AI Tools for Special Educators: Create Personalized Social Stories using Gemini Storybook

Explore the potential of artificial intelligence in special education! A step by step guide on how to use Google Gemini's Storybook feature and empower special educators to create highly personalized social stories. We'll walk through the creation of a story for a Grade 2 student, featuring his favorite 'Star Wars' character 'Baby Yoda or Grogu', to help him understand the importance of taking turns in our life. 

A personalized social story for a child in Grade 2 on 'turn-taking'. Learn how to harness AI to craft engaging, age appropriate and relevant stories that support social-emotional growth and address specific behavioral needs in your classroom. 

This video is a must-watch for special educators looking to create personalized, impactful, social stories that resonate with your students.

Notes 

Good Websites for Social Stories:
Picture Books: https://www.booksie.org/

Audio Books: https://librivox.org/

Picture Books: https://autismlittlelearners.com/social-stories-for-school/

Audio Video Presentations: YouTube 

Dear Educators, 
- To endless possibilities: This is just one way of utilizing the storybook feature, put on your 'Creative Hat' and explore different ways to use it! We would enjoy watching your ideas in action too.  
- Figure out a way to involve your student in the process of creating the story book (it could be in the form of creating the artwork or character for the story, deciding the theme or moral for the story, or style of art for the story book).  
- Don't expect your student to fall in line after 1 or 2 renditions of the personalized social story generated by you. Bringing about behavioral change is a slow and intuitive process. Be patient with your student or kid. Top it up with other activities. Model the desired behavior regularly too.   
- Please overlook my screen recorders struggle to capture my screen without shivering!  

Dear Google, I have the following suggestions for #gemini #storybook #feature (since it is in its experimental stage!):
1. Wouldn't it be better if the attribution under the title of the storybook says, "Created by ABC using Gemini Storybook"?   
2. Please figure out a way to credit or acknowledge and quote sources used by the AI model to generate the story book (similar to the manner in which your AI powered search engine, now, links or quotes sources).    
3. Provide us with an option to download the digital version of the story book as a .mp4 file. 
4. When we save the file as a PDF instead of printing it, ensure the illustrations corresponding to the write-ups (lines from the story) are on the same page (as it appears in the digital/online version of the storybook).  

Credits|Sources: 
- Google Gemini: Storybook Keyword or Feature or Gemstone 
- Images: https://www.aiimagegenerator.org
- Pictures: Canva
- BGM: www.soundful.com 

Please Note (as of 05.09.2025): 
- Gemini's Storybook Feature, which is in its experimental stage, attributes the prompt writer as the author of the story book generated by it. As someone, who believes in the power of words, our heart goes out to original creators, writers and illustrators on whose ideas, style and artwork the generated output is based upon (which would have been a part of the data set used train the AI model). We are hopeful, as we move forward in time, Google will figure out a way to credit or acknowledge and quote sources used by the AI model to generate the story book. So that we can use this cool feature in a transparent and credible manner. 
- The length of the illustrated storybook created by Gemini is 10 pages.   

With Hope.

A Special Educator's Quick Guide to Reinforcement (Teaching Strategy)

Stickers and Beyond: Reinforcement Strategies that Actually Work for Diverse Learners!

 

 

Reinforcement Strategy: Actions taken while working with a child to make a desired behaviour more likely to occur in the future or actions taken while working with a child to facilitate or increase the occurence of a desired behaviour.

+ Positive Reinforcement: Adding something pleasant or desirable (examples: toy, food, attention …) to make a desired behavior more likely to occur.

+ Negative Reinforcement: Taking something unpleasant or undesired away (examples: noise, distractions …) to make a desired behavior more likely to occur.

Reinforcer: Incentive (either a reward or the removal of something undesired) that is given to a child after they display a desired/appropriate behavior (or used while working with a child to materialize a desired behavior). 

Examples/Types of Reinforcers:

A. Tangible - Tokens, stickers, posters, noise cancelling headphones, prize from a prize box, snack or favorite food item (if appropriate), coloring page, books.

