Course Content
Welcome
This AHEAD short course is designed for self-access. It should take around 2 hours to complete. You can complete it in any order you like but we recommend working through sequentially. There are inbuilt reflections and tasks to help you embed the learning into your day-to-day work. By the end of the course, you should: Be aware of diversity in Education and how traditional teaching approaches can create unnecessary barriers. Understand how Universal Design for Learning (or UDL for short) is an inclusive Education framework that gives staff in Education guidance to deal with diverse learners. Get insights into β€œUDL in practice”, Develop an awareness of how UDL can inform your practices, Help connect you to further UDL courses and communities of practice.
0/1
🌱 Module 1: Foundation & Mindset
Theme: Laying the emotional groundwork for joyful, resilient reading. Before we build skills, we build mindset. This module helps parents shift from correction to connectionβ€”seeing mistakes as moments for growth and collaboration. You’ll learn to nurture motivation, model authentic joy, and partner with teachers to create a united reading village that supports your child’s confidence from the inside out. 🌸 Module Takeaway When parents reframe challenges, nurture curiosity, and model joy, reading shifts from obligation to opportunity. The mindset you plant here becomes the root system for every confident reader who blooms from your care.
0/47
🌿 Module 2: Environment & Book Selection
Theme: Crafting spaces and selecting stories that nurture autonomy, curiosity, and connection. In this module, you’ll learn how to make reading feel like an irresistible invitationβ€”not a requirement. You’ll transform both the physical and emotional environment so reading time feels safe, cozy, and joyfully child-led. From creating the perfect nook to choosing books that meet your child right where they are, every lesson helps you set the stage for deeper engagement and lifelong love of reading. 🌸 Module Takeaway Creating the right environment and book match transforms reading from an activity into a relationship. When children feel comfortable, capable, and represented, they don’t just read moreβ€”they love to read.
0/15
πŸ“– Module 3: Read-Aloud Techniques
Theme: Bringing stories to life through voice, movement, and connection. In this module, you’ll learn how to turn every story into a shared adventureβ€”one that engages your child’s imagination, strengthens comprehension, and deepens your bond. Through expressive reading, playful interaction, and mindful conversation, you’ll discover how to make read-aloud time not just educational, but magical. 🌸 Module Takeaway When you read with heart, stories become more than wordsβ€”they become shared worlds. This module helps you infuse warmth, curiosity, and creativity into every read-aloud moment so your child feels connected, confident, and eager for more.
0/34
🧠 Module 4: Skill Development
Theme: Weaving skills into joyful, meaningful reading moments. This module shows you how to build core reading skillsβ€”phonics, comprehension, independence, and learning-style alignmentβ€”without sacrificing connection or fun. You’ll learn simple, research-aligned moves that fit naturally into read-alouds and everyday routines. 🌸 Module Takeaway Skills stick when they’re woven into stories with warmth, intention, and child-led choice.
0/35
πŸ”„ Module 5: Integration & Sustainability
Theme: Make reading effortless by embedding it into daily life. You’ll learn to transform ordinary routines, tech tools, and family traditions into steady engines for literacyβ€”so reading thrives even on busy days. ) 🌸 Module Takeaway Consistency > intensity. When reading lives in your routines and relationships, motivation blooms naturally.
0/38
πŸ“ˆ Module 6: Assessment & Growth
Theme: See progress, build confidence, and plan the next gentle step. Track growth the positive way, elevate choice and voice, troubleshoot bumps, and guide the transition to independent readingβ€”while keeping connection at the center. 🌸 Module Takeaway Measure what matters, celebrate often, and keep the next step small and doable. Independence grows from supported success.
0/27
Understanding how to create a structure in Tutor LMS
In this Module you will learn how to create a sturture for your course
0/6
From Chaos to Connection

🎨 MULTI-SENSORY ACTIVITY GENERATOR

Transform Any Story for Any Learning Style!


HOW TO USE THIS GENERATOR

Purpose: Create customized activities that bring any book to life for your child’s unique learning style!

Instructions:

  1. Fill in information about the book you’re reading
  2. Identify your child’s dominant learning style(s)
  3. Use the idea banks to generate activities
  4. Mix and match to create the perfect reading experience!

