Specialists and Methodologies

Star Academy offers a wide variety of research-based multi-sensory methodologies and teaching techniques proven effective for students with learning differences. ( Bay Area ADD students are also well served at Star Academy.)  

Interwoven into the core curriculum is a broad spectrum of specialist services and methodologies available on site to all students and implemented on the basis of individual readiness and need. 

Specialists and teachers communicate regularly regarding the progress of each student and collaborate in the fine-tuning of each student's program. Specialist instruction is provided by a team of 14 -18 highly trained professionals. 

Many of these specialized services are included in tuition, others are fee-for service.

 

Specialists and Methodologies:

Specialist and Methodology Descriptions

Speech and Language Therapy

The licensed and certified speech pathologists at Star Academy work with students to improve a broad range of communication skills. Some of the difficulties that our students experience are:

Our speech therapy team helps remediate these problems through 30-minute sessions working either one-on-one or in small groups as many times per week as is needed.

Social Language Pragmatics

Social Language Pragmatics is offered as part of Speech and Language Therapy. The licensed and certified speech pathologists at Star Academy work with groups of up to five students to develop and practice language pragmatics (the social language of the playground). Interwoven into these practical skill building sessions is Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking curriculum. These sessions help students improve their communication and social skills with friends and reinforce their work in speech and language therapy and social skills groups.

Occupational Therapy

All incoming students are evaluated by our occupational therapist for any deficits in the following areas.

After the assessment, an individual treatment plan is created and implemented.

Lindamood-Bell Phoneme Sequencing® (LiPS®)

Many students have difficulty distinguishing all the sounds within a word. They frequently cannot judge how many different sounds are in a word or in what order the sounds occur. LiPS® uses a multi-sensory approach in teaching the student to recognize and label each sound. Students are taught to become aware of the physical motions involved in creating each sound.

Disclaimer: Lindamood-Bell Learning Process®, Lindamood-Bell®, Lindamood®, Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing® is a trademark of Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes. Lindamood-Bell in no way guarantees the quality of the materials or services that may be supplied by Star Academy. Star Academy is not affiliated with, certified, endorsed, licensed, monitored or sponsored by Lindamood-Bell, Nanci Bell, Phyllis Lindamood, or Pat Lindamood.

Nancibell® Visualizing Verbalizing®

Students with weak oral and reading language comprehension do not image well and do not form the gestalt (whole) from the information given. They often reread material several times and still remember only a few details. They may understand only part of a conversation, have trouble following directions or have difficulty with critical thinking. This program develops concept imagery, which stimulates the development of language comprehension and expression.

Disclaimer: Lindamood-Bell Learning Process®, Lindamood-Bell®, Lindamood®, Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing® is a trademark of Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes. Lindamood-Bell in no way guarantees the quality of the materials or services that may be supplied by Star Academy. Star Academy is not affiliated with, certified, endorsed, licensed, monitored or sponsored by Lindamood-Bell, Nanci Bell, Phyllis Lindamood, or Pat Lindamood.

Lindamood-Bell Seeing Stars®

English is very difficult for some children since phonetic rules do not always apply. This program enhances visual memory for sight words and their spelling by helping students see letters in their mind. The ability to visualize letters can bring phonemic awareness to the level of automaticity.

Disclaimer: Lindamood-Bell Learning Process®, Lindamood-Bell®, Lindamood®, Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing® is a trademark of Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes. Lindamood-Bell in no way guarantees the quality of the materials or services that may be supplied by Star Academy. Star Academy is not affiliated with, certified, endorsed, licensed, monitored or sponsored by Lindamood-Bell, Nanci Bell, Phyllis Lindamood, or Pat Lindamood.

Slingerland / Orton-Gillingham Multi-Sensory Language Arts Tutoring

Multi-Sensory Language Arts Tutoring specialists use adapted Slingerland and other Orton-Gillingham methods designed to develop strong decoding strategies. By starting with the smallest unit of sight, sound and feel – a single letter – and expanding upon that single letter, students gradually learn to associate sounds with their letter counterparts and blend the sounds into words. This multi-sensory approach has a proven track record of success and has become an integral component of many special education programs.

 Individual Counseling

Star Academy’s on-site MFT (Marriage and Family Therapist) provides individual counseling services for issues relating to managing anxiety, depression, body image, maintaining emotional wellness, coping with adjustment or transition difficulties.

Sessions are one-to-one for an hour at a time.

Making Math Real®

Making Math Real® is the original and unprecedented multi-sensory structured training model that provides intensive development in mathematics for students of all processing styles. Making Math Real® is an innovative, fun, hands-on method of teaching math that integrates key cognitive development within every lesson and activity. Making Math Real® builds development by helping students create their own mental pictures, thereby reducing reliance on memory. Students become successful because they see and understand what they are doing rather than memorizing rote facts.

Social Thinking and Social Skills Development

Many students at Star Academy have social processing difficulties and have not acquired some of the basic social skills that would enable them to interact successfully among “typically” developing students. As a result, these students may lack an ability to make and keep friends, and feel lonely, alienated and bewildered about how to fit in or join in among their peers.

Social cognition and social skills can be taught. Star Academy uses the highly successful “Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Cognition Program” – specific techniques for teaching social thinking and social skills in a way that makes sense and can be remembered. Students learn important rules of social communication, why they work, how and when to use them. Social thinking and use of appropriate social behaviors are integrated into the classroom curriculum and reinforced throughout the day.

Feldenkrais®

Some of our students need extra help in integrating their bodily movements to achieve better balance and an improved sense of proprioception (the ability to be aware of where your body is in space). Feldenkrais helps develop necessary skills for successful classroom learning.

Organization and Study Skills

Organization skills and study skills are taught and reinforced throughout the day by homeroom teachers and specialists. For example, students learn how to follow their individual schedules and how to get themselves to classes and specialists on time. They also learn to maintain well-organized binders and homework assignment sheets so they can quickly access the information they need for completing assignments and studying.

Brain Gym

Brain Gym began in the 1970’s with the work of educators Dr. Paul Dennison and Gail E. Dennison. It develops the brain's neural pathways the way nature does – through a program of physical movements that enhances learning and performance in all areas. Brain Gym includes 26 easy and enjoyable targeted activities that integrate body and mind to bring about rapid and often dramatic improvements in concentration, memory, reading, writing, organizing, listening, physical coordination, and more... (To learn more about Brain Gym, see Brain Gym International website).

Educational Testing

Annual educational testing to assess student progress and needs is provided as part of the core program.

Art

While other schools consider art as an expendable "extra," at Star Academy art is an integral and valued part of the program.

Music and Drama

All students participate in the music and drama program, which overlap and result in numerous individual and group vocal, instrumental and musical theater productions throughout the year. The focus of the music program is helping students improve their auditory discrimination skills and learn artistic interpretation and evaluation.  Music from all over the world is covered, and we strive to impart an appreciation for different types of music. All students are encouraged to participate in school-wide musical and theatrical productions in some capacity, whether they are on-stage, back stage or part of the tech team.

Physical Education

A favorite among many students, PE is offered every day to all classes.   Students begin with warm-up and stretching exercises and then learn and participate in a variety of sports such as: basketball, kickball, volleyball and other fitness activities.  The emphasis is on both fun and fitness with a teamwork and social skills overlay.