See It, Say It, Write It

Children with speech-language disorders and other learning disabilities go to school with their peers in the majority of U.S. school districts. It's a philosophy called "inclusion."

In order for kids with special needs who are included in standard programs to keep up with the demands, teachers and pathologists must work together toward solutions. One Massachusetts Quotarian is part of an innovative collaboration that is making a difference in her state.

Linda Burmeister, a speech-language pathologist and member of QI of Taunton in Massachusetts, U.S.A., teamed up with a first-grade teacher and another speech pathologist to create a program of lessons that is designed to help children improve their overall communication skills.

The program integrates technology with language arts frameworks and the social studies curriculum for pre-kindergarten through fourth grades. Lessons are enhanced with clip art and photos taken from familiar computer software as well as scanned images and photos taken with digital cameras. For example, using digital cameras, teachers gather images of field trip events, cooking demonstrations, and craft lessons. Students see and experience the images, printed on cards, through various activities; then, they are guided to talk about what they have learned and, finally, put their thoughts in writing.

Notes Linda, "Students with speech, language, and/or hearing problems often have difficulty succeeding in school. Communication disorders can impact the four major domains of learning: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. As educators, we have found that most children, including those with communication disorders, learn language more easily when hands-on activities and pictures are presented.

"Our activities are basically picture lessons that promote success in school by supporting learning. These picture lessons are organized into charts to help support recall, encourage the students to include more detail when speaking and writing, and adapt well to classroom lessons. Talking about the photo encourages student participation and mastery of language."

While the initial effort was intended for use in one classroom and one Life Skills Center at the school where the team works, preliminary research findings led Linda and her colleagues, Karen Manning and Diane Roza, to share it with other educators. The group named the program See It, Say It, Write It and applied for a federal grant to be able to share information and techniques.

A successful proposal was awarded a U.S.$30,000 Lighthouse Technology Grant, given to innovative programs that link technology with education. This grant provides training for the educators in the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District and schools linked with the North River Collaborative.

See It, Say It, Write It is now used in over ten regular and inclusion classrooms in three Massachusetts school districts: Bedford, Carver, and East Bridgewater, where the team began. Last year, each of these districts was awarded a U.S.$30,000 federal grant (Literacy Challenge Grant 4: Adopting Best Technology Practices, 2000) to adopt this model.

Linda's club, QI of Taunton, encourages the team by showing support. "My club and my colleagues share the same interests and desires to help children improve their communication skills. My Quota friends have shown great respect for my work and regularly enjoy listening to the stories I bring to them regarding the progress my students continue to show," she adds.

—Mary Margaret Yodzis, Senior Writer
© 2001

For a story of how this program made a difference in the life of one child, click here.