An Animated Step-by-Step song/poem typically unfolds
across several pages. This strategy provides students with numerous opportunities
for engagement (the excitement of triggering animations) and numerous
opportunities to achieve a deeper understanding of the language they hear (hear
it, then see it animated). As illustrated below animations are denoted by stars in the
text.
While this strategy of spreading the text across several
pages has many benefits, the rhyming
cadence can sometimes get ‘lost in the shuffle’. To remedy this dilemma, I typically
provide alternate versions of the
song or poem that include a visual but no animations. That is, after the class
has finished a ‘literacy step-through’
of the song or poem (spread across several pages), they can revisit the poem or
song using one of several static
versions that appear after the ‘The
End’ page. Now students are able to recite or sing the poem/song with a
rhyming cadence, unencumbered by the wait for animations.
The Animated Step-by-Step songs don’t typically include
music. To heighten interest for the alternate versions of songs, I am now adding a singing
track (in a child voice). To activate the singing track, click on the ‘song
button’ then sing along as you point to the text or symbols on the page. No longer are you left wondering, “What is the tune to that song?” If you weren’t
too sure … the tune is now provided with the Song Button.
Animated Step-by-Steps™ are designed to address a variety of
needs (literacy, language, AAC). Songs are a wonderful way to heighten engagement for both regular and special education students. The addition of a ‘song button’ can provide
the tune while adding a little extra zip to heighten engagement.
…’til the next post …
(new posts every Monday)
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©2016 Carol Goossens’, Ph.D.
Augmentative Communication Consultant
Speech-Language Pathologist
Special Educator
