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Navigating the Social Playground: Mastering School Social Norms

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Lesson Plan

Navigating the Social Playground Lesson Plan

Teach the golden rule and safe, respectful behavior by focusing on keeping private parts private, respecting privacy, no guns at school, using kind hands, and kind words.

This updated lesson equips the student with essential social and safety skills, emphasizing respect, personal boundaries, and proper behavior to ensure a safe and caring school environment.

Audience

1st Grade Students with Autism

Time

300 minutes total (12 sessions, 25 minutes each)

Approach

Interactive discussions, role-play, and activities tailored to the student’s interests.

Prep

Preparation and Materials Review

30 minutes

  • Review all provided materials including the Lesson Plan Document and newly revised session objectives.
  • Prepare updated slide deck segments and worksheets to cover topics such as the golden rule, safe body boundaries, respecting privacy, and school safety (no guns).
  • Ensure all visual aids incorporate familiar characters from Toy Story and NumberBlocks to maintain engagement.
  • Familiarize yourself with the sensitive topics to discuss them in a supportive, age-appropriate manner.

Step 1

Session 1: Introducing the Golden Rule

25 minutes

  • Explain the golden rule: treat others as you want to be treated.
  • Use visuals from Toy Story and NumberBlocks to illustrate examples of sharing and kindness.
  • Engage in a role-play where the student practices greeting friends with kind words and actions.

Step 2

Session 2: Understanding Kind Hands

25 minutes

  • Define what kind hands mean: gentle touches, no hitting or hurting.
  • Demonstrate with hand movements and role-play using favorite characters.
  • Practice scenarios of using kind hands during play.

Step 3

Session 3: Using Kind Words

25 minutes

  • Discuss the power of kind words and how they make others feel happy and safe.
  • Use a worksheet to match kind words and phrases with positive responses.
  • Role-play greetings and compliments using words like 'please', 'thank you', and 'sorry'.

Step 4

Session 4: Keeping Private Parts Private

25 minutes

  • Introduce the idea of body boundaries in simple terms.
  • Explain that some parts of our body are private and should not be touched by others except in certain situations (like help from a trusted adult).
  • Use visual aids and a story (modified from Toy Story adventures) that reinforces privacy and appropriate boundaries.

Step 5

Session 5: Respecting Personal Privacy

25 minutes

  • Discuss what privacy means: giving others space and not looking into personal belongings or private areas (like diaries or personal items).
  • Role-play scenarios demonstrating asking for permission before joining someone's personal space or looking at something private.
  • Use characters from NumberBlocks to reinforce these ideas.

Step 6

Session 6: Creating a Safe School Environment

25 minutes

  • Introduce the concept of school safety: why dangerous items such as guns do not belong at school.
  • Explain in simple terms that safe schools keep everyone happy and protected.
  • Engage the student with a visual story showing a safe school environment and discussing what to do if they see something unsafe.

Step 7

Session 7: Role Play – Applying the Golden Rule

25 minutes

  • Review the golden rule and its importance in everyday interactions.
  • Engage in role-play scenarios where the student practices listening, sharing, and giving help in stories featuring Toy Story characters.
  • Reinforce using kind hands and words throughout the exercise.

Step 8

Session 8: Consolidating Body Boundaries

25 minutes

  • Review why keeping private parts private and respecting body boundaries is important.
  • Use interactive activities such as placing stickers on body outlines to indicate private areas.
  • Discuss scenarios in which a trusted adult should be consulted.
  • Emphasize self-protection and caring for one’s own body.

Step 9

Session 9: Practice Respecting Privacy

25 minutes

  • Discuss respecting the privacy of others through everyday examples.
  • Role-play situations where the student practices knocking before entering a room or asking permission to use someone’s things.
  • Use simple cues from the Reading Material: Toy Story Social Adventures and NumberBlocks examples.

Step 10

Session 10: Reinforcing School Safety

25 minutes

  • Focus on the rule of 'No Guns at School' by discussing what items are safe to bring to school.
  • Explain in a calm, reassuring manner that school is a place where dangerous items must be left at home.
  • Use visuals and a simple game to identify safe versus unsafe items.

