Predict what might happen next in a social story  

Sequencing cards (focus on social situations)

Card with large question-mark on it.

1. Explain to the children that you are going to see the beginning of a story or something that happened, and that they need to think about what the ending could be.

2. Show them the first 2 or 3 cards in the sequence (this depends on how many cards are in the sequence).

3. Show the question mark at the end and discuss what might happen next.

4. Help the children to think about different scenarios: you could write these down or draw them.

5. Finally look at the final cards in the sequence to see what the author decided on.

Large picture showing a situation: for example a developing argument; a child standing alone whilst other children are playing in a playground. Sets of prompt pictures showing possible outcomes from the situation - for example: child seeks to join in play and is accepted/is rejected, child goes off on his own etc.

1. Explain to the children that you are going to see the beginning of a story or something that happened, and that they need to think about what the ending could be.

2. Look at one of the large picture and discuss what is happening.

3. Discuss possible endings to the situation.

4. Use the 4 smaller pictures if you need to prompt the discussion. Decide which one is best.

A4 ring-binder folder (if you have one with 4 rings this is better, but 2 rings will do.)

A5 paper / A4 cut in half

Pictures of an event, A5 size

1. Hole punch the pictures and the paper so that they fit into the folder one below the other (to use you will turn the folder sideways, so that the picture is on the left and the paper is on the right next to it)

2. Explain to the children that they are going to see a picture of something happening. They need to think of what might happen next.

3. Show the first picture. Discuss what is happening in the picture and what the person or people might do next.

4. Write down or sketch the possible next steps on the paper, one per sheet.

5. Continue in subsequent sessions until you have made a book with a choice of starting pictures and a range of endings. Use it to tell stories or to play barrier games.