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THE SAFE PROGRAM:��A resource for young adults with IDD to protect themselves from airborne diseases in the workplace.

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SAFE Curriculum Instructor’s Guide

Lesson 1

  • Begin by introducing students to Lesson 1 of the SAFE Curriculum.
  • Slide 2 lays out the objectives for the first lesson.

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  • Slide 3 asks students to name some examples of Infectious Airborne diseases.
  • There are several options for instruction:

Level 1 (Least support needed):

Ask the question to the class allow for students to discuss with a person sitting near them. Allow the pairs to share their ideas. Use the provided list or create your own based on student knowledge.

Level 2 (Needs support):

Ask the question and discuss as a group. You can show the provided list and see if students know about these common IADs.

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  • Slide 4 asks students to complete 2 sections of the KWL worksheet.
  • There are several options for instruction:

Level 1 (Least support needed):

Ask students to fill in the “K” and the “W” sections on their own. Discuss answers as a group.

Level 2 (Needs support):

Complete the “K” and “W” sections together, as a class.

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  • Slide 5 asks students about their knowledge of germs.
  • There are several options for instruction:

Level 1 (Least support needed):

Discuss some ideas as a group, and then watch each video on viruses and bacteria. Allow students to take notes using the provided worksheet. They should write (or draw) at least 2 important ideas they learn from each video. Discuss what they wrote for notes after watching the videos.

Level 2 (Needs support):

Discuss some ideas as a group, and then watch each video. Stop after each one and complete the worksheet as group. Another option is to not use the worksheet at all, and just discuss each video as a class.

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  • Slide 6 asks students demonstrate an understanding of common IADs, and germ information.
  • There are several options for instruction:

Level 1 (Least support needed):

Play a game with students. Create 2 teams and ask a list of true/false questions about common IADs and germs. You can ask individuals from each team or ask them to answer questions as a team. The team with the most points wins.

Level 2 (Needs support):

Complete a “game” as a group. Ask students to write “T” (for true) on one side of a piece of paper, and “F” (for false) on the other side. Ask the true/false questions and have the class hold up the “T” if they think it’s true and “F” if they think it’s false.

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  • Slide 7 asks students to complete the “L” section of the KWL worksheet.
  • There are several options for instruction:

Level 1 (Least support needed):

Ask students to fill in the “L” sections on their own. Discuss answers as a group.

Level 2 (Needs support):

Complete the “L” sections together, as a class.

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  • Lesson 2 addresses how IADs spread.
  • Slide 9 uses a short story to introduce how germs spread.

SAFE Curriculum Instructor’s Guide

Lesson 2

Level 1 (Least support needed):

Allow students to read “Germ Warfare” on their own and answer the questions. Discuss their answers as a class.

Level 2 (Needs support):

Popcorn read (taking turns reading as a class) “Germ Warfare,” or read it to the class yourself. Answer the questions together.

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  • Slide 10 asks students to think about high touch surfaces.
  • There are several options for instruction:

Level 1 (Least support needed):

Students can work with a partner to discuss a definition for high touch surfaces. They can work on the My Ideas worksheet to write or draw examples of high touch surfaces.

Level 2 (Needs support):

Work as a class to discuss a definition for high touch surfaces. As a group, work on the My Ideas worksheet to write or draw examples of high touch surfaces.

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  • Slide 11 is a video showing how germs spread.

  • Remind students that someone with the common cold, flu, or Covid-19 can leave the germ behind after they touch something.

  • Watch the video and discuss as a class.

  • Slide 12 reminds students to keep their fingers out of their nose.

  • Ask students to name how germs are spreading in each picture.

  • Point to the pictures and explain that when a person touches their nose without using a tissue, and then touches their mouth, or eyes, germs can spread. Also, if they touch their nose and don’t wash their hands, they may infect surfaces to spread the germs to others.

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  • Slide 13 illustrates how germs spread through the air.

  • Ask students to name how germs are spreading in each picture.

  • Point to the pictures and explain that droplets exiting the mouth when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes, laughs, talks, or even sings!These germs are very contagious, which means it can spread very easily.

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  • Slide 14 is a summary/review slide. Click after each question for the thumbs up sign to appear.
  • There are several options for instruction:

Level 1 (Least support needed):

Students read and answer questions on their own. They can write their answer for each question on a piece of paper. Check answers as a class.

Level 2 (Needs support):

Work as a class to discuss each question and decide if the answer is thumbs up or thumbs down.

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Slide 15 has a video to illustrate how germs spread inside vs outside.

