Special Education Tips and Ideas

Teachers and bullys

2009-07-30T10:20:00.000-05:00

Teachers and bullys
Do teachers get bullyed? Yes!
In one large city classroom, I made the mistake of attempting to be democratic in my requests to students.
As a sub, I like to select different students to assist where it would be helpful. Not utilizing the same students all day

Sources of Bullys

2009-07-26T10:17:00.000-05:00

Sources of bullys
As a teacher and substitute teacher, experiences with bullying students have been numerous.

Some staff can handle them successfully, others can not. They, also, are intimidated.
I have found bullys come from all walks of life. Some of the worst have been from school staff's families and others from the families of community leaders. Some of these were backed up by their families. Of course, others may come from other families and broken homes.

Either way, they need to be dealt with. But, sometimes they are and sometimes not.

The Value of a Group

2009-07-24T10:01:00.000-05:00

The value of a group.

It will become easier for your child to approach new classmates and be a friend as well as make a friend. They should be encouraged to share these skills with the new friend and gradually build their own circle of friends. With a circle of friends to watch out for each other, the chances of bully activity aimed at this group of students becomes much less.

As you watch the groups of students seen in schools and social events. It does not take long to see who the "self-appointed leader" is. The "popular" student is soon easy to see.

The question is, "Is this "self-appointed leader" a desirable friend." He/she is often an order giver, not taker. The followers are "yes" people. Do it my way or you are out of the group.

I have seen the situation deteriorating to the place where the non-leader has been physically harmed, because they refused to "cooperate". These people should not be your child's friends.

Reasons for lack of reporting

2009-07-21T10:08:00.000-05:00

Reasons for lack of reporting.
Do not depend on the school to make activities "right".

Sometimes the scene is not quite in view of the supervisior.
Sometimes, some other activity is claiming the supervisiors attention at that time.
Serious bully's watch and wait for these situations and then act.

It is critical that parents follow up on any reports your child gives you when acts are made against them or another child.

Get as much information as you can from your child, persons, place, time, etc.
Contact the school supervisior, etc.
Request a return answer as to what was done. I know schools do not always like these "interferences", but it is your child or your child's friend and should not be ignored.

As a teacher and substitute teacher, I have reported incidents and had them ignored. There will be further information on these later.

Do not let bullying reports "slip through the cracks".

Good Friends

2009-07-20T10:06:00.000-05:00

Good friends become good groups.
As your child's friendship base grows, encourage your child to have the group look out for each other. Very seldom, will any of them be all alone at school.
Encourage the children to report any intimidation steps to an adult on duty. Also, to tell their own parents about the situation.
Sometimes, proper reports are not made and followed up on in a timely manner.

Confidence Building!

2009-07-18T09:57:00.000-05:00

Confidence building through role-playing.
As school will some be starting, soon, it is a good time for you, the parent, to start teaching your child how to make friends at school or in social groups.
Teach your "lonely" child to look over the area and find another "lonely" child. The one sitting or standing alone, not playing with anyone, etc. They too, are bully targets.

Practice having your child approach members of the household or friends and introduce themselves, compare likes and dislikes, and build a conversation bank for your child to use at school.

Bullys!

2009-07-17T09:43:00.004-05:00

Does your child have difficulty with bully's?

The well behaved child often does. The shy child having a difficult time making friends is often an easy target. The child with a learning or physical handicap is often a target.

As the children go into other classes, two problems can arise. They need to make new friends within the class. And, they often meet new bully's.

We are going to devote some space in this blog to the problem of bully's.

You are welcome to contribute experiences, suggestions, and ideas others can use. Student written contributions are also welcome.

Math Workbooks

2009-07-08T09:10:00.002-05:00

There are workbooks on the market for home use. Some are very useful and other are confusing.

With beginning students, books with fine print will not be useful. Too much material on a page is puzzling, it slows progress.

Often these books have one introductory page and the next page moves on to another concept. There are not enough pages to enforce the concepts needed.

I have found it helpful in the classroom to collect useful material and tear it out, add it to a notebook with plastic page sleeves in it. Your material can be added and subtracted as needed.
Over the years, I have collected material this way and can furnish material for most needs.

If you plan to use the material for other children, copy the pages before use.
You will also have a clean copy if the lesson needs to be repeated.
Another method that attracts some students is to write on the plastic with a slim line wipe off marker.

