Virus

August 3, 2010 by Lisa Freeman
Posted in•Social Thinking•School Age

‘Virus!’ We were in class ‘Checking In’ and ‘Catching Up’ when one of the students interrupted and blurted the word ‘Virus’. We all turned to him with very confused looks on our faces. The comment was unexpected. None of us knew what he was talking about. He knew what was in his head and therefore what he meant was perfectly clear to him. But the rest of us were in the dark when he said that one word.

To help explain what was happening we drew 2 figures having a conversation on the board. We drew a ‘think bubble’

And a ‘talk bubble’ for one of the figures.

We explained that although the student had a whole thought in his brain only one word came out of his mouth.

We further explained that when he said ‘Virus!’ some of us were thinking, “What’s he talking about? Is he sick?” We put that in a ‘think bubble’.

We asked the group what they could have said when their classmate said ‘Virus’.  They suggested

and

   

Using the bubbles is a great way to demonstrate that others don’t know what we’re thinking in our head. Instead of saying one word, we need to say the thought out loud and explain what we mean.

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