A-LIST Spotlight: Physical Therapist Michelle Gardner from MCESC

This week's featured A-LISTer is Michelle Gardner! Michelle is a Physical Therapist for the MCESC. Michelle does a fabulous job of remaining positive and making learning fun and engaging for her students. We were so excited to feature her as this month's A-LIST Spotlight because we knew she would have some fabulous ideas to share with us. 

Ball-A-Vis-X
Michelle is doing some awesome research using Ball-A-Vis-X. She shares, "I am currently working on a research study, in collaboration with a Title I reading teacher & the University of Dayton's DPT program, to examine the effects of using a physical therapy technique called Bal-A-Vis-X (pronounced Bal-uh-vis-ex), to improve oral reading fluency in elementary school students with delays in reading.

Bal-A-Vis-X is a program developed by a teacher named Bill Hubert, which consists of a series of exercises using sand-filled bags and racquetballs. Most of the exercises are completed while standing on a rocker board. All of the exercises are heavily rooted in rhythm. The sandbags and racquet balls are tossed, passed, or bounced, individually and with a partner, in rhythmic patterns which facilitate focused attention, concentration, midline crossing, motor planning, right/left awareness, laterality, eye-hand coordination, balance, bilateral coordination, and body/spatial awareness. Additionally, a key component of the program involves the remediation of eye tracking & visual pursuit deficits."

Bowling

Michelle does a great job collaborating with school staff and teachers. Furthermore, she has even collaborated with the local bowling alley to get resources for her students! Check out what she has shared about Troy Bowl below:

"This ramp was on loan from Troy Bowl, for use with a student who was learning to roll a ball to a target. Prior to use of the ramp, the student had difficulty figuring out how to roll a ball & was generally uninterested. Use of the ramp captured the student's interest & attention. Physically rolling the ball down the ramp, paired with repeated verbal cues to "roll" the ball, helped the student gain an understanding of the concept of "rolling"."

Treatment Area

Michelle has created a great treatment areas in her districts where she works on balance, coordination, strength, motor planning, body control & attention to task, with all of her students. Look at these great pictures from the obstacle courses she has designed!

A special thank you to Michelle for sharing these wonderful strategies from her work with her students. They are so lucky to have you!

Around Town Round-Up: Class-wide Supports Using the Ziggurat Model

Our team LOVES Ruth Aspy and Barry Grossman's The Ziggurat Model! This useful framework makes it easy to prioritize and plan for comprehensive supports when brainstorming interventions. During our coaching, we see examples of The Ziggurat Model in action in a variety of settings. Today's Around Town Round Up will focus on Class-wide Supports that we have seen that meet each layer. 

Sensory Differences and Biological Needs

Class-wide supports for this layer should focus on creating a calming classroom environment and embedding whole-group sensory breaks for students. 

Projected Brain Break Visual with Timer
Deanna Granroth
Wogaman Middle School, Dayton

Calming Classroom Environment
Ashley Holtz
Kleptz ELC, Northmont

Climbing Wall
Amy Pratt
Springcreek Primary, Piqua

Hallway Path
Chris Cool
Dixie Elementary, New Lebanon

Yoga Time
Beth Young and Toni Cockerham
Snyder Park Elementary, Springfield

Whole Group Deep Breathing
Casey Morter
Mad River ECC, Mad River

Visual Boundary

Shanon Vance

Valley Forge Elementary, Huber Heights

Cozy Spot

Shanon Vance

Valley Forge Elementary, Huber Heights

Movement Break
Jolynne Rogers
Mad River ECC, Mad River

Movement Break Visual Cues
Jolynne Rogers
Mad River ECC, Mad River

Reinforcement

Many districts use PBIS supports and teachers have a variety of class-wide reinforcement systems.

Behavior Tickets
Elisha Volp
Northridge Elementary, Northeastern

Behavior Chart
Tara Henrickson
Beavertown Preschool, Kettering

Thrift Store Reinforcers
Amy Day
Englewood Elementary, Northmont

Group Behavior Visual
Jolynne Rogers
Mad River ECC, Mad River

Structure and Visual/Tactile Supports

Knowing what to expect throughout the day can be a huge support for all students! Schedules, class agendas, and visual supports clearly communicate expectations and increase predictability. 

Class Task List
Robin Koronich
Learning Center-West, MCESC

Projected Task List with Timer
Deanna Granroth
Wogaman Middle School, Dayton

Group Schedule
Granville Bastin
Preble ESC

Group Schedule
Lisa Mossing
Beverly Gardens, Mad River

Group Schedule
Rene Naas
Tipp City Middle School, Miami County ESC

Group Schedule
Robin Koronich
Learning Center-West, MCESC

Schedule Google Slide
Traci Gasho
Westbrooke Village Elementary, Trotwood

Group Schedule
Taylor Lawson
Louise Troy Elementary, Dayton

Art Table Job Chart
Christa Everett
Miami East Junior High, Miami East

Fire Drill Visual Cue

Shanon Vance

Valley Forge Elementary, Huber Heights

Schedule Change Visual Cue
Jennifer Schmidt
Beavercreek High School, Beavercreek

Group Schedule
Casey Morter
Mad River ECC, Mad River

Group Time Mini-Schedule

Large Visual Countdown
Rylie Jarrett
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Task Demands

Accounting for the various levels of need throughout a classroom ensures that students receive instruction at their instructional level. Often, the most effective way we have seen teachers meet this need is through providing differentiated learning centers. 

Rotation Groups
Bev Richardson
Bruce Elementary, Eaton

Rotation Groups
Haley Urschel
Perrin Woods Elementary, Springfield

Self-Directed Rotation Visuals
Jenna Falldorf
Milton Union Elementary, Milton Union

Positive Environment

The newest addition to The Ziggurat Model emphasizes that students need to feel safe and have positive relationships and experiences while at school in order to be ready for learning.

School Family Display
Rebekah Foust
Mad River ECC, Mad River

Kindness Wall
Jolynne Rogers
Mad River ECC, Mad River

Skills to Teach

We love to see when teachers prioritize direct instruction of skills beyond academics such as communication, coping skills, behavioral expectations, and emotional regulation. These are essential elements to ensuring success for all students. 

CHAMPS expectations

AAC Support at Door
Christina Helmer
Learning Center-North, MCESC

Communication Wall Display
Laura Windholtz
Learning Center-West, MCESC

Growth Mindset Bulletin Board
Jenna Woelfer
Brantwood Elementary, Mad River

Strategy Wall
Leslie Mann
Smith Middle School, Vandalia

Zones of Regulation Display
Cassandra Hebauf
Northmoor Elementary, Northmont

Regulation Station Bulletin Board
Rebecka Stricker
Springcreek Primary, Piqua

For more ideas on using The Ziggurat Model, check out our previous post:

Meeting the Needs of Students with Autism During Specials Using the Ziggurat Model