Lesson Eleven: Reflection

I got really behind this week...I just barely did my cmap! But, its Easter weekend, and that is exciting.

In this week's reading, I felt like it was a review from some of the things I have learned in Lit 2. We just barely learned about performance-based and portfolio-based assessments. I was slightly confused about them in that class, but reading about it in this book cleared up some things.

Lesson Ten: Reflection

I think our group essay went really well! I was kind of nervous about it but I had a great group that worked really well together. I liked that the stress and pressure was shared and not all loaded on me! :) Hopefully we did well on that assignment.

I am mostly excited for this class to go away....I enjoy learning about special education, but my confusion is still there since the first week. I wish I had a better understanding, but I am mostly learning from my textbook.

I liked learning about the individual learning strategies. They seem like really great things that I am looking forward to using in the future!

Lesson Nine: Reflection

Not gonna lie to you...I was not that engaged in learning this week. I had student teaching interviews and other class's test that really consumed my mind. This class was definitely set on the back burner. I did like reading about differentiation and how I, as a regular education teacher, can implement and include special education students into my classroom. I think it will be a real challenge in the future but it will help all my students in the long run.

I am still confused on case studies so if anyone wants to shed some light on how those should be completed, I would appreciate that!

Lesson Eight: Reflection

I liked reading about 504 and students who have learning disabilities but aren't necessarily fit for special education. I enjoyed this because I think it might be easy to over look these students, but I am happy that there are programs set in place for them. I have some friends who fit into some of these categories and I know they were grateful that they were able to be accommodated so that they could be successful in school.

We are almost done with the semester! Next semester is my last semester and I can't wait to get out into the real world and become a teacher! Good luck to everyone, I am sure we will all do great!

Lesson Seven: Reflection

So much frustration. It's okay, we can do this!

I still don't understand the cognitive maps. Half of the people are posting the chapter that corresponds with the vocabulary worksheet and the other half is doing the chapter that corresponds with the week number. I was pretty sure it was the chapter that we do for the vocabulary activity...but I could be wrong.

Anyways, I enjoyed learning about the 7 steps for the include strategy. I found them to be very applicable and easy to do. I think it will be a helpful strategy as I become a teacher and have students that may need more assistance.

Lesson Six: Reflection

This class is still really hard for me. I am still lost and confused but I am truly doing my best and I hope I can get a good grade and learn something!

What I really liked about this week's vocabulary was it was a review for me. I am currently taking Lit 2 on campus and we just finished talking about fluency and different assessments so the content wasn't too hard for me which was a huge relief! Literature is so important for young children to know and learn and I have used many of these strategies before and they work!

We are half way through people! We can do it!

Lesson Five: Reflection

I am still really lost in this class. I feel very frustrated and I wish we had some more examples of what is expected so that I can know what to do. Don't even get me started on the test! Thinking about the test makes me almost cry. I am fairly confident I will not pass it and it will make my grade worse. If anyone reading this wants to meet up and study (cry) I would love it.

I enjoyed reading the case study this week. I am taking Lit 2 right now, so it was cool to apply the things I am learning in that class in this class regarding reading. I never met with a group to discuss what I would do with Nathan, so I'll just write it here. I think Nathan is probably a really bright child. He seems as if he only has problems regarding reading. I am not sure if he needs to be put in special education, because his scores on other tests are above average. Because he started talking so young, I think that affected his ability to read. I think if he just had additional reading instruction outside of the classroom, he would be better at reading.

Lesson Four: Reflection

My frustration only continues to grow as this class progresses. I feel so lost and confused and I am trying to not blame anyone but I am stressed because I need to get a good grade in this class! I also want to learn but I feel that I haven't learned much.

Anyways, lesson four was really cool to read about. I am taking Lit 2 right now and we have talked about some of these assessments before, but it was interesting to read about them again. I feel like there are so many processes these children with special needs must go through and it seems like it would be annoying at times, but I know that it is for the greater good of the child so all the hard work is worth it.

Lesson Three: Reflection

I think this week was really challenging for me. I understand everyone is doing what they can to get this course up and running, but we've been in this class for a month and there is still a lack of clarity, direction, and purpose. I know our instructor is doing what he can, but I honestly feel like if we all don't get a good grade in this class, I will be upset. I can't afford to retake this class (financially or time wise) so I really hope we get to learn, as well as get good grades in this class.

Anyways...rant over...

This week I really liked the concept of collaboration. I thought it was very cool to see how many people are involved in the collaboration. It is more than just a few teachers getting together, parents, advisers, counselors, and sometimes students are involved. After reading about it, it makes sense that all those people are involved. The whole point of collaboration is so that the students needs are met. I think that, especially special education, that is the whole point of schooling. The students' needs are being met and they are growing and learning and becoming better versions of themselves.

Lesson Two: Reflection

The video of the conditions of the mentally and physically disabled in Serbia sickened me. I was so disgusted with what is going on there. It made me really sad to see. It is really unfortunate that the Serbian government does not give help to families with disabled children. I really think it is unfair to parents that the doctors recommend that they give away their child to a place so far away that they think is going to take care of their child, when really they are just neglected. I think it is so disappointing that the Serbian people think so low of people with disabilities, as if they chose to be disabled. I think that there is a little bit of that here in the U.S., but not nearly as bad as it is in Serbia. I was really proud of the mother who kept her child. It was probably really hard for her, but if you compare how great her child looked compared to the children at the institutions looked, he looked so healthy and loved. Some children are severely disabled and they won't really get a great shot at life, but I think it is so important to at least try to help them instead of letting them die in a bed by themselves. Other children, like those with Down's Syndrome, can have a great life despite of their disability, but sending them to an institution like that just makes them feel hopeless.

This video just really made me grateful for the Plan of Salvation and for the opportunity everyone gets to be resurrected. I know all those children and adults will be resurrected one day and be restored to perfect bodies and they will have perfect minds. They will be blessed to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for eternity. The spirits in those bodies are very special and they are choice spirits. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of God's plan.

Lesson One: Reflection

I think the thing that really stood out to me in all these talks this week was to not judge and to include others. I think I haven't been the best at that in my life, but that as I have gotten closer to Christ, I have been getting better. I also have had experiences in my life that have helped me to remember to include others and not judge them. I was bullied in middle school and I had no friends. Oftentimes, I would go to my math teacher's classroom for lunch because I knew I wouldn't have anyone to sit with if I went into the cafeteria. That feeling of being alone and unwanted was the worst feeling I have ever felt. I never want anyone to feel that way. I reflect back on that time in my life and use it to help me instead of hurt me. I look back and see that I learned how it feels to be on the outside. I do my best to never let anyone around me feel alone or unwanted because I know how it feels. I really hope in this class that I can learn ways to make children with special needs feel loved, included, and wanted.