December 2017

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. As always, the final lesson provides a suggested volunteer activity. This activity is designed to provide practical experience with job skills in a work environment

November 2017

This month’s topic of managing emotions is presented in this month's unit titled, “Feelings and Emotions.” The unit provides lessons and activities that address the importance of managing feelings and emotions by addressing topics such as how to identify emotions, use calm down strategies and apologize sincerely. As we assist our young adults in the transition from school to work, it is necessary that they receive opportunities to learn the skills needed to manage their feelings and emotions to maintain friendships and work relationships. In this unit, young adults will be provided with the tools needed to learn about feelings and emotions so that they can take responsibility for their own emotional well-being. 

The unit stories help young adults learn the importance of managing their feelings and emotions. In the first story, a young woman experiences a wide range of emotions after she oversleeps and is late for work. Team members follow the young woman as she learns how to handle a morning that is off schedule and chaotic. How she handles the situation provides a lesson in accepting personal responsibility when things go wrong. In the second story, a young man arrives at work angry. He must choose how to handle his feelings. Three articles offer additional information and opportunities to learn about identifying emotions, calm down strategies and the steps that make up a good apology.
Regular monthly lessons offer the opportunity for team members to practice various skills they may need in their personal lives. In the banking and budgeting lessons, budgeting for items to help students manage stress in their daily lives is incorporated. Daily living skills are addressed within the monthly cooking lesson, which offers five healthy recipes using traditional Thanksgiving items like turkey and cornbread. The daily social trivia lesson stresses social skill development, by offering team members the opportunity to apply their understanding of problem solving and social skills, like, managing emotions or apologizing when you have made a mistake, to real-life social scenarios.

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.