Curated OER
Using Poetry in Teaching Reading to Special Education Students
A series of well-written activities, these lessons prompt middle schoolers reading below grade level (at a second, third, or fourth grade level) to use poetry to practice basic reading skills. They rhyme, build words, make inferences,...
Do2Learn
Social and Emotions Picture Cards
Social and emotional skills are a difficult task for people with autism to master. Help them become more aware of day-to-day emotions as well as how to express them with this massive set of picture cards.
Perkins School for the Blind
Treasure Hunt
On, over, and under are some very common prepositions; but how can you teach these concepts to children with visual impairments? Here, is one way. Kids will practice following verbal commands as they go on a classroom treasure hunt. They...
Perkins School for the Blind
Please Call Me Names!
Teaching students who are blind means teaching them skills a sighted person may take for granted. To practice calling people and objects by name, learners engage in a cueing activity. The child calls for an adult by name, and then uses a...
Autism Speaks
Supporting Learning in the Student with Autism
Learners with autism face many challenges. Help them to meet these challenges with a packet loaded with practical suggestions, activities, and materials.
Curated OER
“Light Force” and “Dark Force”
Designed for learners with autism, this set of worksheets prompts students to design their own fantasy characters as a way of identifying emotional problems and solutions they might face on a daily basis.
Perkins School for the Blind
Hat Game
Sometimes the simplest ideas foster a lot of different skills. To boost social skills, group participation, identifying others by name, and dressing skills, learners play the hat game. They take turns wearing a hat while singing a song...
Perkins School for the Blind
Personal Information
"Hi, how are you? My name is___." Seems simple enough but it's not always that easy to recall and relate factual information about yourself. Learners with multiple disabilities practice memorizing and relaying personal information about...
Positively Autism
What to Expect on the 4th of July
Social stories are technically written devices used to assist children with autism in handling social situations. Print or use this social story on an electronic device to prepare your student with autism for the 4th of July. Bright...
Perkins School for the Blind
Taking Turns
For small children or learners with disabilities, learning to wait patiently and taking turns is very important. In pairs, two children with visual impairments take turns asking for, waiting for, and playing with a musical toy. Each turn...
Free Printable Behavior Charts
How Do I Respond?
Help your learners respond to feelings of anger appropriately by working with them to brainstorm fitting responses to stressful situations. This organizer includes a list of anger-causing situations paired with images, a column for an...
Curated OER
The Little Engine that Could Mini Unit Plan
The best part about teaching little ones is setting up fun, thematic learning stations. Here is a full day of activities that all relate to the story, The Little Engine that Could. Included are six different activities that cover art,...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Origins: A Simple Word Game For Use In Human Relations Trainings
Words can hurt. Words may not break bones but they can break a heart. An activity focused on the meaning of and the history of some often heard words and phrases is designed to raise awareness of the importance of choosing words...
Curated OER
Relying on People You Know for Transportation
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of transportation and focus upon carpooling to work. They role play the skill of asking for a ride and making arrangements for a transportation schedule. Students reflect...
University of Oklahoma
Advocating For My Needs After High School
A three-lesson unit teaches learners with special needs how to advocate for their needs after high school. Class members review appropriate was to disclose their disability during interviews and applications, and how to request...
University of Oklahoma
Developing My Resources
Learners with special needs create Summary of Performance (SOP), a written document which describes their disability, its impact on their daily life, ways they have learned to compensate, their personal strengths, and their goals. The...
University of Oklahoma
Advocating For My Needs in High School
High schoolers enrolled in resource and special needs classes learn and practice how to schedule and conduct a self-advocacy meeting with a teacher to request accommodations in that subject area class. In lesson one they review and...
Perkins School for the Blind
Teach Personal Possession and Pronouns with Simple Objects
The concept of what is mine and what is yours seems simple, but for children with visual impairments, it is a concept that must be taught. Each child in the class puts one of their shoes in a single box, they take turns choosing a shoe,...
Curated OER
Imitating a Peer
Imitation of a peer is what your autistic learners will focus on today. You'll prompt them to imitate a selected peer, either their actions, emotions, or facial expressions. This is done through repetitive trails and positive...
Curated OER
Travis the Train Visits the City in the Spring
Being in a large city may be a lot for a special needs or Autistic student to handle. Prepare them with community integration skills. This social story tells what Travis the Train sees on his visit to the city. Discuss what your pupil...
Curated OER
A Christmas Song Read Along
Singing, holiday music, family get togethers are all part of typical American Christmas celebrations. Prepare your autistic or special needs class for social engagement through a group sing along. They can build reading skills, rhythm,...
Lisa Staab Shadburn
Play Therapy Activities to Enhance Self‐Esteem
Discover activities to help learners increase self-awareness, build peer and family relations, and develop positive self-esteem. Here you'll find six suggestions for instilling a sense of confidence and self awareness in youngsters. Each...
Curated OER
Show That You Care
Learners on the autism spectrum can have difficulty expressing care or providing emotional support for others. Support them with this series of presentation slides that break down the steps to showing others you care, from appropriate...
Northern Ireland Curriculum
Festivals: Learning for Life and Work
How do different communities celebrate special occasions? After researching celebrations in their countries, class members investigate other festivals like those associated with Ramadan, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Halloween, Easter,...