Dollar Tree Idea #1

Today I'm sharing a quick and easy idea using this foam puzzle from Dollar Tree. Just glancing at it, I see at least 3 of the most obvious ways we can use this in a session:

1) Identifying transportation icons

2) Identifying colors

3) Fine motor manipulation

With a little more thinking, I can also see 2 additional ways to use this puzzle:

4) Counting the pieces

5) Requesting

And of course, practically anything can be...

6) A fun choice activity!

I'm going to focus on the first idea from the above list, identifying transportation icons. It's true, this puzzle isn't going to win any awards for detail, but the general shape of each icon is recognizable.  Especially for students who have complex voice devices with lots of submenus, this puzzle will provide a fun way to practice accessing menus specific to transportation and/or vehicles. If you'd like, you could use a black sharpie to add some general details, like windows and wheels. (If you make a mistake, no worries, use some nail polish remover to quickly wipe off the sharpie.)

And what about the music? The most important ingredient! I used a simple song that I use frequently for object identification or vocabulary goals, What Do You See?

I pull all the pieces out of the puzzle, then present one at a time to the student while singing the above prompt. They then respond on their device or with their voice, "I see x." I assist or model as necessary.  After they've identified it, we can place the piece into the puzzle until it's completed!  Prompts include repeating the first or third-fourth measures, or beginning the sentence for them, "I see..." sung on mi-re (or a-g in the key seen here), holding the re as a leading tone to encourage a response.