Educational+Program

//Educational Program//

At CIA we are dedicated to holding our students to the highest educational standards while providing individual instruction and assessment. Our students will receive instruction on the same basis as their public school peers, but will have the distinct advantage of curriculum adapted to provide the maximum level of student participation **and achievement. Our students will participate in core curriculum including math, science, reading, writing and social studies as well as a diverse choice of arts programs including theatre, music, art and movement (dance and physical activities). At CIA, it is our objective to act in accordance with the Florida Sunshine State curriculum standards and access points and blend them with the principles of B.F. Skinner’s Applied Behavior Analysis. ABA is proven to be an extremely effective method in the treatment of ASD. We have found that by combining Florida’s Sunshine State Standards with Skinner’s methods provides the most valuable and effective individualized programs possible.

Our second goal, when adapting curriculums, is to assist students in one day mainstreaming into whatever their least restrictive environment may be. CIA’s individualized educational programs combined with the ABA methodology will assist students who have demonstrated adequate progress, the complete support to achieve this goal. For students whose least restrictive environment remains a specialized school, they will be put on track to receive a Specialty Diploma, Option 1 or Option 2, or a Certificate of Completion. **


 * A.** Describe the educational program of the school, providing an overview of curriculum objectives and content of the main subject areas.

Our school's educational program will include the Florida Sunshine State Standards with benchmarks and access points for each grade. -See a brief description below:



**__Language Arts/Communication Skills__** Language instruction is often the largest, and most important, portion of a program for a child with autism. We want to teach language and communicative readiness like joint attention, following instructions, labeling, conversation, assertiveness, yes/no, negation, asking questions, plurals, prepositions, pronouns, attributes, and "I don't know" also concepts such same and different, first and last, before and after, and quantities. Academics will deal with reading, writing, stories, sequencing, and recall. We will always refer and try to incorporate the Sunshine State Standards regarding Language Arts for the 6 thru 8th grade into our curriculum: The student constructs meaning from a wide range of texts. (LA.A.2.3) The student uses listening and visual strategies effectively. (LA.C.1.3) (LA.C.2.3) The student understands the nature of language. (LA.D.1.3)
 * The student uses the reading process effectively. (LA.A.1.3)

Example of Mathematics 6-8 Objectives **

Topic: Number Sense, Concepts, and Operations

__Standard 1__: The student understands the different ways numbers are represented and used in the real world. Benchmark MA.A.1.3.1: The student associates verbal names, written word names, and standard numerals with integers, fractions, decimals; numbers expressed as percents; numbers with exponents; numbers in scientific notation; radicals; absolute value; and ratios. __Standard 2__: The student understands number systems. Benchmark MA.A.2.3.1: The student understands and uses exponential and scientific notation. Benchmark MA.A.2.3.2: The student understands the structure of number systems other than the decimal number system. __Standard 3__: The student understands the effects of operations on numbers and the relationships among these operations, selects appropriate operations, and computes for problem solving. Benchmark MA.A.3.3.2: The student selects the appropriate operation to solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of rational numbers, ratios, proportions, and percents, including the appropriate application of the algebraic order of operations. Benchmark MA.A.3.3.3: The student adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides whole numbers, decimals, and fractions, including mixed numbers, to solve real-world problems, using appropriate methods of computing, such as mental mathematics, paper and pencil, and calculator. __Standard 4__: The student uses estimation in problem solving and computation. Benchmark MA.A.4.3.1: The student uses estimation strategies to predict results and to check the reasonableness of results. __Standard 5__: The student understands and applies theories related to numbers. Benchmark MA.A.5.3.1: The student uses concepts about numbers, including primes, factors, and multiples, to build number sequences.



**Science Curriculum Guide**

**Science Topics covered in grades 6-8. (In accordance with the Sunshine State Standards)**


 * The Nature of Matter **
 * Energy **
 * Force and Motion **
 * Processes that shape the earth **
 * How living things interact with their environment **
 * The Nature of Science **


 * In 6th grade science classes, students will understand that scientific knowledge is durable because it is open to change as new evidence or interpretations are encountered **
 * In 7th grade science classes, students will understand that scientific knowledge has changed when new evidence or new interpretations are encountered. **
 * In 8th grade science classes, students will understand that science does not offer conclusive proof and that theories may be modified but are rarely discarded. **
 * Whenever possible, students will work towards achieving the standards proposed for their grade level within the Sunshine State Standards. Students are divided into classes based on their current levels of understanding, and both their actual grade level as well as their tested grade level curriculums and standards are incorporated. **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; color: #0000ff;"><span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">B. **<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">Briefly outline the instructional methods to be used, including any distinctive instructional techniques to be employed. How will this pedagogy enhance student learning? **<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; color: #0000ff; font-size: 80%;"><span style="color: rgb(0,0,255); font-size: 11pt;">1. **//<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">Language/Communication development //<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">: ** <span style="color: rgb(0,0,255); font-size: 11pt;">(how to convey thoughts and feelings in a concise way by using words and not by violence, giving verbal solutions to problems, be consistent regarding utilizing age appropriate vocabulary, teaching children how to think before they verbally say something, etc.) Examples 2. **//<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">Recreation: //** <span style="color: rgb(0,0,255); font-size: 11pt;">(fun that “sneaks” in many learning opportunities for the student/child such as; turn taking, sharing, exercise/gross and fine motor skills, social/communication opportunities, how to wait, take turns and more). Examples 3. **//<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">Leisure: //** <span style="color: rgb(0,0,255); font-size: 11pt;">(allows students to have the required and very necessary breaks needed between activities in their day, leisure time also gives each student the opportunity to practise self-management skills and make choices of what they want to do during their leisure time). Examples 4. **//<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">Social Skills: //** <span style="color: rgb(0,0,255); font-size: 11pt;">(practicing eye-contact, greetings, manners, turn-taking, how to hold a conversation, conflict resolution/management, how to control sensory impulse difficulties and overload, how to utilize an appropriate tone of voice, anger and frustration management, how to focus on themselves and not others when necessary, etc.). 5. **//<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">Functional Academics: //** <span style="color: rgb(0,0,255); font-size: 11pt;"> (academic’s that also teach the necessary life-skills required for independent living). <span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; color: #0000ff;">C. **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; color: #0000ff;">Describe how your school will meet the needs of Exceptional Education students, including limited English proficient students. **<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; color: #0000ff;">At CIA, we understand that every child learns at a different rate, and using different methods. Since every student's unique needs are taken into consideration, ESOL students are no exception. They receive any extra accommodations and resources that they may need. Their particular cultures are also examined and incorporated into the student's specific learning process.

<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255); font-size: 120%;">Please SEE our VIDEOS on the STAFF page to get further information about CIA.

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