B. Activity-Based - Extra time on computer, silent reading time, partner reading, allowed to be a leader, given a classroom job, assisting secretary or teacher.

C. Social - Tell a joke, lunch with teacher, positive phone call home, game with a friend, being a peer model for a younger student.

D. Intangible - Verbal praise, smiles, thumbs-up, giving eye contact, positive comments written on work.

Source: Reinforcement Strategies (National Center on Intensive Intervention, 2016)

Acknowledgements: 

+ God (our heavenly Father) 

+ Family 

+ Friends 

+ Professors and Mentors (Anamika Ma'am, Swati Ma'am, Pubali Ma'am, Sudeep Sir, Jha Sir, Brij Ma'am and Pushpa Ma'am). 

With Hope.  

How to Prepare an IEP (Individualized Education Plan)? | Basic IEP Format and Guidelines (DoE, Delhi)

Individualised Education Plan (IEP) - It should not be 'just a document'. It should be 'a living document'!   

A simple and comprehensive video tutorial on how to prepare an IEP (Individualised Education Plan). It is based on the format and guidelines published by Directorate of Education (DoE, Delhi) & my experience of working as a special educator under the guidance of prolific educators at different mission oriented special and inclusive schools. 

I. To download the Basic IEP (Individualised Eduaction Plan) Format I (including the guidelines) published by the Department of Education (Govt. of Delhi), please click on the following links: 

1. Department of Education (Government of Delhi) Revised IEP Format and Guidelines (2022).

2. Department of Education (Government of Delhi) Revised IEP Format 2022 (as a PDF file).

3. Department of Education (Government of Delhi) Revised IEP Format 2022 (as an ODT file). 

4. Department of Education (Government of Delhi) Old IEP Format (as a PDF file).

II. To download the e-books the NCERT Syllabus and Learning Outcomes for Elementary and Secondary Stage, please click on the following links:

1. NCERT: Syllabus for Elementary Stage

2. NCERT: Learning Outcomes for Elementary Stage

3. NCERT: Syllabus for Secondary Stage

4. NCERT: Learning Outcomes for Secondary Stage
 
Acknowledgements: 
All of you have played an important role in my journey. I am grateful for everything I have learned from each one of you. This video wouldn’t have been possible without your priceless insights and guidance. Thank you for being patient with me. Please forgive me if I've caused you any pain. 
+ The everlasting Grace of God
+ Family
+ Friends
+ My Teachers, Students, Mentors | Professors and Fellow Educators | Colleagues from St. Paul’s School, IILM, Teach for India, Student Competetions, HCL, Opportunity Desk, Ufaber, ScrapLabs, CONCOR, Global Peace Chain, EVE, University of Hyderabad, Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education, Blind Relief Association, Green Field School, SAKSHAM, and The British School
+ Kivespervibo Channel Outro (Exit Sequence) Designed By: A&ACherries | Alegniv_Creations
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJaOv3c0_5GyVT-0AseIorQ
+ Background Music: Created on Soundful using AI Music Editor
https://soundful.com/

Sources/Credits 
- Team of Special Educators, Resource Persons and Teachers who worked on creating the basic IEP format and guidelines
- Directorate of Education (DoE), Inclusive Education Branch, Government of Delhi
- Revised Format and Instructions for Developing IEP - Annexure I to III [Directorate of Education (Delhi), May, 2022]
- NCERT 

With Hope.

B. Ed. Special Education Sample Lesson Plan and Template

A lesson plan template and sample lesson plan prepared by us as B. Ed. Special Education Trainees for children with visual impairment under the guidance of our dedicated Professors and Principal (Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education) for your reference:  

To download a Basic Lesson Plan Template used by B. Ed. Special education students, please click on the following link: 

1. B. Ed. Special Education Lesson Plan Format (Scanned Version). 


To download a Sample Lesson Plan prepared for teaching children with visual impairment via online class, please click on the following link: 

1. B. Ed. Special Education Sample Lesson Plan - Grade 8 Online Science Class (Scanned Version).

Acknowledgements 
+ The everlasting Grace of God.
+ Family and Friends. 
+ Professors (Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education), Students, Teachers and Mentors.

