Communication Friendly Environments

general election

If you need to register to vote to get onto the elector role please use this link Register to vote – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

how to vote in a general election

General election info

Choosing a Government

GE Dictionary

School Observations Communication Friendly

stress response questionnaire

slavery

types of questions

four types of sentences

four types of sentences with examples

Atmosphere

Genre Drama

Music notes and info

Genre Music

The Orchestra

trigonometry

Note-taking can be difficult for lots. We will be creating more resources to link in with this.

planning notetaking

Discursive essay

We are collating resources on tenses that can be used to help navigate the english language a little clearer!!

tenses

We have all experienced that feeling of a crash after something exciting happening. It can be difficult to reconcile the drastic change in emotions and this can be confusing. It is important to explore these emotions and valid them.

Excitement Hangover

stressometer

We use this as part of our programme on developing understanding of communication. It is NOT used as a means of showing someone the ‘correct’ way to communicate but rather to increase the understanding for all.

body language

communication

Visuals

Feb to June

We will be adding to this over the next few weeks.

maths language plus and minus

Maths Language addition and subtraction

things I am worried about

anxiety

This is one that we have been working on for quite a while (and will no doubt edit and improve it as time goes on) but we have created this to help explain the different levels of friendship. This ties in with many of our friendship resources you will find by using the search box. As ever, we will be adding to this resource with more in the upcoming weeks.

Friendship Ladder

Hi Everyone!

As you may have seen from our Social Media pages, we are offering FREE training sessions to NQTs/RQTs (newly qualified teachers/recently qualified teachers) who have been unable to get long term employment due to the staffing situation that is affecting teachers across Scotland. We understand how out of the loop you may be feeling and how difficult it is to apply for jobs when you are limited in training opportunities. It really is a very difficult position for you all and we empathise. We really do hope that you are able to stick with it because it really is an incredible career with incredible young people!

We are asking that our wider community do NOT book a place on these courses. They will be offered at a later date but our priority just now is those who are NOT in long term employment to give them a more equal footing with those who have been fortunate in gaining long term employment.

We are limited in the number we can take on each session. All sessions will be online via Zoom.

Please use the comments below so that we can send the links to those teachers who wish to attend. In the comments please specify the Title and Date of Training Course you wish to attend.

Take care,

Frances, Moya and Lynne

Our first training session will be on Using Visuals from the Primary Perspective (including ASN) on the 7th of September starting around 8pm. Please note this is only available for NQTs/RQTs in Scotland.

Calendar 2023

Please note we have included two examples for October as it has too many weeks so please choose the one which works best for your environment!

Saying ‘no’

neurodiversity

Transition Booklet Updated 2023

Please click the above link for the editable version of our Transition Booklet. It has been slightly modified from previous years based on feedback. Please feel free to use the pages that suit your establishment. As ever, the condition of using our resources is that the footer must be kept.

hypo hyper sensitive

Sensory and Strategies

report or telling tales

should I report it.pub

guilt

Perfectionism

Measurements

Volume with evidence

sleep hygiene

Mum is having a new baby

This visual explanation can be personalised by writing in the answers and cutting into strips. Remove the strip that isn’t relevant.

Learned Helplessness

discrimination

Sources

Cell

Cells 1

Microscope Labels

Experiment Instructions

Type of microbe

Ecosystems

Food chain and Food Web

Perimeter

Line graph

English what does it mean and example

what is tone

Sentence Structure

in your own words

Teaching Distance, Speed and Time requires the learner to be able to remember the formulas. Many use the visual of a triangle. But for some learners they may remember a triangle but forget how to use the triangle. We have created a visual to support this. There are also visualised examples of distance, speed and time questions.

When using these resources with some learners, we cut them into sections to avoid overloading them, For other learners we would only use the first page and for others we would use them all. As always our visuals are intended to be used in the way best suited to the individual.

Distance Speed Time with examples

Studying can be tricky. It is difficult to learn to study and some people need to be actively taught how to study. Giving someone the chance to explore and experiment allows them the chance to find a way that works best for them.

studying

electricity rules science

Science light topic

science light topic 2

Talk to me or not lanyard

toilet reminders

PE changing

incident report visual

how my week or day is going faces

Secondary Days

how my week or day is going draw primary nursery

how my week or day is going

Secondary Days

how my week or day is going face primary and nursery

Breaking learning down into smaller chunks can make it feel less overwhelming and more achievable. Using a visual reminder of keeping safe means focusing on positive targets. By writing up the task for the period and the steps to achieve it again reduces anxiety and gives a clear path to success.

