Social Skills Activities for Special Children, 2nd Edition

About This Book v

About the Author vii

Part One: Accepting Rules and Authority at School 1

Parent Letters 3

Story: “Mrs. Tryit’s Ideas” 7

1 Understanding the Teacher’s Role 17

1.1 My Teacher Is a Person! 18

1.2 School Rules Are Different from Home Rules 20

1.3 Different Ways of Learning 22

1.4 Showing Respect for Your Teacher 24

1.5 Doing What the Teacher Asks 26

1.6 When the Teacher Leaves the Room 28

1.7 Getting the Teacher’s Attention 30

1.8 Complaining About Work 32

1.9 Arguing with the Teacher 34

1.10 Notes Have to Make It Home 37

1.11 When the Teacher Is Talking . . . 39

1.12 Teacher-Pleasing Behaviors 41

1.13 When Your Teacher Has a Bad Day 44

1.14 Having Fun, But Knowing When to Stop 47

Classroom Tips for Understanding the Teacher’s Role 50

2 Classroom Rules and Responsibilities 51

2.1 Entering the Classroom 52

2.2 Morning Agenda 55

2.3 Paying Attention to the Task 57

2.4 Talking to Your Neighbor 60

2.5 Oops, Wrong Assignment 62

2.6 Complying with Instructions Right Away 65

2.7 Saying “I Can’t” 67

2.8 Appropriate and Inappropriate Language 69

2.9 What Do I Need for This Job? 71

2.10 Good Choices for Free Time 73

2.11 Leaving the Classroom 75

2.12 Moving Around in Class 77

2.13 Moving as a Group 79

2.14 Thinking About Consequences 81

2.15 Doing It Right the First Time 83

2.16 Sitting Appropriately 85

2.17 Doing Homework 87

2.18 Bringing Homework to School 90

2.19 Finishing the Job 92

2.20 Independent versus Group Assignments 95

2.21 Fire Drills and Other Interruptions 97

2.22 Behaving at a Special Program 99

2.23 Welcoming a New Student 102

2.24 Sharing in Community Circle 104

2.25 Using the Class Computers 108

2.26 Attendance Is Important 110

Classroom Tips for Classroom Rules and Responsibilities 114

3 Relating Appropriately to Other School People 115

3.1 It’s a Substitute! 116

3.2 The Classroom Assistant (Aide) 118

3.3 The Principal 120

3.4 The School Secretary 122

3.5 You’re Not My Classroom Teacher! 124

3.6 The Bus Driver 126

3.7 Specials Teachers 128

3.8 The Custodian 130

3.9 Field Trip Helpers 132

3.10 The School Counselor 134

3.11 Peer Tutors 136

3.12 Community Helpers 138

3.13 Cafeteria Helpers 140

3.14 Playground Supervisors 142

Classroom Tips for Relating Appropriately to Other School People 145

4 When You Have Problems 147

4.1 Having a Problem 148

4.2 Asking for Help Politely 150

4.3 Taking Another Look 152

4.4 Thinking Harder 154

4.5 I Am Having a Really Bad Day 156

4.6 I Don’t Understand What to Do 158

4.7 No Crying, No Whining 161

4.8 I Don’t Speak English! 163

4.9 Excuses, Excuses 165

4.10 People Who Can Help 168

4.11 Problem Solvers 170

4.12 Keeping Track of Assignments 172

Classroom Tips for When You Have Problems 174

Part Two: Relating to Peers 175

Parent Letters 176

Story: “Ralph and His Purple Face” 179

5 Learning and Working with Others 183

5.1 Following the Leader 184

5.2 Being the Leader 187

5.3 Ignoring When You Have To 189

5.4 Not Disturbing Others 191

5.5 A Disabled Peer 194

5.6 Bullies 197

5.7 Doing Your Share 199

5.8 Not Always “Me First!” 202

5.9 Cheating 204

5.10 Listening to Other People’s Ideas 206

5.11 Someone Made a Mistake 208

5.12 Taking Turns 210

Classroom Tips for Learning and Working with Others 212

6 Making Friends 215

