BBC Documentary about helping a young man with cerebral palsy become more independent

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00wqfbt/Jeff_Brazier_Me_and_My_Brother/
available .Powerful documentary in which TV presenter Jeff Brazier tries to push his brother Spencer, who suffers from cerebral palsy, into living a much more active and fulfilling life.







Powerful and inspiring documentary in which TV presenter Jeff Brazier is on a mission to improve his brother's life. Spencer Brazier is 24 and has cerebral palsy. He has very limited use of his hands and cannot speak. Spencer has no job, few friends and spends most of his time at home where he is completely reliant on his mum for support. Jeff believes that, despite his disability, Spencer is capable of living a much more active and fulfilling life.






Jeff wants to put his theories to the test. Over an intense three-week period he plans to push his brother to make some real changes in his life, but will Jeff's tough love prove too much for their already fragile relationship?






With much conflict and heartache along the way, the film shows the surprising and uplifting journey of two siblings trying to understand and accept each other for who they are.

If you miss it on TV you can watch it anytime on BBC i player

Make your own games and resources

http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/gameboard.htm

Great site- prepared templates for board games and power points – quick and easy to print out. Easy to adapt and make your own games. I have used this and it makes board games / activities look very professional – looks great laminated.

FREE SENCO observation recording sheets to download

http://www.teachingexpertise.com/resources/sen-observation-recording-sheets-4151
A range of sheets to adapt and use
Would also be useful to give to Class teachers and LSA's.

Left handed advice

www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk
This is a 'one stop shop' for pupils who are left handed- pens, scissors, rulers etc

This site also has articles, a recent one added reports upon Left handed pupils and school tests....
http://www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk/left-handers-tests.html

Free Makaton Xmas Resources

www.makaton.org/khxc/gbu0-catshow/christmas-free.html
Its the last week of term - make life easy for yourself...take a look at this site there are
*    First Christmas symbols
*    Symbol supported Christmas Story
*    Christmas Carols with symbol support
*    Information about the 'Something Special Christmas Programme/ DVD'

DYSPRAXIA-a short 5 minute film explaining this condition- easy addition to staff meeting !

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid29605477001?bctid=58549052001


This is a very good short 5 minute film which has a young man with dyspraxia demonstrating his difficulties, and perspectives from parents and other professionals. This could easily be incorporated into a staff meeting or other CPD opportunity.

Also worth looking at the Dyspraxia Foundation Website - they have updated their information.
www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/index.php

Epilepsy effects 1 in every 100 children - this is a great clear website to help

www.thedaisygarland.org.uk/about-childhood-epilepsy-and-epileptic-children

I am being increasingly asked for support for pupils who have epilepsy. This is a great clear site which outlines keys facts, possible treatments etc
Also a good site to share with staff and families.

Transition document KS 2-> KS 3 Supporting pupils with speech, language and communication needs

www.ican.org.uk/communication%20trust/~/media/Communication%20Trust/Documents/Transition%20Report%20Final.ashx
This is a good document to print off freely from the ican site. It looks at planning for transition between KS 2and KS 3. Might also be worth giving to parents when they are looking and choosing schools as will give them several factors to consider and possibly help formulate questions for their child.

Free SEN courses/ training at SENJIT

http://www.ioe.ac.uk/research/16329.html
Did you know that Redbridge subscribe to SENJIT training courses run in London each term? This means that you can have a whole days training free!!

Carol Vorderman's new maths website

http://themathsfactor.com/

Carol Vorderman has launched her new website claiming it offers a structured fun way of teaching maths specific to each child. Families asking about maths tutors may be interested in this site as it appears to offer lots of different maths mediums through which facts are shared and practised..

Great collection of numeracy resources very clearly labelled

www.coxhoe.durham.sch.uk/curriculum/numeracy.htm



Coxhoe Primary School in County Durham has worked very hard and collected an enormous group of numeracy/maths resources. The links are very well labelled and take you to other sites and loads of activities and online games. A resource to give to any staff members looking to differentiate maths topics or provide alternate ways to over learn topics.

