Reflection and Rationale
COMMUNICATION!!!
Thinking and Memory
Directions and Routine
Presentation
The Learning Context
Academic Skills
Functional Skills
Technology
The Internet
Curriculum
Instructional Strategies
Presenting rules and instruction as information (Not control)
Peer tutoring
Classroom Management
Communication Notebook
Staff Meetings
Friday, July 11, 2008
Reflection and Rationale
This will be my second year as an Adaptive Life Skills teacher with South Coast ESD. I will be working in Gold Beach at Riley Creek (K-8 school) and Gold Beach High School. Gold Beach is a small town on the Southern Oregon Coast. It is south of Port Orford (About 30 miles away), Bandon (About 50 miles away), and Coos Bay (About 70 miles away). I have four students at Riley Creek and three students at the high school. I will have two instructional assistants at Riley Creek (One Full Time and one Part Time) and three instructional assistants at the high school (Two Full Time and one Part Time; one of the Full Time assistants is a district employee under my supervision).
The Adaptive Life Skills classroom at Riley Creek is a large classroom. If you face the calendar (The west side of the room), the entrance is on the north side of the room, the windows on the south side of the room. The room is divided into a kitchen area (Near the entrance), the calendar area (North side of the room), the teachers area (Northwest corner), a student work area (Southwest corner), and the main work table (South side of the room). The main work table is a kidney shaped table (The teacher sits on the U side of the table, the students on the other side of the table). My work group had four students around the table with me while we worked. We did change rooms during the summer so this description will be changed a bit for next year.
Gold Beach High School is an older building and the Adaptive Life Skills classroom is also a large room with two smaller rooms near the back. As you enter through the door, there is a small open teacher area to your right. In the far right corner, there is a standing hammock swing with windows on that wall (Covered in plexiglass for safety reasons). Desks line that wall under the windows. To the left of the door, there is a calendar, computer area, and desks. In the left corner of the room (Window side), there is an enclosed kitchen area. In the other left corner is a small room that is mostly utilized by a specific student.
Last year was difficult for everyone involved (Although despite these difficulties, all of my students made gains). I had three classrooms (Two in Gold Beach and one in Port Orford), nine students, and eight instructional assistants. With three classrooms (In two different cities), I was more case manager than teacher. That didn't sit very well with my instructional assistants. Add a weekly trip to Eugene on Tuesdays (For classes) and a difficult situation become much more difficult.
This year will be different. I will only be in Gold Beach and a presence within my classrooms. I'll be there every day and I'll be able to teach rather than manage. I have the same instructional assistants (Four SCESD employees and one district employee).
I feel that my Improvement Plan has to be centered on staff rather than students. Communication is the underlying problem and I'll approach each category (Thinking and learning, the learning context, technology, instructional strategies, and classroom management) with that in mind.
The Adaptive Life Skills classroom at Riley Creek is a large classroom. If you face the calendar (The west side of the room), the entrance is on the north side of the room, the windows on the south side of the room. The room is divided into a kitchen area (Near the entrance), the calendar area (North side of the room), the teachers area (Northwest corner), a student work area (Southwest corner), and the main work table (South side of the room). The main work table is a kidney shaped table (The teacher sits on the U side of the table, the students on the other side of the table). My work group had four students around the table with me while we worked. We did change rooms during the summer so this description will be changed a bit for next year.
Gold Beach High School is an older building and the Adaptive Life Skills classroom is also a large room with two smaller rooms near the back. As you enter through the door, there is a small open teacher area to your right. In the far right corner, there is a standing hammock swing with windows on that wall (Covered in plexiglass for safety reasons). Desks line that wall under the windows. To the left of the door, there is a calendar, computer area, and desks. In the left corner of the room (Window side), there is an enclosed kitchen area. In the other left corner is a small room that is mostly utilized by a specific student.
Last year was difficult for everyone involved (Although despite these difficulties, all of my students made gains). I had three classrooms (Two in Gold Beach and one in Port Orford), nine students, and eight instructional assistants. With three classrooms (In two different cities), I was more case manager than teacher. That didn't sit very well with my instructional assistants. Add a weekly trip to Eugene on Tuesdays (For classes) and a difficult situation become much more difficult.
This year will be different. I will only be in Gold Beach and a presence within my classrooms. I'll be there every day and I'll be able to teach rather than manage. I have the same instructional assistants (Four SCESD employees and one district employee).
I feel that my Improvement Plan has to be centered on staff rather than students. Communication is the underlying problem and I'll approach each category (Thinking and learning, the learning context, technology, instructional strategies, and classroom management) with that in mind.
Thinking and Memory
In regards to thinking and memory, I've chosen to focus on the staff's interaction with the students (Another aspect of communication). I've looked at the interaction in two ways. First, I want to look at directions and routines. Second, I want to look at presentation.
Directions were usually verbal and verbal directions were rarely followed with visual cues. Students were cued (Verbally) more often than necessary. As one observer stated (To paraphrase), make any task an exercise in communication. While the students knew most of the classroom routines, this knowledge was not reinforced visually (With picture -- or written -- schedules).
A number of things within my classrooms were carried over from the previous year (Schedules, worksheets, and numerous activities). While we did add new curriculum and modified schedules as the year progressed, as a whole, student tasks tended to focus on worksheets too often. Schedules were available, but tended to be ignored ("They know their schedule."). Tasks tended to be short and repetitious. Attempts were made at various points during the year to introduce new elements into this routine, but it was easier to keep doing what they were doing.
This is not to say that everything was boring and nobody learned anything. Despite the problems present last year, ALL of my students made gains. I just think that changing some of these factors will increase those gains.
