CDS Onsite Program
Academics
Students with learning disabilities often have difficulty with word recognition, decoding and spelling. These fundamental difficulties impact reading comprehension. Research indicates that scaffolded, multi-sensory programs are successful in teaching students with learning disabilities the fundamentals of language and reading. At Cottonwood Day School, we integrate a multi-sensory approach across all academic content area subjects. Incorporating these approaches involves presenting new material and reviewing previously learned material using visual, auditory and kinesthetic (see glossary) methods. Not every child encodes information the same way, some are more visual, some more auditory and others are kinesthetic learners. Encoding and processing language are essential components of learning to read. Learning academic content this way ensures retention of presented information. We incorporate Orton-Gillingham instruction as the foundation of our reading program and Touch Math as the foundation of our math program.
Executive Functioning
An emphasis on developing and strengthening students’ executive functioning skills is another key component of the Cottonwood Day School program. Executive function is defined as a set of mental processes that helps connect past experience with present action. These mental processes are used to perform activities such as planning, organizing, strategizing, paying attention to and remembering details, and managing time and space. If a student’s executive functioning skills are compromised, tasks such as organizing homework, time management, multi-tasking, recalling past information and asking for help can all be impacted, further complicating a student’s ability to perform successfully. We devote time throughout the day to work on strengthening these skills.
What are executive functions?
- Emotional Control
- Task Initiation
- Task Completion
- Working Memory
- Planning
- Prioritizing
- Processing Speed
- Organization
- Attention
- Self-Monitoring
- Impulse Control
- Cognitive Flexibility
- Foresight
- Hindsight
- Self-Talk
- Problem Solving
- Persistence
- Shift
Social & Emotional Learning
At Cottonwood Day School we teach to the whole child. In order for students to reach their full potential in school and in life, schools must provide instruction on academics and social and emotional skills. Providing instruction in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) helps children resolve conflicts peacefully, handle emotions positively, empathize, and make responsible decisions.
Art
We incorporate art daily into different content areas to help reinforce material learned.
Learning Disabilities & the Arts
The arts are more than a fun, superficial way to keep kids occupied. Art activities can help children with learning disabilities begin to overcome the challenges they face in learning in many different ways.
Music
Students participate in a Music therapy class once a week.
PE
Exercise can provide significant benefits for children in all of the developmental stages of life. Regular participation in physical education classes also promotes positive advancements in students with special needs.
Research has shown that physical education programs can do a great deal to improve the lifestyle of children with special needs; they can increase competency in gross motor skills, help to control obesity, improve self-esteem and social skills, encourage an active lifestyle, and maintain motivation in various areas of life.