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Dave MontrealCan - Good evening, welcome to this session
Ahmad - I teach English as a foreign Language.
Ahmad - I teach in a prep.state school in the Arabian Gulf.
Ahmad - First Prep.
Dave MontrealCan - Ahmad interesting I am assuming that that is a private school?
Ahmad - No. It is a well quipped modern state school.
Dave MontrealCan - Ahmad I have just written a small resource manual for the classroom teacher called "Integration A Rewarding Experience" which discusses integrating visually impaired and blind children into the regular classroom environment
Dave MontrealCan - Ahmad are you teaching High School?
Dave MontrealCan - BJ where are you located welcome to this session
BJ - I am an intern in a middle school - studying to become a social studies teacher
Dave MontrealCan - BJ I have just written a small resource manual for the classroom teacher on mainstreaming and integrating the sight impaired child
Dave MontrealCan - BJ are you in the Us?
BJ - I would appreciate any advice that can be given to a future teacher - yes in CT
Dave MontrealCan - BJ I am sight impaired myself and was mainstreamed all of my school life from K through University I am now helping teachers to better understand the needs of sight impaired and blind children within the regular classroom environment
Dave MontrealCan - BJ do you want to teach in the middle school environment?
BJ - Dave, from your perspective how do you feel about mainstreaming?
Dave MontrealCan - Sugartoy I am trying to remember what grade you teach lol ?
BJ - I would like to teach middle school, at the moment I am an intern, used mostly as a substitute
sugartoy - I am currently an intern in grades 9-12 in special education only.
sugartoy - BJ, that is illegal. You can not substitute during your internship, or at least that is what the federal government is saying.
Dave MontrealCan - BJ I think mainstreaming is very important as it is very important to prepare the sight impaired and blind children for "the real world" and what will be expected of them later in life, if they want to be successful in the world it is important to be able to be fully socialized into the way our environment is and what is expected of these children once they become adults
BJ - in the certification program that I am in in CT all interns are used as substitutes
sugartoy - Mr. Dave, I totally agree with you on mainstreaming in preparing these children for the "real World", but how are we suppose to prepare the regular educators on handling these type of children?
Dave MontrealCan - BJ also for a totally blind student I believe that they should start their school life for the first few years at a school for the blind to allow them to learn Braille skills exc and once this has been accomplished there is no reason why they cannot be mainstreamed
Dave MontrealCan - Sugartoy one method I use is I always bring with me a briefcase of simulator glasses that simulate varying degrees of visual impairments so that when the teachers try them on they are able to actually have a virtual reality experience of what it is like to actually see that way and I then give an informative 90 minute seminar on the topic I encourage active participation with a lively question answer discussion group
Dave MontrealCan - BJ good luck ok?
sugartoy - Is there any particular society located directly here in the US that can fully implement that?
Dave MontrealCan - Sugartoy well I am in Canada but I would have to say no because total inclusion would never work, it depends on the severity of the child's disability if they are both sight impaired and a slow learner let's say or have multiple complications they may need to be in a special class as they would slow down the learning process for the other children and affect the teaching time exc of a regular classroom teacher
Dave MontrealCan - If on the other hand the child only has a sight impairment it is much easier to accommodate that child in the regular classroom
Dave MontrealCan - Ahmad welcome back
Ahmad - Well. There was an error in my comp. I'm sorry. I'm back again.
sugartoy - That's true, but in this area that is occurring more often, and the regular educators have to become better prepared in aiding and literally teaching my students, regardless of how mild or profound they are in education.
sugartoy - As a matter of fact, all visually impaired students in this state are being sent to a school designated for them only.
Ahmad - Yes. It is a state school. My first language is Arabic. What is yours ?
Dave MontrealCan - Sugartoy that is true and cutbacks in funding to education are not helping either many teachers find themselves overworked and stressed and are having to adjust to the many variety of special needs they now have in their classrooms
Dave MontrealCan - Ahmad English is my first language here I M in Montreal Canada
Dave MontrealCan - Sugartoy what state are you in?
