I have a few students that really need some help with their
social skills.

We have a few programs at our school that work on school
norms, but nothing to really target the other skills my students need. For the purposes
of their individual needs, I usually see the kids one-on-one to go over comics
or social stories specific to them. I use Toondoo to create the comics {It’s
easy!} and just make up my own social stories.
A lot of my students have trouble with conversation in social settings. They interrupt, look around the room instead
of listening, and talk way off topic. Once a week or so, I like to
get my students all together to work on conversing with peers.
I made this little conversation game called “Chit-Chat.” It’s
basically just a bunch of conversation starters for them. We sit at a round
table in my classroom, and take turns going around the table talking. One
student picks up a card from the deck, reads it aloud, answers it, and then
picks another student and asks them the same question or a rephrased question. It’s
such a great little activity that targets so many social skills they all need
practice with. {plus some of the ?s can be used for journal writing prompts as well!}
My students simply adore talking about themselves, and it’s
something they surprisingly don’t get to do too often in school. Plus I looove
listening to them talk to each other – just like a bunch of friends out for
some coffee {except I’m the only one drinking coffee}.
Before playing, we go over being a “first class listener”
and for reminders during the game I have a little chart to refer to that sits on the table. If they
are having some trouble being good listeners, I sometimes use an object for the
speaker to hold onto. This way if they aren’t holding the object, they know
they shouldn’t talk.

I’m giving away this cute little {chevron-inspired} game
to the first 3 people that comment with their e-mails! If you don’t catch it there, head over to my TPT store.. it’s only a few bucks!

I would love to hear about how some of you teach social
skills!!
Categories: Uncategorized

7 Comments

Lisa Parnello · November 7, 2012 at 3:28 am

I'd love to have these! I teach social skills all day long with my little guys, and turning it into a game certainly breaks up the monotony and gets them really engaged! Oh, and ToonDoo is awesome! I use it too. Here is another one, not quite as many options, but nice change of pace for different pictures. http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/

[email protected]
Lisa
The Lower Elementary Cottage

Mrs. Dixon · November 9, 2012 at 1:40 am

Sent! Thanks for the new website.. can't wait to check it out! 🙂

Anonymous · November 9, 2012 at 12:54 pm

I'm not a teacher in the classroom sense but I have 2 boys that have diagnoses that result in needing practice with social skills and executive functioning. We play simple board games like Trouble to encourage turn taking, being a good sport, and letting others think for them selves. We are new to social stories, but the first one we did has helped tremendously. Thank you for offering great resources.

    Mrs. Dixon · November 11, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    I had never thought of using board games with them, I bet they would love them! My students really enjoy playing games, and they really help teach the skills I need them to work on.

Heather's Heart · November 11, 2012 at 12:46 pm

This looks great and is something that would help all kiddos. =)

Heather
Heather's Heart

    Mrs. Dixon · November 11, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    Thanks, Heather! Send me your e-mail if you would like the file! 🙂

Breezy Brie · November 12, 2012 at 4:14 am

I do many of the same things with my students. Every Monday we do "weekend reports" and students take turns listening to the speaker, writing down something they said, and asking relevant questions. It's been one of my favorite activities and a bonus is I don't have to plan for LA on Mondays! 🙂

Brie @ Breezy Special Ed

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