Step 11

Session 11: Review – Being a Kind Friend

25 minutes

  • Recap all the concepts: golden rule, kind hands, kind words, body boundaries, respecting privacy, and school safety.
  • Use Slide Deck for Social Norms to review key points.
  • Encourage the student to share favorite practices and provide positive feedback for correctly using these skills.

Step 12

Session 12: Final Role Play and Game

25 minutes

  • Organize a comprehensive role-play session integrating all learned concepts.
  • Play the Turn-Taking Challenge game to reinforce patience, respectful behavior, and appropriate social interactions.
  • End with positive reinforcement and a discussion about applying the golden rule daily.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to the Social Playground!

Let's explore how to be kind, respectful, and friendly at school using fun stories and games.

Introduce the overall topic, capturing excitement with visuals from Toy Story and NumberBlocks. Emphasize fun and learning.

What Are Social Norms?

Social norms are rules that help us get along. They tell us how to be kind, share, and respect space.

Discuss what social norms are using simple language and images from Toy Story characters interacting in friendly ways.

Understanding Personal Space

Personal space is like an invisible bubble around us. Respecting this space helps everyone feel safe and comfortable.

Use engaging visual aids to explain personal space with a graphic of a 'space bubble'. Demonstrate and guide the student in understanding boundaries.

Using Polite Language

Simple words like 'please', 'thank you', and 'excuse me' make our school a nicer place.

Introduce polite language and greetings. Show images or short animations of characters saying hello and please.

Waiting for Your Turn

Taking turns is important in games and conversations. Just like in NumberBlocks, every number gets its chance!

Focus on turn-taking with visual cues from a game or a simple round-robin illustration. Mention exciting elements from NumberBlocks.

Empathy and Helping Others

Caring for others and understanding their feelings builds strong friendships.

Illustrate empathy and understanding through images from Toy Story showing characters caring for one another.

Review: All About Social Norms

Let's remember: personal space, polite language, turn-taking, and empathy. How can we use these at school?

Review all key points. Engage the student by asking questions and encouraging a quick recap using visuals from both Toy Story and NumberBlocks.

Let's Play and Practice!

Get ready for our final game! Use everything we learned to have fun and be a great friend.

Conclude with high energy and excitement for the final role-play and game session. Emphasize that learning social norms is fun!

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Worksheet

Interactive Social Skills Worksheet

This worksheet is designed to help you practice important social skills. Complete each activity by writing your answers in the space provided.


1. Matching Social Norms

Match the social rule with the correct example by drawing a line or writing the letter next to the number.

A. Respecting Personal Space

B. Using Polite Language

C. Waiting for Your Turn

D. Making Friendly Introductions

  1. When you wait patiently for your turn during a game.

  2. When you say "please" and "thank you" while asking for something.

  3. When you stand a little away from someone so they feel comfortable.

  4. When you say "hello" and introduce yourself with a smile.





2. Fill in the Blanks

Read the sentences and fill in the missing words. Use the words from the box below if needed:

(please, thank you, turn, space, hello)

a) Always say _______________ when someone helps you.





b) Give others enough _______________ so they feel comfortable.





c) It’s important to wait for your _______________ during a game.





d) When you meet someone new, say _______________ and introduce yourself.





3. Social Scenario Responses

Imagine you are playing with your friends at school. Read each scenario and write how you would respond in the space provided.

Scenario 1:

Your friend is getting upset because they didn’t get a turn on the slide. What can you do to help?

Your Response:










Scenario 2:

You see someone standing too close to another child who looks uncomfortable. What should you do?

Your Response:










Scenario 3:

During a class activity, you notice a new student looking shy. How would you introduce yourself?

Your Response:










4. Draw Your Space Bubble

On the back of this worksheet, draw a picture of your "space bubble". Show how much room you need to feel safe and happy at school. Use your imagination and add your favorite characters, such as from Toy Story or NumberBlocks!










Great job practicing your social skills. Keep up the good work!

lenny
lenny

Reading

Toy Story Social Adventures

Welcome to a special adventure with your favorite Toy Story characters! In this story, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and their friends learn about important social skills while having fun. Read along and see how they use kindness and respect every day at school.