Memory / auditory memory game ideas

http://www.homeschooldiner.com/specials/special_needs/memory/auditory1.html 

Simple one page of really good ideas to support memory and auditory difficulties.
 Could also be given to parents for home activities or LSA for small group work as most game based.

General SEN resources site - take a look

www.tinsnips.org/



Links to information, organizations, techniques and strategies especially for teaching students in the autism spectrum.


Ideas for things to do and make, social stories, songs, hands-on, time, money, social skills, functional activities that address multi-sensory learning styles and promote higher order thinking skills.

A range of SEN resources - USA site - some good ideas

http://omacfreebies.blogspot.com/



A fantastic site by Cindy Golden. Cindy was formerly a school psychologist and is currently a special education administrator. Her site has wonderful ideas, pictures, and freebies! Worth taking the time to explore!

Great news/fun site supported totally by symbols - gd way of engaging early readers/ age appropriate content

http://www.askability.org.uk/


Highly recommended site - take a minute to have a look – really good site as very easy to navigate.


This site takes up to date topics such as news, sport etc and makes simple symbol based summaries……really good way to engage poor readers/symbol users in news topics.


I also like the DVD reviews and jokes !!

Great free symbol resources ..........

www.widgit.com/resources/index.htm



Do you have a pupil who uses symbols? Take a minute to look at this site……… a wide range of resources all with symbol support …


Older learners section – road safety, recipes, jokes, relationships


Communication – review formats, emotions, timetable etc


Stories- curriculum linked topic resources, stories etc

Need to demonstrate visually clear and good maths worksheets - free to print off here!

http://www.touchmath.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=freestuff.welcome



A range of free printable resources - nice, visually clear and well structured. Good examples to show teachers and staff of visually clear worksheets.

Great website to help make visually simple maths graphs, charts, etc- easy for students to use

www.nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx
Visually simple site that helps pupils and staff make bar, line , pie graphs. Really easy to use and neat results easy to print out.



Good as a teacher resource or a link to give to students who find drawing graphs etc difficult.

Have a look ...more great Autism /ASD resources

http://www.autismteachingtools.com/ - has great list of resources



http://www.jacquijackson.com/ - single parent of seven, including four boys all of whom are on the autistic spectrum


www.practicalautismresources.com/printables


Highly recommended site


A whole site with a wide range of SALT / language/ behavioural supports - all available to download free.

www.zacbrowser.com/pc.php

This site is very cool ! visually clear and really well structured – Highly recommended, take two minutes to have a look .... i think it is very accessible for many students.



This can be downloaded onto a computer or onto a memory stick.


ZAC is the first web browser developed specifically for children with autism, and autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), and PDD-NOS.

http://themathworksheetsite.com/

My favourite Maths site of the year !



So simple to use and great results in seconds – take a look, it will save you hours !

12 tips to setting up an Autism friendly classroom - simple list to give to Teachers to consider before next term

http://kendrik2.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/12-tips-to-setting-up-an-autism-classroom/

12 tips to setting up an Autism friendly classroom


Got ASD pupils moving onto to classes with inexperienced teachers …………print out this simple set of strategies and recommendations.

http://www.mousetrial.com/links_parents.html

A large selection of links to sites recommended by parents of children who have ASD. You are welcome to give the blog address to parents / carers - this link is made from parents experiences and sites they have found helpful.

www.mousetrial.com/index.html

Fun online activities that provide a fun animation for pupils when they have selected correctly. Suitable for ASD and pupils in Early Years/ Foundation Stage. There are eight different modules currently available round-the-house, animals, food, letters, numbers, clothes & body, size/shape/colour, and feature/function/category.



