Paraeducators
Posted on April 22, 2008
The reading about paraeducators was so thought provoking. It is nice to have "experts" write about stuff I believe and thought. Why do our peers believe stuff if someone else (who has to live at least 50 miles away and charge at least 100 dollars an hour to be respectable) says it and not us? A good para is a great assest to the student and school, and not so great one is another student on my caseload. I will definately change my para training and approach next year, although I don't feel quite so quilty about what I have (and haven't) done after having time to mull over the reading (and finishing most of this years para eval forms). Sara
Technology
Posted on March 31, 2008
I am thankful for high technology-furnaces that go on with a push of a button, answering machines, cell phones, microwaves (one of my favorites), email, running water, but I am also quite intimidated by it. It just goes with the territory of being older. Change is hard for some of us. I am very glad that my children and students are not intimidated or fearful that something might break. I have learned the first rule of repair-CHECK THE PLUG.
Technology is great for my students-we use "talkers', walkers, motorized wheelchairs, spellers, special software, touch screens on the computers, universal reader, etc. I wish I were more in the forefront for pushing the parent or district to get technology going for some of my students. The process scares me-who pays for it, who pays for the warrenties or updates, what if the district says no and the parents say yes, who pays for the training for staff after the paid day?. The textbook and video clips encouraged me to go full steam ahead in getting what my kids need. I really need to work with the websites more. I wish the text had checklists and was annoitated. Extra Credit anyone?:) SARA
Week Eight
Posted on March 19, 2008
Peer Relationships, what an important topic. As I think of my friendship journey from childhood to middle aged adult I am struck by the fluidity of those friends. A very few have lasted since my college years, some I hear from once a week, some once a decade (yes many decades have passed).The skills I need are the same (caring, sharing, empathy, communication, eye contact, shared experiences).The friends change and the time allowed for friendships change (it only seems to decrease)but the skills and desire do not.This is probably the most important thing we can give our children (both birth and classroom kids). We all need and want friends. I really enjoyed the reading on this topic. How to make time and occasions is the hard part. Inclusion does help as does after school activities(where did they go?) Another challange for me to try to institute in my classroom. SARA
Friendship Reflection
Posted on March 19, 2008
Developing the understanding and skills of being a friend is such a challange for my students. Our school offers a lot of instruction in positive relationship building. We have the Second Step program going in every classroom done by the teacher. We have class council in every classroom. The guidance staff instruct the students in six week units on topics such as friendship, bullying,safety,we have opportunies given by the PTA etc.Our stduents do "participate" in all of these activities. But, even with all this my students do need special instruction in these areas. They are developmentally behind in all areas including friendship building. I do work on the IEP goals pertaining to socialization and communication issues but without peers included it isn't as effective as I'd like it to be. Sara
Next Reflection:
Posted on March 12, 2008
In preparing for my paper,I took the time to reflect, self evaluate and set my own goals. 80% of the time I will be a collaborative teacher who will... I just don't know how to get around the other 20% of the time when I don't feel at the top of my game. That difficult meeting..sick students...my own illness...district sped politics...in school politics...slow computers...multitasking all the time.. i am not always at 100%. Sara
Reflection 3
Posted on February 18, 2008
I am enjoying the Collaborative Consultation in Schools Text. This is making me take time to reflect on my practices. Hopefully that reflection leads to change. I can only change myself, I can change no one else, but I can help many. I really do feel that my job here is a calling. It is part Art and part Science. The art is the practice of good science. I feel that I have had a lot of instruction in the science of teaching. Is finding the Art in the practice?
Reflection 2
Posted on February 15, 2008
I hope this gets me to Reflection 2. It looks a little different. The consultation book is excellant. Nothing actually new to me but so well put. It is really nice to have well put words to our actions.It has taken me a long time to develop those attitudes and skills. I am becomming a blogger. I really enjoy searching and am collecting quite a binder of resources.
My First Reflection
Posted on February 4, 2008
Wow. I did it. I followed the directions and got here. Of course I had print out the directions and have personal coach (thank you Cortney) encourage me through. I am very proud of myself for overcoming my technophobia and trying this course. I have never even forwarded email successfully on my own, so do attempt to do this really makes me proud of myself. I feel like i am walking in my students shoes for a mile.
I am really enjoying the content of this course. I have been teaming for some time. It is nice to see it spelled out so succently. I also relaly like the student plans in the Supportive Classroom and I will be intergrating that material in my Language Arts group every morning from 8:30-9:30. I really do reflect on the stuff I have read. I have taken many graduate courses and I will really use and improve on my use of collaborative teaming and The Supportive Classroom.