Lesson 5: How could sensory exercises benefit my classroom?
Objective
The learner will generate a list of at least three examples of the benefits of sensory integration specific to the context of their classroom, and explain how these sensory strategies will increase quality of learning in their students.
Scenario 1 (Revisited)
Mrs. Johnson is teaching a science lesson on Habitats to her first grade students. While she is teaching she notices that one of her students, Michael, is constantly fidgeting in his seat and tapping on the desk. At one point, he is moving around so much he falls out of his seat! This has lately become a daily issue with Michael. How should Mrs. Johnson handle this situation?
Taking all that you've learned about sensory integration over the past several lessons, how would you now respond to this scenario? Is your response different from your initial response you wrote in lesson 1? While you should write the answer to this in your reference guide for your own personal use, I would also like you to use the discussion tab on this page to comment how your response to this scenario has or has not changed (in 3-4 sentences).
Introduction
Now that we are getting near the end of the course, I want to take this time to highlight some key things to consider when you are deciding what sort of sensory integration to incorporate in your classroom. Please keep in mind that not all sensory activities will be perfect for every child. You have to take the time to assess what you feel your students may or may not respond to best. Here are some helpful tips to remember as you begin to think about what to include in your classroom:
- For any students that seem to be over-stimulated, designate a stimuli-reduced area in the classroom, where a child who is fidgety and overly aroused can complete his or her assigned task. This area may include some different seating, headphones to drown out noise, and surrounded by bookshelves or other partitions to be sure to avoid any distractions.
- For children who seem to be under-aroused, you can use this same area as a get-away place for that student to jump around and let off some steam and designated times throughout the day (Carbone, 2001). You might incorporate some sensory toys, a place where he or she could listen to music with headphones, or maybe even a small trampoline could be brought over at this time.
- When assessing your students to perhaps see how they could benefit from sensory and what types of sensory they may need, you may already know to look at their sensory diet. Many students who receive special education services are placed on a sensory diet by their Occupational Therapist, and it gives them a set list of sensory tasks and activities they should be doing each day to help them cope with any over or under-stimulation that they may be experiencing. Please note: If you are unsure if any of your students are placed on a sensory diet, or you feel any could benefit from one, you should consult with your school's Occupational Therapist. They are trained more extensively on what to prescribe for students.
Investigation
Watch:This short video gives a further glimpse into the concept of a sensory diet, which greatly benefits some students to have in order to improve their learning and focus: Sensory Diet Video
Read: The following article is yet another amazing example of how beneficial sensory could be to your classroom: The Sensory Smart Classroom
Application
Now that you've gotten a glimpse of the history of sensory in the classroom, ways in which it's used, how it's used to curb problem behaviors and so on throughout this course, I want you to take this time to consider how sensory integration could benefit your classroom. Using the discussion space for this lesson, I would like you to generate a list of at least three examples of how integrating sensory exercises and activities into your classroom will benefit your students.
Reflection
This lesson's reflection will be more of a personal reflection. Take a second to jot down in your reference guide any last minute notes and ideas you may have about incorporating sensory into your classroom.
Once you are finished with you personal reflection, you may move on to our final lesson:Lesson 6: Putting it into place: How can I ensure my students are getting their sensory needs met?
References
Art of teaching quote. n.d. [File:Art-of-teaching-van-doren-quote1.png]. Image courtesy of allthingslearning.wordpress.com
Carbone, E. (2001). Arranging the classroom with an eye (and ear) to students with ADHD. Teaching Exceptional Children, 34(2), 72-80.
Graphic of notepad and pencil. n.d. [File: Images-8.jpg]. Image courtesy of blog.roodoo.com
Picture of classroom. n.d. [Classroom2.jpg]. Image courtesy of brightorangeadv.com
Porteracademy2000. (2011, January 21). Sensory diet [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCqevZrnw5w
Sensory diet activities. Retrieved from http://sensorysmarts.com/sensory_diet_activities.html
Sparker, C. & Sparks-Keeney, T. (2011). The sensory smart classroom. Retrieved from http://www.spdfoundation.net/newsletter/2011/02/feature-article.html