How do you use it? Index cards

My obsession with file cards ebbs and flows depending on how many I have stacked in my desk drawer. At the moment, I have only a few, so I am using post-it notes more often. But I do have a love of those little 3×5 cards as well.

When Miss Speechie announced her linky party for how we all use index cards, I realized it was perfect timing. I mean, truly perfect. Because the VERY first activity on my Life Skills/Preschool Lesson plans (download them free here) is an activity that I use file cards as a cheap version of AAC. And I did this activity today!

Index cards are perfect for those kiddos that REALLY need the visuals to help them create a sentence. But you REALLY don’t have time to print, laminate, and add velcro to 10 new pictures?

There are many great things about using index cards for visual communication aids:

1. They are quick and easy to create. I usually draw mine on the fly.
2. They can be adapted easily and are completely customized (after all, you drew them!).
3. You can make more of them as needed. I added the color “purple” in the of working with these students.
4. They can be manipulated so that there are only 2 choices, or line them up for an entire sentence. I did both today.
5. They can be easily stored for the next group, or next year, by throwing them into an envelope.
6. You don’t need special software to create them.

Do you ever use index cards for AAC or visual communication aids?

Check out some other used of index cards at Miss Speechie’s Linky party here!