When I consider improvements for directions and routines, visual communication becomes my number one priority. My students need written schedules that they can understand. They should be directed to their schedule when a question arises rather than be verbally directed. Instead of telling JP that it's time to put on your coat because it's time to go home, she should be directed to her personal schedule. This approach fosters independence.
These direction and routine changes will dovetail into the presentation of a student's work as well. Worksheets should become the exception rather than the rule. I want to implement group activities that teach multiple lessons. One suggestion that was rarely followed last year was to use games to teach.
How many kids learn how to count playing Chutes and Ladders? What did you learn about money playing Monopoly? Patterns and numbers can be learned with Connect Four. A simple game of War (The card game) teaches a number of mathematical concepts.
Presenting concepts during gameplay should help my students pay attention. Learning one game will allow them to relate learn new games with similar rules. Games allow the teacher to tie the abstract to the concrete and it allows a student to learn new things by adding to their existing knowledge.
When it comes to thinking and learning in my classroom, communication will be the key. Visual communication (directions and routines) and fun (presentation) are my goals. Hopefully, my staff and I can become the team that these goals require.
Directions were usually verbal and verbal directions were rarely followed with visual cues. Students were cued (Verbally) more often than necessary. As one observer stated (To paraphrase), make any task an exercise in communication. While the students knew most of the classroom routines, this knowledge was not reinforced visually (With picture -- or written -- schedules).
A number of things within my classrooms were carried over from the previous year (Schedules, worksheets, and numerous activities). While we did add new curriculum and modified schedules as the year progressed, as a whole, student tasks tended to focus on worksheets too often. Schedules were available, but tended to be ignored ("They know their schedule."). Tasks tended to be short and repetitious. Attempts were made at various points during the year to introduce new elements into this routine, but it was easier to keep doing what they were doing.
This is not to say that everything was boring and nobody learned anything. Despite the problems present last year, ALL of my students made gains. I just think that changing some of these factors will increase those gains.
When I consider improvements for directions and routines, visual communication becomes my number one priority. My students need written schedules that they can understand. They should be directed to their schedule when a question arises rather than be verbally directed. Instead of telling JP that it's time to put on your coat because it's time to go home, she should be directed to her personal schedule. This approach fosters independence.
These direction and routine changes will dovetail into the presentation of a student's work as well. Worksheets should become the exception rather than the rule. I want to implement group activities that teach multiple lessons. One suggestion that was rarely followed last year was to use games to teach.
How many kids learn how to count playing Chutes and Ladders? What did you learn about money playing Monopoly? Patterns and numbers can be learned with Connect Four. A simple game of War (The card game) teaches a number of mathematical concepts.
Presenting concepts during gameplay should help my students pay attention. Learning one game will allow them to relate learn new games with similar rules. Games allow the teacher to tie the abstract to the concrete and it allows a student to learn new things by adding to their existing knowledge.
When it comes to thinking and learning in my classroom, communication will be the key. Visual communication (directions and routines) and fun (presentation) are my goals. Hopefully, my staff and I can become the team that these goals require.
Learning Context
The learning community within my classrooms will be very different next year. One of my students is moving from the middle school into the high school and I've got a new student starting as well. Our room was moved (And rumor has it that it might move again) as well. Communication plays a role within this learning context as well and we need to improve. But that's just the physical aspects of the environment. I want there to be change within the mental aspects of this environment.
Within this context, I've chosen to focus on academics and functional skills. While these topics are quite broad, I will narrow the focus for each as I discuss the needed improvements. An Adaptive Life Skills classroom needs to look at how academic skills are used in day-to-day activities. Rather than complete a page of addition and subtraction, I want my students to add up a shopping list. Rather than filling a shopping list, I want my students to make the shopping list first.
While both of these tasks seem pretty straight forward (And I believe that they are), the difficulty lies in underestimating our students ("He can't do that!"). This means that I want to challenge my students. If you don't think a student can do something, try. If they can't do it, analyze the task and work toward aspects of the task that the student can complete. If they can complete the task, then we need to raise the bar.
Specifically, I want my students to become more independent in the execution of these tasks. When it comes time to go shopping in the community, I want them to plan and do (The shopping). When they can do that, raise the bar and help them reach their new goal.
Part of the approach to this goal will be to recognize that individual pieces will not make sense until the student gets a vision of the complete task. This may (Or may not) take some time to achieve, but I think we can do it. My staff and I must be able to hold their attention between each small task until they recognize the larger task that we're striving towards.
If we take a specific example (Going to store for snack items), I believe that I can illustrate my point. The first step in this process would be to generate a list of items. Each student might be asked to list three items that needed to be purchased. Once three items were chosen, each student would make their own list (Perhaps typing this on the computer or cutting pictures out of the newspaper). Once each list was finished, a trip to the store to pick up these items (Perhaps recording their prices as well) and then purchasing the items (Using the Dollar More strategy). Once back to class, the students would need to put the items away.
This task could be presented to the students in a number of ways. On Monday, the students could be gathered and a list of needs generated (Perhaps as part of Calendar). On Tuesday, each student would create their list (Handwriting? Typing? Cutting and pasting?). On Wednesday, the class goes shopping (Recording prices) and then returns to class and puts the items away (Another functional routine).
My class may do some of the above, but they haven't done all of the above. Tying these skills together into a functional routine needs to be established. Once again, communication and teamwork are the keys to success.
Within this context, I've chosen to focus on academics and functional skills. While these topics are quite broad, I will narrow the focus for each as I discuss the needed improvements. An Adaptive Life Skills classroom needs to look at how academic skills are used in day-to-day activities. Rather than complete a page of addition and subtraction, I want my students to add up a shopping list. Rather than filling a shopping list, I want my students to make the shopping list first.