In some cases, if you can arrange to have the answers to the problems, tucked at the end of a set,most students like the freedom of correcting their own answers. I have had students go from page to
page more easily if they could correct their own work.

Flash Cards

2009-07-01T15:36:00.000-05:00

Keep in mind, the inexpensive cards are printed on thin cardboard, if the answers are printed on
the back in large print, the light shows through the card. Your student will soon learn all that has to be done is read the number backward, and they have the answer.
Hold at least two cards at a time, to keep the light from showing through.

I have had students learn these facts very fast, and then I learned the see-through fact.
We had start all over again.

Multiplication is built on a knowledge of addition.
Division is built on a knowledge of subtraction.
Without these foundations, math will always be confusing and frustrating.

Math A Difficulty

2009-06-30T15:26:00.000-05:00

Is frustration with math a difficulty in your home? We all have our favorite activities that are easier for us then others? This is true in school subjects.

This is the time where parents and family can be great teachers. If you know where to start.

At convient times and quiet times ask your child to give the answer to easy math addition facts.
2+2= , etc. Choose random math facts. Some may be easy, others may be missed or unknown.

Whatever the reason, you have discovered 2 pieces to the education puzzle.

Does the child really have the math facts learned?

Practice only a few very easy ones in the beginning.
Gradually add other and drop off the learned material.

Invest in a set of flash cards, starting with addition, if that is the problem.

Add the other math facts in turn: subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions.
Use the same procedures with each of them.

Eyes Not Reading a Line

2009-06-29T15:19:00.000-05:00

At times, the beginning reader will be picking words from the line above or below the reading line. Sometimes both.

This usually mean they are having difficulty focusing their eyes on the land. They
may need to see an eye specialist.

They may also need to use a card below the line.Extreme cases may require a slit be cut in a cardboard guide so they only see the immediate line.

Reading Techniques

2009-06-28T15:12:00.003-05:00

Another technique we adopted with the student in the previous post.
The students learned not to hurry him. Listen, let him take his time, use phonics to sound out words, as he learned them.

During those times when they were sure he was stuck, them to give him the answer so he could continue. Helping a troubled student too quickly, makes them nervous and distracts them.
Other students will often help quickly to show off their skills.

It often helps a new reader to follow a word line with a pencil or finger. Some students seem to think the words are coming out of the air.
You need to show them where you are getting the words.

A Second Grade Experience

2009-06-25T09:54:00.003-05:00

I once had a seven year old student enter my second grade class at the beginning of the year. He was a non-reader. (Before the era of Special Education)

A month or two later, using the family methods mentioned in the previous post.
He offered to stand before his class and read a small book of about 12 pages with 10 different words.
Not an accomplishment to many of us. But I was very pleased to have my class of twenty plus second graders rise to their feet an one body and give him a standing ovation.

This class adopted their classmate and helped him to graduate from high school. Today, this very seldom occurs, but it is what special students need and do not get very often.
From this point, this boy went on and gradually expanded his learning, but it was never easy for him.

author of Stepping Stones to Navajo History

Who is the Real Teacher

2009-06-22T11:02:00.002-05:00

The students in Special Education Classes have to struggle long and hard to make progress that other students make much more easily. It is frustrating and discouraging.

Who best to provide the encouragement than family and friends, in a non-threatening environment, at home? The same story can be read by different members of the family until it is nearly memorized.

To start this process, use a small simple book of about 30 pages. Use one with large print, bright
pictures and words repeated often, sometimes several times on one page. For some students, it may take a week for the student to get the idea.
Have your child look at this book list with you.
Children's Books
Find a book that interests them, the process will be lot smoother if they can choose the book themselves.
More choices available at these online book stores.

How to work with a Special School Program

2009-06-11T16:05:00.004-05:00

How can you work with a special school program? Show your child that you have an interest in what they are doing in school. Make it a daily habit to have them tell or show you one thing they learned each day. Compliment them on their achievements.

There are many times each day you teach your child.
Some time ago, I entered a store just in time to hear an exchange between a five year old boy and it father. Father was reading a newspaper while waiting for his wife to finish her shopping. The boy said "What are you reading that for? The father responded,"When I read, I always learn new things that interest me."

This was probably the best lesson in learning that he will ever teach his young son as it will last all of his life.

Special Education School Records

2009-06-06T08:08:00.004-05:00

I have found the use of plastic page protectors are an asset in keeping some school items.
They can be moved around and better organized. An inexpensive idea is to use the hole punched system in a 3 ring binder.
If your child deals with more than one school employee, request that all attend the meeting. Write information to be presented and receive feedback from the meeting.

