Who doesn't need to buy groceries now and then? Prepare your special needs class for an upcoming trip to the grocery store. They practice matching the words on the shopping list to images of each item. They then use their list to locate...

Buying groceries and using money is a must-have skill. Listed here are the steps and procedures needed to train a special needs individual to purchase items at the grocery store. They will use pretend money, a calculator, and images of...

The worst part of the week is trying to scrounge quarters for the laundromat. Make the task of cleaning laundry an easy one for your high-functioning special needs learners. You take a trip to a local laundromat to practice using coin...

Who doesn't love a good snack? Provide practice with basic snack preparation skill for your special education class. They follow each step-by-step procedure to make and serve a hot drink and a sandwich. These skills are taught using...

In a home environment, learners with special needs practice creating nutritious meal plans. They talk about healthy food choices, then use the food pyramid as a guide to planning three balanced meals. They use a food group check sheet to...

Getting lost can be scary for anybody. Hone communication skills necessary when attempting to ask for help in a scary situation. Learners with special needs discuss how to know they're lost and how to use a cell phone to call for help....

Staying safe at home is as important a skill as staying safe out in the community. Your special ed class can practice what to do in a dangerous kitchen situation. They use gloves, dust pans, brooms, and paper towels to practice...

Everyone gets minor cuts and scrapes now and then. Provide your special education class with the skills they needs to clean and bandage a small wound. Use read marker (fake blood) on your arm and show your class how to wash and dress it....

Learners with special needs who are heading out into a community-based living situation need to know how to prevent home accidents from happening. They visit a real apartment and discuss the types of accidents that could happen due to...

Sometimes people with special needs find it hard to be understood. And, sometimes people with special need find it hard to understand others. Prepare your class for life in the workplace by discussing what they can say and do when there...

Everybody misses work now and then, or runs a little late. Prepare your special needs class with practice communicating their difficulties in getting up and getting to work. They look at each of the six scenarios, describe them and...

Take a very basic understanding of circuits and develop a strong understanding of the parts and function of a circuit. This activity is developed to be an independent exploration of circuits from the basics to series and parallel models....

What do you use to chop an onion or brown the meat? Learners with special needs read through a taco recipe, then use it to complete three different academic development activities. They circle the best utensil for the job, match each...

Kids won't just follow a recipe to increase their cooking ability, they'll use it to locate information in a text. They read the simple recipe, then use information from the recipe to fill in the blanks in a story that shows one person...

Talk with your pupils about the importance of staying focused at the grocery store. Your special education class will discuss how to create and use a shopping list. They will make a shopping list and pretend to use it in a role-play...

I've done this exercise with my special needs learners more times than I can count. They practice getting ready to shop at the grocery store by identifying items on their shopping list. They match grocery items to the proper department...

Cooking often requires one to measure out ingredients. Build an understanding of relative measurements as well as a reference for future cooking projects with your special needs class. In a small group, you'll discuss various measurement...

Learning to cook, follow directions, and presenting information are skills every body needs to know. Learners complete a recipe-in-a-jar activity to hone these life skills. They follow the directions, choose and use correct measurement...

Learners with special needs discuss the importance of fire safety. They visit smokey.com, discuss where fires commonly occur, and how to prevent them. They then practice responding to a fire-related emergency.

Staying clean is a big part of staying healthy and looking good in the community. Personal hygiene and napkin use are the focus of this activity. Your class will eat a messy food, look in a mirror to see if their face is messy, then...

Don't forget to brush! Help your special education class excel at taking care of their wonderful smiles. They'll discuss proper brushing and flossing techniques, watch a video on dental hygiene, and then brush their teeth. 

Nails can get really dirty really fast. Prepare your special education class for life on their own by introducing them to a regular nail care routine. They discuss why it is important to care for your nails and practice washing,...

When people make clothing choices, they should be attempting to buy clothes that are the proper size. Unfortunately, for most that is a skill that they have never been taught. Make sure your special education learners can purchase...

What did you have for lunch? Did it contain all four food groups? Help your special education class make good food choices and recognize foods in each of the four food groups. They look at images and discuss the foods on the food pyramid...