DAY 3
I arrived at Niagara Falls Alternative High School to find Mr. Castiglione dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, he smiled and said "Today, we're going on a field trip." Exciting I thought and he informed me that we were going on a dig in a privy that the science teacher created. He then apologized to me because he forgot to tell me last week. I would not have wore dress clothes if i knew we were digging so I was a little disappointed. However, I did had flip=flops in my bag and traded my heels for those, smart move.
The dig was held just around the corner from the school where an old hotel used to stand. There were two giant holes in the ground and all the kids were deep in there digging. The other teachers from the school we're also there so this gave me a chance to get to know them and build relationships. The kids were having so much fun, the bottles they dug up were amazing, some still fully intact. You could see that they preferred this over the classroom any day.
The field trip worked their science, english, and social studies skills. I'm not sure how math was involved but I'm sure somehow it was. The history aspect was that they were uncovering artifacts from the ground and learning about the history of Niagara Falls. Once the artifacts were cleaned, which would be done in science class the students would research the artifact they found and write about it in english class. It was truly an educational field trip and far better then learning in the classroom.
The kids found a piece of a piano in one of the holes. It was unbelievable. For the next hour they were determined to get another part of the piano and sure enough they did. These kids worked together and helped each other out. it was a complete turn around from last week when they were calling each other fat and stupid. Another student found a piece of a hand gun. he informed me that it was a 22 something or another I just agreed with him, I had no idea.
Channel 2,4, and 7 came to fim the kids digging, the Buffalo News came as well. I'll scam the pictures that were in the paper when I get back to school. The kids loved this. They got to be interviewed and these students already love attention so it was nice to get them a more positive form. They really changed their attitudes when the camera were on them. You could see that they understand their attitudes when the rest of the world would be watching them. Every single one of them is a good student, just misunderstood and need a different environment to learn. Oh, and the channel 4 guy filmed me doing the '4' sign, yeah I'm famous now.
I thought a lot about what we discussed in class that teachers need to change the way they teach because students are getting bored with the same methods we were taught in. This field trip was a perfect example of how changing the way we teach can help students learn more. Especially with students who need that extra push just like my students. It's ironic how much of a live lesson I received. I wish that I could have gotten dirtier and deep in the hole with them, Mr. Castiglione promised that next time he'd remember to call me. He felt so bad. This school is brilliant, these kids and myself are learning so much more then they would ever learn from a textbook. We are all learning how to communicate with different types of people in and outside the classroom which is not something you are usually taught in a normal high school setting.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Learn&Serve
DAY 1
Niagara Falls Alternative, what's your immediate thought? MIne, was fear. I was to be placed in Niagara Falls Alternative High school grades 7,8,9,10,11,12 and I've heard horror stories about the school! People saying oh you're going to get stabbed those kids fight all the time, make sure you aren't left in the room.
Education was cancelled that day so I had plenty of time to prepare myself for Learn and Serve. I got picked up and the driver asked me where I was headed and when I told him he chuckled and said, "Have fun, I've heard crazy stories about that place." Nervousness wafted over me again, "Awesome," I thought.
Niagara Falls Alternative is extremely small. There are teachers for the core subjects math, english, science, and history. When I approached the office nobody was in there and I called out hello and nobody answered. An african american boy turned the corner and asked who I was looking for and I replied anyone and he yelled out a name and an office lady appeared. She was by far the nicest secretary I have ever met. At my past two Learn And Serves they had all been so nasty. She actually asked my name, my major and had a real conversation with me. I felt like she was treating me like a an adult, like a teacher coming to work.
It turns out the classroom I was in was right across from the office, i knocked and went in. Mr. Castiglione was in the room conversing with two students, a boy and a girl. He said it was the 9th grade. It was definitely strange being in a classroom with only two students.
I was only with them for 5 minutes and everyone was just chatting because the work for the day had been finished. After they left Mr. Castiglione and I got acquainted. He explained how the school works, the surrounding schools buy slots and when a student is acting up and is to much to handle in a regular school setting they get sent over to the alternative school until they are better behaved. He told me that the school didn't have many students yet because the year was just starting. He told me not to be alarmed by anything the students said and it was better to just joke around with them because honestly there is not very many ways to change them you just need to help them get back into the school system though. He said he has a pretty good ear and if something is past the line then he'd step in and if I'm offended in anyway to immediately tell him. He also told me that I had nothing to worry about, the most that will happen is loud outbursts. He truly did ease my fears. He also told me that I am more then welcome to teach a lesson, so I've got to get to work on planning something.
The 10th grade class was the biggest class of the 2 1/2 I'm in (I say half because I come into a class). There is roughly 7 students and they were working on drawing a comic strip about mummification. I walked around and tried to help the kids stay focused but it was really difficult, they get off topic constantly. They all seemed to get their work done.
