Lori Valiquette

In this one-session, 60-minute Tier 1 lesson, high school students with autism will explore four hands-on learning centers—Math, ELA, Independent Work, and Life Skills. Through structured rotations and clear visual supports, students will build academic and functional skills while practicing routines and transitions essential for success. Includes visuals and instructions tailored for an autistic-friendly classroom.

In this 30-minute, one-session lesson, 1st graders will practice spelling key summer vocabulary by cutting and pasting letter tiles into word puzzles. This hands-on activity reinforces letter recognition, fine motor skills, and summer-themed words in an engaging way.

In this 30-minute lesson, 1st graders will practice their vocabulary by completing cloze sentences—filling in the blanks with the correct words. This lesson builds reading comprehension, reinforces word meaning, and boosts confidence in writing. Perfect for Tier 1 whole-class instruction.

In this hands-on 30-minute lesson, high-school autistic ESY students become junior naturalists, using their senses to observe local flora and fauna. Students will sharpen observation skills, practice fine motor tasks, and express discoveries through drawings. Perfect for Tier 1 summer classes – 4 days a week.

This lesson introduces vocational task boxes designed for autistic students with low cognitive abilities at the high school level. These task boxes provide hands-on activities that help develop fine motor skills, task completion, and independence, which are crucial for everyday life and future vocational tasks. The lesson will be completed in one 30-minute session.

In this lesson, students will be introduced to the calming sounds of nature through a brief auditory experience. This will be followed by a reflection session where students discuss the feelings these sounds evoke. This lesson is important as it encourages mindfulness and enhances students' listening skills by focusing on subtle, serene noises, helping them to develop a sense of calm and awareness.

In this lesson, preschool students will engage in a guided storytelling session where they make choices for the characters. This activity emphasizes decision-making skills while fostering creativity and narrative understanding. It is important as it helps young learners develop critical thinking and creativity in a fun and interactive way.

In this lesson, students will work in pairs or small groups to collaboratively create a story. Each student will take turns adding sentences or characters, fostering teamwork, listening skills, and creative writing. This exercise is important as it encourages students to appreciate diverse ideas and styles, enhancing their ability to work collaboratively and think creatively.

This lesson plan uses 'The Polar Express' story to create a multi-sensory experience for special needs students aged 4-8. By incorporating elements of touch, sound, and scent, students will engage with the story in a way that enhances their sensory awareness and comprehension. This approach is important as it caters to diverse learning needs and helps students connect with the material on multiple levels, fostering a more inclusive and engaging learning environment.

In this lesson, students will paint stones with faces or symbols representing different emotions and share stories about those feelings. This visually engaging activity helps students express emotions and understand empathy in a fun, artistic way. By engaging in this creative process, students will develop emotional awareness and empathy, which are crucial skills for social interaction and personal growth.

This lesson introduces students to the basic principles of how magnets work through a hands-on project-based learning approach. Students will watch a video, engage in a simple magnet exploration activity, and complete a worksheet to reinforce their understanding. This lesson is designed to be engaging and accessible for students with ASD, including non-verbal learners, by using visual aids and tactile experiences to enhance learning.

In this lesson, students will explore the outdoors to observe the interconnectedness of ecosystems. By drawing parallels to human interactions, students will deepen their understanding of empathy and relatedness within the group. This lesson is important as it helps young students develop social-emotional skills by connecting with nature and each other.

In this engaging lesson, students will become 'Shape Detectives' as they explore their classroom to find and classify various shapes. This lesson is designed to enhance students' ability to recognize and categorize basic geometric shapes, fostering both cognitive and observational skills. By incorporating a fun detective theme, students will be motivated to participate actively and develop a keen eye for detail.

This lesson engages students in a sensory-rich science experience, exploring textures, sounds, and smells through various activities. It is designed to stimulate sensory processing and introduce basic scientific concepts in a fun and interactive way. This lesson is important as it helps students with autism develop sensory processing skills and introduces them to scientific exploration in an engaging manner.

In this lesson, students will engage in hands-on activities to explore the properties of water, such as making waves, observing water flow, and testing objects that sink or float. This lesson is designed to foster curiosity and understanding of basic scientific concepts through play and experimentation. By engaging in these activities, students will develop observational skills and a foundational understanding of scientific inquiry.

This lesson engages students in exploring various textures, smells, and sounds through science experiments. Students will learn about their senses while conducting different sensory-based scientific investigations. This lesson is important as it helps students with Autism develop sensory processing skills and enhances their understanding of the world through experiential learning.

In this lesson, students will dive into the history of apple sauce and its cultural significance while making the dish. They will learn about different apple varieties and historical cooking methods. This lesson is important as it combines historical knowledge with a practical cooking activity, making learning engaging and hands-on. Adjustments have been made to accommodate students with ASD and different levels of abilities.

In this lesson, students will explore the world of gardening and plant life through the adventures of Scarecrow Pete. They will learn about different types of plants and how to care for them. This lesson is important as it fosters an understanding of nature and responsibility in caring for living things.

In this lesson, students will learn to identify different types of leaves and understand their functions in nature. Using 'The Leaf Man' as a starting point, the lesson includes a hands-on leaf identification activity. This lesson is important as it helps students connect with nature and understand the diversity and roles of leaves in the ecosystem.

In this lesson, students will explore the different seasons and how they affect plant life by reading 'The Leaf Man.' They will create a seasonal chart and discuss how plants adapt to each season. This lesson is important as it helps students understand the cyclical nature of seasons and the resilience of plant life.