Personal and Social Skills

General Objective

To acquire personal and social skills that allow them to interact socially

Themes

Activities & Resources

Movies

"Benny and Joon" is a 1993 romantic comedy-drama film that tells the story of a brother and sister, Benny and Joon, and their unconventional relationships. Joon has a mental illness and is unable to live independently, and Benny takes care of her. However, when Joon meets a quirky young man named Sam, their lives change in unexpected ways.

The film's portrayal of Joon's mental illness could help participants better understand the experiences and challenges faced by people with mental health issues. The program could use the film as a basis for discussion and activities related to topics such as independence, self-care, and family relationships, which are essential areas for personal growth and social integration. Additionally, the film's focus on the importance of acceptance and inclusion could help participants develop their interpersonal skills and foster a sense of community. 

"Adam" is a 2009 romantic drama film that tells the story of a young man with Asperger's syndrome named Adam, who struggles with social interaction and communication skills. The film follows Adam as he develops a relationship with his new neighbor, Beth, and navigates the challenges of romantic love and independence.

The film's portrayal of a person with Asperger's syndrome could help students better understand the experiences and challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum. The program could use the film as a basis for discussion and activities related to topics such as social communication, relationships, and emotional regulation, which are essential areas for personal growth and social integration. Additionally, the film's focus on the importance of community and family support could help participants develop their interpersonal skills and foster a sense of belonging.

"Finding Nemo" is a 2003 animated adventure film about a young clownfish named Nemo, who is taken from his coral reef home by a scuba diver and ends up in a fish tank in a dentist's office. Nemo's father, Marlin, sets out on a journey across the ocean to find and rescue his son, encountering a variety of sea creatures along the way.

The film's focus on perseverance, determination, and problem-solving could be used to teach valuable life skills to program participants. Additionally, the film's emphasis on the importance of friendship, community, and support could help students develop their interpersonal skills and foster a sense of belonging. The program could also use the film to explore themes such as marine biology, ocean conservation, and environmental awareness, which could promote an interest in science and the natural world. 

"Front of the Class" is a 2008 drama film based on the true story of Brad Cohen, a man with Tourette syndrome who becomes a teacher despite facing discrimination and challenges. The film follows Cohen's journey from childhood, where he was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and bullied by classmates, to adulthood, where he overcomes societal prejudices to become a successful teacher and motivational speaker.

The film's portrayal of Brad Cohen's struggles with Tourette syndrome could help participants better understand and empathize with people who have disabilities or neurological conditions. The program could use the film to discuss issues such as discrimination, inclusion, and the importance of self-advocacy. Additionally, the film's message of perseverance and determination could serve as an inspiration to program participants, encouraging them to pursue their goals and dreams despite any obstacles they may face.

"Fundamentals of Caring" is a 2016 comedy-drama film about a man named Ben who becomes a caregiver for a teenager named Trevor with muscular dystrophy. The film follows their journey on a road trip where they encounter various challenges and develop a deep bond.

The film's portrayal of disability and caregiving could help students better understand the challenges faced by people with disabilities and the importance of empathy and support. Teachers could use the film to discuss issues such as independence, self-determination, and the importance of relationships. Additionally, the film's emphasis on humor, adventure, and personal growth could provide a positive and engaging experience for program participants.

"Gabrielle" is a 2013 Canadian drama film about a young woman with Williams syndrome named Gabrielle who dreams of being a singer in a choir. The film follows Gabrielle's journey as she navigates romantic relationships and strives to achieve her dreams despite the obstacles she faces.

The film's portrayal of Williams syndrome and Gabrielle's experiences could help participants better understand and empathize with people who have intellectual disabilities. The program could use the film to discuss issues such as inclusion, relationships, and the importance of pursuing one's passions. Additionally, the film's emphasis on music and creativity could provide an engaging and inspiring experience for students. 

"Inside Out" is an animated film that follows an 11-year-old girl named Riley and her emotions: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust, who live in her mind and control her actions. When Riley's family moves to a new city, her emotions struggle to adapt, and Joy and Sadness get lost in the complex landscape of Riley's mind. As they journey back to headquarters, they learn the importance of balance and how every emotion plays a role in shaping who we are.

The film could be used as a tool for teaching emotional intelligence and self-awareness. The characters and their emotions can serve as a visual representation of different feelings and how they influence our behavior. The film's message about the importance of balance in our emotions and how we need to acknowledge and accept all our feelings can also help individuals with disabilities understand their own emotions and how to navigate them in a healthy way. Additionally, the film's use of bright colors and engaging characters can make it a fun and accessible way to learn about emotions and self-care.

"The Sandlot" is a classic coming-of-age movie set in the summer of 1962. It follows a group of young boys who spend their days playing baseball on a sandlot, getting into adventures, and learning important lessons about friendship, teamwork, and perseverance. The main character, Scotty Smalls, is new in town and has never played baseball before, but he quickly finds a place on the sandlot team and becomes an important member.

