On this course, you will learn about the key characteristics of a sensory story and why you might wish to use this method of storytelling to support multisensory learning in your classroom or learning environment.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

    • Introduction and course structure

    • Course outline

    • Your expectations of this course
  • 2

    Module 1: What is a Sensory Story

    • Module 1: What is a Sensory Story?

    • 1A. Overview of Sensory Stories

    • 1B. How is a sensory story different from a traditionally read story?

    • 1C. Key characteristics of a sensory story

    • 1D. Why do we need sensory stories?
  • 3

    Module 2: How to create a sensory story

    • Introduction

    • 2A. Choosing a book as the basis for a sensory story: published or creating your own?

    • 2B. Introducing and using a template for a sensory story

    • 2C. Enhancing the sensory elements of a story

    • 2D. Differentiating your sensory story

    • 2E. Sensory Stories and Scavenger Hunts
  • 4

    Module 3: Sensory Story Environments

    • Introduction

    • 3A. In the classroom or learning environment

    • 3B. In the multisensory room

    • 3C. Portable Story Environments

  • 5

    Module 4: Using technology in a sensory story

    • Introduction

    • 4A. When is technology appropriate for a sensory story?

    • 4B. iPads and portable projection for a sensory story

    • 4C. iPad and Android apps for a sensory story?

    • 4D. Using sound and music in a sensory story
  • 6

    Quiz

    • Quiz
  • 7

    Conclusion

    • Conclusion

    • Evaluation form

Instructor

Hirstwood Training Founder

Richard Hirstwood

Richard Hirstwood is the founder of and lead consultant for Hirstwood Training. He is passionate about enabling educators/practitioners to maximise the impact of delivering sensory learning opportunities, in a sensory room or other learning environments, with the resources available to them. He has developed innovative ways of delivering key skills and competencies via face to face training; coaching sessions; and hands-on work with teachers and teaching assistants; as well as creating bespoke portfolios of training videos for more than a hundred individual schools and settings. His extensive experience is based on practical knowledge, giving him insight into what works and what doesn’t in multisensory practice. Regular sessions with children and adults with autism and all additional needs in a variety of multisensory and classroom settings enable him to maintain this level of excellent practice.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the staff, parents and children from the following schools for their enthusiasm and permission to let us film them in action!

Kemball School, Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom

Nelson Park School, Napier, New Zealand

Thank you to Glenwood School, Benfleet, United Kingdom for letting us share shots of their tremendous classrooms.

Latest reviews

5 star rating

Very clear about what we were going to learn about.

Jennifer Rogers

Easy to follow and to stay engaged.

Easy to follow and to stay engaged.

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