In the preschool classrooms at St. Ben's, various strategies are used throughout the day to facilitate the participation of all students. Many of the children experience some type of communication difficulty. Some do not speak English or speak English as a second language. Visual cues are used to help all children learn new information, follow the daily schedule and to communicate. Each adult who works in the classroom uses paper and a black marker to make simple drawings to illustrate concepts or instructions. The drawings are accompanied by the adult verbally telling the "story" starting with "I" (the speakers perspective) and utilizing questioning to elicit responses from the children.

Daily Schedule
The daily classroom schedule is depicted in line drawings and posted where the children can see it. The children look at the schedule or the teachers cue the children to look at the schedule during transition times. The posted schedule offers a concrete way to address alterations in the daily routine. Drawings can be rearranged, taken away or added, to show the changes as they are talked about with the children.

Calendar
Special events or activities are drawn on the calendar. Future events, such as field trips are put on the calendar prior to the event so that the children can prepare.

Key Areas and Centers Circle Time Center Table Time Center (Art and Water Table Center) Book Center Block Center Puzzle Center Housekeeping/Dramatic Play Center Fisher Price Center Computer Center

Daily Schedule 7:00 - 8:30: free play in all centers 8:30 - 8:45: morning circle 8:45 - 9:00: breakfast and brushing teeth 9:00 - 9:30: circle time and stories 9:30 - 10:00: table time and centers 10:00 - 10:45: recess 10:45 - 11:00: circle time and songs or games 11:00 - 11:30: centers and dramatic play 11:30 - 12:00: lunch 12:00 - 2:30: naptime 2:30 - 3:00: snack time 3:00 - 5:00: centers, recess, and parent pick up