I am working with 2 groups of students within an Emotional
Support classroom to implement the Socially Wise Curriculum. One group has three students, one with a
visual impairment, and one group has two students. The students are 7th
and 8th grade students.
The students are in the classroom two consecutive days in a
six-day cycle. Typically, the first of
those days, a review of previously learned strategies and/or the introduction
of the new material to be learned is done.
The students then complete the computer portion of the selected skill
within the program following a review of previously learned strategies and/or
the introduction of the material to be learned.
The following day, the students engage in the role-playing activities. They then complete a journal entry.
The students log their initial “learn it” score and then their
completed score of 100%. The special
education teacher and I thought it was beneficial to have both scores for
progress monitoring purposes as well as for the students to see their own
growth.
Implementing the SW curriculum with these students has been
very enjoyable. The students were quick
to learn the computer aspects of the program,including the login information, how
to maintain their journal entries etc….We do have to assist some students read
the material presented. We also have to
enlarge the screen for a student who has a vision impairment, and at times,
read the content on the computer screen.
What has been the most rewarding has been observing the students as they
begin to recognize what is difficult for them, their willingness to complete
the various role -playing activities and reflect in their journals. The students
are very thoughtful and are making nice connections to themselves and others.
