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?

Jenna

I am really glad we had a guest speaker tonight. It helped me to better understand what it is like to be deaf-which of course I know I will never completely understand. But, nevertheless, Jenna being in our classroom tonight truly made deaf individuals communication and language more clear to me.

I am familiar with ASL and Cochlear implants but I have only been exposed to them (including people who are deaf) very rarely in my life. When I was in elementary and highschool I didn't have any classmates that were deaf. When I came to EKU, it was the first time I had really been around it at all. It was very beneficial to me.

So- Jenna, if you read this, thank you for coming!

The Language Rich Article

I just finished typing out my article review, and I thought the article was a cool one to read. I had never thought about using a collaborative process like that in a classroom to enhance language aquisition. The article had some great ideas that I think would be a very effective and fun way for students to aquire different aspects of language. It's always great to broaden the horizon when it comes to education.

Article!

I'm really glad someone pointed out that the article had missing pages. I skimmed through it the other day and realized some things didn't quite make sense, but I figured it was because I didn't fully read it. So thanks to whoever figured out the whole page thing and I'm off to work on it now! :]
See everyone monday!

Spring Break!

I cant believe our spring break is almost over :( I have done some home work, but I feel like I havent done anything....which is good :) I havent done the test or article yet...but there both not due until the 19th, so I will do them this weekend!! I look forward to class on Monday, but I really wish this spring break wouldnt end!!

Seven Weeks

I hope everyone is enjoying their break! :)

I didn't get to vacation this spring break, but I am enjoying the time off-nevertheless! I just looked at my calendar for the rest of the semester and there will be only SEVEN WEEKS of this semester left (not including finals) after we come back from SB~ Yay!

Also, thank you very much Mrs. White for allowing the extension on our exam and article summary/critique. You are one of the most caring professors I've had throughout my college career! I love that I'm able to finish my exam on my own time... instead of while I was bombarded with a million other things to do during midterm week.

Thanks again- I hope everyone is getting plenty of R&R!

Question about observational report

I forgot to ask this. So we can go into a regular education room or does it need to special education room? I just wanted to clarify this. Thanks

Article - Reading Response

If you were NOT in class on Monday, your article - reading response IS STILL DUE in two weeks, March 19th. I would suggest you contact a classmate and make a copy of the article. It does not scan well in order for me to transmit it (email) electronically.

The Test

Mrs. White, I just wanted to thank you again for extending the date on our test and article!!! Im one of those people who does not deal with pressure well, and the fact that we can open our test up more than once and have after Spring break to finish is GREAT! However, I also love getting things finished so Im trying to get everything resolved before I leave Friday. ANYWAY thanks soo soo much..it helps my anxiety tons!

Family Emergency

I have not quit the Monday night class, last week I attended the Wed. class. My mother went for what was supposed to be a small routine surgery last Friday evening for a bowel obstruction, but it turned out to be much more than that. I was scheduled for military training and was already at the training site taht night, when my sister called to tell me I had to get to Somerset as fast as possible because the nurses had came out to tell them my mother was not going to live through the surgery. She did pull through, but she is in intensive care at Somerset Hospitle. There is no certainty that is going to make it just yet, but things are slowly looking better. I am taking turns with my father staying by her side all through the nights. I am going to do my best to be in class tommorrow night, but I am still curious as to what we went over?

test 2!

i just wanted to confirm that we did NOT [do not?] have a test today! for some reason, i have it written in my planner that we do, but i thought we did not....if someone could help clarify for me, id really appreciate it!
thanks everyone!