Social skills activities for special children

A flexible, ready-to-use program to help special students in grades K-5 learn appropriate ways to behave among others

The revised and updated second edition of this bestselling resource book provides ready-to-use lessons--complete with reproducible worksheets--to help children become aware of acceptable social behavior and develop proficiency in acquiring basic social skills. The book is organized around three core areas crucial to social development in the primary grades: Accepting Rules and Authority at School, Relating to Peers, and Developing Positive Social Skills. Each lesson places a specific skill within the context of real-life situations, giving teachers a means to guide students to think about why the social skill is important. The hands-on activity that accompanies each lesson helps students to work through, think about, discuss, and practice the skill in or outside of the classroom.

Author Notes

Darlene Mannix has taught both general education and special education. She has worked with students ranging from learning disabled and mentally challenged to language disordered and severely emotionally disturbed. Mannix is the best-selling author of numerous books for special educators including Life Skills Activities for Special Children, Writing Skills Activities for Special Children, and Character Building Activities for Kids, all from Jossey-Bass.

About This Book

About the Author

Part 1 Accepting Rules and Authority at School

Parent Letters

Story: "Mrs. Tryit's Ideas"

1 Understanding the Teacher's Role

1.1 My Teacher Is a Person!

1.2 School Rules Are Different from Home Rules

1.3 Different Ways of Learning

1.4 Showing Respect for Your Teacher

1.5 Doing What the Teacher Asks

1.6 When the Teacher Leaves the Room

1.7 Getting the Teacher's Attention

1.8 Complaining About Work

1.9 Arguing with the Teacher

1.10 Notes Have to Make It Home

1.11 When the Teacher Is Talking

1.12 Teacher-Pleasing Behaviors

1.13 When Your Teacher Has a Bad Day

1.14 Having Fun, But Knowing When to Stop

Classroom Tips for Understanding the Teacher's Role

2 Classroom Rules and Responsibilities

2.1 Entering the Classroom

2.2 Morning Agenda

2.3 Paying Attention to the Task

2.4 Talking to Your Neighbor

2.5 Oops, Wrong Assignment

2.6 Complying with Instructions Right Away

2.7 Saying "I Can't"

2.8 Appropriate and Inappropriate Language

2.9 What Do I Need for This Job?

2.10 Good Choices for Free Time

2.11 Leaving the Classroom

2.12 Moving Around in Class

2.13 Moving as a Group

2.14 Thinking About Consequences

2.15 Doing It Right the First Time

2.16 Sitting Appropriately

2.17 Doing Homework

2.18 Bringing Homework to School

2.19 Finishing the Job

2.20 Independent versus Group Assignments

2.21 Fire Drills and Other Interruptions

2.22 Behaving at a Special Program

2.23 Welcoming a New Student

2.24 Sharing in Community Circle

2.25 Using the Class Computers

2.26 Attendance Is Important

Classroom Tips for Classroom Rules and Responsibilities

3 Relating Appropriately to Other School People

3.1 It's a Substitute!

3.2 The Classroom Assistant (Aide)

3.3 The Principal

3.4 The School Secretary

3.5 You're Not My Classroom Teacher!

3.6 The Bus Driver

3.7 Specials Teachers

3.8 The Custodian

3.9 Field Trip Helpers

3.10 The School Counselor

3.11 Peer Tutors

3.12 Community Helpers

3.13 Cafeteria Helpers

3.14 Playground Supervisors

Classroom Tips for Relating Appropriately to Other School People

4 When You Have Problems

4.1 Having a Problem

4.2 Asking for Help Politely

4.3 Taking Another Look

4.4 Thinking Harder

4.5 I Am Having a Really Bad Day

4.6 I Don't Understand What to Do

4.7 No Crying, No Whining

4.8 I Don't Speak English!

4.9 Excuses, Excuses

4.10 People Who Can Help

4.11 Problem Solvers

4.12 Keeping Track of Assignments

Classroom Tips for When You Have Problems

Part 2 Relating to Peers

Parent Letters

Story: "Ralph And His Purple Face"

