Blog #8

   What is the most important thing you have learned during fieldwork observation? Why?

    I have learned that it is important to really look at each student as an individual.  Some students may be great in the main stream class setting.  While others really need the more personalized attention that one on one gives them.  These students that need one on one are not necessarily academically challenged but just learn differently.  I have learned that one student may need pull out classes and options in all subjects and areas.  While other students may only need help in one subject, and other in none.
     Working with students in a pull out setting has made me understand the importance of early intervention.  Many of these students are behind academically and feel inferior when around their mainstream peers because they do not meet the standard.  This is in no way their fault, they needed the intervention or a different way of learning.  If the students had received this at a young age they could still be on the same level as their peers and interventions would be in place so these students stay at or above grade level.   Look at each student individually and understand the importance of early intervention.

Blog entry #7

• What are the school rules/classroom rules and how are they enforced?

At the school that I have been at there is a dress code. This has helped make students on an even playing field.  You don't have the outlandishly dressed students or the misfit students. They all wear the same thing. If a student is out of dress code they have 2 options, to call home and get the correct dress code attire, or choose from the school closet so that they are always in dress code.  

 

They also do detention. If you are late, or unprepared, or disrespectful, it is up to teacher discretion. Then you are given a detention to be served within the next 5 days.  If there is a conflict you can talk to the teacher and they will work with you.  If you do not talk to the teacher and do not serve the detention then you will be given an office referral once an office referral happens you are called to the principals office, you will call home and make arrangements, and then you will be required to serve 2 detentions.  The original detention and another for the office referral.  This helps to keep the students in check. Detention is not long only 30 minutes after school but it seems to work well for the students at this school, many learn their lesson.  Others are frequent flyers  

Blog Entry #6

What strategies does the teacher use to actively engage the students? How effective are these?

The classroom that I have been in has students with very different needs.  There is the general population these students are great with going with the flow. The teacher tries to keep their attention and interests by changing up the delivery of information.  Smart board activities, hands on, lecture, games, etc.  This helps students so that they are able to have some wiggle time throughout the day.  This has worked great for all students in the class.   

Different activities throughout the lesson and the day have also been helpful for students with shorter attention span.  Students who have a difficult time sitting still the teacher has attached a pool noodle to their chair leg so the have something to wiggle without being a large distraction.  In the current class there is a student that reacts inappropriately in class with many outbursts.  Through reading his IEP it has been found that this student has some sensory issues as well.  The teacher has taken Velcro and placed them on the bottom of his chair.  He is able to quietly have sensory stimulation keeping his attention on the task and minimizes the inappropriate distractions to other students. 

The teacher has done a great job laying down the ground rules for the students who use the sensory tools.  If they are used as a distraction then they go away.  The other students in the class who are not in need of sensory aide understand the use and have found that the aides are less of a distraction then the students outbursts.  I think the aides help the students who need them but can be abused if not managed correctly.    

Blog Entry 5

What do you think is the most important role a teacher plays? Why?

I think that teachers working with students who have IEP and 504 accommodations is the most important role a teacher plays.  Helping students learn, function and succeed on a level playing field by providing adjusted assignments and/or other student needs is crucial to student success.  Understanding a students limitations and knowing how to help them learn and understand the material will encourage success and help when it comes to setting goals and annual reviews. 

Understanding your students and their needs/accommodations is also one of the most challenging roles a teacher can play.  At some points it may seem that you are preparing for an entirely different class for students with high demand accommodations.  It takes teachers going the extra mile to help students learn at their level and at a pace that is appropriate for their learning style and needs.  This is a very challenging role that teachers play but at the same time it is one of utmost importance.     

Blog 4

What clerical and preparation responsibilities have you participated in?
I have worked with students on reading and math. After working with these students i am asked to give my review on how they are doing. I document the time I spend with these students and how they are progressing. I have talked with some of the other teachers on how to help these students and different teaching techniques. 

I plan how I am going to work with the students based on how they learn and the accommodations in their 504 or IEP.  I help them reach their goals and set new goals.  I have say in on some IEP and 504 parent meetings and understand why parents can be frustrated.  Teacherrs work hard to keep every ones accommodations straight but it can be confusing if you have multiple students all with different accommodations and needs.  Having a good system  and knowing how assignments can be adjusted is necessary to keep all students accommodations straight, and make sure that you are not breaking the law by not giving the required time and accommodations. 

Blog 3

What modifications for learners who are exceptional what do you see?
Students who struggle with attention and sitting too long are given the opportunity to take a break and do high knees or walk up the hall quickly.  Having students sit for a long period of time when they have a diagnosed illness is something that many of these students are incapable of doing.
Mixing up the class time with different teaching styles will help students that learn differently.  Start with an icebreaker to help pull the students in then make it fun and engaging.  When it comes to homework give students work that is educationally relevant and enough work to understand concept mastery.  Adjusted assignments and time limits are accommodations that have been seen in many different IEP and 504 plans.  These can have a massive effect on students and hopefully give them some of the help they need.  

Blog Entry #2

Tell an opportunity you had to work with a small group. 

          I have been working with a small group of students on their social skills.  Many of these students are currently on and IEP or a 504.  It has been interesting to learn the accommodations for these students. Many of the students I am working with have a mental illness not so much a physical disability.  Only recently have we seen mental illnesses as a disruption in student learning.
          The first development of an IEP was in 1975 when it was created for physically disabled students.  Working with this small group of students I have see how Autism, anxiety, depression, ADHD can be crippling to the education of students.  These students can be fine and involved one minute and struggling to make it though the next.  By having accommodations and working with these students we are leveling the playing field for all students to be successful at their best functioning level.

Blog Entry #1

What does a teacher do all day?

     Teachers are in a constant battle to teach students who all learn differently.  During field work I have observed different methods to promote learning.  The teacher is moving form one learning strategy to another fairly quick to ensure all students are learning.  The teacher may start with a little lecture for those who learn through auditory learning, then to a visual over head projection for the visual learners, and finally pulling it all together in a game for the hands on learners.  Teachers have to be able to teach to many different students learning abilities while keeping everyone on task and staying within the time frame the teacher has set for themselves.

     In my observation it is difficult for some students to stay on task especially when they are learning in a way that does not keep their interest, so the teacher is frequently redirecting attention in an effort to keep the students on task.  Directions are given in many different ways so that all students are aware of what is expected of them on that current assignment.  Keeping a classroom focus is a challenge but as long as you are meeting the needs of all students, and providing sufficient learning opportunities then the students will learn.
   
     Working with different learning styles can be a frustrating to a teacher, but as long as there is adequate learning materials such as an over head projector, access to computers, hands on games, videos, PowerPoint, etc.  It will be less frustrating for the teacher and the students. Students will be able to access different learning styles and may adapt to different learning styles making them a more rounded student.