Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. What is Collaboration?
2. What are the benefits of Collaboration?
3. What can we do at home?
4. What is Balanced Literacy?

What is Collaboration?

The collaborative model is made up of both general education and special 
education students who are taught, for the better part of the day, in the 
same classroom setting.  The general education portion of the class is a 
heterogeneous group, which is interchangeable with any other class on the 
grade level.  The larger portion of the class is made up of general education 
students.  A small number of special education students make up the balance 
of the class.  The general education teacher, special eduction teacher and 
special education instructional assistant work closely to provide instruction 
to the students.  All students receive instruction at their developmental 
level.

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What are the benefits of Collaboration?

The student/teacher ration improves.  The child experiences more than one 
teaching style.  Students develop an appreciation for different learning 
styles.  Thereis greater opportunity for small group instruction.  The child 
benfits from experiencing another teacher's perspective.

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What can we do at home?

Praise your child daily for specific accomplishments.  Take your child to the 
library, community activities and to museums.  Set limits on TV and be 
selective about what they view.  Ask to see your child's homework.  Establish 
rules, routines and chores at home.  Create a quiet, well lit area for 
homework and school projects.  Read to your child and encourage them to read 
to you.

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What is Balanced Literacy?

Balanced Literacy is a term used to describe the framework for the teaching 
of reading in the Yorktown District.  Students participate in a variety of 
reading, writing, speaking, listening and thinking activities.  The Balanced 
Literacy framework is designed so that students have opportunities to work in 
small groups, share in the whole class instruction and receive personalized 
and individualized teaching.  Our goal is for students to grow into 
independent, confident and experienced readers and writers.

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