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Dave MontrealCan - Good evening, welcome
Dave MontrealCan - I would like to put out this offer for all tonight first I did an exchange yesterday with a 4th grade class in Ca students were given the opportunity to ask questions about what it is like to be visually impaired I would love to do the same exchange with some of your classes this fall
Dave MontrealCan - The exchange yesterday was done by email and it was a wonderful success
Mich - Sound like an interesting exchange
Dave MontrealCan - Mich what grade do you teach welcome
Carolyn - How did you set this up?
Dave MontrealCan - Carolyn do you know Whistler from the chatroom? Her 4th grade students wrote a group of questions to me asking me about how I manage each day and about the work I do with inservice training and I responded she printed my answers out and gave a copy to each student and they began to study about things like cateracts and also about how one manages with a visual impairment
Mich - I teach LD resource
Carolyn - yes i know Whistler ..that sounds wonderful ..is first grade to young for this
Dave MontrealCan - phone brb sorry continue the discussion I will be right back
Ally - I work with Mutlti-handicapped middle school stuents
Carolyn - I am a first grade teacher ..I have a child in my class with was just tested at a 59 IQ and I am having diffculty trying to help him. I do not have a special ed degree and I thought maybe I could get some help here
Carolyn - who
Mich - Carloyn, does this kid have a label?
Msdtchr - I teach middle school students with orthopedic impairments.
Carolyn - they just labeled him mentally retarded he has been in three school s this yr and came to me in Feb. the special ed team just finished the testing on him
Carolyn - I dont know how to help him he is now having emotional fits
Mich - DOes he receive any special ed services or have an IEP?
Carolyn - not yet
Carolyn - and he willnot receive them until next yr
Dave Montreal - Carolyn how is Jake doing?
Mich - OH my, hang in there. Yikes.
Mich - How much longer until school gets out?
Carolyn - Jake is doing well ...the hearing specialist praised me for all the help I gave Jake this yr ...she said and I can see it too that Jake has improved so much this yr
Carolyn - 8 days
Mich - I don't have any great advice that will help much for 8 days, oh my.
Dave Montreal - I think it would be great in the fall Carolyn if yo like to have your first graders send me questions about what it is like ot be visually impaired I can try my best to answer on their level and they will learn a lot
Carolyn - but it has real been rough with this little boy ...I just want to get through these 8 days and it has been tough especially because of the emotional fits and sitting in the corner all curled up
Mich - If it were longer than 8 days, I'd tell the team to do a behavior intervention plan (BIP)
Carolyn - I will do that Dave I think the children would love that ....I know they will learn so much
Dave Montreal - Carolyn have you had this child all year
Carolyn - no since Feb.
Carolyn - he has been in two other schools besides this one I just want to help him get through these eight days and feel some kind of success
Mich - Carloyn, will the office help you if your child disrupts the others?
Carolyn - we have him on a behavior plan but it is not really working
Dave Montreal - Carolyn it looks like Jake at least will be going on to second grade I think right?
Carolyn - yes I call the ofice o have him taken out but that is tough because he curls up and wont leave the room and he is screaming and pulling away ..I feel so bad
myg - Carolyn can the Sped teachers still give him some time to help him and you? If they will provide services next year they should be able to do minor help now.
Mich - That's a toughie
Carolyn - yes jake has done wonderfully.. he can read now
Carolyn - yes I am going to have to talk to them because this child I feel so bad for him
Dave MontrealCan - Carolyn I am so pleased that Jake has done well
Msdtchr - If you had a vision student you could have the student read a book in braille. I have a former student who went to the PK class and read Green Eggs and Ham in braille
Msdtchr - the kids loved it.
Carolyn - does anyone have any suggestions on what I can work on with him even though it is 8 days at least it is something I have been working on puzzles, tracing, coloring, cutting,
Carolyn - wow msdtchr that is wonderful
myg - It sounds like he needs resource at least. Can you provide him a place in the class that is somewhat isolated or less stimulating? Have the SPED teachers help you al least get work on his level. Dot to dot, number or letter tracing. kidzone.ws has low level worksheets
Dave MontrealCan - Msdtchr great I was a student mainstreamed in the regular classroom environment and now give inservices to teachers on how to better accomodate these children in their regular classroom environment
Msdtchr - Darrius loves to read and he could read those Dr. Seuss books.
