From Text Maps to Memory Caps

100 More Ways to Differentiate Instruction in K–12 Inclusive Classrooms

About the Authors

Paula Kluth, Ph.D., is a former special educator who has served as a general education co-teacher, inclusion facilitator, and instructional coach. Her professional interests include differentiating instruction, active learning, and inclusive schooling. Dr. Kluth is the author or coauthor of eleven books including:
“You’re Going to Love This Kid!”: Teaching Students with Autism in Inclusive Classrooms, Second Edition;
“A Land We Can Share”: Teaching Literacy to Students with Autism; and
“Just Give Him the Whale”: 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and
A documentary film titled “We Thought You’d Never Ask”: Voices of People with Autism.

Sheila Danaher, M.S.Ed., is a consultant for the Christopher L. & M. Susan Gust Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting all students by creating inclusive school communities. She is a former learning specialist and administrator in the Chicago Public Schools, where she focused on supporting students with autism and differentiating instruction for all students. As a consultant for the Gust Foundation, Sheila continues her work in the Chicago area by providing teachers with ideas for curricular adaptations, differentiating instruction.

Social Skill Slam Book

Materials

• Notebook or binder

Description

Did you have a slam book as a kid? We remember using slam books to share favorite things, classroom crushes, and recommendations for friends. If you are not familiar with slam books, the concept is simple. The owner of the book creates a roster on the front cover or first page of the book with a series of numbers and one name next to each one. Then, on each subsequent page of the book, a question is posted along with a numbered list. Students answer each question by providing their response next to the number they are assigned at the beginning of the book. So, a student who signed in as the seventh name on the first page answers every subsequent question on line 7. Since names only show up on the first page, some slam book owners tear out that information so the content is private to anyone else viewing the book. This allows contributors to freely share information such as “What are your favorite movies?” or “Who do you admire the most?”

Directions

Teachers can create social skill slam books for their students who need advice and guidance from peers on topics such as making friends and dealing with stress. To help visual learners, this format includes pictures of classmates instead of just their words of advice.

First, decide on the social skills you want to target and develop simple questions based on these skills. Sample questions include the following:

• How do you deal with anxiety?
• How do you start a conversation with someone new?
• How do you deal with perfectionism?
• What do you do to calm down when you are really upset?
• How do you handle unfair situations?
• How do you cope with a low grade?
• How do you find the right extracurricular activity?

Then, ask your student with social challenges to choose a few peers he or she respects and would like to use as advisors. On the first page of your book, introduce the advisors by writing a few sentences about each and adding the participant’s photo. On each page thereafter, write one question on the left side of the book and three or four answers on the right side. Include a photo of each respondent next to his or her answer so the learner can visualize who is giving each piece of advice.

Give this book to the student to study proactively or bring it out during confusing or frustrating moments. Add new pages as challenges emerge.

Example

A high school student with Asperger syndrome often consulted with classmates about personal struggles, such as how to cope with anxiety and how to deal with the pressures of school, including choosing a college and taking standardized tests. His teachers helped him to create a slam book filled with ideas from the classmates who he viewed as successful and trustworthy.

Keep in Mind

Some students may want to include respected friends or family members out of anonymity.