While both of these tasks seem pretty straight forward (And I believe that they are), the difficulty lies in underestimating our students ("He can't do that!"). This means that I want to challenge my students. If you don't think a student can do something, try. If they can't do it, analyze the task and work toward aspects of the task that the student can complete. If they can complete the task, then we need to raise the bar.
Specifically, I want my students to become more independent in the execution of these tasks. When it comes time to go shopping in the community, I want them to plan and do (The shopping). When they can do that, raise the bar and help them reach their new goal.
Part of the approach to this goal will be to recognize that individual pieces will not make sense until the student gets a vision of the complete task. This may (Or may not) take some time to achieve, but I think we can do it. My staff and I must be able to hold their attention between each small task until they recognize the larger task that we're striving towards.
If we take a specific example (Going to store for snack items), I believe that I can illustrate my point. The first step in this process would be to generate a list of items. Each student might be asked to list three items that needed to be purchased. Once three items were chosen, each student would make their own list (Perhaps typing this on the computer or cutting pictures out of the newspaper). Once each list was finished, a trip to the store to pick up these items (Perhaps recording their prices as well) and then purchasing the items (Using the Dollar More strategy). Once back to class, the students would need to put the items away.
This task could be presented to the students in a number of ways. On Monday, the students could be gathered and a list of needs generated (Perhaps as part of Calendar). On Tuesday, each student would create their list (Handwriting? Typing? Cutting and pasting?). On Wednesday, the class goes shopping (Recording prices) and then returns to class and puts the items away (Another functional routine).
My class may do some of the above, but they haven't done all of the above. Tying these skills together into a functional routine needs to be established. Once again, communication and teamwork are the keys to success.
Technology
When I looked at the technology in my classroom, I wanted to focus on two issues: the internet and curriculum. Last year, the classroom computer was used for BoardMaker, word processing, and little else. At Riley Creek, the only internet connection in the classroom was over by my desk (For my computer). At the high school, they did without internet for most of the year and when they got a connection, it was for staff and not students. This year's going to be different. With access to the internet, my students will be able to access a host of resources. We looked at a few in class (FunBrain, PBS, and National Geographics for Kids.) and I'm sure that I'll find others.
I've ordered a computer from SCESD specifically for the internet (And I'll talk to the district about connections in August). This opens a Pandora's Box, but I think the students will be able to deal with the repercussions. I hope the staff will, too. While the internet will offer a host of curriculum choices, I don't want the internet to be the only source of computer curriculum.
I have students that can learn to make PowerPoint presentations. I want to teach ALL of my students how to type. This will take some of the focus away from handwriting, but open up a path to writing and thinking creatively. In addition to PowerPoint and word processing, I want to use Comic Life as well (Yet another avenue for creative writing).
My technology goal is to link these different applications (The internet and curriculum) to each student's IEP goals. I realize that there will numerous small steps to reach some (If not all) of these improvements, but if my staff and I are able to approach this problem/solution plan with teamwork (AND teamwork requires communication), I think we will succeed.
I've ordered a computer from SCESD specifically for the internet (And I'll talk to the district about connections in August). This opens a Pandora's Box, but I think the students will be able to deal with the repercussions. I hope the staff will, too. While the internet will offer a host of curriculum choices, I don't want the internet to be the only source of computer curriculum.
I have students that can learn to make PowerPoint presentations. I want to teach ALL of my students how to type. This will take some of the focus away from handwriting, but open up a path to writing and thinking creatively. In addition to PowerPoint and word processing, I want to use Comic Life as well (Yet another avenue for creative writing).
My technology goal is to link these different applications (The internet and curriculum) to each student's IEP goals. I realize that there will numerous small steps to reach some (If not all) of these improvements, but if my staff and I are able to approach this problem/solution plan with teamwork (AND teamwork requires communication), I think we will succeed.
Instructional Strategies
My classroom tended to focus on teacher directed instruction (Usually directed by the instructional assistants). Again, curriculum was narrowly focused and tended toward worksheets. Communication is a factor in the realm of instructional strategies. In this instance, I want to focus teachers presenting rules and instruction as information (Rather than control) and peer tutoring.
Most of the directions within my classroom are presented as a manner of control: Please sit down or Follow directions. I want to get away from that with most tasks and move toward presenting rules and instruction as information. This is going to take a while (For me and my staff) because most people present as control. I've fallen into that trap as well. It's a habit and I hope that we'll be able to break it (Or at least curb its appearances).
I've used peer tutoring on a number of occasions, always to good effect. All of my classrooms last utilized peer tutors to varying degrees. Again, with a great deal of success. This year we're going to need to recruit more peer tutors (Just like every year). One point in our favor is that Gold Beach High School has a number of seniors with time on their hands. They've even got a curriculum for peer tutors once they're placed.
While high school peers are fantastic, I also want to recruit some middle school peers as well. AND I want to attempt to have my students become peer tutors with other students or student groups. All of these kids are part of the Gold Beach community and I think it would be wonderful if they let other people (Students and staff) get to know them. Involving my students in other activities will also help them to decide where (Or if) they want to volunteer. I know that I'm going to have to clear this issue with the principal, but I don't think that will be an issue. Of more importance is to determine what the peer tutor will do with my students. I think it would be wonderful for a student peer with difficulties in math to explain addition or subtraction to a peer (Note that you can learn a LOT by teaching a subject).
It would also be wonderful to recruit peers from the community as well. My staff will be a fundamental factor in the success of the peer tutors and I will have to make them aware of my intentions as well. Again, more communication issues...
