Join a Mailring at the
Teacher Mailring Center
http://www.teachers.net/mailrings/
Ran/TN - Good evening everyone! Welcome to the monthly Special Ed chat session. I am your moderator.
dina - Hi, I live in Rochester, NY and I teach High school students in an inclusionary setting, Churchville-Chili Senior High
Ran/TN - That's great Dina! I teach a behavior class in an alternative school setting for grades 5-9th.
pam/sc/k-5/res - Hello, I live in South Carolina and teach K-5 in a resource type setting
pam/sc/k-5/res - I am trying to do 3 inclusion type classes with 3rd and 4th graders
Ran/TN - Good luck on your inclusions classes Pam. They seem hard to do. The cooperation with the regular teacher is often the hardest part of inclusion.
dina - How do the general education teachers feel in your districts about inclusion?
Ran/TN - Some like it some don't. It depends a lot on the attitude of the regular teacher.
pam/sc/k-5/res - some are okay and believe it can work, however most don't want to be bothered.... they want the "slower" kids out
pam/sc/k-5/res - on the 4th grade level I work really well with the teacher, so that's not a problem...this is our 2nd year working together
dina - I have had students with mild learning disabilities to students with multiple disabilities in our classrooms, the older students repsond well and help out
Ran/TN - Since I have no specific topic planed , we can have an open chat session to dscuss any problem or special ed subject you want to talk about
Ran/TN - Pam has brought up the subject of inclusion so we might start with that topic.
pam/res/sc/k-5 - as someone who works with ED students, do find the students are truely ED or is it sometimes a combination of parents and teachers?
Ran/TN - She wants to know how teacher's react to inclusion in each of our school districs.
max - they don't like it, they feel unprepared to handle it and they want the students out....
Ran/TN - I'm not sure what you mean by that Pam.
dina - we've been practiciing inclusion in our school for 7 years now so its very accepted, espcially with newer teachers, this will be my third year at my school
max - if they are properly staffed pam, an eh student is truely eh
max - that is so great dina!!! you must do a good job of supporting the classroom teachers
pam/res/sc/k-5 - I guess what I mean is that most behavior is learned, therefore are the students truely ED or have they just taken their cues from the people around them?
max - my eh students have been really ill
pam/res/sc/k-5 - that is to include the teachers as well as parents
Ran/TN - I believe that the student's environment has a big influence on how that student precives his world and his behavior
dina - we actually have blended classes in which the general ed teacher and the special ed teacher teach together the subject area, I am teaching senior english this year and have academic support classes to a small group of students who need extra support
max - pam, maybe oppositional defiant students
max - dina, that sounds really good
pam/res/sc/k-5 - as opposed to???
max - as opposed to students who are emotionally disturbed...
dina - how we teach is more work for the special ed teachers because we are teaching as well as case managing at least 15 students during the course of the year
Dewster - I teach EMD Grades 7-12 S.C..Class..
Ran/TN - I have seen a resource teacher do an academic support class for her resource students. During the last period of the day all of her resource students would return to her room to use that time as a study hall/homework help session.
max - but dina, sounds like you are really helping the students and the reg ed teachers. our poor sp ed teachers don't have any classroom contact with our mainstreamed students; included kids are really on their own
Dewster - In South Carolina..
Dewster - dina....have taught ED kids too..want to that again ever!!!!!!!!!!11
pam/res/sc/k-5 - where Dewster?
dina - I love being a part of the mainstream because you have contact with all students and they are everyone's students
max - you want to do that again dewster???
Dewster - max....nope...those kids that i had were jevnile deliq.....
max - that is the way it should be dina, we were discussing that this morning at our meeting, we are soooo long from that
Dewster - they did not want to be in school....wanted to sell drugs and anything else they could steal....3 years was enough for me..
Smiley - This is my first time in a specific chat....How do things work?
Dewster - pam...did u get my pm??
Ran/TN - I teach a self contained behavior class in which all my students are capable of doing grade level work ,but because of some trama in their past they have some sever emotional and behavior problems that interfer with them learning in a regular classroom setting.
