"Dora is Not a Monkey"

[similiesslip]

A song without words, rhythmically hummed.  "Hmm..hmm-hmm, hmm, hmm-hmm ..." A shoe lace dips and swirls like a lasso, the patterns and dips in time with the music in his mind.  Peter* moves and hums, intent upon his task.  The shoe lace flies, graceful and free, Peter delighting in ever twist and twirl

Comments

Please Note

[similiesslip]

First, these students are people to me. I tried to use good language choices. If I have miswritten, you are free to let me know a way to change my words to be more respectful. If you read this and see disrespect, I promise it is not intentional and I will change it if you can point how a good way to do so.

Second, I realize I'm only a student myself. It's very possible my ideas are unrealistic.

Mr. Smith and Mr. Black do not seem unkind. It is likely they know better than I how to work with students like Peter, John and Mandy.

But these children matter. I do hope teachers and researchers never give up on children like Peter, Mandy, Trey, Jack and John.

Also, I am inspired by the example of Mrs. Wilson. I want to remember what I learned from her.

Re: Please Note

[n3m3sis42]

I hope no one sees disrespect here, because it was clear from me to this post that you felt for these children. I thought it was very respectful, but I don't know much about special needs kids and I probably don't know the right words to use.

I didn't get the impression that any of the teachers were unkind. They seemed to be doing the best they knew how to do, but it felt obvious whose best was the most beneficial for the kids.

This was a sensitive, beautiful and thought-provoking post. Thank you.

[soprano1790]

This was very interesting to read. I don't know much about education, but I'm glad that some of those kids seem to actually be learning. I mean, that's the point of school, so as long as they're learning useful things through stories or music or whatever, I think that's important. I also think that a lot of those children with developmental disabilities are much smarter than people give them credit for. I know your not getting your degree in special ed, but what kinds of ideas would you have if you did work in classrooms like these?

[jacq22]

I read this twice, and realised how much I cared about the Mrs Wilson method. Dealing in this area of education you need to know what your children are capable of then gently help them achieve it. It was heartening to read of one good teacher, the other two make me sad.

There are similar ideas in caring for confused elderly, love wins every time. Creative thought, going outside the boundaries works. The worst thing to hear is 'We always do it this way".

Hoping your future in education is rewarding.

[similiesslip]

I asked Mr. Black about his training. He said he was math teacher but went back and got a master's in Special Ed because, while there is more paperwork, it is quicker to grade a few math problems rather than classes and classes of student papers. I was surprised. I honestly thought he would say something about how he felt drawn to help students of differing abilities or something like that. I mean, he must be a good teacher of the visually impaired (he's had his job a long time) but...it just makes me sad. Perhaps it's due to my position as someone without experience. It just seems like part of teaching, especially in this area is to keep trying different methods to reach the students

[whipchick]

This is sobering, but also inspiring, and I love your metaphor of the wheels and vehicles.

I'm lucky, I get to teach students who choose to be with me in a "fun" workshop environment. But at the same time, I'm amazed at how many times I hear from parents or the regular teachers that our shining star is normally a "bad kid", and it makes me wonder how much of what we get from a kid is based on the expectations we go in with, or their need for a different style of learning.

[similiesslip]

I think learning styles DO really make a big difference. In college, we are taught to vary our lesson presentations so that each child can be reached. Not every presentation method will reach each child but if you rotate it, they should all learn something in the space of a week

[basric]

I can answer that. NO. Congress could care less about students without special needs though they yell and stomp about it, basically they could care less. so special education is at the bottom of their actual list though they might tell you otherwise.

[similiesslip]

It is discouraging to me partly because (some) "smart" students will learn no matter what. They are inwardly motivated to learn and have the ability to do so, even if they have less than great teachers.

Students with disabilities...they REALLY need caring, involved teachers who would try ANYTHING to help.

The ones that REALLY NEED teachers ..should be more of a priority than they are, in my opinion.