special education social studies lesson plans

enCORE Social Studies Lesson Plans

TeachTown’s enCORE social studies curriculum provides equitable, inclusive access to the general education curriculum with a K-12 standards-aligned and evidence-based adapted core curriculum . Read on to learn more about each segment within enCORE’s Social Studies Lessons .

Request A Demo

Special Education Social Studies Curriculum

enCORE is a comprehensive approach to delivering grade-aligned academic instruction for students with moderate to severe disabilities. As a blended learning curriculum, enCORE includes:

• Hands-on learning through scripted, print-based lessons
• Teacher-led technology lessons (ideal for small group or individual instruction)
• Data-driven, individualized technology lessons for students to complete independently

The Social Studies domain of enCORE is grounded in evidence-based instructional practices, including the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and systematic, explicit instruction. enCORE Social Studies lesson plans also incorporate high-priority vocabulary instruction at the start of each lesson and then builds upon it throughout the lesson to provide students with repeated exposures to target words. Inquiry-based research activities move students from recall to deeper understanding, supporting TeachTown’s overall vision of appropriately challenging students to move beyond exposure to mastery of new skills.

Social Studies Lesson Plans

• View sample enCORE Elementary Social Studies Lesson Plan
• View sample enCORE Middle Social Studies Lesson Plan
• View sample enCORE High Social Studies Lesson Plan

Finally, text-based content (e.g., companion texts in middle school and high school, as well as some chapter books in elementary school) help students connect their reading to social studies-specific content. A sampling of companion texts are shown below:

Tailoring Social Studies Instruction Across Grade Levels

In each grade band, Social Studies lessons begin with anchored instruction to activate background knowledge and help students make connections from prior learning to the new skills and themes being presented. Then, teachers move through the structure of the gradual release of responsibility. This progression is noted within the print lesson plans as ‘Model, Lead, Test’ for Elementary and ‘Model, Guided Practice, Independent Practice’ for Middle and High School. This framework will likely be familiar to educators as the I Do, We Do, You Do model. Introducing students to new skills in small, bite-sized pieces supports complex learners by ensuring students receive multiple exposures to the new skill, prompting and regular feedback to avoid practicing incorrectly, and plenty of practice to reinforce new learning. Learn more about enCORE Social Studies at the elementary, middle, and high school levels below.

enCORE Elementary School Social Studies Curriculum

enCORE Elementary School Social Studies lesson plans are comprised of 3 segments:

• Segment 1: Understanding Big Ideas
• Segment 2: Applying What We Know
• Segment 3: Making Connections

Building Core Vocabulary: The Foundation of Our Social Studies Curriculum

In the Understanding Big Ideas segment, students learn core social studies vocabulary specific to the unit’s theme. For example, in Unit 33, the literature title is The Wizard of Oz . The social studies vocabulary words that relate to the theme of finding a way to get home include continent, North America, United States , and city . To expand on the target vocabulary, teachers are provided with an explicit script on how to build social studies concepts with various strategies, such as example and non-example instruction.

Applying Knowledge: Interactive Learning in Social Studies

In the Applying What We Know segment, students apply their knowledge of the social studies concepts and skills addressed in the Understanding Big Ideas Segment. Students are guided through a hands-on game, assignment, or project that encourages them to apply what they know and demonstrate that knowledge to others. To promote language and reading comprehension skills, students are guided through a social studies newsletter related to the skills taught in the unit. After completing the writing task, students are guided through a series of questions to deepen their comprehension of the newsletter in the Making Connections segment.

enCORE Middle School Social Studies Curriculum

enCORE Middle School Social Studies lesson plans that are comprised of 4 segments. Each segment includes anchored instruction to help students connect new learning to prior knowledge and/or provide context for new learning; core vocabulary and concepts; and an activity focused on concept building. All 4 segments are connected through a central topic, and each segment builds on the knowledge gained in the previous segment to get to a deep understanding.

