A Life Skills Teaching Resource for Getting Dressed
Using a life skills teaching resource is something that I’m passionate about in my special education classroom. And this resource I’m sharing with you helps students with getting dressed. It’s a skill that we all need to learn and often is overlooked by parents and teachers of special education students. Being independent in getting yourself dressed for different types of weather is an essential skill. This resource pairs so well with your morning meeting lessons in your classroom. I like to use it after we talk about the weather for that day and use the information to help us decide the clothing that fits best. It is available in both printable and digital versions, so let’s take a closer look.
What’s in this Life Skills Teaching Resource?
There is a printable and digital version of this resource. The printable is an adapted book that you can make personalized for students in your classroom. I like to print one for each student to use while I use the digital version on the smartboard.
It includes four diverse sets of boys and girls with different skin tones and hairstyles to choose from. There are also sets that don’t have faces on them and you can let the students color in and create their own characters. There are also black-and-white options for bodies and clothes if you lack the option to print in color. The resource also includes labeled pages or blank pages for storing clothing items.
How do I use this resource in my classroom?
I’ve used this resource in a variety of ways. I’ve had students do this activity as a center activity, in whole group morning meeting lessons, or independently. It works well as a morning work activity where students have to dress the person according to the weather outside. And I’ve also used this resource as part of my Morning Meeting/ Calendar Routine where each student has their own book and follows along with me teaching the concept at the front of the classroom on a smart board. This pairs science and weather with a functional skill for students that is meaningful.
How to Prep the Printable Version
- Print out the pages you need that work for the students you are making the adapted books for. Including the page with the student on it.
- Laminate the pages and add velcro where you want the clothing pieces to stick on the pages and also on the student.
- Laminate the clothing pieces, cut them out, and add velcro.
- Then put the book together using a coil or comb binding.
- Now it’s ready to use!
How to Prep the Digital Version
This way is the easiest! Once you purchase the product you just click the link that adds it to your Boom Learning account and library. You can learn more about Boom Learning here. Then just either assign it to a student’s account or choose to play it in your teacher account on the classroom smartboard.
It starts with a review of the weather and temperature to help students relate the concept of getting dressed. Then students can pick from 8 different students with different skin tones and hairstyles. After choosing a student, students move the clothing pieces by dragging and dropping the clothing choices onto the person where the item goes. For example, putting socks on the person’s feet. There is audio support to remind the students what to do while they are engaged in the activity.
Final Thoughts on this Life Skills Teaching Resource
I love resources that help students practice life skills. This resource is a great one for practicing the skill of dressing appropriately for the weather. I highly recommend adding this to your classroom morning routine!
