Tarheel Reader – Write Social Stories

Posted on by peachpearplumcafe

Tarheelreader.org is a website full of free, easy to read books that are accessible via computer, tablets, touch screens, IntelliKeys and switches.

The awesome thing about this site is that you can write your very own short stories.  You may upload your own images or use the large collection from flickr.

Another great thing about tarheelreader.org is the fact that you can save the books to your computer as well as print out books as a powerpoint.  This way it can be treated like a real book.

going to the library book 

The benefit of having the stories online makes reading a bit easier for those that cannot read.  You can pick from different types of voices, though all sound a bit robotic.  Most of the time I chose the male voice because my students with Autism respond better to a lower tone voice.

speech controls

I have used this site multiple times.  From the example video below (going to the library) to preparing my kids for the dentist.  It’s a great way to help with transition as well as learning new tasks (riding a bike, using the vacuum, etc).  It can also be about topics of interest, like the image below.tarheel book example

The biggest thing I love about this site, is the fact that you can create age appropriate books.  Meaning, books can be created for an adult with special needs that may be on a 1st grade reading level.  If you think about it, there aren’t many books available that discuss high school or adult related topics at lower reading levels.

Back when I taught adults with special needs at the high school level, an english teacher had her regular education students create books for my students.  She also had her students read/present the books to my students.  There were topics about dating, going to the movies, prom, etc.  It was one of the best service learning projects I have ever done with another teacher.   Now she had students type the words/sentences and used pictures from magazines glued to paper and laminated them.  How much better it would have been if we had know about this program back then.  I think it would have been more interactive and professional for both groups of students.

If this gets you interested you’ll need to follow the steps below: login infor

I hope you’ll take the time to try it out.  Check out my example video to help prepare and guide you for your future book making.  I apologize in advance for the blurry video taping.  I’m not as tech savvy as I’d like to be.

Thanks for taking the time to watch my how-to video.  I’ll be sharing more programs and apps like this one in the coming months.

Katie

https://tarheelreader.org

 

Potato and Lentil Soup

Posted on by peachpearplumcafe

I’ve been working on my future cafe menu, and I am doing my best to meet the needs of a wide range of people and their ‘diets.’  Many of my past students with special needs had and still have food allergies or sensitives to certain foods.  Reactions range from rashes to behavior challenges, so it’s important to me to make sure to have homemade options on the menu that are dairy free, no meat, etc. I have purchased multiple vegan baking books, recipe magazines, etc.  I tend to utilize many of these outlets but some how still tweak recipes to make them more my cup of tea.

This soup is purely vegetarian.  It’s made with fresh veggies and herbs and spices.  Don’t worry, I’ve included a few short cuts to help you during the process.

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Ingredients: (serves 8 to 10)

  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup sliced carrots
  • 1 small bag of Yukon gold potatoes chopped
  • 1 bag of lentils
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves of diced garlic
  • 6 oz can of tomato paste
  • 8 oz of chopped kale
  • 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
  • 8 cups veggie broth
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 2 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp coriander

Directions:

  1. Using a Crock-pot or large stove pot pour in the olive oil, garlic and diced yellow onion.  Let it heat up and cook for a little while until barely sauteed.
  2. Pour in the broth and tomato paste. Stir until well blended.
  3. Add in the celery, carrots, potatoes and lentils (make sure all veggies are washed and cleaned before adding to the soup).
  4. Sprinkle in the salt and pepper, paprika, coriander and ground cumin (to taste) and stir (let it come to a boil if using the stove top).  IMG-6032
  5. Add in the chopped kale and then cover.
  6. If you are using a crock-pot, cook on high for 6 to 8 hours.  If you are using the stove top, cook at medium high heat (low boil) for 3 to 5 hours (may need to go down to medium low heat once boiling).
  7. Make sure to stir occasionally and taste.  You may want to add more seasoning depending on your taste buds.

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Hope you enjoy this soup as much as I do.  It’s pleasing to the nose and the body.  Hoping to bring you more enjoyable dishes that benefit your health and is simple to make.

 

– Katie