• Segment 1: Understanding the Big Idea
• Segment 2: Connecting the Big Idea
• Segment 3: Investigate and Extend
• Segment 4: Research and Collaborate

enCORE High School Social Studies Curriculum

enCORE High School Social Studies lesson plans are comprised of 5 segments:

• Segment 1: Introducing the Topic
• Segment 2: Understanding the Big Ideas
• Segment 3: Connecting the Big Ideas
• Segment 5: Applying What We Know

Each segment is used as an opportunity to deepen knowledge on a specific topic, such as the causes and impact of the Great Depression or the process of electing the president of the United States. Each segment includes anchored instruction, core vocabulary and concepts, and a concept building section. High School Social Studies content also includes a section dedicated to reading and reviewing the text to help students build understanding of the content from a companion text. When reading the companion texts, students are guided to practice reading comprehension skills including rereading, demonstrating understanding of the main idea, answering comprehension questions, identifying supporting details, and making text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world connections.

enCORE Lesson Plans:

Click on a subject area to learn more.

English Language Arts     Math    Science      Social Studies

• Try for free

Special Education and Needs Resources

Get Help Teaching Special Needs Students

Special education resources by topic.

Accommodations and Environment Curriculum Support IEP Resources Behavior Management Special Education Inclusion

Understanding that special education resources are applicable to both general education and special education teachers alike, TeacherVision provides resources that can be used as part of an IEP both in the general education classroom and in specialist resources rooms. Our resources have been curated from leading special education partners and publishers, and are easily categorized for the most common uses by both generalists and specialists.

What Is Special Education?

Special education can generally be defined as the integration of instructional, behavioral, social-emotional, developmental, and curricular support services and strategies designed to help students with disabilities learn. Special education resources and services are usually delivered across a variety of school settings, depending on the needs of the child and the availability of school staff and environment.

Some special education students may spend part of their time in an integrated classroom, receiving instruction from generalists and interacting with classmates, with scheduled interventions from specialists (speech, language, behavioral, physical therapy, etc.). Others may spend the bulk of their time in dedicated special services environments, with specialized physical, developmental, and learning supports.

Most students designated for special education services will receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP). IEP special education services take into account the varying needs among special education students, and tailor learning and specialized services for each individual student. In most cases, an IEP special education plan involves the development and implementation of specific accommodations designed to meet the needs of each individual student, both in the general education classroom and in specialist resource rooms.

Accommodations and Environment

These special education classroom resources have been specially selected to help general and special education teachers with instructional and environmental accommodations and supports, such as assessment accommodation, special education classroom setup, accommodations for disabilities, and more.

Curriculum Support

These resources provide generalists and special education teachers with strategies and tools for developing and implementing special education curriculum supports. Included are special education lesson plans, special education activities, and other materials for academic instruction and support.

Behavior Management

Use these special education behavior management resources to plan and implement behavior management strategies in integrated and special education classrooms.

IEP Resources

This collection of IEP special education resources gives general education teachers, special education teachers, and parents all the IEP forms, accommodations, strategies, and advice necessary for planning and implementing an Individualized Education Plan in both the general ed classroom and specialist resource rooms.

Special Education Inclusion

Various techniques, tips, and suggestions for promoting special education inclusion in integrated general education classrooms are included in these resources, such as, using stories about children with disabilities to teach others, and proactive tips and effective techniques in your classroom.

Recommended Special Education and Needs Resources Resources

TEACHING RESOURCE

Teaching Students with Special Needs

Positive Descriptions of Student Behavior

What Is Comprehensible Input for ELL Students?

Using Multiple Intelligences in Testing & Assessment

Collaboration Between General and Special Education Teachers

Effective Accommodations for Students with IEPs

Scope of the Mathematics Curriculum

Teaching Mathematics to Gifted Students in a Mixed-Ability Classroom

Communicating with Culturally Diverse Parents of Exceptional Children

The IEP Cycle: The General Educator's Role

Frequently Asked Questions on Inclusion

Modifying Instruction: Teaching Students with ADD

Adapting Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science for the Inclusive Classroom

How to Manage Disruptive Behavior in Inclusive Classrooms

Structuring Lessons for Diverse Learners -- Planning Pyramid

Introduction to Portfolios

Proactive Measures for Behavior Management

Keys to Successful Inclusion

Accommodations Checklist

Six Principles of Effective Curriculum Design for Inclusive Classrooms

Repeated Reading

Collaboration in Today's Math Classroom

Planning Pyramid for Multi-Level Mathematics Instruction

Direct Skill Instruction for Students with Autism

• Curriculum & Instruction
• Experiential
• Personal Story
• Primary Sources
• Professional Learning

Modifying Social Studies Curriculum for Special Education Students

Social studies is an important subject for students in special education, as it provides them with an understanding of the world around them and the history, culture, and society of different groups of people. Social studies curriculum can be adapted to meet the needs of students with disabilities, and teachers can use a variety of instructional strategies to engage these students in learning. 

