Amazing & Summer

Here I am . . . sitting in my hotel room in Washington, D.C. overlooking the Potamac river with the Washington Monument off in the distance. The lights last night were beautiful, the sunrise that awakened me even moreso. I am a blessed lady!!

Today Sekoe will move out of the dorm and put all that stuff in the van. . . sound familiar? We'll make the 8.5 hour trip back to Kentucky . . . and then for us . . .

SUMMER BEGINS!

Lots of the schedule for all of us but it will be SUMMER! I work through the summer with July being my busiest month at KDE. But, it is a wonderful time. I wish you a wonderful, relaxing time filled with family, summer picnics, friends, lots of laughter and time to rest your brain :)!!

Thanks for making this blog such an informative, entertaining at times and beneficial sight for your peers, yourself and me.

Be Blessed!

Feel relieved...

I feel so much better that I completed my final. I think it was easier than I thought it would be. I just did a few questions at a time, I guess I wanted to take my time. I feel so much better that it is completed. It feels so crazy that this semester is coming to an end. Seems like yesterday we were just enrolling in your class. I truly have enjoyed your class, you have made it a different learning experience and I highly enjoyed it. Thank you.

Your Personality - Just for Fun

Need a quick break? Want to take your mind off Finals and studying for a few minutes? Do this for fun - very interesting! http://memoriter.net/flash/test.html

Thank You!

I just wanted to say that this class has been wonderful! I really learned a lot, and I also think it has helped me make a concrete decision on my major!! Thanks for everything Mrs. White!!

YOUR SED260 FINAL EXAM

• The final exam will be available to be taken from Wednesday, April 30th until Wednesday, May 7th. It MUST be completed by midnight on the 7th.
  
• The final exam will be open book, open note. I encourage you to ORGANIZE your notes and materials prior to the exam.
  
• The final exam will not be timed. It can be accessed multiple times.
  
• The final exam will consist of essay questions with 3 multiple choice questions for extra credit.
  
• The final exam will provide you the option of skipping two questions.
  
• The final exam will be comprehensive.

Final!

For all the classes that I have this clall and another may be conprehensive. And I am totally freacking out, I cant put into words just how much I hate them. With my other class my teacher believes that all of the work that we have done just keeps on building. Well, thay maybe true but when it comes to comprehensive I really want to drop out of school.
Sorry, just had to let that out!

Final

I just wanted to say this about the final, I think the final would be fine either way comprehensive or just over the last couple of chapters we have covered! I did like how test 3 was set up, with maybe an extra two questions so we can pick which one to answer if we are unsure about a question!

Content

I appreciate the responses relative to the Final. Keep posting. I'm sure everyone has some ideas that could be helpful on how you can demonstrate your knowledge!! You're basically designing your own final - what a novel thought for future educators!

This brings me to this question...what do you feel like are the most important concepts that we have learned this semester? What ideas, strategies or thoughts do you think you'll actually USE in the future?

Another way to look at it . . . or another question to answer (you can pick one of these or all) is what do you feel like one should have learned from having taken SED260?

Final

I just wanted to let you know that the final exam would be fine as a comprehensive test or just over the remainder of the material we covered. I do think an adequate test could be made from the remainder of the material with a couple of questions from previous material though.

Thanks
Jessica Cobb

Will someone let me know details on the final exam.

Hi Guys, I see the final exam was discussed tonight. Will someone please fill me in on that? I had to miss class because I was at the Dr. all day with my little one. She has once again developed pneumonia. I am so glad this semester is almost over. I can almost let out a big sigh of relief because I have almost made it. I knew it was going to be tough adding one more thing on my schedule. Taking care of Molly is a full time 24/7 job. In our small town we have no decent nursing care programs, only hospice who are use to taking care of older people. I think with a terminal child the attitude should be entirly different, but it's not we tried them already and it was to doom and gloom for me. So anyway My husband and I (mostly me, he works 2 jobs) take care of all Molly's needs and everything else in the house. It is amazing how God gives us strength to do things that seem impossible, like functioning normally on 2 hours of sleep. I hardly ever get to leave the house, so in a way I have enjoyed coming to class because it is usually a time that I can get my mind off of everything else. I have enjoyed getting to know all of you and Mrs. White you have been great. Sorry I am rambling, I have had a terrible day. I need to go to bed because I will be up at 2:00 a.m. for breathing treatments and meds.

Thank You!!

Mrs. White,
I would like to take the time before the stress of finals, to express my appreciation for all the help and consideration that you have given us this semester. You have compassion for what you teach that sets you apart from others. Thank you for the sermons and the learning opportunity, I have truly benefited from this course.

