Picture Choice Boards and First/Then Cards: Visual Supports for Refusal, Grades K to 5
These picture choice boards and first/then cards give K 5 students a real say in small things and a clear picture of what comes next, with 42 picture cards for work tools, work spots, task order, how to work, and things students like.
Why I made this: In my experience, young students push back less when they get to choose the marker or the spot, and when they can see that blocks come after the math page. My teen choice boards use job site pictures, so I made a set for the K 5 school day.
What’s included:
• A teacher page and a how to page
• A 2 choice board and a 4 choice board
• A first/then board, first/then strips, and a first/then/then board
• 42 picture cards in 5 sets: work tools, where I work, what I do first, how I work, and "then" activities
• Ready made examples
• A planning page and blank picture cards
How I use it: I hold up a 2 choice board when I give a direction, before anyone says no. First/then strips live on desks for students who need to see what comes next. I always follow through on the "then."
Skills covered:
• Making choices
• Following a first/then plan
• Starting tasks
• Communicating with pictures
Who it is for: K 5 special education, general education, and resource teachers, paras, and related service providers. Works for non readers.
What you download: Picture Choice Boards First Then K 5.pdf (16 pages, US Letter, print ready) plus an editable Word version.
How this is different: Choice Boards + First Then Cards for Teens use job site pictures and older students’ tasks. This is a new K 5 set with school day pictures, first/then boards, and no break or warning cards, so it works alongside Picture Break Cards for PreK 5 + Break Tracker and Heads Up Cards: Transition Warning & Schedule Change Cards.
Part of the Student Refusal Toolkit series.
Made by Jeremy D. Gooch, special education teacher and transition coordinator. Drafting and layout had AI assistance; every page was checked by me.