References
- B. Ed. Special Education Documents
- NCERT Class 8 Science Book 

With Hope. 

Special Education Basic Lesson Plan Template I

A quick look at a simple lesson plan model or format that can be used by special educators to create a lesson plan for a child with special need in special and inclusive schools.

To download the Basic Lesson Plan Template for Children with Special Needs based on a lesson plan published by The University of Mary Washington, please click on the following links: 

1. Lesson Plan Template for Children with Special Needs (Editable Version). 

2. Lesson Plan Template for Children with Special Needs (PDF Version). 

To download the Sample Lesson Plan published by The University of Mary Washington for Children with Intellectual Disability, please click on the following link:

1. Sample Vocabulary Lesson Plan published by The University of Mary Washington for Children with Intellectual Disability (PDF Version).

Acknowledgements 
+ The everlasting Grace of God.
+ Family and Friends. 
+ Fellow Educator (this video was conceptualized as a response to a request from a an educator).
+ University of Mary Washington: Team of Special Educators, Resource Persons and Teachers who created and uploaded a lesson plan for our reference.  
+ Students, Teachers, Mentors, Professors and Fellow Educators and Colleagues.
+ Background Music: Created on Soundful using AI Music Editor
  https://soundful.com/

Sources
- https://education.umw.edu/tspot/files/2013/02/Vocabulary-Lesson-Plan-for-Students-with-Severe-Intellectual-Disabilities.doc
- https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-accommodations-and-modifications
- Including Children With Special Needs (Primary Stage), NCERT (2014)
- Including Children With Special Needs (Upper Primary Stage), NCERT (2015)
- National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023, NCERT (2024)

With Hope. 

Fine Motor Skills Activity for Young Kids - Bombax Ceiba Flower Game

 The Battle within the Petals of a Silk-Cotton Tree Flower  

It looks like a simple and silly activity or game, but, try it with your students to experience the different domains of development it touches upon. A set of activities and game to develop and strengthen fine motor skills of children at home or at school using flowers of a Bombax Ceiba tree flower.  

Educational Setup: Home (Play Date|Picnic) and School (Inclusive and Special)  
Grade/Stage: Kindergarten/Foundation  
Domain: Fine Motor Skills
Focus: Developing and strengthening hand-eye co-ordination, finger dexterity and grip
Method: Multi-sensory | Experiential | Play and Learn |
Requirement: Flowers that fall off the majestic Bombax Ceiba Tree (botanical name). Bombax Ceiba tree is also known as cotton tree; Malabar silk-cotton tree; red silk-cotton; red cotton tree; or kapok tree.)
 

Fine Motor Skills Activity Booklet for Teachers: Class Flow|Ideas to help you plan and execute the activities and the game shown in the video.

To download the activity booklet, please click on the following link:
1. Class Flow for Bombax Ceiba Tree Flower Game - The Battle within the Petals of a Silk-Cotton Tree Flower      

Suggestions:
- Please use flowers that fall off the Bombax Ceiba Tree! (You will find plenty of them resting unattended on the face of our planet in Delhi ideally in the months of February and March.)
- Let the kids tinker/explore/play with the flower and its components.  
- Create your own variations of the activities displayed in the video based on the needs of your students and experience (Example: This activity could be used to reinforce concepts like 'Parts of a Flower' taught in our 'Understanding the World' or 'Environmental Science' lesson.)  
 
Acknowledgements
The Almighty, family members and childhood friends who introduced me to the cotton tree flower game.

My school teachers, students, mentors/professors and fellow educators/colleagues from The British School, SAKSHAM, ScrapLabs, Teach For India, and CONCOR for their valuable insights and guidance.

With Hope.