Class target sheet

Science Target sheet

Home Economics Target Sheet

Technical target sheet

We are developing visuals for light topics in Science.

science colour filters

Huge thanks to everyone!

Over the next few months, we are creating a visual pack to support the development of understanding senses and how this may impact on an us.

senses

All about the senses

Using visuals to explain anything, allows the explanation to be more inclusive and is more likely to be understood. Visuals should not be used to patronise but should be used to allow a clearer understanding.

Sometimes the understanding of visuals is that they are only for those who do not speak, or cannot read. This is not the case. Visuals are to support understanding. This means it may be appropriate to use more complex words. Visuals are processed faster in most brains than the written or verbal word- which is why so many road signs are visual. This is how we adapt communication to suit all. By having the written word alongside the visual picture.

movement breaks

what is a cough

It can be difficult to recognise when someone is trying to be a friend and when someone is just trying to take advantage of us. This is very complicated and needs to be specifically taught to many. It is important to never assume that someone is able to recognise the difference.

Laughing at me or with me

Our thoughts are with the royal family as they come to terms with the loss of Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth II

what has changed now the queen has died.

We try hard to encourage young people to be kind and respectful towards others. For some young people, we also need to actively teach them that they will not like everyone they meet, and support them in developing the skills and strategies they need to cope with this as they get older. It is okay for someone to dislike another person but it is not okay for them to be disrespectful. We rightly try to encourage friendships, but it is just as important to teach how to manage not being friends with someone but still being respectful of them.

Equally, it is important to recognise that not everyone will like us. That doesn’t mean we should change who we are.

someone doesnt like me

let me tell you about me

For many people anxiety looks like panic, but for others they appear calm and happy while internalising their panic. Due to this, anxiety means that the brain is having to work harder to process and executive functioning issues can occur (use the search button on our blog to find out more resources about this.) This means when anxiety sets in, people need more support. Sometimes this can look like a day off work/school to help reset the brain. Sometimes it can look like setting out someone’s clothes for them or putting toothpaste on their toothbrush for them. Sometimes it can be sitting with someone in silence to allow them to process internally or talk.

Every one of us reacts differently and there is no one way to relieve anxiety, but sometimes it is okay to say “This is a hard time for you. I am here.”

Anxiety looks different

getting dressed for school

home routine symbols and timetable

You can also get our Morning Routine board and symbols by clicking the link below.

We would cut the symbols and add them to the board with blu tak or velcro so the board would be interactive and changeable as required. For some people, once the task is complete, it is important to remove it from the board so as to avoid overload.

For visual supports with brushing teeth, washing hair, chores etc, please use the search button at the side of the blog.

Morning Routine Updated | Communication Friendly Environments (glowscotland.org.uk)

How will I get home.pub

For many young people, how they are getting home can cause great distress. Using a calendar that has visuals to show how they will be returning home can help to ease this anxiety.

Morning routine

We have a few examples of morning routines. We have included one for our older pupils that can be used at home to promote independence and support issues with executive functioning.

We’re back!!

Ready to learn

We have been trying to visualise our schools. It is hugely important to ensure visuals are consistent in schools. Here are some of the ones we have made for our schools.

getting ready to learn

Homework is due

what i will need

who is the teacher

This resource is used to show pupils and staff who is in the room and the subject they are teaching.

where are my class

Sometimes classes need to get covered and go to a different room. Putting this outside the original class means pupils and staff can quickly find their class.

voice volume

knife safety

When cooking in school, some safety rules are needed.

home ec prep

If you know, you know…

Horse stance

So excited to be working with young people on the benefits of CWT.

cold water what i will need

feeling let down

adults let us down

common adjectives

These are school based support strategies.

support strategies

support strategies 1

relationship

setting boundaries

setting boundaries example

boundaries

Using this resource allows people to set their own boundaries for different types of relationship. This can be personalised by drawing or writing in their own boundaries.

seeking attention and shared experience

similar interests

Strangers

energy levels

We have been looking at the Spoon Theory recently. Please see below for more information on this.

But You Dont Look Sick? support for those with invisible illness or chronic illness The Spoon Theory Archives – But You Dont Look Sick? support for those with invisible illness or chronic illness

LFTs

This is based on information from the Scottish Government website and can be found here.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister’s statement – 5 January 2022 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot) (last viewed 6/1/22)

This is not our information, we have only visualised the information. If you have questions regarding the rules please contact your elected officials.

