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Holiday-Themed Lessons that Make Us Thankful

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am thankful for how many VizZlers share their hard work via the shared user library. It can save so much time to find a pre-made lesson in Share and then edit it (if editing is even needed). But that wouldn’t happen without the creators who make original lessons and share them.

So, many thanks this holiday season from the VTips Team to everyone who creates and shares awesome lessons like these with a Thanksgiving theme…

Counting

• 10 Little Turkeys (Book), VizZle ID Number: 20723
  Images and text rhyme about 1 little, 2 little etc., (up to 10), with popup counting quizzes and videos on the 1st and last pages, 6 pages
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)
• How Many? (Thanksgiving) (Matching), VizZle ID Number: 20445
  Image of number set of Thanksgiving themed items with text question, (i.e., “How many?”) TO number (for numbers 1 to 10), field of 3 choices, 10 pairs
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

Discrimination

• Discriminate: Thanksgiving (Matching), VizZle ID Number: 6775
  Image and text label TO identical image w/text label of Thanksgiving themed items, field of 3 choices, 14 pairs
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)
• Thanksgiving (Game), VizZle ID Number: 20926
  Each tile has an image and text label with a popup matching quiz with an image and text question about Thanksgiving TO image w/ text label in a field of 2 choices, 11 tiles, number spinner
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

Vocabulary

• Object Function: Thanksgiving (Matching), VizZle ID Number: 20857
  Text directive (e.g., “Find something we eat for Thanksgiving Dinner.”)TO image w/text label, field of 3 choices, 6 pairs
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)
• Thanksgiving Vocab (Matching), VizZle ID Number: 20945
  Text of vocabulary related to Thanksgiving TO image, field of 3 choices, some with set distractors, 17 pairs.
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

To Spark Conversation

• How Do You Celebrate Thanksgiving? (Book), VizZle ID Number: 7229
  Images and text w/audio about how people celebrate Thanksgiving, with quizzes and open-ended popups for discussion, 10 pages.
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)
• What Are You Thankful For? (Game), VizZle ID Number: 7232
  Images with popups for each tile with images and text w/audio of questions asking what the player is thankful for in that category (e.g. “What kind of food are you thankful for?”), 16 tiles
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

Holiday ADL

• Green Bean Casserole Recipe (Book), VizZle ID Number: 21454
  Images and text w/audio for all the steps in making green bean casserole, 14 pages
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)
• Individual Apple Pie Recipe (Pix), VizZle ID Number: 4794
  Print activity, recipe for easy individual apple pies. 1 page
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

Help for Home

• Thanksgiving Choices (Pix), VizZle ID Number: 20263
  For print, tiles of images and text labels to facilitate choice at Thanksgiving dinner, with yes please, no thank you and more and thank you (replace food items with those specific to your meal), prints on 1 page
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)
• Thanksgiving Dinner (Schedule), VizZle ID Number: 20260
  7 step schedule for Thanksgiving Dinner, with checks and boxes when printed, prints on 3 pages
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

Despite the close of the regular school year and the beginning of summer break for many, last month VizZle creators shared some awesome work. Scroll down to read about library activity and some of the moderating team’s favorite new lessons in Share (including some suggested keywords, ID numbers and links to browser versions).

For the Month of June

• 399 new lessons were sent to Share
• 250 lessons accepted into the library
• 4,418 total public lessons available in Share (as of 7/1/2011)

What Did We Find Noteworthy?

The moderating team is always on the lookout for creative ways to present material, or subjects that haven’t been previously covered, or newbie authors making a splash. What follows are highlights edited from the VizZle Vets’ running list, introduced by comments taken from the moderators’ notes (in italics).

Created by jtimm1@lausd.net
Loved this because it’s a great example of adapting specific curriculum designed for typical kids and customizing it to meet special needs:

• Brave as a Mountain Lion (Book), VizZle ID Number: 37778
  Images and text w/audio adapting the story Brave as a Mountain Lion, with embedded comprehension quizzes (the majority focusing on how the character felt in the situation), 16 pages, story text comparable to Open Court Resources (OCR) 2000 story
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

Created by demodemo
Very cool! Errorless learning showing off some of Jeff’s new ASL assets:

• ASL: Color Words (Matching), VizZle ID Number: 37467
  Text w/ audio of color word TO color swatch with video showing ASL sign for that color, field of 1 choice, 7 pairs
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