Most of the directions within my classroom are presented as a manner of control: Please sit down or Follow directions. I want to get away from that with most tasks and move toward presenting rules and instruction as information. This is going to take a while (For me and my staff) because most people present as control. I've fallen into that trap as well. It's a habit and I hope that we'll be able to break it (Or at least curb its appearances).
I've used peer tutoring on a number of occasions, always to good effect. All of my classrooms last utilized peer tutors to varying degrees. Again, with a great deal of success. This year we're going to need to recruit more peer tutors (Just like every year). One point in our favor is that Gold Beach High School has a number of seniors with time on their hands. They've even got a curriculum for peer tutors once they're placed.
While high school peers are fantastic, I also want to recruit some middle school peers as well. AND I want to attempt to have my students become peer tutors with other students or student groups. All of these kids are part of the Gold Beach community and I think it would be wonderful if they let other people (Students and staff) get to know them. Involving my students in other activities will also help them to decide where (Or if) they want to volunteer. I know that I'm going to have to clear this issue with the principal, but I don't think that will be an issue. Of more importance is to determine what the peer tutor will do with my students. I think it would be wonderful for a student peer with difficulties in math to explain addition or subtraction to a peer (Note that you can learn a LOT by teaching a subject).
It would also be wonderful to recruit peers from the community as well. My staff will be a fundamental factor in the success of the peer tutors and I will have to make them aware of my intentions as well. Again, more communication issues...
Classroom Management
My needs in classroom management (Again) focuses on the staff side of things. Communication is part of the big picture with an emphasis on my staff. As I've noted, last year was a difficult one. A lack of communication on the part of my instructional assistants made it very difficult to work. For the purposes of this discussion, I want to look at a Communication Book and Staff Meetings.
I introduced a Communication Book into the classrooms last year. If you have information that you feel that everyone needs to know, you write in the book. There is a column for signatures (Signifying that you read that entry). This was a simple way of presenting information and holding everyone accountable for reading that information. Last year this met with some success. I'm hoping for more success here as well.
Another difficulty (That ties into the Communication Book) is the role of the instructional assistant. Right now (Or last year), this role was blurred too heavily. My classrooms were routinely hijacked away from me (It didn't help that my time at each school was limited by the obligations to my other schools). We're going to have an inservice on this issue (And I hope that helps).
Staff meetings were hit and miss last year. There were a variety of reasons for this, but the bottom line is that we need regular staff meetings where all of my staff attends. I think this is imperative for communication and team-building. I do have bus riders and their schedule will have to change to accomodate the meetings.
Using a Communication Book and Staff Meetings will not change things overnight, but I hope that change will be forthcoming. And I think it will.
I introduced a Communication Book into the classrooms last year. If you have information that you feel that everyone needs to know, you write in the book. There is a column for signatures (Signifying that you read that entry). This was a simple way of presenting information and holding everyone accountable for reading that information. Last year this met with some success. I'm hoping for more success here as well.
Another difficulty (That ties into the Communication Book) is the role of the instructional assistant. Right now (Or last year), this role was blurred too heavily. My classrooms were routinely hijacked away from me (It didn't help that my time at each school was limited by the obligations to my other schools). We're going to have an inservice on this issue (And I hope that helps).
Staff meetings were hit and miss last year. There were a variety of reasons for this, but the bottom line is that we need regular staff meetings where all of my staff attends. I think this is imperative for communication and team-building. I do have bus riders and their schedule will have to change to accomodate the meetings.
Using a Communication Book and Staff Meetings will not change things overnight, but I hope that change will be forthcoming. And I think it will.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
SPED 608 (Classroom Management)
After class on Monday (July 7, 2008), I dashed back to Coos Bay and met with my supervisor about next year. We also discussed my last year. She went over my evaluation (Which was favorable) and we discussed what next year will look like. Needless to say, Classroom Management (Both staff and students) was our main topic of discussion.
My greatest challenge for next year is to become a leader within my classroom. I need to convey to my staff that they are acting within the confines of my license and I am responsible for their behavior. I need to provide my instructional assistants with more direction, a sense of what I want to do within my classrooms, and where we need to go and what we're going to do.
When I decided to become a teacher, my greatest concern was not the paperwork or the meetings, but the instructional assistants. I didn't become a teacher because I wanted to supervise staff, but it's something I have to do. My supervisor said that I "had a difficult assignment this school year. He was assigned three classrooms in two different cities all while going to school in Eugene. I commend him for completing his schooling a[nd] juggling this heavy load."
It's nice that my supervisor thought (Hopefully still thinks) so much of me, but I tend to focus on what didn't work last year. I can make excuses about why things didn't work or I can blame others for what happened, but neither path helps me with my classroom. Again, I need to become a leader and take control of my classroom. I need to direct my instructional assistants.
My supervisor had several ideas to help me with my staff next year. I will be implementing some (If not all) of them. I'm going to start weekly staff meetings with all of my staff in one room. I need to work on clear direction for my curriculum and schedules. I need to make these classrooms my own. I need to create a team from a group of individuals.
I have several things on my side of the fence, too. I've got more experience now and I know my staff and students. I will only be at one school (Two classrooms, one city) and that will help a LOT. I know what I want to do in my classrooms and I know how I'm going to do it. Getting my staff to join me in my vision will be challenge, but not impossible. I can't say that I'm looking forward to the challenge, but I do think I'm up to it and I do think my students are worth it.
I'm looking forward to a good year. Keep your fingers crossed.
My greatest challenge for next year is to become a leader within my classroom. I need to convey to my staff that they are acting within the confines of my license and I am responsible for their behavior. I need to provide my instructional assistants with more direction, a sense of what I want to do within my classrooms, and where we need to go and what we're going to do.
