I am a job development coach for high school age students who function on k-3rd grade levels. My boss wants us to teach employment skills, resume building skills, but says we should not be allowed to use material with pictures. None of the students can read or write. Is there anything anyone can suggest to teach these types of skills but in an age appropriate way. I know they can learn it but if I just stand up in front and talk about what a resume is I'm afaid they might not understand. Please Help?!!
Hi, I'm also new to this forum. I teach in a high school (achievement levels preprimer through 4th grade). I suggest you use videos, posters, overhead project & transparencies,etc. to present your subject matter. Even though the students reading skills are limited you will probably find that their abilities and experiences will vary greatly. Just because the available test data says the reading level is k-3rd grade doesn't mean that all of their skills are on that level. Most of the students are probably visual learners. Your supervisor has really limited you in the ways that you can present the information. Perhaps if you do a little research and present a sound & valid reason for using pictures and/or visual aids he or she will give you permission to use pictures. Ask questions about their backgrounds. Some of the students may have worked with relatives. Bring in resource people (speakers) to enhance the lesson. Be versatile until you find something that works. Good Luck!
Teaching these students anything but the real thing, in the real environment is pretty much a waste of time. I have come to this point through years of searching through "functional curriculum" packages, and never finding any that met my students needs exactly. I realize now the time I put into the search wasn't worth the effort. The main problem was they all were too abstract-paper and pencil, simulated, play acting, etc.. It was easier, and more rewarding for both my students and myself, to create curriculum that met their needs. The only advice I can give is to get to know the population you serve, and to do real life activities to teach them the subject area. They have a 97% full time unemployment rate as adults, and the further you teach from the actual setting they will use a skill, they more they will join this group. No need to reinvent the wheel. I have a web site that describes my program in detail. It gives statistics and researched approaches that work best with the MR population. Most of my data comes for the ARC. These are facts that no on can argue with. We gross $1,500.00/month running our own business that sells homemade bagels, muffins, and pretzels to the school staff/students, and businesses that surround our school. All the skills needed to be independent are built in the program. Feel free to contact me anytime. I do better on the phone than the keys. Walter http://www.smiling-with-hope.org/
