December 2016

This month’s unit focuses on different holiday traditions. As we assist our young adults in the transition from school to work, it is necessary that they receive training in understanding the differences in people. During the December holidays, families celebrate in many ways. Each family has traditions that have been passed down from one generation to the next. It is important to understand and respect different traditions.

The unit stories help young adults learn about different traditions. The first story provides simple descriptions of activities and events that are a part of many family traditions. The second story follows a group of friends as they share their different traditions with one another. The stories are designed to encourage our young adults to share their own traditions. Three articles focus on the traditions of lights, giving and making gingerbread. Activities follow these articles to further expand the topics.

This holiday unit provides the usual 21 lessons. All lessons include an emphasis on content related to the holiday theme. Communication is the focus of lessons on social interaction such as extending an invitation to someone. Social skills are addressed in a lesson using social trivia scenarios in a daily calendar format. Other lessons address basic money calculations, banking and budgeting. The five recipes provided this month also have a holiday theme.

Employment is also addressed this month in lessons that encourage job exploration as well as completing applications and interviews.

November 2016

This month’s newsletter addresses the topic of personal health care as presented in this month’s unit titled, “Do I Need a Doctor?” The unit provides lessons and activities about taking care of yourself when you’re sick and determining when you need to see a doctor. Activities from the Transition Passport: Daily Living/Health Tools are incorporated. As we assist our young adults in the transition from school to work, it is necessary that they receive training in personal health care. Knowing how to take care of yourself when you’re sick, take medicine safely and when to seek help from a doctor are important components to personal health care. This unit will provide our young adults with the tools needed to learn about how to take care of themselves and stay healthy.

The unit stories help young adults learn the importance of taking care of themselves whether they are sick or healthy. In the first story, a young girl doesn’t feel well and is trying to decide if she should go to work. After trying different things to help her feel better, she decides she is too sick to go to work. In the second story, a young man is going to visit his doctor. He visits his doctor for a checkup to make sure his medicine is working to keep him healthy. He gets a refill for his prescriptions from his doctor and demonstrates how to safely take medication.

Regular monthly lessons are provided which offer the opportunity to practice the skills needed to take care of yourself and stay healthy. Health care and medication costs are addressed in banking and budgeting. Daily living skills involved in cooking are part of a regular monthly lesson offering five recipes where our young adults can practice appropriate hygiene skills and daily living skills. Social and communication skills are the focus of lessons presenting daily social trivia scenarios offering more opportunity for our young adults to practice skills needed to make good choices related to personal health care.

Employment continues to be a regular focus for several lessons each month. Lessons include exploring different jobs, reading job ads, completing job applications and practicing interview skills. Simple, realistic scenarios address job skills and interactions at work.

October 2016

This month’s newsletter addresses the topic of looking your best as presented in this month’s unit titled, “Dress for Success.” The unit provides lessons and activities about the importance of looking your best to make a good first impression including activities in the Transition Passport: Personal Life, Community and Daily Living/Evaluation Tools. As we assist our young adults in the transition from school to work, it is necessary that they receive training in grooming and self-care skills. Grooming and self-care skills begin with knowing about yourself, your responsibilities and how to look your best. This unit will provide our young adults with the tools needed to learn about how to dress for success and make a good first impression.

The unit stories help young adults learn the importance of choosing clothes that fit and match to help you look your best. In the first story, a young man is trying to choose an outfit for an interview. With help from his sister he is able to choose an outfit that matches and is appropriate for the activity. In the second story, a young lady is going shopping for a new shirt. She tries on several shirts to determine her size and what fits best. Three articles offer more information and activities that give our young adults the opportunity to learn about choosing clothes that fit, how to match your outfit, and how to look your best to make a good first impression.

Regular monthly lessons are provided which offer the opportunity to practice the skills needed to look your best. Grooming and clothing needs are addressed in banking and budgeting where the importance of budgeting for needs before spending money on wants is stressed. Daily living skills involved in cooking are part of a regular monthly lesson offering five recipes where our young adults can practice appropriate hygiene skills. Social and communication skills are the focus of lessons presenting daily social trivia scenarios offering more opportunity for our young adults to practice skills needed to look your best and practice good grooming habits.

