Picture Book Communication and Comprehension Supports in the Special Education Classroom

In my classroom, I used Unique Learning System for a majority of my curriculum. However, I found that I often wanted to supplement the stories with rich, authentic picture books. So my Picture Book Communication and Comprehension Supports units were born! 

Picture Book Communication and Comprehension Supports in the Special Education Classroom blog post header


Not familiar with my picture book supports? They include:

Communication Supports

  • Vocabulary Cards: to teach and assess targeted vocabulary (can also be used to create interactive games!)
Vocabulary Card example and description

  • Communication Board: to generate sentences about the story verbally or through velcro manipulatives
communication support example reading board and description
  • GoTalk 9+ AAC Board: formatted for use with GoTalk 9+
GoTalk 9+ AAC Board example and description


Comprehension Supports

  • Differentiated Wh-Question Assessments: 3 leveled assessments (multiple choice pictures, multiple choice words/phrases, fill-in) for answering who, what, where, when, and why questions about the story.
differentiated wh-question comprehension worksheet example and description


  • Fill-in-the-Blank Sentences Worksheet: Cut-and-paste cloze sentences with picture choice options
Fill-in-the-blank cloze sentence cut and paste worksheet example and description

  • Sequencing Worksheet: Picture-based cut-and-paste sequencing of story events
Story sequencing cut and paste worksheet example and description



IEP Supports

    • IEP Goal Ideas
      • Communication IEP Goal Ideas: for vocabulary and sentence-building goals
      • Comprehension Goal Ideas: for wh-questions, writing, sequencing, and higher-order thinking
    IEP goal idea example and description


    • Progress Monitoring:
      • Higher-Order Thinking Progress Monitoring: for recalling story elements (characters, setting, and events) and answering inferential and evaluative questions about the story 
      • Vocabulary Progress Monitoring Sheet: for receptive and expressive identification of story vocabulary and generalization
      • Sentence Building Progress Monitoring Sheet: for assessing sentence generation
      • Unit Report Card: Convenient data collection sheet for all unit activities to be used for grading and sharing with families
    Progress Monitoring Form example and description


    • Implementation and Differentiation Tips: Do you have a diverse group of students this year? Don't worry! I have that covered too. Every activity in each of my picture book units includes ideas for accommodating and extending to meet your students' needs.

    Tips for implementation and differentiation lesson plan guide example and description

    Interested in implementing these Picture Book Communication and Comprehension Supports in your preschool, elementary, or special education classroom? Grab my BUNDLE and save 20%!

    Picture book unit cover images

    The bundle includes 14 popular classroom favorites which integrate perfectly into thematic instruction. Don't have all of these books? No worries! You can use versions on YouTube, check them out from your school library, or head to your local library to see if they have a teacher program. In some locations the librarians will even gather the books for you! 
    Picture book unit book list

    The bundle also includes lesson plans that map out the year at a glance and provide guidance on monthly and/or weekly implementation of each unit. 
    Picture Book unit yearly plan month at a glance


    What is your favorite picture book to read in your classroom? Don't see it on this list? Send me an email and I can add it to my list of future units!


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