PAY IT FORWARD

Interactions: Learning About Animal Project

The learning project completed by the three Interaction classes at Joey Moss School showcased their research and understanding of a variety of animals, including dinosaurs, animals that can live in zoos, and insects. This project was made possible by the Pay It Forward Grant and a field trip to the Edmonton Valley Zoo. The students' learning was supported by a variety of specialized, evidence-based tools.

The learning process involved:

Literacy Program: Students watched videos to anchor their learning, then read differentiated texts on animal topics using the evidence-based literacy program for learners with complex needs.

Writing Activities: Students applied their understanding through a variety of writing and craft activities. They completed predictable chart-writing sentences to describe what their animal looked like, its habitat, and its diet.

Assistive Technology: Students utilized educational software, including Clicker, to compose their own sentences. This program provides visual and auditory scaffolding to help complex learners independently express their ideas and meet their individual IPP writing goals.

The outcome of the students' experiential learning is a Google Slides project that documents their animal research work. This presentation will be shared with parents and the Joey Moss School community to highlight the work of the complex learners and the supportive efforts of the classroom team in utilizing assistive technology to help students communicate their understandings.