When teaching social studies to students with special needs, it is important to consider each student’s individual strengths, interests, and learning styles. Some students may benefit from visual aids, such as pictures or diagrams, while others may prefer hands-on activities or discussions. Teachers can also use technology, such as videos or interactive software, to enhance their lessons and make them more engaging for students.

Highlight Historical Figures who Championed Disabilities

It is important to address the diverse needs of students with disabilities in social studies curriculum and highlight individuals throughout history who students can see themselves in. There have been many historical figures who championed disabilities and advocated for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. Here are some notable examples:

• Helen Keller : She was a deaf-blind American author, political activist, and lecturer. She became a leading advocate for people with disabilities, promoting their rights and improving their quality of life.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt : He was the 32nd President of the United States, and he is known for his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II. He was also a champion for people with disabilities, and he established the Social Security Act and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, which provided support for people with disabilities.
• Temple Grandin : She has been an advocate for people with Autism, using her own experiences to promote understanding and acceptance of the condition. She has given numerous talks on the subject and has been the subject of several documentaries and biographical films.
• Albert Einstein : The famous physicist and mathematician is thought by some to have displayed characteristics of Autism, such as difficulty with social interactions, eccentricities, and intense focus on his work and interests.
• Judy Heumann : She is an American disability rights activist who has been advocating for the rights of people with disabilities for more than four decades. She played a key role in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and has continued to work on disability rights issues around the world.

Strategies for a Resource Program or Special Education Classroom

Adapting social studies for the special education classroom can help ensure equity in learning and that all students are able to access and engage with their curriculum. Often times, students in a Resource Specialist Program may attend social studies instruction within the general education classroom, or students may be taught this subject within a fully-contained Special Day Classroom or Non-public School. Regardless of the setting, special education and general education teachers alike can modify their curriculum using the strategies listed.

Teachers can use specific instructional strategies, such as differentiated instruction or co-teaching, to accommodate the different learning styles of students in their classroom. For example, students with visual impairments may need accommodations, such as Braille or audio recordings of texts, while students with hearing impairments may need sign language interpretation or captioning.

Additionally, social studies curriculum can be used to promote social and emotional learning for students with disabilities. Teachers can use lessons on topics such as empathy, citizenship, and diversity to help students build social skills and develop positive relationships with their peers. Overall, social studies can play an important role in the education of students with special needs, helping them to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to succeed in life.

Here are some additional strategies that teachers can use to adapt social studies for students with special needs:

• Use visual aids : Visual aids such as pictures, diagrams, and maps can help students with disabilities better understand and remember social studies concepts. For example, teachers can use pictures to help students learn about different cultures or historical events.
• Provide hands-on activities : Hands-on activities can help students with disabilities engage with social studies content and apply their knowledge. For example, students can build models of historical landmarks or create their own maps.
• Simplify language : Students with learning disabilities may struggle with complex language, so it is important to simplify social studies content whenever possible. Teachers can use shorter sentences, simpler vocabulary, and visual aids to help students understand complex concepts.
• Use technology : Technology can be a powerful tool for adapting social studies curriculum for students with special needs. For example, teachers can use interactive software or videos to help students learn about historical events or different cultures.
• Differentiate instruction : Differentiating instruction means providing different students with different tasks, activities, or resources based on their individual needs. This can be especially important in a special education classroom, where students may have diverse learning needs. Teachers can differentiate instruction by providing different reading levels, different projects, or different levels of support.
• Use cooperative learning : Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy in which students work together in small groups to complete tasks or solve problems. This can be a great way to help students with disabilities engage with social studies content and learn from their peers.

Overall, adapting social studies for the special education classroom requires creativity and flexibility on the part of the teacher. By using a variety of instructional strategies and tools, teachers can help ensure that all students are able to access and engage with social studies content equitably.

Seeking more ways to modify and differentiate social studies instruction?

Sign up for a free trial of young citizens and have your students see themselves in their curriculum.

