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

Digital Video Day

Today in class we made up a piece of each story on the smart boards. There were five stories that we could add too. We also started our movie. Planning out the plot, where we were going to shoot it, and what materials we needed.



I wondered what this activity was going tobe used for and who was going to see it. I found out that we were making them for high school students who were going to see the play soon. Our purpose was to make a movie, or clip that would try to capture there attention and help them enjoy it.



I noticed that it was fun and interesting and also helped me to understand and like the play even better when we put in our own imagination and ideas to make it funny.



Next class I am looking forward to another fun and engaging activity. Something that will broaden my technology skills which I would be able to use in the near future in my classroom activities and lessons.

This lesson today was an example of differentiated instruction because it can allow someone who cannot read that well, cannot hear but can see and be able to put together the story in their head while watching the video.

CAST: Universal Design for Learning
Opportunities Unlimited:
IRIS Modules



I have not talked to an adult and learned from an adult with a disorder. I am interested in what i am going to learn about next week.

Week #3 Learn and Serve 10/20

2 Hours
Today was an extremely rewarding day in my learn and serve.I arrived at the school, not really wanting to be there since it was so early, and i had gone to bed late the night before. The kids were so excited to see me and I was greeted in a friendly way by the secretary the kids and the teacher. I noticed on the wall a new project the kids were working on. They are currenty learning about the 50 states. Each student was able to pick a state and fill out a worksheet about it. They then displayed it in the classroom when everyone was finished. When I arrived I was asked to help one of the students with a learning disability on her math worksheet which she was having trouble with. She was extremely frustrated because she didn't know how to do it, and was refusing my help. The students counselor came in to talk to her for a while in order to convince her i was only trying to help her understand the work. She finally agreed to meet with me. I helped her through the worksheet. When she was done she was so excited, she gave me a hug and thanked me. At that moment I realized why i was studying to become a teacher. You don't realize how much you really mean to a child until something as simple as a hug gets to you. I enjoyed the rest of the day. Following the students to gym, and playing basketball with them. I cant wait to go next week. I am so happy with my decision of becoming a teacher, it warms my heart when i get the chance to make the slightest difference in a child's life.

After I experienced this I realized how far society has come in respecting students with special needs. According to chapter 2 in the text, the new idea of education every child to his or her greatest potential is becoming rather popular and apparent in the everyday lives of the education system.

Kirk S. , Gallagher J.J. , Coleman M.R. , & Anastasiow N. (2009). Educating Exceptional Children (12th ed. , p.37 ). Boston, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company

Quiz Week 7- She Stoops to Conquer

Act 1:

Follies p 1 line 11

Discretion p 2 line 30

Pewter Platter p 3 line 74

Superfluous p 4 line 91

Squire pg 9 line 6

Act 2:

Militia p15 line 20

Attentive p 16 line 39

Quarrelling p16 line 52

Extravagant p 17 line 74

Impudent p 18 line 94

Act3:

Modest p 37 line 18

Swaggering p 38 line 40

Presuming p 39 line 63

Contradictions p 39 line 77

Plundered p 43 line 176

Act 4:

Embroidery pg 52 line 46

Precaution p 53 line 72

Meditations p53 line 76

Bellows p 55 p 125

Exchanging p 59 line 228

Act 5:

Peremptory p66 line 15

Thereabouts p 67 line 44

Rumpled p 68 line 55

Parson p 68 line 66

Veracity p 69 line 88

Music:

Mrs. Hardcastle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lotkzHsIuoA

Hardcastle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzldLJcorbo

Marlow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJpyG3PXoKw

Constance Neville http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHMpaZ90ptQ

Hastings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIF1cLOCm7k

Tony Lumpkin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0H4Vr6Czwo

Kate Hardcastle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMlcZDorjuE

What kind of activity is this?

This type of activity is differenciated education. It allowed the people in the group to contriubte in the way that they are able to. Some are good at technology and some are good with reading and writing and knowing vocabulary. It allowed each member to contribute in some way or another.

How does it challenge you?

This challenges me because it makes you think outside of the box and using different type of technologies in order to help your students grasp the idea of the play.

Who is your audience?

The type of audience would be students who learn successfully using audio and visual stimulation in order to understand the characters, setting and overall plot of the play.

Week 8 Post

I think the top three things that are important when working with parents are knowing their background which includes family life, culture and lifestyle. Providing examples of kids work, and being able to show the students progress throughout the year. Making sure that the parents know about the child's progress also in a social situation etc.

After watching the video (Home School Communication: The Parent Teacher Conference) I realized their is more to a parent teacher conference. One of the main ideas presented in the video was being able to gather information on how the student acts at home, and how they parent perceives them and thinks they are doing in class. Another main point was to inform the parent of the problems the child may be facing either on an educational level or on a social level. Being on the same level and understanding is important in any teacher/parent relationship and for the future and well being of the student.

As stated in chapter 7, it states that working with parents supports communication. When dealing with students who suffer from communication, language and speech disorders it is important that parents are fully involved at school and especially at home. Parents can learn strategies and ways of support they can give.

I think the most challenging aspect of communicating with parents about their students is giving the honest truth. Sometimes parents think their child is perfect and don't like to hear things that need to be improved. It may also be difficult to get your point across with parents who don't play an active role in the child's life.

Students with communication and speech disorders experience difficulties with language and speech which can affect friendships, success in school and self esteem. Communication disorders disrupt the individuals ability to send, receive, and process information.(p 229) Each element of language, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics is a potential source of language disorders.(p 229) Speech dis orders include problems with articulation and phonological processing, fluency and voice. (p 231)

Video:
Kirk, S., Gallagher, J, Coleman, M., & Anastasiow, N. (2009). Educating Exceptional Children (12th ed.). Kentucky: Cengage Learning. Retrieved October 22, 2009, from http://college.cengage.com/education/kirk/educating/12e/resources/video_cases.html

Quiz Week 7: pod cast and blackboard

Podcast:

What kind of activity is this?
This kind of activity is extremely challenging, but allows students to be creative in their own way and give them their own voice.

How does it challenge you?
This activity challenged me because i was extremely uncomfortable recording my own voice and having to make up a story. It seemed silly to me, but in the end I was relived it was over. It allowed me to take a step out of my comfortable box and take a chance.

What background knowledge are you using to complete this activity?
The background knowledge that children are more likely to do this type of activity. They have crazy imaginations, and would be able to create an inventive story from five pictures.

Metaphor Madness:

What kind of activity is this?

This activity forced the teacher to give examples to the kids and have them shadow it. It was an activity that allowed for demonstration.

How does it challenge you?

This challenges you because it forces you to chose the top five things that you think are important to the topic.

What background knowledge are you using to complete this activity?

The background knowledge of reading the text prior to class and the activity allowed me to complete this activity.
How much do you love this Blackboard compared to the other Blackboard? I love this blackboard its so much less complicated and easy to understand.