Check in with Mrs G

Teaching Special Education & Social Skills

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5 Picture Books About Anger

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picture-books-about-anger

5 Picture Books about Anger

I love teaching students of all ages using picture books, especially in my social skills groups (you can read about it here). In my resource room, I see many of my kiddos when they are extremely angry. They have fled their gened classrooms and need to take a break or they were sent out and are infuriated. When the door blows open and they storm in, it is too late. (Read more about how I handle those situations here.) The teaching has to happen when they are happy to be coming to group. I infuse my lessons and conversations about anger during our normal, calm, everyday routines.

My Student’s Official Top 5 Favorite Read Alouds about Anger

  1. Sam’s Pet Temper
  2. Say Hello to Zorro 
  3. The Pigeon Needs a Bath!
  4. Zach Gets Frustrated
  5. Finn Throws a Fit 

Do your students have a favorite picture book about anger, frustration, or big reactions that I should bring into my classroom? If so, I would love to hear about it! Let’s connect on Facebook or Instagram.

See more of my student’s favorite picture books below:

My Student’s Official Top 5 Favorite Read Alouds about Special Needs

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5 Picture Books about Special Needs

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means we may make a small commission at no cost to you if you click and purchase something we recommend. The suggested products are ones we have tried and love! For more information see our full disclosure policy. Thank you!

picture-books-about-special-needs

5 Picture Books about Special Needs

I love teaching students of all ages using picture book. Especially in my social skills groups, you can read about it here. Because October is Disability Awareness Month, I wanted to share my student’s top five picture books about special needs.

So, read them aloud in your special education groups! But, be sure to read them in general education classes too! The age of your students does not matter. These stories discuss Aspergers, Down Syndrome, Visual Impairment, Cerebral Palsy, and Inclusion. Every single student can benefit from a deeper understanding of these topics. Basically, I love books that foster inclusion and friendship. These books do! Even better, in my experience they prompt thoughtful conversation and can lead to a more tolerant student body.

My Student’s Official Top 5 Favorite Read Alouds about Special Needs

  1. Armond Goes to a Party (Aspergers) 
  2. Princess Jaycee (Down Syndrome)
  3. Dan and Diesel (Visual Impairment) 
  4. Howie Helps Himself (Cerebral Palsy)
  5. The invisible Boy (Inclusion) 

Do your students have a favorite picture book about special needs that I should bring into my classroom? If so, I would love to hear about it! Let’s connect on Facebook or Instagram.

See more of my student’s favorite picture books:

My Student’s Official Top 5 Favorite Read Alouds about Anger

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Use Picture Books to Teach in Special Education

picture-books-to-teach-special-education

Two Ways to Use Picture Books

I love using picture books to teach social skills in special education groups. Students of all ages connect with the messages and benefit from the visuals. I use picture books to do one of two things: Introduce a new concept or reinforce a current learning target.

Using them with Older Students

When using them with my older students (in most case for me, my 5th through 8th graders) I typically start with a disclaimer that sounds something like this, “These books are for kids much younger than you but I like them. Please humor me and let me read them. If you end up liking them too you can tell me after. If not, you don’t have to listen.” It works! By page two most of my students are enthralled.

When I have older students that need a little more convincing, I invite kiddos from my younger grade levels in to join us for group. This works because most of the topics we address in social skills group are life long skills that all of my students can benefit from developing. I let my older student in on the lesson plan and explain to them that they are helping the younger students understand the big ideas from the book. It is amazing how my older students turn into tolerant role models (who love picture books) when we are joined by my littles.

When I read books aloud in my social groups I screen the content carefully. Each book is chosen with a focus on relevance. Of course good visuals are a plus too! Over the years a few books have emerged as clear favorites with my kiddos. (One book even draws consistent cheers from my fifth graders each time I bring it out!)

using picture books to teach social skills in special education groups

Here are some of my student’s favorite picture books by topic:

My Student’s 5 Favorite Picture Books about Special Needs

My Student’s 5 Favorite Picture Books about Anger