Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Bird Communication
Sing for your dinner! Investigate the purpose of bird songs and strategies birds use to communicate. Through the lessons, individuals learn how to recognize different types of bird communication as well as hypothesize the purpose of...
Scholastic
Persuasive Communication (Grades 9–12)
Before your students reached your morning class to learn about persuasive writing, they probably saw dozens of examples of persuasive communication in the form of advertisements. A short, introductory instructional activity inspires...
Possibilities
Disability Awareness Activity Packet
Bring awareness to disabilities with a packet consisting of a variety of activities designed to inform scholars about disabilities—autism, hearing impairments, physical disabilities, and more! Learners test their communication skills,...
NOAA
Satellite Communications
How do satellites communicate? What types of satellites orbit Earth? Discover and mimic the way satellites communicate between two points in a hands-on activity that has pupils using mirrors, flashlights, and marbles.
Do2Learn
"I Need Help" Communication Board
Help scholars communicate their needs with a communications board equipped with 20 pictures including the needs of clothes, school supplies, and more!
Do2Learn
Communication Board
Help nonverbal individuals navigate a very verbal world with a helpful communication board. After they fill in their name to introduce themselves to others, learners can point to written responses to yes or no questions, as well as to...
Do2Learn
"I Have a Question..." Communication Board
Support nonverbal communication with a communications boards that features 20 pictures that answer questions such as How are you?, Why?, Who are you?, and more.
Do2Learn
Ending A Conversation
Sometimes beginning a conversation isn't the hard part—it's ending the conversation that can be challenging. Autistic and mainstream learners alike can benefit from a resource that provides a reference handout with ways to end a...
Do2Learn
Staying on Topic
Get from the beginning of a conversation to a successful end with a communication activity. Learners practice staying on topic with a worksheet that prompts them to ask questions and make comments related to the subject of the conversation.
Do2Learn
Waiting Your Turn to Speak
Have you ever been so excited to talk that you interrupted another person? Help young conversationalists wait their turn to speak with a social skills activity.
Do2Learn
Responding to Questions
Why is it important to answer a question? Assist learners with their growing communication skills with an information sheet that explains how questions are meant to gather information.
Do2Learn
Paying Attention and Listening to Others
It's always fun to talk about something you're interested in, but it's just as important to listen to what someone else has to say. Guide class members into becoming stronger listeners with an interactive brainstorming activity.
Do2Learn
Starting a Conversation
What words are appropriate to begin a conversation with another person? Use an activity that helps class members decide appropriate ways to approach individuals with conversation.
Do2Learn
Tone of Voice and Volume Control
What level of voice is most appropriate for the classroom? Develop volume control in your learners with ASD with an activity that lets them know when they are using appropriate and inappropriate voice level.
Do2Learn
Appropriate Topics of Conversation
Conversation skills are key for having good social skills, but it can be tough for some especially those with autism. Use an activity that walks ASD pupils through topics that are and aren't appropriate for various audiences as they fill...
Do2Learn
Participating With Others
For learners with autism spectrum disorder, participating with others in a social setting can be stressful and overwhelming. A brainstorming activity prompts pupils to consider the expectations of a particular social occasion, including...
Do2Learn
Respecting the Ideas of Others
Communicating clearly is one part of a successful conversation, but listening to others is just as important. Individuals with special needs plan calm responses and reactions to differing opinions with a collaborative activity.
Do2Learn
Trying New Things
Preparing for a change, big or small, can help learners with autism cope with a potential stressor. A short activity prompts individuals to come up with a plan for an upcoming new experience.
Do2Learn
Waiting
Waiting can be hard for everyone, but for individuals with autism or other special needs, it can be confusing and frustrating. Lead a discussion in which students brainstorm times in their lives when they would need to wait, and help...
Do2Learn
Taking Turns
Whose turn is it? Keep track of individuals' turns with a turn-taking board. Applicable to every subject and classroom, the educational strategy provides pupils with structured expectations and endurance while awaiting their turn.
Do2Learn
Sharing Materials
If you've ever broken up an argument about a toy or classroom item, you know how difficult it is to convince class members to share. The concept is even more complex for those with autism spectrum disorder and for learners who have...
Illinois Valley Community College
STEM Activities for Middle School Students
Use STEM activities within the class to provide connections to concepts. The resource includes activities that range from working with buoyancy to building rockets and launching them. Other activities involve the engineering design...
Balanced Assessment
Tie Breaker
Develop a tie-breaking policy to determine a league champion. The assessment presents a scenario of finding a champion of a league with three teams tied. Pupils devise and defend a system that allows for only one team to be determined...
Teach Engineering
Nanotechnology Grant Proposal Writing
Please, sir, can I have a few thousand dollars for my research? The last installment in a six-part lesson has the pupils develop a grant proposal. Class members apply their knowledge of skin cancer, ultraviolet radiation, human skin, and...