Changes to Self Isolation Jan 2022

Here is our calendar for 2022. Only 6 days late, I mean that is impressive!!!

2022 Calendar

reindeer food

These resources were created for a very dear friend who began to lose his ability to verbally communicate towards the end of his young life.

There are numerous reasons people use visuals at different stages of their life.

This resources we add remembering our very very dear friend who is sadly missed.

Communication Matters Always

COP 26

weather climate difference

Environment

Deforestation

nov dec 2021

Reasonable adjustments are what we change in order to become more equitable or just. This may be something like building a ramp into a building to make it more accessible or it could be something providing access to ear defenders when there is a planned fire alarm. By giving young people the opportunity to work out what they need, allows them opportunities to advocate for themselves as they get older.

reasonable adjustments

We use this in class and pupils circle what they need in order for them to be able to access and take part in the learning activities.

We use this one to support pupils when they are unable to verbally express themselves. These are cut into cards and put onto a key ring. The pupil then sits this on their desk with the card facing up, when they have something to communicate.

As we get older, we recognise the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. For some people, this comes easily, for others a lot of work needs to be done to recognise this.

Over the next few weeks, we will be adding more resources to look at friendships and how to get the best out of a relationship, give the best to a relationship and move on when a relationship ends.

friendships healthy and unhealthy

Making Friends Questionnaire

October is Celebrating ADHD Month. We will be updating this blog page with more resources over the next couple of weeks.

ADHD true or false

Sometimes it can be tricky to explain the impact we have on someone else. When explaining bullying, this can be even more challenging.

bullying

These resources can be used to further develop a young person’s autonomy when planning their targets. We use then to develop a more structured conversation and to reduce anxieties. Using this allows young people to develop their own voice and the skills they need to advocate for themselves as they get older.

targets

Using visual can be a great way o find out more about a person. It can be a great starting point for communication and can be used to strengthen relationships.

Getting to know me

How often do we give good advice to others but would never follow the same advice for ourselves? Why do we hold ourselves to a higher standard than we hold others? There are so many of our young people with high anxiety because they are holding themselves to an impossible standard. By supporting them in positive self talk, this helps them to build resilience and good mental health strategies.  Sometimes the most toxic relationship is the one we have with ourselves.

self talk

Apologies! We have been unable to add to our blog recently. That doesn’t mean we have stopped creating. In this blog we are including all of our most recent resources.

Looks different for different people

Secondary school times NLC

can i use my phone here

shanarri

create an inclusive classroom

how we stay safe

End of year review

We will continue to update this resource.

drama work folder

coping with death

hormones

Looking at labelling the body. This is something we will be adding to over the coming months.

Body labels

homophone

homophone domino

homophone dominoes

sections of the orchestra

Exams

Timetable match

We use this to support memorising the time each period starts. Please note times may differ in different schools.

fire drill

Address and dob

What coins make…

UK coins

Working with smaller values- Not all pictures are uploaded so click the PDF link (blue underlined) for the full pack.

I can identify different ways to make up to 10p

This pack can be used with real coins.

I can identify coins updated

This resource we print and laminate. At the end of the booklet there are pages with duplicates that can be attached via velcro or blu tak for repeated use.

This could be used as part of a bigger discussion or lesson on consent.

Consent

As a society, we are becoming more aware of the importance of recognising feelings and emotions. It is crucial we support our young people in their understanding of this.

It is okay to feel angry.  It is okay to feel sad. It is okay to feel tired. It is okay to feel cranky. By focusing on feelings and emotions as positive and negative, it encourages us to push down ‘negative feelings’. This can cause problems later in life. It is okay to laugh and it is okay to cry. By exploring emotions and feelings, allows us to develop emotional maturity which improves mental wellbeing.

Feelings are okay

Most people now accept that all behaviour is communication. When looking at responses to stress, it is important to recognises that our interpretation of behaviour is not always accurate. This is by no means a complete list, but it gives us another building block to support development of understanding.

Fight flight freeze comply responses

fight flight freeze comply

Based on GIRFEC wellbeing resources, we have created a visualised My World Triangle. See the Scottish Government website for more details. ( https://www.gov.scot/publications/shanarri/ )

My world triangle

Understanding how executive functioning can impact us differently allows us opportunities to develop our own understanding and empathy of others. By recognising that executive functioning can result in positive and negative outcomes, allows us to better understand and support one another.

executive functioning

Executive functioning home school society

Easter Holidays

Easter hols nursery

easter hols 2