Ahmad - Excellent. You can correct me.
sugartoy - Since this is actually happening everywhere, maybe you should come down here and help our regular educators in teaching the visually impaired students correctly. Goodness knows, we need it.
sugartoy - I am in Arkansas.
Dave MontrealCan - Sugartoy I would love to go down to your state I just need to know who I should contact to send the info down about my seminars I have also written a manual recently for the classroom teacher on how to assist the sight impaired and blind child
Ahmad - What is the best teaching method do you think? Why ?
Dave MontrealCan - Ahmad I would say one that is upbeat, enthusiastic and encourages active participation in the classroom one where students have a strong desire to learn and to be creative and play an active role in classroom participation
sugartoy - How will I be able to contact you once I have spoken to the State Education and help, hopefully, in making special arrangements for this to happen?
Dave MontrealCan - Sugartoy you can email me at : melanson@teachers.net
jacey - hi everyone- just noticed this and had to join
Dave MontrealCan - Hello Jacey welcome
Dave MontrealCan - Jacey what grade do you teach
jacey - just started 1st on Monday- my first "real" job
jacey - inner city
Dave MontrealCan - Jacey my congratulations to you how do you like teaching and where are you located?
sugartoy - Thank you, Mr. Dave, I will contact my states representatives in education and do the best I can in setting up some special arrangements for you to come and talk to us, the special education teachers, and the regular educators.
Ahmad - Yes. I agree with you. Our pupils' first lan. is Arabic. It is completely different from any European language. It is difficult to deal with 90 percent of those very weak learners.
jacey - I love being in a public school but right now the kids are giving my a run for my money ( to put it in a very glossed over way)
jacey - they are wild, had two suspended today
Dave MontrealCan - Jacey do you find you have to be firm with the children a little
sugartoy - hello sped, how are you doing tonight?
Dave MontrealCan - Jacey what city are you in?
jacey - a little? There are 6 in my room that a little does not work, it must be harsh, if not, the rest of the kids lose control because of them
Dave MontrealCan - please anyone wishing may email me at : melanson@teachers.net if you wish to contact me in the future
jacey - and, trust me, my "harsh" is nothing compared to what I have seen from other teachers- I don't want to be this way, but yet, I have no control and they do
spedtchr68 - it takes practice. It is also very hard when you start after the beginning of the year.
Dave MontrealCan - I find that teaching is an honourable profession and teachers have sure helped me to grow and play an active role in society I could not get a job in private industry after university so I created my own employment opportunities and it has been the teaching community that has helped me to do so
spedtchr68 - I had a job once when I became the teacher in March and it was hard to gain control.
jacey - so I have heard, but now I am here, and I must develop some sort of class- not a zoo
Ahmad - I will write to you, Dave. I have taken your email. You are very busy now.
spedtchr68 - Read the book The First Days of School by Harry Wong that will give you a start.
Dave MontrealCan - Jacey I am just curious if you have had to ask advice from your other colleagues on classroom control ?
jacey - yes I have, I have serious behavioral problem children in my room,- would you like to know what they gave me when I asked for specific advice - "Oh, I just have an aura about me because I have taught before." I have not received anything specific about this child(s) of what has worked in the past
Dave MontrealCan - Jacey it must be hard for you to witness some of the realities of an inner city school and the poverty that exists in them?
sugartoy - Mr. Dave, I would like to thank you for sharing your advice on special education students being mainstreamed in regular classrooms. I will contact you asap with the final decision by the state. Goodnight.
jacey - not just poverty but the situations that each child must deal with when they go home, parents in jail, 8 brothers/sisters in 3 rooms, etc.
Dave MontrealCan - Sugartoy would you like my book info on how to order it?
Dave MontrealCan - Global welcome
sugartoy - Yes, please!
global - Dave, nice to meet you.
Dave MontrealCan - Sugartoy Money orders are preferred please email me this evening at : melanson@teachers.net and I will send you the info on how to get the book
Windy - I was wondering if you could help me.
