Creating Multi-sensory Environments
Practical Ideas for Teaching and Learning
Preview
Book Description
The revised edition of this highly practical guide to creating and using multi-sensory environments is packed full of ideas for low-cost, easy-to-assemble multi-sensory environments suitable for children of varying ages and abilities. Each creative learning environment is designed to be constructed in a classroom or school hall, encouraging creative thinking and learning, and the development of social and emotional skills. Each environment idea is accompanied by suggestions for use for children with special educational needs.
Key features of the revised edition include:
- Ideas for creating sensory experiences that stimulate all the sensory channels – auditory, visual, kinaesthetic, olfactory and gustatory
- Suggestions for extension or differentiation depending on student capability or time available
- A summary of the theory and background to multi-sensory learning, to allow you to adapt the suggested scenarios according to the needs of individual learners
Although these activities will be of particular value for children with special educational needs or sensory impairments, they are more broadly designed to provide stimulating learning environments, as promoted in the themes and principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance. This is an invaluable resource for teachers and other professionals in education.
Table of Contents
Foreword: Lorraine Petersen, CEO of nasen Acknowledgements Introduction How to use this book Creating a non-judgemental space for learning Use of terminology and acronyms SECTION ONE: Getting started Structures for creating spaces Fixed points around the classroom Pulley system Hooks at the entrance Creating height Defining the space Circle of corrugated card Circle of poles Cover the furniture and walls Circle of carpet squares Entrances Doorways Tunnels Passageways Gazebos SECTION TWO: Environments and activities Part 1: Rooms within rooms 1 Musical Forest 2 Storytelling Sari Tent 3 Undersea World 4 Rainforest Jungle 5 Clothes Rail Screens 6 Laundry Part 2: Newsprint 7 Snowfield 8 Projection Screen 9 Snowballs 10 Floor Covering 11 Pile of Paper Part 3: Card and cardboard 12 Trenches of World War I 13 Snow Queen’s Castle 14 Sea Cave 15 Home on the Street Part 4: Other . . . 16 Umbrella Canopy and Umbrella Tent 17 Rotary Washing Line 18 Garden Pond 19 Bomb Site – World War II 20 Woodland Floor 21 Herb Garden 22 Circle of Straw Bales 23 Border Crossing SECTION THREE: Appendices The author Index
Author(s)
Biography
Christopher Davies has been artistic director of Bamboozle since he co-founded it with Sue Pyecroft in 1994. He was a primary school teacher for 13 years before becoming a drama advisory teacher where he ran courses for teachers, worked in special schools, set up youth theatres for learning disabled students and developed the thinking that has become the pedagogy underpinning the Bamboozle Approach. He has run INSET courses, delivered workshops and given seminars nationally and internationally for organisations including: The National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, Sydney Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne, Hakawy Festival (Cairo), Shanghai Children’s Art Theatre, New York University, Assitej World Congress (Malmö) and Singapore Arts Council. As a director he has created work for the London and Edinburgh Fringe and toured internationally.
Reviews
‘This book will offer a whole new world of sensory experience for all students. The author, Christopher Davies, fully appreciates the time demands on school staff. His instructions are meticulous and detailed – offering total solutions for busy teachers to create stimulating learning environments. Be prepared to be "wowed".’
Lorraine Petersen, CEO of nasen
‘As an experienced teacher still working in the classroom after twenty years I know I will use this book.’
John Naylor, Advanced Skills Teacher, Yeoman Park School
‘This book provides a treasure chest of ways to motivate and engage children and the adults working with them. It is accessible to anyone and with a minimum of resources can be used to create memorable learning environments and magical moments. Be prepared to be inspired and re-energised!’
Isobel Dearman, Deputy Headteacher, Hillcrest School