Had two of my four Parent/Teacher conferences today. The first one went well, as expected, but the second went BETTER than expected (which is great, because I already expected it to go well ;)). My head wasn't really in the rest of my work today because of being so sick lately, so I'm glad things turned out so well.
During M's Conference I did my usual checklist, talking about his strengths, giving progress reports on his IEP goals, and talking about what we are working to improve. I saved the best for last :) I have an app for the iPads that I got for the classroom called Toontastic. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toontastic/id404693282?mt=8 The boys absolutely LOVE it! They "tell" the story and the iPad records their voice, it walks them through the steps of creating a story, and they get to pick and manipulate the cute little toon characters while they record their story. M really struggles with writing because of the language barrier (his family is from another country) but wrote a really funny, entertaining story about pirates (with a lot of coaching from me ;)) and I showed it to his dad and our speech therapist at the end of his Conference. M even changed his voice to sound a little gruff for the Pirate Captain ;) His dad and the speech therapist were just CRACKING UP and they were super amazed at how well his story turned out! It really made my day.
Today, I was Specially Educated because I finally saw the fruits of my labor in writing these grants, going to trainings, and introducing a new medium of teaching to my boys. Totally worth all of the work!!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Firsts
My boys had a FANTASTIC week this week :) I have implemented "Recess Passes" for hard work and good behavior in their Gen Ed classes and they have earned it EVERY DAY! Today, as a reward for such a fantastic week, I took them outside for their first EVER lesson in flying kites (good thing my parapro knows what he's doing, because it was MY first lesson, as well!) and it was the perfect experience! They were all PROS! It was freezing, the wind was fierce, there was sunshine AND snow, but we stayed out three times as long as we should have because we just couldn't reel in those kites :) Today I was Specially Educated because I have never had such a fantastic "first" experience! Buying those kites was one of the best purchases I have ever made. Possibly the highlight of my teaching career as of yet ;)
Kite Bliss :)
He was afraid it was going to touch the sun O:)
I think this one should be on a postcard!
The whole time he was just squealing and laughing :) Precious!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
"The Mind Tree"
Since reading The Mind Tree I have been looking at my students' behaviors in a completely new light. I feel like I'm more forgiving and patient with things that I didn't necessarily understand to be what they were.
Not to say that I am fascinated with ASD, but I am fascinated that every individual with ASD is SO DIFFERENT. This book has brought me to realize that things are NEVER what they seem, and that I should always think twice before making a snap judgement about a behavior (such as eye-contact or "rude" behavior/words). Tito, the writer, has really opened my eyes to see just a tiny fraction of what it would be like to live with ASD. I was Specially Educated by this book. I used to think very highly of individuals with ASD and those that care for them, but now I'm even more humbled by what they have to go through in life, and how much those that care for them actually do to help them to be successful.
I love books :) Especially autobiographies.
Now to laugh it up a bit...
When I brought the boys down to lunch today my para gathered all of the coats/hats/boots/gloves/snowpants/etc that he could from me and the boys and took them to their table while I made sure they all made it into the line to get food. Well... L and M were nowhere to be found when I turned around.
I figured L usually has to go to the bathroom at the WORST POSSIBLE TIME (part of being a kid, huh?) so that was probably where I would find him :) I walked over to the bathroom door to stand and wait outside and what do I hear?
SCREAMING.
I open the door and call in to them (I wasn't aware that M was in there at the time) and I look in to find L peeking under the stall door LAUGHING while M is in hysterics that someone is interrupting his "private moments"...
Oh my word. The joys of being a teacher :)
Not to say that I am fascinated with ASD, but I am fascinated that every individual with ASD is SO DIFFERENT. This book has brought me to realize that things are NEVER what they seem, and that I should always think twice before making a snap judgement about a behavior (such as eye-contact or "rude" behavior/words). Tito, the writer, has really opened my eyes to see just a tiny fraction of what it would be like to live with ASD. I was Specially Educated by this book. I used to think very highly of individuals with ASD and those that care for them, but now I'm even more humbled by what they have to go through in life, and how much those that care for them actually do to help them to be successful.
