Friday, 11 April 2014

Kelsey Persowich- Adapted Teaching Activity

Kelsey Persowich
April 11th/2014

Acting Out Verbs

Grade: 2-3                                    Subject: Grammar

Introduction:
The below lesson plan is a great way for students to use physical motions to understand what a verb is. It allows students a chance to improve on their reading skills, as well as giving students opportunities to release energy in the form of actions, in small groups and in the class. It helps students to draw connections between words and actions, thus showing students in a physical sense the meaning of an action word.


Rationale:
The below lesson plan has been adapted to allow students with Autism Spectrum Disorder opportunities to focus and identify action words in a given text. The adaptations as well give students with autism opportunities to practice their reading skills with a partner, thus improving their way of recognizing words to actions. It also gives students a chance to participate in group work.

Objectives:
1)      Students identify “action” verbs in their reading.
2)      Students think of “active” creative movements for each one.
3)      Students get “active” and act out the verbs they find, helping them to remember that a verb is an “action” word.
4)      Students with autism will participate in a group while maintaining connection with peers.
5)      Students with autism will improve on their reading skills by using group reading and cue-cards.

Materials:
1)      Overhead transparency of a poem with lots of “action” verbs.
2)      Overhead projector
3)      20-30 copies of poem for students to glue in their poem books (school journal.)
4)      Highlighters for each student to highlight the action verb.
5)      Pointer stick for students to identify the verbs.
6)      Cue-Cards with action pictures on them.


Method: The below method has been adapted for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

1)      Students at desks.
Adaption: Have students sit in groups that allow for communication. Students with autism are placed in groups that are supportive, comfortable, and familiar.
2)      Teacher puts transparency on overhead.
Adaption: Students with autism are given their own copy of the poem with specific action words already highlighted.
3)      Students and teachers read and re-read poem to become familiar with it.
Adaption: If introducing a new poem is not quite at the level of some students, use a poem that students already are familiar with as an example. This allows students with autism a higher chance of following along.
4)      Teacher identifies a verb as an “action” word and asks students to raise their hand whenever they hear an “action” word.
5)      Students take turns reading a line aloud.
Adaption: Students with autism may choose to read a line with a partner.
6)      Students take turns coming up to point out the “verbs” or “action” words with the pointer, and the teacher highlights them on the transparency.
7)      When all the verbs have been highlighted, students are then handed their copy of the poem, which they glue in their poem books.
8)      Students then use highlighters to highlight the 7 “action” verbs you may have found in the poem.
Adaption: Have students work in groups to identify the action words.
9)      Teacher and students then discuss how they can “act” out these 7 action words. Keep the actions simple so they can be remembered and done quickly in a small area within a class circle. Examples:
a.       fly (flap your arms)
b.      swim (move your arms in a forward stroke motion)
c.       jump
d.      dance (create a funny dance move)
e.       clap
f.       sleep
g.      waddle
Adaption: For students with autism, give pre-made cards with specific action pictures given to them to read before the class begins. They may choose cards for an action, and perform that action on the card.
10)  Students and teacher then form a circle around the room, leaving 1 or 2 metres between each person.
11)  With the overhead still on, teacher and students re-read the now familiar poem, stopping at each verb and acting it out (for about 5 seconds). Poem books can also be brought to the circle with each student if they wish.
Adaption: Allow more time for students to practice their motions. For students with autism, have their chosen action picture placed on the overhead so while reading, you can point to the action picture and perform it at the same time.

This lesson plan may be found at: www.lessonthis.com/reading/acting-out-verbs/


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