Watch the video and discuss as a class.

The key concept for students to understand is that germs spread more easily inside, than outside.

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  • Slide 16 is a summary/review slide. Use the “Places I Go” worksheet to reinforce the safest places to engage in activities when worried about germs spreading and getting sick.

Level 1 (Least support needed):

Students complete the chart on their own. Share with a partner the best places/activities to stay healthy and avoid the spread of germs.

Level 2 (Needs support):

Work as a class to complete the chart and then discuss the best places/activities to stay healthy and avoid the spread of germs.

These are come example answers:

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  • Lesson 3 focuses on learning strategies/techniques to protect ourselves form IAD’s

  • Slide 18 is about handwashing. Ask if the class understands proper handwashing. Watch the video and discuss. Did they learn anything new?

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  • Slides 19, 20, and 21 are about putting on, and taking off a mask properly.

Level 1 (Least support needed):

Have student participate in the following activity:

Review slides 20 and 21 and allow students to practice using an actual mask.

If you agree with this statement, stand in the front of the room: I am confident that I know how to put on my mask properly.

If you agree with this statement, stand in the back of the room: I am a little or not confident at all that I know how to put on my mask properly.

Partner with someone from the opposite side of the room to discuss how to properly wear a mask.

Level 2 (Needs support):

Complete the same activity as Level 1, but do not have students discuss with a partner. Facilitate a discussion with students from the front and students from the back. Help the students from the front answer some questions from the students in the back. After the discussion, review slides 20 and 21. Allow students to practice with an actual mask.

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  • Slides 22 talks about social distancing. If students are having trouble understanding social distancing, there a 2 different activities to use in the classroom.

1. Explain that 1 ruler equals 1 foot. Social distancing requires 6 feet. That means a person needs to stand 6 rulers apart from another person. Allow students to put down 6 rulers end-to-end to visualize 6 feet.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC.

2. Have sections of yarn cut into 6-foot pieces. Have each student find a partner. Give each group a section of yarn and have them each hold one end of the yarn. They can stretch apart and see how far 6 feet measures.

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  • Slides 23 and 24 discuss the proper way to cough and sneeze to prevent the spread of germs. Watch the video and then discuss the chart on slide 24. Allow students to practice.

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  • Slides 25 is an activity to do as a class to review the information just presented on protecting oneself from IADs.
  • Complete the activity and the discuss.

*Pictures follow the last slide. Print out each picture to use for this activity, or use you own.

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Slides 26-32 focuses on vaccines. These slides require review and discussion. Go through each slide one at a time and present the information.

Slide 27 has a video explaining vaccines. Check for understanding with the class after watching.

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Slide 33 is a review activity for the whole lesson.

Level 1 (Least support needed):

Students complete the matching activity on their own. They can write down their answers on a piece of paper. They can check their answers with a partner or as a class.

Level 2 (Needs support):

Work as a class to complete the matching game. Review each answer as needed.

Please refer to the chart for information on each answer:

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  • Lesson 4 focuses on what students should do when they feel sick.

  • Slide 35 introduces the term, “symptom.” Discuss the definition of symptom, and then common symptoms that indicate sickness. You can ask the class to name symptoms they have had when sick and then share the list on the slide. Or you can just present the list of symptoms on the slide.

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  • Slides 36 is an activity to review the term, “symptom,” and identify different symptoms of illness.
  • Students can complete the worksheet individually, with a partner, or as a class.
  • Review the answers and make sure students understand symptoms of illness before moving on.

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  • Slides 37 focuses on things students can do to get better when they are sick.
  • Ask students to identify the pictures. How does the picture help a person when they are sick? Are there other things they can do besides what is shown in the picture.

  • Slide 38 asks students to think about who they should tell when they are sick.
  • Review the given list. Ask students to think of people specific to them. They can write their own list of people to tell and share with the class.

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  • Before moving on, use slide 39 to help students understand where they can look for accurate, and up-to-date information on IAD’s.
  • Review the information on the slide. If possible, allow students to practice on a computer or their phone looking up these websites. You could also demonstrate looking up some of these websites and review the information as a class.

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  • Slide 41 is an activity to get students thinking using real life situations.

Level 1 (Least support needed):

Use the SAFE Social Stories worksheet and cut out each of the stories. Assign students a partner and give each group one social story. They can act out the situation, or they can just talk about how they would handle the situation.

Level 2 (Needs support):

Discuss each situation as a class. Decide how to handle each situation, then allow students to role play with you, or each other to practice what to say.

