Super Social Skills

As you probably know by now, I'm kinda fond of super heroes. Just a little. So I'd been eyeing the super heroes at Melonheadz, but I'm just a little cheap and hated to spend the money. Last week though, I had a revelation. I was going to buy those adorable super people and justify the purchase by creating a SUPER social skills unit. 

This was a scary prospect for me because I hated to spend the money because I often feel inadequate at teaching social skills. Ironically (or not) over 10% of my non-self contained caseload is working on social skills and behavior. I've even written a SUPER post on that same topic! Oh, and I've created Social Language Homework for a Year. So, I guess if I don't always feel confident on the topic, then probably no one does!

My first thought was to follow the themes of my Social Language Homework exactly and link one Super Hero to each homework area. But then I realized, that before I could tackle that, I needed to get the basics out of the way. You know. The School Rules. 

Is there any school out there that is not using "Be Safe. Be Respectful. Be Responsible." as their school rules? If so, I'd like to shake their hand for originality. Alas, we are one of the many schools with vague, over-used, under-understood, broad rules. What is a Super SLP to do? I know! Superfy them!

Click on these pictures to get the FREE full size visuals under "Download Preview"

I used these super heroes to help explain the broad rules of the school. Each character poster is 8x11 and can (read: WILL) be printed out and plastered all over my walls. Each hero in the unit also comes with a social story, and  snazzy dazzy Power Card (3x5 inches so it can be put on a key ring and easily carried around).

Is it okay to admit that the real reason I made all of these Super Hero Power Cards was to blog about it and say, "Collect them all!"??

What is a Power Card?

•A small social script, usually the size of a trading card, that can be referred to frequently by child.

•A power card includes a character of special interest and the solution to a problem broken down into parts.

•For more information read here

Then Super Hero Team combines their forces to create an Expected/Unexpected Game:

With each unit that I make, I'm learning things and am fine tuning my style. One thing I figured out was that for my students I must include visuals on every single card. Many of my students are not good readers (or are non-readers) and need to rely on a clear visual, in addition to having me read the card aloud. I also have learned through painful experience that cards get mixed up quite easily. I have put the name of the game on the side of every single card so that they can be easily re-sorted (not that I've EVER had a student do 52 card pick up without my permission....)

After defending the universe from the vague school rules of Safe, Respectful, and Responsible, you can start exploring the other skills that a super hero has.

Understanding feelings (with Social Story, Power Card, Game Rules, 40 game cards) 

Asking about others (with Social Story, Power Card, Game Rules, 40 game cards)

Thinking about others (with Social Story, Power Card, Game Rules, 1 page of reproducible coloring heads)

Problem solving (with Social Story, Power Card, Game Rules, 40 game cards)

Knowing expressions (with Social Story, Power Card, Game Rules, 32 game cards)

The only part of my Social Language Homework that I did not include in this super unit was the story retelling/answering questions part. I feel that I already cover those areas well in all of my Literature-Based Speech Activities.

So far it's just been me rambling on and on about these activities. I think we should find out what the heroes think:

Support my work and get it now! (or just download the Free Super Posters under "Download Preview")

***Please note, due to Trademark issues I cannot name each super hero in the unit. They are called the generic "super hero" throughout, however, you can feel free to re-name as you see fit during lessons.

 

(And please don't tell my super amazing assistant that I want her to re-do these super posters in my room to imitate my new Super Safe, Respectful, and Responsible posters!)

Also consider getting:

But WAIT! There's more!!

I couldn't leave my Super clip art with just one activity. So I made one more....

A S-Blends Uno-like game (because I'm sick of hearing all about "Piderman" from my Kindergarten boys!) to work on /s/ blends.

3 Uno decks included:

/s-/ + /p, t, k/ (1 syllable) for kiddos beginning to work on cluster reduction and adding initial frication

/s-/ + /n, l, m, w/ (1 syllable) for kids working on those sounds

/s-/ blends multisyllabic for those kids ready to move onto 2+ syllable cluster words

Get the Game here!

Hope you enjoy and find all of this SUPER! (Collect them all!)

Like what you see? Like me on Facebook to get deals, Freebies, and extra doses of my warped humor.