St. John The Baptist Catholic School

RESOURCE SPECIALIST PROGRAM

The Resource Specialist Program at Saint John the Baptist School provides support for students primarily in the areas of reading, writing and math.  Children come to the RSP room for individual or small group instruction in essential basic skills. While the teacher is a credentialed resource specialist, the program here is more informal than special education programs in public schools.  Any child may be referred by his or her parent or teacher for RSP help.  If the parents, teacher and resource specialist feel that the student would benefit from extra support, RSP classes are scheduled.  Unlike public school special education, no legal qualifications or labels are involved.  Parents are encouraged to maintain close communication with the resource specialist.  The emphasis of the program is on academic progress.  Students typically feel more successful through their participation in the Resource Specialist Program.

TEACHING TECHNIQUES

A variety of techniques are used to help students who find reading and spelling difficult.  The core of the program is based upon three research-based methods, Lindamood-Bell Phoneme Sequencing (LiPs), Seeing Stars, and Visualization and Verbalization. http://www.lindamoodbell.com/

Making Math Real is the basis of the math program. http://makingmathreal.org/

Lindamood-Bell Phoneme Sequencing

The LiPs Program was developed for people who struggle to decipher written words.  Students are systematically taught to use their visual, tactile, and auditory senses to distinguish the order of sounds within words.  Over thirty years of practice and research have shown this program to effectively help struggling readers to decode words that are new to them.

Seeing Stars

The purpose of the Seeing Stars Program is to help children to read fluently and to improve their spelling skills.  Students practice visualizing syllables and words.  It becomes progressively easier to read sight words, to sound words out and to recall   spelling words by “seeing” them.

Visualization and Verbalization

Reading comprehension is the focus of the Visualization and Verbalization Program.  Students learn to form pictures in their minds’ eye to represent the meanings of words, sentences and eventually whole paragraphs.  They practice recalling these pictures in order and use them to take notes.  This process provides a tool to remember sequences. It also helps students to discern the main idea of paragraphs and to develop higher order thinking skills.

Making Math Real

Like the LiPs program, Making Math Real is multisensory and very structured.  Visual, auditory and tactile/kinesthetic modalities are utilized throughout.  Instruction begins  at a basic level and builds systematically from concrete to abstract concepts in a way that is developmentally appropriate for the child.  Through Making Math Real, students from kindergarten through the eighth grade have fun visualizing and explaining math concepts through stories.  Making Math Real provides a firm foundation and an alternative pathway to success.

Handwriting Without Tears

For the youngest students, instruction in handwriting is offered.  The resource specialist uses the Handwriting Without Tears program in coordination with the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teachers.  Posture, handgrip and letter formation are taught in simple, developmentally appropriate ways.  Handwriting Without Tears was developed by occupational therapists and is especially effective for children who do not find handwriting easy.

Additional Techniques

Individualized lesson plans include additional techniques tailored to each student’s level and needs.  All of the methods used are based on sound teaching techniques.  During RSP sessions, students sometimes practice specific techniques while working on regular class work.. A primary goal is for students to experience increased confidence and academic independence in core subjects.