Learn and Serve #9: 12/8...2:15

Tuesday is the first day of the week for students at Niagara Catholic University and my last day at learn and serve this year. At Niagara Catholic they decided to go by a 4 day week so they could increase attendance but the school day is longer. So after the test that they had the previous thursday, they got their tests back and went over the problems they had. My teacher usually gives the students extra time (p.137) to go over the things they didn't have the time to in class. According to her, the main idea is that they know the material, even if that means giving them time to look over their material and come back and finish the test. It was sad that i had to go as that was my favorite learn and serve location so far and it will be missed as my last picture is of me walking down the hall one last time.





Kirk, S., Gallagher, J., Coleman, M., Anastaslow, N. (2009). Educating Exceptional Children (12th ed.). Kentucky: Cengage Learning. Retrieved October 22, 2009, from http://college.cengage.com/education/kirk/educating/12e/resources/video_cases.html

Learn and Serve #8: 12/3...2:25

I was not supposed to attend learn and serve today but based on absences by the teacher and myself, i attended learn and serve for 2:25. Today was a little different. I wasn't expecting thursdays to be any different but today all the classes had tests, even the ones who were not the same class. She likes to give tests for all classes on the same day so she can grade all of them around the same time. To me that would seem like more work, but that is her teaching style. So i didn't have to do much today as concerned with teaching the students or helping them with work. I did however get to see the style testing that she uses. Because their school has to take regents tests she uses problems from past regents based on the info they learned as their test. She also uses the same format that the regents uses. According to her, if she can prepare them for regents type questions then they won't be suprised once they start regents preparation or when they get to the regents. "The level of anxiety that is associated with testing compunds their problems with learning and exacerates their learning difficulties" (p. 137). It makes sense to me.




Kirk, S., Gallagher, J., Coleman, M., Anastaslow, N. (2009). Educating Exceptional Children (12th ed.). Kentucky: Cengage Learning. Retrieved October 22, 2009, from http://college.cengage.com/education/kirk/educating/12e/resources/video_cases.html

Learn and Serve #7: 12/1...2:15

It is great to be back at learn and serve at Niagara Catholic High School after thanksgiving break. It seems like the students and even the teacher wish they were still on vacation but nonetheless, teaching still continued. More teaching and learning went on today in class. My teacher uses a lot of the smartboard system. I used to think that the smartboard was basically used for internet use and basically for subjects such as history and geography. But she utilized the smartboard to its full use with math problems and even let the students take a turn using the smartboard. After a couple classes i feel like i can actually use the smartboard. I feel like when i become a math teacher, i will use that to my full advantage. This type of instructional technology (p.63) is very good for the students to learn. I actually feel like this may make the learning process much easier.





Kirk, S., Gallagher, J., Coleman, M., Anastaslow, N. (2009). Educating Exceptional Children (12th ed.). Kentucky: Cengage Learning. Retrieved October 22, 2009, from http://college.cengage.com/education/kirk/educating/12e/resources/video_cases.html

Learn and Serve #4 and #5: 10/27 and 11/3...2:15 each

I realize that i grouped two learn and serves together but i have to go to 9 learn and serves anyway so my blogs will still all be here.


These two learn and serves were pretty similar. My teacher did a good job teaching the students. I am there for four different classes but two of them are essentially the same grade level and course. Its interesting to see how she changes the second class based on how the first class went. If in the first class, the students didn't understand the material being taught, she would change the way she went about teaching it to the second group as to not waste time explaining everything.
I have also come to realize just how small of school Niagara Catholic actually is. I mean, absences are expected but in some classes, when all the students are there, 3 people are sitting in the seats. So when students are absent there are sometimes 2 students there to learn. According to the book, it is a goal for students to learn independently (p. 293) but i also think that they need to have peers next to them to help them and encourage them.



Kirk, S., Gallagher, J., Coleman, M., Anastaslow, N. (2009). Educating Exceptional Children (12th ed.). Kentucky: Cengage Learning. Retrieved October 22, 2009, from http://college.cengage.com/education/kirk/educating/12e/resources/video_cases.html

Chapter 12 video response

Including Students with physical disabilities:
1. As a teacher, i felt like her teacher aids did a lot more than i expected. I realize that being in an inclusive classroom must be difficult for one teacher to do by themselves but i guess i never just thought that the aids would help out so much.
2. The use of the stander is important to helping Mary Anne. Also the use of the wheelchair helps her move around in the classroom. She also realizes that Mary Anne needs more attention than most, so she tries to make sure she is caught up and by not making activities that would be too difficult for her.
3. I feel like this class has further prepared me for working in an environment where someone needs that type of attention. Although i've never actually experienced it, i assume throughout my learn and serve, i will have an opportunity to along with other classes, i will be prepared.
4. I have not actually experienced doing any activities and im not exactly sure what activities i would be able to do at the high school level for a math class.
5. Students with ADHD will probably rather use a chart with pictures instead of having to read their schedule. It will probably be easier to follow.

Assistive Technology in the Inclusive Classroom:
1. I have assisted teaching a religious education class a few years ago where one child was disabled. Other than that, i really have no experience with working with kids who are physically challenged. Hopefully by sitting in on classes who have students like that i can learn exactly how to react and respond in situations.
2. Smartboards seem like the best way as a math teacher that i could use technology in my classroom. I feel like smartboards are good teaching methods and i could make my students solve problems on them which would get them involved with the technology as well.
3. Sara let her do the work on her own. She was there to assist her if she needed help but her main concern was to let her do the work by herself.
4. I did not realize all the ways and methods which are used for assistive teaching.
5. I really have no experience similar to that. Im assuming once i help out in an inclusive classroom i will understand the tension that he feels.

My work for the Portfolio Module

http://highschoolgroupedu239.blogspot.com/2009/12/communication-impairment-paul.html

http://highschoolgroupedu239.blogspot.com/2009/12/autism-paul.html

i just found it easier to copy and paste the websites from the disabilities that i did for the portfolio module so here they are. Enjoy