Second Edition

This thoroughly revised and updated second edition of the groundbreaking Social Skills Activities for Special Children offers teachers 164 ready-to-use lessons—complete with reproducible worksheets—that help children become aware of acceptable social behavior and acquire basic social skills.

Each of the book's lessons highlights a specific skill framed in real-life situations. This gives teachers a meaningful way to guide students to think about why a particular social skill is important. The practical hands-on activities that accompany each lesson help students work through, think about, discuss, and practice the skill in or outside of the classroom.

Social Skills Activities for Special Children puts the emphasis on three areas crucial to social development in the primary grades:

Accepting Rules and Authority at School: Understanding the Teacher's Role; Classroom Rules and Responsibilities; When You Have Problems

Relating to Peers: Learning and Working with Others; Making Friends; Keeping Friends

Developing Positive Social Skills: Understanding Social Situations; Getting Along with Others at Home; Everyday Etiquette

Praise forSocial Skills activities for Special Children

"This second edition has been eagerly awaited and Darlene Mannix does not disappoint! Each activity provides a clear objective and rationale, hands-on activities, and a reproducible independent activity for students to complete and take home, helping parents to reinforce and generalize skills in the home environment."

—Kaye Otten, Ph.D., behavior and autism specialist, Lee's Summit, Missouri

"Offers elementary teachers a comprehensive social-emotional skills curriculum . . . This book belongs on every teacher's bookshelf!"

—Nick Elksnin, Ph.D., NCSP, Learning and Evaluation Resources and Linda K. Elksnin, Ph.D., professor emerita, The Citadel; authors of Teaching Social-Emotional Skills at School and Home

"A terrific resource for all teachers, especially new teachers and their mentors. The comprehensive selection of topics addresses real, complex social interactions encountered in schools and communities today."

—Chris Schnieders, Ph.D., director of teacher training, Frostig Center

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.

About the Author.

Part One: 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 Two: 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 Three: 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. '