The movie could be used as a tool for teaching social skills and promoting inclusion. The film's emphasis on teamwork, friendship, and acceptance can help individuals with disabilities learn about the importance of working together and building positive relationships with others. Additionally, the movie's themes of perseverance and overcoming challenges can inspire individuals to work towards their goals and believe in themselves. The movie's engaging storyline and relatable characters can also serve as a source of entertainment and motivation for individuals with disabilities. Overall, "The Sandlot" can be a valuable tool for promoting social skills, inclusion, and self-confidence in individuals with disabilities.

"Temple Grandin" is a biographical film that tells the story of Temple Grandin, an accomplished animal scientist and autism advocate. The movie follows Temple from her childhood in the 1950s to her groundbreaking work in animal behavior and autism research.

The film could be used as a tool for promoting self-advocacy and understanding of autism. Temple's story provides a powerful example of how individuals with autism can overcome challenges and achieve success in their chosen fields. The movie also highlights the importance of early intervention and support for individuals with autism, as Temple's success was due in part to the dedicated efforts of her mother and mentors.

Additionally, the movie can help promote awareness and understanding of autism among individuals without disabilities, promoting inclusion and reducing stigma. By showcasing Temple's unique perspective and strengths, the movie can also encourage individuals with disabilities to embrace their own unique abilities and interests.

"Disney/Pixar's Up" is an animated adventure comedy-drama about a 78-year-old man named Carl who sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream of exploring South America by flying his house there with helium balloons. Along the way, he is unexpectedly accompanied by a young boy named Russell and encounters various obstacles and adventures.

The movie can be used to help promote social skills, emotional understanding, and empathy. The characters in the film face various challenges and emotions that can be relatable to individuals with disabilities, such as loneliness, fear, and the need for companionship. Additionally, the movie can provide a platform for discussion and learning about different cultures and the importance of respecting and appreciating diversity. Overall, "Up" can be an effective tool for promoting social and emotional learning and increasing awareness and understanding of different experiences and perspectives.

"WALL•E" is a 2008 animated film about a waste-collecting robot on a deserted Earth who falls in love with another robot named EVE. As they embark on a journey through space, they discover the truth about the fate of humanity and the importance of preserving the environment.

This movie could be used as a tool to teach about environmental awareness and sustainability. The themes of the film can help participants understand the importance of taking care of our planet and how even small actions can make a big impact. Additionally, the characters and story can also serve as a source of inspiration for participants who may face their own challenges and obstacles, as WALL•E and EVE overcome their struggles to accomplish their goals. Overall, the movie can serve as an engaging and educational resource for individuals with disabilities to learn about the environment and the power of perseverance.

"Wonder" is a 2017 American drama film based on the novel of the same name by R.J. Palacio. The story follows a young boy named August "Auggie" Pullman who has a facial deformity and is attending school for the first time after being homeschooled. The film explores themes of kindness, empathy, and acceptance.

"Wonder" could be used as a tool for teaching empathy and kindness. The film can be used to help participants understand what it means to be different and how to treat others with respect and compassion. Additionally, the film's themes can help participants understand the importance of inclusion and the negative effects of bullying and exclusion. By using "Wonder" in the program, participants can learn valuable life skills and develop a deeper sense of empathy and understanding towards others.

"Brainchild" is a science-based educational show that aims to teach young viewers about various scientific concepts in an engaging and fun way. The show covers topics ranging from space exploration to the workings of the human body. The show also includes interviews with scientists and researchers who provide insights into their work and the scientific method.

Teachers can use the show to introduce participants to science concepts and encourage them to explore science in a fun and accessible way. The show can also provide an opportunity for participants to learn about different career paths in science and technology. Additionally, the show can help improve participants' communication skills by engaging them in discussions about science and encouraging them to ask questions. Overall, "Brainchild" can be a useful tool for promoting scientific literacy and social integration among program participants.

Autobiographies & Biographies

Real life stories to fascinate and inspire students

"Reaching for the Moon" is an autobiography by astronaut Buzz Aldrin that chronicles his journey to becoming one of the first humans to walk on the moon. The book provides an insight into Aldrin's life, including his childhood, time in the military, and training for space missions. Aldrin also discusses his experience during the Apollo 11 mission and the challenges he faced.

This book can be used to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams and to overcome obstacles they may face. The book provides a positive role model in Aldrin who achieved great things despite challenges he encountered.

Secondly, "Reaching for the Moon" can be used as a tool to improve literacy and reading skills for participants. The book is well-written and engaging, and can be used in reading comprehension activities and discussions.

Finally, the book can be used to teach science and space-related topics, which can be an engaging and exciting subject for individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities. Activities related to the book could include space-themed art projects, discussions about the science of space travel, and learning about the history of the space race.

Learning and Evaluation Situations (LES/Units)