When I decided to become a teacher, my greatest concern was not the paperwork or the meetings, but the instructional assistants. I didn't become a teacher because I wanted to supervise staff, but it's something I have to do. My supervisor said that I "had a difficult assignment this school year. He was assigned three classrooms in two different cities all while going to school in Eugene. I commend him for completing his schooling a[nd] juggling this heavy load."
It's nice that my supervisor thought (Hopefully still thinks) so much of me, but I tend to focus on what didn't work last year. I can make excuses about why things didn't work or I can blame others for what happened, but neither path helps me with my classroom. Again, I need to become a leader and take control of my classroom. I need to direct my instructional assistants.
My supervisor had several ideas to help me with my staff next year. I will be implementing some (If not all) of them. I'm going to start weekly staff meetings with all of my staff in one room. I need to work on clear direction for my curriculum and schedules. I need to make these classrooms my own. I need to create a team from a group of individuals.
I have several things on my side of the fence, too. I've got more experience now and I know my staff and students. I will only be at one school (Two classrooms, one city) and that will help a LOT. I know what I want to do in my classrooms and I know how I'm going to do it. Getting my staff to join me in my vision will be challenge, but not impossible. I can't say that I'm looking forward to the challenge, but I do think I'm up to it and I do think my students are worth it.
I'm looking forward to a good year. Keep your fingers crossed.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
SPED 608 ("We don't teach academics.")
I was an instructional assistant for nine years before I became a teacher. One of the catch phrases that you hear all of the time in Adaptive Life Skills is that "We don't teach academics." While the phrase still bothers me, another teacher was able to clarify what most people mean when they say this. She explained that an Adaptive Life Skills classroom needs to look at how academic skills are used in day-to-day activities. How does the student use addition when they're at the store? What reading skills does that student need when crossing the street?
The problem with this approach is that it makes it really easy to underestimate our students. Teaching to their limits doesn't expand their horizons. Kids in Adaptive Life Skills are first and foremost kids. Most everyone (Myself included) forgets that (From time to time).
My X (My ex-wife) has a younger brother with exceptionalities (Autism, Developmental Disabled, and Seizures). He is in his 30s so he missed an education within the strictures of IDEA. Needless to say, the local school district did little to help him. There are other factors in the mix as well, but the reason that I bring him up is that once he was in his 20s, he taught himself math and spell. Using different Speak-And-Say toys, he taught himself addition and subtraction (And some multiplication). He also learned a variety of spelling words as well.
Granted, this was a matter of memorization and you have to ask how much he does know, but what I'm trying to show is that learning doesn't stop. So many people look at our students and wonder if they'll ever get academics and I like to say, Yes, they might.
The other point in this example is that while my X's brother can tell you how to spell or add and subtract, these skills are not transferred to the "real" world. So while he has been taught academics, these skills don't have any meaning in his day-to-day activities. That extra step between academics and reality was never made. This happens all the time in education, but most students can take that extra step (Between academcis and reality). Most students with special needs can't take that step.
As Special Education teachers, we need to look at instructional strategies with more common sense than general education teachers. We need to recognize that while all knowledge is important, knowledge that these students can use is more important. Does it really matter if these kids can recite the Declaration of Independence or know how to cross the street safely? Obviously, knowing how to cross the street is more important to most of these kids (Like everything, there are exceptions 8).
I sometimes feel that students with special needs are not challenged enough at school. Especially in Adaptive Life Skills. Like every kid, these students can be underestimated. That's one of the issues that I have to look at next year. It's too easy to say that a student can't do something without even trying. If you don't try, you will fail.
That happened a lot in my room last year. Staff decided that a student couldn't do something and they were shephered into other activities. Rather than challenging the student (And the staff), that road wasn't taken. Staff and student went down the easier path. I want to change that next year.
This issue is going to take leadership, initiative, and direction, something that I wasn't able to provide last year (Some, but not enough). Again, the situation will be VERY different from last year and I hope that I'll make things much better.
I've got a meeting with my supervisor on Monday afternoon. We're going to discuss my classroom and my instructional assistants. I'm a bit apprehensive, but also looking forward to seeing what next year will be like. Oh, did I mention that I'll be at Gold Beach next year?
Again.
The problem with this approach is that it makes it really easy to underestimate our students. Teaching to their limits doesn't expand their horizons. Kids in Adaptive Life Skills are first and foremost kids. Most everyone (Myself included) forgets that (From time to time).
My X (My ex-wife) has a younger brother with exceptionalities (Autism, Developmental Disabled, and Seizures). He is in his 30s so he missed an education within the strictures of IDEA. Needless to say, the local school district did little to help him. There are other factors in the mix as well, but the reason that I bring him up is that once he was in his 20s, he taught himself math and spell. Using different Speak-And-Say toys, he taught himself addition and subtraction (And some multiplication). He also learned a variety of spelling words as well.
Granted, this was a matter of memorization and you have to ask how much he does know, but what I'm trying to show is that learning doesn't stop. So many people look at our students and wonder if they'll ever get academics and I like to say, Yes, they might.
The other point in this example is that while my X's brother can tell you how to spell or add and subtract, these skills are not transferred to the "real" world. So while he has been taught academics, these skills don't have any meaning in his day-to-day activities. That extra step between academics and reality was never made. This happens all the time in education, but most students can take that extra step (Between academcis and reality). Most students with special needs can't take that step.
As Special Education teachers, we need to look at instructional strategies with more common sense than general education teachers. We need to recognize that while all knowledge is important, knowledge that these students can use is more important. Does it really matter if these kids can recite the Declaration of Independence or know how to cross the street safely? Obviously, knowing how to cross the street is more important to most of these kids (Like everything, there are exceptions 8).
