Elementary Peer to Peer Support Goal

Enhance the Elementary Proposal to Increase the Implementation of

Elementary Peer to Peer Support Programs Beyond Lunch and Recess

Elementary Break SessionAfternoon of the 1st Day

• Proposal Primary Focus of Group• Present the Elementary Proposal to small

groups or individuals – Familiarize• Increase Implementation Options

Example of a Student with ASD Integrated ½ Day 4th Grade

Example of 1st Grade Student with ASD Integrated Full Day

Increase Implementation Options

• Elementary Students with ASD Providing Own Sensitivity Awareness to the Classroom they are Attending

• Laurie Potie – Shepherd Community Schools

Brainstorm

• How does this fit into proposal?• Will people need more information to

implement?• Who helps student with ASD Create

Power Point?• Next Steps?

Increase Implementation Options

• General Education Teacher Implementing Peer to Peer Support Program in General Education Classroom

• Lisa Carruthers – Troy Schools

Proud to be a…LEOPARD LINK!

Our journey began with a SMILE!We ventured through the school year

with some highs and lows.

We tackled each week TOGETHER knowing

we are “linked”.

Lisa Carruthers 3rd Grade (former 5th grade teacher) Leonard Elementary School Troy, MI

The Power Of OneOne song can spark a moment, One whisper can wake the dream.One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship, One moment can make one fall in love.One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal

One vote can change a nation, One sunbeam lights a roomOne candle wipes out darkness, One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey.One word must start each prayer.One hope will raise our spirits, One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom, One heart can know what's true, One life can make a difference, You see, it's up to you!

Ashish Ram

Very early in this journey We were

reminded of the Power of One all

over again!

Our Story…• 29 third grade students with

various needs that include:– English Language Learners (5) – 2 of

which are new to the country– Reading Support (6)– Support Services such as

occupational therapy, teacher consultant, social work, etc. (4)

– ASD (1)

• District offered ASD training with Maureen Ziegler and my principal asked if I was willing to go.

• Shared what I learned with child’s parents.

• Hold on to your seats!

• Training• Shared with staff• Helping my little guy as he progressed through the grades was a pivotal point for me and pursued further training in the Peer to Peer program• Attended a 2 day Peer to Peer training with START!• Came up with a plan to implement at an elementary level with the assistance and approval of child’s parents, Special Education Department, and district.

T.E.A.M. TimeTogether Everyone Achieves More

• We started small – focused on ONE– Powerpoint presentation led by Peer (parent present)– Pamphlet was given to students to share at home– 27 out of 29 students signed up to be a LINK– PEER and LINK responsibilities created by ALL stakeholders– Names of Links for the first week were shared

• Check-in– Daily or as needed– Weekly during TEAM Time

– All students take notes to reflect on week (individually) in written form in writer’s notebooks

– Complete debrief sheet (Celebrations, Problems, Solutions) together through Link/Peer discussion (Friends share their thinking when appropriate)

– Send copy of debrief sheet home with Peer and Link to share with parents– Friends take notes during process in preparation for their Link time or in reflection

– Responsibilities for PEER and LINK are on desks (visual reminder for Peer, Link, and Teacher)

• Reset– New week = 2 new Links with one carry over from week

prior– Revisit goals/reflections from debrief of week prior to

start current week’s debrief– Review confidentiality and respect of personal situations Our vision for

creating a classroom of LINKS is to

promote a learning environment that understands the strengths of its members and

provides support to everyone, including

the teacher!We may start with ONE, however our

“ripple” will reach far beyond our third grade classroom!

Tips to remember:Keep it simpleKeep it do-ableKeep it REAL!

LINKTHINK

TANK

BE the Power of…

…like being a fish out of water!

remembering to breathe!

feeling like WE could do anything?

falling in love over and over, and over again!

Through this process experiences may include…

what a Link is really about!reflecting, learning, and THINKing about life through a new lens!

the gamut of emotions…

Most of all…

…MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Brainstorm

• How to get General Education Teacher Buy In

• How to keep it simple, real, doable• How does this fit into proposal?• Will people need more information to

implement?• Next Steps?

Increase Implementation Options

• Cross Aged Peers Supporting Students with ASD in both General Education and ASD Classroom

• Erin Gauthier – Martin Schools - Allegan ESA

Cross age LINKS - Scheduling• DON’T OVER THINK IT!!!

