TalkLink has run KiwiChat groups and KiwChat camps for some years now. This initiative was developed as a way to support people who are learning to use communication assistive technology tools and strategies. The aim is to create fun-filled sessions of learning and sharing, with the goal to support people who use these tools and strategies to become competent communicators.
Traditionally, KiwiChat Groups have been held around the country at regular intervals. With the lockdown making it impossible to run KiwiChat groups for the foreseeable future we decided, with some trepidation, to run a Virtual KiwiChat group.
The first ever Virtual KiwiChat group was run on 30 April 2020 following minimal advertising through Facebook and by word-of-mouth. We had 58 participants from around the country attend, and with careful planning the outcome was a session that far exceeded our expectations. Families have embraced web-based meeting technology, making it easier to run the sessions, and the engagement and enthusiasm of the students participating in the session was remarkable.
As a result of this positive outcome,TalkLink has decided to run further virtual KiwiChat group meetings, which will be advertised on our website and Facebook page. A recording of the session, along with a resource pack will also be available to download here.
Recorded Virtual KiwiChat Sessions:
Thursday 14 May 2020 - I need a new bum
(we apologise for the technical difficulties we had which mean the modelling video freezes half way through)
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Follow up ideas - download the PDF here
Monday May 18th 2020 - Colours
Circle sheet - download the PDF here
Pause and Ponder sheet - download the PDF here
Shoes - download the PDF here
Tuesday 2nd June - Groovy Joe Dinosaurs and Ice-cream
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Pause and Ponder sheet - download the PDF here
Props - download the PDF here
Speech Bubbles - download the PDF here
In case the Ice-cream splat video is a bit laggy, you can watch it here
Thursday 11th June 2020 - The Dot
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Circle sheet - download the PDF here
Thursday 3rd September 2020 - Pirates
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Pause and ponder questions - download the PDF here
Wednesday 9th September 2020 - Zombies!
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Scavenger game resources - download the PDF here
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Wednesday 3rd of March 2021 - Bubbles
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Pause and Ponder questions for story - download the PDF here
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Wednesday 11th of March 2021 - Talents
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Wednesday 2nd June 2021 - Pets
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Speech Bubble worksheet - download the PDF here
Retell the story - download the PDF here
Thursday 10th June - Space
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Worksheet - download the PDF here
Wednesday 25th August - Night Time
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Thursday 2nd September - Sports
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Wednesday 17th November - Monsters
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Monsters one page - download the PDF here
Empty Jar - download the PDF here
Thursday 25th November - Disco
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Wednesday 2nd March - Camping
Additional activities - download the PDF here
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Thursday 10th March 2022 - Movies
Circle Sheet - download the PDF here
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Visual Scene - download the PDF here
Social Story - download the PDF here
Pre-reading sequencing activity - download the PDF here
Wednesday 1st June - I don't like peas
Circle sheet - download the PDF here
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Thursday 9th June - Matariki
Circle Sheet Matariki - download the PDF here
Follow up activities Matariki - download the PDF here
Visual Schedule Matariki - download the PDF here
Wednesday 24th August - Minibeasts Bugs
Follow up activities - download the PDF here
Minibeast hunt - download the PDF here
Minibeast news sheet - download the PDF here
Minibeasts to print - download the PDF here
Thursday 1st September - Jokes
Jokes circle sheet - download the PDF here
Jokes follow up activity - download the PDF here
Jokes visual schedule - download the PDF here
Wed 16th November - Disco
Disco Circle sheet - download the PDF here
Disco follow up activity - download the PDF here
Disco visual schedule - download the PDF here
Thursday 24th November - Kiwi Anthems
Kiwi Anthems follow up activity - download the PDF here
KiwiAnthems visual schedule - download the PDF here
Coreoke tip of the month - download the PDF here
Term 1 2023, Junior Virtual KiwiChat - Colours
Colours schedule and news sheet - download the PDF here
Colours follow up activity - download the PDF here
Term 1, 2023, Senior Virtual KiwiChat - Recycling
Recycling circle sheet - download the PDF here
Recycling visual schedule - download the PDF here
Recycling follow up activities - download the PDF here
Term 2 2023, Junior Virtual KiwiChat Day - Dirty Dogs
Funny dogs visual schedule - download the PDF here
My story about funny dogs - download the PDF here
Funny dogs circle sheet - download the PDF here
Funny dogs follow up activity - download the PDF here
Term 2, 2023, Senior Virtual KiwiChat Day - art....ish
Art...ish circle sheet - download the PDF here
Art...ish follow up activities - download the PDF here
Art...ish visual schedule - download the PDF here
Fuzzy Felt Tip of the Month - click here