
Finding age-respectful books for older, emergent AAC users can be tough. It is important to provide engaging content with topics readers enjoy while giving them as much independent access to books as possible. Join us to see how your emergent AAC reader can interact and communicate with free, digital books on Monarch Reader™ by Building Wings™. Not only will you learn how to search for titles among thousands of free options on the Monarch Reader website, but you’ll also discover how to customize the reading experience for everyone by using the features built into the platform. Ways to transform your AAC literacy intervention even further will be shared as you see how easy it is for individuals using PRC-Saltillo® speech-generating devices or apps to open a book from the Monarch Reader website directly on their device. Using the speech-generating device, the AAC user can independently interact with the book using the same access method used to communicate. Did you know that there are over 70 books on Monarch Reader that have been written specifically to connect to the content of the AAC Literacy Planners over the years? Combine all of this with the research-based interventions strategies we’ll share to transform your literacy instruction. Reading books from Monarch Reader on their PRC-Saltillo speech-generating device will immerse your AAC readers into a magical word of independence and wonder.
This session is designed for educators, paraprofessionals, speech-language pathologists, parents, reading specialists, and anyone who wants to support beginning readers who are older, emergent AAC learners.
Learner Outcomes:
Participants will be able to:
- Describe at least two benefits of reading online books on the Monarch Reader website for emergent learners using AAC.
- Explain how the settings in Monarch Reader can be modified to meet the individual needs of learners.
- Discuss options for reading Monarch Reader books on three different PRC-Saltillo speech-generating devices.
- Plan at least one reading intervention for the AAC reader using research-based strategies.
Agenda:
5 minutes - Introductions
20 minutes - Explore Monarch Reader
15 minutes - Read books written for the AAC Literacy Planners on PRC-Saltillo devices and apps
15 minutes - Provide AAC literacy interventions using various research-based strategies
5 minutes - Summary and Questions
Instructor:
Allison Dennis, Ph.D. is a Curriculum Development Manager at Building Wings. Allison is a former high school special education teacher who received her doctorate from the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies at The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Allison is an author, a product developer, and leader in the field of literacy and disability.
Please note the following details regarding this course:
- You must register for this course using your own AACLJ account.
- All attendees will have the opportunity to download a Certificate of Attendance/Completion, depending on the class.
- ASHA CEU and certificate eligibility require complete live attendance.
- Certificates will be available to participants with verified attendance within a 2-week processing period.
If this is an online training:
- Please check that your Zoom software is up to date prior to the course start time.
- Pop-up blockers can prevent the join button from working properly. Disable any pop-up blockers or allow an exception for AAC Learning Journey.
- Chrome, Firefox, or Edge are the recommended browsers.
Click here for instructor bio and disclosures