Also click under ‘Printables’ there are a range of simple pictorial worksheets ….colours, shapes, food, numbers, fine motor etc

Free games to download for Early Years and P Scales pupils

http://www.inclusive.co.uk/downloads/downloads.shtml



Inclusive are now offering free games to download onto PC. Take a look at


• Let’s talk on the farm


• Music games


• Talking faces


• SEN switcher


• Inclusive CD player

Suitable for Early Years or pupils working on P scales

Cross curricular ideas and ways to differentiate curriculum lessons

www.teachingideas.co.uk/index.shtml


Good clear site – have a look at numeracy / literacy sections as some nice ideas and activities to download. A range of cross curricular subjects covered.

This site has some lovely ideas and may provide a quick way of differentiating lessons or simply ideas to revise what students have learnt.
I liked Classroom timeline ( In History section)
          History Pictionary
          Wicked Science
          What I think of Science sheet
          Science Boot Camp- good Yr 6 science revision
         Skimming and scanning activities (Literacy section)
        
There is a whole SEN section - click under Other then SEN will appear as a tab
I liked Helping with copying tips
          Sentence Pyramid
          Relaxation ideas for ASD pupils
       

Great new teacher resource website - have you seen it yet !

http://www.pencilstreet.org/index.asp

Welcome to Pencil Street, created to deliver teachers a one-stop solution to all the primary teaching resources you need from the early years, Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2. Pencil Streets resources are a rich mixture of teaching worksheets and general classroom teaching resources, including wall displays, games and activities
Pencil Street is new and we are populating the classroom resources over the forthcoming months. In January, topic and numeracy primary resources will be available, with literacy and science following soon after. These will include classroom resources for the Early Years, infants and juniors.

How to get ideas down on paper ! KS 2 KS 3 KS 4

http://www.teachyourchildrenwell.ca/Freebies/QuickWrite/lessons2.html

A proven approach to getting students to get their ideas down on paper and extend their writing
Take a look - worth a five minute read or could be easily printed out to give to support staff

Good numeracy and literacy homework link - I minute day and no writing !

http://www.aminuteaday.co.uk/
A-MINUTE-A-DAY is a series of two photocopiable books for parents and teachers. They offer intensive, focussed practice of key skills - which are the building blocks of phonics and maths, using precision-teaching based games.
Each game requires the child to give 30 correct verbal responses within one minute. No writing skills are required. The games are widely used in both mainstream and special needs education.

A minute a day phonics and maths - may be a good alternative to tutor to offer parents

Divorce / familiy breaking up - good site for pupils to access

http://www.itsnotyourfault.org/




Practical info for children, young people and parents going through a family break-up
In children's section there are good short audio clips for students who are struggling with reading.

Memory games for all ages

http://www.easysurf.cc/menu.htm



The best memory site I have found – offering over 20+ games to develop all areas of working memory. Suitable for all ages.

A wide range of free resources / games to support KS 1 Numeracy, Literacy, Science, History and RE

http://www.crickweb.co.uk/Key-Stage-1.html
Great visually clear and simple games
Would provide a great  reinforcement tool for areas of study.
I really liked
- Fire of London Cloze Pro
- Seaside past and now
- Plant labels
- Body parts
- Card flip
- Digit workout
Great free cross curricular games on this site

Scissor skills / Fine Motor printables

http://www.scissorcraft.com/
Free activities to download and print out to develop fine motor and scissor skills
A range of subjects that are not 'too young'

Great free visually clear SEN resources- take a second look at Sparklebox- new resources up loaded

I have recommended this site before. I had a look today and they have some lovely new resources all free to download, so may be worth a second look.

http://www.sparklebox.co.uk/cll/index.html

 I really liked the earth / sky writing paper, traffic light fans ( in SEN section in  Class management), swimming changing cards, school trip visual timetable cards and i loved the nose picking social story !!!

Also they have a new section where you can upload resources you have made to share- take a look it may save you spending time making !

If working with older students take a look at KS 2 resources - the link is on the left hand side.