5 Learning and Working with Others

5.1 Following the Leader

5.2 Being the Leader

5.3 Ignoring When You Have To

5.4 Not Disturbing Others

5.5 A Disabled Peer

5.6 Bullies

5.7 Doing Your Share

5.8 Not Always "Me First!"

5.9 Cheating

5.10 Listening to Other People's Ideas

5.11 Someone Made a Mistake

5.12 Taking Turns

Classroom Tips for Learning and Working with Others

6 Making Friends

6.1 Being Interested in Others

6.2 Sharing About Yourself

6.3 Joining Clubs and Activities

6.4 Inviting Others into Your Group

6.5 Breaking into a New Group

6.6 Listening

6.7 What Is Encouragement?

6.8 Saying Nice Things

6.9 Good Group Activities

6.10 Having Someone Visit Your House

Classroom Tips for Making Friends

7 Keeping Friends

7.1 Learning from Your Friend

7.2 Being a Fair Friend

7.3 Sharing Friends

7.4 Laughing Together

7.5 Keeping Your Promises

7.6 Sometimes Friends Disagree

7.7 Sticking Up for Your Friend

7.8 Helping Someone with a Problem

7.9 Telling Someone If a Friend Needs Help

7.10 Friendships Change

Classroom Tips for Keeping Friends

Part 3 Developing Positive Social Skills

Parent Letters

Story: "The Accident"

8 Understanding Social Situations

8.1 Having Clear Expectations

8.2 Saying "No" Without Sounding Rude

8.3 Don't Say "Yes" If You Mean "No"

8.4 Not Hurting the Feelings of Others

8.5 What Is a Disability?

8.6 People Who Are Different

8.7 Tone of Voice

8.8 Facial Expressions

8.9 Other People's Opinions

8.10 Is This the Right Time?

8.11 Understanding the Teacher's Moods

8.12 Understanding How Other People Feel

8.13 What Are My Choices?

8.14 What Is the Right Thing to Do?

8.15 Going for Help

8.16 This Is a Molehill, Not a Mountain

8.17 Teasing Can Be Funn

8.18 Teasing Can Be Mean

8.19 Appropriate Behavior for a Particular Place

8.20 Hints That You Are Doing Okay

Classroom Tips for Understanding Social Situations

9 Positive Personality Attributes

9.1 Developing Interests and Hobbies

9.2 Being Patient with Others

9.3 Being a Good Sport

9.4 Don't Exaggerate

9.5 Thinking of Others

9.6 Being a Good Leader

9.7 Being a Good Follower

9.8 Admiring and Complimenting Others

9.9 Apologizing and Accepting the Blame

9.10 Finishing the Job

9.11 Thinking Ahead

9.12 Having a Sense of Humor

Classroom Tips for Positive Personality Attributes

10 Getting Along with Others at Home

10.1 Obeying Parents

10.2 Consequences of Disobedience

10.3 Rules for the House

10.4 My Responsibilities

10.5 We All Have Jobs

10.6 People Are Busy

10.7 Sharing with Siblings

10.8 Being the Oldest

10.9 Being the Youngest

10.10 Being in the Middle

10.11 My Parents Are Divorced

10.12 Talking with Parents

10.13 I Don't Need a Baby-sitter

10.14 Family Fun

Classroom Tips for Getting Along with Others at Home

11 Everyday Etiquette

11.1 Meeting Other People

11.2 Being a Guest in Someone's Home

11.3 Impolite Noises

11.4 Saying "Thank You"

11.5 Personal Questions

11.6 Mimicking or Imitating Others

11.7 Behavior in Public Places

11.8 Lining Up

11.9 Table Manners

11.10 Eating Out

11.11 Uninvited Guests

11.12 Using a Cell Phone

11.13 Interrupting

11.14 Respecting Adults in the Community

11.15 Answering Questions Appropriately

11.16 Using Good Language

11.17 Tattling

11.18 Thank-You Notes

11.19 R.S.V.P

11.20 The Golden Rule

Classroom Tips for Everyday Etiquette

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Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Table of Contents