This summer’s FDLRS/LAT project focused on creating visual supports for the new middle school science curriculum Access Science, Building Literacy through Learning by Great Source Education Group. The curriculum will be utilized for students with cognitive disabilities that will be tested on the Science Access Points. The work group utilized the Boardmaker Symbolate tool (a symbol/text option) to summarize the chapters and create visual stories at three levels which included independent, supported and participatory. In addition they created materials including vocabulary activities, assessment measures and other supports and resources depending on the topic. These materials were later converted to a PDF format and posted to the web. We worked with five very dedicated and creative teachers: Wendy Stewman, DRMS, Desiree Tisci SWMS, Christa LaFlam SHMS, Patricia Horne, LGMS, and Janel Trask KMS. They each received printed color copies of all the materials for each of the 24 chapters in the book. They also received a flash with all the original Boardmaker files that they can edit as they see fit when they teach the course.
All the materials have been posted to the Boardmaker website under Middle School Science Access Points. We are hoping other middle school teachers will find the materials helpful.