Monday, September 24, 2012

Guided Math

    
Here is a blog that I want to share. One of my teaching partners shared this with me and we are experimenting with this.  We are not doing it exactly like this teacher but may be getting there.  This is an amazing approach to meeting the needs of all learners!  Let me know what you all think.  This allows for the special education teacher to work in the general education classroom and meet the needs of all learners!
                 blog                                                     

Monday, September 10, 2012

RTI

You will have to enter information in order to read these free articles on Response to Intervention.  I read the articles "RTI: An Approach on the March" and "States Adapting Best Practices from Special Ed for Standards. "
http://reg.accelacomm.com/servlet/Frs.FrsGetContent?id=50230312
The first article discussed the practices already implemented in the McPherson schools.  I remember my School Psychologist discussing this last Spring regarding the shift of how students would be identified for Special Education.  Rather than slowing down the process for identifying students with special needs, I have already seen the RTI process work in my school, as we move students through interventions and also through the SAT process and then to a possible IEP.  Any comments on changes they are seeing in their schools with RTI or MTSS?  Have you seen students identified for Special Education after going through this process?  Do you see problems with this?  One problem I could see is if the interventions are not implemented effectively or for the amount of time needed?  Thoughts?

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

ADHD

This came from an article in Education Weekly, "Shortages of ADHD Medications in Classrooms,"  By Jaclyn Zubrzycki

"The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta, estimates that more than 7.5 percent—or 5.4 million—of the nation's school-age children have ADHD. The condition is characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity—behavior that can interfere with learning."    

This is an issue!  Thoughts?!?

Monday, September 3, 2012

Philosophy of Education

According to the quiz, my main philosophy types are Progressivism and Social Reconstructivism.   This is very interesting to me.  I do believe that education should focus on the whole child and the need to question and experience in order to learn.  I also teach the importance growing socially in order to be a community of learners.

Meeting All Students' Needs

This is a brief article of the importance of communication in order to best meet the needs of the student.  This author/ Special Education Teacher ended with saying this...
"as Gandhi put it, "be the change you wish to see in the world." Be the one to push for common planning time (and to use it well). Be a dissenting voice when others say a particular student is a failure. Be the one who inspires colleagues to think outside the box about how to support that student. Be a teacher who is committed to helping all students succeed. You are not alone."  
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2012/04/24/tln_wasserman_strategies.html?qs=meeting+the+needs+of+all+students