Grades K–5
When I Have a Substitute Teacher
A social story for sub days: my teacher will come back, a new grown-up is in charge, and my schedule stays the same.
Special education printable · Social stories
When There Is a Fire Drill
A calm social story about fire drills: the loud alarm, lining up, walking outside, waiting and going back in.
- Grade level
- Grades K–5
- Time
- About 10 minutes
- Topic
- Social stories
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Understanding routines and expectations, Coping with change, Perspective taking, Listening comprehension
What kids do
“Read the story before the next fire drill. Read it again after.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Sometimes my school has a fire drill. A drill is practice to keep us safe.
- The alarm is very loud. I can cover my ears if I need to.
- I stop what I am doing. I walk to the line with my class.
- We walk outside together. My teacher shows us where to go.
- We wait quietly so my teacher can count us.
- When the drill is over, we walk back inside. I did it!
Teacher tip
Read this the day before a planned drill and again that morning. Offer headphones, and let the student stand near you in line the first few times.
How to use it
- Read the story at a calm time, before the event, not during a hard moment.
- Read it the same way several days in a row.
- Give help quietly and fade it fast: point before you speak, and speak before you move a hand.
Watch for
Using the story as a consequence. It is a preview, not a reminder of what went wrong.
Talk about it
- How might you feel? What can help?
- What helped you do that by yourself?
Take it further
Act the story out with the student, step by step.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More social stories
Grades K–5
Walking in the Hallway
A social story about lining up and walking in the hall: my spot, quiet voice, walking feet and hands to myself.
Grades K–5
When Plans Change
A social story about changes to the schedule: plans can change, I may feel upset, and I can breathe and ask what is next.
Grades K–5
Waiting My Turn
A first-person social story about waiting: friends take turns, I can count, breathe or look, and my turn will come.
Free for teachers
Get the free Classroom Drawing Kit
12 printable pages: six step-by-step lessons, a grid activity, draw-and-write sheets and teacher notes, sent with your welcome email. After that, new classroom printables by email.