Citizenship in Schools - down syndrome

Two of my uncles work with people who have special needs. I honestly never saw myself doing such a thing, it's not that I wouldn't want to or that i'm judgmental because that isn't the case at all but working with people of special needs takes a certain amount of skill and patience I didn't think I had until about last week. I'm a waitress and I had a couple sit at one of my tables from a far they looked completely normally but when I went up to the table the male was down syndrome, deaf and mute and the women had a speech problem and couldn't form full sentences but she understood everything I could say and shared it with the man through sign language. When I introduced myself to them I was taken back when I learned he couldn't speak and she could barely speak and was genuinely nervous I wouldn't be able to take their order or wouldn't understand them. When I went back over to the table they had written out on their place mats what they would like to eat and drink and made a special little picture asking if we had pumpkin pie. They ended up being one of the sweetest couples I have ever waited on and they made me rethink a career helping out people with special needs. This article was eye opening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1-AnjfV3xQ

absolutely adorable and talented girl ^^^

Tracking: why school's need to take another route

There was a quote in this reading on lesson plans -

"Some rules of thumb can help teachers judge whether the lessons they plan are likely to help students of all ability levels succeed" (180).

This is something that lies ahead in all of our futures if we plan on becoming teachers. Not everyone in our classroom is going to be able to learn at the same speed nor in the same way. Some kids will be easier to teach than others but solid lesson plans based on our students abilities is what is going to be successful. You cannot just throw out an assignment to a class and demand they complete it. You also should not move kids of lower learning abilities out of your classroom. An educated and careful teacher will create plans to accommodate to all the students in their class. This is what our future holds to make our students futures better. Teacher's who don't care don't make a difference and don't get remembered. I don't know about others but I am becoming a teacher to watch the spark go off in my students eyes, the moment when everything I have been teaching them clicks and they finally understand and are excited to learn more. I could not dream of a better feeling.http://www.kean.edu/~tpc/Classroom%20Management/EFFECTIVE%20LESSON%20PLANNING%20&%20Classroom%20Mgmt.htm

The link above will bring you to a site that will show you effective suggestions to create good lesson plans as a teacher, enjoy!

Becoming something different

Esme is faced with a huge personality changing challenge which is completely unfair in a greater picture. We have had a couple of readings pertaining to this topic of knowing the english language immaculately or following below others socially and academically. Esme is struggling to learn the english language flawlessly to fit in and excel in school or else she may be placed in a lower level class. This just seems unfair because her not knowing our language well doesn't make her stupid in the least. We don't know her language why are we any better? She also struggles with the fact that her family wants her to remain speaking spanish because that live by their heritage very strongly. I don't think people should be evaluated by their ability to speak someone else's language. yes it would be probably be helpful but she is just as educated as the rest of the students and deserves the same respect.

Wise

When I read the first paragraph of this reading my jaw dropped. The racism that was displayed in just about five sentences is sickening. The fact that a cop just shot black men for no reason and one was suppose to be married the next day is disgusting. It's a crime that the cop ever thought that was okay. Or  that two white kids dressed up as black kids to throw "ghetto" parties. Black doesn't mean ghetto. I hate the narrow mindedness of people. It talks about it in this reading and I have wrote about it before in my blog and think pieces but it is just terrible how "white privilege" is reality. It isn't true and not all white people are better than all black people. But for generations now white privilege has been carried on and it does diminish but it is always there and it always causes problems for people who believe that way of life.

Kayne and Westheimer

This reading talks about service learning and stresses that it's charity and not change. I believe it's both, in some ways. About a month ago my grandfather passed away and he had been staying in a nursing home near my house for the past few years. After he passed I have visited and helped out at the nursing home from time to time. It gives me peace and I still feel a piece of him with him. I know that I should've helped out more there when my grandfather was still living there but it took a change in me and in my life so give back. I know it's what he would want. So yes it is charity but it is also change. To answer Reagan- yes, I do believe I am a better person today then I was four years ago. Sometimes it takes something traumatic to happen to make change occur.