I need to make lesson plans for students with mental retardation. Can you please tell me what you think of my ideas.

For Pre-K
work on gross motor skills, play simon says, use songs that make the child use their motor skills (if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands, etc).

For Elementary
Develop fine motor skills
I'm thinking of a lesson in which the child would learn how to make a simple snack. They would have to spread peanut butter on crackers, open jars, open crackers, etc.

For Middle school
Having a hard time with this one.

High school
work on independent living skills. Student could vacuum the classroom, dust, etc.

Your ideas are good.

The activities depend on the degree of mental retardation and the individual educational plan.

However, at all levels, basic reading, reading comprehension, and math should be taught. Pre-schoolers and early el kids should be read to. Seeing pictures in the book will help with their understanding of the stories. Having them talk about the story would increase their verbal skills. Older students should be encouraged to read as much as they are capable.

Since math skills are also incremental, counting people and objects is a start. By high school, learning to handle money is extremely important.

What about if I put down a trip to the grocery store instead? That way, both reading and math would be covered as well. They would need todo a shopping list and read the sins in the store. They would also need to work with money.

One thing I remember about neighbors of mine in California who had a daughter with Down's Syndrome. The parents kept her enrolled in school year-round, and they were excited if she could remember her last name, her address, and her phone number from one day to the next. The father told me once that if she weren't in school year-round, she wouldn't remember those things, which he considered part of a safety scenario for his daughter. At the same time, he was amazed at her: She was bilingual -- French and English! She wasn't literate, but she could speak and understand both languages well.

As Ms. Sue said, it all depends on the severity of the retardation in each child. Not all Down's children are the same, nor children with autism or any other condition you could name. Each child has different needs to be addressed; some will progress farther than others.

Your grocery store idea is great!

Your ideas for lesson plans for students with mental retardation are a great starting point. It's important to focus on their specific needs and abilities while incorporating activities that can help them develop new skills. Here are some suggestions and additional considerations for each age group:

Pre-K: Working on gross motor skills and incorporating songs is an effective approach. In addition to "Simon Says" and songs, you can also include activities like crawling under or over an obstacle course, playing catch with a soft ball, or dancing to music that encourages movement. Make sure to choose age-appropriate songs that will capture their attention and keep them engaged.

Elementary: Developing fine motor skills through activities like making a simple snack is an excellent idea. You could start with tasks that involve basic spreading and opening, then gradually introduce more complex actions like cutting with safe scissors or using different utensils. Ensure that the snack is safe and does not pose any allergy risks. Consider incorporating visuals or step-by-step instructions to aid their understanding.

Middle School: For this age group, you can focus on activities that foster independence, socialization, and cognitive skills. Some potential ideas could include teaching them to follow recipes to make simple meals, practicing basic money skills like counting coins and making purchases, engaging in small group problem-solving activities, or exploring their interests through hands-on projects. Customize the activities based on their abilities and interests to ensure engagement and achievement.

High School: Your suggestion of working on independent living skills for high school students is thoughtful. In addition to tasks like vacuuming and dusting, you can expand the scope to include skills like doing laundry, basic cooking, personal hygiene, managing daily schedules, and using public transportation. Consider collaborating with vocational programs or local community resources that may offer additional training opportunities or work experience options for students preparing to transition into adulthood.

Remember, these suggestions are general and should be adapted to meet the individual needs, abilities, and interests of each student. It is also important to collaborate with parents, other educators, and specialists to ensure a comprehensive education plan that supports the students' overall development and growth.

Another thought --

Unless you were teaching extremely low functioning students, vacuuming and dusting would not be appropriate for high schoolers.

I urge you to spend several hours in various special ed classrooms for the mentally impaired.