Dave MontrealCan - Windy yes I would be pleased to try
jacey - I would like to know some specific suggestions for out of control students, and when things will start to get better, and when I will start to feel like I have a classroom. I have not received any support from the teachers that I inherited kids from
spedtchr68 - you need to establish rules
spedtchr68 - and consequences
jacey - and not the reward system, rules, etc. done that- not working
Dave MontrealCan - Jacey have you seen the large choice of teacher chatboards on this site?
spedtchr68 - Have you tried a token economy?
Windy - I have a child in my class (who was retained last year) who is Special Ed. First she was diagnosed w/ a mood disorder and now they say she is Manic Depressive...I have doubts....and I know the home live isn't good...we suspect abuse. Any suggestions on how to help her?
Windy - Forgot to say...mom claims the child is a terror at home and she has a history of violence, but nothing that I have seen so far this year.
Dave MontrealCan - Jacey you may wish to post an inquiry on the Primary Elementary Chatboard I am sure you will get many responses and assistance from many different teachers and the methods they use in their classrooms
jacey - yes- and I have received some terrific advice, and compassion from these chats- I was just wondering if you have any advice for a nervous teacher who has one more week to gain respect before the holiday break
sugartoy - Goodnight all.
spedtchr68 - it is going to take time
jacey - prob. nothing much different, just wanted to check
spedtchr68 - Just show them who is boss and they will learn to respect you.
global - Dave, I learn study English for a second English. how can I learn English well?
Dave MontrealCan - Jacey I would be pleased to email you and encourage you it helps a lot when someone is there to talk about it and to help you to feel that you are not alone
jacey - thank you! That does help to have others just listen and tell me that I am doing the best that I can for right now. Someday soon, I hope to be able to teach but right now, I am trying to stop them from hurting each other.
Dave MontrealCan - Windy I think maybe you may want to approach a school psychologist if you have one at your school to see if they can intervene do you have one at your school?
Windy - Jacey, I came in late but here's my 2 cents....I tell my kids my expectations and tell them I will treat them w/respect, but the y have to do the same for me. I also use humor, put-ups, lots and lots of praise and patience...it works for me and our kids are getting a rap for poor behaviour. I can boast of one of the best mannered classes in the school.
Dave MontrealCan - Global what country are you in?
jacey - Windy- didn't work
global - Dave, I am Korean.
Windy - We have one Dave. She is also working with a mental health counselor in the home....I'm very concerned for her safety and well being in general.
Windy - Jacey - Rats...
Dave MontrealCan - Global do you listen to Short-wave radio if you do the programs from the BBC England are excellent for learning English as a second language
jacey - Windy- I was told today that "I don't talk to no white person, and besides her mom is a fat bi**h." They never have seen my mom.
Windy - What grade do you have Jacey?
Dave MontrealCan - Yes Global
jacey - Just at a loss for what to do, never was "taught" how to deal with that in college LOL
jacey - Windy - 1st
Dave MontrealCan - our hour is pretty well up here
Windy - Jacey- I know the feeling...neither was I...cheer up, my girl called the spec. ed teacher a f***ing idiot
jacey - oh shucks
Windy - I teach second Jacey...
jacey - kids- got to love themand I do even my problem ones
Dave MontrealCan - Jacey would you like to email me and maybe we can chat and try to get you through the hard times here
jacey - yes please
Windy - Jacey- same here....
jacey - yes please again Windy
Dave MontrealCan - Jacey please email me at : melanson@teachers.net I would be glad to talk with you and help in whatever way I can
Dave MontrealCan - Jacey remember I am sight impaired so I have had a rough time many times in the past and overcame a lot
Windy - Guess I'll go too...it's been a long time Dave...take care all!
Dave MontrealCan - Windy please take care there and think positive always we are all here to help each other
jacey - thanks all- good night!
global - Dave, thanks
Dave MontrealCan - At this tome I would like to thank teachers net for allowing me to oversee this session and look forward to the next one. Take care all have a good evening
Dave MontrealCan - Seasons greetings to one and all take care everyone
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