Employment continues to be a regular focus for several lessons each month. Lessons include exploring different jobs, reading job ads, completing job applications and practicing interview skills. Simple, realistic scenarios address job skills and interactions at work. Job skills are emphasized as team members take on various tasks.

September 2016

SPEAK FOR YOURSELF

This month's unit provides lessons and activities about the importance of speaking up for yourself and knowing when and how to speak up including activities in the Transition Passport: Personal Life/Evaluation Tools. As we assist our young adults in the transition from school to work, it is necessary that they receive training in self-advocacy. Self-advocacy begins with knowing about yourself, your rights and the types of assistance available to you. This unit will provide our young adults with the tools needed to learn about themselves so they can speak up more effectively.

The unit stories help young adults learn the importance of sharing your wants and needs because nobody knows what you want better than you do. In the first story, a young girl who cannot talk and uses a wheelchair is able to speak up with the help of support people and electronic devices. With the appropriate help, she can be more independent and express herself. In the second story, a young man prepares for his IEP meeting so he can take a more active role and lead the meeting. He works with his parents and teachers to think through some important questions, which will help him to understand what he wants for his future. Three articles offer more information and activities that give our young adults the opportunity to learn about themselves by exploring their strengths, challenges, likes and dislikes, support people and to practice speaking up.

Regular monthly lessons are provided which offer the opportunity to practice speaking up in various daily life situations. Wants and needs are addressed in banking and budgeting where the importance of budgeting for needs before spending money on wants is stressed. Daily living skills involved in cooking are part of a regular monthly lesson offering five recipes where our young adults can express their likes and dislikes of the meal preparation or taste of the meal. Social and communication skills are the focus of lessons presenting daily social trivia scenarios offering more opportunity for our young adults to speak up.

Employment continues to be a regular focus for several lessons each month. Lessons include exploring different jobs, reading job ads, completing job applications and practicing interview skills. Simple, realistic scenarios address job skills and interactions at work.

May 2016

This month's unit, "Clean and Green," lessons will provide lessons and activities for understanding the basics of laundry care, including activities in the Transition Passport: Daily Living/Clothing. As we assist our young adults in the transition from school to work, it is necessary that they receive training in the steps of doing laundry, from pre-treating stains and sorting, to reading care tags, folding, hanging and putting clothes away. Understanding the differences between laundry products and the importance of making laundry care a part of our daily routines are important concepts. • The unit stories help young adults learn many important things to know when doing the laundry and why daily laundry care is necessary. The first story stresses the importance of sorting clothes before washing, and washing in the right temperature. A young man washes towels at school. When he is asked to help with the laundry at home, he soon realizes that there is much more to know when doing all of the laundry. The second story follows a young man as he tries to get dressed to go out with his friends. He can’t figure out which of his clothes are clean. The emphasis of this story is on putting dirty clothes in the laundry basket and folding, hanging and putting away clean clothes. Three articles offer more information and activities that afford our young adults practice in reading care tags, labeling laundry detergent, sorting, washing, drying, folding, hanging and putting away clothes.

 Regular monthly lessons are provided which offer the opportunity for young adults to use their understanding of laundry care while solving practical math and money skills. Banking and budgeting are addressed. Daily living skills involving cooking are part of a regular monthly lesson, offering five recipes. Social and communication skills are the focus of lessons presenting social trivia and everyday scenarios where laundry care is involved.

Employment continues to be a regular focus for several lessons each month. Lessons include exploring different jobs, reading job ads, completing job applications and practicing interview skills. Simple, realistic scenarios address job skills and interactions at work. Job skills are emphasized as team members take on various tasks.

April 2016

Unit Topic: "What To Do, What To Do"

The unit lessons will provide tools and a process for making effective decisions including activities in the Transition Passport: Personal Life/Making Decisions. As we assist our young adults in the transition from school to work, it is necessary that they receive training in thinking through the good and bad consequences that can happen with the choices they make and the importance of learning from our mistakes. Understanding the things that can affect our decisions as well as reflecting on our decisions are important skills.

