1. Date and Reflection

As a group we were able to explore ideas to assist students as we model the concept.
R - remain calm
E - express need for a break
S - stay or go
T - take deep breaths 

The content of the program covers a lot of social skills and provides good examples of what each skill "looks like-sounds like". The challenge will be accommodating the different learners who bring different strengths and needs to the learning community.

The first day of the training was about the Talking Together and Socially Wise programs.  I liked the Talking Together program but thought that I would have been better able to connect it to my practice as well as the goal of the SPDG had we received an overview of the program and it's purpose before jumping right into the experience of the lessons.  I see a lot of potential for the Socially Wise program, especially in my role as an Inclusion Consultant.  I particularly liked the component at the end of the lesson where videos were given and the student had to choose which one corresponded to the desired behaviors.  This seems like it would be a great resource to use with students on the Autism spectrum since video modeling is a proven effective strategy for helping them develop social skills.

The Socially Wise program seems to be an engaging resource for teachers and students that can be differentiated and is nicely scaffolded to support the learning process. 

The consistency in the program/curricular materials/resources help the adults as much as the students. Adults need to understand that our lived experiences and backgrounds are so varied that you can't assume that anything is obvious.

Explicit instruction of academics and social skills is an imperative.

Footnote - I need explicit instruction on uploading a photo. I was unable to post one in here as some collaborative evidence. But that can be addressed in today's session. 

Socially Wise is a computer-based social skills program for middle school students.  Each lesson follows a consistent structure that is student friendly.  There is also a feature for creating additional social skills lessons. 

Today we learned about the computerized instructional program, "Socially Wise".  The Socially Wise program teaches the following skills: Dealing with critical feedback, coping with no, accepting advice, negotiation, apologizing, involving others, responding to peer pressure, giving feedback to peers, and designing your own social skills.  The program uses a mnemonic for each to help students remember the steps to the skills.  The program is researched based and has been validated in different settings with youth aged 10 through 18 years, with and without disabilities.  

Middle School students are juggling with many changes including puberty and social pressures. 
Rationale:Students with poor hygiene experience social difficulties and potential health concerns.

Our Routine acronym is (still in draft form!)

F ace the Facts (that teen bodies are changing and they require new kinds of care)
R ecognize (your hygiene needs)
E stablish a Routine
S eek out resources/supplies
H ealthy habits/Hand washing 

Teaching the strategy to maintain personal hygiene is expected to be carried over into the home setting, but some students need to self advocate to complete these steps at school.  . 

This systematic process for building social skills offers activities that build sequentially. The result is a safe learning community.  Socially Wise and Talking Together promote an environment for successful academic learning by establishing a solid emotional environment.

Responding to Peer Pressure
F rame your response
I ndicate the reason
R emain firm
M ake a suggestion and/or leave

"Joining Activities All Ready in Progress"  First Draft

Definition - How to successfully enter an activity midstream with a group of peers.

Benefit of using the skill

• increase self advocacy
• build relationships
• develop positive communication

Contexts for use- playground, cafe', extra curricular activities

Skill Steps
Sound- pleasant
Expression- pleasant
Eye Contact

I- initiate a greeting and request to join
N- name your next step (join or leave based on response)