Have you ever had a moment in teaching that has made you swell with pride? Today was that day for me. So often, kids who need special education services are thought of students who can't achieve. I can tell you that those who think that way are so wrong. Persistence, and never giving up despite setbacks are the keys to success. The key is letting kids know that you believe in them even when they don't believe in themselves. This, coupled with building a positive self-image eventually allows kids to believe in themselves. Letting kids know that setbacks are normal for everybody and talking about the setbacks while making goals for change are key to future success.
One year ago, my student who I will call: Paige, came back to our self-contained classroom in tears from a Technology 7 class because she felt that she would never understand how to measure with a ruler. Paige wanted to quit! After gentle encouragement and a new plan, Paige went back to "Tech class". Our plan included sending a teacher's aide with her to learn along side of her. This way, the aide could re-teach the skills needed in technology class over and over to Paige. Paige passed technology class but still struggled with measurement. This year, Paige began in a Technology 8 class. Again the aide was sent with her but this year, three other students from our 7th/8th self-contained classroom joined Paige. Back in my classroom we dedicated one class period during Life Skills to practicing using a ruler and tape measure for measurement. The aide was very patient with all nine students in our classroom and praised them for their great work. In all, nine out of ten of my students are taking Technology 7 or 8 this year. Paige had a new sense of confidence this year that wasn't present a year ago. It has been a pleasure watching her grow more confident.
Paige took her test on measurement yesterday all by herself. This morning, I was greeted by Paige who had a big surprise for me...a 100% on her "Ruler Identification" test! I swear my heart skipped a beat! I definitely swelled with pride as I hugged Paige and danced around the classroom! Our aide actually teared up with happiness! We hung Paige's 100% on our whiteboard all day for everyone to see! I asked Paige if I could write about her in my blog because I'm just so proud of her! She said "yes"!! So tonight, here it is!
Paige had it in herself all along to be successful, she just didn't know it yet! All kids can learn. Paige learned a valuable lesson that persistence and practice does pay off! Next time Paige faces a situation that seems insurmountable my guess is that she will face it head on and come up with a way to be successful. Paige earned more than a 100% in Technology 8 class, she also learned that she has what it takes to succeed.
Educator Links:
Common Core in Action Using Digital Storytelling Tools in the ELA Classroom.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ccia-digital-storytelling-tools-ela-monica-burns
How and Why Teachers Should Start using Twitter Right Now
http://t.co/gM4I3b1phI
21 Things Every 21st Century Teacher Should Do This Year (high-tech and low-tech)
Maslow's Needs for Students Using Technology for Learning.
http://clouducation.wordpress.com/2014/09/23/mazlows-needs-for-students-using-technology-for-learning/
Parent Links:
A Simple Way to add Activity to Your Life:The Cross Crawl: A Remarkable Movement
http://t.co/PrTjB2ndYJ
Kids Who Ignore Consequences: 10 Ways to make Them Stick
http://www.empoweringparents.com/Kids-Who-Ignore-Consequences-10-Ways-to-Make-Them-Stick.php?g
Mrs. Aubin's Book Review:
Tonights pick for my book review is: Maps by: Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski. This Atlas is like no other. First, it's huge! The book measures 15" X 11" It is 109 pages of absolute artistic beauty, featuring 52 highly illustrated maps. These maps have everything including: interesting attractions, famous people, native animals and plants and cultural interests and more! Kids love pouring over the colorful maps with so many things to look at. These maps get kids talking and asking important questions. Kids and adults learn without even realizing it! With this atlas, a picture really is worth a thousand words, so let me show you a few:
The "End of the Day Jar," is a great way to culminate the end of each school day. Everyday approximately ten minutes before the final bell my students must return to their desks, straighten their area, and then a student is called upon to "teach the class." I hang a list of students and their assigned days to be the "end of the day teacher". As the "End of the Day Teacher," the student randomly chooses a card from the End of the day Jar. The student then asks each student one at a time the question or prompt from the card pulled from the End of the Day Jar. There is no less than thirty cards in the jar. Cards may be used again and again. Examples of cards are: 1)What is one thing you learned today? 2)Tell about something you read today. and 3) Did you do something kind for someone today?.
