Curriculum Focus

 Socialization

• Activities to promote positive interactions with peers
• Taught skills of sharing, turn-taking, requesting
• Teacher/aide facilitated playgroups
• Activities to increase attention and promote positive attitudes toward learning

Communication

• Expressive language skills and articulation
• Receptive language skills
• Practice with adults and peers

Motor Skill Development

• Gross motor skill development (large muscle groups) - Through specialized activities, play, physical education and physical therapy
• Fine motor skill development (prewriting activities) - Through specialized prewriting activities, projects, art and occupational therapy

Self Help Skills

• Specific skill training towards independence--zipping, buttoning, snapping, putting on, taking off, pulling
• Toileting skills toward independence
• Personal hygiene skills--brushing hair, teeth, washing hands, etc.
• General skills towards independence--cleaning up, putting things away, following teacher directions, waiting your turn

Cognitive Development

• Learning the letters of the alphabet
• Learning about numbers and their relationships
• Learning about colors, shapes and size relationships

Teacher certification:

Teacher of the Handicapped; Early Childhood Education

Special Area Teachers:

Art, Music and Physical Education are offered to all students

Related Services:

Speech/Language Therapist, Occupational and Physical Therapists are provided both as a direct service and as a consultant to the teachers

Advantages:

• Personnel certifications, expertise and continued education
• Integrated Program with related services
• Individualized curriculum
• In local public school (utilizes school routines and functions)
• With same-age peers
• Integration with typical peers for assemblies and special activities
• Special area teacher promotes new learning based on Core Curriculum Standards and provides for transition of learned skills