Using Adapted Books in Small Groups
Using Adapted Books in small groups

Using Adapted Books in Small Groups

Can we ever stop talking about Adapted Books? I have found a million different ways to use adapted books in my special education classroom. I’ve talked often about how I use them in my classroom for independent work systems.  One thing I like to do is use adapted books in small groups. I like that it is something that is very familiar to the students and that I can target relevant skills, all while teaching small group lessons.  Here is what I do:

Using Adapted Books in small groups

Small-Group:

I would start your small group with only two students at a time.  Make sure to par students that need to work on the same type of skill.  Grab an adapted book that targets that skill.   Now you want to make sure that you work on small group expectations while they are there.

Small-Group Expectations:

  • taking turns
  • raising hands
  • no talking out of turn
  • wait for your turn

In addition, you can have the students read round-robin where each student gets a chance to read one page.   You can even do this on the smartboard. 

PRO-TIP:

When prepping adapted books, try to make at least two copies (more if you have the supplies to do so) of the same book.  This allows you to use these books in a small group.   You can even just make paper copies (no laminate or velcro needed) and just cut & paste if you are pressed on time.  

prepping adapted books for special education

Adding in More Students:

Once your students have mastered working in a group of two, you can move up to 3 or more!  For all of my adapted books, I have a black and white version included, so if you have one student using the adapted book, you can have the other two students in the small group, using the black and white version of the book. 

Using Adapted Books in small groups
Try this Adapted Book UNIT for FREE

If you are wondering if my Adapted Books would work in your classroom, you can try this unit for FREE here!

Instruction: 

Pre-Reading Activity:

I would try and activate their prior knowledge about the book.  You can even fill out the graphic organizer that I have included with every Adapted Book that I make.   I will also introduce them to the book vocabulary by using the included vocab cards. 

During Reading:

Support the students by reminding them to turn the pages, page the pictures, point to each word and look at the pictures.

After Reading:

I would have students do a writing worksheet or related cut and paste worksheet to connect the reading to writing.  (These worksheets are included in all of my adapted books)

Assessments:

At the end of your small group instruction, you will give them an assessment.  I use the comprehension page from the adapted books.  There are two different versions of this. 

student using graphic organizer for adapted book

Collecting Data:

I would use the assessments mentioned above as a form of data collection.  If you are meeting with your small groups once a day, then I would keep one reading comprehension worksheet a week and collect it that way. 

Adapted Book reading comprehension assessment
this is a level one assessment where you give the student a visual field of choices to pick form and scripted questions to follow
Go ahead and give adapted books in small groups a try! You might just be surprised at how many skills you can target at once!
 
You can pin this post for later HERE!  or click the image below!
 
Using Adapted Books in small groups

I am a High School, self-contained Autism teacher from Central New York, who is passionate about individualizing student learning. I am a mommy of three, lover of all things Disney, married to my best friend and addicted to chocolate!! I hope that you find great ideas and inspiration here, so welcome!!

REcent Posts

FEATURED RESOURCES

You Might Also Like...

Leave a Reply

Type

Task Box Shop

Level

Task Box Shop_Level

Shipping Note:

Physical boxes will be shipped out on the first week of each month.  If you purchase on the 2nd, your first box will not arrive until the next month.  I.e. If you start your subscription January 15, your first box will arrive in February.

All subscriptions will receive immediate access to digital files.  

Renewals:

Subscriptions are set to renew on the 1st of each month unless you opt for the annual plan.

Type

Type

Literacy

Literacy

Math

Math

Adapted Resources

Adapted Resources

Seasonal & Holiday

Life Skills

Life Skills

Other

Other