I love books :) Especially autobiographies.
Now to laugh it up a bit...
When I brought the boys down to lunch today my para gathered all of the coats/hats/boots/gloves/snowpants/etc that he could from me and the boys and took them to their table while I made sure they all made it into the line to get food. Well... L and M were nowhere to be found when I turned around.
I figured L usually has to go to the bathroom at the WORST POSSIBLE TIME (part of being a kid, huh?) so that was probably where I would find him :) I walked over to the bathroom door to stand and wait outside and what do I hear?
SCREAMING.
I open the door and call in to them (I wasn't aware that M was in there at the time) and I look in to find L peeking under the stall door LAUGHING while M is in hysterics that someone is interrupting his "private moments"...
Oh my word. The joys of being a teacher :)
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Resilience...
This has been a fast-moving, world-changing week for me. I'm an emotional wreck. One of my students drew this picture of his sister and himself as his safe place and it just blew my MIND.
I've cried so much today, but I was SO Specially Educated to see that even when you take away everything familiar that a child loves, they can still be so resilient and shine through it. OH. MY. WORD.
P.S. I don't know how to rotate the picture...
I've cried so much today, but I was SO Specially Educated to see that even when you take away everything familiar that a child loves, they can still be so resilient and shine through it. OH. MY. WORD.
P.S. I don't know how to rotate the picture...
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Change
The student I was worrying about 24/7 seems to be in a good place lately (knock on wood!) so I've been trying to let go of my stress about THIS situation while I can.
I had a meeting with the Special Ed director, Social Worker, and mom of a possible new student last week. The school seems to be more than ready to hand him over to me, which made for an awkward moment/conversation with his mom since they didn't even ask if she was okay with the change before jumping the gun and asking for an IEP.
The new kid, H, is coming to visit tomorrow with his mom so that he can see me and meet the other boys before they make a final decision. I'm 99.9% sure that he's coming to me.
Nervous.
This boy seems to be... violent, to say the least. When he is angry he destroys everything in front of him, including property and people. I may be coming home with a black eye or two if I'm not careful. I just pray and hope that I can somehow reach this little guy and help give him the tools he needs to manage his anger.
I'm nervous about how this new "apple" may upset my "apple cart". Things are FANTASTIC right now in my classroom and I fear that I will see some backpedaling behaviorally.
I can handle this... I think. It's only 5. It may seem like 60 some days, but it's only 5. I'm lucky to have started where I did and with the group I did.
On a more positive note, I have been introduced to a woman who is facing a great challenge and it confirms in me that God gives us only what we can handle. She is more courageous in making the best of her situation than I can ever hope to be, but it shows me that I can be strong and make the most of what I have :) She helped to Specially Educate me today.
Nervous, but excited, to see how I can change this new boy's life.
I had a meeting with the Special Ed director, Social Worker, and mom of a possible new student last week. The school seems to be more than ready to hand him over to me, which made for an awkward moment/conversation with his mom since they didn't even ask if she was okay with the change before jumping the gun and asking for an IEP.
The new kid, H, is coming to visit tomorrow with his mom so that he can see me and meet the other boys before they make a final decision. I'm 99.9% sure that he's coming to me.
Nervous.
This boy seems to be... violent, to say the least. When he is angry he destroys everything in front of him, including property and people. I may be coming home with a black eye or two if I'm not careful. I just pray and hope that I can somehow reach this little guy and help give him the tools he needs to manage his anger.
I'm nervous about how this new "apple" may upset my "apple cart". Things are FANTASTIC right now in my classroom and I fear that I will see some backpedaling behaviorally.
I can handle this... I think. It's only 5. It may seem like 60 some days, but it's only 5. I'm lucky to have started where I did and with the group I did.
On a more positive note, I have been introduced to a woman who is facing a great challenge and it confirms in me that God gives us only what we can handle. She is more courageous in making the best of her situation than I can ever hope to be, but it shows me that I can be strong and make the most of what I have :) She helped to Specially Educate me today.