If the meeting does not go well, it is possible to request a second meeting to settle differences.
There may be unresolved issues that may also require a followup meeting.

Don't just appear to be organized. Be organized. You will gain more respect and a more postive action plan from your school staff.

Avery Top Loading Non-Glare Poly Sheet Protectors 200 Count (74401)

Parent School Staff Meetings

2009-05-29T17:00:00.003-05:00

School parent meetings can be scary for some parents. They may feel the school staff member knows so much more than they do. Education scares them?

Maybe the parent has had bad experiences from their own classroom experience?
The reasons could vary. But you are the expert on your child. It is your responsibility to show your expertize to the school. You know your child's strength and weakness's. Maybe the same are not being shown at school.

At school meetings, some of the best clues to a child can come from seemingly, unimportant statements made by the parent or child. A well trained staff member can pick these statements up and incorporate them into developing an improved program for your child.

Worried? Take a friend or relative that knows your child well. Take a notebook with notes of what you want to discuss with staff. Keep all statements short and to the point. Usually, two minutes or less will say a lot. Any longer and people lose their train of thought. Give pros and con's.

Make note of any comments of others that you can use later. You may pick up some
clues to discuss with your child after the meeting.

Hint: Dress nicely. Approach the meeting as you would a business meeting. You will be more organized and sound more professional than you feel.
Your child is your business.

A Parent's Experience

2009-05-21T15:29:00.002-05:00

A few years ago, the parents of a 2nd grader was notified by their school, plans were being made to retain their daughter in the second grade in the following year.

There had been no previous indicationfrom the school of the child being seriously behind in school. She was having difficulty in reading but was being tutored and helped at home with progress being shown. No extra assistance had been offered
from school.

This should have been the first step for the school. It was not followed.
After the parents, in writing refused to consider the retaining order with out a meeting, a meeting was called.
Immediately, small group assistance was agreed to along with Special Education assessment. Six weeks later, she was entered into Special Education with no talk of retaining her. This was a speedy move for most schools.

Another request made by the parents was to receive a copy of the documents results the school was using to make their retaining decision. This was never received from the school.

Today, this student is a busy seventh grader. She had some area that shows difficulty, but she has learned to work her way through the difficult areas. Time has shown that her most loved class is producing music on her violin.

School Experience

2009-05-13T09:45:00.000-05:00

Years ago, I accidentally found pencil lead under my son's back skin. It
was the only tip off that he was having a problem in school. He finally
confessed to me, the boy seated behind him had begun poking him with a
pencil, often. He did not want me to take the problem to school. I did, by
calling the principal, the next morning. The boy was moved to an area that
prevented this behavior.
* Is your child happy to attend school?
* If something is not going well, does your student feel it is all their fault?

Uncertain students are easy to convenience "it is their fault". Don't let this occur.

Should you answer yes to any of these questions, it is time to take a good look at your child's school situation. It may mean just alerting the teacher, it may mean going farther. But often, the first step will take care of the problem.

People Without a Written Language

2009-05-11T09:40:00.001-05:00

Until almost 1920, the Navajos as well as other Native American tribes did not have a written language.
Between 1910 land 1920, an effort was made to learn the language and put the sounds in phonic language. Up until that time, much sign language was used or oral language, which took interpreters.
Most of the old biographies were pass on though the years by family historians, and not well known by many of the tribal members.
Stepping Stones to Navajo History has some great biographies.

Special Education Additional Assistance

2009-05-08T08:25:00.003-05:00

How do you know your child needs additional assistance in or out of school?
We expect schools to notice when all students need extra assistance.
Problem: It does not always occur. Sometimes, they "fall through the cracks. "
    Do you have a student "falling through the cracks"? Reasons for this may be varied.
    * A new teacher with less experience and too much to do.
    * Is the class over crowded?
    * Is there para-professional assistance in the class at least part of the day?
    * What is the classroom behavior? Well managed or disorganized?
    * Have you visited the class during class time? You may need to and observe
       your child's activities.
    * Have you questioned your child, listened to your child, gained his opinions of
       his class?
    * Is there a behavior problem with another student that needs to be addressed?

