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Dave MontrealCan - Bluetre welcome to my session
Dave MontrealCan - Not bad here and you ?
Bluette - doing okay, had some questions regarding students who are not mainstreamed but self contained in special ed
Dave MontrealCan - Ok Bluette ask and I will try to help
Bluette - in our school, these students are not in regular classrooms until 9th grade
Bluette - they have been together in small classes for most of their education
Bluette - now, after 8th, they will be expected to be in with the rest of the students but having tests modified, extra time and sometimes not required to take some of the mandated classes, foreign language, or Technology
Dave MontrealCan - Bluette but they need to be included in the regular classroom environment they need to be with all the other students and demonstrae their abilities
Bluette - so, is that fair to keep them seperate for 8 years and then have them in the larger classes with support
Dave MontrealCan - Katie hi there I gave a semianr in Halifax 2 years ago nice to meet you I am sight impaired myself and was mainstreamed in the regular classroom environment from K through University
Bluette - I have worked with them in Elem last year and now in 7th in the MS where they are in the unified class for English, Math
Bluette - have a great teacher who is retiring at the end of the school
Bluette - these students are usually male, very impulsive and need to be kept focused
Bluette - it is hard for them in a bigger classroom, even with teachers assistants and extra study halls
Dave MontrealCan - Bluette I believe it is fair to include partially sighted students in the regular classroom environment at the very beginnin gof their school term but someone who is ttoally blind needs to learn braille before being mainstreamed in the regular school environment
Pam/Ga - Dave It's rude to butt right in but I have a question for you about a partially sighted child in my class
Bluette - all these special students have Individual Education Plans to help
Bluette - Pam, please, go right ahead
Dave MontrealCan - Pam go right ahead
Pam/Ga - My student is in first grade. He is very immature. I am not sure how much of his behavior is related to vision problems.
Pam/Ga - He runs up to every parent and hugs them, rolls in the dirt on the playground, is very silly for attention.
Pam/Ga - Academically he does well
Dave MontrealCan - Pam I am sight impaired myself and was mainstreamed from K through university I think his behaviour may be just that he needs more socialization training rahter than his vision impairment unless he needs to be trained in other situations
Pam/Ga - I suggested to his mother that she invite one or two others over to play. He only plays with a younger sibling at home. She never acted upon my advice. he is not well liked by the others as you can imagine.
Pam/Ga - Even the teachers find him annoying I am sorry to say.
Dave MontrealCan - Pam do you think he may have other difficulties besides his visiion problem ?
Pam/Ga - Truly I do but I think the parents want to blame everything on the vision problems. Actually, his vision is improving and he uses regular classroom materials.
Dave MontrealCan - Pam I made it through regular school and university and I had no teacher aide in the classroom at all
Pam/Ga - He is very clumsy and disorganized. He must drop every paper 3 times before it gets put away. Our special ed. teacher thinks he may have other issues. I want to be sure before I talk to the parents.
Dave MontrealCan - Pam I think his parents need to first acknowledge that he has a problem and needs assistance
Pam/Ga - He toes in and I told Mom I was concerned but the pediatrician said it wasn't a problem...he doesn't see this child trip on his own feet in gym class.
Pam/Ga - Well, thank you for your help. I do appreciate it.
Dave MontrealCan - Pam I want you to know that I struggled through school but made it now I am assisting elementary teachers and love my work I feel I am making a difference for teachers and students
Dave MontrealCan - Pam do not give up where are you located maybe I can give you an internet site that can help ?
Pam/Ga - Thank you! I would love to know the site.
Dave MontrealCan - pam are you in the Us?
Pam/Ga - Yes, Georgia
Dave MontrealCan - Pam if you are in north america here is a toll free number for you are you ready to copy ?
Pam/Ga - Go ahead
Dave MontrealCan - American Council of the Blind Washington Dc 1 800 424 8666 http://www.acb.org
Dave MontrealCan - Pam call them and explain your situation I am sure they can help also my teachers net email address is : melanson@teachers.net
Dave MontrealCan - Pam email me if you need help I am always there
Pam/Ga - I actually tried to e-mail you yesterday but it came back ..something about pop mail?
Dave MontrealCan - Pam also does the student have an itinerant teacher?
Pam/Ga - no, we are a very small private school. 10 kids in my class and me.
Dave MontrealCan - Pam here is my private email : ve2mpd@axess.com
Pam/Ga - Thanks, I think you have answered my questions.
Dave MontrealCan - Pam I just want you to know that I have been through regular school been through the pains and it is worth it
Dave MontrealCan - I am very independent today
Dave MontrealCan - and it is possible to make it through the regular classroo environment
Pam/Ga - He definitely belongs in a regular classroom. I just needed to know if the behaviors I see were related to his vision problems. Is it typical for low sight kids to be so socially unskilled?
Dave MontrealCan - Pam let me share something with you
Dave MontrealCan - He may not see all of the children around him and so he may feel left out of the group he may just need to know who is around him and then he may need to not be shy and ask the other children if he can play
Pam/Ga - I do know that he cannot participate in some of their games since he can't keep track of the ball. I am concerned in the classroom because no one ever wants to partner with him because he is silly and doesn;t do his share of the work.
Dave MontrealCan - I remember when I did not always know who was around me sometimes these childten just need to know that someone is there and cares and it just takes a little patience
Pam/Ga - The kids are used to the fact that he gets very close to talk and needs to sit very close to me to see picture books when I read to the class.
Dave MontrealCan - Pam here is a good suggestion
Pam/Ga - You are right, I think some of the touching and pushing are due to his field of vision.
Dave MontrealCan - Please try to talk to this child, ask them what bothers them and find out how this child can be a better asset to the classroom I think you have already been off to a great start by explaining to the children that you need to show ths student the picture books up close this is very important
Pam/Ga - But then he chews on my pant leg while I read..well only once, but it was very strange!
Dave MontrealCan - pam he chews on your pant leg ?
pam1950 - Yes, and wiped his nose on my pants one other time...ick!
Dave MontrealCan - Pam he may have additional problems other than sight impairment
pam1950 - Yeah,,,see what I mean?!!
Dave MontrealCan - Pam I think you need to talk to the acb please call them explain your problem to them and please keep in touch with me : melanson@teachers.net
pam1950 - You can see why I always wear washable clothing...LOL
pam1950 - Thanks again.
pam1950 - Good night.
Dave MontrealCan - Pam thank you don't give up on this childyou will do ok and you are a wonderful teacher
pam1950 - I appreciate your support and this wonderful web site.
Dave MontrealCan - I made it Pam and it was tough but I made it and am now helping teachers
Dave MontrealCan - I would like to take this time to thank teachers' net for letting me speak on this topic night everyone