Nervous, but excited, to see how I can change this new boy's life.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Heavy Heart
Report cards are finished, submitted, and printed. Now to just fold them and send them home. One fiasco finished. Progress Reports for IEP goals are almost finished to go home with them. Grant to the Okemos Education Foundation submitted so that (hopefully!) they will decide to fund my Apple iPad 2 requests :) Excited and hopeful for that!
We had a crazy conversation between my kiddos, the parapro, and myself today.
C: Do you have any kids?
Me: Nope! I have two cats. And all of you are my kids!
L: When we grow up will you marry one of us??????
Me: (laughing) No, silly, I'm already married. Plus you're too young for me!
...a minute or two later as we are walking down the hallway, half way to music...
L: Are you going to marry Mr. G?
Me: (again laughing) No... he's married, too. We're both taken care of. Don't worry, someone will pick you some day.
C: I'm going to marry my girlfriend some day!
Me: You should be allowed to have a girlfriend in the 1st grade!!!
Gosh, these boys warm my heart :)
On a heavier note...
At our staff meeting this morning my school Social Worker talked about reporting abuse, telling us the reasons why it is our job, and how it can help individuals in a bad situation. Listening to her speak almost broke my heart because of a family situation for one of my kiddos... I can't let go of the fact that I can't fix everything. It's really been weighing HEAVY on my heart that things are changing for him. The things he repeats that he has heard at home are just killing me... And the fact that he can verbalize that he is upset that someone at home is telling him he is not allowed to talk to anyone or tell things to people just plants a seed of suspicion and worry in my mind.
There are so many things in life I wish I could "fix"... and there are things that I just can't let go of. I don't know how, or maybe I just WON'T let go... The toll this is taking on me is starting to show. How do I do this with grace and sanity???
We had a crazy conversation between my kiddos, the parapro, and myself today.
C: Do you have any kids?
Me: Nope! I have two cats. And all of you are my kids!
L: When we grow up will you marry one of us??????
Me: (laughing) No, silly, I'm already married. Plus you're too young for me!
...a minute or two later as we are walking down the hallway, half way to music...
L: Are you going to marry Mr. G?
Me: (again laughing) No... he's married, too. We're both taken care of. Don't worry, someone will pick you some day.
C: I'm going to marry my girlfriend some day!
Me: You should be allowed to have a girlfriend in the 1st grade!!!
Gosh, these boys warm my heart :)
On a heavier note...
At our staff meeting this morning my school Social Worker talked about reporting abuse, telling us the reasons why it is our job, and how it can help individuals in a bad situation. Listening to her speak almost broke my heart because of a family situation for one of my kiddos... I can't let go of the fact that I can't fix everything. It's really been weighing HEAVY on my heart that things are changing for him. The things he repeats that he has heard at home are just killing me... And the fact that he can verbalize that he is upset that someone at home is telling him he is not allowed to talk to anyone or tell things to people just plants a seed of suspicion and worry in my mind.
There are so many things in life I wish I could "fix"... and there are things that I just can't let go of. I don't know how, or maybe I just WON'T let go... The toll this is taking on me is starting to show. How do I do this with grace and sanity???
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Swinging Like Superman
Today it wasn't the fists flying, it was my boys :) Recess was great.
Today I was Specially Educated in realizing that you have to celebrate the little moments and HAVE FUN with your job :) Swinging like Superman (swinging on your stomach rather than your bottom ;)) makes children laugh. Swinging like Superman for ADULTS makes you want to puke. Bahaha. Worth it!
P.S. My mom thinks I'm cool for swinging like this with my students :)
Today I was Specially Educated in realizing that you have to celebrate the little moments and HAVE FUN with your job :) Swinging like Superman (swinging on your stomach rather than your bottom ;)) makes children laugh. Swinging like Superman for ADULTS makes you want to puke. Bahaha. Worth it!
P.S. My mom thinks I'm cool for swinging like this with my students :)
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