Created by ncr2815@lausd.net
This definitely should be added to the “best of” for all ages for the 4th of July or other patriotic holidays (editor’s note: this creator also shared lessons on colors, counting, categorizing and vocabulary that would be the kid version of catnip for any fan of the wiggles [does that make them wiggglesnip?]—check them out by running a keyword search for “wiggles” in Share):

• Symbols of the United States (Book), VizZle ID Number: 38010
  Images and text about the symbols of the United States of America, several popups with patriotic videos and quizzes (e.g., “What country do you live in?” TO map of United States and text “United States of America”), 10 pages
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

Created by sst1@southshoretherapies.com
New AWESOME author alert! sst1@southshoretherapies.com totally rocks (editor’s note—this author created 12 out of the 33 lessons total that made the moderator’s “best of” list for June—check out all the submissions by running the username as a search in Share. Below are just 2 of many examples):

A lesson for a common speech therapy/ IEP goal well done:

• What’s the Problem? (Book), VizZle ID Number: 38406
  Images and text question asking what the problem in the picture is, popups with same image (e.g., a girl running from a swarm of bees) and text question (e.g., “How is she feeling? What might she be thinking?”) w/ sound effects (e.g., someone yelling as if they are scared), 9 pages
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

Great self-regulation skills story (editor’s note: as of this writing, there are 5 different versions of this lesson in the library—check out the variations by running a keyword search for “engine” in Share):

• Engine (Book), VizZle ID Number: 39185
  Images and text w/ some sound effects about self-regulation, popup questions (e.g., “How is your engine running now?”), 20 pages, content comparable to The Alert Program by Therapy Works Inc, more detailed version of library activity ID 38804
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

Created by sst4@southshoretherapies.com
Looks like sst1 has some in-house competition for “great creator” laurels! sst4@southshoretherapies.com has a couple on this month’s list as well, including:

• People Don’t Like Bad Words (Book), VizZle ID Number: 39277
  Image and text about the effects using bad language may have on others, hotspots contain image and text question for further clarity and discussion (e.g., “What are some things that make you feel angry? Do you like feeling angry?”) and some sound effects, 12 pages
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

Created by amsasseville@dadeschools.net
New author submitted some excellent work, like:

• When I Go Out (Book), VizZle ID Number: 39392
  Image and text offering safety advice when going away from home (e.g., “I need to turn on my cell phone and take it with me.”), 9 pages
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

Created by aderoia@kent.edu
What a fun format for articulation (has a silly-factor kids will love)!:

• Initial Sound “l” (Book), VizZle ID Number: 39099
  Images and simple text with audio, numerous words with initial /l/ (e.g., “Liz licks a leaf.”), 9 pages
  (No access to VizZle? Click here for a browser version—remember to maximize your browser and click play at the bottom.)

As one of the moderator’s noted, “All in all, a great group of lessons this month.” We salute you all—and we appreciate that picking a “best of” list was so difficult!

Thanks to everyone who shared visual supports and lessons this month (extra bonus good karma points are winging your way)!

Video clips engage kids with autism in a way nothing else can. Instead of thinking of this as a deficit, take advantage of it! See how (and see video-enhanced lessons for MLK Day and Groundhog Day) by scrolling down…

Why Use Video?

For many kids with autism, video is more attractive than the real world. Taking advantage of their inherent fascination by adding educational video content to lessons can turn this seeming deficit into an asset. A favorite video also makes an excellent reinforcer, helping the student focus on the non-preferred to get to the highly preferred. Give it a try–you’ll be amazed at the results!

Check out how these lessons for upcoming holidays incorporate video. The sublime video of Dr. King makes the history real. The ridiculous video of Phil and the inner circle is certainly memorable. And who wouldn’t want to earn a break with the jiggly-booty Gummy Bear?

(Click on the blue lesson title to open a Preview of the lesson in your browser [maximize your browser for best results]. Click Play at the bottom of the Preview screen to play the lesson. You can also look it up by ID Number in SHARE for play in VizZle.)

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day , VizZle ID Number: 8549

  Images and text with audio about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the holiday that honors him, with popups and quizzes. Ends with short video of part of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. 9 pages

• Groundhog Day, VizZle ID Number: 9736

  Images and text w/audio about groundhogs, Punxsutawney Phil, and Groundhog Day, with popups, quizzes and a video of the annual ceremony, 8 pages

• Groundhog Day Words , VizZle ID Number: 9739

  Image of common sight word associated with Groundhog Day TO text, field of 10 choices, 10 pairs, with custom video celebration

Welcome to 2011! We hope you had an excellent break and are ready for a successful New Year! Scroll down for some winter-themed lessons to get your students engaged and settled back into the learning groove…

Winter-Themed Lessons

Click on the blue lesson title to open a Preview of the lesson in your browser (maximize your browser for best results). Click Play at the bottom of the Preview screen to play the lesson. You can also look it up by ID Number in SHARE for play in VizZle.

