Special Education Courses
ENGLISH;
Grades 9-12; full year
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(PDF)
The English curriculum includes reading instruction, writing, speaking, listening, and the study of literature. Students will study and use information from many sources. Students will develop a command of the language and demonstrate their knowledge through speaking and writing for a variety of audiences and purposes. As students progress, a structured study of literature will allow them to recognize universal themes and to compare styles and ideas across authors and eras.
MATH;
Grades 9-12; full year
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The math curriculum concentrates on the basic skills of arithmetic through the basic concepts of pre-algebra. Practical application of the information helps students understand how to apply concepts learned to everyday experiences. The curriculum is highly structured and progress is based on students’ individual skills. Individual, small, and large groups work together using calculators and other aids in learning how to apply concepts.
HEALTH;
Grade 9; 1 semester
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(PDF)
The health curriculum provides students with practical application information emphasizing physical, mental, and social well-being. A multi sensory approach provides a wide variety of activities which help students learn class material. Students with varying abilities benefit from class activities as they put into practice the health concepts presented.
WORLD HISTORY 1 and 2;
Grade 9-10; full year
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(PDF)
The World History curriculum includes skill development in geography along
with a study of different cultures around the world. Relationships between
geography, cultures, and countries are reviewed, analyzed, and compared. The
second semester curriculum is a review of the important milestones of history
from prehistory to the Industrial Revolution. The relationships of the different
periods of time are taught and critical thinking skills are emphasized. Reading,
writing, study skills, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking skills are
emphasized throughout the course. Multimedia presentations help students learn
the material at a comfortable yet challenging level. The information is
presented through individual, small, and large group settings.
Assignments
and materials are adjusted for different abilities.
U.S. HISTORY;
Grade 11; full year
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(PDF)
This course covers units identical to the units covered in the Social Studies
Department. However, the material has been adapted to meet the learning needs of
learning-disabled and behaviorally-disordered students. The units to be
addressed include exploration and settlement, colonial life, independence and
revolution, a nation emerges, westward expansion, slavery, Civil War and
reconstruction, industrialization, U.S. foreign policy, World War I, the
twenties, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, the sixties,
Vietnam, and the Civil Rights Movement. Material will be presented through
textbook readings, teacher-led lectures, multimedia presentations, student-led
discussions, and small-group activities. Materials will be presented visually
and auditorially to meet the various needs of the students, with the readings
written at a comprehension level appropriate to the reading levels of
the
students. Each semester, students will be expected to complete one outside
project, which may include reading a topic-related book and writing a book
review or a three-to-five minute oral presentation on a research topic. Students
will be expected to be active, questioning members of the class.
U.S. GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY;
Grade 12; 1
semester
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details (PDF)
Students will acquire knowledge and skills needed to carry out their responsibilities and to protect their rights as citizens of a free society. Therefore, this course is designed to meet students’ learning needs as they gain a better understanding of the structure of and challenges facing the United States government and American society.
GETTING IT TOGETHER (G.I.T.);
Grade 12; 1
semester
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more details (PDF)
This course is designed to help prepare the learning disabled, behaviorally disordered student for the realities he/she will face in life beyond high school. It offers the student the opportunity to explore his/her value system and to develop communication and decision-making skills which, in turn, may be drawn on during personal and professional relationships. Because the focus of this course may be adapted to meet the specific needs of various students, alternative units such as a career exploration and adapting to life beyond one’s parents' home may be introduced. Students enrolled in G.I.T. must be active class participants. Students will participate in activities which may involve role-playing, student-led discussions, cooperative learning, and/or open sharing.
SCIENCE GRADE 9;
Grade 9; full year
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more details
(PDF)
This course helps students develop a general introductory knowledge of biology, earth science, human anatomy, space exploration, and ecology. Lectures, experiments, group projects, and audiovisual presentations help students learn the information necessary to understand basic science concepts. Reading comprehension, study skills, critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and time-on-task behaviors are stressed.
SCIENCE GRADE 10;
Grade 10; full year
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more details
(PDF)
This course advances the student’s knowledge in biology, earth science, human anatomy, space exploration, and ecology. The units of work expand the critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills of each student. Students’ abilities are considered when assignments, lab reports, and tests are given throughout the year.