Free educational Early Years / SEN games

http://www.crickweb.co.uk/Early-Years.html
Early Years pupils need lots of variety and visually stimulating games
Take a look at this Crick link as lots of free games here
- body parts
- number ordering / labelling
- sequencing
- comparison
- dressing up teddy

These free games are the same as many you would buy - take a look and save your budget !
Good link to give to Foundation / Nursery staff, also might be nice to give to parents if they have a computer at home.

Hearing impairment - free resources - posters, games and resources

http://www.deafbooks.co.uk/FREE-Downloads_B4-4.aspx
A range of free downloads from this site to support pupils with a hearing impairment.
Playground signs, finger spelling posters, and a range of free games and E books to download.

Dyslexia video- good refresher for good practice / early identification

http://www.teachers.tv/video/2847

A really useful reminder of good practice and early identification processes.
This would be a good refresher for experienced staff or as a training tool for new staff.

3 min animated clip explaining Aspergers Syndrome - excellent, clear and to the point !

http://www.teachers.tv/video/37382
In this video, a seemingly well-behaved and well-performing school student, describes the emotional distress he felt as his Asperger's syndrome caused him to struggle socially at school.



3 minutes long- ideal for staff training / opening discussion in an awareness session or to watch with students

Make your own board games/ powerpoints - quick and easy to use

http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/gameboard.htm

Easter holidays are here ......fancy making some games to use next term ... have a look at this site



Great site- prepared templates for board games and power points – quick and easy to print out. Easy to adapt and make your own games. I have used this and it makes board games / activities look very professional – looks great laminated.

P Scales matched to software and hardware list

http://www.northerngrid.org/index.php/component/content/article/81-sen/399-matching-software-to-p-scales?q=software+scales

Myles Piling has formed a list suggesting software and hardware activities that can be matched to P scales for students working on low level P scales and with PMLD.

PE progression steps for pupils with PMLD

www.northerngrid.org/index.php/component/content/article/81-sen/401-pmld-pe-awards?q=pmld

An award scheme produced by Colin Gladstone. It has nine structured levels and could be used to show evidence of progression through physical exercise for pupils with PMLD.

Roles of support staff in schools

www.tda.gov.uk/support.aspx
This site outlines the roles and responsibilities for support staff.

Autism You tube Clip

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTOA_O-gT5E

Gd autism clip to encourage discussion- good way to start training or awareness session

It's World Maths Day this week...here are some recommended links to help develop support in numeracy...

www.mathsisfun.com

Online games and activities to support overlearning of numeracy skills.

An update on applying for free computers - Home access scheme

Alex Rees has asked me to pass on the following link
http://redbridgeictsubjectleaders.blogspot.com/2010/02/home-access-grant-latest-information-03.html
This will take you to a one page updated summary of information re applying for a home computer.
Alex clearly helps with information about the evidence you need to show etc.
He reports that Becta confirm there have been slow application rate - so if you have any students who you think may apply for a home computer - take a look at this link it will confirm if they are eligable, application process and how to apply.

Free SEN resources - competition - take a look !

The TES Connect site




The TES Connect site is a rapidly developing resource site offering a wide range of quality free resources for teachers working with children who have special needs. Many of you have shared your teaching resources and TES Connect would like to thank you for doing so.






It is free to register on the site and once you have registered you can download as many free resources as you like. You may also upload and share your teaching resources. The process is easy and is explained on the site. To encourage you to up load and share resoruces you have made they are running a competition.
 http://www.tes.co.uk/special-needs-resources
Have a look through things you have made and upload them............
For every 3 'Special Needs' resources that are shared on www.tes.co.uk/resources  during February, contributors will receive a ?10 gift voucher to use at www.specialneedstoys.com.

Developing listening and attention skills

www.teachingexpertise.com/articles/activities-to-develop-and-improve-listening-skills-and-attention-1110
Good brief summary of difficulties pupils can show and some activities/ strategies to try to support these needs.
Can be printed out on one page and would be good as part of staff training as succinct summary.