πŸ“– BOOK INFORMATION

Book Title: _____________________________________________________________

Author: ________________________________________________________________

Child’s Age: _________ Reading Level: ☐ Picture Book ☐ Early Reader ☐ Chapter Book

Main Character(s): ______________________________________________________

Setting: _______________________________________________________________

Key Events/Plot Points:




Themes/Topics: _________________________________________________________

Interesting Vocabulary: __________________________________________________



πŸ‘€ CHILD’S LEARNING PROFILE

Dominant Learning Style: ☐ Visual ☐ Auditory ☐ Kinesthetic ☐ Read/Write

Secondary Style(s): ☐ Visual ☐ Auditory ☐ Kinesthetic ☐ Read/Write

Current Engagement Level with This Book: ☐ High ☐ Medium ☐ Low ☐ Just starting

Goal for This Activity: ☐ Increase engagement ☐ Deepen comprehension ☐ Make reading more joyful ☐ Stretch into new modality ☐ Build confidence ☐ Other: _________________________________


🎯 GENERATED ACTIVITIES BY LEARNING STYLE


πŸ‘οΈ VISUAL ADAPTATIONS

Choose 2-3 that fit your book:

Picture & Illustration Activities

☐ Picture Walk Before Reading

  • Look at all illustrations first
  • Predict story from pictures
  • Notice details in backgrounds

☐ Create a Visual Story Map

  • Draw the setting/locations
  • Show character movement through space
  • Map beginning β†’ middle β†’ end

☐ Character Visualization

  • Draw what characters look like
  • Create paper dolls or puppets
  • Make “wanted posters” with character details

☐ Scene Recreation

  • Draw favorite scene
  • Paint key moment
  • Collage the setting from magazines

☐ Graphic Novel Transformation

  • Turn story into comic panels
  • Add speech bubbles
  • Create visual narrative

Organizational Visual Tools

☐ Story Elements Chart

  • Visual chart: Characters, Setting, Problem, Solution
  • Use drawings/cutouts, not just words
  • Color-code different story elements

☐ Timeline Creation

  • Visual timeline of story events
  • Illustrated for each major event
  • Show passage of time visually

☐ Character Web

  • Central circle = main character
  • Surrounding circles = traits, relationships, actions
  • Use pictures/symbols

☐ Comparison Diagrams

  • Venn diagrams for character comparisons
  • Before/after visual charts
  • Cause and effect visual chains

Multimedia Visual

☐ Photo Story

  • Take photos recreating scenes
  • Find images online that represent story elements
  • Create visual story retelling

☐ Video Content

  • Watch related video before/after reading
  • Show setting (if real place)
  • Visual of similar events/themes

☐ Digital Creation

  • Use drawing apps
  • Create digital storyboard
  • Make slideshow of story

MY VISUAL ACTIVITY CHOICES:





πŸ‘‚ AUDITORY ADAPTATIONS

Choose 2-3 that fit your book:

Sound & Voice Activities

☐ Dramatic Read-Aloud

  • Different voice for each character
  • Vary pitch, volume, speed
  • Emphasize emotion through voice

☐ Sound Effects Library

  • Make ALL the sounds (wind, doors, footsteps)
  • Use instruments for effects
  • Record sound effect collection

☐ Musical Soundtrack

  • Choose background music for different scenes
  • Play music that matches mood
  • Create theme songs for characters

☐ Echo Reading

  • Parent reads sentence, child echoes
  • Focus on rhythm and intonation
  • Practice expression together

☐ Choral Reading

  • Read together in unison
  • Take turns with repeated phrases
  • Create call-and-response patterns

Verbal Processing Activities

☐ Story Discussion

  • Ask open-ended questions
  • Predict aloud what happens next
  • Talk through confusing parts

☐ Oral Retelling

  • Tell story back in own words
  • Share with family member who didn’t hear it
  • Record retelling

☐ Interview Characters

  • Child becomes character, you interview
  • Ask questions character would answer
  • Practice character voice

☐ Story Podcasting

  • Record book review
  • Create “radio show” about book
  • Interview each other as characters

Rhythmic & Musical

☐ Song Creation

  • Make up song about story
  • Set story summary to familiar tune
  • Rap the key events

☐ Rhyme Finding

  • Notice rhyming patterns in text
  • Create new rhymes for events
  • Clap or snap to rhythm

