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Karen Park from Buffalo, Illinois shares Money Management Ideas...

• Independent money management is a great challenge for mentally impaired individuals. Including software programs in the curriculum is a great resource to enable students to work at their ability level and pace. I use Attainment Company's Dollars and Cents software program. This program is a talking, self-correcting program, which gives students practice in money recognition, cash equivalents, and adding up change.
  
  
• Non readers can prepare personalized shopping lists with Attainment Company's Picture Cue Dictionary software. Talking pictures help the students identify grocery store vocabulary which enables students to prepare own list independently after practice with word lists. ALSO, a picture shopping list can be printed to take to the store!
  
  
• Students can take a Coin-U-Lator (a money calculator from Attainment) to the store with them, which aids independent shopping skills in the community. The Coin-U-Lator can be used to enable students to count given amount of money, identify how much change should be returned, and if the change returned in correct.

To receive more information about Attainment call 1-800-327-4269 or check out their website.

More Classroom Strategies:

• Students can use Mayer Johnson Boardmaker symbols as a daily schedule. Each hour was represented by a picture. This allowed students to independently follow their schedule in a personal binder, which they call "their planner." This planner also helps students with changes in their daily schedule... these include: shortened days, fire drills, substitute teachers and special events.
  
  
• When preparing for tests give the student a simplified "STUDY GUIDE" that the student will be able to use effectively when studying or preparing for a test...
  
  
• When giving directions to a student, give only 1 or 2 directions at a time.
  
  
• Have a "Study Area" in the classroom. This area could be used for children that need extra help or a "stimuli-reduced" environment. Let ALL students have access to this area!
  
  
• Determine a way to relate new information to "Real Life..." It will give the student a purpose to learn the information. This may also make learning fun for all students.
  
  
• Tape record the story, lecture, study session etc. that the student participated in and let them bring it home to study at home. This will also help with parent participation.