E-books on Inclusion and Children with Special Needs from NCERT and Ministry of Education

 

📚 A collection of e-books for administrators, professors, special educators, teachers, parents, social workers, and students on 'How to address and support children with special needs in an inclusive school or inclusive setup' published by The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and Ministry of Education (MoE) for your reference.


I. E-books on supporting and including children with special needs:

To download the e-books, please click on the following links:

1. NCERT: Including Children With Special Needs - Primary Stage (2014)
 
2. NCERT: Including Children With Special Needs - Upper Primary Stage (2015)
 
3. NCERT: Including Children with Autism in Primary Classrooms - A Teacher's Handbook (2019)
 
4. NCERT: Educational Rights of Children with Special Needs - Frequently Asked Questions (2021)
 
5. NCERT: Meeting Special Needs in School - A Manual (2007)
 
6. NCERT: Inclusion in Education - A Manual for School Management Committee (2020)
 

II. NCERT Syllabus and Learning Outcomes for Elementary and Secondary Stage

To download the e-books, please click on the following links:

1. NCERT: Syllabus for Elementary Stage
 
2. NCERT: Learning Outcomes for Elementary Stage
 
3. NCERT: Syllabus for Secondary Stage

4. NCERT: Learning Outcomes for Secondary Stage
 

III. Ministry of Education, Government of India (GoI) Guidelines on Development of e-Content for Children with Disabilities

1. MoE, GoI: Guidelines for the Development of e-Content for Children with Disabilities (2021)

To acknowledge the efforts put in by different departments/organizations & professors/teachers/experts/editors/contributors, please remember to credit and quote the requisite reference book used by you in your work or publications (lectures, presentations, podcasts, write-ups, videos, social media posts, research papers and books).  

Sources/Credits
- Team of Experts, Professors, Special Educators, Resource Persons, and Teachers who worked on creating resourceful books and e-books for us.
- Ministry of Education, Government of India (MoE, GoI)
- The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) (https://ncert.nic.in/?ln=en)
- My Professors and Mentors from Blind Relief Association (B.R.A), Delhi
- My students, fellow educators and friends for their unmatched curiosity.

With Hope.

The Dancing Brain!

It's not just your feet and hands moving to the rhythm of the music ... 

 

 

The BrainDance, developed by Anne Green Gilbert, is an effective, full body/brain warm-up exercise based on eight developmental movement patterns humans move through in the first year of life to wire the central nervous system. Many of us missed a pattern, but by moving through these patterns weekly or daily we re-pattern our brains, align our bodies, develop better focus and concentration, and strengthen social and emotional skills. This exercise prepares all students for learning. The BrainDance may be used with all ages (toddlers to seniors), and in all teaching situations.

We have compiled an engaging Brain Dance Activity Booklet for you and your students based on the ideas developed by Anne Gilbert. It includes exciting dance prompts grouped age wise that you can use at home or at school with your kids and students. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to dance with your kids/students!
 

To download the activity booklet, please click on the following link:
1. Brain Dance or Movement Dance Activity Booklet for All Age Groups (EYFS, Primary, Secondary, Senior Secondary+)        

References  
To download the reference material on Brain Dance or Movement Dance or Movement Therapy, please click on the following link:
1. BrainDance by Anne Green Gilbert  

Sources/Credits
Activity Booklet - An inquisitive chit-chat with ChatGPT! & www.creativedance.org

Acknowledgements
My Professors (B.R.A.), teachers (The British School and St. Paul's School), mentors (The British School and SAKSHAM) and friends (Bhaavya and Shailendra) who introduced and pushed me to ponder over Brain Dance (or movement dance therapy) and its vital implications in the field of special and inclusive education.

With Hope. 

E-books on Inclusion from Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), Government of India (GoI)

📚 A collection of e-books for administrators, professors, special educators, teachers and students on Special Education and Inclusion published by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), Government of India (GoI) for your reference. 

