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CURRICULUM PROGRAM: Special Education
COURSE TITLE: Focus Community Experience M -2hr
CALENDAR YEAR: 2012-2013
GRADE LEVEL: 5-8
CODE: SEC132
TYPE: SE
CREDITS:
COURSE LENGTH: 36 weeks
Major Concepts/Content: The Focus Community Experience course provides systematic instruction in meaningful, functional, and age-appropriate skills in the integrated community setting. The course is designed to assist the student in acquiring and generalizing life-skills that are necessary for post-secondary life (i.e., shopping, home living activities) and enhances the quality of life, and relationships within the general community. Instruction occurs in natural environments (i.e., restaurant) and during regular school day events (i.e., recess, large group specialist class).
Major Instructional Activities: Instructional activities begin with an awareness of home, school, and community. Activities assist students in gaining an understanding of their role as citizens, acquiring basic knowledge related to their rights and responsibilities, accessing community resources, and understanding the relationship between their neighborhood and the greater community. Students are introduced to the vocabulary and procedures necessary for a variety of activities to include use of public transit system, pedestrian skills, safety and problem solving skills, money use and management, leisure skills, and restaurant use. Course topics address weather, banking, library, grocery/department store, post office, emergency facilities, service organizations, telephone, transportation, and community laws. For older students, emphasis is placed on the post-secondary skills that are necessary to be successful in the job setting. Activities may require the student to be knowledgeable of the use of related technology, tools, and equipment (i.e., computer software, communication device).
Major Evaluative Techniques: Students will be evaluated through informal and formal assessments. Multiple authentic assessments will be used as students perform, produce and demonstrate skills in the context of real life scenarios (i.e., shopping market, grocery store, and restaurant). This course may not be mastered in one year and students may earn multiple credits in this course.
Course Objectives: The essential objectives of Focus Community Experience course are designed to facilitate learning outcomes appropriate to the instructional needs of each student. Instructional activities are based upon real world needs with the goal of increased independence and autonomy in his or her home and community.