The "End of the Day Jar" is a positive activity on so many levels. First, it gives the students a sense of completion on their school day. Secondly, it gives students a focus point to gather their thoughts, and straighten their school space to be prepared to start again in the morning. Thirdly, The "End of the Day Jar" allows students to relax for just a second forgetting that school is over before bustling out the door to go home. Simply put, it's just a nice way to end the school day. It gives each student time to reflect on their school day. The students share their answers that may all be different from each others to give each child a different perspective on the same question or prompt. Best of all, there are no wrong responses! So, everyone gets positive reinforcement. Lastly, it gives the "student of the day" a little public speaking practice in a non-threatening environment. It also gives the student his or her day in the spotlight to be momentarily the leader. I think we all like to be the leader once in a while even if it is only for a moment.
I first learned of the "End of the Day Jar" from Aimee Vanmiddlesworth on "Teachers Pay Teachers." When I learn good ideas from other teachers I like to share them. The more each of us do to help each other and collaborate the more effectively we can teach our students. I can assure you that this is a great activity that quickly becomes part of the daily routine. Best of all students love it and eagerly look forward to their day to be the end of the day teacher!
Daily Parent Link:
Family Rules Template
http://www.growingwireless.com/learn-engage/tips-for-safe-kids/family-rules-template
Daily Parent and Educator Link:
Great Apps for Children with Down's Syndrome
http://nosycrow.com/blog/the-best-apps-for-children-with-down-s-syndrome-special-needs
Daily Educator Link:
Google Chromebook in the Classroom!
http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=1443255
@GingerLewman
Daily Book Review:
Tonight's pick is Cross-Country Cat, written by: Mary Calhoun. This is an adorable story about Henry a siamese cat who is accidently left behind by his family at a ski lodge. Henry is a clever cat who talks to the animals in an attempt to get home! Though I'm personally not quite ready for snow yet, children will love this wintry tale!
When creating a plan to serve a student with an IEP (Individual Education Plan) or 504 plan,it takes a team effort. The team can be called a collaboration
team. Have you ever heard the statement that it "takes a village" to raise a child? This saying holds true for educating a child as well. The collaboration team consists of many people. It may include: the special education teacher, a general education teacher, the parents, the student, the speech-language pathologist, a physical therapist, occupational therapist, a school psychologist, a guidance counselor, the special education director, possibly the school principal, a social worker, and a parent advocate. The collaboration team consists of anyone who is involved in the education of the child. The special education teacher who is also the student's case manager is the liaison for all persons involved in the child's education. The special educator must interact with all persons on the child's collaboration team frequently to ensure that the student's program is running smoothly. The case manager must make sure that every service stated on the IEP is being delivered. If their are glitches in the students program or if the student needs changes in the delivery of programming then the case manager must contact the Director of special education to meet as a collaborative team to makes changes to the IEP, 504 plan, or delivery of instruction to ensure that the students needs are being met. The collaboration team is a valuable component of the child's education.
Educator Links:
10 APPs for Math Fluency-http://www.edutopia.org/blog/10-apps-for-math-fluency-monica-burns?
See What it is Like to be Autistic-http://mashable.com/2014/04/23/autism-simulations/#:eyJzIjoiZiIsImkiOiJfNnhnaGd6d3czdmhjb3g1ZCJ9
Parent Link:
Differences in Parenting? How Your Child may be Using it Against You
http://www.empoweringparents.com/Parenting-Differences-How-Your-Child-May-Be-Using-it-Against-You.php?gui=5775
Book Review:
The Happy Hedgehog written by Marcus Pfister. It is a beautiful story about a grandfather hedgehog and his grandson, Mikko. Mikko learns through his travels that there is no place like home and the grandfather learns that Mikko is a wise grandson.
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