Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato for Special Education St. Patrick’s Day

Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato by Tommie DePaola is the focus of this literacy unit for students with autism and special learning needs.

This unit has various activities to accompany DePaola’s book Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato. The materials are designed to allow students with multiple levels of learning to access and engage in lessons learned through reading Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato.

There are many opportunities for students to engage in repeated information as they listen to the story about a man who captures a leprechaun and makes a wish for a big potato.

*****This unit includes 12 google slides and a version of the book read aloud. Perfect for an independent learning center. The slides are separated into 2 files. One is regular and one is differentiated with color for more support.

See preview for a more detailed look at contents.

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Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato Unit Include:

⭐ This unit comes in 2 complete files. One is in color and one is in black and white.

In the zipped folder you will find:

• Activities in color
• Activities in black and white
• Links and directions to digital activities

Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato Activities:

• Storyboard
• Circle map on things made with potatoes (includes digital version)
• Things a potato needs to grow (includes digital version)
• Sorting jobs that are easy or difficult (includes digital version)
• Sorting vegetables that grow above or below the ground (includes digital version)
• Writing prompt: What I would wish for (includes digital version)
• 12 google slides

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Much of what I have learned about curriculum development is incorporated in these units. For example, do not be afraid of repetition. It is critical that students with significant disabilities get to experience material over several days to be able to fully assimilate what is being taught. Also, adding visual supports to your printables and class activities helps students be able to pay more attention to the content you are presenting rather than the mechanics of what is expected. Finally, ask questions. Good questions!! Regardless of the material, if we can ask students good questions it will push them to think more deeply than before.