A Day at the Schoolyard

One bright morning, Woody and Buzz were playing with their friends in the schoolyard. They noticed that everyone was taking turns on the slide. Woody said, "Let's wait our turn so everyone can have fun!" and Buzz added, "That way, we all get a chance, just like sharing our toys."





Learning About Personal Space

Later, Jessie and Bullseye were playing a game of tag. They made sure to give each other enough room to run without bumping into one another. Jessie explained, "I love playing tag, but we need a little space so we can run safely."

This made the group think about how important personal space is, so everyone felt comfortable and happy.





Being Polite and Friendly

During a class activity, the toys met a new friend. Woody greeted the new friend warmly by saying, "Hello! My name is Woody. Would you like to play with us?" By using polite words, the toys made the new friend feel welcome and included.





Working Together

As the day went on, the friends noticed that sometimes disagreements happened. When Buzz saw that a toy was upset after not getting a turn, he gently said, "Let’s try to find a way for everyone to have fun. Can I help you with something?" This small act of kindness helped calm the upset friend and turned the moment into a chance for learning how to work together.





Reflect and Connect

At the end of the adventure, all the characters gathered to talk about what they learned. They recalled the importance of taking turns, giving personal space, using polite words, and helping each other. Just like Woody, Buzz, and their friends, every one of us can make our school a happier place by following these simple social norms.





Great job reading about the Toy Story Social Adventures! How can you use what Woody and Buzz learned to help you at school? Write your thoughts below or draw a picture that shows your favorite part of the story.










Happy reading and remember: being kind and respectful makes every day an adventure!

lenny
lenny

Discussion

Discussion Guide: NumberBlocks and Social Rules

This discussion guide is designed to help explore social norms using the fun and engaging characters from NumberBlocks. Use these prompts and questions to encourage thoughtful conversation about social rules and how they apply at school.

Introduction

Begin by explaining that just as every NumberBlock has its own unique role in making sequences and numbers, every student has an important part in the school community. Remind the student that learning social rules helps everyone work together and have fun!

Discussion Prompts

  1. What are Social Rules?





    • What do you think social rules are, and why are they important?





    • How do you feel when someone follows the rules at school?





  2. Comparing NumberBlocks and Friends





    • Just like NumberBlocks join together to make numbers, how do friends work together at school?





    • What happens when a NumberBlock is missing or out of place? Can this be like when someone doesn’t follow a social rule? How does that make you feel?






  3. Exploring Specific Social Norms





    • How do you think waiting for your turn in a game helps everyone have fun? Can you give an example from NumberBlocks or school activities?






    • Why is giving personal space important? Imagine if a NumberBlock tried to squeeze too many numbers together, what might happen?






    • How does using polite language (like saying "please" and "thank you") help make school a happy place, like when NumberBlocks work together nicely?






  4. Role Play and Problem Solving





    • Imagine you’re a NumberBlock joining others to form a big number. What social rule will you follow to make sure everyone fits in well?





    • If a friend is upset because they didn’t get a turn, what kind of NumberBlock would you be to help solve the problem?






Follow-Up Points

  • Reflect on the Discussion: Ask the student to share one new idea or rule they learned today and how they can use it during play at school.





  • Create a Social Rule Chart: Together, list some simple social rules on a chart. Use NumberBlocks images alongside each rule to make it visually appealing.





  • Revisit and Practice: In future sessions, refer back to these discussion points to check how well the student is using his new social skills.





Remember, the goal is to help you feel confident and happy both at school and while playing with friends. Have fun and keep practicing being a great friend, just like your favorite NumberBlocks characters!

lenny
lenny

Activity

Activity Instructions: Personal Space Game

This fun activity helps practice the idea of personal space through a hands-on game. The goal is to help you learn how to respect your own space and others' space while having fun!


How to Play:

  1. Set Up the Space:

    • Clear an area in your learning space where you have enough room to move around safely.
    • Use tape or string to mark a large circle or 'space bubble' on the floor. This represents your personal space.