Monet Hendricks is the blog editor and meme connoisseur for  Social Studies School Service . Passionate about the field of education, she earned her BA from the University of Southern California before deciding to go back to get her Master’s degree in Educational Psychology. She attended the graduate program at Azusa Pacific University pursuing her post-grad Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis and currently works as a School Psychologist in Los Angeles, CA. Her favorite activities include traveling, watching documentaries on mental health, and cooking adventurous vegetarian recipes.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

How can we help you?

ChatGPT for Teachers

Trauma-informed practices in schools, teacher well-being, cultivating diversity, equity, & inclusion, integrating technology in the classroom, social-emotional development, covid-19 resources, invest in resilience: summer toolkit, civics & resilience, all toolkits, degree programs, trauma-informed professional development, teacher licensure & certification, how to become - career information, classroom management, instructional design, lifestyle & self-care, online higher ed teaching, current events, teacher lesson plans for special education students.

For educators, keeping a classroom organized and structured can be difficult. For special education teachers, it can sometimes seem impossible. Teacher lesson plans help educators enter a class prepared with objectives and strategies for their goals. However, special education requires a lot of extra effort, changing plans when they go awry, helping students struggling to comprehend material and working hard to achieve the main objectives.

While many websites offer teacher lesson plans, some are better than others for finding lesson plan ideas and building upon them. After special education teachers develop their teaching style, understand their students’ capabilities and craft realistic goals, they can create their own lesson plans that fit the class’s specific needs and they can use the Internet to help get them started on preparing the right lesson plans.

Creating special education lesson plans

While many lesson plans can be used universally, special education requires a bit more crafting. Even the best special education lesson plans will be catered to a specific class style and level of development. Each teacher must do some added work to decide what parts of the lesson plan need to be adjusted for the class as a whole.

Certain students will also require varying levels of attention in their assignments. Special education teachers know how important it is to individually work around their student’s abilities and lesson plans can incorporate different approaches for specific students.

Learning from experience

Special education teachers learn a great deal from their experience in handling each class. They might utilize some of their past experiences years later with similar students and have new ways of handling difficult situations.

A special education lesson plan might seem like a disaster the first time around, but as the teacher redevelops the outline based on what events occurred, he or she can better prepare for where the objectives did not come through and how assignments and instructions could be better explained.

Where the lesson plan ends

Lesson plans are a crucial part of any teacher’s approach to the classroom. However, they are just one added tool in the educator’s belt. A great lesson plan can help special education teachers maintain better control of their classroom with clearer objectives and purposeful assignments.

As the course unfolds, teachers can make adjustments and rework their lesson plans to accommodate their students’ needs. While a lesson plan may work well with one class, the next year it may bring about a completely different result. Teachers must not get discouraged and instead use their own experiences and the lesson plans of other educators to keep changing their work and preparing for each new class.

Online teacher lesson plans

Technology has embedded itself into nearly every aspect of education. Today, teachers can find lesson plans online to help them get a jump start on the course or compare how others are approaching the curriculum. Many websites showcase free lesson plans and some include categories for special education. Here are some popular websites for finding free teacher lesson plans in special education:

• Teacher Planet
• Teachers.net
• TeAchnology

The importance of top quality

Every teacher knows that the quality of a lesson plan is determined by how well it can be followed during a course. Top-end materials yield more engagement from students who will better follow handouts and assignments and show more interest in the studies.

While there are many online lesson plans available for free on the Internet, another option is to purchase them at sites like TeachersPayTeachers, which lets educators upload and sell their own lesson plans, prompting them to put more effort into their work and allowing other teachers to buy, review and rate each lesson plan.

You may also like to read

• 4 Thanksgiving Lesson Plans
• 7 Reasons to Use Technology in Education Lesson Plans
• Five Sample Lesson Plans for ELL Students
• Advice on Making Elementary Special Education Lesson Plans
• Lesson Plans that Help Students Learn About Democracy
• Which is Best: Teacher-Centered or Student-Centered Education?

Categorized as: Tips for Teachers and Classroom Resources

Tagged as: Special Education

• Master's in PE, Sports & Athletics Administra...
• Online & Campus Bachelor's in Early Childhood...

