I first learned about PECS, or Picture Exchange Communication Systems, two years ago during my Masters program. Since then, I have noticed this mode of communication being used more and more in modern day teaching environments. I even saw this great video tutorial posted on "The Art of Ed" blog. I looked around for art room specific PECS systems online, but I couldn't really find one that was comprehensive enough to fit my art room procedures and needs. This summer, I picked up my Micron and my watercolor paints and decided to make a list of all the key procedures I would want to communicate to students in my class. I made a visual representation of each concept that fell into four categories
Traditionally, PECS systems are used for identified individuals so I made up a few clip boards with direction sequencing pages, "Today I will...." with three spaces for the student to fill in with pictures and an "I feel....I want....I choose....." Check-In sheet for a paraprofessional to use one-on one with an artist. In the end, I decided that ALL of my students would benefit from having a visual sequence of directions so I made a large print out with the directions sequence for everyone to see. Each day when the students gather around a for a demo, two students are in charge of being extra expert listeners and they fill in the sequence in the correct order and hang it on our magnetic board. Hilariously enough, the kids love being in charge of this duty and getting it right. It's also good sequencing practice for the little guys. Making the system took a lot of work, but it was worth it to have an aesthetically pleasing system in place that fit all of my needs. I made my system available by clicking here.
8 Comments
Amelia C. Joynes
9/4/2015 11:05:30 am
I work with student teachers and your illustrations and text are great I will share them with Students. They system would help hearing impaired and L.D. Studs to prioritize and organize.
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Monica
12/16/2016 08:35:24 am
Thank you! As a visual arts teacher working in a special needs school I found this very useful!The pictures are beautiful and clear. I added some of my own images and text my students use but it has been very helpful to have the steps broken down into images and short texts. Thank you again for posting this!
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Lara
10/19/2017 09:20:15 pm
What a valuable tool. Can you share the resources that you made? Are they available for purchase?
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Jessica Sager
11/6/2017 04:55:26 pm
I just happened to notice she has this available in her Teachers Pay Teachers store! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Senora-Prom
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Gretchen Scott
9/3/2018 06:09:12 am
I think your lesson ideas are so unique and love how they allow for personal expression instead of being 'cookie cutter'. I feel like your students must really LOVE art class with you as their teacher! Love your displays as well. I look forward to coming up with some of the tools you featured in the post about making the art room fitting for students with special needs. Great work!
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GEORGIA DANIEL
8/23/2019 07:54:00 am
Do you have these to share?
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Sunny
8/24/2019 02:38:52 am
Hi Georgia! These are available for purchase on my Teachers Pay Teachers Store. Thanks for stopping by! :) https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Senora-Prom
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Esse
9/11/2021 04:10:47 am
Thank you for sharing. The resources for an art room are so specifically unique that benefits all the learners.
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AuthorSunny is an art teacher who is living the dream. The only thing she enjoys more than her curious students are the adventures she has with her loving husband and cat in the fabulous city of Philadelphia! BlogrollArtful Artsy Amy
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