Smiley - I teach in North Georgia!
Dewster - my hat goes off to u Randy....been there and done that and not again ever!!!!!!!1
dina - Randy, have your students ever been in a general ed setting with support from another teacher?
Smiley - I teach in regular ed 2nd grade. This year I am the EIP teacher and the Inclusion teacher. I am a bit overwhelmedd
pam/res/sc/k-5 - what is EIP?
Smiley - Do any of you all teach in elementary school
Ran/TN - Dina, the ultimate goal for my students is to teach them how to control their problems to the point that they can function in a regular class enviroment.
Smiley - Early Intervention Program
dina - Smiley, hang in there inclusion really works when everyone is supportive including administration
pam/res/sc/k-5 - I'm in an elementary school
Smiley - It is for students that didn't really need to be held back but really arent ready for the next grade either.
pam/res/sc/k-5 - so what are your plans to help these students go one to 3rd grade?
Smiley - yeah but I feel like I am driving myself crazy trying to put my finger on what these kids need.
Smiley - pam I am totally learning.....totally....
pam/res/sc/k-5 - do you do much Direct Instruction?
Smiley - My class is made up of 3 gifted students, 3 regular ed students and 10 EIP/Special Ed students...
Smiley - I like Direct Instruction but I am not trained in it....The special teachers are...I think
Ran/TN - Smiley what do you do with the regular and gifted students with the eip students
pam/res/sc/k-5 - Smiley, So far I have found Direct Instuction to work very well with the "slower" students...it gives them the repetition they need and structure that they can expect
Smiley - Ran, that is what I am trying to work out....I am new to this and I am regular ed.....
Smiley - Pam do you know where/how I could take a fast course since school has already started.
Ran/TN - sounds like you have the perfect situation to set up a peer tuturing program with in your clasroom by letting the gifted and regular students tutor the eip students
pam/res/sc/k-5 - do you have to use a basal reader, or can you get a different kind of reading program?
Smiley - Ran, yeah that is what I thought too....but......my upper kids are NOT nurturing kids and they are not good tutors...
max - smiley, SRA often will come and train throughout the year for DI
Smiley - pam, well I have a basal I am supposed to use...but with this class....I am not sure.
Smiley - max, what is the time and money involved?
pam/res/sc/k-5 - Smiley, because in reading I would suggest either SRA or a little bit less stuctured but a good program from what I've seen is "Open Court"
Smiley - I will ask my special ed teachers about open court...I have heard that before.
max - not certain smiley, about the $$$, its always been a part of professional developement where we are; SRA had teachers all over the place that do the workshops for them, give their 800 number a call, a few days instruction and you could get started
Ran/TN - I am using my 9th graders to help me by tutoring my students that are in my class.
Smiley - max, do you have the 800?
pam/res/sc/k-5 - Smiley, check with your state textbook people...I know here in my state SRA was on the approved list and came out of a special fund
max - no, sorry, but it is SRA, shouldn't be that difficult to find...
Ran/TN - Smiley, for the first few sessions, I did have to teach mytutors how to help and teach my lower grade students
pam/res/sc/k-5 - http://www.sra4kids.com/
max - I always used peer tutors as well Ran, works well both ways
pam/res/sc/k-5 - that's their website
Smiley - Thanks.
max - SRA DI is the preferred practice , based on research, for many disabled learners
max - (I hate DI scripted instruction, but us it because it works)
Smiley - My kids are in second grade and even my gifted and reg ed are not as gifted and reg ed as what you would think.
pam/res/sc/k-5 - you can also get info on "Open Court" from there too
Smiley - pam, yeah have seen it practiced and like it as well for the same reason
Smiley - Thank you.
max - once you get to know them well smiley, you will find that they will take to peer tutoring
Smiley - I hope so....cause I need to see some growth.
pam/res/sc/k-5 - has anyone ever used "FailureFree Reading"?
Smiley - Right now they overwhelm me....