Mich - Do you have computer access in the room with Internet?
Carolyn - thank you very much myg I will check it out and Yes he has a spot to work on his own ...he needs that because he distracts others and he is very aggressive to the others
Dave MontrealCan - MsDtchr what grade do you teach?
Carolyn - yes
Msdtchr - he read a excerpt from All the Places you go by Dr. Seuss for 5th Grade graduation.
Msdtchr - I teach all grades.
Mich - If he can use a computer, try www.starfall.com interactive easy site. I love it.
Msdtchr - usually K-8.
Carolyn - how wonderful msdtchr
Dave MontrealCan - Carolyn od you have an aid in your classroom
Carolyn - I will try that mich ..tomorrow I will and I am sure he will like it because it is something new
Carolyn - yes Dave
Dave MontrealCan - Carolyn I bet that is a big help to you
myg - pbskids sometimes has lower level things as well
Carolyn - oh yes Dave it is wonderful
Dave MontrealCan - Carolyn can you stay for a few after the meetign I just need ot fill you in on how the plans fo rthe Gathering are going
Carolyn - I will check that out too myg I am writing this all down
Carolyn - sure Dave
Msdtchr - A few months back there was a story on HBO called Educating Peter- a boy in reg ed who had Downs Syndrome. It was pretty neat.
Carolyn - really that sounds interesting
Cecesc - I saw Educating Peter yrs ago and thought it was pretty good
Msdtchr - several years ago they had a story on him that was in a video and then they did it again.
Dave MontrealCan - Msdtchr I was so glad that my parents decided to place me in regular school from Kinder through University I faced many challenges at that time but it was all worth it
Msdtchr - this was a updated version CECeSC
Carolyn - so it is on video ..can you get it in the video store to rent I would like to see it
Cecesc - Hope I get to see this one then
Msdtchr - I don't know. Check with HBO, they may have it.
Msdtchr - I doubt if you could rent it from a video store.
Carolyn - ok I will thank you
Dave MontrealCan - Carolyn do you have a resource centre within your school district?
Msdtchr - There was a movie a few years back with Justine Bateman on a blind woman and I tried to get it on video and it cost a fortune
myg - Carolyn look for software called millie's math house and bailey's book house as well. We used it in our elem lifeskills class
Msdtchr - I would think they would still have it at HBO or have info on it-- it was on in January, 2003.
Carolyn - really
Msdtchr - those are wonderful programs Myg.
Msdtchr - I have used both those programs. I am going to have a student with a 60ish IQ in the fall.
Dave MontrealCan - Myg what grade do you teach?
Carolyn - thank you myg I will do that too
Msdtchr - he had a traumatic brain injury right after birth.
Carolyn - I am not sure Dave
myg - MY kids could do them fairly indep. Really good!
Dave MontrealCan - Carolyn i borrow many videos here from the local resource centre for educators and people who work in education they have many videos
Msdtchr - Carnival Countdown and Zoo Zillions are good too.
Carolyn - this little boy has a thryoid problem and he was on med. for it then they took him off ..but he also has a big scar on his forehand like he was hit with something it is a bi g round circle
Carolyn - he also was notr breathing at birth it took a little while to get him to breath
Msdtchr - Intellitools has some good programs too- Number Concepts 1 is pretty good.
Dave MontrealCan - Carolyn do the other children accept him or do they tease him?
Carolyn - he is very mean to the children
Msdtchr - I had a student a couple of years ago who loved intellitools.
Carolyn - the children try to help him ..but he doesnt want to be with them
Dave MontrealCan - Carolyn wow that can be quite a problem
Msdtchr - Simon Sounds it Out and Simon Spells by Don Johnston are also very good, too.
Carolyn - I have a very helpful class
Carolyn - it has been
Msdtchr - from my experience kids that age like to help their peers.
Carolyn - thank you everyone I am writing this all down
Mich - Sounds like they should not have placed him in your room
Dave MontrealCan - Msdtchr have you ever taught a sight impaired or blind child?
Msdtchr - oh yes. Several of them.
Carolyn - yes I think so mich
Msdtchr - <-------dually certified in visual impairments.
Carolyn - it has been rough
myg - Msdtchr, thanks for those software titles. I will look for them.
