• Reading: We use the Wilson Reading and Language Program and or the Orton Gillingham Reading program,  depending on the needs of the student.  This is a wonderful, multi-sensory approach to reading using sound cards, word cards, making and spelling words, written dictation,  high frequency sight words, sentence and paragraph reading at their own comfortable level.  In addition, we have a chapter book that we read that has vocabulary, comprehension, and reflective writing exercises. Reading instruction is highly individualized according to the needs of the student. The second half of the period is devoted to fluency, reading and comprehension based on level.  On Thursdays and Fridays the focus is comprehension and discussion of a class chapter book.  
     
     Math: Each student has their own packet of basic skills and various websites that they need to work on. They are encouraged to work as independently as possible. However, there is strong support when needed.  The students will use a calculator for life skills and math activities. Life Skills math(real life math) is sometimes done together as a class to teach skills necessary to know which operation to use in different situations (+,-,x-or division). Some life skills are encouraged to be done independently.
     
    Social Studies is taught on Days 1,3,5 by me.  I will teach World History this year.   We do this with books, websites, videos, and PowerPoint presentations.   
     
    Mrs. Bliss will teach Science on Days 2,4,6.  

    English/Language Arts: This is highly individualized.  Some will use our Wilson/OG as a baseboard for writing with those skills from the morning being reinforced. 

     
     Life Skills instruction is based on the needs of the class.  We started with setting goals for becoming more responsible and independent.  We will work on social skills by doing skits for behavior in various social situations.  The focus has been responsibility, managing oneself, manners, and behavior in the workplace.  Everything we do throughout the day is life-skills based, including appropriate behavior and encouragement to do things themselves.  We strongly encourage them to be as independent as they possibly can be as we are looking to the future when they will be in a work or social program. 
     
     
    We also run the Patriot Cafe.  The students are involved in shopping, prepping, cooking, serving, and bussing tables.   They wear a uniform and keep to a schedule.  They are learning a vast amount of life skills with this experience.   
     
    We take a trip each Friday across the street and visit the local businesses.  This is to teach many skills, such as safety, money management, responsibility, social manners and etiquette.   
     
    Every other Wednesday we go to the bottle redemption center to redeem bottles we collect througout the school and from our own homes.  We stress the importance of responsible use of plastic for our planet. We send the money to various projects that provide water for communites in Africa through The Water Project.