Lesson Plans and Activities

These guides can assist you with creating lesson plans and activities in special education and inclusion settings. Find information on special end support, listening comprehension, and project-based learning so you have the tools to support your students' growth.

• Becoming A Teacher
• Assessments & Tests
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Behavior Management
• Lesson Plans
• Math Strategies
• Reading & Writing
• Social Skills
• Inclusion Strategies
• Individual Education Plans
• Homeschooling
• Monster Math Word Problems for Halloween
• How to Brainstorm in the Classroom
• Dolch High-Frequency Word Cloze Activities
• Christmas Writing Paper With Decorative Borders
• Writing Lesson Plans in the Self-Contained Classroom
• Back to School Handouts to Start the Year
• Dolch High Frequency Cloze Activities
• Dolch Pre-Primer Cloze Worksheets for Young Readers
• Accommodations, Modifications, and Interventions in the Classroom
• First Grade Cloze Activities for Dolch High-Frequency Words
• Special Education and Inclusion
• Differentiated Instruction and Assessment
• Mini Printable Booklets to Teach Reading
• Attending or Attention is the First Preacademic Skill
• How to Teach Reading Comprehension to Dyslexic Students
• Navigate Readings With Text Features
• How To Become an Effective Problem Solver
• Christmas Skip Counting Dot to Dots
• Christmas Writing Printables
• Step by Step: Flash Cards for Word Recognition of High Frequency Words
• Special Education

• Library Hours
• Strategic Plan
• Giving to the Libraries
• Jobs at the Libraries
• Find Your Librarian
• View All →
• Google Scholar
• Research Guides
• Textbook/Reserves
• Government Documents
• Get It For Me
• Print/Copy/Scan
• Renew Materials
• Study Rooms
• Use a Computer
• Borrow Tech Gear
• Student Services
• Faculty Services
• Users with Disabilities
• Visitors & Alumni
• Special Collections
• Find Information

Special Education

• Getting Started
• Web Resources
• Organizations
• Data Resources

Lesson Plans

• APA Citation Help
• ADL Curriculum Connections: Anti-Bias Lesson Plans for Educators Curriculum Connections is a collection of original lesson plans and resources that help K-12 educators integrate multicultural, anti-bias, and social justice themes into their curricula. Each edition is organized around a particular topic or theme, and a new edition is published three to four times per school year.
• edHelper.com Weekly themes and lessons adapted for special education student on all grade levels.
• Education Resources and Lesson Plans A wide collection of resources for special education lesson plans that is collected by Professor Emeritus of Education at the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University, Dr. Edmund Sass: "This page contains links to lesson plans and resources for students with disabilities, particularly those receiving special education. It also contains lesson plans about individuals with disabilities."
• Learning Scientists Organized according to the National Science Education Standards from the National Academy of Sciences, this site includes inquiry-based lessons, visual lessons, imaging, interactive Web lessons, and real-time data collection. All resources are free. A highly recommended portal to Web-based learning tools that have bee analyzed by scientists and science educators.
• A to Z Teacher Stuff A to Z Teacher Stuff is a teacher-created site designed to help teachers find online resources more quickly and easily. Find lesson plans, thematic units, teacher tips, discussion forums for teachers, downloadable teaching materials & eBooks, printable worksheets and blacklines, emergent reader books, themes, and more.
• Share My Lesson This is an American Federation of Teachers (AFT) web portal with activities, worksheets, and lesson plans.
• Teacher's Net Special Education lesson plans for all grade levels.
• Teachnology - The Online Teacher Resource Includes lesson plans for K-12 for with a Special Education emphasis and inclusion.
• << Previous: Data Resources
• Next: APA Citation Help >>
• Last Updated: Apr 28, 2024 1:31 PM
• URL: https://libguides.utsa.edu/sped
• Library Locations
• Staff Directory
• 508 Compliance
• Site Search
• © The University of Texas at San Antonio
• Information: 210-458-4011
• Campus Alerts
• Required Links
• UTSA Policies
• Report Fraud

Lesson Plan Sections

• Environmental (1)
• Social Studies (28)

Social Studies Lessons

Powerful and authentic Social Studies teaching is integral to K-12 curriculum. The field of Social Studies is comprised of history, political science, geography, economics, anthropology, archaeology, and psychology. This section features a variety of Social Studies lessons written by actual teachers from all over the United States. This section will continue to develop as more teachers like you share their lessons. If you would like to share a lesson plan for inclusion on Teacher.org, please contact us . We encourage you!