The final class I'm in is the 8th grade, there is one student. He refused to introduce himself to me and always had a comeback when Mr. Castiglione was talking to him. Mr. Castiglione however also had a comeback. The student did one worksheet and was finished for the day, Mr. Castiglione informed me that it was because it is hard to teach a full lesson with one student and once they start filling in things would change.
I truly regret my assumption of that school and those students. I absolutely love it and if I could I'd be willing to do my TA there, I feel that way I's truly be making a difference.
DAY 2
Since when I came in the two 9th graders were already finished with their work I just joined in the conversation and made myself seem likable and understanding and almost like a friend but still with the authority aspect.
Usually we have a break between the 9th graders and the 10th graders but instead the one 8th grader came in, he missed the day before or something. He was assigned to read a newspaper article and answer a few questions on it. After a minute he instantly said "I don't want to do this." Mr. Castiglione ignored him, but looked up and gave him that look. I walked over and decided to work with him, why not right? He was extremely difficult to work with. he was impatient said he just didn't get it when I knew it was because he didn't even glance at the article. I read it over fast and had him read to me parts that could answer the questions. I'll have to learn more about teaching children who don't like to be taught without actually giving them the answers. it is extremely frustrating.
The 10th graders had a test and their strategies were so strange. They were allowed to talk during the test! It was interesting they would carry on conversations, however they never mentioned questions about the test. They know that's not allowed and they also just don't like to be quiet it seems. Two of the students raised their voices at each other calling one fat, the other ugly. Mr. Castiglione just told them they need to settle down.
The 8th grader came back for his regularly scheduled class and we worked on a worksheet together reading allowed from the text book. Then the three of us sat down and Mr. Castiglione had him talk about the article we read which led to a lesson on the branches of government.
Mr. Castiglione is really good with the students. He's rather young maybe early 30s and the students respect him as a big brother type it seems. Mr. Castiglione tells me yelling doesn't work with these kids because they aren't scared of you. They've been through more then either one f us will see in our lives and they are only 15 years old. He says to get through them you need to let them trust you, because then they will respect you.
Niagara Falls Alternative, what's your immediate thought? MIne, was fear. I was to be placed in Niagara Falls Alternative High school grades 7,8,9,10,11,12 and I've heard horror stories about the school! People saying oh you're going to get stabbed those kids fight all the time, make sure you aren't left in the room.
Education was cancelled that day so I had plenty of time to prepare myself for Learn and Serve. I got picked up and the driver asked me where I was headed and when I told him he chuckled and said, "Have fun, I've heard crazy stories about that place." Nervousness wafted over me again, "Awesome," I thought.
Niagara Falls Alternative is extremely small. There are teachers for the core subjects math, english, science, and history. When I approached the office nobody was in there and I called out hello and nobody answered. An african american boy turned the corner and asked who I was looking for and I replied anyone and he yelled out a name and an office lady appeared. She was by far the nicest secretary I have ever met. At my past two Learn And Serves they had all been so nasty. She actually asked my name, my major and had a real conversation with me. I felt like she was treating me like a an adult, like a teacher coming to work.
It turns out the classroom I was in was right across from the office, i knocked and went in. Mr. Castiglione was in the room conversing with two students, a boy and a girl. He said it was the 9th grade. It was definitely strange being in a classroom with only two students.
I was only with them for 5 minutes and everyone was just chatting because the work for the day had been finished. After they left Mr. Castiglione and I got acquainted. He explained how the school works, the surrounding schools buy slots and when a student is acting up and is to much to handle in a regular school setting they get sent over to the alternative school until they are better behaved. He told me that the school didn't have many students yet because the year was just starting. He told me not to be alarmed by anything the students said and it was better to just joke around with them because honestly there is not very many ways to change them you just need to help them get back into the school system though. He said he has a pretty good ear and if something is past the line then he'd step in and if I'm offended in anyway to immediately tell him. He also told me that I had nothing to worry about, the most that will happen is loud outbursts. He truly did ease my fears. He also told me that I am more then welcome to teach a lesson, so I've got to get to work on planning something.
The 10th grade class was the biggest class of the 2 1/2 I'm in (I say half because I come into a class). There is roughly 7 students and they were working on drawing a comic strip about mummification. I walked around and tried to help the kids stay focused but it was really difficult, they get off topic constantly. They all seemed to get their work done.
The final class I'm in is the 8th grade, there is one student. He refused to introduce himself to me and always had a comeback when Mr. Castiglione was talking to him. Mr. Castiglione however also had a comeback. The student did one worksheet and was finished for the day, Mr. Castiglione informed me that it was because it is hard to teach a full lesson with one student and once they start filling in things would change.
I truly regret my assumption of that school and those students. I absolutely love it and if I could I'd be willing to do my TA there, I feel that way I's truly be making a difference.
DAY 2
Since when I came in the two 9th graders were already finished with their work I just joined in the conversation and made myself seem likable and understanding and almost like a friend but still with the authority aspect.
