Workplace Manners: An Essential Job-Related Social Skill
September has been targeted as a month for remembering to use manners—whether in school, the community, at home, or in the workplace. But why limit the focus on manners to only September? In a USA Today article (p. 5B, 9-8-18), “Why You Gotta Be So Rude? Spot These...
Job Clubs: A Fun Way to Learn Job-Related Social Skills
Afterschool job clubs can be both instructive and fun for students. They provide an opportunity for older students to learn and practice important job skills while interacting with their peers. The afterschool job club may be offered to students who have work or...
Asking Questions: An Essential Job-Related Social Skill
You’ve heard it before: Student: “I know this is a stupid question but …” Teacher: “No, there are no stupid questions.” But are there so-called “stupid” questions? And if so, should students have an opportunity to learn what an acceptable question looks like, as well...
Use Self-Regulation Strategies When Teaching Math Word Problem Solving
When teaching math word problem-solving skills, self-regulation strategies help students take control of their actions, make appropriate decisions, and become independent problem solvers. These strategies are taught during initial lessons when students learn steps...
Solve It!: An Evidence-Based Approach to Teaching Math Word Problem Solving
Why does Solve It! stand out as a solid approach to teaching math word problem solving? One reason—it is evidenced-based. To be evidence-based, an instructional approach must be informed—or based on—objective evidence. While objective evidence usually is considered...
Apologizing: An Essential Job-Related Social Skill in the Workplace
Consider the many opportunities throughout a typical work day that employees might be expected to use the job-related social skill apologizing: The customer complains that the soup you just served is cold. A co-worker is upset because you broke his favorite mug. The...
Job-Related Social Skills: What Employers Want in 2019
Of all the skills that employers look for, it might surprise you—or come as no surprise at all—that job-related social skills are at the top of the list along with hard or technical content skills required for the position. Sometimes called “soft skills,” job-related...
Why Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder Have Difficulty with Math Word Problem Solving
Why Do Some Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder Have Difficulty with Math Word Problem Solving? Three Cognitive Theories May Help Explain Why Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently have difficulty with math word problem solving. Students with ASD...
Word Problem Solving, Solve It!, and Students with ASD
In the following interview with the author, Peggy Schaefer Whitby discusses mathematical word problem solving, the Solve It! approach to teaching math word problem solving, and how she applied the approach to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Solve...
Student Job Reports Enhance Workplace Success
Use Student Job Reports to Enhance Success in the WorkplaceStudent job reports allow students to self-evaluate job performance on a regular (e.g., weekly) basis. The questions on the self-report should reflect topics and skills directly taught in the classroom prior...