February Unit Topic: My Community

UPCOMING EVENTS

Feb. 6 – Interactive Bullying Lesson during homeroom

Feb. 13 – Act 80 Day – No School for Students

Feb. 16 – Presidents’ Day – No School

Feb. 17 – STS Presentation

Feb. 24 – CBI Trip – STS “Buddy Ride” from Ashland Mini-Mart to Schuylkill Mall

*Mon/Tues/Thurs - Avenues
*Tues/Fri - Ashland Library
*Weds/Thurs - Food Shop @ MAC
*Weds/Fri - Child Development
*Thurs - Sosar Physical Therapy
*Mon/Weds - Boyers/Laundromat 
*Selected students only

DAILY LIVING SKILLS

Topic Story 1: A Day in My Community – This story focuses on an adult who needs to run errands in his community. Students will discuss planning ahead, arranging transportation, etc. We will also answer comprehension questions related to story. 

Topic Story 2: Shopping with Amanda –This story focuses on a young lady who goes shopping with her mother. . Students will ready story, discuss how it feels when someone is helpful and answer corresponding comprehension questions.

Article 1:  Getting Around Your Community Safely –This article is about ways to get from place to place in a community. It focuses on safety rules and procedures when walking or riding. Students will review steps for Crossing at a Stop Sign, Crossing at a Stoplight and Crossing Using Pedestrian Signs.  

Article 2: Being a Good Citizen – This article focuses on the importance of being a good citizen of a community. Emphasis is placed on being a good neighbor, following rules and volunteering when needed. Students will participate in an activity called “Three in a Row.” This game encourages students to find things that support community participation. The game presents scenarios in 4 categories: Be Responsible, Be Active, Be Neat, Be a Good Neighbor. 

Article 3: Important Places in Your Community –This article focuses on important places within the community that individuals may need to know as they move into adulthood. Locations discussed are post office, Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security Administration office and Library. Students will complete a KWL Chart in which they will indicate which places in the community they are familiar with and also indicate those places they would like to learn more about. We will also complete a “Personal Fact Sheet” that will be helpful when filling out forms. 

 Rights and Responsibilities - It is important for students to understand their individual rights. It is also important to understand that with the privilege of individual rights, comes personal responsibility. This month's topic is related to our community. Students will discuss specific individual rights and role-play scenarios depicting rights and responsibilities. 

Problem Solving Game –This lesson's game is designed to foster discussion about common daily events or situations. Students will be lead through a problem solving process by answering a series of questions about each scenario on the game board. 

Social Trivia - This daily lesson offers students the opportunity to discuss social skills. Questions may include: (1)  What is a good way to act in this situation? (2) What is a good thing to say? (3) How can the wrong response interfere with friendships or relationships with others?

Everyday Communication - This lesson addresses the important skill of communication. Each month, a poster is presented introducing a skill for building effective communication in a variety of daily situations at work, at home and in the community. This month's poster topic is "Making a Purchase."

WORK SKILLS

Job Exploration - Students will explore jobs within 2 different job categories. They will discuss the job category, location and specific job title. The students will indicate preferences on a checklist. They will also be given 2 help wanted ads to read and discuss. After reading and discussing both help wanted ads, students will select the job that most closely matches their preferences and skills. Students will apply for this job in a later lesson.

Applications and Interviews - Students will complete application for job selected in previous lesson and role-play corresponding job interview.

Job Interest Surveys – clerical, animal care, horticulture and food service jobs are explored this month.

Work Attitudes - Students will role-play job scenarios. This month's topics include Volunteer to Help When Needed, Stay Calm When Upset, and Treat Co-Workers with Respect.

Classroom Vocational Activities - Students will participate in simulated work activities.

FUNCTIONAL MATH

What’s in My “Wallet? – This activity presents opportunities for counting out various amounts of money in a person's wallet. Provided are daily scenarios that require students to count the money available and determine if there is enough to make a designated purchase.

Time Matters – The activities in this lesson focus on understanding time and planning a schedule.

Money Matters – This activity simulates the real-world experience of paying bills and balancing a checking account.

3-Way Planning - This lesson provides a story that focuses on a strategy for money management called 3-Way Planning. The concept of 3-Way Planning is to determine priorities for spending and saving money. The three components are: (1) Money for something you need now. (2) Money saved short term for something special. (3) Money saved for a long-term purchase or emergency. In addition to the story, students are presented with real-life budgeting situations.

FUNCTIONAL READING

Each week students will read an adapted article based on their current instructional level. They will complete corresponding activities, including following a recipe. This month's topics include Black History Month, Best Bagger Championship., Maple Syrup Time and Read Across America Day.