  2. Understanding Your Space Bubble:

    • Imagine your bubble is invisible, but it shows the area where you feel comfortable.
    • When playing with a friend, both of you should try to stay within your own bubbles without touching.
    • Practice walking around your bubble without going too close to your friend's bubble.


  3. Game Rounds:

    • Round 1: One person stands in the center of their own bubble while another student walks around their bubble. The walker practices keeping a steady pace and respecting the bubble boundary.
    • Round 2: Switch roles so everyone gets a chance to practice both being the 'inside' person and the 'mover'.
    • Round 3: To add challenge, set simple rules (like dancing slowly or walking backwards) while ensuring everyone stays in their space.


  4. Discussion and Reflection:

    • After each round, talk about how it felt to have personal space.
    • Ask questions like: "How did it feel when you had enough space?" or "What did you notice when you were too close to someone?"
    • Use this discussion to improve your understanding of respecting personal boundaries.


Visual and Interactive Assistance:

  • Visual Aid: Draw or use an image of a space bubble and post it nearby as a reminder of your personal space. You can draw your own or use characters from Toy Story or NumberBlocks with bubbles around them.


  • Moving and Role-Play: Encourage movement in a fun way! Pretend you are one of your favorite characters who needs to protect their space, like Woody or a NumberBlock. This will make the practice engaging and fun.


Great job practicing your personal space! Remember, keeping a respectful distance helps everyone feel comfortable and safe at school and at play.


lenny
lenny

Game

Turn-Taking Challenge

This fun game is designed to help you practice waiting and taking turns during group activities. Follow these steps and guidelines to enjoy the game and learn more about social skills!


Game Setup:

  • Materials: Use small objects (like colorful blocks or cards) or any other game piece the student likes.
  • Playing Area: Set up a small table or space where you and your friend(s) can sit in a circle.


How to Play:

  1. Starting the Game:

    • Place all the game pieces in the center of the table.
    • Decide who will start by using a fun method (like rolling a dice or picking a card).
    • The starting player picks one game piece from the pile and shows it to everyone.


  2. Taking Turns:

    • After the first player takes their turn, the next player in the circle has a chance to pick a game piece.
    • Everyone must wait patiently for their turn. No interrupting or grabbing a piece early!
    • Use a timer if needed to help remind everyone to wait their turn.


  3. Game Challenges:

    • To make the game extra engaging, add a challenge during turns. For example, before picking a game piece, the player might be asked to say a polite phrase such as "please" or share one kind word about a friend.
    • If someone picks up a piece without waiting or sharing, gently remind them about the importance of taking turns and waiting patiently.


  4. Game Reflection:

    • After the game, take a few minutes to talk about how it felt to wait for your turn.
    • Ask yourself or your friend: "What did you like about waiting?" or "How did you feel when it was your turn?"
    • Share some positive experiences from the game to encourage good social behavior in the future.


Success Tips:

  • Patience: Remember, waiting your turn is important because it shows respect and helps everyone play happily together.


  • Polite Words: Using words like "please" and "thank you" not only makes the game fun but also builds great manners!


  • Celebrate: Every time you wait and take your turn, give yourself a little cheer or smile—that’s how we celebrate being a good friend!


Enjoy the Turn-Taking Challenge and remember, every turn is a step towards becoming a wonderful friend and classmate!


Have fun and keep practicing your social skills!

lenny
lenny

Script

Video: Social Norms in Action Script

Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to watch a video called "Respecting Each Other in School." This video will show us what it looks like when we follow our school rules and treat each other with kindness. I want you to watch carefully and think about how the characters show respect, take turns, and give each other space.


Before we start the video, let’s review what we’ve been learning about social norms. Remember our discussions about personal space, using polite words like "please" and "thank you," and waiting your turn. Think about why these rules make our school a happy and safe place.


Play the video "Respecting Each Other in School"


(As the video plays, walk around the room to check in with each student. Keep a friendly tone and encourage eye contact with the screen.)


Once the video is finished, let's talk about what we saw. Now, I have a few questions for you:

• What did you notice about how the characters treated one another?



• How did they show respect for each other, especially when it came to sharing and waiting their turn?


