5 Point Scale System
Taking the original concept of the 5 point scale system where students can identify how they are feeling with 1 being calm and relaxed and 5 being angry and completely frustrated, I combined the strategy with a social story. The final product is a book that shows students how they might feel during each point on the scale and how it would look in the classroom. The second part shows strategies on how to get one can calm themselves down from a 3, 4 or 5. The book is very visual and also has places for the reader to write in how they might feel at each point on the scale. Overall, the book has been very successful with students, primarily with autism, in grades K-8.
The Adventures of Super Drat
My current project at this time, is a chapter book for students with autism, but could also be related to other exceptionalities, about a superhero with autism. All the characteristics of autism turn out to be the main character's super powers and he take the reader on an adventure through different missions. The first book is dealing with anger management and bullies. The key piece to this project is that the book is written in a choose your adventure format to promote students making a choice. While confronting the bully, the reader has to choose the best strategy to deal with the conflict, but even if the choice they pick doesn't work out, the story works so that the reader has the opportunity to try another option without feeling like they failed. The book itself is a self-esteem builder for students who feel out of place and provide the opportunity to see their differences as something powerful. If all goes well, you should see this book at a bookstore near you very soon.
Preview:
There is a reason many kids with autism spectrum disorder love wearing capes. Follow Dexter’s adventures to find out why it’s so important to learn about the child as a whole.
Hi! My name is Dexter and by day I am just a kid who wears glasses, goes to school and has a really hard time fitting in because I’m different. See, some people think I’m weird, and I guess if you don’t know me, then yeah I am. But I learned something a while back. All the things that make me odd and different were because I was meant to be different, we all are. See, I was meant to be a superhero. When the world is in trouble then I am no longer Dexter, I am Super Drat! That’s right I’m a superhero just like you and we have a mission to save the world. What? You don’t think you’re a superhero? Now, that’s just crazy! Come with me and I’ll show you the superhero within.