Creating a "Common Voice" So All Have a "Choice"
The students at Northview span the entire special education continuum. As a direct result they require significant modifications and adaptations to access the curriculum. It is this diversity in learning styles and ability levels that prompted us to recognize a need for a universal or common language system. A Universal Language Committee was established with the sole purpose of developing a set of picture icons/symbols that when matched with words would become the basis for all communication within our building. It would provide a "common voice", a thread that would tie us all together. A major focus of this process is our character education initiative. Over time, our CE curriculum has become a multifaceted program that imbeds the character traits into a program that can be accessed by students using switch interfaces, touchscreens and smartboards. Northview provides an education that immerses the students in an environment that teaches them the character skills they need to develop strong relationships with their school, family and community. Through interactive exploration our students are able to apply what they have learned to a variety of everyday situations.