Purim Resources
Browse and download free Purim resources for kids, prepared by Gateways' experienced special education teachers: Purim Social Stories, illustrated Purim Stories for Children, Purim File Folder Activities, and Key Purim Phrases in American Sign Langauge. We'd love to hear your feedback!
Purim Social Stories
Children with disabilities can feel anxious about unfamiliar situations and events. Social stories can set them up for success by showing children what to expect.
Gateways Purim Carnival Social Story
This social story was distributed to Gateways students the week before our Purim carnival to prepare them for changes in the routine and to give them information about what to expect for the day. It features photographs from our program and from last year's carnival.
"Next Sunday will be a special day at Gateways. Just for today, we will not have circle, Hebrew, or T'fillot. Next Sunday will be the Gateways Purim carnival!..."
Purim Stories
The Purim Story
Download Gateways' version of the Purim Story, written for young children.
"This is Esther and her Uncle Mordechai. Esther and Mordechai are Jewish. They lived in a land called Persia many many years ago.
The king of Persia was named King Achashverosh. King Achashverosh was lonely because he did not have a wife. One day he saw beautiful Esther and fell in love with her..."
The Purim Story (simplified language)
Download Gateways' version of the Purim story, written for young children in simplified language.
"Long ago, Esther and Mordechai lived in Persia. Esther and Mordechai were Jewish.
King Achashverosh was king of Persia. King Achashverosh married Esther.
Haman was King Achashverosh's friend. Haman wore a triangle hat with three corners..."
File Folder Activities
File folder activities can help children review ideas and familiarize them with Jewish objects. Since they are inexpensive and relatively easy to make, you can accumulate a large stack of file folder activities in no time! The visual nature of file folder activities takes advantage of the visual strengths of children with autism and many other developmental disabilities. Click here for the Gateways Guide to Making File Folder Activities.
The File Folder Guide for Teachers gives teachers specific tips for using file folder activities in the classroom. It also gives special instructions for helping students to make their own file folder activities, and tips for storing and organizing your classroom file folder activity library.
Color Match Esther's Crown
This is a file folder version of the “Pin on Queen Estherʼs Crown” game from our Purim carnival! Help dress Esther up as Queen Esther by matching the color of her crown to the color of her clothes.
How I Celebrate Purim (Complete the Sentence)
In this file folder activity, students complete sentences such as “I eat...” “I shake...” “I give...” with Purim Boardmaker symbols representing hamantaschen, graggers, shalach manot, and more. Light background colors help students to correct themselves as they complete the activity. This activity provides an excellent overview of the things we do to celebrate Purim.
