Special Education

Learning for Independence (LFI) Program 1 provides services and supports to students with IEPs needing modified academic curriculum, communication support, adaptive skill development and adapted elective options. Students participate in four classes focussed on academic skill development, one vocational skill development class and an adapted elective. Students switch classes each period and receive specially designed instruction from a special education teacher and paraprofessionals throughout the day.

Academic Classes

English BLS (Basic Life Skills) 1-2: This course is designed to teach the elements of grammar usage, punctuation, writing and speaking. The purpose of the program is to teach the use of these skills, not only the mechanics.

Math BLS (Basic Life Skills) 1-2: This individualized course teaches math through practical, consumer related situations. Basic skills continue to be reviewed. This course may be repeated yearly for credit.

Science BLS (Basic Life Skills) 1-2: This course is an individualized program designed to teach the basic skills in the areas of earth, life and physical science. Emphasis is placed on subject matter relating to each individual student’s needs.

World History BLS (Basic Life Skills) 1-2: This survey course explores the development of human civilization. Topics include major events from ancient to modern times. Geographical identification is stressed. Semester one explores world history from ancient times to the French Revolution of 1789. Semester two surveys from 1789 to the present.

Vocational Skill Development Class

Environmental Services 1-2: This course provides instruction and exposure to all facets of the environmental services industry. Safety instruction and the proper use of equipment are an integral part of the program. The goal of the program is to provide students with the necessary combination of job skills, work habits, and attitudes that will enable them to enter and be successful in both the job market and their communities. The program is offered in the special education - work experience classroom, in partnership with CTE (Career and Technical Education). Students develop leadership and community service skills through participation in a career technical student organization (CTSO).

Adapted Electives

Unified Sports 1-2 (all students required to take for 1 year): Unified Sports is an inclusion program that combines individuals with intellectual disabilities (athletes) and individuals without intellectual disabilities (partners) on sports teams for training and competition. The unified sports elective course applies this same principle into the physical education setting. Athletes and partners train and compete alongside one another, each in a meaningful and integral capacity.

Adapted Dance: Our dance program provides a variety of options for students at all levels of experience and skill. This dance program also provides the students with a safe place to express themselves freely, connect with others around them and obtain skills/ tools that will help them in their future endeavors. There are three main focuses for this program: dance history, performance and exploring different styles of dance. All courses are a full year and, at the end of each semester, a performance is presented. This is an adapted course giving students inclusive education within a dance course with support.

Adapted Chorus: Students learn proper vocal production, self-confidence and self-discipline. They learn to sight-read music as well as learn basic music theory. Students in this class participate in concerts and competition festivals. This is an adapted course giving students inclusive education within chorus course with support.

Adapted Ceramics: Our visual art program in the ceramics track provides students with courses at a variety of skill and experience levels. The students will learn the basic handbuilding techniques and how to throw on the wheel. This is an adapted course giving students inclusive education within a ceramics course with support.

Adapted Culinary Arts: Culinary Arts is a hands on course for those interested in learning about health and nutritious food selection, basic food preparation and sanitation practice and basic cooking skills. This is an adapted course giving students inclusive education within a culinary arts course with support.

Adapted Art: Our visual art program in the drawing/painting/studio art track offers students courses in a range of skill and experience levels. Courses are adapted giving students inclusive education within art courses with support.

Learning for Independence (LFI) Program 2 and 3 provides services and supports to students with IEPs needing modified academic curriculum, communication support, daily living skill support, adaptive skill development and adapted elective options. Students participate in five classes focusing on academics, social skills, daily living/adaptive skill development and vocational preparedness. Students work with two teachers changing between them based on the course.

Classes:

Social Living LS (Life Skills) 1-2: This course assists students seeking a better understanding of self and others. Personal attitudes and actions are explored. Topics include self-esteem, self-awareness, communication skills and peer relationships. Student schedules will reflect placement into this course for multiple classes each day and teachers will adjust teaching topic each period and day based on student needs.