☐ Audio Comparison

  • Listen to audiobook version
  • Compare different readers’ interpretations
  • Discuss how voices changed meaning

MY AUDITORY ACTIVITY CHOICES:





πŸ–οΈ KINESTHETIC ADAPTATIONS

Choose 2-3 that fit your book:

Movement & Action Activities

☐ Full Story Dramatization

  • Act out entire story or key scenes
  • Assign roles (or child plays all parts!)
  • Use movement to show emotions

☐ Gesture Library

  • Create specific gesture for each character
  • Physical movements for key events
  • Act out emotions with body

☐ Story Dance

  • Choreograph story’s beginning, middle, end
  • Free movement to music inspired by book
  • Show character’s journey through dance

☐ Action Reading

  • Move while listening/reading
  • Rock, bounce on ball, walk slowly
  • Assign specific actions to repeated words

☐ Obstacle Course Story

  • Create physical course representing story journey
  • Each station = story event
  • Move through story physically

Building & Creating

☐ Setting Construction

  • Build with blocks, boxes, or Legos
  • Create story location in 3D
  • Add characters/props

☐ Character Puppets

  • Make puppets from socks, paper bags, sticks
  • Use puppets to retell story
  • Let child manipulate physically

☐ Sensory Props

  • Gather real objects from story
  • Create touch-and-feel experience
  • Build prop box for story

☐ Play-Dough Scenes

  • Sculpt characters and settings
  • Create 3D scenes
  • Manipulate while retelling

Physical Engagement

☐ Interactive Book Handling

  • Child turns pages
  • Points to pictures during reading
  • Holds props while listening

☐ Sensory Experience

  • Touch textures related to story
  • Smell scents mentioned
  • Taste foods from book (safe ones!)

☐ Story Walk

  • Take walk while discussing story
  • Move to different rooms for scenes
  • Use physical space to represent plot

MY KINESTHETIC ACTIVITY CHOICES:





✍️ READ/WRITE ADAPTATIONS

Choose 2-3 that fit your book:

Writing Activities

☐ Reading Journal

  • Write about story after reading
  • Record favorite quotes
  • Note questions or reactions

☐ Story Summary

  • Write beginning, middle, end
  • Create bullet-point list of events
  • Write one-sentence chapter summaries

☐ Character Descriptions

  • Write detailed character profiles
  • List traits, actions, motivations
  • Create character fact sheets

☐ Alternate Endings

  • Write different conclusion
  • Change one story element, rewrite outcome
  • Create “what if” scenarios in writing

☐ Letter Writing

  • Write letter to character
  • Write as character to another character
  • Write to author with questions/reactions

Vocabulary & Language

☐ Word Bank

  • List interesting vocabulary
  • Write definitions in own words
  • Use new words in sentences

☐ Quote Collection

  • Copy favorite passages
  • Highlight powerful language
  • Explain why quotes resonated

☐ Word Web

  • Write central word/theme
  • Branch out with related words and ideas
  • Create written connections

☐ Poetry Creation

  • Write poem about book
  • Create acrostic with character name
  • Haiku summary of story

Organizational Writing

☐ Lists & Charts

  • List characters, settings, events
  • Create comparison charts
  • Make numbered sequence lists

☐ Story Outline

  • Plot points in order
  • Write story structure (exposition, rising action, etc.)
  • Create chapter-by-chapter notes

☐ Book Review

  • Written review with rating
  • Pros and cons list
  • Recommendation with reasons

MY READ/WRITE ACTIVITY CHOICES:





🌈 MULTI-SENSORY COMBINATION IDEAS

For MAXIMUM engagement, combine elements from multiple styles!

