Teachers: Kelly Burkett, Cindy Bass, Angie Heim
As a special education team, we provide support and instruction to meet students needs at their instructional levels in all academic areas and behavior. Reading, Math and Writing instruction is aligned with the Iowa Core and Des Moines Public Schools standards. Students are provided support within and outside of their general education environment depending on where students' needs are best met. Students continue to make progress and are striving to reach their individual goals.
Mrs. Burkett
In reading, students are learning phonics and decoding strategies and comprehension skills such as retelling a story and main idea and details. We are also working on reading smoothly.
In math, the students are working on number sense, couting strategies and decomposing numbers. We use a variety of counting activities as well as word problems to practice these skills.
In writing, the students are learning about concepts about print. We are working on sounding out words when writing and writing complete sentences.
During Social Skill instruction, the students are learning about feelings, coping skills and trying their best.
Ms. Bass
In reading, instruction is focused on comprehension skills such as inferring, summarizing stories, answering "who, what, where and why" questions and understanding author's point of view. We are also learning about first person and third person.
In math, the students are working on basic addition and subtraction strategies such as using number lines, and rounding numbers/estimation. We are also working on geometry and learning about polygons, angles, perimeter and area. Each week we also learn about solving word problems with efficient strategies.
During writing instruction, our focus is on writing proper sentences, using capital letters correctly, using appropriate punctuation and staying on a topic when writing.
Mrs. Heim
In reading, we are working on reading comprehension skills such as inferencing, character traits, cause and effect, and main idea and details. We are also working on reading with expression , phrasing and paying attention to punctuation.
In math, we are learning about adding and subtracting with and without regrouping, place value and number sense, and solving real world problems with efficient strategies.
In writing, students are working through the writing process and developing personal narratives.
During Social Skill instruction students are working on tolerance and acceptance, problem solving, respecting adults and peers, good listening skills and coping skills. I am excited to begin incorporating a researched based program, "Yoga Calm" as an additional way of coping with frustration and anxiety!