Read more about becoming a history teacher .

Sponsored School(s)

Social studies arts lesson plans, chinese new year.

This highly engaging Social Studies lesson on Chinese New Year is integrated with elements of performing arts (drama).  This lesson is appropriate for students in K-3, as it can be easily modified.

Chinese New Year - Fan Dance

A hands-on lesson which integrates Social Studies concepts with performing arts (dance). Students will delve into customs of Chinese New Year by exploring traditional artifacts and dance.

Chinese New Year - Lion Dance

This lesson is great for grades K-2.  It integrates Social Studies with elements of visual and performing arts as the children create a Chinese lion and a dance.

Christmas Around the World Part 1

This lesson combines Visual Arts with Social Studies. Students will read about how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world and draw a scene depicting that location.

Christmas Around the World Part 2

This lesson combines Music and Social Studies. Students will listen to and learn Christmas songs from around the world and analyze.

Friendship - Accepting Differences

This lesson on "Friendship" integrates Social Studies standards along with Music, Dance, and Visual Arts. The lesson focuses on "accepting differences" and is great for grades K-2.

Friendship - Conflict Resolution

This lesson on Friendship  and Conflict Resolution integrates Social Studies content along with Visual and Performing Arts (Theater) content.  A highly interactive lesson that is great for kindergartners as well as first graders.

Social Studies Environmental Lesson Plans

We must recycle.

Students will use creativity to use something considered trash to create something new.

Social Studies Social Studies Lesson Plans

A city saved by a volcano.

Students will learn how the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Italy preserved two Roman towns.

A Day in the Life of a Roman Girl and Boy

Students will research the topic of daily life for children of ancient Rome.

A Return to Ancient Rome

Students will research and create a brief power point program about a landmark of Ancient Rome.

Changing History

Students will research a historical event, “change history” by asking a “What if…” question.  The students will rewrite new information based on their research using the same era and people involved to realistically alter the outcome of the event(s).

Comparing Countries

Students will research information on places in the world, outside their own country, compile the info and create a display to show the info compared to other countries.

Country to Country

Students will develop a timeline for events in their country and another country over the last 200 years and then compare/contrast the timelines to recognize possible relationships between the events in each country.

Exploring the West

The lesson will teach the students why there was an expansion to what is now the western half of the United States, as well as the displacement of Native Americans.

History of Hanukkah

Students will read a passage about the history of Hanukkah and “talk to the text” to understand the story better. Students will answer questions individually and then with a partner to understand the text better.

Holiday Traditions

This lesson is designed to help students understand what holidays and festivals are important parts culture through multiple activities, discussions and research surrounding holidays.

It’s a Wonder – Filled World

Students will learn about the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World compiled by the ancient Greeks.

Kwanzaa Socratic Seminar

Students will discuss the cultural roots of Kwanzaa and analyze why the holiday has been brought to the United States.

Land and Water

This lesson is designed to help kindergarten students “distinguish between land and water on maps and globes”.

Mini Debates

Each student will be assigned, or may choose, an historical figure to research, selecting a speech given by the figure, and then write a rebuttal challenging some of its content backed by facts.

Music and History

Students will cooperatively research music from the past 5 or 10 decades and compare and contrast the lyrics with historical events/culture of the decade, answering the question:  How does/did history affect music and lyrics?

President vs. President

Each student will research a past deceased president, review their life, speeches, quotes, term in office, etc., and use it to run for President versus another past President.

Rules and Laws

This lesson is designed to help students evaluate rules. It is important since not all rules are necessarily good or appropriate. Sometimes, school rules are arbitrarily imposed, other times they are arrived at as the result of consensus.

The Articles of Confederation

The students will research the “first rules” of the United States, the Articles of Confederation.

The History of Thanksgiving

Students will research the history of Thanksgiving based on the perspective of the Native Americans and the Pilgrims and then interview each other to learn about each story.

Truth and Consequence

This lesson is designed to help students understand the importance of telling the truth, through lessons from history.

What Year Did That Happen?

Students will research several historic events in history concentrating on the years they occurred and attempt to create pneumonic devices to help match the correct year to the event.

