At Havern School, Language Arts are taught through both small group and whole classroom instruction using a structured literacy approach with a core scope and sequence of skill instruction, specialized instructional materials and a variety of children’s literature. For small group instruction, students are placed according to their specific strengths and needs. Teachers provide direct, systematic, explicit instruction in multiple components of reading and writing, and differentiate instruction based on student profiles. All of our teachers have been trained in the Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Reading System methods for reading, and the Step Up to Writing program for writing instruction.

Based on the needs of each student, Language Arts instruction is provided in a number of areas, including:

Listening comprehension and oral language development

• Reading

• Spelling

• Written language

Mathematics instruction at Havern School is delivered in ability-based groups of three to six students. Teachers assess students’ mathematical abilities and teach from that point, using multisensory, direct, explicit and systematic instruction to develop understanding of mathematical concepts. With an emphasis on a strong foundation in conceptual understanding, teachers use hands-on methods when applicable. New skills are practiced with the goal of mastery. The focus is on helping students gain the conceptual, computational and strategic knowledge to become effective problem solvers and mathematicians.

An annual Science Fair gives Havern students the opportunity to work on individual projects in a scientific area of their interest. Students may participate at the competitive or the noncompetitive level. Science Fair projects are judged by a panel of objective science professionals on the basis of quality and adherence to the scientific method.

All Havern students participate in both science and social studies instruction. Consistent with the goal of returning students to a general education environment, instructional topics are selected in coordination with Colorado State Standards.

Students explore topics through multiple formats—including classroom presentations and discussions, videos, hands-on activities, on-line resources, guest speakers and field trips. In keeping with our goal of returning students to a more general education environment, we focus on:

• Strategies for reading comprehension in content areas

• Note-taking skills

• Organizing information

• Developing a working understanding of science and social studies language and vocabulary

Developing strengths, integrating learning

The fine arts—visual art, music and drama—are an integral component of the Havern School program. For many Havern students, the fine arts represent areas of strength. The goal of the fine arts program is to both develop these strengths and to integrate learning through the use of multiple modalities designed to integrate various functions of the brain.

Visual art

Development of creativity and self-expression is encouraged through weekly art instruction. An additional focus is the development of both visual-spatial perception and critical thinking. Students keep art journals in class, and are introduced to art history, design concepts, various media and lessons in technical execution. General topics have included shape, symmetry, perspective and color mixing. Student projects are always on display in the school, and an annual Art Show is held as a part of Havern Fine Arts Week.

Music & Drama

Students participate in weekly music/drama classes. The goals for these classes include:

• Understanding of basic musical notation

• Exposure to a variety of musical forms

• Development of multiple forms of personal expression

• Development of prosody in oral expression

• Becoming more comfortable with public presentation skills

• Gaining the ability to work together to produce a final product (such as a short play or a musical)

Every student participates in an annual student musical or drama production.

Choir is available as an extracurricular activity for an additional fee. Students in the Havern Choir perform at a variety of school events, as well as in winter and spring concerts. Private piano lessons are offered after school for an additional fee.

Fine Arts Week

Fine Arts Week is an integral part of Havern’s arts program. It is a chance to show off all types of artistic talents to families and friends. Throughout the year, each classroom writes and performs their own play. Each student creates a work of art for display in a school-wide art show. Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in an Entrepreneurial Fair, during which students are able to sell crafts and works of art to classmates, family and friends.

The Digital Classroom: Technology and problem solving

Students at Havern School work in our digital classroom two to three times per week. Collaboration between the technology instructor and the classroom teachers allows for integration of curriculum across settings. Students learn many skills and tools while in the digital classroom, including:

• Assistive technology tools

• Coding

• Critical thinking skills

• Digital citizenship and internet safety

• Digital presentation skills

• Digital storytelling

• Graphic design

• Keyboarding

• Spreadsheets

• Word processing

An additional emphasis in the digital classroom is the development of problem-solving and self-advocacy skills. Class discussion frequently focuses on strategies for problem-solving and managing time.

Our classroom technology

Computer stations in each classroom integrate computing skills into the learning environment. AlphaSmarts, individual micro-word processors with keyboards, are also used in the classrooms to help with keyboarding skills.

Interactive SMART technology is available in each classroom. SMART boards are large, interactive whiteboards, which allow students to use touch or markers to control a computer. This kinesthetic teaching tool reinforces lessons and makes learning more fun for students.

The multitude of education applications available for the Apple iPad has made it a valuable learning tool for children with learning disabilities. iPads are used in each classroom to teach interactive lessons and for student research.

