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By Dr. Jackie Walker, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Rivermont Schools  

Creating a Special Education Literacy Calendar can be a transformative tool for educators, particularly in special education settings where literacy learning often requires customized, multi-sensory approaches to keep students engaged. Rivermont Schools' October 2023 Literacy Calendar is a great example resource that does just that by integrating daily themes that celebrate unique interests and offer engaging activities. The calendar is more than a schedule; it is a carefully curated resource that aligns national observances with literacy goals, giving special education teachers a dynamic way to spark learning and connection.

Why a Special Education Literacy Calendar?

The scarcity of literacy resources tailored specifically for special education can be a challenge. A specialized literacy calendar is a practical solution that bridges this gap, offering educators a structure they can rely on while adjusting activities to their students' needs. The Rivermont Schools' literacy calendar takes this a step further by creating a framework that teachers can use daily, helping them focus on easily and conveniently adapting lessons for individual learning styles.

A special education literacy calendar also helps to build consistency. Many students in special education programs benefit from routines, and having a daily theme provides a sense of stability. With the added benefit of pre-selected video resources, teachers can spend less time searching for suitable content and more time personalizing the material for maximum impact.

Key Features of Rivermont Schools' October Literacy Calendar

Rivermont Schools’ Literacy Calendar leverage's monthly themes that add seasonal excitement to classroom learning. Here’s a closer look at what each feature in our October calendar brings to the table:

Daily Themes and National Observances: Each day of October is tied to a national observance or quirky holiday, creating a sense of fun and novelty. For example, National Techies Day on October 3rd can introduce students to technology vocabulary, while National Hero Day on October 8th can be an opportunity to explore literacy through stories of real or fictional heroes. These themes also offer relatable entry points into literacy for students with diverse interests, helping to keep reading sessions lively and varied.

Pre-Selected Video Resources: For every day’s theme, the calendar provides a link to an engaging video. These videos act as a multi-sensory tool, a key element in special education settings where visual and auditory learning often enhances retention. The choice of age-appropriate, interesting content supports educators in delivering lessons that cater to different sensory needs. For example, students might watch a clip about National Chocolate Cupcake Day on October 18, which could be followed by reading an engaging story about baking or discussing favorite desserts to encourage descriptive language skills.

Celebration of Diverse Interests: By incorporating diverse and sometimes quirky themes (like National Moldy Cheese Day on October 9), the calendar invites students into a world of unique topics that may spark their curiosity. This can be especially powerful in special education, where tapping into individual interests can significantly boost motivation and engagement. For example, on Reptile Awareness Day (October 21st), teachers might read a story about reptiles, watch a related video, and discuss animal characteristics, providing both literacy development and a mini-science lesson.

Promoting Social-Emotional Learning: Many days in the calendar can also be used to build social-emotional skills. Youth Confidence Day on October 20th and Make a Difference Day on October 22nd present ideal opportunities for teachers to introduce stories or discussions centered around self-esteem and empathy. For instance, watching a video on heroes could be followed by asking students to write or share about someone they admire, helping build narrative skills while nurturing emotional awareness.

Literacy Enrichment through Fun and Connection: October 31—Halloween—naturally encourages thematic activities that engage all senses and foster social bonding. Teachers might read a Halloween story, explore vocabulary related to the holiday, and encourage students to participate in a sensory-friendly activity like describing costumes or creating a Halloween word list. By tying literacy exercises to widely recognized celebrations, the calendar ensures that students associate reading with fun and community involvement.

Implementing a Literacy Calendar in Special Education Settings

Rivermont Schools' October Literacy Calendar demonstrates a flexible, accessible format that any special education classroom can adapt. Here are some tips for implementing a literacy calendar like Rivermont’s:

Incorporate Multi-Sensory Learning: Use videos, as the calendar suggests, to reinforce daily themes. Adding tactile elements like themed crafts or writing prompts related to each observance can deepen comprehension.

Allow for Student Choice: Offer students the option to select activities related to the daily theme that they are most interested in. For example, on National Dessert Day, students might choose between writing about their favorite dessert, reading a related story, or watching a brief video on baking.

Use the Calendar for Communication: A literacy calendar can also serve as a bridge between school and home. Teachers can share each day’s theme with families, encouraging them to explore similar literacy activities at home and reinforcing classroom learning.

Rivermont Schools' October Literacy Calendar illustrates how a thoughtfully designed resource can support literacy development in special education settings. By aligning daily themes with multi-sensory resources and recognizing the value of student interest, this calendar offers teachers a unique tool to make literacy both accessible and enjoyable. This approach not only meets the diverse needs of special education students but also builds a foundation where literacy becomes a celebration of learning every single day.

To learn more about how Rivermont Schools is enhancing literacy and engagement in special education, explore our Observation Program and see how we’re creating supportive, dynamic classroom experiences. Discover more here.