Msdtchr - if I were you Carolyn, I would make sure an IEP is in place prior to the end of school.
Dave MontrealCan - Msdtchr I have what is known as retroentalfibroplazia and have just under 10% vision in my left eye and totally blind in right eye
Msdtchr - have had several students over the years with ROP.
myg - Carolyn, does he respond to food rewards or to being a helper?
Msdtchr - ROP and cortical visual impairments are what most of my students have had.
Carolyn - we are trying to get that done .......I am pushing everyone so we get him ready for next yr and he will get the help he needs
Carolyn - yes he likes to help me
Msdtchr - I have had a few with glaucoma. My first year I had a student wtih albinism.
Dave MontrealCan - Hello Jessi welcome
Jessi - Hello. Thank you
Msdtchr - Can he qualify for summer services?
Dave MontrealCan - Jessi what grade do you teach
Jessi - I teach grades 6-12
myg - use that as a reward for any positive thing that he does. If he or you needs a break, send to to deliver a note next door that has a smile on it. THat makes him feel important.
Msdtchr - Carolyn, you may also want to look at the Living Books they have several childrens books on the computer and it highlightst he print as it is read-- I have had some low students like that.
Msdtchr - they have the Dr. Seuss books, Arthur and others.
myg - those are super!
Msdtchr - Also, Carolyn do you have a language master in your class?
Mich - Jessi, what population do you teach?
Msdtchr - that may be helpful too.
Msdtchr - I have had students use those and some of my kids can do it indpeendently or semi independently.
Carolyn - Oh Know my mom is on the phone I need to talk to her ...dave will you be on tomorrow night in the chatroom ....could we chat then ...my mom has details to tell me about my dad's 65th birthday and i need to help her with it ...yes he will be going to summer school....thank you everyone so very much for all your help...you really helped me and now i have stuff to do with him for the next 8 days ...I will try that myg and msdtchr....thank you so very much....I feel better now,,...Have a good night and nice chatting with you all ..I do not have language master
Cecesc - I also love the Living Books, Even my very low functioning kids love them
Jessi - Mostly ED/BD kiddoes. I have one autistic and a couple mild MR
Carolyn - bye
Msdtchr - Also, you may want to get Write Out Loud by Don Johnson or Intellitalk II or Writing with Symbols by Mayer Johnson to help with beginning literacy/written expression skills.
Dave MontrealCan - Once again I would like to offer for the fall if anyone wants to have me exchange questions and answers with your class about what it is like to be visually impaired I would be more than pleased to do so email me at melanson@teachers.net
Msdtchr - same here CECE.
Cecesc - hi tree
Dave MontrealCan - Carolyn i will email you
Carolyn - Dave how about around 4:00 tomorrow
Cecesc - MSD, what level are most of your kids
Carolyn - ok dave I am so sorry ...
Cecesc - I teach profound and moderately mentally delayed young adults
tree - Hi Cecesc. What is the talk?
Msdtchr - it depends.
Carolyn - I cant wait to hear details oh I better go
Dave MontrealCan - Carolyn I will not be home tomorrow afternoon but we can email and meet on the weekend if you like
Msdtchr - Usually mild IQ or above but with physical disabilities.
Carolyn - sounds good dave bye
Msdtchr - HOWEVER, I have had some parents refuse to allow their lower functioning kids to be in the MR class, so I have them.
myg - I teach elem resource and have taught LS
Mich - MSD, I
Msdtchr - I had one student who probably functioned as a low moderate or high severe and his mom REFUSED to allow him to be in a MR class-- his mom was an attorney.
Dave MontrealCan - Myg we meet here once a month it would be great to have you attend and all of you who are attending tonight you are most welcome
Mich - MSD, I can relate. I had one ld who just placed MR and the mom refuses to place.
Msdtchr - quite frankly, I felt his best bet was to allow him to be in my class. I am dually certified in OI and VI and he was better served with me, but he really did nothing.
Msdtchr - but I must say he did learn to brush his teeth and access a tape player using a switch.
Msdtchr - brush his teeth with assistance, that is.
tree - Msdtchr, what do you teach?
nory - Hi, may I ask where are you all from?
Dave MontrealCan - Nory Montreal Canada here
Msdtchr - physical disabilities- whatever the IEP specifies.
tree - I'm originally from LA now I'm in SC
Mich - I live in Arizona but I am in Kansas at the moment.
