Our classroom utilizes concepts from Think Social! by Michelle Garcia Winner to help students develop the social, emotional, and communication skills needed for success in school, the workplace, and everyday life. Instruction is tailored to each student's individual needs and may include the following topics:

Unit 1: Group Participation & Social Expectations

• Understanding expected and unexpected behaviors

• Recognizing how our actions affect others

• Identifying the expectations of different environments

• Problem-solving (big problems vs. small problems)

• Cooperative participation within groups

Unit 2: Attention & Perspective Taking

• Whole body listening and active engagement

• Thinking with our eyes

• Understanding that others have different thoughts and perspectives

• Developing awareness of social cues

Unit 3: Self-Awareness & Self-Regulation

• Monitoring attention and participation

• Recognizing when thoughts and behaviors are "in the group"

• Developing self-awareness

• Understanding how behaviors influence others' thoughts and feelings

Unit 4: Social Observation & Problem Solving

• Observing social situations

• Making informed social predictions

• Identifying emotions in ourselves and others

• Applying Social Behavior Mapping® strategies

Unit 5: Social Communication

• Interpreting verbal and nonverbal communication

• Understanding figurative and indirect language

• Inferring meaning and intent

• Developing flexible thinking

Unit 6: Flexible Thinking & Collaboration

• Considering others' perspectives

• Social curiosity and asking meaningful questions

• Adapting behavior to different situations

• Working cooperatively with peers

Unit 7: Conversation & Relationship Skills

• Starting and maintaining conversations

• Asking follow-up questions

• Appropriate interruptions and turn-taking

• Building positive peer relationships

• Recognizing conversation barriers

Unit 8: Real-World Social Skills

• Hidden curriculum and unwritten social rules

• Understanding opinions and beliefs

• Decision-making and problem solving

• Applying social skills across school, work, and community settings