I. E-books from the Advanced Certificate Course in Inclusive Education (Cross Disability)     

To download the e-books, please click on the following links:

1. RCI Block 1 - Disability and Implications on Learning  

2. RCI Block 2 - Pedagogy of Inclusive Education

3. RCI Block 3 - Curriculum Accommodations and Adaptations

4. RCI Block 4 - Communication Needs & ICT

5. RCI Block 5 - Practicum

II. E-books from the Training Module for Education Functionaries  

To download the e-books, please click on the following links:

1. RCI Introductory Training Module for Education Functionaries (In-Service Training and Sensitization of Key Functionaries of Central & State Governments, Local Bodies and Other Service Providers)

2. RCI Training Module for Education Functionaries (In-Service Training and Sensitization of Key Functionaries of Central & State Governments, Local Bodies and Other Service Providers)


To acknowledge the efforts put in by different departments/organizations & authors/experts/contributors, please remember to credit and quote the requisite reference book used by you in your work and publications (lectures, presentations, podcasts, write-ups, research papers and books).  

Sources/Credits
- Team of Experts, Special Educators, Resource Persons and Teachers who worked on creating the training modules and books.
- Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), Department of Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India (GoI)
- My Professors and Mentors from Blind Relief Association (B.R.A), Delhi

- My friends (Deepali and Kiran) for their unmatched curiosity.


With Hope.

Taylor's Frame - L02 - Type A (Mathematical Operators, . & = ) and Type B (Variables & Brackets)

In this video you will learn about: A. Representing Mathematical Operators (+, -, × & ÷), Decimal Point (.) and Equal To (=) Sign using Type A on the Taylor's Frame. B. Representing Variables (A, B, C, D, X, Y & Z), Occasional Bit, Different Types of Brackets (( ) { } [ ]), Index Sign or Indicator (Power/Exponent) and Radical Sign (√) using Type B on the Taylor's Frame. Class/Grade: Primary and Secondary Subject: Mathematics Educational Setup: Special School Focus Group: Children with Visual Impairment + Teachers & Parents Lesson 01: Introduction to Taylor Frame + Representing Numbers 0 to 9    • Taylor's Frame - L01 - Representing N...   How to prepare Tactile Enlarged Models of Type A (Arithmetic Type) & Type B (Algebraic Type)    • Tactile TLM: Taylor’s Frame - Models ...   Please Note: - The number written after the Index Sign or Indicator denotes the power of the number/variable preceding the Index Sign. - The number/variable written after the Radical Sign denotes the number/variable placed within the under root or square root sign. Sources/Credits: - Aid / Tool Taylor Frame and Pegs: Purchased from Worth Trust, Chennai, India. - Background Music ‘Small Adventurers’ by ‘ShadyDave’. http://freesound.org/people/ShadyDave Acknowledgements: - I would like to thank N. K. Jha Sir and SAKSHAM (Teachers and Students) for teaching me how to use the Taylor’s Frame.

NCERT Teaching Learning Interventions for Inclusive Classrooms - Fractions (Class VI)

Session Details
Educational Setting: Inclusive School
Board: CBSE
Curriculum: NCERT
Class: VI
Subject: Mathematics
Chapter: Fractions
Topics: 

1. What is a Fraction ?  
2. Representing Fractions on the Number Line
3. Types of Fraction: Proper, Mixed, Like, Improper, Equivalent, Unlike
4. Simplest Form of a Fraction
5. Comparing Fractions    

Live Session Recording

Program Credits
Organizer: CIET, NCERT
Project Name: Teaching Learning Interventions for Inclusive Classrooms
Recording Studio: CIET, NCERT, New Delhi
Recording Date: 07.12.2022
Live Telecast on: PMeVidya Channel and NCERT's Official YouTube Channel

I acknowledge and express my gratitude to SAKSHAM and NCERT for this opportunity.

With Hope.

