G.I.F.T.S. - Special Educational Needs Teaching - for pupils, for teachers, for parents

Courses & Publications Sensory Play & Sensory Activity It's Music! G.I.F.T.S Special Educational Needs Teaching Anna Szuminska, special needs teacher, M.Ed
Courses & Publications - helping you to develop
Learning through sensory play and activity
Anna Szuminska M.Ed

G.I.F.T.S. Courses

Enhance your skills by attending a G.I.F.T.S. course, buying a publication or attending a workshop or training day.

COURSES

PUBLICATIONS

WORKSHOPS

TRAINING DAYS

COURSE DATES

G.I.F.T.S. Publications...

Click the image below to download a Course Booking Form (PDF). Link will open in a new window:

G.I.F.T.S. Course Booking Form

Course Testimonials

"Best music course I've been on. Excellent for motivating and improving confidence in music teaching".

J. Neish. Park School, Blackpool

"Excellent resource material. An insightful and practical resource".

K Poole, Pear Tree

"Excellent organisation of the course. Very good content appropriate to KS1. Inclusive to pupils with PMLD. Clearly presented.

Activities appropriate to pupils with SLD and PMLD. Can even be used by someone who can't sing".

E. Emptage. The Loyne, Lancaster

"Very appropriate for puils with PMLD and SLD. Varied teaching styles and really interesting and inspiring".

R. Whittaker, Bleasedale House, Silverdale

"I felt that I learnt how to interact better with the puils, and it was beneficial to see how the students feel when instruments are being played".

S. Sharples

"The course caters not only for participants needs as far as training is concerned but also considers personal comfort.

Well timed and time managred and provides an extremely useful resource for instant use".

S. Simmonds, Soundabout

COURSES: Sensory & Music

Looking for some guidance to help you deliver the G.I.F.T.S. schemes? Day courses are available to help you do exactly that for both the Sensory and Music schemes. Please see below for further information.

And to help you get the most from the G.I.F.T.S. schemes, publications , Workshops & Training Days are also available.

Available course dates can be found here.

Sensory Courses

For working with pupils or adults with PMLD and other very special needs.

Options include:

  • Book a day for your school
  • G.I.F.T.S Teaching SeriesBook a day for schools in your area
  • G.I.F.T.S Teaching SeriesBook on a course at a venue near you (in development)

Sensory For Schools:

Sensory Play & Sensory Activity

The course can accommodate up to 30 staff and comprises:

  • A copy of the publications
  • Introduction to the scheme, structure and concepts
  • Working with the senses
  • Learning the sequences and approach
  • Working with the packages

Sensory For Adults

It's Sensory

The course comprises:

  • The value of the senses
  • A Sensory Approach for all
  • Specific Sensory Approaches for individuals
  • Creating 'Sensory Times'
  • Getting the most out of your Sensory Room

Sensory For All: The Sensory Room

The course includes:

  • Health and safety in the room
  • Optimising your room
  • Optimising your existing equipment
  • Using equipment to work effectively with the senses
  • Extending your equipment
  • Developing the room you have
  • Effective use of the room across the school
  • Successful use of themes in the sensory room

Music Courses

For pupils with SLD and or PMLD and other very special needs. Options include:

  • Book a day for your school
  • Book a day for schools in your area
  • Book on a course at a venue near you (in development)

Music Courses - for Primary

Come On Everybody, It’s Music!

This course introduces basic musical concepts, developing them over each Key Stage age group from Early Years to Year 6.

Day courses are available for the following Key Stage groups: Early Years, Years 1 and 2, Years 3 and 4, Years 5 and 6.

The course content comprises:

  • Schemes of work covering two years
  • Publication and CD included
  • Development and progression built in
  • Breath and vocal singing skills
  • Making songs appropriate
  • Working with PMLD and other needs
  • Informal and formal rhythm activities
  • Each musical element developed fully
  • Songs, Pictures and symbols
  • Appropriate instruments
  • Improvisation & composition
  • Performance
  • Sheets for each term
  • Lesson plans, Activity Descriptions and Recording

Music Courses - for Secondary and Further Education

Come On, It's Music!

The units of work are based around different types and styles of music, further developing all the elements covered in the primary school years in addition to introducing a simple approach to notation and rhythm.

Day courses are available for the following Key Stage groups: Years 7, 8 and 9 (1.5 days), Years 10 and 11 (1 day) and Further Education Years 12 to 14 (1.5 days)

The course includes all of the content listed in the ‘Come on Everybody, It’s Music!’ for primary school section referred to above, except the musical content is developed within the context of specific modules such as:

  • Years 7, 8 & 9: Native American Indian, Japanese, Rock’n’ Roll
  • Years 10 & 11: Opera, Indigenous and Gamalan
  • Further Education Years 12 to 14: Big Band, Jazz, Contemporary and Samba

Places are available on Training Days, currently held in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. Available course dates can be found on the course dates page.

Contact me to discuss your course requirements.