If you work with students in TK–2nd grade (especially those on the autism spectrum), you already know one important truth: if they’re not interested, it’s going to feel like work. And “work” is exactly what many of our students want to avoid at school.

That’s why I started building adapted learning activities around the things my students love most—because when the lesson includes dinosaurs, trains, or other high-interest topics, suddenly math and literacy don’t feel like work anymore. They feel like play.

Why High-Interest Activities Work

Children with autism and other special needs often thrive when learning is connected to their passions. Favorite characters, animals, or vehicles can help:

• Increase engagement (students are more willing to participate).
• Reduce resistance (less protesting, more excitement).
• Boost independence (when materials are predictable and motivating).
• Build confidence (students realize, “I can do this!”).

For my classroom, this means: If dinosaurs and trains are life, then dinosaurs and trains are coming to math time!

Example: Dinosaurs + Math

Instead of asking my students to do a plain worksheet on addition, I’ll set up a dinosaur adapted file folder:

• Dinosaur pictures students can “add” together.
• Visual supports for counting.
• No writing required—just selecting a Velcro number from a field of up to six

Suddenly, it’s not “Do this math problem.” It’s “How many dinosaurs do we have if these two join the herd?”

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Example: Trains + Subtraction

Same idea with train subtraction file folders:

• Train cars are taken away, we use a dry erase marker.
• Students use Velcro pieces to show their answer.
• They can even make sound effects—choo choo!—as they work.

Again, what could feel like a tough concept (subtraction) is now hands-on, fun, and motivating.

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Keeping It Accessible

The best part about adapted file folder activities? They:

• Work across ability levels (from early counters to students solving higher order math problems)
• Build fine motor skills (velcroing, matching, moving pieces).
• Are reusable (laminate once, use forever).

They’re also great for independent work systems, RTI groups (Response To Intervention), centers, or one-on-one instruction.

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Where to Find These Resources

If you’re looking for ready-to-use, classroom-tested activities that your students will love, I’ve created dinosaur and train adapted math file folders in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

These resources are designed with special education in mind—no prep beyond cutting and laminating, and no writing required. Just hands-on, engaging learning.

👉 Check out my adapted Dinosaur Math File Folders
👉 Explore my Train Addition & Subtraction File Folders

Because when learning is connected to what kids love, “work” doesn’t feel like work at all.

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