Cecesc - I used to have multidisabled class in MO and loved it but the multi and OH teachers here love their jobs and I like the class I have so it works out
nory - may I ask where are you all from?
myg - TX
Msdtchr - I love what I do. I hated it when I had vision resource.
tree - nory, where are you from and what do you teach?
Jessi - I'm in OKlahoma
Msdtchr - it was so boring.
Cecesc - Where in SC tree? I'm in Upstate
cookmulberry - southern calif
Msdtchr - it was nice chatting. Have a good night all.
tree - You are from Greenville, SC? I'm in Columbia?
tree - cookmulberry, I taught in Los Angeles 11 years ago
Cecesc - Greenville area but teach in Spartanburg
tree - What subject and grade do you teach? I teach 4th grade.
Dave MontrealCan - Tree have you ever taught a sight impaired or blind student?
tree - cookmulberry, where in Southern CA did you teach?
Cecesc - I teach profound and moderately mentally delayed young adults
tree - Dave, I've taaught hearing impaired and emotionally dis. students
tree - Is that stressful???
Dave MontrealCan - Tree have you used the small fm transmitter with the mic so that the hearing impaired student can hear you
Cecesc - I love this level but can be physically wearing
tree - Yes. The student has turned her hearing aide off several times to avoid me!
Dave MontrealCan - Tree oh my that is a problem
tree - Cecesc, So can 30 4th graders!
Dave MontrealCan - Tree how do you react to that with her do you make her aware that you know she is doing this
tree - Dave, yes a problem for me but not for her. She gets tired of my fussing about her laziness. She sometimes uses her dis. to avoid work
Mich - Tree, are you general ed?
Dave MontrealCan - Tree I made it through University and I am sight impaired so I know what you mean
tree - Mich, yes! If you want to call it general. I had several special ed. students mainstreamed into my class of 30
Cecesc - I know I wouldn't have the patience for regular ed...did that 1 year
tree - Dave, Yes, I make her aware by readjusting her aide.
Dave MontrealCan - Hi Bluette welcome
Mich - I taught special ed then general ed and got so many ld kids I thought I might as well go back to special ed. Now I am bac,k
Bluette - hello sorry i could not get here earlier
Cecesc - My kids are at about a 2-5 yr level cognitively but 17-21 so the boys are big when they get stubborn
Dave MontrealCan - Bluette are you feeling any better tonight ?
Bluette - I like teaching sped more than regular classes
Dave MontrealCan - Bluette you are so good with the special ed kids
Mich - Has anyone here ever heard of Phono-graphix?
Bluette - still no voice
myg - I have Reading Reaflex, but got it too late in the year to begin using. I want ot try it next year.
Bluette - I was supposed to work with haley, a non verbal teenager, it would be funny two people not speaking
Dave MontrealCan - I would like to thank teachers net for allowing me to host this session this evening
Cecesc - I am definitely better at Spewc Ed and love my work
Mich - I just got back from a Phono-graphix 40 hour class. I am so into it.
tree - Mich, you did the right thing to go back to general ed. It's a jungle!
myg - I want to do the training next time its near me.
Mich - I am so into it along with Step Up to Writing. THese 2 programs are awesome.
Dave MontrealCan - I would like to offer for this fall if anyone would like to have their class exchange questions and answers with me about what it is like to be visually impaired you may email me at melanson@teachers.net
Bluette - glad I had a chance to visit with everyone
myg - that is on my list to buy as well but must come from my pocket
myg - Would step up work with 1sr graders?
Mich - Don't you hate how much we spend out of pocket?
Bluette - thats a great idea Dave!!
myg - Outragous!!
Mich - No, your students need to be able to write a complete sentence before Step Up would be worth buying.
Dave MontrealCan - Bluette I did that with Whistler's 4th graders yesterday
myg - I will probably have K-3rd next year.
Bluette - I like that, did they ask interesting things?
Dave MontrealCan - Bluette yes they did and made me crack up a few times too
Bluette - I bet!!
Mich - Hello soccermom
Dave MontrealCan - anyhow I have to go here and get some things done I will be in room one a bit later
Bluette - good night folks, going to main chat room to
myg - I'm signing out as well.