Final Exam

So I guess Ill be the first to post something about the final exam. I noticed today in class how everyone was not happy with the final be comprehensive and I agree, my recommendations would be that the exam be over the last chapters we have covered. I would also prefer the exam to still be open to multiple tries, but that is jut my opinion. I am not a fan of comprehensive test because many times it is complicated to collect all the information into one test. This is just my recommendations and hope others request as well.

Technology Center

I just wanted to say I really enjoyed the technology center last week. I think it's amazing what the organization can do to assist individuals and their needs. I know now where I can donate some of my son's toys to and also where I can direct stroke patients and their family for assistive devices-because I truly don't think staff on the stroke unit know about the center and it is truly a wonderful place for those who need assistive devices.

Just a quick question...

In doing an analysis of Pragmatics, are we supposed to count the TURNS and the Utterances?

I did both, but after I looked back at instructions for the analysis I wasn't sure if I should have completed both.

Also, when sectioning off TURNS should we do something deliberate showing that there was a turn in the conversation or does the narraration simply show that there was a TURN? I was confused by this.

Question about turning in the project

Are we turning it in on Blackboard or turning it in class? I was just wondering because I printed out a copy of my sample and wrote the page numbers and numbered off the turns to make it easier for me to read. I did not do these things on the sample on my computer and was just wondering if I could hand turn it in since I already done it to the copy that was printed off.

help?

When doing the summary of the pragmatic check list do we address each skill or do we pick a few and talk about them?

Also, If we don't use the tough for the language function summary what do we use?

And I we don't see narrative form is it necessary that we put in the paper that we don't see it ?


Thank you
Elizabeth

Pragmatics Checklist

When using the pragmatics checklist how do you want us to indicate when the child preforms the action?

Also, Thank you for all your help

Elizabeth

Language Analysis Project

I am doing Pragmatics for my project. When it says section off all TURNS, does that mean clauses?
Thanks.

Daily Dozen

As the semester is winding down and you tend to become overwhelemed I encourage you to consider these dozen tips for each day...

• Take one day at a time.
• Pray
• Eat right.
• Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
• Talk less; listen more.
• Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
• Find time to be alone, jot down thoughts and inspirations.
• Spend time with someone you love
• Laugh, find at least a few minutes to relax and have fun.
• Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
• Go to bed on time and get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
• Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

Tech. Center

I just wanted to comment on how much I enjoyed class Monday. It was a nice change to hold class somewhere other than the classroom, and I also learned a lot. I had no idea the place even existed and how much what they do helps people. The things they use are so interesting and objects I could make for students in my own class; for example the piece of foam to help hold a pencil. Thanks for introducing me to the center Mrs. White!!!!

Tomorrow!

I'm not sure if I will be able to make it tomorrow night.
:[
If I can't, can anyone fill me in on how awesome I am sure it will be?
Thanks and hope everyone had a fantastic weekend.
:]

question

I got the directions for where we are supposed to go next Monday, but what exit do I get off at? 104 or 108?

Bluegrass Technology Center Class

We WILL be meeting at the Bluegrass Technology Center on April 14th for class. If you wish to carpool feel free to leave a comment here so that students can plan to ride together.

Class will start PROMPTLY at 6:30 at the center which is located 961 Beasley Street Suite in Lexington. I have GOOGLED a map for you at http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=961+Beasley+Street+Suite,+Lexington,+KY&sll=44.527843,-95.712891&sspn=28.225224,59.414063&ie=UTF8&ll=38.041839,-84.440145&spn=0.030486,0.058022&z=14 . Class will end at approximately 8:00.

If anyone is interested in going out to eat after class for a question/answer session on your project we will head to a restaurant in Hamburg. Feel free to bring your transcribed language project and have the group help you with any questions.

Basically you will take 75 North and get off at the Winchester, US 60 exit. Turn left towards Lexington. Go approximately 2 miles. Turn LEFT at the LIGHT onto FORTUNE Drive. Immediately turn RIGHT onto Beasley.

The center is a not for profit organization and accepts donations in order to continue their work. If any of you have and CAN bring any of the following items it will be very much appreciated. If you can not that is ok.

1. External mouse for computers you no longer are using
2. EMPTY printer cartridges - all types
3. NEW AA or C size batteries (one pack per person would be great - again do not feel as if you MUST do this)

Comment here with any questions or concerns.

Please...

Will someone let me know what I missed in tonight's class? My great grandmother has passed away, and I came back home to be with my family. Everyone, especially my grandmother, is taking it very hard because this is the 3rd death in our family in the past 6 months.

Question....

Are we to include the name of the school, students, teacher ect in our observation report? I was "iffy" about this because of the whole privacy thing and didn't know if I should or not?

Beautiful

Observational Reports

I saw that they are due Monday. Do we need to bring a copy to class or just attach it and summit to Blackboard?