Vocational Skill Development Class

Environmental Services 1-2: This course provides instruction and exposure to all facets of the environmental services industry. Safety instruction and the proper use of equipment are an integral part of the program. The goal of the program is to provide students with the necessary combination of job skills, work habits, and attitudes that will enable them to enter and be successful in both the job market and their communities. The program is offered in the special education - work experience classroom, in partnership with CTE (Career and Technical Education). Students develop leadership and community service skills through participation in a career technical student organization (CTSO).

Adapted Electives (Students participate in 1 elective)

Unified Sports 1-2 (all students required to take for 1 year): Unified Sports is an inclusion program that combines individuals with intellectual disabilities (athletes) and individuals without intellectual disabilities (partners) on sports teams for training and competition. The unified sports elective course applies this same principle into the physical education setting. Athletes and partners train and compete alongside one another, each in a meaningful and integral capacity.

Adapted Dance: Our dance program provides a variety of options for students at all levels of experience and skill. This dance program also provides the students with a safe place to express themselves freely, connect with others around them and obtain skills/ tools that will help them in their future endeavors. There are three main focuses for this program: dance history, performance and exploring different styles of dance. All courses are a full year and, at the end of each semester, a performance is presented. This is an adapted course giving students inclusive education within a dance course with support.

Adapted Chorus: Students learn proper vocal production, self-confidence and self-discipline. They learn to sight-read music as well as learn basic music theory. Students in this class participate in concerts and competition festivals. This is an adapted course giving students inclusive education within chorus course with support.

Adapted Ceramics: Our visual art program in the ceramics track provides students with courses at a variety of skill and experience levels. The students will learn the basic handbuilding techniques and how to throw on the wheel. This is an adapted course giving students inclusive education within a ceramics course with support.

Adapted Art: Our visual art program in the drawing/painting/studio art track offers students courses in a range of skill and experience levels. Courses are adapted giving students inclusive education within art courses with support.

Some students with IEPs will receive academic core instruction in smaller classes allowing for highly differentiated curriculum and instruction. Placement is determined by the IEP team. Classes have up to 17 students and often have a paraprofessional to support teaching and learning.

English LS (Learning Support) 1-2: This course is designed to fulfill the district and state curriculum requirements for high school graduation in an individualized, smaller learning environment. In reading, students study short stories, novels, and classical literature. In writing, students review the basic structure of the paragraph and are introduced to descriptive, narrative, expository, and functional writing. Also included in the course are required assignments in speaking/listening and viewing/presenting. The reading and writing state assessments are emphasized.

Math LS (Learning Support) 1-2: This course is for students needing support developing conceptual and computational skills. Basic math skills are reviewed. More advanced students will receive instruction in geometry, pre-algebra and work related math skills. This course may be repeated yearly for credit.

Math Concepts LS (Learning Support) 1-2: The objective of the course is to bridge the conceptual and operational gap between arithmetic and algebra. It provides a course of mathematical study that builds on previously learned arithmetic skills while introducing algebraic concepts of increasing difficulty. It addresses in part the requirements of the State of Arizona as outlined in the State mathematics standards and as assessed by the state assessment testing program.

Earth Science LS (Learning Support) 1-2: This course instructs students in the areas of geology, climate, astronomy and oceanography.

World History/Geography LS (Learning Support) 1-2: This survey course explores the development of human civilization. Topics include major events from ancient to modern times. Geographical identification is stressed. Semester one explores world history from ancient times to the French Revolution of 1789. Semester two surveys from 1789 to the present.

Reference and Study Skills: This course teaches study skills and an awareness of learning styles to students who are mainstreamed thereby providing some tutorial aid as a by-product. It aids regular classroom teachers in adapting their programs to special education students.

Co-teaching is a service delivery model for students with IEPs in the general education classroom. This model places students in classes with two certified teachers; one special education teacher and one general education teacher. Co-teachers share instructional responsibility and accountability for all the student learning in the class.

North Canyon offers co-teaching in Algebra 1-2 and Freshman English.