I sometimes feel that students with special needs are not challenged enough at school. Especially in Adaptive Life Skills. Like every kid, these students can be underestimated. That's one of the issues that I have to look at next year. It's too easy to say that a student can't do something without even trying. If you don't try, you will fail.
That happened a lot in my room last year. Staff decided that a student couldn't do something and they were shephered into other activities. Rather than challenging the student (And the staff), that road wasn't taken. Staff and student went down the easier path. I want to change that next year.
This issue is going to take leadership, initiative, and direction, something that I wasn't able to provide last year (Some, but not enough). Again, the situation will be VERY different from last year and I hope that I'll make things much better.
I've got a meeting with my supervisor on Monday afternoon. We're going to discuss my classroom and my instructional assistants. I'm a bit apprehensive, but also looking forward to seeing what next year will be like. Oh, did I mention that I'll be at Gold Beach next year?
Again.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
SPED 608 (Three for Technology)
I love comic books. I learned to read with The Amazing Spider-Man and The Fantastic Four. I learned six of the elements on the Period Table (Iron, Gold, Mercury, Platinum, Tin, and Gold) from The Metal Men (I used to know their symbols from the comic, too). I love the way that comics combine art and writing to create a greater whole. Comics are much more sophisticated than they used to be, but their stories can capture almost any level of education and reading skill (From K through 12). That makes them an excellent way to teach reading to almost anybody.
On Monday, Corey Hoogendoorn told me about Comic Life. It is a program that helps you create a comic book. I downloaded the program from plasq.com and a review from Non Stop Mac (www.nonstopmac.com/2006/01/comic_live_review.htm). While I haven't used the program (Yet!), it will be something that I use in my classroom next year. This is but one way that technology can be used in my classroom next year.
Looking at the needs of my classrooms at Riley Creek and Gold Beach, I see that technology, while available, was not adequately utilized. Our classroom had one computer (Not hooked upto internet and unable to run PowerPoint). We had several programs that the students could have used, but didn't. There are a variety of reasons for this, but I hope not to use these reasons again next year.
Next year, I have a student that I want to learn how to use PowerPoint and Finale. Finale is a program that lets the user write music. While I am not musically inclined, my student is. Her music teacher said that she has almost perfect pitch. She loves music and has quite the talent for it (At home, she has recorded music on old answering machines before she had better equipment). This student is quite computer savvy so learning PowerPoint will give her another avenue for her creativity.
We will be using Boardmaker to help another student learn to read. She loves Calvin and Hobbs so that will be one of our primary picture symbols as well. This student has trouble communicating with others so we'll use picture symbols to help her write stories, too.
My third student at Riley Creek loves Mario Brothers. I think that Comic Life will be an avenue to explore his creative writing abilities. Picture Symbols might be required, but I think that he can move beyond them quickly. We'll have to see.
At the high school level, I want to explore word processing with one of my students. In the past, she has had a variety of disruptive behaviors, but last year, she did very well. Next year, I hope to expand her horizons into the general education classroom and beyond. I hope that we will be able to stretch her activities in order to challenge her abilities. We just have to be careful and not go too fast and too far.
Of course, all of these plans require that my instructional assistants support the curriculum that I create. We need to work as a team. We need to communicate and support one another. I think we can do that, but I've been wrong before.
The problem with technology is that it's only as good as the people who use it. I hope that we get to use what we have to the most potential possible. I think that's possible. I hope that it turns out to be probable.
On Monday, Corey Hoogendoorn told me about Comic Life. It is a program that helps you create a comic book. I downloaded the program from plasq.com and a review from Non Stop Mac (www.nonstopmac.com/2006/01/comic_live_review.htm). While I haven't used the program (Yet!), it will be something that I use in my classroom next year. This is but one way that technology can be used in my classroom next year.
Looking at the needs of my classrooms at Riley Creek and Gold Beach, I see that technology, while available, was not adequately utilized. Our classroom had one computer (Not hooked upto internet and unable to run PowerPoint). We had several programs that the students could have used, but didn't. There are a variety of reasons for this, but I hope not to use these reasons again next year.
Next year, I have a student that I want to learn how to use PowerPoint and Finale. Finale is a program that lets the user write music. While I am not musically inclined, my student is. Her music teacher said that she has almost perfect pitch. She loves music and has quite the talent for it (At home, she has recorded music on old answering machines before she had better equipment). This student is quite computer savvy so learning PowerPoint will give her another avenue for her creativity.
We will be using Boardmaker to help another student learn to read. She loves Calvin and Hobbs so that will be one of our primary picture symbols as well. This student has trouble communicating with others so we'll use picture symbols to help her write stories, too.
My third student at Riley Creek loves Mario Brothers. I think that Comic Life will be an avenue to explore his creative writing abilities. Picture Symbols might be required, but I think that he can move beyond them quickly. We'll have to see.
At the high school level, I want to explore word processing with one of my students. In the past, she has had a variety of disruptive behaviors, but last year, she did very well. Next year, I hope to expand her horizons into the general education classroom and beyond. I hope that we will be able to stretch her activities in order to challenge her abilities. We just have to be careful and not go too fast and too far.
Of course, all of these plans require that my instructional assistants support the curriculum that I create. We need to work as a team. We need to communicate and support one another. I think we can do that, but I've been wrong before.
The problem with technology is that it's only as good as the people who use it. I hope that we get to use what we have to the most potential possible. I think that's possible. I hope that it turns out to be probable.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
SPED 608 (Number Two)
The issues at Gold Beach remind me of the mythic hydra (Chop off one head and two grow back). As the educational staff in an Adaptive Life Skills (ALS) classroom, we need to build a learning community for our students. ALS staff can be the most important factor in a student's education.
