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Lake Michigan Academy uses a variety of techniques to address the multi-faceted needs of our students. For example, we often use an adaptation of the Orton-Gillingham alphabetic phonetic approach. This is a synthetic system that teaches the decoding of words. Guest speakers, field trips, individualized coursework and computer software are also used. Teachers consistently present information in a multi-sensory manner appealing to visual, auditory and kinesthetic modalities of learning in an attempt to match individual learning styles. We also educate the students as to their unique learning style so they can eventually advocate for themselves. We believe that students who educate their regular education teachers on their learning styles succeed at a much higher degree than those who do not advocate for themselves. |
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The cognitive dysfunctions that hinder a child's academic performance may also hinder their social skills. Social cues are often misinterpreted. Therefore, social skills are addressed both in a formal and informal fashion on a continual basis. Topics in the curriculum include: aggression vs. assertion; family dynamics; body language; and the use of humor, empathy, confrontation and teasing, to name a few. At Lake Michigan Academy, discipline, like academics, is individualized for the most effective results. Positive reinforcement is stressed, verbally and tangibly. We believe that students should experience success, learn to deal with failure without fear, and develop a sense of responsibility for their own actions within a structured atmosphere. Mutual caring by teachers, administrator and students will provide impetus for developing a positive self-concept. We believe that teaching must be approached from a student-centered perspective, taking students where they are and progressing from that point. Inherent in the learning process should be the student, teacher and parent sharing the responsibility for learning. The success of Lake Michigan Academy is contingent upon effective communication in this team approach, we encourage active parent participation. |
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