Instructional Materials and Resources
Multicategorical self-contained classrooms utilize a variety of approved instructional materials and programs. Intensive instruction is guided by students’ IEPs with the support of the programs listed below.
Sounds Sensible provides multisensory instruction in phonological awareness and beginning phonics. Target skills include listening, rhyming, Segmentation, Phoneme/Grapheme Relationships, Dictation/Handwriting. All skills are reinforced continually throughout the school year.
SPIRE is a total language approach designed to systematically guide students’ abilities in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Skills are spiraled throughout the curriculum, following the sequence: short a, short i, short o, short u, short e, sh, ch, th, wh, ang/ing/ong/ung, ank/ink/onk/unk.
Handwriting without Tears is a multi-sensory approach to teaching handwriting. THe curriculum begins with introducing capital letters in the following sequence: Frog Jump Capitals (F, E, D, P, B, R, N, M), Starting Corner Capitals (H, K, L, U, W, X, Y, Z), and Center Starting Capitals (C, O, Q, G, S, A, I, T, J).
Lowercase letters are then introduced in the following sequence: Same as Capitals and t (c, o, s, v, w, t) Magic c Letters (a, d, g, o, q), More Vowels (u, i, e), Transition Group (l, k, y, j), Diver Letters (p, r, n, m, h, b), and the Final Group (f, q, x, z).
Saxon Math is an integrated approach to math that targets concepts from every math strand that are woven together and connected throughout the year. Skills or concepts are reinforced throughout the years, helping students build a strong foundation of understanding. Instructional components of each lesson include a whole-group math meeting reinforcing foundational skills, fact practice/fluency, direct instruction of a new concept, guided class practice, and assessment/independent practice. Scope and sequence of the curriculum include all strands of math content and involves continuous spiraling and building upon each concept/standard.
Zones of Regulation is a complete social-emotional learning curriculum, created to teach children self-regulation and emotional control, as well as how to recognize emotions in others. The curriculum begins with introducing 4 zones of emotions (Green, Yellow, Blue, Red). Sequence continues with exploring tools and strategies to help in regulating our emotions and then learning how to use and apply the tools.
Classroom Management Plan & Expectations
Our goals are meant to build self-discipline, respect for others, and develop individual responsibility. Clear and consistent expectations provide a framework for responsible student behavior.
1. Following Directions
2. Making Safe Choice with My Body
3. Staying in appropriate spaces
4. Making an Effort to Complete All of Work
A weekly behavior log will be in each student’s GREEN folder. Please view your child’s behavior log every night and initial acknowledging that you saw it. Please place the log back in the sheet protector in their green folder until the end of each week. A new log will be put in the folder every Monday.
Expectations & Procedures for Non-Instructional Routines
Morning Routine: Students hang backpacks in cubbies and turn in their green folder.
Restroom: Students may use the restroom as needed.
Green Folders: The student’s green folder is brought to and from school Monday and Thursday each week. The folder has two sides: Return to School and Keep at Home. The folder will contain daily communication, including the student’s weekly behavior chart.
Lunch: Student's lunch is with their grade levels: 3rd at10:50-11:15, 4th at 12:30-12:50, and 5th at 12:10-12:30. Parents are able to come and have lunch with their children. They should sign in and out in the front office. Parents are asked not to come to their child’s classroom after lunch.
Toys: Toys are not allowed at school. Please have your child keep them at home.
eLearning Procedures
For the purpose of inclement weather days, eLearning is defined as live instruction throughout the day. This live instruction may be with a whole group, small group, and/or individual sessions. Students are expected to log on to their live instruction through their Google Classroom during inclement weather days. If students are unable to join the live meets due to power loss, sickness, etc., work must be made up within five days of returning to school.
Parents will receive specific meeting information for their child before the first eLearning day.
Communication with Parents
Daily communication takes place through the green folder. It comes home every Monday and Thursday. Parents are expected to review and initial the log each night. Parents receive an invite to the class Dojo account at the beginning of the school year. Dojo is a quick and easy way to communicate with me! Parents are also welcome to call or email when needs arise.
Email: ngriffith@greenville.k12.sc.us
Phone: 864-355-1315
Website Link: https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/ms-neergaards-class/home?authuser=0
South Carolina State Standards
Weekly and quarterly lesson plans correspond to the required South Carolina Learning Standards. A complete listing of standards can be accessed through the Greenville County School District website or the South Carolina State Department website.