As a school-based occupational therapist (OT), my role goes far beyond addressing fine motor skills and sensory processing within the pull-out special education student context. Although this is what might first come to mind, OTs are important members of the team when fostering independence and functional life skills among students with a variety needs. That is why I was so excited to hear about Simply Special Ed’s newest resource the Life Skills Workbook Bundle! It aligns so well with what my special education teachers and I are working on with our shared students. Not only in the secondary settings, but even elementary! This comprehensive workbook offers a structured approach to teaching important life skills. It is perfect for use in the classroom as well as during OT push-in or pull-out sessions!
What is Included in the Life Skills Workbook Bundle?
There are 240 worksheets included in this resource! Therefore, there are many different uses for this workbook in the classroom or during OT sessions. Skills related to functional reading, functional math and functional writing are all included in addition to independent living and other life skills. The 8 resources are listed below:
- Filling out forms
- Filling out applications
- Reading bills
- Reading recipes
- Reading invitations
- Reading schedules
- Budgeting
- Life skill sorts
How can I use the Life Skills Workbook Bundle to target IEP goals?
Check out my blog on high school OT goals and how to target them for some more ideas on how to incorporate this resource into IEP goals work! These resources are minimal prep and perfect for developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and functional skills across settings! Add or tweak goals to align with this resource if you plan to use them regularly!
Functional Writing
At some point, students will likely need to share their personal information in written or typed form. While classroom teachers often focus on helping students memorize and spell these details as part of functional writing instruction, occupational therapists can support this goal by addressing the motor skills involved! Think about things such as typing or handwriting with or without adapted tools [like the Legi Liner seen above!]. Combining these components to collaboratively work on functional writing goals with consistent practice helps students communicate their information clearly and accurately. Simply Special Ed’s Personal Information Autofill PDF is a great tool for teaching students how to complete personal information forms. You can find my tips for prepping this resource in my blog post here. The Life Skills Workbook Bundle adds purpose/function to this skill by incorporating real-world examples like job applications and other forms, giving students meaningful ways to practice these skills.
Get started at an early age with the FREE Personal Information Autofill PDF Daily Sign In Sheets!
Vocational Skills
Does you and your students have a classroom business? Do you students have to apply for the job they are assigned? Do they need to interview for it? Think about ways that you can expand the skills that you are teaching with already established classroom routines. OTs can work hand in hand in life skills with special education teachers and speech therapists much like they can work on vocational skills alongside job trainers! Check out this blog for some ideas on vocational jobs you can include in your classroom routines! What goals can you incorporate for students as part of the vocational skills curriculums? This includes pre-vocational skills like looking for, applying to and interviewing for positions that interest them and play to their strengths! Check out the transition plan survey resource for support in learning students’ interests!
Community Based Instruction
Does your class do community based instruction trips? If not, could you incorporate them into your program to get some real world experience and application for your students? I’m sure your OT would love to help with the endeavor! Check out this blog on planning life skills field trips for some ideas! For example, as part of functional reading/writing, you could have students apply for a library card [using the form above]. Students could them navigate the community [ex: crossing the street/parking lot, communicating with library workers, etc.] to go to the library! Students could pick out books on their level about topics that interest them. This could also serve as a way to teach a new leisure skill!
Functional Math
The Life Skills Workbook Bundle doesn’t have to only be used in ELA and writing! Functional math goals can be targeted in combination with the life skills in this resource. For example, students can fill out a form to apply for a bank account. They can calculate the initial deposit amount by counting bills/coins or using a calculator to sum their current accounts. I have support in some classroom economies or class stores that have worked on these very skills. Sometimes use of a traditional calculator can be challenging for students with fine motor or vision needs. Consult with your OT for ideas on how to adapt this activity for individual students success!
I hope the Life Skills Workbook Bundle is as helpful to your as it was for me! Check out these other blogs on ideas for life sills goals in your classroom!
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