Each student in our middle school classrooms has a Chromebook, a cloud based laptop, to use for the school year. This one-to-one technology allows students to explore new ways to communicate, collaborate, create and use critical thinking skills. In addition, the Chromebooks give our students access to and experience with the newest assistive technology tools. Google Chrome includes apps and extensions that facilitate voice-to-text dictation, text-to-speech, outlining, screencasting, graphic organizers and so much more! Each student is able to individualize the apps and extensions on their personal Chromebook to support their learning profile.

Students come to the library once a week to check out books and learn library skills. The goal of Havern’s library curriculum is to have students explore and enjoy books, and gain the skills and self-confidence to use the library independently.

The Havern School library includes a video section and a resource section for use by parents and faculty. The resource section houses books on learning disabilities, parenting, child development and emotional development. Parents are encouraged to stop by and check out library materials any time there is not a class present.

At Havern, occupational therapy plays an important role in helping students overcome their unique challenges and realize their potential. In occupational therapy, students work on skills needed to perform the wide range of tasks they perform throughout a school day – in the classroom, on the playground, and in the lunchroom. All Havern students are evaluated by one of our occupational therapists, and, according to determined needs, students may participate in direct small group occupational therapy or benefit from classroom consultation.

Intervention can focus on many areas, including:

Fine Motor:
Dexterity
Finger strength

Gross motor:
Postural control
Balance
Bilateral coordination
Endurance and strengthening
Motor planning

Sensory processing:
Body awareness/kinesthetic
Gravitational insecurity
Motor planning
Right/left discrimination

Visual Skills:
Visual integration
Scanning and searching
Visual motor
Visual attention

Our occupational therapists:

• See students based upon identified needs such as endurance, strength, balance, coordination and body awareness, as well as fine and visual motor and perceptual delays

• Assess students with identified sensory processing needs and develop an individual “tool box” of sensory strategies for self-regulation

• Teach practical skills such as handwriting, shoe tying and bike riding

• Work with students in small groups on the development of cooperative play, group game skills and problem solving
  

Speech-language therapists work with our students to support the development of both functional and academic language skills. During the first weeks of the school year, the speech-language team administers hearing screenings to all and language testing for new students that could benefit from it. Based on the results of this testing and information provided by parents, students may participate in direct small group speech-language therapy or benefit from classroom-based interventions.

Intervention focuses on many areas of language development, including:

Receptive Language: listening and understanding words and concepts

• Following directions

• Working memory

• Executive functioning

Expressive Language: being able to communicate effectively

• Semantics (vocabulary)

• Syntax (grammar)

• Word retrieval

Social Pragmatic Language: Practical communication skills as applied to social situations

• Social thinking skills

• Perspective taking

Speech Articulation and Phonology: Pronouncing sounds in words and phonemic awareness

Application of language skills to reading and writing

Research suggests that many children with learning disabilities also struggle with understanding the social world. The same challenges that cause learning disabilities can also contribute to social difficulties. For this reason, all Havern students take part in a weekly, differentiated social skills program, delivered by our School Psychologist and our Speech-Language Pathologists. Social skills goals focus on helping each child develop a personal understanding of his or her own strengths and needs, as well as on becoming a successful member of both the school and the larger community.

Lower school (Kindergarten through Grade 3) social skills instruction focuses on:

• Personal boundaries

• Feelings and emotions

• Developing friendships

• Manners

• Problem-solving

• Coping skills

Upper school (Grades 4-8) social skills instruction focuses on similar issues, as well as:

• Community and school rules

• Differences among all people

• Peer pressure and popularity

• Understanding your learning profile

• Self-advocacy

The School Psychologist also offers individual and small group support outside the classroom for students who need additional help with school-based issues.

Havern School offers a variety of extracurricular activities and programs to enrich students’ lives beyond the school day—from student council to choir and sports. These programs are available to students for an additional fee. Specific offerings vary by semester, but representative programming is outlined below.

Extended day programs

• Early Bird Club – Before-school care from 7:30-8:00 a.m. Open to all students.

• Variety Club – After-school play-based care from 3:00-5:30 p.m. Open to students in younger elementary classrooms.

• Homework Club – After-school help with homework from 3:00-5:30 p.m. Open to students in the older elementary classrooms and middle school classrooms.

• Clubs and after-school activities

• Art Club

• Sports and Games Club

• Coding Club

• Gardening Club

• Girls on the Run®

• LEGO® Club

• Science Club

• Sewing Club

• Student Council

Special Programs

• Ski Club – Havern students participate in Winter Park Weekend Program