Ready to Pursue a Master’s Degree in Education? Make it Your Time!

Teacher.org’s lesson plans encourage conceptual understanding and lifelong learning skills in students as well as empower and motivate teachers.

Are you currently teaching but have the desire to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education? Follow your passion for teaching but at the same time give yourself the tools to further your career and learning. Whether it’s higher salaries, advanced career opportunities, or leadership positions, earning your Master’s Degree in Education is one worth pursuing. Make it your time!

Lesson Plans For Special Education

Why does it seem like when we are looking for lesson plans for special education , there is a whole lot of reinventing the wheel going on? That’s because THERE IS. As Special Educators, we are constantly looking for lessons that we can differentiate, adapt, or modify, to reach all the various levels and needs of students in our classrooms. It shouldn’t still be this difficult after all this time, to find lesson plans for special education that are usable, practical, & relevant. If you’re looking for activities and lesson plans for special education, (which of course you are, since you’re here) keep reading!! Below, I break down an easier way to lesson plan, give you lesson plan ideas, and list out lots of sites & resources that are great for special education classrooms. Let’s get to it!

When it comes to lesson planning for special education , it’s a great idea to have a general plan for each class period. Every class period should follow some kind of routine. This makes planning a lot easier, no matter what topic you’re teaching that day.

A rough breakdown could look something like this:

Warm up activity

• Depending on what class you teach, this could be a few simple math problems, a puzzle, a matching activity, or a simple vocational task the student can complete This gets the student in the mindset for learning and also gives you a few minutes to get yourself prepared.

Instruction

• I love using power points for my whole class instruction. Most students are more interested and will engage/participate more when I use power points or project stories, activities, etc., on the smart board.  Each day I find something to project (story, instructional power point). For our lower functioning learners, or learners with shorter attention spans, their attention is held by the screen and pictures (not too cluttery!). It works even better if you can find something interactive.

Group Activity/ Guided Learning

• Doing a group activity to help review the materials taught is helpful. You can do a hands on activity, a game, or even something simple like answering comprehension questions together as a class.

Independent Work

• Give your students an activity to work on that they can complete as independently as possible. Again if you can’t think of something, you could give students the same comprehension questions you just went over as a class to see how they do on their own.
• This can also be things like writing prompts, picture prompts, matching activities, sequencing, sorting, word search, crossword puzzle, file folder activity etc.

Wrap up/Closing

• Review as a class what was covered today.
• Have students do an ‘exit ticket’ of 1, 2, or 3 things they learned today, something they want to learn more about, what did they like or dislike about today etc.
• Most of our students are always looking forward to the end of class/activities so they can have break time. Sometimes it’s also hard to plan exactly to the end of the period, so a little buffer time for students to calm down and give their brains a break is well deserved.
• Students could get on the computer, their phones (if being appropriate), puzzles, play games, etc.

This is a general template for a teaching period. You can change as you see fit to meet the needs of your students. Sometimes your students may need more breaks, try to fit these into your scheduling if possible, so you can maximize instruction time.

Looking for a more detailed description of how to write lesson plans for special education? Are you looking for a template for special education lesson plans? Here’s a rundown of how to plan/write lesson plans for special education regardless of the topic.

When it comes to specific lesson planning, you can follow this template and guide. This will give you more detail on how to plan for specific units or lessons. Depending on the level of students you teach, this may be helpful, so check it out!

Sometimes we don’t even know where to start when are given a new class to teach. Looking at a list of lesson plans for special education can trigger our minds to where we want the direction of our class to go. We just need a starting point. Next, choose a unit to focus on. After you have a unit, you can break it down into smaller lessons and set lesson objectives. Then you can plan specific instruction, small group or independent activities, and more.

Are you looking for supplemental activities/sites that you can use as part of extending your lesson plans for special education ?

Here are some great websites (some free and some paid) that have great resources to use in your classrooms today.

Reading A-Z

Raz-Kids.com

Tarheelreader.org

Storylineonline.com

Specialedlessonplans.com

Superteacherworksheets.com

Scholastic.com

K5learning.com

Edhelper.com

AttainmentCompany.com

Math-drills.com

Mathplayground.com

Life Skills:

News2you.n2y.com

SpecialEdLessonPlans.com

Science/History:

BrainPop.com

Science A-Z

How Stuff Works

Nat Geo Kids

Time for Kids

Speechbuddy.com

Thespeechbubbleslp.com

Where should we send your

Free lesson plans, success check your email for your free lessons.

