How We Teach
Multisensory Methodology- All teaching incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements
- Movement incorporated into teaching in all content areas
- Flexible seating options such as stools, wiggle cushions, standing desks, Thera-bands
- Literacy programs – students placed into Wilson, Just Words, Fundations, READ180 or Tier 1 reading groups
- Math program – incorporates elements of Swun Math, Making Math Real, Mathematical Mindsets
- 1:1 iPads for all students
- Full-time technology integration specialist provides instructional support
- Digital Citizenship curriculum from Common Sense Media
- Makerspace
- Students trained to use assistive technology, e.g. voice-to-text, organizational strategies
- Two dedicated teachers per homeroom
- Cross-curricular collaboration
- Training & professional development to support teaming
- Instructional coaching team to support:
- Best practices in the classroom
- Differentiation
- Curriculum planning & integration
- Training and support for literacy programs
- Professional development:
- Embedded weekly training & instructional support
- Financial & logistical support for outside conferences and training
- Ongoing collaborative conversations about student progress
- Research partnership with UCSF Dyslexia Center
- Student assessments:
- Track My Progress – reading & math (4 times/year)
- Oral Reading Fluency (3 times/year)
- Wilson-based reading assessments (2 times/year)
- Curriculum-based assessments & progress monitoring (ongoing)
- Staff forms close individual relationships with students
- Responsive Classroom approach cultivates belonging, significance, engagement, and fun
- Mindfulness practices
- Lower and middle school counselors on site
It might not work out a bunch of times, but I know it eventually will.
“ I’m a little worried about the workload in Highschool, but with the skills I have learned at Charles Armstrong with confidence, self-advocacy and a good work ethic, I can be successful in high school and beyond.”
Evan Bottarini
Excerpt from her 8th grade graduation from Charles Armstong School, 2015