6.1 Being Interested in Others 216

6.2 Sharing About Yourself 218

6.3 Joining Clubs and Activities 220

6.4 Inviting Others into Your Group 222

6.5 Breaking into a New Group 224

6.6 Listening 228

6.7 What Is Encouragement? 230

6.8 Saying Nice Things 232

6.9 Good Group Activities 234

6.10 Having Someone Visit Your House 237

Classroom Tips for Making Friends 239

7 Keeping Friends 241

7.1 Learning from Your Friend 242

7.2 Being a Fair Friend 244

7.3 Sharing Friends 246

7.4 Laughing Together 248

7.5 Keeping Your Promises 250

7.6 Sometimes Friends Disagree 252

7.7 Sticking Up for Your Friend 255

7.8 Helping Someone with a Problem 257

7.9 Telling Someone If a Friend Needs Help 260

7.10 Friendships Change 262

Classroom Tips for Keeping Friends 265

Part Three: Developing Positive Social Skills 267

Parent Letters 269

Story: “The Accident” 273

8 Understanding Social Situations 281

8.1 Having Clear Expectations 282

8.2 Saying “No” Without Sounding Rude 284

8.3 Don’t Say “Yes” If You Mean “No” 286

8.4 Not Hurting the Feelings of Others 288

8.5 What Is a Disability? 290

8.6 People Who Are Different 293

8.7 Tone of Voice 296

8.8 Facial Expressions 298

8.9 Other People’s Opinions 300

8.10 Is This the Right Time? 303

8.11 Understanding the Teacher’s Moods 305

8.12 Understanding How Other People Feel 307

8.13 What Are My Choices? 309

8.14 What Is the Right Thing to Do? 311

8.15 Going for Help 313

8.16 This Is a Molehill, Not a Mountain 315

8.17 Teasing Can Be Funny 317

8.18 Teasing Can Be Mean 320

8.19 Appropriate Behavior for a Particular Place 323

8.20 Hints That You Are Doing Okay 325

Classroom Tips for Understanding Social Situations 327

9 Positive Personality Attributes 329

9.1 Developing Interests and Hobbies 330

9.2 Being Patient with Others 332

9.3 Being a Good Sport 334

9.4 Don’t Exaggerate 337

9.5 Thinking of Others 340

9.6 Being a Good Leader 342

9.7 Being a Good Follower 344

9.8 Admiring and Complimenting Others 347

9.9 Apologizing and Accepting the Blame 349

9.10 Finishing the Job 351

9.11 Thinking Ahead 354

9.12 Having a Sense of Humor 358

Classroom Tips for Positive Personality Attributes 361

10 Getting Along with Others at Home 363

10.1 Obeying Parents 364

10.2 Consequences of Disobedience 366

10.3 Rules for the House 368

10.4 My Responsibilities 370

10.5 We All Have Jobs 372

10.6 People Are Busy 374

10.7 Sharing with Siblings 377

10.8 Being the Oldest 379

10.9 Being the Youngest 381

10.10 Being in the Middle 383

10.11 My Parents Are Divorced 385

10.12 Talking with Parents 387

10.13 I Don’t Need a Baby-sitter 390

10.14 Family Fun 392

Classroom Tips for Getting Along with Others at Home 394

11 Everyday Etiquette 395

11.1 Meeting Other People 396

11.2 Being a Guest in Someone’s Home 398

11.3 Impolite Noises 401

11.4 Saying “Thank You” 403

11.5 Personal Questions 406

11.6 Mimicking or Imitating Others 408

11.7 Behavior in Public Places 410

11.8 Lining Up 412

11.9 Table Manners 414

11.10 Eating Out 416

11.11 Uninvited Guests 418

11.12 Using a Cell Phone 422

11.13 Interrupting 425

11.14 Respecting Adults in the Community 429

11.15 Answering Questions Appropriately 431

11.16 Using Good Language 433

11.17 Tattling 435

11.18 Thank-You Notes 437

11.19 R.S.V.P. 439

11.20 The Golden Rule 441

Classroom Tips for Everyday Etiquette 443