Units of Instruction

Our classroom provides individualized instruction that is aligned with each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Standards, and district curriculum. Because every student has unique strengths, needs, and learning goals, instruction is differentiated to ensure each child is challenged and supported at their own level.

While learning goals vary by student, instruction focuses on building independence, communication, academic growth, social skills, and confidence across all subject areas.

Reading & Language Arts

Our classroom uses the SPIRE Structured Literacy program to provide systematic, explicit instruction in reading. Students receive instruction that is individualized to their current reading level and IEP goals through whole-group, small-group, and one-on-one learning opportunities.

Reading instruction may include:

Students also participate in daily read-alouds, shared reading experiences, independent reading opportunities, and literacy centers designed to strengthen foundational reading skills while fostering a love of books.

Writing

Students participate in daily writing activities that encourage communication, creativity, and written expression. Writing instruction is adapted to meet each student's developmental level and IEP goals.

Writing instruction may include:

Students are encouraged to express their ideas through writing while developing confidence as independent writers.

Mathematics

Our classroom uses the SAXON Math curriculum to provide hands-on, sequential instruction that builds strong mathematical foundations. Lessons are designed to introduce new concepts while continually reviewing previously learned skills to promote long-term understanding.

Math instruction may include:

Students use manipulatives, visual supports, games, and real-world activities to develop mathematical understanding and confidence.

Science

Science instruction in our classroom emphasizes curiosity, exploration, and hands-on learning. Students investigate scientific concepts through experiments, observations, engineering challenges, discussions, and real-world problem-solving activities that encourage them to think like scientists.

Because our classroom serves students across multiple grade levels with individualized learning needs, science instruction is thoughtfully adapted to meet students where they are while preparing them for future academic success. During the first part of the year, students build a strong foundation by focusing on the essential Grade 3 science concepts that support later learning, including scientific inquiry, forces and motion, weather patterns, fossils, habitats, and survival.

Once these foundational concepts are established, instruction transitions into the Grade 4 South Carolina Science standards to prepare students for the Grade 4 SC READY Science assessment. Throughout the year, students engage in investigations and engineering activities that promote critical thinking, collaboration, and scientific reasoning.

Topics explored throughout the year include:

Instruction is differentiated to meet each student's IEP goals while providing meaningful opportunities to build scientific knowledge, communication skills, and confidence through hands-on exploration.


Social Studies

Social Studies in our classroom is designed to help students better understand the world around them by connecting geography, history, government, economics, and citizenship into one meaningful learning journey. Instruction is adapted to meet students' individual learning needs while encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, communication, and real-world problem solving.

Rather than studying isolated topics, students explore Social Studies through a year-long progression that builds understanding over time. Beginning with maps and geography, students develop the foundational knowledge needed to understand how people, places, and events are connected throughout history.

Throughout the year, students will explore topics including:

Geography & Our World

Students begin by developing strong map skills and geographic understanding through hands-on activities and visual supports. Topics include:

Communities, Culture & Economics

Students explore how people live, work, and interact around the world while learning how geography influences cultures and economies.

Topics include:

United States History

Students discover the major events that shaped our nation through engaging stories, primary sources, projects, and classroom discussions.

Topics include:

Modern America

As students build historical understanding, they continue learning about the events that shaped our country into the nation it is today.

Topics include:


Instruction is differentiated to meet each student's IEP goals while building academic knowledge, communication skills, and confidence. Throughout the year, students revisit previously learned concepts, allowing them to strengthen their understanding and make meaningful connections across geography, history, economics, and government.



Social-Emotional Learning & Functional Skills

Helping students develop independence is an important part of our classroom. Throughout each day, students practice skills that support success both inside and outside of school.

Instruction may include:

Individualized Learning

Because our classroom serves students with a wide variety of learning needs, not every student will work on the same skills at the same time. Instruction is individualized through each student's IEP, ongoing progress monitoring, and flexible small-group instruction. Our goal is to celebrate every student's growth while providing meaningful learning experiences that help each child become as independent and successful as possible.