New free typing website - ideal to give to familes for home

www.nimblefingers.com/j_applet1/WordWackerApplet.html
Simple site, ideal if your students are easily distracted

A different way of doing maths ! offering your students a challenge !

www.vtaide.com/png/puzzles.htm
Got pupils who don't like maths and logical thinking ?
Try this site,visually very clear and moves on in small steps
Good to stretch pupils who need to work on maths, logical thinking, sequencing, memory, visual perception

or as a stress reliever for all SEN staff who have two minutes to themselves !!!

Highly recommended display site - lots of free resources to download- save you hours and will make your room look fab !

www.instantdisplay.co.uk/free.htm
This site is new to me and it is wonderful. There is a section of free resources and posters you can print off and they look really great. It will save you hours !
Just some that are free ........
*  Reading Assessment Focus I can statements for levels 1 and 2
*  Set of 7 posters giving definitions for too, to and two.
*  30 synonyms for looked.
*  Free pack of extras for the visual timetable set. Includes the last 32 addition requests!
*  Simple list poem using adjective, noun, verb format.

*  Word lists for reception, Yr 1 and Yr 2 - great display pack
*  Alphabets: Footballs Basketballs Rugby Rainbow CAPITAL LOWERCASE
*  Simple writing target cards
*  Connectives
*  Set of 120 cards to use for making sentences. Includes 30 objects, adjectives, verbs and animals/people cards. Children can pick one card off each pile and try to use them in a sentence.
*  MFL resources - various
*  European Union Flag set
*  Bullying
*  Great visual History timeline
*  Similies
*  Numbers
*  A set of cards showing ambitious vocabulary for describing a forest
*  Black History

One of the best sites I have found - highly recommended to inspire SEN rooms all around the LEA !

Reluctant creative writers - lovely site to support and structure writing

www.kidsonthenet.org.uk/instantstories/index.cfm
This is a lovely site to explore - lots of good links to use. Click on this link - then choose one of the stories eg spooky stories. Simply fill in the answers to the questions and by a click of a button you can have an extended piece of story writing. This should engage the most reluctant story writers even if you have to type in their answers to get them going !
www.kidsonthenet.org.uk/adventureisland/islandcreate.htm - create your own treasure island

www.kidsonthenet.org.uk/create/index.cfm for a site overview

SALT resources/ games

www.speechteach.co.uk/p_general/downloads.htm 



A large selection of resources to support speech and language difficulties.
Click on the link and scroll down the page - where you will find a wide range of resocures that you / staff / families can print out.
Ideal for small group work or to give as homework to aid reinforcement.
You can print out ..........
phonic games, memory games, creative writing support, odd one out, rhymme, maths resources, spelling, sequencing, vocab, etc
Also some nice reward downloads.

Maths worksheet maker - can change colours for visual clarity

www.senteacher.org/Worksheet/24/Arithmetic.xhtml


Generates large print addition and subtraction arithmetic with a range of coloured backdrops.
Arithmetic is generated randomly with each button press to ensure repeatability
very quick and easy to use - professional finish to sheets
Can generate individualised sheets for students in less than 1 minute - could save you lots of time !

Role of SENCO

www.teachingexpertise.com/job-role/senco



Look here to find a large range of articles, updates, information sheets all easy to access and download.
Most tend to be 1 or 2 pages long – so quick and easy to read and good to pass onto staff/ parents.

Foundation Stage - lovely resources

www.digitalbutterflies.co.uk
Lovely clear simple site offering simple matching, visual perception, sequencing activities

Well worth a look if working in this phase or with students who have signifcant needs.

Great spelling resource to practice loaded or home made lists- very simple !

www.ictgames.com/lcwc.html

If you need a no frills tool to enable pupils to practice their spelling lists using 'look, cover, check method' take a look at this link.
Comes pre loaded with word lists, but you can also enter your own - so great for those words individual pupils get stuck on.
Simple, visually clear and very easy to use
would suit any age if practice is still required.
Good link to give to families who want to work on this at home or if you have a spelling target on I.E.P - add link so staff and families are reminded of another way to practice.