Class Monday

I feel like class Monday really opened my eyes to autistic children and today I felt like I was seeing it everywhere...which started a discussion with my older sister and I about whether there was more autistic children or more diagnosed children in schools now then when we were there...because she teaches special ed. now at a elementary school.

I also saw a great lifetime movie today about a single mother who was raising twin autistic boys...it was just really really good...

AND then on my blackberry's mini feed the main news story was about a chinese I think? lady who discovered her son was autistic and the only advice they gave her was that now she would be able to break the "only 1 child law" and have another. Not discouraged she researched and researched and discovered her son could learn and have a better life. Thus she started a school for her son and 10 other autistic children...

I just thought I would share!

CNN Specials on Autism

This week CNN will be running specials on Autism in light of Wednesday be
National Autism Awareness Day. Check out the EXTREMELY interesting links on CNN's website. Let me know what you think of the Naughty Auties virtual reality space!

CNN Specials on Autism

Observation Question

Do we have a form or something that we need the teacher we observe to sign? Or does the report on our observation count as our documentation? Thanks!

Extra Credit Feedback - From Both Classes

Impressed. I am impressed by your candor and excellent suggestions. Here are a few I will be implementing:

1. Offer you one MORE question than you HAVE TO answer. This gives you an option in case there is one question that you really do NOT know or feel less confident in answering.

2. Be more intentional about stating the instructional objectives of each class and ensuring by the end of class we have met them. If students still have questions that there is an avenue to have those questions addressed.

3. Balance direct instruction and student activities to accomplish the instructional objectives.

4. Ensure that the questions on the test are worded clearly. (Remember ANY time a student is UNCLEAR about a test question you can call and get an explanation of what the question means) However, I will do a better job of writing specific questions.

5. Balance the points between all questions, not making any ONE question be worth such a large percentage of the overall score.

6. Continue with an open book, open note and untimed test.

7. Continue having it be the synthesis, evaluation and application of material as a professional teacher would apply information in a real world setting - not the regurgitation of information from the text and notes. You want college classes that actually are what you can USE in the real world.

8. The questions can demonstrate your own "opinion" or style but MUST reflect best practice or what the book and resources have demonstrated are effective and maximize student learning. Just because a question asks what YOU would do doesn't mean the answer is CORRECT if it does not include what brings about the greatest good or is the most appropriate measure in that given situation. Jena's teacher was 100% wrong in her opinion that Jena HAD TO TAKE NOTES because ALL kids take notes in that class. Not every practice is appropriate.

A few of the things it appears some or all of YOU will be doing...

1. Prepare more effectively - for tests.

2. Read the questions carefully to determine WHAT they are asking you to demonstrate you know.

3. Answer specifically the question that was ASKED not provide general information about that topic.

4. Put forth a bit more effort than you have been

Hmmmmm - who has a longer list!

Question please

Okay...my question is how many observations do we have in this class? I think we only have to do one....im not 100% sure on that though, so if someone could please answer this for me that would be so helpful~! I know I should know how many observations I have due in this class, but I have 2 other SED classes and another class that I have observations in.

Circle Time!

I really enjoyed our discussion about ways to "spice up your circle time." I worked at a daycare last summer, and we had circle time activities. I hope to work there this summer, too. Discussing some ideas for circle time really got me brainstorming and excited to be back at the daycare, having cirlce time with the kids!

So excited!

I did some of my observation hours today in a first grade classroom where the special education students were in the regular ed classes with what they call their "special helper." I got to jump in today and help some of those students read books and take AR tests and I found myself using words like "phoneme." :-) What we have learned in this class really helped me in helping them!! Also, I was so amazed at how kids at that age LOVE adult approval! One little girl, everytime she sounded a word out on her own, and I smiled at her, she just gave me this look like it made her day!! It seriously melted my heart, and I'm so ready to graduate and start teaching! Just figured I'd share some of those thoughts!

Educational Placements

1. How do you handle a parent that was making a decision for the child in which the child clearly didn't agree?
2. Would not the student be the main person in planning his or her educational strategies?

Acoustics

How could the acoustics in a classroom impact a deaf student? (What do we know about deafness and the types or degress of hearing loss) Check out these websites. http://www.cdc.gov/Niosh/mining/topics/hearingloss/hlsoundslike.htm

http://www.utdallas.edu/~thib/rehabinfo/tohl.htm

ASL vs. Signed English

What's the difference between these two types of sign languages? If a student were attending an all deaf school or college would they be more likely to use ASL or Signed English? What does it mean if someone says they use Pidgin?

Jena - Will You Answer This One for Us???

A student asked a great question on their "One more question I still have is..."

How do you incorporate a deaf child in a mainstream class and make them feel equal to that of other hearing children in the classroom?

Once Jena answers, feel free to respond to her!