We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe.

Want some lesson plans you can immediately use?

Enter your email address below to get 5 free lesson plans now  .

Special Education Social Studies Lesson Plans

Special education social studies lesson plans should incorporate the same learning goals as regular social studies lesson plans. They should, however, be specifically tailored to students with special needs, such as those with learning disabilities or autism.

Special education teachers who are ill-equipped to teach social studies may struggle to find ways to help their students learn and meet their educational goals. In this article, we will discuss how special education teachers can use technology and resources to overcome these challenges.

According to the Center for Parent Information and Resources, Special Education Social Studies Lesson Plans are a way for teachers to modify the curriculum to the needs of special ed students. The plans can be individualized, or they can apply to groups of students with similar needs.

Special Education Social Studies Lesson Plans can include a variety of accommodations such as instructions presented in different formats, including pictures with labels. They may also feature alternative materials and activities that are more accessible to students with disabilities.

Social studies is an important part of any student’s education. It helps students learn about their world and their place in it, but also think critically about the subject matter and make sense of what they’re learning. The key is to find activities and projects that will engage your students, even if they have special needs or disabilities.

Special education social studies classes are built around the same principles as standard social studies classes, but they may be modified for the needs of the specific students in your class. For example, if you have blind or visually impaired students, you may want to do more with auditory learning and touch than with visual learning. If your class has autistic students, you may want to schedule more structured time frames so that your students know what to expect from each lesson plan.

Special education social studies lesson plans are activities and assignments that are meant to help special needs students understand social studies concepts. They’re usually tailored to the needs of students with learning disabilities and may include visual aids, books on tape, or hands-on activities.

Special education social studies lesson plans are plans that a teacher has prepared for students with special needs. These students may have learning disabilities or other impairments that make it difficult for them to succeed in a traditional classroom environment. The lesson plans will account for these disabilities and provide content in a way that is accessible to the students, as well as an increased level of support.

Special education social studies lessons are designed to provide students with access to the same standards as their peers. A good special education social studies lesson plan will break down the material into small, digestible chunks that allow students to grasp and master concepts on their own terms. The main goal of a special education social studies lesson is to adapt the curriculum so that each student can achieve success in understanding course content.

The lessons should be designed so that they can be used in a classroom with multiple students, as well as in individualized settings. For example, if your student has difficulty communicating verbally, it is important to provide them with other options for comprehension, like using visual aids or hand motions.

If you’re not sure how much time each student should spend on a particular lesson, try following this simple rule: 1 minute per grade level (for example: fourth graders need approximately four minutes). If there aren’t enough hours in the day, then reduce this number to 50 seconds per grade level (for example: fifth graders need approximately two-and-a-half minutes).

A special education social studies lesson plan is a guide for teachers who are teaching social studies to students with special needs. Special needs can be anything from ADHD to autism, and the lesson plans should follow the specific guidelines for teaching social studies to these students. The goal of these lessons is to encourage learning and understanding of the world around them.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Educational Resources and Lesson Plans

Thousands of free lesson plans and resources for teachers and teacher-education students!

Lesson Plans and Information about Minnesota Subject-Specific Lesson Plans and Resources: Art Academic Writing Help English/Language Arts Literature for Children Health/Nutrition/P.E. Literature for Adolescents U.S. Geography World Geography History-U.S. History-World Math Music P.E. Poetry Psych/Soc/Archaeology Reading Science Other Social Studies Theology/Religion World Cultures World Languages Specialty Lesson Plans and Resources Lesson Plans for Building Community, Social Skills, Kindness, and Friendship Lesson Plans for Feelings, Self-Esteem, Values, and Bullying Prevention

Creativity/Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Lesson Plans Resources for Teaching Gifted and Talented Students Special Education Lesson Plans and Resources

Multicultural Lesson Plans and Resource Learning Theories and Teaching Models

Holiday Lesson Plans and Resources

American Educational History Classroom Management

Zoos and Animals

  Background for this page and several others in this web site provided by The Background Boutique.