Maths resources - KS 2, KS 3, KS 4 SEN

http://www.mathsframe.co.uk/free_resources.asp
We are always looking for different ways to demonstrate and explain maths to our students.
Take a look at this site as it has some very visually clear resources that may well offer students another meduim to learn through.
Visually clear and simple, would also suit VI students

Make simple quiz, multiple choice, simple comprehension activites - no need to buy software - use Google Docs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC1L0wpmqlY
I have been looking for a way to make simple question /answer , multiple choice documents in a better format than Word, as often when pupils use Word it becomes jumbled and easy to move the text around by mistake.
I have found you can make these using Google Docs - free.
This looks professional and would suit older students who are self concious about having materials that look too young.
Very easy way to differentiate a lesson and would focus upon the knowledge that the student knows, not the recording process.
Have a look at this short 4 min video on Utube - it teachs you everything you need to know

Secondary Science made fun!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC-QrryI8Og
In most schools the subject that students with SEN least enjoy is Science.

I have found thse U tube links and they are fantastic - this makes science risky and fun again !
I am going to try with some students and see what they think but certainly got my attention...... scroll down and you can see other experiments the teacher has recorded.

Teach your students how to use shortcuts when using a computer !

http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/computersphones/usingyourpc/Pages/shortcut_keys.aspx

This is a very comprehensive list of shortcuts that you can use, hopefuly speeding up pupil's use of the keyboard and ultimately recording.
Many of these are new to me too, but some of which I wished I had taken time to learn !!!!
Scroll down and print off shortcuts for Word etc.
This is a huge list, but may be worth focussing on a couple a term and adding to I.E.P targets

Transition website to help parents move through Yr 11 transition

http://www.mencap.org.uk/guides.asp?id=9989
A clear and simple outline of the transition process and things parents need to think about during Yr 11.
A good website to give to parents.
It also may be worth sharing with parents of Yr 9 students who have significant special needs as this may influence some of the choices made.

Letters / sounds/ phonic resources free to download Foundation/ KS 1

www.letters-and-sounds.com
Bright colourful site that contains some lovely free resources to help support the teaching of early phonic skills.

Games to develop the brain

www.gamesforthebrain.com
Great set of games to develop a variety of skills- the memory matrix is very good to develop memory skills, but a whole range supporting lots of different skills.

Parachute games pack - free !

www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/parachute/Woodlands%20Parachute%20Games%20Pack.pdf
Need some new ideas to use when using your parachute ........have a look at this pack.............great ideas to use with social and friendship groups.

Jargon busting - what does it all mean ? - parents/ staff

www.mkparents.org/jargon.php
Good simple clear site that outlines simple terms and abbreviations many of us use and simply describes what it means.
A good warm up staff training exercise- how many do your staff know ?

Famous people with Autism / ASD

Often when I am training I am asked who is the young man who draws the amazing landscapes from memory...............his name is Stephen Wiltshire.
Check out his website, his work is amazing and certainly worth sharing with all students. Individual pictures sell for £8,000 - look at his gallery !
www.stephenwiltshire.co.uk

ASD/ Autism / SEN staff training

A great quote from Luke Jackson who has ASD .......


'Everything is so busy at school and everyone else, all the kids and all the teachers, seems to have a purpose and I never have quite fathomed out what that purpose is. I know we are there to learn, but there seems to be much more going on than that. It is like beginning a game without knowing any ofthe rules or the passwords.'
Luke Jackson (2002)

ASD / Autism staff training links

These two links are very powerful links that help explain  life for autistic pupils in our schools. Both relatively short and could be easily used in team / staff meetings.
www.teachers.tv/video/21820
link about twenty-year-old John Simpson,

who himself is on the autistic spectrum, he guides us through the theory and
reality of life for many ASC students at secondary school. This would be equally relevant for primary staff to watch.


www.teachers.tv/video/21826
link about four boys on the autistic
spectrum are observed during their school day to see how their individual
needs are met by both mainstream and specialist staff.