RESOURCE ROOM;
Grades 9-12; full year—credit
awarded freshman year only
Resource Room is a course designed to teach and apply study skills. Compensatory learning skills, organizational skills, and communication skills are stressed. Students have time to seek help with homework.
CONSUMER EDUCATION;
Grade 12; 1 semester
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details
(PDF)
The Consumer Education curriculum focuses on concepts and the practical application of skills needed to become a better, more informed consumer. Topics covered include bank skills, credit, loans, contracts, purchases, living arrangements, taxes, and other financial and daily living topics. Material presented is challenging, yet within the student’s ability to master the concepts. Individual, small, and large group activities are used to foster discussion and to help develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
PRE-VOCATIONAL CLASS;
Grades 9-12; full
year
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more details (PDF)
This class provides instruction on how to seek and obtain a job. Students also learn how to develop independent living skills through classroom and community experiences. Cooking, cleaning, grocery buying, banking, money management, apartment living, recreation, social skills, and transportation skills are emphasized.
PRE-VOCATIONAL JOB;
Grades 10-12; 1 credit per
semester
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details (PDF)
Students earning credit in this course work at various job sites in the community and receive job training from a job coach. The amount of training provided is dependent upon the student’s needs and the demands on the job. The end goal is for the student to work independently with little or no job coaching.
Self Contained Health;
Grades 9-10; 1
semester
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more details (PDF)
This one-semester course is a requirement for graduation. Students will learn that health is a combination of physical, mental, and social well-being and how decisions they make today will affect their future health. The course focuses on the human body, body systems, reproduction, behavior, and responsibility. The curriculum emphasizes reading, writing, listening, and study skills while stressing the relationship between behavior, decisions, and health.
Self Contained Life Science;
Grades 9-10; full
year
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This class is an introduction to basic science. The curriculum stresses relationships among the facts presented and continues to emphasize reading, writing, listening, and study skills.
Self Contained Math;
Grades 9-12; four
semesters
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more details (PDF)
This course provides instruction in functional math concepts needed for successful independent living and employment.
Self Contained Science Concepts;
Grades 11-12;
full year
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This hands-on class covers units related to the physical sciences experienced in daily life. Students will explore the relationships between science and math and how they affect the world we live in.
Self Contained US History;
Grade 11; full
year
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This class covers the same units of instruction as the U.S.
History course taught by the Social Studies Department. Students are introduced
to the lessons of the growth and development of the American nation spanning 500
years from the days Christopher Columbus sailed around the Caribbean Islands
to the events of the 1990s. Students complete textbook readings, take notes as a
class (as well as individually), participate in discussions, as well as view
multi-media presentations.
They will complete a minimum of one engaged
learning project per semester.
Self Contained Cross Categorical Vocational Program;
Grades 9-12
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more details (PDF)
The self-contained cross-categorical vocational program is designed to meet the individual needs of a student within a life skills-based curriculum. This program develops academic, vocational, domestic and recreation/leisure skills using a variety of activities, lessons, and experiences within a self-contained program. Students are prepared for making the transition from school to life after high school through the use of a four-prong program. This program includes classroom instruction, hands-on experience in a living lab, community based field trips, and on-the-job work experience.
Reading;
Grades 9-10; full year
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(PDF)
Special Education Reading is a program designed for students who read below a 7.3 grade level. The class is designed to meet the students’ individual needs and advance them to grade level reading comprehension or beyond. Achievement is measured by standardized tests as well as daily classroom performance. Freshmen will remain in the program for two semesters. Students in grade 10 who improve their comprehension skills to an equivalent of 8.5 or above at the end of the semester will exit the program. Students in Special Education Reading may also be placed in the school’s regular reading program if they demonstrate a reading comprehension level that will enable them to function appropriately in that program.
Housing and Design;
Grades 9-12; one
semester
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more details (PDF)
This course will introduce students to the essentials of independent living, including finding a place to live and furnishing and taking care of a household. Students will explore the financial responsibilities associated with renting and maintaining an apartment/residence. Community trips will include tours of a model apartment, assisted living facility, home improvement stores, furniture stores, and a financial institution. Students will discuss their future living needs with community members such as landlords, police officers, firemen, bankers, and sales associates. All in-class activities are designed to help the student explore individual realistic needs.