If I Get Lost: Reading Maps, Street Signs and Choosing a Safe Helper

This lost in the community reading set helps students read a town map, street signs, and house numbers, and choose a safe helper to ask when they are lost.

Why I made this: On a class trip, a student got turned around and walked past three store workers because he did not know who he was allowed to ask. He needed practice reading where he was and picking a safe person. This set gives that practice at a table first.

What's included:

• A 13-page PDF and an editable Word copy

• A teacher page with a three-level table, a 2-week plan, and a calm safety note

• 3 documents: a town map with a "you are here" star, a corner street sign and house numbers, and an "If I get lost" plan card with safe helpers and words to say

• Level A ●: 10 cards with 2 choices, in 16 point type

• Level B ■: 10 cards with 3 choices, including simple directions

• Level C ▲: 10 short-answer cards

• 3 practice pages, an answer key, a data sheet with a 10-session graph, a try-it-for-real page, and blank cards

How to use it: Read the map and signs together and locate each landmark. Work one level at a time and check with the codes. Level C can be spoken or written. Then walk the block or school and read real signs.

Who it's for: High school special education teachers, 18-21 program teachers, job coaches, and families preparing students for community outings.

Format: PDF, US Letter, 13 pages, plus an editable Word copy. Prints well in black and white.

How this is different: Transportation Planning for SPED Transition | How Do I Get There? Ride Plan is about planning a trip. Address Practice | Envelopes, Mailboxes + Address Forms | Life Skills SPED is about writing addresses. This set is about reading where you are and choosing a safe helper when you are lost.

Pairs with: Transportation Planning for SPED Transition | How Do I Get There? Ride Plan; Address Practice | Envelopes, Mailboxes + Address Forms | Life Skills SPED

Jeremy D. Gooch, 20+ years in education.