Adapted Books Galore!
Adapted books are one of my FAVORITE activities to do with my kiddos. Using adapted books promotes independence, vocabulary development, pre-reading skills, life skill awareness and sight word recognition among many other things. It is such a simple way to hit so many crucial skills at once. I have a full crate in my classroom FULL of adapted books. I like to pull them out during ELD time and silent reading time.
I have found tons of free adapted books on the internet as well as I have purchased some on Teachers Pay Teachers. I have also started creating my own that are posted on Teachers Pay Teachers. They are a one time investment and will last years.
How to create an adapted book:
1. Laminate the pages
2. Bind the pages (I have tried a few formats, and I like all of them! I have used 3 ring binders, binder rings, portfolio covers and file folders)
3. Attach the rough velcro to the book pages
4. Cut out the PECS and attach soft velcro to the back
5. Create a selection page to keep all of the adapted book pages in one safe place. I like to just laminate an extra page, and store all of the pieces on the laminated page.
There are several ways to implement an adapted book. It can vary on the age of the students as well. I use them for my higher students during silent reading. These books keep them engaged because they can manipulate the pieces on their own. I have these students raise their hand when they are done so that an adult can check the pages as well as help them put the pieces back where they belong! (I HATE finding PECS and schedule icons around the room. Then I am on a scavenger hunt trying to find where it came from!) I also use the adapted books during ELD time with my lower students. I do this in a small group setting and have all the student’s take turns reading the book. Either way, these books are a blast! I am thinking for next year to set up an adapted book center! I will have to figure out an effecitve format to promote independence! More to come on that one 🙂