The learning communities at Riley Creek and Gold Beach High School extend beyond the ALS classroom, but we need to build a community within our classroom. As the teacher, I need to take the lead and construct a foundation to work within and upon.
Communication is the first brick in the wall (I know - I jumped from the foundation to Pink Floyd's educational wall 8). If the instructional assistants don't understand what I'm trying to do, then I am not communicating. In all honesty, I thought that I was communicating with my staff last year, but it's easier to blame others when things go wrong than to look at your own mistakes. That's not to say that there weren't issues on their side of the wall as well.
In order to foster more communication, I created a Communication Book (One for each school). Messages were supposed to be written in a notebook and then initialled after being read. This met with mixed results, but I think that it is a valuable tool for the classroom (On the staff side of the wall). This is something that I will continue next year as well.
Staff Meetings are a necessary evil as well. I had certain difficulties with scheduling meetings last year. I was between three different schools. I had two IAs that were riders with two different students so arranging for before and after school meetings were an issue as well. I feel that I solved this problem for the most part, but complaints that I heard from other staff (There was an Autism Specialist that my staff chose to complain to repeatedly -- she was great about it and always asked if the instructional assistants had talked to me first -- which they usually had not). Anyway, I usually met with my staff at Gold Beach High School during my visit to the classroom. I tried to meet weekly with my Riley Creek classroom (Usually Friday morning). I won't have Port Orford next year so I'll leave them out of the mix... Regular staff meetings will be part of my schedule next year.
Student schedules, work, and activities were carried over from last year. Again, these were my responsibilities. Something else to throw into the mix for next year. I've got specific ideas that I need to communicate and implement. Another issue to tackle for next year.
Building a team is going to be my biggest hurdle for next year. I need to lead by example and direction. These are two skills that I don't use very efficiently. I've got to get better about that. I've got to address complaints about other staff in a positive manner. I've got to correct mistakes and teach skills. I've got to get beyond my own likes and dislikes and work with people that have really pushed my buttons and do better.
Small towns have a culture all their own. Most people don't realize that, but they do. Port Orford, Gold Beach, and Bandon are very different entities (As are the schools within each community). I feel that I can become a part of the Gold Beach community even though I do not live in Gold Beach. Last year gave me a glimpse into that community and I relied heavily upon my instructional assistants (Perhaps too much) for further views of Gold Beach. Next year, I've got to build my own windows into the walls of my learning community (More mixed metaphors -- sorry). I have to become a bigger part of the each school.
When I was an instructional assistant in Port Orford, I arranged to supervise dodgeball games during two different recesses. This had many positive benefits (Staff were relieved of some of their responsibility because most of the kids played dodgeball; I met more of the kids in the school, learning about kids outside of the classrooms that I worked within; we had fun). I also taught an art class to second and third graders on Fridays (The general education teacher worked with my student and I worked with the classroom; it was a Win-Win situation). I need to do something like this at Gold Beach. These activities can also pull my Adaptive Life Skills into activities with their peers as well.
If I'm able to build a team (Where none has really existed before), I will create a supportive learning community. This will benefit my staff and my students. It will make my job (And their jobs) easier, too. I just have to step up the plate and take a swing. I need to put more effort into putting bricks into this educational wall. I need to put my nose to the grindstone.
That's enough cliches...
I also need to be in Gold Beach next year.
The learning communities at Riley Creek and Gold Beach High School extend beyond the ALS classroom, but we need to build a community within our classroom. As the teacher, I need to take the lead and construct a foundation to work within and upon.
Communication is the first brick in the wall (I know - I jumped from the foundation to Pink Floyd's educational wall 8). If the instructional assistants don't understand what I'm trying to do, then I am not communicating. In all honesty, I thought that I was communicating with my staff last year, but it's easier to blame others when things go wrong than to look at your own mistakes. That's not to say that there weren't issues on their side of the wall as well.
In order to foster more communication, I created a Communication Book (One for each school). Messages were supposed to be written in a notebook and then initialled after being read. This met with mixed results, but I think that it is a valuable tool for the classroom (On the staff side of the wall). This is something that I will continue next year as well.
Staff Meetings are a necessary evil as well. I had certain difficulties with scheduling meetings last year. I was between three different schools. I had two IAs that were riders with two different students so arranging for before and after school meetings were an issue as well. I feel that I solved this problem for the most part, but complaints that I heard from other staff (There was an Autism Specialist that my staff chose to complain to repeatedly -- she was great about it and always asked if the instructional assistants had talked to me first -- which they usually had not). Anyway, I usually met with my staff at Gold Beach High School during my visit to the classroom. I tried to meet weekly with my Riley Creek classroom (Usually Friday morning). I won't have Port Orford next year so I'll leave them out of the mix... Regular staff meetings will be part of my schedule next year.
Student schedules, work, and activities were carried over from last year. Again, these were my responsibilities. Something else to throw into the mix for next year. I've got specific ideas that I need to communicate and implement. Another issue to tackle for next year.
Building a team is going to be my biggest hurdle for next year. I need to lead by example and direction. These are two skills that I don't use very efficiently. I've got to get better about that. I've got to address complaints about other staff in a positive manner. I've got to correct mistakes and teach skills. I've got to get beyond my own likes and dislikes and work with people that have really pushed my buttons and do better.
Small towns have a culture all their own. Most people don't realize that, but they do. Port Orford, Gold Beach, and Bandon are very different entities (As are the schools within each community). I feel that I can become a part of the Gold Beach community even though I do not live in Gold Beach. Last year gave me a glimpse into that community and I relied heavily upon my instructional assistants (Perhaps too much) for further views of Gold Beach. Next year, I've got to build my own windows into the walls of my learning community (More mixed metaphors -- sorry). I have to become a bigger part of the each school.
