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?