Choice boards and First/Then cards that look like they belong in a secondary school or on a work placement, not a primary classroom.

Teenagers know when they are being handed something babyish, and they will refuse it. These visuals keep the structure that helps (a clear choice, a clear order) in a plain, grown-up design.

What’s in it (14 pages)

• How I use choices with teenagers (real choices, not fake ones)
• First/Then board and First/Then/Next strips
• “How Do You Want to Do It?” work choice board (12 options)
• Where, When, How Much board
• Work placement choice board and 8 work placement First/Then cards
• 8 classroom First/Then cards and 8 choice cards for moving between activities
• 34 “two good options” lines staff can say out loud
• Blank cards to make your own

Print, laminate and use with a whiteboard pen.

Please note
This is classroom practice, not a behaviour policy. It does not cover restraint, seclusion or physical intervention; follow your school’s behaviour, positive handling and safeguarding policies, and the pupil’s EHCP or behaviour support plan if they have one.

Written by Jeremy D. Gooch, a teacher with 20+ years in education and a certified crisis prevention trainer. From The Transition Cliff.

Keywords: SEND, EHCP, Preparing for Adulthood, KS3, KS4, Post-16, choice boards, first then, visual supports, teenagers, autism, work refusal, work placement, age appropriate