Photograph your day!

Lesson Objective: Students will create a visually based schedule using digital photos of their school day to remind them of daily activities/routines and to provide for smooth transitions in between tasks.

Materials:
-Digital Camera
-color printer (black and white works for this lesson too)
-classroom space
-scissors glue if students/adults will be cutting and pasting
-computer to download pictures/Microsoft word to include caption with picture unless students are capable of writing captions
-binding machine, with binding materials (ring binding suggested so order of photos may be rearranged)
-laminate photographs to promote durability

Procedure:
1. Using teacher/aide assistance, students will take pictures of daily activities (reporting to locker, gathering materials, reporting to class, lunch, restroom, office etc) and supplies (scissors, glue, tape, pencils, markers, folders, etc).
2. With adult assistance, photographs can be downloaded and printed in color or black and white. Adults should laminate and prepare binding materials.
3. Students should arrange the photos in the order of the day and include pictures of supplies needed for subjects in the correct order.
4. Pictures may include: locker, textbooks, folders, teachers, classroom door, office, restroom, cafeteria, bus, door to playground, playground/recess area, and library, gym, art, music art rooms.
5. Depending on the individual student, adults may want to be responsible for the schedule and keeping it in a safe place. I have also kept a basket on a group table where students can access these schedules as the day begins. If students are independent enough, they may maintain responsibility and care of their picture schedule book.

Students can use these books daily to provide a reminder of their daily schedule and to assist in making smooth transitions. Also, students should be encouraged to share these schedules with others as this will help them promote long term memory of their schedule. These schedules often come in handy if a substitute teacher or aide in the classroom.