Introduction

For students in Special Education, navigating social situations can be challenging. Learning how to keep calm and follow the group when things don’t go as expected is an essential skill for these students. In this blog post, we will discuss a no-prep activity that can help students develop this ability, along with discussion questions to stimulate further conversation and learning. We’ll also touch on related skills that can enhance students’ social-emotional development.

No-Prep Activity

The following activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. It is designed to help students practice keeping calm and following the group when faced with unexpected situations.

Step 1: Set the Stage

Begin by explaining to the class that they will be participating in a group activity. Tell them that the purpose of the activity is to practice staying calm and following along with the rest of the group, even when things don’t go the way they wanted or expected.

Step 2: Introduce a Change

Start the activity by having the students form a circle. Then, instruct them to pass an imaginary object, such as a ball, around the circle. After a few minutes, introduce a change to the activity, such as adding a second imaginary object or changing the direction of the passing. Do not announce this change in advance.

Step 3: Observe and Discuss

As the students participate in the activity, observe their reactions to the changes. After the activity is over, gather the class for a discussion about their experiences and the strategies they used to stay calm and follow the group.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions to stimulate further discussion about the activity and the importance of keeping calm and following the group in social situations:

1. How did you feel when the changes were introduced during the activity? Were you able to stay calm and follow the group?
2. What strategies did you use to help you stay calm and adapt to the changes?
3. Can you think of a time when you had to stay calm and follow the group in a real-life situation? How did you handle it?
4. Why do you think it’s important to be able to stay calm and follow the group in social situations?
5. What can you do to help others in the group stay calm and follow along when things don’t go as expected?

Related Skills

In addition to keeping calm and following the group, there are other related skills that can help students in Special Education navigate social situations more effectively. These include:

• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others can help students better adapt to social situations and support their peers.
• Active listening: Paying close attention to what others are saying, and responding appropriately, can improve communication and foster positive relationships.
• Problem-solving: Developing the ability to analyze situations and find solutions can help students cope with challenges and unexpected changes.

Next Steps

Teaching students to keep calm and follow the group is just one aspect of social-emotional learning. To explore more resources and activities for enhancing social-emotional skills, we invite you to sign up for free samples of our materials at Everyday Speech. By incorporating these strategies into your classroom, you can help your Special Education students develop essential skills for navigating social situations and fostering positive relationships.