• If a LINK doesn’t work out, we can move them later

• Everyone deserves a chance

• Figure out who needs the support and start there

Cross age Peers finally start in January

• 2 day training – Used START Materials and Classroom specific examples to

show an overview

• 37 Middle School/High School LINKS

• Syllabus– Used STARTS generic outline and modified for our program

• Expectations– Attendance is important!

• BE A FRIEND!

Middle School High School LINKS

• Earn credit for the course

• Learn about Autism– 1 Lecture class a month and 1 case conference a

month (for this year)

• Develop a friendship

• Mentor same age peers

Lectures - Autisminternetmodules.com

Mentoring Same Age Peers• Teaching the same age peers how to help out

their friend

– Teaching them to play a new game at recess

– Friendly reminders to stay quiet

– Social cues – “we don’t kiss at school”

– Showing them how to help in specific situations

Develop Friendships

Increased Engagement

Brainstorm

• Benefits of Cross-Aged Peers• Where do you find Cross-Aged Peers• This is in the proposal, do we need to

make changes to the proposal?• Will people need more information to

implement?• Next Steps?

Increase Implementation Options

• Books About Students with ASD• Lanyards and Badges for Elementary

Students

• Laurie Potie – Shepherd Community Schools

All about me!

Hi! My name is Amara.

I have a very special story to read to you. It is ALL ABOUT ME and

something called Autism.38

This is my family. My mom, my step-dad, my little sister Layla and me.

39

This is my Uncle David and Aunt Katie.

40

This is my grandma and grandpa.

41

I also have a dog named Rex. He is a blue heeler.

I love my family very much and I know they love me too.

42

I like a lot of things but the really special things are:

43

That’s not all. I also love:

I bet some of you like that stuff too.44

Something else about me is I have something called Autism Spectrum Disorder.

45

That is a really long way to say my brain developed differently.

You can’t see my brain so it is hard to understand what that means. I will try to explain it.

46

Kind of like some kids are born with allergies or asthma.

I was born with Autism. The doctor’s don’t know what causes Autism but they do know it is not anyone’s fault that I have Autism,

it just happens.

47

Some things are harder for me than they are for other kids. Loud noises seem even louder to me and I don’t always

like to be touched. This is because my eyes, ears, nose, skin, and mouth are

more sensitive than other kids.

48

I have a hard time understanding the social stuff at school. Like my voice is louder than it should be sometimes. I

don’t always know when it is OK to make noises and when I need to be

quiet.

49

I really like school but some things about school are hard for me so I have an adult to help me

during the day, her name is Cheryl.

Cheryl is with me when I get to school until the end of the school day.

50

I leave the classroom sometimes and go see other teachers. Mrs. B is one of my teachers.

Mrs. B helps me with Math and Reading.

51

This is Mrs. Moeggenberg, she is my Speech teacher.

She helps me learn how to make sounds and understand what others are saying to me. Sometimes I have a hard time communicating so I will use my hands instead of my words. I don’t mean to hurt you and I am trying hard to use my words to say what I need.

52

This is Mrs. Stempky, she is my Occupational Therapist.

Mrs. Stempky helps me practice writing, coloring, cutting, and drawing.

53

When things are hard for me at school I sometimes need to take a break. When I take a break I might go get my blanket and go to the

back of the room. Once I feel more relaxed I will come back and be with the kids.

54

Sometimes when I am upset at school I go to a place called Time Away.

Time away is a small room just down the hall where I can calm down and then come back to the classroom.

55

If I get REALLY upset at school, adults have to hold me tight.

When adults hold me tight it feels like a BIG HUG. I am OK when adults hold me

tight and after a few minutes I feel better.

56

These things are different because of my Autism. We are all different and that makes life fun!

I know these things are different about me. Sometimes I scribble when I color. Sometimes I have trouble sitting on the

rug. Sometimes I have putty or balls in my hands. These are called “fidgets”.

57

Please remember that I like school and friends and want to play with kids. Please include me when

you are playing and ask me to do fun things.

58

I will always have Autism but that is just one part of me and it is getting easier for me every day.

Thanks for listening to my story and if you have any questions, please ask!

59

Brainstorm

• How does this fit into proposal?• Will people need more information to

implement?• Who Creates the Book about the

Student with ASD• Who Creates the Lanyards and Badges

for Peer to Peer Support Students• Next Steps?

Other Ideas

List in Order of Importance Additions to the Current Proposal

Thank You for Taking Elementary Peer to Peer Support…

Beyond Lunch and Recess