• Discrimination: Snowflake, VizZle ID Number: 9014

  Image TO identical matching image of beautiful snowflake pictures, field of 3 choices, 10 pairs

• Discrimination : Winter, VizZle ID Number: 21462

  Image w/ text label of winter / Christmas themed items TO identical image w/text label, field of 3 choices with set distractors of closely related items, 13 pairs

• 10 Little Snowflakes, VizZle ID Number: 23141

  Images and simple text counting up to ten snowflakes (one little, two little), with popup quizzes testing sight word recognition of numbers and set counting, with videos of snowy day on first page and cartoon poem about winter on last page, 6 pages

• Winter Clothes, VizZle ID Number: 7773

  Images and short text sentences about what we wear when it is cold outside, with popup quizzes focusing on “what”, 7 pages

• Winter Rhymes, VizZle ID Number: 23563

  Image and text w/audio label of winter themed object TO image and text w/audio label of rhyming word, field of 2 choices with set distractor, 6 pairs

• Winter Holidays, VizZle ID Number: 21683

  Description: Each tile has an image with a popup matching quiz that has an image and text w/audio question (e.g., “When is Christmas?”) for dates and facts about the various winter holidays, 12 tiles, number spinner

• Winter / Invierno, VizZle ID Number: 19187

  Images and text w/recorded audio, first in English, then in Spanish, about the winter season, 10 pages

• How Are Snowflakes Made?, VizZle ID Number: 7392

  Images and text about snowflakes, with popup quizzes for comprehension, 9 pages

• How Are Snowflakes Made?, VizZle ID Number: 7393

  Image and text question about information from book of same name TO image w/text label, field of 3 choices, 5 pairs

How about some last-minute interactive winter holiday lessons that will engage even the sugar-shocked holiday-party hoard? Read on (scroll down) or click here for our holiday gift to you!

Last-Minute Lessons for the Holiday Party

Click on the blue lesson title to open a Preview of the lesson in your browser. Click Play at the bottom of the Preview screen to play the lesson for its full effect. Or look it up by ID Number in SHARE.

• 10 Chubby Snowmen, VizZle ID Number: 23140
• 10 Little Snowflakes, VizZle ID Number: 23141
• Winter Story, VizZle ID Number: 7262
• Opening Presents, VizZle ID Number: 8029

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Have a great break!

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One of the many things I am thankful for this year is creators sharing Thanksgiving lessons. Scroll down or use the slider to the right for great examples.

The Feathers on Our Thankful-Turkeys–The VTip of the Week

It’s undeniable–fall is here. VizZle creators have been adding tons of great fall lessons to Share. Use the slider (to the right) to check out our favorites below!

Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year! It’s been a busy summer here, and VizZle creators added tons of great new lessons to Share. Use the slider (to the right) to check out a “best of” list below!

Welcome to summer! The 4th of July is just around the corner, and VizZle authors have added some great new holiday-themed lessons to Share. Use the slider to (to the right) to check out the list below!

ID 14493 The Fourth of July (book)
ID 14505 The Fourth of July (matching)
ID 14570 The History of the 4th of July
ID 14578 Betsy Ross and Our Flag
ID 14575 Original 13 Colonies
ID 14496 Going to the Fireworks
ID 5989 Symbols of the United States (book)
ID 5991 Symbols of the United States (matching)
ID 14400 Fireworks
ID 14402 Color Words (Fireworks)

Welcome to summer! The 4th of July is just around the corner, and VizZle authors have added some great new holiday-themed lessons to Share. Use the slider to (to the right) to check out the list below!

ID 14493 The Fourth of July (book)
ID 14505 The Fourth of July (matching)
ID 14570 The History of the 4th of July
ID 14578 Betsy Ross and Our Flag
ID 14575 Original 13 Colonies
ID 14496 Going to the Fireworks
ID 5989 Symbols of the United States (book)
ID 5991 Symbols of the United States (matching)
ID 14400 Fireworks
ID 14402 Color Words (Fireworks)