Special Education Today » teaching http://specialeducationtoday.com Current Content about Education of Students with Disabilities Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:03:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 thank you, mrs. m http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/09/thank-you-mrs-m.html http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/09/thank-you-mrs-m.html#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 21:25:00 +0000 Sarah tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24258125.post-2000299799063698650
But there were two or three first grade teachers at my school, and I remember being very jealous at the time of my friend in Mrs. M's class. Mrs. M's class was cool because the kids in there got to do awesome things like sprinkle on their self-control!

When they would sit at carpet time and everyone was a little wiggly, Mrs. M would tell the students to "sprinkle on your self-control", making this fluttering motion with her hand above her head.

I was suddenly reminded of this right in the middle of teaching a science lesson in the general ed. first grade class on Friday. We were studying the five senses, and in this activity, we were passing around mystery items in paper bags. The students were to reach into the bag, feel the object and guess what it was based on their sense of touch.

As I'm standing in front of all 23 of them, explaining the expectations for this activity, I had a sudden and disquieting vision of half the class peeking into the bag, and the other half yelling "THEY CHEATED!!!!"

So I channeled Mrs. M and told them all that it was going to be very tempting to take a peek in the bag but that we were going to sprinkle on our self-control [insert hand motion] to help us. 

It worked like a charm!
]]> http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/09/thank-you-mrs-m.html/feed/ 0 Write My Own Ticket! http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/write-my-own-ticket/ http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/write-my-own-ticket/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:30:56 +0000 Special Ed. http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/?p=8107 ]]> http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/write-my-own-ticket/feed/ 0 Mangling Songs! http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/mangling-songs/ http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/mangling-songs/#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:08:18 +0000 Special Ed. http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/?p=8125 ]]> http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/mangling-songs/feed/ 0 i hope i didn’t just jinx it all http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/09/i-hope-i-didnt-just-jinx-it-all.html http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/09/i-hope-i-didnt-just-jinx-it-all.html#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:01:00 +0000 Sarah tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24258125.post-861032537960322158
I'm the only one of the three deaf ed. teachers that has an AWESOME general ed team to work with. The first grade teacher that I work with is so nice and so easy to get along with. She's in her sixties and she's still a fantastic teacher! We plan for and teach Science together and so far it's been super fun.

The mandatory lesson plan format that we need to turn in to the principal every week has changed so that it's actually a working document I can teach from! No more double lesson planning!!

I get to work with an aide this year! Two adults in the room for six children during Language Arts.... it doesn't get much better than that!

I'm on top of my data collection (to chart progress) for the first time in.... oh, ever.

I like each of my kids and there are NO behavior problems that are beyond me!!

So far, it's shaping up to be a great year... go knock on some wood for me!
]]> http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/09/i-hope-i-didnt-just-jinx-it-all.html/feed/ 0 I Accept My Fate! http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/09/02/i-accept-my-fate/ http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/09/02/i-accept-my-fate/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:29:20 +0000 Special Ed. http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/?p=8104 ]]> http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/09/02/i-accept-my-fate/feed/ 0 Did You See The L.A. Times Article (Value-Added Analysis) on Teacher Effectiveness? (Yes, That L.A. Times Article!) http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/did-you-see-the-l-a-times-article-yes-that-l-a-times-article/ http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/did-you-see-the-l-a-times-article-yes-that-l-a-times-article/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:13:03 +0000 Special Ed. http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/?p=8087 ]]> http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/did-you-see-the-l-a-times-article-yes-that-l-a-times-article/feed/ 0 I Had The Naked @ School Dream! http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/31/i-had-the-naked-dream/ http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/31/i-had-the-naked-dream/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:32:16 +0000 Special Ed. http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/?p=8073 ]]> http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/31/i-had-the-naked-dream/feed/ 0 and then I choked down the giggles http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/and-then-i-choked-down-giggles.html http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/and-then-i-choked-down-giggles.html#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:46:00 +0000 Sarah tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24258125.post-2108753553057490043
"Cat," I said. "What sound do you hear at the beginning of c-c-c-at?"

He thought for a while, then answered: "C !!"

"You're right: "c" is the first letter in the word "cat". Can you think of the sound that the letter "c" makes?"

He thought some more, then said...

"meow?"
]]> http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/and-then-i-choked-down-giggles.html/feed/ 0 Why not only positives? http://behaviormod.info/2010/08/30/why-not-only-positives/ http://behaviormod.info/2010/08/30/why-not-only-positives/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:24:45 +0000 JohnL http://behaviormod.info/?p=256 http://behaviormod.info/2010/08/30/why-not-only-positives/feed/ 0 Nervous Curiosity! http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/29/nervous-curiosity/ http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/29/nervous-curiosity/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 03:00:55 +0000 Special Ed. http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/?p=8067 ]]> http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/29/nervous-curiosity/feed/ 0 Lunch crunch http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/lunch-crunch.html http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/lunch-crunch.html#comments Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:34:00 +0000 Sarah tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24258125.post-1554482990043110080
But there I was, digging into my kiwis and having meaningful conversations with the students.

And we have a very stereotypical lunch lady: she's mean. And not just mean with the kids, she's mean with the staff! We can't grab an extra "spork" without paying five cents. She even made a sign! If you go through the lunch line and you just want some macaroni, she'll charge you for the entire lunch. And no, this isn't district policy, this is HER policy.

But I digress.

Most of the kids at our school buy their lunch from the cafeteria, but a few bring lunch from home. I don't know if times have changed or if this is what is typical in our neighborhood (I suspect most of them are on free/reduced lunch). Do you pack a lunch for your child?

