Green Finders Teacher Guide
K-2 SDC Adaptation Guide
Green Finders
Nonverbal & Tactile Focus
Topic What is a Plant? (Intro)
Student Population K-2 SDC (Mostly Nonverbal)
Modality Focus AAC, Tactile, Visual Scan
Essential Classroom Materials
Tactile Objects: Real small potted plants (e.g., succulent, mint), soil cups, smooth rocks, plastic toys.
Visual Aids: High-contrast sorting headers, 12 large picture cards, and Yes/No response boards.
1 Phase 1: Spark (7 Min) - Sensory Introduction
Objective: Spark interest and activate prior tactile experience of "plant" versus "not a plant" using direct sensory immersion rather than verbal discussion.
Sensory Routine: Touch & Smell
Pass around a real, fragrant plant (such as potted mint or rosemary). Guide each student to gently touch a leaf and smell. For sensory-avoidant students, place the plant inside a clear, sealed plastic jar with small scent-release holes on top.
Core Vocabulary Modeling
Point to the plant and activate the core vocabulary icon LOOK on the classroom board. Model the sentence: "Look, plant!" or "Look, same!" as you compare leaves of two different plants.
2 Phase 2: Investigate (18 Min) - Concrete Sorting
Objective: Categorize tangible objects and visual representations into PLANT and NOT A PLANT.
Step A: Real-to-Photo Match
Present a real object (e.g., a real leaf) alongside its visual representation card. Guide student's hand to match the physical item directly onto the visual card. Model core word "SAME".
Step B: Interactive Sort
Place sorting mats in front of student. Hand them a card. Assist them to physically place the card on the Green Mat (Plant) or the Red Mat (Not a Plant). Provide hand-under-hand guidance as needed.
Green Finders Botany Sequence Page 1 of 2
K-2 SDC Adaptation Guide
Green Finders
Teacher Facilitation
3 Phases 3 & 4: Report & Reflect (13 Min)
Objective: Share answers and consolidate learning using low-tech AAC strategies.
A
Yes/No Verification Routine
Hold up a sorted card (e.g., the Toy Block card placed in "Plant"). Ask: "Is this a plant?" Prompt student to use their color-coded Yes (Green) or No (Red) selection card to respond. Use a high-contrast physical layout to support scanning.
B
Eye-Gaze / Spaced-Out Selection
For students with limited motor control, present two cards (one plant, one non-plant) spaced 12 inches apart on an eye-gaze board. Ask: "Look at the plant." Honor their gaze choice instantly by picking up and naming the item.
Low-Tech AAC Integration Guide
| Target Core Word | Teacher Prompt / Cue | Expected Student Action |
|---|
| LOOK | "Look at the leaf. Touch 'LOOK'." | Points to card, looks at target plant. |
| SAME | "This leaf matches this plant. It is 'SAME'." | Touches 'SAME' card to verify match. |
| NOT | "Is a rock a plant? No, it is 'NOT' a plant!" | Points to 'NOT' symbol or selects red card. |
Accommodations Matrix
Motor Accommodations
Use visual velcro strips on cards to make grip/release easy. Affix large wooden knobs or thick craft foam to the back of cards for easier pick-up.
Visual Accommodations
High-contrast yellow-on-black background cards. Space targets at least 8 inches apart. Use a black felt cloth board to block visual background noise.
Sensory Accommodations
Provide sensory brush routines before tactile work. Keep headphones nearby for students sensitive to rustling leaf or crinkly soil sounds.
Green Finders Botany Sequence Page 2 of 2
Plant Talk Communication Cards
Plant Talk Communication Cards
Cut along dotted lines to create individual tactile cards, or keep as a single communication board.
