Students are learning functional academic and life skills to teach them independence for post secondary training, employment and living.
Our primary goal is to actively engage students in learning. Every year an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed for each student. The objectives on the IEP come from a collaborative effort between teacher, parent, and student. Goals are written in the areas of Math, reading, Writing, Adaptive Skills and Transition. Each day students attend an elective, usually art, drama or PE. An aide accompanies the students in class and peer tutors assist as well.
READING/WRITING Students will be reading and writing using the UNIQUE curriculum, Edmark, Environmental Print curriculum and other supplemental materials. Students will learn to read word wall words, safety and workplace vocabulary, community signs and vocabulary. Students will learn to write their personal information, complete job and other applications, and fill out basic forms based on their instructional level. Students will learn and practice skills to reach mastery on their IEP Reading and Writing goals.
CAREER EXPLORATION/TECHNOLOGY/VOCATIONAL SKILLS Students will explore different career and vocational opportunities as well as learning and demonstrating more than 50 different hands-on vocational skills in sorting, stocking, packaging, restaurant, office, retail and assembly. Students will learn to work independently initiating, staying on task, completing a task and cleaning up work area. Some students will also have the opportunity to assist in our School-Based Business.
*COMMUNITY BASED INSTRUCTION
Community Based Instruction (CBI) is performance based instruction using an Individual Education Plan (IEP) with goals and objectives. It is part of the curriculum and includes deliberate and frequent assessments. CBI is designed high school students with moderate to severe disabilities needing intensive instruction in functional and daily living skills and for students that exhibit challenging behaviors in community settings. CBI supports transition planning and involves a series of small group activities where students with disabilities apply independent living skills from the classroom, to the school environment, and later into the community. Our class takes weekly trips to the grocery store and the bowling alley. Permissions for CBI will be sent home and emailed at the beginning of the school year.
The program goals of Community Based Instruction are to lead students toward independence and enable students to:
Apply educational goals and objectives in the community,
Coordinate functional, academic, social, communication, and mobility skills
Effectively and safely transition into adult community living.
Demonstrate appropriate social and behavioral skills in the community
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES
UNIQUE Curriculum provides standards‑based science and social studies units in addition to its core math, ELA, and transition content areas. Month-long units with science- and social studies-based themes cover the general education standards through modified content. Monthly lessons in ELA, math and writing also support the science or social studies theme to improve skills retention. Science topics include but are not limited to Earth Science, Physical Science, Biology, Environmental Science and Life Science with life skills applications. Social Studies topics include US and World History, Geography, Government and Economics as well as weekly current events.
LEISURE/RECREATION Students will learn to identify hobbies and recreation of interest. We will explore a variety of hobbies, games, art, and music. Students will also learn appropriate social skills needed to interact with others.