Age Group:
9-12 Year Olds
Class Size:
Class Size: 6:1:2
Welcome to Room 12, one of two school- age rooms serving the elder half of our school-age program, which extends to age 12. We utilize techniques of Applied Behavior Analysis (individual visual schedules, individual instruction, least to most prompting, forward and backward chaining, and task analysis) throughout our school day to assist in the acquisition and generalization of academic and social skills. In addition, we focus on building leisure, as well as daily living, skills. Other curriculum strategies such as Learning Without Tears and Touch Math, as well as music and arts and crafts, are infused to help enhance and individualize our program.
Recently in Room 12... our class stories
AHOY My Friends!!! 2.28.25
By Jacee Leight
These little artists and ocean explorers today are diving deep into a sea of creativity with our ocean themes sensory art! Just as fun as a day at the beach!
This fin-tastic artwork involves water play and fake fishies that look real! And the magic of painting through a bag. Sensory art helps by developing skills in many areas! Like… sensor processing and communication.
These future artists had such a wonderful time exploring water and paint. They created their own little oceans!
Focused Creativity with Water Painting!
2.10.25
Our school-aged students had a wonderful time exploring a mess-free way to paint—using a special water mat! With just water and brushes, they created designs that appeared like magic, then faded away to be used again.
It was amazing to see their deep focus as they experimented with shapes, patterns, and letters. This activity encouraged creativity, fine motor skills, and artistic expression—all without a single spill!
1/13/25 Out and About
When we accomplish a skill in individual sessions, we increase generalization strategies. Today, A made his way from office to office, greeting and engaging in a brief dialog with staff members. We’re so proud of him!
Healthy Food Fun: Bear Face Creations 1.10.25
On Fridays in our classroom, we have our Healthy Food Program (HFP) group. Today, our students transformed 4 basic ingredients into a creative culinary adventure. Using rice cakes as their canvas, the children “glued” banana slices as noses and eyes with a dollop of peanut butter, adding a chocolate chip for the perfect little pupil.
HFP activities like this are crucial for our students, many of whom have rigid eating habits and sensory sensitivities. These hands-on, playful experiences encourage them to explore new foods in a fun and non-threatening way. By engaging in this activity, students enjoyed a nutritious snack and also worked on fine motor skills and sensory exploration.
The bear face project is a shining example of how HFP helps our students broaden their food preferences and build positive associations with healthy eating. We’re thrilled to see their excitement and creativity flourish in such meaningful ways!
Library Time. 1.8.2025
Today we enjoyed some great moments from our Library Time with Mrs. Kathy! This is her first time back after a break since last spring, and our students are new at learning the joys of being in the library.
Kathy read us an engaging story, and also some important skills like sitting together, exploring all the wonderful books, and listening attentively to the story. Her enthusiasm and animated storytelling is fun and engaging for our kiddos.
A huge thank you to Kathy for bringing stories to us and giving us LIBRARY. These sessions are sure to become a favorite for all of us this year!
This week, our students had a blast with snow-themed activities! From crafting snowmen and snowflakes to making our own fake snow, the kids were fully engaged and learning through hands-on experiences. Making fake snow with baking soda and conditioner was especially exciting as they had to stir, touch, and explore a new texture. These activities help with sensory development and fine motor skills, all while bringing a bit of winter magic into the classroom. We’re proud of how hard our students worked and how much fun they had!
9/27/24 In Room 12, a calm moment settles over the typically busy school-age class. The kids gather together on the rug, relaxing and enjoying some quiet time before heading out for some fun on the playground. A perfect pause in their active day!
Goodbye Circle. 2.16.24
Part of the daily routine at Crossroads is Circle Time, which, depending upon the classroom, might fall in the morning, the afternoon, or both. It’s a time to come together for skills, songs, and camaraderie.
Here, at the end of the school day, Room 12 goes through their routine of the Goodbye Song, and turn-taking to have each student move his or her name from the school icon to the home one, a way to visually comprehend that everyone is now going home.
As you can see the children are happy and adept.
Individualized Work Sessions | 9.12.23
Imagine a typical morning in Room 12. The air carries a sense of purpose as students sit with educators for their individualized work sessions.
In this room, like others at Crossroads, magic happens through a method known as discrete trial instruction, a teaching strategy that has proven to be a game-changer for children, especially those who are diagnosed with autism. It’s like breaking down a complex puzzle into smaller, more manageable pieces.
The teaching team knows that, for these students, this is not just another lesson but a chance to conquer skills they’ve been working on tirelessly. Work buckets are filled with colorful, interesting materials that are created individually for each child. Powerful reinforcers are present, encouraging students to stick with the work; each child working for something different, something he or she has chosen to work for. Binders are open, and filled with meticulously detailed goals and data sheets. They are treasure troves of progress, capturing the milestones each child has achieved and those still being worked on. Every session is a symphony of patience and dedication by both students and educators alike.
But what makes this method truly remarkable is the gradual transition from one-to-one instruction to the broader world. As a student’s confidence and accuracy grow, his skill isn’t just confined to this room. It’s generalized. First, it’s a different setting – maybe the playground or a hallway. Then, it’s a new face delivering the instruction, like another staff member in the building, or even a peer, or a visitor. The skill becomes a part of the child’s daily life, seamlessly integrated into the fabric of his experiences.
In the background, the team meets regularly, analyzing data and tweaking the sets and steps to ensure that progress is tailored to the unique needs of the students. It’s a labor of love and commitment, a testament to the unwavering belief that every child can shine.
So, here in room 12, amidst colorful buckets, binders filled with dreams, and the resilience of children like these, the magic of discrete trial instruction unfolds. It’s not just about teaching skills; it’s about empowering children to conquer their world, one step at a time.
