I Know How to Act

Gr all levels—Elementary school-age children of varying ability levels describe and demonstrate appropriate social behaviors for activities throughout the school day. Topics follow the typical order of the day: greetings, behavior in the classroom, using the restroom, behavior in the lunchroom, interactions with others, and safety on the way home. For the most part, the rules and behaviors discussed are rudimentary, but they are exactly those with which special needs students might need some help. For example, the segment on greetings discusses how hugs are reserved for family, while a high-five with a teacher you know might be appropriate, and shaking hands with a new adult acquaintance is best. The guide includes classroom activities focusing on role-plays of appropriate behaviors. Teachers will probably wish for more meat in the section on "boyfriends and girlfriends"—what's included is very basic, and boils down to "Don't touch each other during school." Overall, though, the segments are short and snappy, and the variety of kids and their effortless cooperation provides a positive example. This program will be of most use when supplemented by discussion and role-play in the classroom. The information is appropriate for typically developing youngsters in the elementary grades and special needs students in middle and high school.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD