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Dr. Caroline Ramsey Musselwhite

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Monday Mean-O! Vocabulary Fun!

This is a fun way to support vocabulary development.

1) Collect words that students are struggling to understand throughout the week; share the meaning, use them in a sentence, etc, and add them to a 'New Words' list (for example, students can put a word they're struggling with on PostIts, or teachers can add them).

2) At the end of the week, review the words, and make up sheets of 6, 9, or 16 words, depending on your students.  See a sample list below (these words are collected from the book Hatchet, as abridged by Maureen D and shared at:  Tarheel Reader )

Note:  Make at lest 2 versions, with words in different places.
 
 3) Now play 'Mean-O'.  It's basically bingo, but calling out word meanings instead of word labels.  

4) Remember:  use the 'Musselwhite Bingo' approach:
1 Bingo = Bingo
2 Bingos = Tingo
3 Bingos = Thringo

See this post for full explanation:


Thursday, February 12, 2015

Name Writing Tips

Name writing is a classic IEP goals, with too many students spending years on inauthentic tasks such as:
- tracing
- copying
- being put through hand-over-hand assistance

Dr. Gretchen Hanser and Deanna K Wagner,  and I have just published five 'tips' to support a range of activities to help students engage in authentic, interactive, and FUN opportunities for name writing, using typical pencils or alternative pencils.  The five tips are:

Sign In, Sign Up,  Sign Off Overview

Name Writing:  Sign In

Name Writing:  Sign Up

Name Writing:  Sign Off

Name Writing:  Data Collection

Connect to the tips below:
http://aacintervention.com/site/cpage.asp?cpage_id=180080914&sec_id=180009852#JAN2013





Saturday, February 7, 2015

AAC in the Desert Exhibit Hall - Phoenix, Feb 18, 2015 - FREE

Join us for the AAC in the Desert Exhibit Hall

Download Flyer Below:
AAC in the Desert Exhibit Hall

Join us for:
- Vendors
- Door Prizes
- Food
- Networking
- Silent Auction


Tuesday, January 13, 2015

AAC Workshop at Vanderbilt University - February 27, 2015

What and When: 
AAC Conference at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Thursday, February 26, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Sibling Strengths:  Building AAC Supports as a Family
Emily D. Quinn, M.S., CCC-SLP

Friday, February 27, 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Communication All Day Long:  Communication Circles, Topic Setting and MORE
Dr. Caroline Ramsey Musselwhite

Download Flyer Here

Link to Registration Here


Monday, January 12, 2015

Indestructibles - Lovely Book Set

Okay, this is NOT a new set, but it's new to me!

Indestructibles is a set of books intended for babies, so they are:
- rip-proof
- drool-proof
- puncture proof

While some of the titles are clearly just for babies (Baby Faces, Baby Babble) others would be age respectful for somewhat older students.

The books are illustrated in the style of Eric Carle, and are all wordless.  Therefore, while they are wonderful for cuddling and making up stories, they will also be great for:
• Oral storytelling, using voice or AAC systems
• Writing captions
• Writing simple stories for younger children

These are very reasonably priced (about $6 per book), are lighter and thinner than board books,  and are easier to turn pages than typical paper books.

Check out their website below:
Indesctructibles Website