Dirty Monkeys Steal Bananas

What does every good mnemonic device need to be remembered?... short, relatable, and a little silly! Enter in Dirty Monkeys Steal Bananas. I know it sounds weird, but my students crushed long division problems by the end of the unit after using this mnemonic device (and a lot of repeated practice) to help remember the correct order of operations.  
 
Dirty-Divide,  

Monkeys-Multiply,  
Steal-Subtract,  
Bananas-Bring Down. 

What's better is my students were actually excited to work on division problems because we got to say this silly sentence.

Video Modeling

Video modeling is a strategy I have used to help in teaching social and school rules to students with Autism and without Autism. This includes the use of video modeling or video social narratives. Different than typical social narratives, video narratives are digital and can included pictures and video clips of positive peer role models, the student, or can be taken from the students perspective. 

Video modeling begins with a skill a student needs modeled. This can be something as simple as preforming a routine task that may or may not include a narrative. A generic or original social narrative can also be paired with pictures or video of skill being preformed.

Since many students with Autism think in pictures or movie clips this strategy is beneficial to these students. The strategy can also be useful for students with memory problems or who need multiple exposure to expectations in order to be successful. My students have access to the video on their 1:1 devices any time they need it and paraprofessionals know how to access the video to show students. Also, when appropriate, I involve the student through the process of making the video either as an active participant or observer. This provided an other exposure to the material. 

I have used video modeling to teach school rules such as: walking in the hallway,  putting homework in the collection box, charging iPads, going to the nurse, and raising hands. I have also made social skill videos including: getting a drink from the water fountain, washing hands. how to handle changes in schedules, staying out of others personal space, and saying naughty words. Transitioning from one building to another (elementary to middle school/middle school to high school) is another example of using video modeling. I haven't used video modeling in this capacity yet, but I plan to in the near future when I will receive an incoming student who will need this support. 

Overall, I have had success with this strategy. As with all strategies it will not work with all students all the time. This is just another tool to fit in my tool bag and hopefully it can help others too.