NCERT Teaching Learning Interventions for Inclusive Classrooms - Quadrilaterals

Session Details
Educational Setting: Inclusive School
Board: CBSE
Curriculum: NCERT
Class: IX
Subject: Mathematics
Chapter: Quadrilaterals
Topics: 1. What is a Quadrilateral?
            2. Angle Sum Property of a Quadrilateral.
            3. Types of Quadrilaterals

Live Session Recording 

Program Credits
Organizer: CIET, NCERT
Project Name: Teaching Learning Interventions for Inclusive Classrooms
Recording Studio: CIET, NCERT, New Delhi
Recording Date: 14.10.2022
Live Telecast on: PMeVidya Channel and NCERT's Official YouTube Channel

I acknowledge and express my gratitude to SAKSHAM and NCERT for this opportunity.

With Hope.

Science Tactile Diagram: Phases of the Moon

TLM Details
Educational Setting: Special School and Inclusive School
Focus Group: Children with Visual Impairment
Subject: Science
Class: VII
Topic: Phases of the Moon
Objective: Help children understand how the different phases (or shapes) of the Moon are formed in the night sky.

TLM Video

Credits/Sources
I would like to thank Swati Ma'am, Sudeep Sir, Pubali Ma'am and Jha Sir for their inputs and guidance.

Diagram: Adapted from Class VII Science Textbook (published by N.C.E.R.T.)

With Hope.

Science Tactile Diagram: How do we see the Moon from our planet Earth?

 

TLM Details 
Educational Setting: Inclusive School and Special School 

Subject: Science

Curriculum: CBSE

Class: VII 

Topic: To understand how sunlight is reflected by the Moon towards the Earth
(How are the different phases of the Moon formed?)

Credits/Sources:
I would like to thank Swati Ma'am, Sudeep Sir, Pubali Ma'am and Jha Sir for their inputs and guidance.

Diagram: Adapted from Class VII Science Textbook (published by N.C.E.R.T.)

With Hope.

Taylor's Frame: Representing Numbers 0 to 9

Session Details

Educational Setting: Special School
Focus Group: Children with Visual Impairment
Class/Grade: Primary or Preparatory
Subject: Mathematics 
Topic: Introduction to Taylor Frame + Representing Numbers 0 to 9 

Video

Sources
Taylor's Frame: Purchased from Worth Trust, Chennai, India.

Acknowledgement
I would like to thank our professor, N. K. Jha Sir, for teaching us how to use the Taylor's Frame.
 
With Hope.

Tactile Teaching Learning Material (TLM): Stars and Hearts Game 2.0 (an adapted version of the traditional ‘Snakes & Ladders’ Game)

TLM Details
TLM Name: Stars and Hearts Board Game 2.0 (Revised Version)
Educational Setting: Special School
Focus Group: Children with Visual Impairment
Class/Grade: Primary
Subject: Mathematics
Topics: Numbers (1 to 100), Addition and Subtraction
Method: Play-Way

Video

 

Q. Is there any scope for improvement ?

Ans. Yes, there is a good scope for improvement. Please feel free to adapt or modify the design.  

Suggestions:

1. To avoid the use of food items in preparing a TLM, instead of using cumin seeds (jeera), you can use anything (like ball bearings) that will produce an audible output for preparing the dice.
2. You can also place the reference sheet that will be used by the kids to understand the tactile markings on the left hand side of the chart.


Credits/Sources
Idea: Based on the traditional Indian Snake and Ladders Board Game.
Code used for writing numbers: Nemeth Braille Code.   
Background Music: Tunes created on my keyboard.

Acknowledgement
The above game was revised and updated based on the suggestions given by my Professor (Swati Sanyal Ma'am). Thank you ma'am for your valuable suggestions and guidance.

With Hope.

Tactile Teaching Learning Material (Tactile TLM): Flash Cards - Constellations

TLM Details
Educational Setting: Special School
Focus Group: Children with Visual Impairment
Subject: Science
Class/Grade: VIII
Topic: Constellations (Ursa Major, Orion and Cassiopeia)
Classroom Transaction: Discussion/Exploration 

Video

Credits/Sources
N. C. E. R. T. Science Textbook for Class VIII.

With Hope.