At Immaculate Heart of Mary School, we utilize a program called LAB (Learning Advancement Block) as a vital academic support for our students .  Our LAB program is provided for grades K-6 three days per week.  LAB is data driven instruction based on MAP testing data, benchmark assessments, and screeners of essential skills.  The data is then used to identify gaps in each student’s learning.  Students are then placed into groups based on assessment data.  During our LAB blocks, the students receive additional instruction on essential skills in smaller groups with no disruption to regular daily curriculum. Each of these groups have targeted learning goals and teachers differentiate instruction to support each student’s needs. The work the students complete during LAB is at varying levels, which means extra academic support for those who need it, as well as opportunities for enrichment for other students. Our LAB program is effective because it continuously monitors the progress of all students and helps the teachers stay informed on student gaps and gains so they can improve classroom instruction. In addition, it addresses the needs of ALL students and builds student confidence because it meets each student where they are and is aligned to specific essential skill goals so they can show growth.

Our Intervention (LAB) teachers (Mrs. Rachel Hillenbrand and Mrs. Kim Hillenbrand) have been trained in and utilize the Orton-Gillingham approach with reading instruction.   Orton-Gillingham is a structured multi-sensory literacy program designed to teach reading, spelling, and writing, and has been found to be especially effective in teaching struggling readers or students with dyslexia.  Our Intervention team uses the Orton-Gillingham approach both in LAB sessions and in small group pull-out sessions when appropriate.  In addition, Mrs. Kim Hillenbrand is a pediatric Occupational Therapist and provides an intervention group for our Kindergarten students that have difficulties with fine and visual motor skills called Pencil Pals.  This is a small group that focuses on improving foundational fine and visual motor skills and provides specialized handwriting instruction.