2nd Edition

Creating Multi-sensory Environments Practical Ideas for Teaching and Learning

By Christopher Davies Copyright 2020
    162 Pages 29 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    162 Pages 29 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    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.

    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

    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.

    ‘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