When I was an instructional assistant in Port Orford, I arranged to supervise dodgeball games during two different recesses. This had many positive benefits (Staff were relieved of some of their responsibility because most of the kids played dodgeball; I met more of the kids in the school, learning about kids outside of the classrooms that I worked within; we had fun). I also taught an art class to second and third graders on Fridays (The general education teacher worked with my student and I worked with the classroom; it was a Win-Win situation). I need to do something like this at Gold Beach. These activities can also pull my Adaptive Life Skills into activities with their peers as well.
If I'm able to build a team (Where none has really existed before), I will create a supportive learning community. This will benefit my staff and my students. It will make my job (And their jobs) easier, too. I just have to step up the plate and take a swing. I need to put more effort into putting bricks into this educational wall. I need to put my nose to the grindstone.
That's enough cliches...
I also need to be in Gold Beach next year.
Monday, June 23, 2008
SPED 608 (My First Blog)
I'm going to assume (For this assignment) that I will be in Gold Beach next year. I'll have six students (Three at Riley Creek and three at Gold Beach High School). I'm not sure how many Instructional Assistants I'll get next year.
At Riley Creek, I'll have two seventh graders and one eighth grader. At the high school, I'll have a freshman, a junior, and a senior. Five of these students are Adaptive Life Skills students. The sixth student was a life skills last year, but was pulled out of life skills for next year, but readmitted.
The school districts in Coos and Curry counties changed the Adaptive Life Skills classrooms and the higher functioning students were removed from the program. My freshman student was officially removed from the program, but then added to the Life Skills program by the district. I don't understand how this worked out officially, but it had a lot to do with budgeting and less to do with academics
Last year was difficult. I had three classrooms (Two in Gold Beach and one in Port Orford), nine students, and eight instructional assistants. Communication was an issue with my instructional assistants (At least in Gold Beach). With three classrooms (In two different cities), I was more case manager than teacher. That didn't sit very well with my instructional assistants. Add a weekly trip to Eugene on Tuesdays (For class) and a difficult situation become much more difficult.
Next year will be different (At least in regards to this assignment 8). I'll be in Gold Beach and a presence within my classrooms. I'll be there every day and I'll be able to teach rather than manage (I hope). While I don't know who my instructional assistants will be next year, I'm sure that some (If not all) of them will be returning next year. I have several STRONG personalities among my instructional assistants. Communication was an issue last year (Communication among staff, to parents, to me as the teacher, etc.). Each one of these instructional assistants has strengths, but sometimes these strengths collide.
My primary concern for next year is managing my instructional assistants. I feel like I know my students, understand their needs, and have several good ideas for reaching their instructional goals. In order to do that, I'm going to need to create a team. There wasn't a team last year (And I suspect that this has been an issue for quite some time).
I feel that my Classroom Improvement Plan has to be centered on my staff rather than my students. If we can't present meaningful instruction, we are doing a disservice to our students. I feel that this was an issue last year and I hope to change that this year. Data collection, consistant instruction, and concrete schedules need to be implimented. Programs have been developed (And used), but the communication issues have weakened by that staff deficit.
I hope that I do get Gold Beach next year. Part of it is the "Devil you know", but a larger part of the placement is that I like the school, the students, and the community. I want to correct my mistakes from last year. I feel that the potential in Gold Beach has not been utilized and I want to reach that potential.
At Riley Creek, I'll have two seventh graders and one eighth grader. At the high school, I'll have a freshman, a junior, and a senior. Five of these students are Adaptive Life Skills students. The sixth student was a life skills last year, but was pulled out of life skills for next year, but readmitted.
The school districts in Coos and Curry counties changed the Adaptive Life Skills classrooms and the higher functioning students were removed from the program. My freshman student was officially removed from the program, but then added to the Life Skills program by the district. I don't understand how this worked out officially, but it had a lot to do with budgeting and less to do with academics
Last year was difficult. I had three classrooms (Two in Gold Beach and one in Port Orford), nine students, and eight instructional assistants. Communication was an issue with my instructional assistants (At least in Gold Beach). With three classrooms (In two different cities), I was more case manager than teacher. That didn't sit very well with my instructional assistants. Add a weekly trip to Eugene on Tuesdays (For class) and a difficult situation become much more difficult.
Next year will be different (At least in regards to this assignment 8). I'll be in Gold Beach and a presence within my classrooms. I'll be there every day and I'll be able to teach rather than manage (I hope). While I don't know who my instructional assistants will be next year, I'm sure that some (If not all) of them will be returning next year. I have several STRONG personalities among my instructional assistants. Communication was an issue last year (Communication among staff, to parents, to me as the teacher, etc.). Each one of these instructional assistants has strengths, but sometimes these strengths collide.
My primary concern for next year is managing my instructional assistants. I feel like I know my students, understand their needs, and have several good ideas for reaching their instructional goals. In order to do that, I'm going to need to create a team. There wasn't a team last year (And I suspect that this has been an issue for quite some time).
I feel that my Classroom Improvement Plan has to be centered on my staff rather than my students. If we can't present meaningful instruction, we are doing a disservice to our students. I feel that this was an issue last year and I hope to change that this year. Data collection, consistant instruction, and concrete schedules need to be implimented. Programs have been developed (And used), but the communication issues have weakened by that staff deficit.
I hope that I do get Gold Beach next year. Part of it is the "Devil you know", but a larger part of the placement is that I like the school, the students, and the community. I want to correct my mistakes from last year. I feel that the potential in Gold Beach has not been utilized and I want to reach that potential.
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