When Plans Change: 10 Social Narratives for School Changes, Sub, Fire Drill, High School

Some kids handle a substitute like it is no big deal. For others, a different face at the door ruins the whole day. A short story read on a calm morning gives them a picture of how it will go before it happens.

What's included:

• 10 one page first person stories: a different teacher, the fire drill, the assembly, indoor recess, a cancelled plan, a new seat, going home early, a different bus or ride, testing day, and a new kid in class

• A write your own template

• 11 pages

How I'd use it:

Read the story a few days before, then again the morning of. Keep it short and calm. The cancelled plan story is the one I would read in September, before anybody needs it. Families can read the same stories at home.

Each narrative is one page, written in first person, with short sentences and a calm ending. They are plain text with room to add a photo of your own school, which helps a lot for kids who need to see the real place. Read it a few times before the day of the change, not just once. The blank template lets you write one for anything your class has coming up, like picture day or a new specials schedule.

Who it's for: Teachers, paras, and families. Grades PreK 5.

What you download: one printable PDF, 11 pages, US Letter.

Made by Jeremy D. Gooch, special education teacher and transition coordinator. Drafting and layout had AI assistance; every page was checked by me.