Everyday Essentials for ESN Families

by Christie Viani

Christie Viani, MS

ESN Education Specialist

Transition

Virtual teacher for 9 years and I taught in brick & mortar for several years

Worked as a respite worker and for a group home agency

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Introduction

**Don’t forget to record!

Agenda

• Today we will be reviewing ideas to include to your school routine at home.
• All of the ideas are tools that can be individualized based on age, needs, and abilities.

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• As we go through the slides, my challenge to you would be to think about what is one activity you want to create and add to your routine.
• I have handouts that I will be emailing to you with links to help support the activities.

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Creating a routine and using repetition for skills a student is working on and needs to retain are great tools to have in your independent study toolbox. These resources can be created to fit the individual needs and abilities of a student.

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Routine

Learning Spot

Having a designated spot just for learning and classes can be very beneficial for a student. It does not need to be fancy or beautiful, just functional.

Mobile Station

If there is not a place to have a designated table or desk, you can create a mobile station that will help with your student’s success and flexibility.

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This idea is a great one for when you know you will need to use different areas for learning and classes.

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A basic tri-fold board can be moved and set up on any table to create a consistent and functional space.

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Routine on

the Go

Visual Schedules

Schedules

Some students do not need the visual component, but will still benefit from a schedule to refer to throughout their day and to increase independence.

Task Boxes

Task boxes are a self-contained activity that allow a student to demonstrate independence and participate in hands on practice of skills they are learning. Many teachers use them in their classrooms and they are a great tool for homeschooling as well.

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Task Boxes

Task boxes can be used for many skills.

• academics
• life/vocational skills
• social/emotional skills
• related services skills (speech, OT etc.)

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Task Boxes

Organization

An offshoot of task boxes is using interactive workbooks. These like task boxes are a great tool for skills that will be worked on frequently. These are typically used with laminated sheets, velcro pieces, or using a dry erase marker.

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Interactive Workbooks

File folders can be used with the same method as task boxes and interactive workbooks.

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File Folders

Virtual Learning

• Ensure devices are charged and ready to be used - updates completed etc.
• Headphones, mouse, keyboard, AAC devices, any necessary items are working and ready to use

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Teachers are on a schedule and may have a class or meeting starting right as your student’s class finishes, which means they cannot always stay late to make up for any minutes missed at the start of class.

Virtual Learning

Tips:

• keep the learning area free of clutter
• Ensure adequate lighting
• Turn off unnecessary electronics
• keep the background noise (conversations, blenders, vacuums, music, children playing etc.) to a minimum to eliminate distractions.

Curriculum

If you are looking for curriculum ideas here are a few options to check out.

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• Attainment Company
• Unique Learning System
• Classroom Complete Press
• Remedia Publications

• Teachtown
• PCI Education
• Teachers Pay Teachers

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Challenge!

Choose one resource to add to your routine

Reach out to your HST and Case Manager for support and ideas

Complete the attendance survey and I will email you all the handouts

Questions?

Thank You

So Much!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19NqKjVdG5ATtFlemVczhm8N3h2v33ec7/view?usp=drive_link

Work Sample Examples/Ideas

Making a Meal

Reading Activities

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• all of these examples are intended to be done with support until student has demonstrated consistent independence

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• examples show a wide range of methods - paper worksheets, slides, digital activities etc.

Example: These recipe task cards can be used as a reading lesson and then student helps prepare this recipe for lunch.

Work Samples for Essentials Class

Example: This lesson can include looking for ingredients, shopping, purchasing, and making a meal. As well as reading and comprehension.

Vocab task cards: Picture to picture/word

*tip - these questions can be used for any food label you have

Vocab task cards: picture to word

Reading Comprehension - student can complete this activity and then make the food

We have

Student will drag pictures of needed items to write a visual list. If using as a paper activity, students can cut and paste to make their shopping list.

We have

We have

Matching word to picture

Shopping Activities

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• all of these examples are intended to be done with support until student has demonstrated consistent independence

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• examples may show a wide range of methods - paper worksheets, slides, digital activities etc.

Let’s shop for ice cream sundae ingredients.

Your budget is $21.00

Pick one item.

$5.29

$3.49

Pick one item.

$2.79

$3.79

Pick one item.

$2.69

$3.39

TOTAL

Your budget is $21.00. Do you have enough money?

Item # 1

What aisle can you find it in?

Should it be stored in the FRIDGE, FREEZER, or PANTRY?

In what food dish can you use this item?

What is this item?

$6.49

$5.97

$7.11

Personal Hygiene Activities

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• all of these examples are intended to be done with support until student has demonstrated consistent independence

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• examples may show a wide range of methods - paper worksheets, slides, digital activities etc.

Day 3

Day 3

I need to brush my hair. What should I use?

I need to wash my hands. What should I use?

I need to wash my hair. What should I use?

I need to brush my teeth. What should I use?

I need to wash my face. What should I use?

Can you show me the…

Can you show me the…

Can you show me the…

Can you show me the…

Can you show me the…

Day 1

Day 2