I have a bag filled with a variety of alphabet stickers. They vary in size, color, texture, and font. These materials appeal to students with sensory issues.
Students use the alphabet stickers to spell out weekly vocabulary or word study lists. For a challenge, students could only stick on the consonants and have a partner fill in the missing vowels. As another extension, students could use CLOVER to code the words.
I try to provide my students with centers that appeal to a variety of learning styles. I try to incorporate a variety of senses also. This center is meant to entice the reluctant student to use some fun confetti and practice their spelling. I keep the confetti in a plastic pencil box. I have a mixture of different shapes and colors, but you could also change out the confetti to be seasonal. This center is sort of the counterpart to Soft and Fuzzy Spelling!
Students use the sparkle pieces to spell out their weekly vocabulary or word study list. They could also write the words with a pencil and place sparkles only on the letter intersections. They can connect the sparkles with a marker to spell the words.
I try to provide my students with centers that appeal to a variety of learning styles. I try to incorporate a variety of senses also. This is a quiet, calm, and relaxing activity for students that may have sensory issues. This center is the counterpart to Sparkle Spelling.
Students use the fuzzy balls to spell out their weekly vocabulary or word study list. They can also write the words with a pencil and place balls only on the intersections in the letters. Then they connect the balls with a marker to spell the word.
Use your finger and write your weekly vocabulary or word study list in the sand. Have your partner read the word and use it in a sentence. Depending on the ability of the students you can have them say the sentence or write it.
Colored sand can be found at craft stores, but plain old beach sand works, too. Plastic meat trays work well as containers because they are deep enough to prevent the sand from spilling. They can stack on top of each other. You can also use tupperware or pencil boxes because they have snap close lids. Students can use their fingers or they can use a popsicle stick (some children with sensory issues do not like the texture of the sand).
Students roll the play dough into pieces to form the letters of their weekly vocabulary or word study list. They can also flatten out a piece of play dough and carve the words into it. Remind students to put the lids on tightly. I like using the little containers of dough that are at Dollar Tree because their lids come off more easily for children. For some reason I also find that it stays moist longer.
Students write their weekly vocabulary or word study list on paper using liquid glue. Then they sprinkle the glitter over the glue. Remind student to make sure to leave enough space between the letters. For a challenge, leave out the vowels and have a friend guess the word and fill in the vowels with a marker. After the glue is dry, students close their eyes and run their fingers over the glitter words to see if they can "feel" the words. This a great center for kinesthetic learners.
If your students are familiar with CLOVER, they can use a marker to split and code the words while they are waiting for the glue to dry.
