Level 2: Receptive Language

An important concept for our learners to understand is the concept of sequencing. We want our students to understand the words first, next, and last. Think about what we talked about yesterday with multi-step directions? Those sequencing words are extremely important! Think about how often we talk about our schedules and order of activities with our kiddos. We tell them, “First we are doing math, next reading, and last art.” If they don’t know what those first, next, and last concepts mean that statement is meaningless to them.

Sequencing is a great skill to work on with your verbal or nonverbal students. You can work on sequencing using text or visuals. There are so many options. It is essential to include within your curricular plan for students who have not mastered this skill!

Tips & Tricks:

• Start with simple and commonly known activities. Begin with two or three step sequences before getting more advanced. Many school supply retailers sell sequencing cards for specific amount of steps. Stick to the more basic ones first. We love this 3-Scene Sequencing Card Set from Lakeshore Learning and this Learning to Sequence 3 Scene Set. 

• Use visuals before working on this concept within a text.

• Nail down that language. Our Sequencing File Folder Set is one of my favs. It starts very simple and has an entire activity just to work on What’s Next? Breaking it down like this for our kiddos who are really struggling with this concept is key!

• Scale back and work on seriation. Seriation is a crazy word from the good ole’ ABLLS. It means sorting in logical order and for some of our learners is a great place to start in regarding to sequencing. It’s more concrete than some of the picture sequencing we have talked about and will give them a chance to feel successful. Learn more about seriation here and snag the data sheets here.