Adult basic education and English as a second language teachers, as well as volunteer tutors, can help new refugees acquire functional English through the use of a survival kit. The Literacy Volunteers of America's guide to teaching conversational English recommends these items for a survival kit: a written copy of student's name, address, and…

This bibliography is intended to assist teachers and administrators involved in competency-based, English as a second language (ESL) instruction. The materials included in the bibliography have been correlated with the core curriculum competencies of the Mainstream English Language Training (MELT) Project. The guide is divided into three parts.…

These materials for Spanish instruction are based on the meeting and friendship of two Puerto Ricans arriving in Puerto Rico for visits to their hometowns, their discussions of Puerto Rican life, and a sightseeing tour of San Juan. Introductory passages to the visitors' dialogues are in English, and dialogues are in Spanish, with photographs,…

A resource room program was proposed for integrating career education with academic instruction at the elementary level. The curriculum incorporated the following skill areas: survival skills (responsibility, independence, and appropriate behavior); social skills (socially acceptable behavior and interpersonal skills); communication skills…

This resource paper provides information about postsecondary programs for young adults with substantial learning disabilities and other special needs. The introductory section outlines characteristics of the population and components of successful educational programs. Subsequent sections include guidelines for recognizing the young person's…

Interviews, record reviews, student follow-up, achievement tests, survey instruments, and observation were used to gather data for the 1986/87 evaluation of the Topeka (Kansas) Educable Mentally Handicapped (EMH) Program. Strengths of the program were identified and included: a dedicated, well-trained staff; a good special education/regular…

The manual is intended to help Maryland special education administrators and teachers plan and develop programs for students who will pursue a course of study leading to a high school certificate in Maryland. A life skills approach called the "Maryland Life Skills Curricular Framework" is designed to help students adapt to their…

Activities of the Office Education Association, a cocurricular organization for students enrolled in secondary and postsecondary vocational office education programs, are classified as professional, financial, civic, service, and social. The author suggests ways to integrate these activities with the occupational curriculum. (MF)

Describes a board game called Running Errands which is designed to (1) develop language and communication strategies in simulated situations and (2) develop social skills and provide cultural background knowledge. Its use with second language learners of any age and with young children in their own language is discussed. (Author/LRW)

A program used to teach moderately to severely mentally handicapped students to select the lower priced items in actual shopping activities is described. Through a five-phase process, students are taught to compare prices themselves as well as take into consideration variations in the sizes of containers and varying product weights. (VW)

One of our most valuable and often overlooked resources is water. We can survive for a couple of weeks without food but only a few days without water. Having clean water to drink is a luxury. The water that comes out of our faucets does not always start off safe to drink. Most often it has visited a treatment plant prior to reaching our glasses.…

Described is the "Taxonomy of Community Living Skills," a guide for curriculum developers. Experts (n=59) in mental retardation were surveyed to assess the taxonomy's coherence, appropriateness, completeness, etc. Responses to the model's five domains (personal maintenance and development, homemaking and community life, vocational,…

This article discusses the metacognitive approach of mediated learning theory and its application to orientation and mobility (O&M) instruction for individuals with visual impairments. The theory is explained, and the structure of a typical O&M lesson is outlined, followed by an example of using the approach in a trip to the drug store. (DB)

A methodology for teaching students how to use a combination lock was successfully used with 7 students (ages 11-13) with moderate mental disabilities. Discussed are entry level skills, long- and short-term objectives, picture prompts, modeling and guided practice activities, assistance, feedback, and generalization. A detailed task analysis is…

This guide presents strategies for increasing choice opportunities for people with moderate to severe developmental disabilities. Because choice opportunities are easily overlooked, these strategies are intended to provide a systematic way to ensure that simple, but important, daily choices are made available. The guide describes basic principles…