At the preschool level, Tools of the Mind curriculum as it is called solely focus on mature intentional make-believe play, which is the foundation of self-regulation development.  Make beleive play takes place in the six centers in the classroom being dramatic play, table toys, literacy center, blocks center, science center, and Art center.  Each of these centers are broken down into various themes.  Currently, we are in the hospital theme as children become familar with the roles of the doctor, a nurse, a paramedic, a pharmacist, roles of mom/dad and how they take care of them when they are sick at home.  While children are in their centers, it provides a great opportunity for me to observe them more closely-listen to what they are thinking, saying and doing; connect to them at a personal level and extend their learning based on their ZPD (zone of proximal development) level.  strategies such as "mirrior talk" and "mirror act" not only provides the language base for DLL students as well as students that are non-verbal, but also children learn to use symbloic props, while involved in imaginary pretend scenarios.  Furthermore, Tools puts strong emphasis on self regulation skills, which means that students learn to stay on task, ignore distractions, and hold two strategies in mind at the same time.  Some examples of self-regulation skills/activities are play planning, buddy reading, graphics practice, freeze dance, etc.  Other self-regulated tools activities that are in the process are math memory; elkonian boxes; positional game; I have who have letter sounds; making collections involving categories with medium to high level learners.  individualized instruction is the key focus of this classroom.  

   According to Tools curriculum small groups and free choice are another critical aspects to meaningful learning taking place in the classroom.  As a special education teacher, I scaffold students by using curriculum modifications/accommodations to meet their individual needs as well as work with students one-on-one , which assists me in targeting their speech goals in various areas like expressive/receptive skills regarding communication, mathematics, science, and social studies.