Low-Tech AAC
Section A: Visual Scan Response Cards (Yes/No)
YES
GREEN / YES
NO
RED / NO
CUT HERE
Section B: Direct Selection Core Board
Core 1 LOOK
Core 2 PLANT
Core 3 SAME
Core 4 DIFF
Core 5 NOT
Core 6 MORE
Green Finders Botany Sequence Page 1 of 2
Spaced-Out Pointing / Eye-Gaze Board
Position board 12-18 inches from student's face. Observe primary eye fixation or reach.
Direct Select
Teacher Tip: Direct student gaze to the yellow star in the center first to "reset" tracking. Then, present your target question: "Where is the plant?" or "Which one is not a plant?" and watch which quadrant they focus on.
A - Plant PLANT
B - Leaf LEAF
C - Rock ROCK
D - Toy TOY
Green Finders Botany Sequence Page 2 of 2
Green Detective Sorting Cards
Green Detective Sorting Mat
Place living plant items inside this green mat area.
Mat 1 of 2
PLANT Living • Grows Roots • Needs Light
PLACE PLANTS HERE
For flowers, leaves, trees, and stems
GREEN GROUP
Green Finders Botany Sequence Page 1 of 5
Green Detective Sorting Mat
Place non-living or non-plant items inside this red mat area.
Mat 2 of 2
NOT A PLANT Non-Living • Toys • Tools • Rocks
PLACE NON-PLANTS HERE
For toys, rocks, blocks, and household objects
RED GROUP
Green Finders Botany Sequence Page 2 of 5
Oversized Sorting Cards
Cut along the dotted guidelines. Large layout is designed for easy grasping.
Cards 1-4
CARD 1
FLOWER Living Plant
CARD 2
ROCK Not a Plant
CARD 3
TREE Living Plant
CARD 4
TOY CAR Not a Plant
Green Finders Botany Sequence Page 3 of 5
Oversized Sorting Cards
Cut along the dotted guidelines. Large layout is designed for easy grasping.
Cards 5-8
CARD 5
LEAF Living Plant
CARD 6
BLOCK Not a Plant
CARD 7
GRASS Living Plant
CARD 8
SPOON Not a Plant
Green Finders Botany Sequence Page 4 of 5
Oversized Sorting Cards
Cut along the dotted guidelines. Large layout is designed for easy grasping.
Cards 9-12
CARD 9
CACTUS Living Plant
CARD 10
SHOE Not a Plant
CARD 11
POTTED Living Plant
CARD 12
BOOK Not a Plant
Green Finders Botany Sequence Page 5 of 5
Green Finder Slides
BOTANY DETECTIVES
K-2 SDC Intro
GREEN FINDERS
Are you ready to use your eyes and hands to find plants? Let's explore together!
Lesson 1: Plant Discovery Look • Touch • Sort
WHAT IS A PLANT?
Rule 1
ROOTS
Plants stick down in the deep, brown dirt.
GREEN
Plants have bright, green leaves on top.
GROW
Plants start tiny and grow bigger and bigger.
Touch a real leaf now! Sensory Connection
LET'S TOUCH AND FEEL!
Sensory Routine
Teacher Instruction
Pass around a real plant leaf and a cold metal spoon.
Compare the feelings!
FEELS LIKE
SOFT & COOL 🌿 Real Plant
FEELS LIKE
HARD & SMOOTH 🥄 Not a Plant
Use Yes/No communication cards to answer Compare Texture
IS IT A PLANT?
Visual Challenge
OBJECT A
CACTUS
YES! It has roots and grows.
PLANT
OBJECT B
BLOCK
NO! It does not grow.
NOT A PLANT
Look at each picture • Point to the correct card Practice Scanning
GREEN DETECTIVE GAME!
Time to Sort
STEP 1
GET MATS
Put out your giant PLANT and NOT A PLANT mats.
STEP 2
LOOK & CHOOSE
Look at an oversized card. Use your Yes/No or point to match.
STEP 3
PLACE IT
Put the card on the right mat. You are a Green Finder!
Get your sorting kits ready Day 1 Activity
