Let’s start with the big question. What is community based instruction? Good news, it is exactly as it sounds. Allowing your students to learn and practice the skills they will need to navigate their lives and communities independently. Basically, it is real life skills taught in a tangible way: crossing the street, navigating a bus system, working at a coffee shop, going to the library or stocking a shelf.

Three Community Based Instruction Fails

I looooove a community based outing with my students. It is one of my favorite parts of teaching Special Education. But that has not always been the case. In fact, the first community based instruction trip I lead was an epic fail. My very first community outing was happened before I was an official teacher. I was a skills trainer working at a non-profit that supported children and teens with disabilities. My mission was to take six teenagers and one other adult to the library. Once we arrived the students would work at the library’s coffee shop. Now, let’s talk about what went wrong.

1. No Pre-teaching

Before we left, I explained what we would be doing. I talked through the process of a bus ride and the walk to the library. I mentioned things like “libraries are places that are more quiet than others” and “the people who work at the coffee shop will show us where the cleaning supplies are kept.” When I look back at myself in this phase it is laughable. “Explained”, “talked through”, “mentioned”… what was I thinking?? Those are not active words for learners.

As soon as we left the campus, my students were mystified. A bus ride? Which bus? Who had the pass? Where did we sit? When did we get off and where? Things didn’t get any more clear when we arrived at the library.

As promised the staff was accommodating and helpful. They gave us a tour and showed us our first task… cleaning. We were directed to the cleaning supplies. But, how did we use it? Why did we need gloves? How were we supposed to separate one clean garbage bag from the huge roll when they were all stuck together?

Needless to say, I failed my students in the area of pre-teaching skills.

2. I started Teaching Too Late

Every single individual skill above should have been explicitly taught. I should have created a lesson with a mentor text that prepared my students for the types of tasks they would encounter, added it into my social skills group curriculum. I should have brought in a roll of garage bags and had students practice separating them. But, how could I have done all of those things when I started teaching too late?

Preparing for a community based outing should be an every single day project. Just a quick vocational problem solving prompt, or a task box that helps students learn to follow instructions would have gone a long way. There are few things as important as learning to navigate your life in an independent and fulfilling way. I started preparing my students just two short weeks before our outing.

3. I did not Prepare the Adults

What I know now is that as a Special Education Teacher, training your Paraprofessionals and the other adults who come into contact with your students is the secret to success. But, this ill fated community trip was not headed up by the super experienced “Special Education Teacher Mrs G”, this trip was headed up by “Krystal, girl who hoped for the best and planned for not much of anything”. When we arrived, the adults at the coffee shop were not at all prepared for the varied ability levels of my students. The other adult leading the trip was an intern with good intentions and (like myself at the time) an undeveloped skill set.

Spending the time arming adults with broad information and training about Special Education, IEPs, and disabilities is important. Just as important is providing basic information about the goal of the community based trip for an individual student.

So what is a community based instruction trip?

Community based instruction trip is an opportunity for you to guide your students towards a life of independence. Pre-teach each and every skill your students will need on their outing no matter how insignificant it may seem. Use a community based instruction rubric and take data on your trips. Teach community based skills all year long and every single chance you get. Empower every adult with the training they need to help your students be successful. The more they know, they more they can be a support for your students as they transition to a life of more independence. Don’t be like early days me. Set your students up for success in the community before you ever leave your classroom!

Resources for teaching Community Based Instruction in the Classroom

Community Based Outing FREE Rubric

Community Based Instruction FREE Workbook

Vocational Problem Solving FREE Lesson Plan