The first part of this blog post focused on the idea of what might make up a classroom program for students with autism. This post will examine what it could look like to put together the lesson management for something like this.

To organize the lessons, think about using a binder with tabs to divide the topics for students.


Consider making tabs and dividers for social skills, play skills, language skills, fine motor skills, phonics, behavior, individual IEP skills, or whatever centers you want to run. I would suggest starting with social skills, language skills and IEP goals. Here is a link to the free binder cover page shown in the this binder. 

 

Plan quick activities and lessons. You can take a look at these Social Skills activities for an example and the Social Skills Centers Targets for an example of activities that are planned for the year. Or, choose the deficit areas your students need to work on the most. 

 

These next images show the first week activity suggestions from the Social Skills Bundle. Students and teachers can dive into the classroom rules and expectations.

 

 

For teachers of older students, you might like to add executive functioning skills as a center.

Next, make data sheets or general tracking sheets to go with these tabs/dividers as well. IEP goals and objectives may need a more formal and detailed data sheet since you are tracking progress on specific goals. While the classroom program centers may need a more generalize type of checklist that can be used with all students in the centers.

If a binder is not feasible, use a folder for each student. Options for folders:

·        Color-code the folders by topic. For example, the purple folder is for social skills, the orange folder is for play skills, the yellow folder is for language skills.

·        Have a folder for each student with the assignments for the week.

·        Have the entire packet on the right of the folder (using a butterfly clip), and put the assignments for the week on the left.

·        Have assignments in a packet separated by a divider that says Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, etc. (Here is a free electronic download of dividers Week 1- Week 34.)

 

If using the folder route, it may help to use a 3-prong folder with pockets. Which would mean you will want to use paper that is already 3-hole punched or invest in a really good 3-hole punch device.

 For distance learning, an organized binder separated by each week (ex. week 1, week 2, week 3, etc.) or separated by each activity area (social skills, play skills, language skills, etc.) is probably going to work best for families.

Complete a similar set up for each of the following weeks.