Hi teacher friends!
If you have been here before, you might know by now that I am extremely passionate about making sure that kids in special education with severe and profound needs have all the tools that they need to be successful in the classroom.
As I always say-“All means all.”
Every student, regardless of their unique challenges or abilities, deserves access to education. They deserve the opportunity to thrive, learn and grow in both academic and life skills.
Want to know one way that I give my students who are non-speaking or use a communication device the opportunity to participate in reading and discussing a book with their non-disabled peers?
That would be through AAC book companions!
Let’s dive in and I’ll tell you all about them…
What is AAC?
AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. This is HUGE in my special education classroom. It basically means that we might have to use symbols, pictures and/or words that are essential to that specific student so that they can participate in what the rest of the class is learning and doing.
This gives all students a chance for improved communication, independence, inclusivity and the education they deserve. Overall it’s a win-win!
And guess what?
You can adapt anything using AAC.
In this post, I’m going to explain how to use book companions for students who need augmentative and alternative communication so that they can participate in reading and comprehending the books that their class is reading.
In addition, I use AAC Communication Books with certain students in my special ed room and I teach Core Words to my students that use AAC as well.
GRAB THE FREE CORE WORD PLANNING GUIDE HERE!
AAC Book Companions for Special Education for the Entire Year!
The book companions below will let you use at least one book companion per month so that you are set for the entire school year for planning! I have listed Core Word Ideas and a brief summary of each for you to check out as well!
The great thing about book companions is that you can use them during whole group or small group sessions.
We love using book companions in our self-contained classroom for severe needs and hope you enjoy them too!
All of the book companions below have core vocabulary listed and many come with comprehension questions to ask students from the book.
All of them have visual supports and many even have ideas for story props to use along with the book companion packets.
We love using book companions in our self-contained classroom for severe needs and hope you enjoy them too!
Book Companions for January & February Special Education
Bear Snores On Book Companion
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson is a cute little tale about a hibernating bear who sleeps through a gathering of his forest friends in his den.
Core Words: Bear, Snores, On, Friends, Quiet, Warm, Cold, Happy, Sad, Surprise, Share, Food, Sleep, Wake up
Fun Ideas to Incorporate: Create a sensory bin with materials representing the forest setting, act out the story using puppets or costumes, make bear-themed snacks like honey treats.
The Snowy Day Book Companion
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats is a classic picture book depicting the adventures of a young boy named Peter exploring the wonders of a snowy day in the city.
Core Words: Snow, Day, Cold, Hot, Wet, Dry, Up, Down, In, Out, Walk, Play, Fall, Look, Find
More Fun Ideas: Create a sensory bin with fake snow or cotton balls, make snowflake crafts, have a hot cocoa party, go on a nature walk to observe snow if possible.
Sneezy the Snowman Book Companion
Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright tells the story of a snowman who keeps melting because he’s too cold until some kids find a way to help him.
Core Words: Snowman, Cold, Hot, Melt, Freeze, Warm, Cool, Help, Fix, Build, Play, Laugh, Happy, Sad, Change
Fun Idea: Make a snowman snack out of marshmallows and pretzels
Snowmen at Night Book Companion
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner imagines what snowmen do when people are asleep, with whimsical illustrations and playful rhymes.
Core Words: Snowmen, Night, Play, Dance, Walk, Talk, Hide, Seek, Fun, Quiet, Loud, See, Look, Find, Discover
Fun Idea: Have a “snowman at night” themed pajama party when you read this one!
Book Companions for March
Hello Goodbye Dog Book Companion
Hello Goodbye Dog by Maria Gianferrari follows the story of a girl named Zara and her dog Moose, who always finds a way to join Zara at school, despite the rules.
Core Words: Dog, Hello, Goodbye, School, Friend, Love, Play, Stay, Come, Go, Follow, Listen, Talk, Help, Understand
Fun Ideas to try: Create a “doggy daycare” role-play area, make dog-themed crafts like paw print art or homemade dog treats.
Book Companions for April
Autism Acceptance Book Companions
April is the perfect month to use this set of 3 different book companions all about autism and neurodiversity!
This set includes:
All My Stripes Book Companion
All My Stripes by Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer is a story about a young zebra named Zane who learns to embrace and celebrate his unique qualities, including his autism spectrum disorder.
Core Words: Different, Same, Unique, Proud, Brave, Happy, Sad, Friend, Understand, Learn, Accept, Love, Share, Feel, Express
Fun Ideas: Create a “celebrate our stripes” art project where each student creates a unique stripe pattern, have a “stripes” fashion show where students wear clothes with different patterns, discuss and celebrate the diversity within your classroom.
My Brain is a Race Car Book Companion
My Brain is a Race Car by Tonya Duncan Ellis is a book that explores ADHD in children, following the journey of a young boy named Joey who learns to understand and manage his ADHD.
Core Words: Brain, Racecar, Fast, Slow, Focus, Calm, Busy, Quiet, Listen, Think, Understand, Learn, Control, Plan, Try
Fun Ideas for this Book: Create a “race car brain” sensory bin with items that represent different sensory experiences, organize a “race car rally” where students participate in fun activities that require focus and concentration, have a discussion about different learning styles and strategies for staying focused.
