Why do we need an Adaptive Library?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Adaptive Library helps fulfill CoSEE\u2019s commitment to making environmental learning open to everyone, grounded in the belief that all learners should have meaningful opportunities to engage with the natural world. It creates a space where all learners are able to foster and explore their passion for the natural world. This means that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Students who use AAC have immediate, meaningful ways to participate in read-alouds that they may not have had before.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Educators without specialized training can also facilitate inclusive and interactive learning. It also opens up opportunities for families and community members to engage with the books without needing prior expertise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lastly, communication equity becomes built into literacy experiences and is not dependent on an individual teacher\u2019s skill or time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/06\/uwb-cosee-adaptive-library001-standard-1024x683.jpg\")
A page out of the adapted book, Over and Under the Pond, showcasing sensory materials and prompts that engage the reader in the book.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/06\/uwb-cosee-adaptive-library002-standard-1024x683.jpg\")
A page out of the adapted book, Mushrooms Know, showing interactive features that the reader can engage with to learn more through about mushrooms in the book.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\nOur adaptive books<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Every book in the Adaptive Library has features that are designed to support and engage a wide range of learners and support needs, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Embedded communication supports that utilize core vocabulary, high frequency words that support everyday language, and fringe vocabulary, specific to context such as words associated with mushrooms, trucks, or sports<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Verbal prompts to encourage participation and discussion<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sensory materials that help students interact with the story in tactile ways<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Communication boards tailored for each book that include key words students might need throughout the story<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Opportunities to practice math and literacy skills embedded within the book<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Here are a few adaptive books CoSEE interns have been working on:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Mushrooms](\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/06\/Mushrooms-Know-by-Kallie-George.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMushrooms Know by Kallie George<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"Over](\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/06\/Over-and-Under-the-Pond-by-Kate-Messner.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOver and Under the Pond by Kate Messner<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n![\"Friends](\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/06\/Friends-Beyond-Measure-by-Lalena-Fisher.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFriends Beyond Measure by Lalena Fisher<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"You](\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/06\/You-are-Stardust-by-Elin-Kelsey.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou are Stardust by Elin Kelsey<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nBorrow a book or build your own<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Our books are available to educators, families, and community organizations for use in classrooms, homes, and outdoor spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We offer two options to fit your needs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Borrow from CoSEE<\/strong>: Request the physical book and all accompanying materials directly from us.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Build Your Own<\/strong>: Already own the book or prefer to purchase it yourself? We’ll send you a printable PDF of the communication boards, vocabulary icons, and questions, along with a step-by-step assembly guide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Ready to get started? Complete the form below and we’ll be in touch!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nCoSEE Adaptive Library Book Checkout Request Form<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nLearn more about the library & history<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/06\/uwb-cosee-maddie-headshot-819x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe project was shaped by\u00a0CoSEE\u00a0Program Manager Maddie\u00a0Iem, whose background in special education informed its direction. Before joining\u00a0CoSEE, she worked in Chicago Public Schools, teaching preschool through fourth grade and supporting students with a wide range of learning and communication needs.\u00a0Learn more about Maddie\u2019s journey from Chicago to building\u00a0CoSEE\u2019s\u00a0Adaptive Library<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The books are co-curated by Maddie\u00a0Iem\u00a0and UW Bothell faculty, Drs. Cynthia Chang and Jennifer Atkinson who teach a course titled\u00a0Learning Ecology Through Storytelling<\/em><\/a>.\u00a0The books are designed to connect with existing learning kits, educational materials, or hands-on activities that invite students to connect with the real-world settings through the stories both in the classroom and out in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Adaptive Library is more than just a collection of books; it can also be a guide for students to engage with environmental learning through storytelling, communication, and exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/06\/uwb-cosee-kaylin-headshot-1-819x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe library has continued to grow through\u00a0CoSEE\u2019s\u00a0undergraduate internship program, particularly the Adaptive Library Initiative, with students from UW\u2019s Seattle and Bothell campuses, along with local high school students, contributing to its development.\u00a0Through these internships, students\u00a0get\u00a0a broader understanding and hands-on experience\u00a0with\u00a0inclusive design for environmental education materials that can be applied in broader contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CoSEE\u00a0recently welcomed a full\u2011time program assistant who is continuing to build these inclusive learning tools. Kaylin Datwyler, who interned with\u00a0CoSEE\u00a0in summer 2025 through the\u00a0UW Program on the Environment (PoE) Capstone Experience<\/a>, helped develop the Adaptive Library and now continues\u00a0that work\u00a0in her current role.\u00a0Learn more about Kaylin\u2019s\u00a0journey\u00a0from intern to full-time CoSEE employee<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Adaptive Library is a growing collection of children\u2019s books designed to make environmental and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning accessible to more students. Each title is adapted so learners with diverse communication and support needs, including those who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) or receive special education services, can participate…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":602,"featured_media":313,"parent":134,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_is_archived":false,"_archived_contact_email":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1499","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"related_links":{"toggle_visibility":false,"link_1":"","link_2":"","link_3":"","link_4":"","link_5":""},"highlight_box":{"toggle_visibility":false,"title":"","content":"","button":"","button_style":"angled-purple-button","button_screen_reader_text":""},"contact_type_1":{"toggle_visibility":true,"contact_title":"CoSEE","email":"cosee@uw.edu","phone":"","box":"","address_line_1":"14445 Juanita Dr NE","address_line_2":"Kenmore, WA 98028","location":""},"contact_type_2":{"toggle_visibility":false,"contact_title":"","email":"","phone":"","box":"","address_line_1":"","address_line_2":"","location":""},"social_media":{"toggle_visibility":false,"facebook_url":"","instagram_url":"","linkedin_url":"","twitter_url":"","youtube_url":""},"blog_archive_sidebar_visibility":false},"yoast_head":"\n
Adaptive Library - Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/cosee\/education-resources\/adaptive-library\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Adaptive Library - Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Adaptive Library is a growing collection of children\u2019s books designed to make environmental and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning accessible to more students. 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We’ll send you a printable PDF of the communication boards, vocabulary icons, and questions, along with a step-by-step assembly guide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Borrow from CoSEE<\/strong>: Request the physical book and all accompanying materials directly from us.<\/li>\n\n\n\n