Your Questions on Deafness

You submitted several very good questions that are often asked by people who are not familiar with working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing. I want to post some of them here on the blog and give the class a chance to answer them. Once you have discussed these I will also chime in. A few of these may then lead to questions on the test.

The first question I want to share is: Do you separate the deaf child from the regular hearing students? Because if you have a deaf child in a regular education class and the deaf child has an interpreter then how do you keep the attention and order in the class if the regular education or hearing students want to watch the interpreter?

Drive

I just wanted to let the class and Ms. White know that I appreciated your "sermon" last night about becoming a "true" teacher. Although, I was sitting there like a littled "WHOAED" I completely agree with each word you said. I may not be an education major but the students in the classroom are my son's future teachers and I don't want to dare think that my son's teahcers are burnout and sorry. I appreciate your passion and drive for such a crucial part of all of our lives....because teachers are the people who educate some of the most prestigious careers in the world!

Monday night's class

I think that class helped tonight too. I was personally surprised with how much my test scores dropped from the first one to the second. I think tonight helped me pinpoint my exact issues that I could address that would help me. Also, I was relieved to be given the opportunity to respond about the test and receive credit. That rasied my grade an entire letter grade so I appreciate that opportunity.

Monday Night's Class

I personally want to say that I needed tonight's classroom talk. I have been extremely discouraged with how my semester has been going. Usually at this point in the term, I have a great standing in all my courses - however it has been a different story this semester. I definitely needed the pep talk we had. I'm doing well in this class, but in my others I have let myself think that average is okay. With all the demands and things due, I have hardly any time to breathe. And just getting things done is my main goal. But you have given me the kick I needed Mrs. White to get back to the level I was at last semester. My expectations have went from the highest to about mid-level. And that is not me. It never has been.

Thanks for caring Mrs. White.

-Danielle

Freaking out!!!

I cant handle anything that has to do with school right now, it is nearing the end and all I keep thinking about it how bad I am doing in every class. Usually my mid term grades are good but this time around it was far less than that. Seeing my grade in this class makes me realize that I am not doing something right and I am not sure what it is. I don't know but what I do know is that I am so over school right now it is not even funny.

Test Taking Skills - YOUR Answers to Test 2

I have taken sample answers from various student papers that received 4/4 or 6/6 etc. on each question and put together this sheet which we will use to address Test Taking Skills as well as other skills listed on page 312. http://www.brandtnetwork.com/TestTakingSkills.htm

Just saw my test

Wow I just saw my test grade, and im very glad that you are letting us answer your questions and get some extra points....Thank you very much!!

Monday nights class

I really enjoyed last monday nights class, I think our guest speaker was really inspiring because I am one of your students who is going into deaf and hard of hearing along with elementary education. So I really enjoyed watching her and learning her answers to all the questions!!

Wednesday Night Agenda Change

Agenda for Wednesday Night class has changed.

I welcome/encourage blogging on any of these ideas to help prepare us for class:

1. Deafness - specifically:

• how the degree of hearing loss impacts language development.
• factors which impact speech and language development
• factors to consider for appropriate educational placement
• instructional strategies

2. Chapter 14 - Enhancing Language and Communication - we will begin with the list on page 312 and apply it to our own classroom and recent test taking experience

Classmates

Good evening! One of the most encouraging parts about teaching both of my classes is the warmth, encouragement and support you demonstrate for one another. There are several among you who are experience health issues, health issues of close family members, deaths in the family and SCHOOL WORK on top of all of that. I would ask that for those who are prayin' folk say a prayer for one another during this weekend when we celebrate. For others who choose to encourage and support peers in other ways I'd ask that you remember your classmates during these closing weeks of the semester. Offer extra smiles, encouraging words and help as you can.

I am appreciative of being a part of such a great group of students. We WILL complete this course SUCCESSFULLY - TOGETHER!

I don't get it.

I study, I frickin read the stupid book, and read the weekly resources. And I still to bad. I just don't get it.

Is it just me?

Is anyone else having problems posting? When I post it is kicking me out!

FINISHED!

I just finished the test ( because I was a slacker over spring break, AND a procrastinator) and I feel really good about it!! I think after seeing the results of the first test that it was easier to figure out exactly the kind of answers Mrs White wants. I think I did well! I hope everyone else did too!! I'm off to do some homework while I'm still on a "roll" haha! Hope everyone is staying dry on this rainy day!!

Article

While I was reading this article I noticed that it seem a little to familiar to me like finding the definition for language or even classroom layout. Although to you it maybe easy to recognize why this may see familiar but truly it not because of Mrs. White at all. I got to thinking and well, it because I had a experience with my 5Th grade class much like everything that they where explaining, groups and classroom layout, and all that good stuff but really am I crazy or is this article not pioneering?
Elizabeth

Class Monday

I missed class last nite, what time is Wednesdays class, and would that be a good time to catch up?