If you do, I came across something you might just love: Leo on the Loose has some fabulous lunch box notes you can print out, fill in, and tuck into your kiddo's bag for a nice little surprise. (Unless your kid is at that eye-rolling stage and all into looking cool in front of their friends. If that's the case, slip them a dollar bill in their lunch for the vending machine. It means the same thing as "I love you" only it won't produce any cringing!)

You can download them here.
]]> http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/lunch-crunch.html/feed/ 0 From a Kid’s Perspective! http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/from-a-kids-perspective/ http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/from-a-kids-perspective/#comments Sat, 28 Aug 2010 01:24:11 +0000 Special Ed. http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/?p=8056 ]]> http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/from-a-kids-perspective/feed/ 0 Moriah Read To Me Today! http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/26/moriah-read-to-me-today/ http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/26/moriah-read-to-me-today/#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:37:42 +0000 Special Ed. http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/?p=8051 ]]> http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/26/moriah-read-to-me-today/feed/ 0 I Got My Wish??? http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/i-got-my-wish/ http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/i-got-my-wish/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:01:00 +0000 Special Ed. http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/?p=8010 ]]> http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/i-got-my-wish/feed/ 0 Free Teacher’s Plan Book Coupon from Lakeshore! http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/24/free-teachers-planning-book-from-lakeshore/ http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/24/free-teachers-planning-book-from-lakeshore/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:34:26 +0000 Special Ed. http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/?p=7991 ]]> http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/24/free-teachers-planning-book-from-lakeshore/feed/ 0 New Job Jitters! http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/22/new-job-jitters/ http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/22/new-job-jitters/#comments Sun, 22 Aug 2010 08:16:06 +0000 Special Ed. http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/?p=7983 ]]> http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/22/new-job-jitters/feed/ 0 I AM GAINFULLY EMPLOYED! http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/i-am-gainfully-employed/ http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/i-am-gainfully-employed/#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:03:26 +0000 Special Ed. http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/?p=7978 ]]> http://specialedandme.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/i-am-gainfully-employed/feed/ 0 the crazy continues http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/crazy-continues.html http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/crazy-continues.html#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:43:00 +0000 Sarah tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24258125.post-4263319931913237579
"No.... not me! I'm so on top of everything, I would never let that happen!"

Haha.

In the first two years of my teaching career, I had several little breakdowns (not in front of the kids, mind you...). Sometimes they involved yelling to myself in the car. One time I threw my keys against the inside of my classroom door and shrieked in frustration (true story!). One afternoon, I was crying little sobs underneath my teacher desk.

There are just things that happen to make your job harder that come out of left field! Like this week....

1. I already have a new student.
2. I have to hold a temporary IEP for this student BEFORE Monday!
3. We were supposed to have a teacher workday all day on Friday but OOPS one more three hour meeting just special for you deaf ed. teachers... forgot to tell you until just now!
4. New school policy: we can't touch the copy machine or the laminator. All requests must be filed two days in advance (DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED!!)

    So last night, it was completely understandable that when I clicked to watch this strangely charming video, I laughed so hard I cried..... But then I COULDN'T STOP CRYING.


    Unless all of you had the same reaction I did, that was definitely my first mini-breakdown of the school year!
    ]]>     http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/crazy-continues.html/feed/ 0     Yes but remember you married a crazy woman http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/yes-but-remember-you-married-crazy.html http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/yes-but-remember-you-married-crazy.html#comments Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:27:00 +0000 Sarah tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24258125.post-2378546858049268090
    But still...

    You know how when you're a little kid who doesn't want to go to bed, you make up all of these excuses to get out of bed? Like... I need a drink of water, I need to give mom one more hug, I need to use the bathroom, I need to check on my goldfish, I need, I need, I need.

    Well last night was kind of the same way for me. I was procrastinating on going to bed because I knew that as soon as I did, I'd have to wake up to an early alarm! I need to pack my lunch, I need to get my water bottle, I need to pack my teacher bag, I need to go cry a little, I need to put this stuff away....

    And then usually when I was young, I would be told at some point: "Alright, that's enough. Stay in bed this time." But last night, Max just watched me packing some things and asked (with his toothbrush in his mouth): "Couldn't you do some of this tomorrow morning?"
    ]]>     http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/yes-but-remember-you-married-crazy.html/feed/ 0     goodbye and hello http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/goodbye-and-hello.html http://untenured.blogspot.com/2010/08/goodbye-and-hello.html#comments Sun, 15 Aug 2010 11:48:00 +0000 Sarah tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24258125.post-5396786393861526560
    Poster from Pigtails and Peonies



     Summer Sarah is relaxed. She keeps the house clean, she does laundry, she even cooks. She has all the time in the world to write her novel, to make her cards, to try stuff on the sewing machine, to read great novels. Fridays and Sundays mean nothing to her! She gets to spend every moment with her husband and they laugh a lot. Summer Sarah is very happy.
     
     
    Poster from Claire and Me Designs


    School Sarah is stressed out. She is always too busy, too tired, too overwhelmed. She thinks there's not enough time in the day to get everything done and this is exasperating to her. Working out becomes more of a chore. And household duties? Forget it! Fridays are her best friend and Sunday nights are her worst enemy. She doesn't get to see her husband as often, and this makes her sad. School Sarah misses Summer Sarah VERY much.



    Max reminded me yesterday that this school year is going to be better than last school year. I'll only have eight kids instead of fourteen. I'll get to work with an aide in my classroom. I won't have that one kid anymore.

    So maybe....

    just maybe....

    a little of Summer Sarah will get to stay!
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