Can't be bothered

2009-05-04T14:11:00.002-05:00

Once, I had a child with the "Can't be bothered to learn" attitude. I began to ask him what his parents did to provide him with his needs. Both of them worked outside the home and he seemed to have the best of many things.
He knew the places they worked, but could not tell me what the jobs consisted of nor what they needed to do the job.
In school, he refused to use any of the teaching tools that were offered. He refused to turn in work, etc.

A conference with parents was a total disaster. They could not understand, or would not, that he was being taught skills at home that would not benefit his future. They had few expectations for his actions, so he gave them very little effort.
Very shortly afterward, he was transferred to another school. Do you think he changed much in the future? Or was he taught another undesirable lesson, by the parents.
Everytime someone expects something of you, it is easier to move on and slide through life, never accomplishing anything because you have no goals.
Teaching your child that life is not hard work is teaching them how not to have a life.
Setting goals are a life skill. You have to be taught that goals are necessary for yourself and for future employers.

He had also not made any friends in our class. Not because the students did not try to make a new friend, but even their demands toward friendships were rebuffed.
The lack of desire for goal setting even kept him from a social life.

Family History is a learning tool

2009-04-24T09:42:00.004-05:00

Do you listen to old stories about your family history? What has happened in your family and is now a fascinating lore? These stories are educational. How did your ancestors cope with difficult times?
Take notes of these stories and pass them on to your child. They will learn how to better handle life and the story has been given to the next generation.
A great example of how history can be lost and recovered is found in this book.
Stepping Stones to Navajo History

Teaching Work Skills

2009-04-17T09:46:00.002-05:00

Does your child know what skills you have? How do you earn your income?

Some children do not have this vital information.
You go to work and bring in a check to purchase their housing, food, toys, clothes, and fun. All your child needs to say is "I want" and it comes to them. No effort is needed.

It may be important for you to teach your child what you have to go through to provide their needs. What do your employers require of you to provide that toy, or snack? Homes can be valuable in teaching: use of time, accurate learning, budgeting of time and money and responsibility.

Special Education Tips & Ideas

Boring!

2009-04-07T16:32:00.003-05:00

"Boring"
Do you get that response from your student about homework, "Boring!"
Do they understand that sometimes repeating is necessary to master a skill. Tests show that some of us need to repeat a skill at least 10 times to really make it stick in our brains and master it.
A few are lucky and can do it in one try, but not all of us.

Does your student understand how some day, they may have to repeat skills to keep a paying job in their adult years? Students with the "Boring" attitude often do not want to put in the "repeat" time to do anything that is not needed their "now" life. They do not consider their future life.

It is a "get out of work" technique.
As a parent, you are contributing to a "get out of work" attitude toward your child's later work career, if you give in. You have to maintain patience and keep the repetition going. Your child will benefit in the end.
Special Education tips & ideas

2009-04-01T10:05:00.001-05:00

Stepping Stones to Navajo History was written for use in Navajo school's fourth grade classes.

Until the publishing of this book, the Navajo children did not have access to any material about their own Navajo History. It uses biographies of prominent Navajo leaders to tell the tribes history from early 1600's to the present.
A great introduction to Navajo History for any classroom or home school environment.

This book may be purchased in ebook format at: http://navajohistory.ecrater.com/

Visiting the Classroom

2009-03-26T08:37:00.001-05:00

While visiting the classroom, pay attention to the way the teacher gives instructions.
Are the instructions given one at a time?
Are several instructions given rapidly?
Not all of us understand instructions in the same way. Our brains may only process one item at a time. A little time may be needed between instructions.
Experiment at home. See what works best for your child.
Does the teacher talk to softly?
Does the teacher talk too rapidly?
Is there another child creating a disturbance and interfering with your child's learning?

Keep in mind that your child's problems may not always be his/her fault. Investigate and inform and train to improve the results.

Special Education tips & ideas

Lack of Confidence

2009-03-21T15:19:00.001-05:00

Hyperactive behavior and a stubborn behavior can also be caused by lack of confidence in classroom skills. A parent may need to see the teacher about classroom behavior.
As a teacher, I long ago learned to visit a classroom and observe the entire class for a short time. It does not take long to see which child will quickly get to work after an assignment. Concentrate heavily, work is completed steadily. Questions are asked if needed.

If this is not the actions of your child, you need to intervene. Move to sit beside your child. Ask if they need some help. Determine what the problem is and what is not understood. The problem may be simple, or it may be complicated, but you get a clue. Ask to take the lesson home with you and send it back the next day. By taking the lesson home, you can determine what the problem is without being hurried. You also have the added advantage of your child not worrying about what their classmates think of you helping them.