Smiley - I haven't ...what is it about
max - not I pam, do erroeless teaching, anything like that???
pam/res/sc/k-5 - I have seen SRA and Open Court both used... for the students that need more structure and repetition SRA is the way to go
max - smiley, get some good classroom rules into place, and lots of structure, rituals, etc. and they will come together
Ran/TN - I have observed the peer tutoring program work in a preschool class where the older 5 year old students helped the younger 3 and foru year old students learn new skills
Smiley - I thank you all for your help...I think I am going to check that web site out and then hit the sack...I promised my self bed at 9:00 tonight and you see where I am...
pam/res/sc/k-5 - it's a sight word recogniton program that is scripted, but also has a computer component...my principal bought it and thinks it will do wonders...I'm a bit skeptical
Smiley - Nice to meet you all and have wonderful years.
max - oh well, pam, anything that looks too good to be true......
Ran/TN - Thanks for joining us smiley. I hope we have given you some good ideas to help you in your classroom.
pam/res/sc/k-5 - night Smiley, and good luck
Lu/NJ - where can you get info on Failure free reading?
pam/res/sc/k-5 - I'm not sure I have the info at school... I think they are out of Fla. though
Ran/TN - Well! We have discussed inclusion and peer tutoring . Does anyone else want to chat about another special ed topic.?
max - ahhh, pam, from Micanopy, FL...I think I know the program....
pam/res/sc/k-5 - that might be right Max
Ran/TN - We have about 14 minutes left tonight. Before we get too involved in another subject. I want to to give everyone the opportunity to suggest topic and/or guest for future special ed chat sessions. You may email them to me at rlprice@email.com
Lu/NJ - Has anyone ever used the Scott Foresman Focus series. It's a sight word vocabulary reading series
max - I am a phonics based person, Lu
Lu/NJ - do you have a phonics program you like for elementary school
max - depends on the students, I usually teach very disabled students and find Reading Mastery good, although I don't really like it myself (it works, so I use it)
Ran/TN - A good one that I have seen used is "Johnny Can Read" program. It uses oversized flash card system so that you can use it in a large group setting.
max - however, this year I am teaching a hs autistic class, very low functioning; only reader I have is , I think, a total sight reader...won't mess with that kid!!!!
Lu/NJ - I've used Recipe for Reading and Stevenson
max - I have had friends that swear by Stevenson, I haven't been able to try it
Lu/NJ - However now I have grade 4 and 5 students and I'm not sure what I want to use
max - what is the functioning level in reading,
max - I really mix everything, whole language in my opinion takes place of what staying at home mommies were able to give their kids years ago
Lu/NJ - about a year or two below level, some a little more
max - I would be tempted to try RM, I especially like I, II and III; not to crazy about fast cycle , for my kids
Lu/NJ - I agree about a little of everything
max - once the go into RM IV it is different, more like a regular reading program
Ran/TN - I have used the Wilson Reading System also but it is primarily designed for about middle school student up to adult students
max - yea, has to be a lot of fun as well, we do a lot of making their own books, etc
max - RAn, that is where I have had friends use it, is it because of interest level it is for upper grade students??
Lu/NJ - I've gone to some Wilson training and it does sound good. Where can you get info on RM
max - I have hs this year, but they like teletubbies, etc
Ran/TN - Yes max WRS is geared toward the upper grade interest level.
max - someone just posted SRA's site here, you should be able to find it,
max - wb, lu
max - I don't have a clue what I will use this year, the autistic child is really a challenge, but this one low functioning student I have can read at about 4th grade level, her mom taught her, I think
max - I think one of the other students is a sight reader and then another only knows his letter names, no sounds
Ran/TN - Well everyone our time is about up for tonight. I have enjoyed our open chat session, but I hope by next month to have a guest lined up or at least a specific topic to discuss.
max - thanks, ran, and you know, if you are in special ed, you take what you can get, lol
lu/nj - is there a specific date for special ed discussions.
Ran/TN - the special ed dioscussions are held on the first thursday nights of every month here at 9PM ET 8PM CT
Ran/TN - Have a good month and hope to see everyone here again next month.
