has learned to self regulate and tolerate something she had previously found difficult.
During Week 4 we enjoyed the sunshine and used our senses to smell lavender - more popular with the adults than the students! We used the lavender to make ice-cream. This proved a better option and the students were able to use their like and dislike symbols to say if they liked it or not.
We also have begun the big classroom tidy up - ready for next year. Students all got involved in the functional skills of house-keeping and used many, many skills to make sure that we are on our way to a smooth transition for next year!
Using a visual instruction list, with very few prompts, this student cleaned the windows and had a great time doing it.
Using a visual instruction list, with very few prompts, this student cleaned the windows and had a great time doing it.
We used our senses to smell, taste, and feel the ingredients of lavender ice-cream. We then told the adults whether we liked it or not.
Embracing our seaside/holiday theme this module - mark making in the sand, and having fun with our photo booth.
During Week 5 we have been continuing with our personal care and this term has seen some real break-throughs! Some of our students were very hesitant at the beginning of the year about having an adult supporting them to brush their teeth but this week have shown real tolerance and some are doing it independently!
Independent brushing. And asking for more when he had finished. What a beam he will give!
Independent brushing. And asking for more when he had finished. What a beam he will give!
Amazing tolerance of brushing! Singing and smiling throughout.
Amazing tolerance of brushing! Singing and smiling throughout.
Gread independent brushing; even tried to squeeze the toothpaste for himself!
Gread independent brushing; even tried to squeeze the toothpaste for himself!
Lots of lovely number work this work this week - amazing progess this year with one to one correspondence, number recognition, and counting amounts.
After listening to different Sesame Street number songs, this student found the number being sung about. The "Count" had best watch out!
After listening to different Sesame Street number songs, this student found the number being sung about. The "Count" had best watch out!
Independent counting of quantities using a favouite game on the iPad.
Independent counting of quantities using a favouite game on the iPad.
The penultimate week.... Week 6. We maybe nearing the end of term but are still working hard, having wonderful new experiences and are happy Romans. As well as our excellent maths skills, communication skills, and personal care skills.... As part of our phase's Inquiry Afternoon we learned about the legacy the Romans gave the UK. We had a Roman banquet, scooped and rolled objects through cement, and then enjoyed a Roman spa.
We also had a special visitor during the week. Betty the dog came in for a stroke and lots of attention and we all gave her what she came in for. One student was hesitant but overcame his fear and patted her gently. And why not? She is a very patient and cute dog.
Betty is one of our fully trained dog mentors at Milestone. She is a French bulldog and 15 months old. She is very gentle, and calm and we loved meeting her.
Betty is one of our fully trained dog mentors at Milestone. She is a French bulldog and 15 months old. She is very gentle, and calm and we loved meeting her.
Although this student has a dog within their family, she had not met Betty before. After looking for reassurance from the adult she reached out and stroked Betty. Great use of prior knowledge by looking to the adult to say it was okay.
Although this student has a dog within their family, she had not met Betty before. After looking for reassurance from the adult she reached out and stroked Betty. Great use of prior knowledge by looking to the adult to say it was okay.
Betty has very short, soft hair. This visually impaired student loved to feel her coat and kept reaching for her with a smile on his face.
Betty has very short, soft hair. This visually impaired student loved to feel her coat and kept reaching for her with a smile on his face.
This student was a little hesitant but with reassuance and modelling from his peers and the adults, he smiled and gave Betty a little stroke with an adult supporting.
This student was a little hesitant but with reassuance and modelling from his peers and the adults, he smiled and gave Betty a little stroke with an adult supporting.
Little Betty was really welcomed by this student who has a visual impairment. She is usually hesitant but tentatively gave an initial stroke then kept reaching out for Betty.
Little Betty was really welcomed by this student who has a visual impairment. She is usually hesitant but tentatively gave an initial stroke then kept reaching out for Betty.
This student loved our visitor. His smile was amazing when Betty was brought over to say hello.
This student loved our visitor. His smile was amazing when Betty was brought over to say hello.
The Phase 3 Inquiry Afternoon focussed on inventions. To steal a Monty Python quote, I was wondering what the Romans ever did for us. Not the class obviously... we know that each day they fill adults who work with them with delight and pride in all their achievements! I mean those who lived in Britain from 43 CE for nearly 300 years... what was their legacy?
Concrete! Romans were the first to come up with a material that kept buildings up for a long time. Some of their buildings are still with us now.
Concrete! Romans were the first to come up with a material that kept buildings up for a long time. Some of their buildings are still with us now.
Food banks! The first social sharing of food .... albeit possibly what would have been destined for a rich Roman's bin (purgamentorum). Rich Romans gave surplus food to a central location where the poorer citizens could go and get a meal.
Food banks! The first social sharing of food .... albeit possibly what would have been destined for a rich Roman's bin (purgamentorum). Rich Romans gave surplus food to a central location where the poorer citizens could go and get a meal.
Pampering! The Romans were really invested in personal hygiene AND pampering. Spas and massages were very popular.
Pampering! The Romans were really invested in personal hygiene AND pampering. Spas and massages were very popular.
As well as feeling wonderful, Roman Class really enjoy having a massage or a foot spa to help stimulate blood circulation, help them to relax and reduce anxiety. It is especially therapeutic for our wheelchair uses.
Our last week, our penultimate day - and an afternoon tea because we in Romans like the genteel way of life!
Our last week, our penultimate day - and an afternoon tea because we in Romans like the genteel way of life!
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