Finding ways to help all students be successful
Elementary
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/9/2/14922388/1355097988.jpg)
Our pre-kindergarten classrooms are staffed with a general education teacher, a special education teacher and a teaching assistant and have an average of 15 students. Grades K-5 are staffed with a general education teacher, a special education teacher and teaching assistant and have and average of 18 students. These classrooms follow the same student ratios. We feel that more staff and smaller classes allow our students to have the best opportunities for learning. We also have in house service providers that work closely with teachers and students. Grades Pre-K through 2 have a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist and a play therapist that work with students on a weekly basis. Grades 3-5 have a physical therapist, occupational therapist and reading therapist that work with students on a weekly basis. The therapists create weekly lessons that they perform in each classroom. They are also on hand for extra help for students. They are great assets in the classrooms.
middle
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/9/2/14922388/932769374.jpg)
Our middle school classrooms are staffed with one general education teacher, one special education teacher, and one teaching aide. Classes have an average size of 18 students. Speech Therapists and Occupational Therapists come in bi-weekly to participate in "SPOT" (which is a combination of speech therapy and occupational therapy). SPOT is done as a whole class in the middle grades, and can include activities such as the game Charades. A reading specialist comes into English classes during reading group time and works with rotating groups of students. The students are held to high standards and strive to meet benchmark goals each quarter. The high expectations are established before high school so that students will not require an adjustment period. They especially enjoy time spent with high school students in the mentoring program.
HIGH
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/9/2/14922388/2737608.jpg?0)
Our high school classrooms are also co-taught. Classes, on average, are about 20 students with the two teachers. These high school classes incorporate Universal Design for Learning into their everyday lessons. The students are held to high standards and are constantly being assessed on reaching those benchmarks in each class. These high school students are the backbone of the school district. They really talk an active part in the school district and help out the middle and elementary schools. They mentor the younger students and they are really looked up to by those students. Our students all work together to reach the same goal of graduation and helping eachother towards their individual goals.
Other professionals in our school
- Occupational Therapists - OTs evaluate children’s abilities, recommend and provide therapy, modify classroom equipment and help children to participate as fully as possible in and outside the classroom. Specifically, therapists may help by facilitating the use of the hands, promoting skills for listening and following directions, and fostering social skills. The OT may work with a child individually, in a small group or by consulting with a teacher.
- Speech Therapists - SLPs evaluate and remediate speech delays and disorders. They work with students on issues with articulation, expressive and receptive language delays, fluency and other language related problems. The SLP may work with a child individually or in a small group.
- Physical Therapists- PTs assist students in accessing school environments and benefiting from their educational program. Physical therapy is provided to support a student's IEP. Physical therapists work collaboratively with a student’s IEP team and participate in screening, evaluation, program planning, and intervention.
- Play Therapists - Play therapists work children suffering from trauma or emotional disorders. They provide a safe environment for children to play with as few limits as possible. A play therapist may work with students one on one or in small groups.
- Teaching Assistants- TAs help out anywhere they are needed in the school. All classrooms have one TA that is always there to assist the classroom teachers with anything they need. Duties may include running guided reading groups, monitoring centers, checking comprehension, pulling small groups aside for reinforcement or enrichment or providing any of their knowledge to the class.
- Reading Specialists - A reading specialist works with students to assess their reading levels and work with teachers on various strategies to use with students to ensure success. A reading specialist may work with a student one on one or in small groups.
*All therapy is done within the classroom to the greatest extent possible. We want all students to remain part of their classroom community at all times*
Co-teaching
We have co-teaching in each of our classrooms. Co-teaching is when two or more teachers work together to implement a lesson. This can look different in every classroom and below are some of the models that our teachers use.
One Lead, One Assist- One teacher is leading the lesson while the other is walking around the room monitoring, checking comprehension or modeling.
Station Teaching- Teachers are each running their own station in the room so students get closer attention from the teachers.
Alternative Teaching- This model allows a teacher to pull aside a group for enrichment or reteaching while the rest of the class continues with the lesson.
Parallel Teaching- Two teachers are teaching separate groups in the same classroom in order to get smaller student-to-teacher ratios.
Team Teaching- This is the model we wish for all teachers to strive for. Team teaching or duet teaching is when both teachers are working fluidly together in front of the class.
One Lead, One Assist- One teacher is leading the lesson while the other is walking around the room monitoring, checking comprehension or modeling.
Station Teaching- Teachers are each running their own station in the room so students get closer attention from the teachers.
Alternative Teaching- This model allows a teacher to pull aside a group for enrichment or reteaching while the rest of the class continues with the lesson.
Parallel Teaching- Two teachers are teaching separate groups in the same classroom in order to get smaller student-to-teacher ratios.
Team Teaching- This is the model we wish for all teachers to strive for. Team teaching or duet teaching is when both teachers are working fluidly together in front of the class.
References
American Physical Therapy Association. (2009). Providing physical therapy in schools
under IDEA 2004. Section on pediatrics. Retrieved from http://nichcy.org/schoolage/iep/iepcontents/relatedservices
Barnett, W. S., Schulman, K., & Shore, R. (n.d.). Class size: What's the best fit?. Preschool Policy Matters. Retrieved November 20, 2012, from nieer.org/resources/policybriefs/9.pdf
Play Therapy - How does therapeutic play work?. (n.d.). Play Therapy - An information resource for play and creative arts therapies. Retrieved December 9, 2012, from http://www.playtherapy.org/playhowdoestpwork.html
Villa, Thousand, & Nevin (2008). Chapter 2: why co-teach? (2nd ed.), A guide to co-teaching (pp. 12 - 18). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press
under IDEA 2004. Section on pediatrics. Retrieved from http://nichcy.org/schoolage/iep/iepcontents/relatedservices
Barnett, W. S., Schulman, K., & Shore, R. (n.d.). Class size: What's the best fit?. Preschool Policy Matters. Retrieved November 20, 2012, from nieer.org/resources/policybriefs/9.pdf
Play Therapy - How does therapeutic play work?. (n.d.). Play Therapy - An information resource for play and creative arts therapies. Retrieved December 9, 2012, from http://www.playtherapy.org/playhowdoestpwork.html
Villa, Thousand, & Nevin (2008). Chapter 2: why co-teach? (2nd ed.), A guide to co-teaching (pp. 12 - 18). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press