Service- Learning

Today in class we got to interact with adults with disabilities who work at Opportunities Unlimited. We took pictures and gathered them into a movie. We played with play do and got to know our new friends. We also built a fort, and created a story with the help of them.

While taking the pictures it was a little difficult at first to explain the directions and the point of our video with JJ. After a little bit of demonstration he caught on and we took some good photos. I think i really understood what we were trying to get across, the correct behaviors when working in a professional environment.

The playdo was easy for JJ, he designed a hockey stick because he enjoys that sport. We got to know him alot better at this station. Asking about his girlfriend and what he likes to do in his free time, also how he enjoys his time spent at opportunities unlimited.

I really enjoyed this new experience. It opened my eyes to a new world of learning and getting to know people who are different then me and my classmates. At first I was a little nervous about working with them, not knowing how I would be able to relate to them. I believe my learn and serve now has helped me in working together with people with disabilities, since i am in a special education classroom. It was interesting how easy it came to me in working with them. I enjoyed myself and had fun today.

As mentioned in Chapter 4: Children with Learning Disabilities it talks about the transition from adolescence into young adulthood. The normal struggles an adolescent goes through are much more difficult when dealing with a disability. Most likely the adults we were working with today must have had some sort of transition period between going to school, and starting to work and be a little more independent. It says that the number of people with learning disabilities who go to college are increasing. I think it must be difficult for some adults with disabilities to enter a new life, yet with anyone, with the right group of people and support system then can be successful.

Learn and Serve #5 10/30

2 Hours

Todays learn and serve was very short. I went in on friday the 30th., the day before Halloween. The class was supposed to have a halloween party and be able to dress up in costume. When I arrived, all the faculty was dressed up handing out candy. I walked into my classroom, and was suprised when the teacher informed me that only one student was there. The teacher was a bit bummed because she had made little candy bags for everyone, and had planned to make cupcakes. She also brought doughnuts and cider for everyone, but noone was there. Since only one student was present for the day I was able to learn a little bit more about her life. She told me all about her past halloweens, and her family traditions.

I wonder if the other kids have the same family life or not. I know a few live with thier grandma and one or two of thier siblings. It seems that family life for these students are not stable and/or they dont have that one person they can always count on. It seems to me that school here is the only thing they have that is constant and it is obvious to me that they usually get the attention they need, whether it just be a conversation about thier lifes, future plans, or just about thier day.

According to the text in Chapter 4, it explains that the family plays an important role in that of a student with a learningn disability. From my observations from my learn and serve and talking with some of the students i have noticed that thier parents arnt always available to them and or siblings etc. I feel as though they live in an unstable enviornment, which can be sometimes harmful to them succedingg especially if they have special needs.

Kirk S. , Gallagher J.J. , Coleman M.R. , & Anastasiow N. (2009). Educating Exceptional Children (12th ed. , p.138 ). Boston, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company