A Change In Plans

A social success story written and illustrated by
Elizabeth F. Mark

Copyright.

2009 E. F. Mark.  No parts of this book may be reproduced, copied, or saved by any means other than it's orginal intent without expressed written permission of the author.  All illustrations are copyrighted and registered by E. F. Mark and may not be used, copied, saved, or altered by any means.  efrownfe@umw.edu



This is Katie

Forward-

This is an e-book about a child who is unable to attend Camp Soaring Eagle this summer, due to several scheduling conflicts with her parents work.  Instead of participating in Camp Soaring Eagle, Katie will be attending an Art Class with VSA (Very Special Arts) every Tuesday morning for 6 weeks. 

Purpose:

This e-book will address the transition from a break in routine (Camp Soaring Eagle) to attending a new camp.  This book will address typical transition issues and worries.

Target Audience:

Children, grades 5 & up.  This social success story is great to help with transition and also self-advocacy and self-determination in youth with disabilities.



 

Katie and her mom are very close.  It is spring break, and Mom knows that she needs to talk with Katie about her summer plans, so that Katie can help her decide what Katie wants to do.



  Mom asks Katie what she would like to do this summer.  Katie wants to go back to Camp Soaring Eagle. 


Katie is thinking about all of the fun she had at Camp Soaring Eagle.  Making friends, playing music, and creating art projects.  She really loves making art.



 

Mom and Katie check the dates of Camp Soaring Eagle.



“Well Katie, it looks like we are on vacation that week.  Both your father and I have already asked for time off, and we can’t change it.  I’m sorry.”



Katie is very upset.  She has gone to Camp Soaring Eagle for three summers in a row.  She has made friends there.  She gets to do art there.



 

“I know you are upset.  Is there maybe something else you would want to do this summer?”

 



Katie is thinking.  She isn’t sure if there is another place she will enjoy like Camp Soaring Eagle.  She is upset and thinks she won’t get to see her friends or make art anymore.



Katie did not respond right away.  Mom asks Katie to tell her what she liked best about Camp Soaring Eagle.

 

Thankful that she has been thinking about it, she said, “I liked having friends, and I really enjoyed making art projects.”



I would like to continue making art projects.  Can I do more art? How can we find a place that will let me do art during the summer?


Mom says she will look into it.  She knows this may be difficult, because Katie’s eyesight is not that good, and needs some light AT devices and assistance from adults in the room.



Katie’s Mom finds online that VSA (Very Special Arts) is offering a class in the Fredericksburg area this summer.  They offer art classes for children and adults with disabilities.  The dates look like they would work.  She called to make sure they are trained in the AT devices Katie needs.  One instructor was not, and they set up a time to train her.


I found an art class you can take.  It will be every Tuesday for 6 weeks.  Do you want to do this? 



Katie thinks about the fun she had making art in Camp Soaring Eagle.

She made her own "hungry caterpillar" like Eric Carle, and a few pet rocks.  She also remembered that her favorite counselor, Leann, helped guide her scissors, and taped her paper to the table.



This is Leann, Katie's Art Counselor at Camp Soaring Eagle


Katie: "Sometimes I need help.  Will they help me?"


Katie's mom tells her,  "You are old enough now to know when you need help.  Ask for help when you need it.  Or tell them how to help you."



Katie goes to her bedroom and takes out her paper and markers.  She tapes her paper to the table so it doesn’t move on her.  She thinks about the new art class.  Although she is sad about Camp Soaring Eagle, she is excited about her new VSA class.


Special Thanks to the following image sources:

e-book-   www.cast.org (This book could not have been created without the amazing free software on their website.)

Images-  Images were created by Elizabeth F. Mark using  Toon-Doo, www.toondoo.com

Special thanks to Microsoft Clip-art 

"Hungry Caterpillar" image was found online at www.lokidesign.net

 VSA Arts is a real organization located through-out the USA.  Please visit their website at www.vsarts.org

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the author of this e-book: efrownfe@umw.edu