• Home
  • About
  • FREE Resource Library
  • Blog
  • Complete List of Products
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • My Downloads
    • My Cart
    • Checkout
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

Special Needs for Special Kids

Providing you tools to save time and build confidence teaching students with the most significant disabilities

December 7, 2015

Why I Teach Social Studies

There seems to be barely enough time in the day to fit in all the required material that the school district throws our way.  On top of that, imagine being in a class with students who have the most significant disabilities in the school, and it can be a recipe for pure survival mode.  But, even during my most challenging years, I still made time to teach social studies.  Although the subject matter was not on any state wide assessment, I still found it a valuable use of instructional time.  Here is why I did it.

1.  Content

Many of my students with autism, even those most severely affected, often had pervasive or narrow interests.  Sometimes, these interests fell in the area of history, politics, or other social study fields.  For these students, it was easy to come up with lessons and activities to keep them engaged.  In addition, on more than one occasion, I discovered a hidden interest in this content area that a student had which I had not realized before.  This gave me more opportunities to grow and use prior knowledge and interests in other subject matters.  Finally, the content I was teaching is what their peers in the regular education setting were being exposed to.  I strongly feel that ALL students deserve to be taught and exposed to grade level material.  It may not look the same, or even take as long, but the core of the content should be very similar.

2.  IEP Goals

As with all subject areas, there were plenty of opportunities for me to target and work on individual IEP goals while teaching social studies.  While working on my presidents unit, I made a few file folder activities where students simply matched identical pictures of presidents.  They may not have known who the picture depicted, but we would review them daily as they worked on the IEP goal of matching identical pictures.  I also created many sorting tasks so students could manipulate the content in that manner as well.  It could be as simple as sorting pictures that were different types of homes to a more complex task of sorting the duties of each branch of government.  Lots of differentiation took place to target the multiple learning levels in my class.

3.  General Classroom Skills

As with any content, there are opportunities to practice basic classroom skills such as sitting and listening to the teacher, using a communication device, asking and answering questions, participating in classroom discussions and activities, collaborating in small groups, and more.  For students with significant disabilities, especially autism, these skills need to be practiced often across many different people, settings, and content.  In elementary school, I felt an obligation to strengthen these skills prior to the kids going to middle and high school where there would be an expectation of more independence and collaboration.

Of course, I tried to find the most relevant social studies material I felt was worthy of their classroom time.  Some topics I liked to cover were:

  • Maps and Globes
  • Geography and Landforms
  • Government
  • Citizenship
  • Colonial America
  • Native Americans
  • Community
  • Presidents
  • Careers/occupations
  • Transportation

I always tried to incorporate as many hands on activities as possible as well as a book or power point I would write to accompany the content.  Overall I felt it was a very successful addition to the day.  Most of my students could only handle a 15-20 minute block of instruction so there were lots of blocks of time to fill during the day.  Social studies was often one of those blocks.  Structured time and consistency were critical for the success of my students.

I have several social studies units available in my store that I used in my classroom every year.  Grab them by clicking HERE.  Each unit includes a book covering the content in a simple manner, activities, communication aids, and assessments.

Best of luck in your social study adventures!!




Filed Under: Uncategorized

Previous
Next

SHOP

Check out my resources

SHOP NOW

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Hi!

I'm Christa Joy

My mission is to give parents and teachers the tools they need in order to feel effective and confident teaching even the most challenging of students.
Read More

Join our Newsletter

Sign up for access to the free library!

New on the Blog

Best strategies for behavior management: a roundup of 10 posts and helpful downloads

California Gold Rush for kids in special education classrooms

Hands-on activities for rocks and minerals in a special education classroom

My Shop

Complete curriculum units in math, ELA, science, social studies as well as social story units for students Pre-K through high school.

SHOP NOW

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Join our Newsletter

Sign up for access to the free library!

It's another Wednesday, and another free worksheet It's another Wednesday, and another free worksheet. Have you ever had your students write a story? This is a great way to start. Download the free worksheet this week and get your students writing a story about their perfect day. Message me for the link or go to my bio. Download it here: https://bit.ly/2OW3lmQ #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #distancelearning
What does your perfect day look like? Give your s What does your perfect day look like? Give your students a chance to describe their perfect day using either their own words and pictures or choosing from some that are provided. If you want to get this worksheet free this Wednesday then send me a DM and I will get you the info. #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #myperfectday
Who has the time to hunt down the perfect behavior Who has the time to hunt down the perfect behavior strategy or social story? I know parents are teachers are BUSY!! . So, I pulled together my top 10 blog posts that contain strategies for behavior management in the classroom, home, and the community. Al in one easy-to-find place and clickable list. . It includes: Attention Seeking Behavior: Strategies for the classroom Power Cards: an effective behavior management tool Dealing with profanity in the classroom Picture schedule for home: An effective and easy tool for behavior management How to solve this common behavior problem Escape behavior interventions for school and home Being a Good Sport Community Trips & Challenging Behaviors Part 1 Community Trips & Challenging Behaviors Part 2 Safety in the community for the individual, you, and the public. . The best part! They ALL have a free download to help you out, NOW, when you need it most. . Send me a DM for the link, or read more here: https://specialneedsforspecialkids.org/2021/02/22/best-strategies-for-behavior-management-a-roundup-of-10-posts-and-helpful-downloads/ #specialneedsforspecialkids #behaviormanagement #behaviorstrategies
This year.... I stepped back from making new resou This year.... I stepped back from making new resources this year so I could spend time updating, expanding, and (honestly) improving some older units. With almost 800 resources this is a BIG commitment. It will likely take me all of 2021 to get through my novel units. But I am determined and know it will be worth it in the long run for YOU. For teachers who work with those students who are the MOST severely impacted. That is where my 💕 lies. With those teachers who are determined to do what no one thinks is possible. I want you to have the best tools possible so you can focus your attention, time and energy on teaching and not hunting for resources. It may be a long year, but I am devoted to this mission and these teachers. #specialneedsforspecialkids #specialeducationteacher #specialedteacher
FREE for you ❤️️. . Three new downloads adde FREE for you ❤️️. . Three new downloads added to the Free Resource Library. A little ELA, a little math, and a little life skills practice. . Something for everyone. Click the link in my bio. Find this image, and head over. . Need the password? Message me to sign up. . https://specialneedsforspecialkids.org/resource-library/ #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeresourcelibrary #distancelearning
FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE . There is a GREAT free w FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE . There is a GREAT free worksheet this Wednesday. The digital version has an additional step for students to complete. ❤️️💚💙 . Want the link? Just MESSAGE ME, and I will send you the direct link to the worksheet so you can use it today!! #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #distancelearning
Is the California Gold Rush in your curriculum? N Is the California Gold Rush in your curriculum? Need some ideas on how to make this work for students in a special education setting with significant challenges? . I have ideas on books, activities, vocabulary, assessment, and MORE!! With the right materials, this can be a fun time period to teach about. . Head over to my latest blog post for some great ideas and a free panning for gold activity you can download. . Click the link in my bio or DM me for the link. #specialneedsforspecialkids #californiagoldrush #socialstudiesteacher
I wanted to let everyone know I am DONE updating a I wanted to let everyone know I am DONE updating and expanding James and the Giant Peach :). . I have separated it into 2 separate units. One is completely in color and one is complete in black and white. . I also added comprehension questions. There are 3 questions for each chapter (these chapters are so short) with 3 picture answer choices. . Remember, if you already own it, you get all these updates for free. . DM me for the direct link to check it out 🙂 #specialedteacher #jamesandthegiantpeach #roalddahl
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Special Needs for Special Kids · Hello You Designs