Lakes Pre-School Special Education Program

The Byram Preschool is comprised of young children, beginning at age 3, who are identified as Special Education students through our Child Study Team. The class is made up of a Special Ed teacher, and 2-3 class aides depending on the needs of the students. These students come to preschool to learn early academics and social skills. They also attend Gym, Art, Music and Library, sometimes right along with typical Kindergarten students! Additionally, they may receive Speech and Language services, as well as Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy. Everyday, students arrive on the preschool bus ready to be at school and excited to see their friends!

What is our classroom like?

Students come in 2 sessions: AM or PM, each session is approx. 2 1/2 hours long. Everyday they participate in:

-circle (includes weather, date, songs/themes)

-snack (includes gathering needed items for eating)

-reading (free choice of books in our class library)

-centers (students can choose their theme/activity center, then they rotate) Students also are given opportunities through centers to work 1:1 with the teacher on certain social skills, academics, games, etc that can help provide further learning through the individualized attention

-group (can be an art project, a game, a song/fingerplay, class activity, etc)

-"Show and Tell" (Students are encouraged to bring in items of importance to them- especially if it is from a recent experience, trip, etc. Students share these items with each other in circle or group)

-access to sensory items- trampoline, shaving cream, sand, other manipulatives

Additionally, students are given gross motor practice through time on the playground, walks around the school, free play in gym, etc.

*Students are continually pushed and praised to try new activities in the class with the support of the aides/teacher, and are pushed to be as independent as possible as they navigate the classroom and the school.

Preschool Themes for 2011-2012

Each week, students are introduced to a letter of the alphabet and complete various activities based on that letter. Additionally, weekly centers and other class activities are based on a month's color, number, or calendar based theme. (Holidays, Special days, etc). Please find a spreadsheet illustrating the themes for the 11-12 school year:

2011-2012 Themes

Students are given opportunities to play games on the computer both in the classroom as well as the school's computer lab. Some websites are located in the "Links and Resources" area of this page! I encourage students to use these at home as well.