Seeing regression in students with significant disabilities is heartbreaking… but how do you keep them engaged and learning over the summer? Here are the 3 best websites to stop summer regression!
Best Websites to Stop Summer Regression for Students with Disabilities
The countdowns are posted in classrooms. Teachers are dreaming of days with no alarm clocks. Students are fantasizing about the pool, late bedtimes, and summer fun.
Yes, summer is coming.
Problem with students who have significant disabilities is that summer often means regression and when students take so long to recoup that summer slide, isn’t our responsibility to do something?
No worries. I have 3 great websites that are FREE, FUN, and EASY to assign as the teacher as well as TRACK DATA!
Yeah. It’s all that, so read on!
Stop Summer Regression with ScootPad!
I have actually used ScootPad with my own students and family with great success. I have assigned nephews, cousins, and even neighbors to my ‘classes’ in the summer so their parents could give them something productive to do during all those daylight hours. The website also has an app, so you can use this fantastic tool on the go.
And with tools like Adaptive practice, the ability to make assignments, and dynamic scaffolding, it is a great tool. I wish I got a commission for saying that, but I don’t. I really just believe it is a great product. And, like I said, it is totally free for teachers making it one of the best websites to stop summer regression! Totally worth checking out.
FREE, EASY & FUN Websites to stop Summer Regression + Data! SPED-WOW!
Stop Summer Regression with Khan Academy and Khan Academy Kids
Both of my younger kids use these lessons and aps to learn. They live the interaction, I like the tracking and data. When it was time to recommend websites to others, I already knew I had this as a favorite. The Kids version has plenty of time for hands on learning with games and short lessons. The version for older kids has really targeted skill development and a chance for kids who struggle at the beginning of the year to avoid regression and even get ahead of the pack!
With so many content areas and levels to work with, you can really tailor your lessons and learning to meet the needs of the student or child… and all while knowing that the company’s mission is based on offering quality educational materials FREE to anyone who wants to learn. I love that as an educator and as someone who travels worldwide to support students with disabilities… It means a lot for so many eager learners and hopeful teachers.
Stop Summer Regression ABC Mouse
I’m sure you’ve seen the commercials for ABC Mouse and, though it’s geared for younger students, I have found there are materials appropriate for Upper Elementary and even some Middle School when students are working on fortifying their prerequisite skills.
This is not completely free. Teacher accounts are free, but if a parent wants to utilize the website from home they will have to pay. The nice part is the lessons are very guided, based on the student’s current abilities, and are packed with lots of fun interactives and videos to keep the student motivated. With activities from preschool through second grade, you’ll find lots of skills can be addressed with the site.
Stop Summer Regression with Acellus Academy
I added this in recently because I personally use Acellus with my son. He is learning at home like so many others these days. This is a bonus listing because it is NOT free, but still a great resource to consider.
I love Acellus because of the detailed information I can see about time on content and scores. I also like the way the program offers remediation and repetition when a student does not score well. Our students who regress are not all in elementary or working on basic skills. I like how I can tailor this to student need and really focus on academics. Acellus Academy is not completely free… but you can do a trial and see what you think. Just know I am not an affiliate nor do I make any money from this recommendation.
Check them out and see if it will work for you!
Beyond Summer Regression
I walk into classrooms all the time where students are on laptops or tablets but not doing things that are age appropriate, educational, or content related. When you set up tools like this in your classroom, it means when there is Tech Time, you have a great option for students that will actually deliver you data!
I used to love that about using ScootPad in my classroom. The knowledge that, without a doubt, that students in my online ‘classrooms’ were learning, growing, and practicing real skills they need to master IEP goals and make meaning out of the curriculum was super rewarding. Then, when it was all said and done, the ability to see what progress a student was making in a very real and measurable was a perfect added bonus.
Though these sites may not be for every student in your self-contained classroom or Autism Unit, it can work for several. ScootPad even reads sections of the test for you so your nonreaders can still participate. Consider how you can work these kinds of sites and activities into your classroom rotation.
PARENT RESOURCE
AND… if you are working with students but want to send home resources to support their PARENTS too, then I have a great suggestion. I recently found a ton of great materials on Cerebral Palsy Guide. Even though this site targets one specific disability, the materials listed can work for so many more parents and caregivers. I suggest you pop over to their Parent Guide and consider sharing their info.
Or, if you are thinking about what to read with your summer freedom, consider their book recommendations. They suggest Out of My Mind (I love this book). They also suggest Cerebral Palsy: A Complete Guide for Caregivers. A great read if you are supporting someone with CP. Finally, they suggest Kids Beyond Limits. This is a great book for any developmental disability or disorder. Suggest this post to parents and these books too!
So What Now?
Well, start to picture yourself lying out on the beach, by the pool, or not by your desk… but before you slide into the future too far, sign up for one, two, or even all of these sites and try them out to see what will work for your students. Believe me, there are benefits galore! And if you are already in Summer Mode, then send these links to parents, or send them to this site directly and let them enroll their kiddos themselves.
Now, back to that beach daydream…
You Rock!
Meaningful Instructional Materials in the Classroom
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