I find that students are often able to stay focused longer when they know what is coming next. With one particular student I have been working with this summer, I have specific learning goals to work on and no curriculum, so the activities listed are the ones I am working on. This type of anticipation in calendar is similar to object calendars where students are able to see what will happen next and indicate when something is finished.
The Velcro strip above the schedule has the activities that will not be done today. The “first” and “then” sections are self explanatory. The bottom strip is the “finish line”. As I am to work with this student (kindergarten) for an hour and a half, I’ve embedded a snack time and free time towards the end of the lesson. I had tried it earlier in the lesson, but the student was unable to regain their focus to finish the tasks, so I moved the two to the end of the lesson. This schedule includes activities such as track, read, write, and break & snack.
A timer is also used to aid in the length of time for each activity. Being able to predict what is next and the time on each activity has helped to reduce negative behaviors. Embedding in a snack and free time (student chooses activity) have also aided in producing positive results.