Take a moment and think about these questions. Who would like to share what they observed?


(Allow time for responses. If a student hesitates, prompt gently with, "Maybe you noticed someone waiting patiently or using kind words." Provide positive reinforcement for all responses.)


Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Remember, the way we act at school helps everyone feel comfortable and included. Let’s use what we learned from the video to be extra kind and respectful, just like the characters. Keep practicing these skills in your daily activities. Great job, everyone!

lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Safety First: School Social Norms for a Respectful Environment

Teach safety and respectful social norms at school by focusing on no finger guns, respecting others' feelings, and using appropriate language regarding body parts.

This lesson ensures a safe and respectful school environment by addressing behaviors and language that promote inclusion and prevent misunderstandings.

Audience

1st Grade Students with Autism

Time

125 minutes total (5 days, 25 minutes each)

Approach

Interactive discussions, role-play, engaging activities, and enhanced visual aids.

Prep

Preparation and Materials Review

30 minutes

  • Review all provided materials with an emphasis on updated segments including visual aids for safety topics.
  • Prepare additional visual elements such as images, storyboards, and character illustrations from Toy Story and NumberBlocks to reinforce safety practices and respectful language.
  • Gather additional interactive materials like props for hands-on games and movement activities (e.g., soft balls, markers, and tape for relays).
  • Familiarize yourself with these interactive activities to ensure they align with each session’s objectives.

Step 1

Day 1: Understanding School Safety

25 minutes

  • Introduce the concept of school safety and respectful behavior using visual aids from the Slide Deck for Social Norms and Visual Aids Pack: Toy Story & NumberBlocks.
  • Discuss why actions like finger guns are not allowed at school using images and storyboards.
  • Engage in a role-play showcasing safe and respectful greetings, with accompanying visual cues.
  • Interactive Activity: Play a 'Safety Relay' where the student moves between stations with visual cues representing safe behavior (e.g., a station for a friendly wave, another for a safe handshake).

Step 2

Day 2: Respecting Others' Feelings

25 minutes

  • Discuss the importance of respecting others' feelings using visual examples and character illustrations.
  • Use interactive activities paired with images that depict emotions and empathetic responses.
  • Role-play scenarios where the student practices recognizing and validating feelings.
  • Interactive Activity: 'Emotion Charades' where the student and a partner act out different feelings using facial expressions and body language with visual prompts from the Visual Aids Pack: Toy Story & NumberBlocks.

Step 3

Day 3: Appropriate School Language

25 minutes

  • Explain why words or topics like butts, boobs, or poop are not appropriate at school with clear visual comparisons.
  • Use simple visuals and charts to show examples of respectful versus disrespectful language.
  • Engage the student in a matching game using visual cues from the Interactive Social Skills Worksheet to differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate topics.
  • Interactive Activity: 'Word Sorting Game' where cards with words or topics are sorted into 'Friendly Words' and 'Not-for-School Words' piles, encouraging tactile and visual learning.

Step 4

Day 4: Reinforcing No Finger Guns

25 minutes

  • Revisit the concept of no finger guns at school, displaying clear images that indicate the correct and incorrect ways to greet.
  • Use role-play scenarios enhanced with visual aids where the student practices a friendly wave instead of making finger guns.
  • Incorporate familiar character examples from Toy Story to visually illustrate the right behavior.
  • Interactive Activity: 'Gesture Swap' game where the student mimics correct greeting gestures shown on cards, then suggests alternative friendly gestures to replace finger guns (e.g., a thumbs-up or a high five).

Step 5

Day 5: Review and Practice – Safety at School

25 minutes

  • Recap all key concepts (school safety, respecting feelings, using appropriate language, and no finger guns) with a comprehensive visual review using the Video: Social Norms in Action and Discussion Guide: NumberBlocks and Social Rules.
  • Engage in a role-play and group discussion enhanced with visual aids to help the student verbalize and practice these norms.
  • Interactive Activity: 'Safety Storyboard Creation' where the student creates a visual sequence of images and captions that depict the school's safety rules and respectful behavior, reinforcing their understanding through a hands-on craft activity.
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