The unit stories help young adults learn about the importance of having a process to make good decisions. The first story stresses the importance of thinking about the good and the bad that can happen before making a decision. A young man wants to be a good worker, and has learned that a good worker is always on time. When he realizes that he missed the bus, he makes a quick decision that gets him in trouble. The second story follows a young man as he forgets to buy drinks for the class party and decides to bring wine coolers from home to class. The emphasis of this story is on learning from our mistakes and asking for help when making a decision. Three articles offer more information and practice activities that will assist our young adults in making effective decisions.

Regular monthly lessons are provided which offer the opportunity to practice good decision-making skills while solving practical math and money skills. Banking and budgeting are addressed. Daily living skills involved in cooking, including shopping for ingredients and following a recipe, are also part of a regular monthly lesson, offering five recipes. Social and communication skills are the focus of lessons presenting social trivia and everyday scenarios where using effective decision-making skills is emphasized.

Employment continues to be a regular focus for several lessons each month. Lessons include exploring different jobs, reading job ads, completing job applications and practicing interview skills. Simple, realistic scenarios address job skills and interactions at work. The final lesson highlights volunteering as a way to practice job skills and gain practical work experience.

March 2016

Monthly Topic: Ouch, That Hurts!

This unit lessons cover various aspects of dealing with injuries including activities in the Transition Passport: Daily Living/Safety. As we assist our young adults in the transition from school to work, it is necessary that they receive training in taking care of themselves and others at home and in the work place. Understanding basic first aid to use in minor injuries as well as knowing when a situation is an emergency are important skills.

The unit stories help young adults learn about situations that could result in injuries. The first story shows how quickly an emergency can arise. Two friends take a walk in the woods on a sunny day. When one of the friends is seriously injured after falling down a steep hill, her friend must act quickly to get help. Issues of what to say when a 911 call is needed and the importance of staying calm are addressed. The second story follows a young man as he experiences a series of minor accidents at home. The emphasis of this story is on what to do for a minor injury as well as prevention measures that should be taken. Three articles further define first aid procedures and how to create a first-aid kit.

Regular monthly lessons are provided with a focus on practical math and money skills. Banking and budgeting are addressed. Daily living skills involved in cooking, including shopping for ingredients and following a recipe are also part of a regular monthly lesson, offering five recipes. Social and communication skills are the focus of lessons presenting social trivia and everyday communication scenarios. How to compromise is the focus of this month's scenario.

Employment continues to be a regular focus for several lessons each month. Lessons include exploring different jobs, reading job ads, completing job applications and practicing interview skills. Simple, realistic scenarios address job skills and interactions at work. The final lesson highlights volunteering as a way to practice job skills and gain practical work experience. Job skills are emphasized as team members take on various tasks.

January 2016

This month’s newsletter focuses on one of the Transition Passport activities: Daily Living/Safety as covered in this month's topic of Safety Matters. As we assist our young adults in the transition from school to work, it is necessary that they receive training in being safe in their own homes. The unit provides an opportunity to focus on safety rules and procedures at home with special emphasis on safety in the kitchen.

The unit stories help young adults learn about safety through practical themes. The first story shows how a young man learns to cook with the help of his sister. As he prepares his lunch, he learns about safety in the kitchen. The safety rules in this story have practical application for the monthly recipe lesson. The second story focuses on safety in a new home. Two roommates check their apartment for safety from light bulbs to smoke alarms. Each story is followed by comprehension questions that address key points and help facilitate discussion. Three articles further explore safety issues by providing information on the safe use of kitchen appliances, safety during recreational activities and the safe use of household tools. Each article is followed by an activity designed to emphasize important content.

Other monthly lessons support practical application of math concepts with content that addresses time calculation, money problems, banking and budgeting. Realistic content and practical application are emphasized in these lessons. Social skills are stressed using a monthly calendar of social trivia as well as communication scenarios. This month addresses how to be a good listener.

Employment continues to be a regular focus for several lessons each month. Lessons include exploring different jobs, reading job ads, completing job applications and practicing interview skills. Positive attitudes on the job are addressed with simple, realistic scenarios that present examples of how to interact with coworkers and supervisors. The final lesson highlights volunteering as a way to practice job skills and gain practical work experience.