My Brother Otto Book Companion
My Brother Otto by Meg Raby is a story about a young girl named Hannah who shares her experiences growing up with her autistic brother Otto, highlighting the unique qualities and challenges of autism.
Core Words: Brother, Otto, Autism, Different, Same, Love, Understand, Support, Share, Play, Communicate, Feel, Accept, Help, Learn.
Fun Ideas: Create an “Otto’s world” sensory station with items that Otto enjoys, organize a “sensory-friendly” activity day with activities that cater to different sensory needs, have a discussion about empathy and understanding differences.
Book Companions for May
The Day You Begin Book Companion
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson is a story about courage, empathy, and finding the courage to connect with others, even when you feel different or alone.
Core Words: Begin, Day, Different, Same, Friend, Courage, Brave, Share, Listen, Understand, Connect, Feel, Learn, Accept, Belong
Fun Ideas: Host a “brave beginnings” storytelling session where students share about a time they felt brave, create a “day you begin” art project where students illustrate what makes them unique, organize a “friendship circle” where students share things they have in common with each other.
Book Companions for August/ September
The King of Kindergarten Book Companion
The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes celebrates the excitement and confidence of a young boy on his first day of kindergarten as he embarks on a royal adventure.
Core Words: King, Kindergarten, First, Day, School, Friend, Brave, Happy, Excited, Explore, Learn, Share, Listen, Help, Grow
Fun Ideas: Have a “royal” themed celebration, create a “kingdom of kindness” bulletin board where students can write kind messages to each other, organize a “crowning ceremony” for each student on their first day or week of kindergarten.
All Are Welcome Book Companion
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold celebrates diversity and inclusivity in a school setting, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and belonging for all students. This one is perfect to start off the beginning of the year in your special education classroom!
Core Words: Welcome, All, Different, Same, Friend, Learn, Play, Share, Belong, Accept, Understand, Kind, Respect, Include, Celebrate
Fun Ideas: Organize a “welcome party” for new students or visitors to your classroom; create a classroom “welcome mural” where students can contribute drawings or messages representing diversity.
Book Companions for October
Stellaluna Book Companion
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon tells the story of a young fruit bat named Stellaluna who is separated from her mother and raised by a family of birds, learning to embrace her differences and discover where she truly belongs.
Core Words: Stellaluna, Bat, Bird, Different, Same, Family, Friend, Love, Accept, Understand, Explore, Learn, Grow, Fly, Belong
Fun Ideas: Create a “bat cave” reading corner in your classroom, have a “fruit bat feast” snack time where students try different types of fruit, organize a “migration maze” activity where students navigate through a maze like bats flying.
Book Companions for November
Turkey Trouble Book Companion
Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano follows the humorous attempts of a turkey to disguise himself as various farm animals to avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner.
Core Words: Turkey, Trouble, Disguise, Hide, Help, Friend, Farm, Animal, Eat, Save, Plan, Trick, Funny, Surprise, Laugh
Fun Ideas: Have a “disguise party” where students dress up in costumes or create their own disguises, make turkey-themed crafts or snacks, organize a “save the turkey” scavenger hunt where students search for hidden turkey pictures.
Turkey Claus Book Companion
Turkey Claus by Wendi Silvano continues the adventures of Turkey as he tries to save Christmas by convincing Santa Claus to let him help deliver presents.
Core Words: Turkey, Claus, Santa, Christmas, Help, Save, Deliver, Present, Friend, Plan, Magic, Believe, Fly, Wish, Surprise
Fun Ideas: Create a “Turkey Claus” mailbox for students to send their Christmas wishes to.
Balloons Over Broadway
Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet is based on the true story of Tony Sarg, a puppeteer who came up with the idea for the helium balloons that are used in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Core Words: Look, go, make, up, down, try, more
Fun Ideas: Create your own Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Balloons using foil!
Book Companions for December
Bear Stays Up for Christmas Book Companion
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson follows Bear and his friends as they prepare for Christmas and try to keep Bear awake to celebrate with them.
Core Words: Bear, Christmas, Stay, Up, Friend, Celebrate, Prepare, Give, Share, Help, Joy, Surprise, Gift, Decorate, Merry
Fun Ideas: Have a “Christmas pajama party” where students wear their pajamas to school, create a “bear’s den” cozy reading corner with Christmas-themed books, organize a “secret Santa” gift exchange among students.
Pig the Elf Book Companion
Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey features Pig the Pug as he tries to take over Christmas as an elf but learns the true meaning of the holiday along the way.
Core Words: Pig, Elf, Christmas, Naughty, Nice, Help, Learn, Share, Give, Friend, Decorate, Joy, Surprise, Laugh, Cheer
Fun Ideas for This Book: Have an “elf workshop” where students make Christmas crafts or cards, create a “Pig the Elf” puppet show, organize a “holiday sing-along” where students perform Christmas songs for parents or other classmates at school.
Book Companions for Complex Communication Needs
These AAC book companions not only offer alternative communication by targeting core words essential for communication, but they also foster engagement, comprehension and social interaction.
By using familiar stories as a springboard for learning, students are empowered to express themselves, make connections and explore the world around them.
Whether it’s through interactive activities, sensory experiences, or imaginative play, book companions provide a rich and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive and participate in reading.