SPECIAL EDUCATION

 

PROGRAMING (Grades 10-12) Computer and Study Skills:  This course is designed to teach students how to use the computer both in the school environment and workplace. Students will be taught the basics of Microsoft Office, accessing the Internet for information, as well as using Jurzweil, Dragon Dictate and Inspiration as compensatory strategies. The students will also be given strategies to improve their organization and study skills.   English 10, 11 & 12 (15:1 Program) : 9951 :40 Weeks : 1 Credit      English challenges students to discover their full potential as readers and writers. This class is a credit bearing class where students have access to regular education English curriculum materials, ideas and concepts. Each student will be required to take the NYS Regents in English Language Arts.                 Math 10 Math Topics I & II (15:1 Program) : 9958 :40 Weeks : 1 Credit                      Math Topics is designed to help students improve simple math skills and learn how to apply mathematical skills to solve real world problems. Students will improve basic computational thinking and problem solving skills so that they can understand personal finance. Math 10 prepares students to deepen their understanding of Algebra and to prepare for the Algebra regents. Topics include polynomials, equations, writing and graphing functions and basic statistics. Resource 9980  : 40 Weeks This course is designed to provide content support and independent study opportunities to students within the 15:1:1 program.    Study Skills : 9971  : 40 Weeks This course is designed to support students with content and independent study opportunities to students.  The students will also be given strategies to improve their organization, study skills, and self-advocacy skills.    12:1:1 PROGRAM (Grades 10-12)   Life Skills Math:   This course is designed to provide students with the tools they will need to function more independently as an adult.  Life Skills Math will focus on earning money, banking and budgeting.  Students will budget for community outings and practice paying for their purchases independently. In addition, students will access the Equals Math curriculum at their individualized level. When appropriate, students will be given access to Math 180 curriculum and software to enhance their math skills. The goal of this course is for students to be able to use math effectively within their everyday lives. The students enrolled in this course will be given access to the community under the direct supervision of their teacher to practice the skills they are taught.   Life Skills English:  This course uses the Unique Learning System as the classroom curriculum. The curriculum program has been designed specifically for students with special learning needs. While the foundation of Unique is the academic content standards (reading, writing, math, science and social studies), the lessons are modified to make sure that all students have a way to participate and learn. There is a strong emphasis on life skills that are embedded in each lesson. Unique Learning System provides monthly units that teachers are able to access from the Unique website. Each month there is a new topic built around a science or social studies theme. Lessons include stories, chapter books, comprehension activities and writing activities. Lessons are taught in 3 differentiated groups based on student’s needs. The primary goal of Unique Learning System is to give each child a way to participate, learn and succeed in the classroom.   Citizenship & Community Reference:  This course focuses on giving students exposure to current events. We also prepare for our community outings during this time. This class is offered every other day opposite Partners in Science each day during 9th period.   Independent Living/Health:  This course is designed to teach students functional skills necessary for independent living.  Selected topics include:  nutrition, comparison shopping, meal planning and preparation, budgeting, emergency situations, personal health and fitness.  This class also uses Environmental Print, which directly teaches survival signs students will see in community settings. The students enrolled in this course will be given access to the community under the direct supervision of their teacher to practice the skills they are taught.   Social Skills:  This course is team taught with 12:1:1 staff and a speech therapist. The primary focus of the class is to directly teach students how to communicate. Topics taught include: social awareness, self- regulation, having a two way conversation, phone skills, asking for help, listening and communicating your needs and wants. This course uses the Everyday Speech Curriculum   System 44/Read 180:  System 44 helps students understand that the English language is a finite system of 44 sounds and 26 letters that can be mastered.  The program invites students to unlock the system and join the community of readers.  Read 180 focuses on reading comprehension using software and literature. Students are provided with technology based instruction; teacher led instruction and guided practice.   Partners in Science:  This class is team taught by Special Education teachers and a Science Teacher.  Each student within the 12:1:1 program is paired with a student who has taken at least one year of Science.  Together, the student’s complete science labs on the following topics:  measurement, observation, periodic table of elements and chemical reactions.  While the students enrolled in the course gain a better understanding of scientific concepts, the primary focus is improving communication and social skills among peers.  This class is offered every other day and graded on a pass/fail basis.   BESST- WORK STUDY This program gives students opportunities to learn and apply work skills at actual work sites.  Students will develop skills in the following areas:  job acquisition, work habits, employer expectations, production demands and keeping jobs.  Emphasis is placed on individual student performance at the actual work site. BESTT - Work Study 9988  : 40 Weeks This course gives students opportunities to learn and apply work skills at actual work sites. Students will develop skills in the following areas: job acquisition, work habits, employer expectations, production demands and keeping jobs. Emphasis is placed on individual student performance at the actual work site. Community Outings: Community experiences make up a great deal of the 12:1:1 curriculum.  All skills taught in the classroom will be transferred and generalized to community settings.  Each week, students will be given the opportunity to go on planned community outings such as restaurants, stores, agencies and banks.  Whenever possible, our students will use public transportation to access various community settings.  Permission slips for community outings will be sent home on a quarterly basis.