Syllabus

Ms. Stevens's 2019-2020 Syllabus

Special Education: Multi-categorical Self-Contained


Course Description:

This class is taught with a focus on academics, transition skills, and life skills. The instruction is guided by each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), the UNIQUE Learning System Curriculum, and the Attainment Curriculum. The UNIQUE System is an online curriculum that provides monthly lessons with several grade levels and ability levels to meet the needs of each student. The Attainment Curriculum is paper based with a focus on Reading skills and Social Studies Lessons. I will also provide supplementary materials for all subjects to meet the needs of each student. The students will work towards their IEP goals each day and their progress will be monitored.

Their progress will be monitored through several types of informal and formal assessments. The assessments include worksheets, quizzes, performing the skill, etc., and they will be graded by participation or accuracy. Parents will receive interim progress reports and report cards during each quarter. The class curriculum will be focused on academics, transition skills, and life skills that will help each student become more independent and to seek employment.

In the Fall or Spring, a meeting will be held to review the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) and to develop a new one for the next school year.

Course Outline:

Math:

  • Counting money
  • Addition and subtraction
  • Multiplying and dividing
  • Solving real world word problems with multiplication and division
  • Telling time
  • Analyzing a graph

Reading:

  • Improving reading fluency
  • Answering comprehension questions about a story
  • Identifying the main idea of a story
  • Retelling events of a story
  • Sequencing events of a story
  • Defining vocabulary words

Writing:

  • Using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
  • Writing complete sentences
  • Writing a complete paragraph
  • Writing a cohesive paragraph
  • Signing first and last name in cursive

Social Skills:

  • Initiating conversations appropriately
  • Reacting appropriately to frustrating situations
  • Introducing yourself to someone appropriately
  • and many more!

Transition Skills:

  • Filling out a job application
  • Participating in a mock job interview
  • Completing a resume
  • Writing a check
  • Preparing food
  • Taking care of personal hygiene
  • Sweeping, dusting, and using a vacuum cleaner
  • Folding clothes
  • Washing dishes
  • and many more skills!

Recreation/Leisure Skills:

  • Following rules/ directions
  • Choosing a recreational activity
  • Using appropriate behavior
  • Maintaining a healthy lifestyle


The students will work on these subjects at various times each day and throughout the school year. The students will practice these skills often in order to maintain their abilities.

The students are expected to follow the classroom and school rules throughout the day. The rules will be posted in the classroom and students will be reminded of expectations and consequences throughout the school year.

The classroom behavior management plan will include a token economy system to help improve student behavior. The students can earn "money" by following directions, staying on task, having a good attitude, performing a skill well, etc. At the end of each week, students will have the opportunity to purchase a snack or prize with their mock "money."