Usually we have a break between the 9th graders and the 10th graders but instead the one 8th grader came in, he missed the day before or something. He was assigned to read a newspaper article and answer a few questions on it. After a minute he instantly said "I don't want to do this." Mr. Castiglione ignored him, but looked up and gave him that look. I walked over and decided to work with him, why not right? He was extremely difficult to work with. he was impatient said he just didn't get it when I knew it was because he didn't even glance at the article. I read it over fast and had him read to me parts that could answer the questions. I'll have to learn more about teaching children who don't like to be taught without actually giving them the answers. it is extremely frustrating.
The 10th graders had a test and their strategies were so strange. They were allowed to talk during the test! It was interesting they would carry on conversations, however they never mentioned questions about the test. They know that's not allowed and they also just don't like to be quiet it seems. Two of the students raised their voices at each other calling one fat, the other ugly. Mr. Castiglione just told them they need to settle down.
The 8th grader came back for his regularly scheduled class and we worked on a worksheet together reading allowed from the text book. Then the three of us sat down and Mr. Castiglione had him talk about the article we read which led to a lesson on the branches of government.
Mr. Castiglione is really good with the students. He's rather young maybe early 30s and the students respect him as a big brother type it seems. Mr. Castiglione tells me yelling doesn't work with these kids because they aren't scared of you. They've been through more then either one f us will see in our lives and they are only 15 years old. He says to get through them you need to let them trust you, because then they will respect you.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Power Point/Dilemma
If Kevin was willing I would invite him to explain to the class what his learning disability was and explain to the students why it is he needs these extensions. However, if Kevin wasn't willing to be open about his situation I would design an activity that minimizes everyones time in order to show an example of what Kevin goes through on a daily bases. In my opinion this is a very awkward situation for both myself and Kevin. Having a learning disability is a very personal issue and it is not something people are always willing to discuss. I think that I would immediately ignore the whole situation because I was not sure to handle it. The fact that I personally believe it is a private matter will hinder in how I approach the situation. The idea of "fair" for a child with a learning disability is preforming academically the same as a child without a learning disability. For this to happen, exceptions may be required and in order for everything to be "fair" those exceptions should be available for them.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Number Two :)
I dare you to go into a school and not find a single good teacher. General education in our country is phenomenal and it is something our government is extremely proud of, however as this class discusses general education is not for everyone but education is. The reason that our country provides special education programs is because they know that it is needed in order to ensure that each and every child gets a proper education. Teaching a child with special needs requires a lot of time, energy, patience, and understanding. Due to this it takes a certain type of person to handle situations and not everyone is qualified or has the time with a full classroom hence the need for special education classrooms. Special education classrooms are not designed to separate those with special needs to punish them but to give them the attention they greatly deserve.
Individualized Education Programs are legal documents that state exactly what services your child will receive in special education. The document is required by law to include the classification of your child, placement, services, academic and behavioral goals, the percent of time they will be spending in a general education classroom, and also progress reports for the parents from both the teachers and the therapists. By providing an almost set of guidelines for what is expected of both the general education teacher and the special education teacher. It allows for more concrete planning to be able to ensure the parents of the fact that they are getting their child exactly what they need.
Entry Number One
Having a child with exceptional needs is a hard thing for every parent. Most parents do not prepare for it to happen but still welcome the child in with open arms. By having a good home environment the child becomes more at ease and able to adapt around others. Most parents go on treating their child just like any other child with a few modifications. From experiences I have seen siblings of children with special needs treat them just like they would any other brother and sister. To the sibling, love covers up any difference that that their sibling may have.
For a child to be considered “exceptional” they must be classified under one of these themes:
- speech and language impairment
- auditory impairment
- deaf and/or blind
- autism
- developmental disabilities
- multiple disabilities
- orthopedic impairment
- specific learning disabilities
- emotional/behavior disorder
- traumatic brain injury
- multi-sensory impairment
- serious health impairments
Sunday, September 13, 2009
I know, I'm a little late
We're supposed to blog after every class, but class was 3 days ago and here I am posting about class. I'm horrible.
For an 8:30 am class I have so much fun. Sure I'm tired but who couldn't think that running around taking pictures isn't exciting? Or making a fool of yourself doing yoga? I know I look like a fool, I can't balance on my foot to save my life I'm pretty sure.
As for the quiz, the format today really helped relieve some stress. Personally I think that reading when you know you have a quiz defeats the act of reading. I don't think that I'm reading to learn what is in the book, but only looking for key things that are on the test. But I guess I've always been like that, even in high school. I guess I'm not a fan of extremely structured tests (which this wasn't). Like standardized testing, I could go on for hours about how the SAT's aren't standardized at all. But I wouldn't dare bore you.
All in all, I'm so excited to see what this class will bring.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Blogger? Huh?
So a blog is all the rage huh? Well, I guess I'll test my technology skills and keep this updated in more ways then just what I've been learning about in education.
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