Lesson 5 discusses what to say and do when others are sick.

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  • Slides 42 and 43 discuss how students can protect themselves from IADs while interacting in their communities. Slide 42 asks what they do. Discuss some ideas as a class.
  • Slide 43 has a video featuring an adult with autism explaining the things he does to protect himself.

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  • Lesson 6 explains anxiety and fear, and how these feeling relate to IADs.

  • Slide 45 lists the objectives of the lesson. Students will learn the difference between fear and anxiety. They will also learn coping strategies.

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  • Discuss slide 46 with the class. Try to help the students see the difference between the picture of anxiety and the picture of fear.
  • Slides 47-48 allow you to discuss anxiety and fear in depth with the class. Try to help them think of examples of when they have felt anxiety, and when they have felt fear.
  • Sometimes, it is hard to know if we are feeling anxiety or fear. Slides 49-50 review the different physical and emotional symptoms of fear and anxiety.
  • As an option, students may complete the worksheet called “Physical and Emotional Symptoms of Fear and Anxiety.” This is a review for the information presented in slides 49-50.

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Slide 51 focusing on reassuring students that all of the feelings they have about IADs are totally normal. Everyone experiences anxiety and fear.

Slide 52 is a whole class activity. Discuss stress management and ask students to think of ways in which they manage stress. Toss a beach ball or another soft ball around and when a student catches the ball, they can share their idea for stress management.

Slide 53 illustrates various ways to relieve stress. Ask students to name each activity. Ask students to vote on which activity they prefer for relieving stress.

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Lesson 6 focuses on advocacy. This is a difficult concept for students to understand. There are two parts to this lesson. First, helping students to feel good about themselves and reduce stigma. Second, providing information on self-advocacy and helping students to understand where and how to use it.

Slides 55 and 56 can facilitate a class discussion on feeling different or less than others. Students may worry about their own abilities, or they may worry that others will perceive them as incapable of doing things independently.

Slide 57 points students towards self-advocacy as a means to feeling good about themselves and demonstrating to others their capabilities. There is a video on this slide featuring an adult with autism (Luke, same person as earlier slide) discussing what self-advocacy means to him.

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  • Slide 58 discusses self-advocacy. There is a worksheet that accompanies this slide. The slide after this one gives talking points on all aspects of self-advocacy and being a self-advocate. However, feel free to bring in other information you deem appropriate.

Level 1 (Least support needed):

Students should write the word, “Self-Advocate,” in the middle circle. Students can work independently or with a partner to write at least one idea for each section of the worksheet. Review answers and provide the key points you want them to write in each section.

Level 2 (Needs support):

Students should write the word, “Self-Advocate,” in the middle circle. Work with the class to fill in each section of the worksheet. You can discuss ideas as a class, and then provide the key points you want them to write in each section.

*Talking points are on the next slide.

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Who is a Self-Advocate?

  • Someone who speaks-up for things they believe in
  • Someone who knows and understands their rights and responsibilities
  • Complete the Who section of your worksheet.

What is Self-Advocacy?

  • Self-advocacy is the ability to speak-up for yourself and the things that are important to you.
  • Self-advocacy means you know your rights and responsibilities
  • Use your Self Advocacy worksheet to write a definition.

When is Self-Advocacy Useful?

  • When you want to be listened to
  • When you are making a complaint
  • Complete the When section of your worksheet.

Where Can you Self-Advocate?

  • At home
  • At work
  • At school
  • At the doctor
  • At stores
  • On the bus
  • Complete the Where section of your worksheet.

Why is Self-Advocacy Important?

  • It is important to learn self-advocacy skills because it helps you decide what you want and what is possible for you to expect.
  • Self-advocacy helps to empower you, to speak-up for yourself and make decisions about your life.
  • Complete the Why section of your worksheet.

How do you Self-Advocate?

  • You need to decide what you want to speak-up about
  • You need to plan how you are going to speak-up
  • You need to speak-up for yourself
  • Complete the How section of your worksheet.

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Slide 59 introduces the activity on slide 60. Students will work with a partner (or in groups of 3 or 4). Assign each team a number. Click on the numbered box and a social situation appears in which students need to figure out how to self-advocate. Students can act out each scenario, or they can just talk about what they would do in that situation.

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Hand washing

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This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.

Vaccines

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Coughing into elbow

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Social Distance

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This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY.

Wear a mask

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Put on a jacket

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Eat healthy foods

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Visit the dentist

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Travel to another place