Friday, May 3, 2013

Visuals to Increase Social Skill Independence

Do you constantly have students nagging you to help them when another student is bothering them?  What about if they need the password for the computer? I know I do.  This usually seems to occur because my students are missing the necessary social skills to deal with the problem appropriately on their own.  So, I tried to take some of the hardest parts of our day and make visuals to help my students (and myself!) out.  Here are a few examples.  

This first example is hung by the computer.  Computer rules (with visuals) are listed at the top.  On the bottom, the sentence strips can be removed so that they can be handed to a teacher or another student.  These are great for verbal as well as non-verbal to work on asking for help or for a turn.


We also struggle with students bothering each other while they are on the computer.  So, I created this sign that a student can use to point at or hand to another student if they are being bothered (instead of hit, scream, etc.).


It is placed right near the computer for easy access.

Another visual I have says, "I'm sorry."  This is posted near our "time out" chair.  That way, when a student comes back from time out, they can use this visual to remind them to apologize to the person they upset/hurt.  This can also be removed so it can be physically handed to another person.
If you have other examples, I would love to hear what has been working for you!

6 comments:

  1. Thanks for the visuals! I am starting a blog about my self contained classroom, you have given me the inspiration! Not sure how to get people to read it though! Any advice?

    http://multiplyabledclassroom.blogspot.com/

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    1. I feel like blog link-ups are a good way to get followers. Check out the one going on right now at this website: http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2013/05/may-currently.html. I will definitely be hopping over to your blog to check it out!

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    2. Hi, I also have a blog that no one reads! but I keep adding to it pretending that someone will someday! I learn a lot from reading blogs like yours Hailey and I will also read yours Andrea! When you teach children with disabilities, you need to keep learning! This last week was crazy, so many kids falling apart, by Friday, I had two (at different times thank goodness) having meltdowns in the hall. Sorry, didn't mean to talk this long, thank you to all of you who share your experiences and ideas, Paula

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  2. I teach 3rd grade gen ed... a funny/silly visual I use is a "chalkboard coffee mug" a student bought me. I wrote "I already said that" on it and every time a student asks me a question I've already answered, I hold up the mug. Teehee... I'm so tired of repeating myself... Lesson? Listen the first time.
    I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog that I think you'd be interested in...It's a hands on fractions Kit-you choose the grade level if you win. It's by ETA hand2mind. Stop by if you get a chance.

    http://anchoredin3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2013/04/eta-hand2mind-review-and-freebie.html
    "autumn"

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    1. That is a great idea! I don't know how many time I repeat myself in a day...it definitely drives me crazy too! I am hopping over to your give-away right now..thanks for letting me know about it!!

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  3. Hi Halley,

    Can I get a copy of these visuals? They are great and I would love to use them. Thanks! My email is serbland@gmail.com

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