A few more school visits may be needed in the future. A teacher with a large number of students, do not always spot problems when needed. Another suggestion is to have the teacher appoint a partner to help your child, when needed. A properly trained partner will help, not do the work for your child which encourages the independence you wish to foster.

Special Education tips & ideas

Do you have a hyperactive child?

2009-03-18T08:24:00.002-05:00

Do you have a hyperactive child?
Have you mentioned the problem to your friendly medical professional? What was the result? Was it "to forget it as the child will grow out of the stage"? Or, was it "to prescribe a tranquilizer" which dulls the child's mind and reactions.
Investigate Medical personal trained in diagnosing educational disabilities. With out the proper tools and tests, no medical personal can accurately diagnose these difficulties. Because medications react differently for each person, more knowledge is needed then the average doctor has.

It is often difficult to find this information around many smaller communities and you will probably have to find a larger community for the service. They will sometimes work with the rural doctor, if requested.
Should your child be in Special Education classes, discuss the problem with the staff. Sometimes, they will help you carry some of the expenses as will insurance.

Education is a Jigsaw puzzle

2009-03-13T10:29:00.006-05:00

Education is a jigsaw puzzle . As we grow, our brains are expected to absorb many unrelated facts and instructions. The process usually works well. But, some times, it does not work smoothly.

Then we have the child or adult with the label of educationally handicapped. Over nearly 30 years in the regular classrooms and Special Education classrooms, children have been my best teachers.

There are fond memories of 5 children from grade 1 to grade 3 for their part in my education. These children worked hard attempting to learn letters, numbers, phonics skills and reading skills for 6 months. They were not successful, just frustrated. The teacher bought some 24 piece puzzles to help the children fill some class time and improve skills. These puzzles proved to be an excellent teaching tool, unexpectedly. The same children that could not learn the education skills proved not to be able to put these easy puzzles together. Attempts would be made to put the edge pieces in the middle, etc.

For some of the students, it took some days for them to get the concept of looking for shapes and colors. We decided to leave a portion of the class time to solve these puzzles. Finally, by the end of the school year, every student learned to put a puzzle together with in a 25 minute time limit. By that time, we found they were also remembering their letters and numbers. Wow!

Words and problems solving was beginning to make sense to them. The following school year, most of these 5 students reached their grade level, or close to it, by the end of the next school year.

Nutrition and Education

2009-03-13T09:56:00.005-05:00

Some years ago, I began to research nutrition in connection with a health problem. While reading the new book, I found a section on supplements and learning techniques.
Not long after, a young mother visited with me. She was frustrated with the recent behavior of a young daughter. She had been reliable and helpful, in the past. Now, mother and dad were receiving complaints from her classroom teacher for the same traits. Mother borrowed my book.

About two months later, she reported back, very pleased with her discovery. She researched the problem and invested in the suggested vitamins. In about three weeks, they began to notice a difference in her behavior. At four weeks, her teacher was commenting on the differences in school behavior. Life was returning to normal in their household.

Special Education Tips & Ideas

Tips for Special Education

2009-02-28T15:47:00.005-06:00

We all have day-to-day issues and believe we may be alone....
You are not alone. Here are some special education tips & ideas.

Education is a jigsaw puzzle. As we grow, our brains are expected to absorb many unrelated facts and instructions. The process usually works well. But, some times, it does not work smoothly. Then we have the child or adult with the label of educationally handicapped. Over nearly 30 years in the regular classrooms and Special Education classrooms, children have been my best teachers.

There are fond memories of 5 children from grade 1 to grade 3 for their part in my education. These children worked hard attempting to learn letters, numbers, phonics skills and reading skills for 6 months. They were not successful, just frustrated. The teacher bought some 24 piece puzzles to help the children fill some class time and improve skills. These puzzles proved to be an excellent teaching tool, unexpectantly. The same children that could not learn the education skills proved not to be able to put these easy puzzles together. Attempts would be made to put the edge pieces in the middle, etc. For some of the students, it took some days for them to get the concept of looking for shapes and colors.

We decided to leave a portion of the class time to solve these puzzles. Finally, by the end of the school year, every student learned to put a puzzle together with in a 25 minute time limit. By that time, we found they were also remembering their letters and numbers. Wow! Words and problem solving was beginning to make sense to them. The following school year, most of these 5 students reached their grade level, or close to it, by the end of the next school year.