Combination Formula:

DOMINANT STYLE (80%): _______________________
Choose 2-3 activities from this section

SUPPORTING STYLE (15%): _______________________
Choose 1 activity from this section

GENTLE STRETCH (5%): _______________________
Choose 1 easy activity from less-preferred style


Sample Combinations:

For “Charlotte’s Web” – Visual Learner:

  1. Draw character web (visual – dominant)
  2. Create farm setting with blocks (visual – dominant)
  3. Make animal sounds (auditory – supporting)
  4. Write “Some Pig” in special lettering (read/write – gentle stretch)

For “Where the Wild Things Are” – Kinesthetic Learner:

  1. Wild rumpus dance (kinesthetic – dominant)
  2. Build Max’s boat from cushions (kinesthetic – dominant)
  3. Look closely at crown illustrations (visual – supporting)
  4. Write one sentence about favorite wild thing (read/write – gentle stretch)

For “The Snowy Day” – Auditory Learner:

  1. Make snow crunching sounds (auditory – dominant)
  2. Discuss how Peter feels (auditory – dominant)
  3. Draw Peter’s snow angel (visual – supporting)
  4. Act out making snowballs (kinesthetic – gentle stretch)

🎯 MY CUSTOM ACTIVITY PLAN

For the book: _________________________________________________________

My child’s dominant style: ___________________________________________

Activities I’ll try:

BEFORE READING: Activity: _________________________________________________________________ Style: ______________________ Time needed: _____ minutes

DURING READING: Activity: _________________________________________________________________ Style: ______________________ Time needed: _____ minutes

AFTER READING: Activity: _________________________________________________________________ Style: ______________________ Time needed: _____ minutes

EXTENSION (Optional): Activity: _________________________________________________________________ Style: ______________________ Time needed: _____ minutes


πŸ“ REFLECTION & NOTES

After trying your activities:

What worked really well:



Child’s engagement level: ☐ High ☐ Medium ☐ Low

Which activity was their favorite:


What I’d change next time:



New ideas that came up:



Will I use these activities again? ☐ Yes ☐ Modified ☐ No


πŸ’‘ QUICK TIPS FOR SUCCESS

DO: βœ“ Start with 1-2 simple activities (don’t overwhelm!) βœ“ Let child help choose which activities to try βœ“ Keep it playful and pressure-free βœ“ Celebrate effort and engagement βœ“ Be flexible – pivot if something isn’t working

DON’T: βœ— Force activities they resist βœ— Do elaborate productions (simple is great!) βœ— Expect perfection βœ— Stick rigidly to plan if it’s not working βœ— Forget the goal is JOY


πŸ”„ ACTIVITY DIFFICULTY LEVELS

EASY (5-10 minutes, minimal prep):

  • Sound effects during reading
  • Simple gestures/movements
  • Look at pictures together
  • Quick discussion
  • One-sentence writing

MODERATE (15-20 minutes, some prep):

  • Draw favorite scene
  • Act out key moment
  • Create simple props
  • Write short summary
  • Make character list

ELABORATE (30+ minutes, more prep):

  • Full dramatization
  • Build detailed setting
  • Create complete storyboard
  • Write alternate ending
  • Multi-activity combination

Start EASY! You can always add complexity later.


🎨 MATERIALS YOU MIGHT NEED

Keep these on hand for spontaneous activities:

Visual:

  • Paper (white and colored)
  • Markers, crayons, colored pencils
  • Magazines for cutting
  • Glue and tape
  • Index cards

Auditory:

  • Recording device (phone works!)
  • Simple instruments or shakers
  • Music player

Kinesthetic:

  • Building blocks or Legos
  • Play-dough or clay
  • Fabric scraps for costumes
  • Household items for props
  • Cushions and blankets

Read/Write:

  • Notebooks or journals
  • Pencils and pens
  • Sticky notes
  • Highlighters

🌟 SUCCESS STORIES

Use this space to record your wins!

Book 1: _______________________________
Activity tried: _______________________________
Result: _________________________________________________________________

Book 2: _______________________________
Activity tried: _______________________________
Result: _________________________________________________________________

Book 3: _______________________________
Activity tried: _______________________________
Result: _________________________________________________________________


Words That Bloom | www.wordsthatbloom.com
Every story can become a multi-sensory adventure! 🌸


πŸ“š BONUS: QUICK ACTIVITY GENERATOR

Don’t have time to plan? Use this emergency generator:

Step 1: What’s your book about? (one word)


Step 2: Child’s dominant style? ☐ Visual ☐ Auditory ☐ Kinesthetic ☐ Read/Write

Step 3: Quick activity (circle one per style):

Visual: Draw it | Find picture of it | Watch video about it
Auditory: Discuss it | Make sounds | Read dramatically
Kinesthetic: Act it out | Build it | Move like character
Read/Write: Write about it | List it | Copy favorite part

Done! That’s your activity!