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AIAI in Education

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AIAI in Education

Are students using AI to cheat—or are schools failing?

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Selective Mute

by PalmdaleMark

Jan 28, 2017

Anyone have a strategy for getting a selective mute to communicate? I've tried picture cards and fantasy role play with no success...has anyone gotten their selective mute to speak? Thank!

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Louisiannie No advice. I'll share my story. The boy was in the 8th grade. A million years ago. Small system. No support programs.

The students immediately put me on to the situation when he didn't answer roll call the first day.

"William doesn't talk."

Not "can't" - just accept it.. Move on.

He never re...See More

Jan 31, 2017

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ELL teacher On 1/28/17, PalmdaleMark wrote: > Anyone have a strategy for getting a selective mute to > communicate? I've tried picture cards and fantasy role play > with no success...has anyone gotten their selective mute to > speak? Thank!

I've had two. Both were teenagers and both were EL students (no, I'm not confusing an EL student's &...See MoreOn 1/28/17, PalmdaleMark wrote: > Anyone have a strategy for getting a selective mute to > communicate? I've tried picture cards and fantasy role play > with no success...has anyone gotten their selective mute to > speak? Thank!

I've had two. Both were teenagers and both were EL students (no, I'm not confusing an EL student's "silent period" with selective mutism; I'm an ELL teachers so I've seen that many times before but with these two it was very different: refusal to speak in any language at school, even native language, for more than two years, long after English comprehension and writing had gotten fairly good; speaking in other contexts such as at home but not at school). I agree with the advise that has been given by others. Trying to force the child to speak will make it worse. Find out what has been done in the past and who you can refer him to, but also be prepared to "wait it out".

One of my two would repeat words but would not say a single word at school although his sister said he "wouldn't shut up at home" and at home he used both English and his native language. At school he started speaking in a very quiet whisper after a couple of months if he had someone nearby who would model what to say, but all of his words at that point were repeated from someone else. This progressed to whispered oral reading and then a very few, whispered phrases ("yes," "no," "may I go to the bathroom?" "it's not mine," "please explain," and so on). In written work he was actually one of my better students, progressing in written English faster than most. Then one day after almost two years he suddenly started speaking, in the same good English he was using for written work by that point.

The other student was also with me for two years but was still not speaking when he left (he moved out of the area). He developed a very elaborate system of gestures (which was really quite creative and it was impressive how much he could communicate with it). He occasionally whispered a few words to go along with the gestures. Like the other student, his comprehension and writing were good by the end of the two years, but he still did not start speaking. In his case his gestures were so expressive that I think he had less motivation to start speaking - what he had been doing was working so well for him by that point!

For my two I believe that the fact that school took place in their second language was part (or all) of the cause of their selective mutism; I see it as the likely cause, but believe the same sort of situation can be caused by other fears or traumas as well. Your student's situation may be similar, even if there is no language issue involved. Other than seeking professional support for the student I recommend patience, finding ways to communicate even if they don't involve speech, allowing/encouraging whispers and repetition or "oral reading while still not yet using one's own words" as signs of progress when the student is ready. We treated all of these steps as normal, never making a big deal out of them but certainly making sure that any attempt at speech was accepted and got a reasonable (but not over-reactive) response. The students did make progress but it does take time.

Jan 31, 2017

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Apple Seed for Tuesday, 31 January 2017

by Barb S. hs/ret

Jan 31, 2017

<h3><font color=green>You have to reach out your hand – that’s what it’s there for.

<i>~ Mackinlee Barton</i></h3></font>

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Best Spanish Textbook for new Spanish Program?

by kzogg

Jan 31, 2017

We are probably starting a new Spanish program next year. What are your favorite Spanish textbooks/programs for middle school?

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Political, but also Educational

by Voting on DeVos

Jan 30, 2017

Do you live in one of these states? Please call and ask your Senator not to confirm DeVos for Secretary of Education. I've called them all and left messages. Actually talked to a human at Murkowski's office. But they want to hear from people in their states. Tennessee, North Carolina, Louisiana, Maine, Wyoming, Utah, Georgia, Alaska, Kentucky, Kans...See More

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Thank you! On 1/30/17, Voting on DeVos wrote: > Do you live in one of these states? Please call > and ask your Senator not to confirm DeVos for > Secretary of Education. I've called them all and > left messages. Actually talked to a human at > Murkowski's office. But they want to hear from > people in their states. Tennessee, North > Caro...See More

Jan 30, 2017

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EXERCISE ROLL CALL - Monday

by Elaine/ret/IN

Jan 30, 2017

5000-ish steps each day over the week-end. Lots happening: funeral for a friend's mother, morning Habitat meeting, DGS 7th birthday party. Star Wars theme; birthday parties these days are real events. What fun.

Today 9548. Close . . . under a bright sunny sky. Temps in the mid-20's. Very pleasant, especially for January.

Elaine

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EXERCISE ROLL CALL - Monday

by Bev-MI

Jan 30, 2017

Back at it...today, so far, 10,333 steps. Pt workout and two sessions on home treadmill. Back at DMs this afternoon. We have hair appts tomorrow. Hoping we do not get the snow predicted, tonight.

Looks like weekend was enjoyed by all, no postings! lol

Keep movin' and groovin'!!

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judycaret Yes, I enjoyed the weekend--and did a lot of overeating. You're exactly right, back at it today. 8,000 step walk for me.

Jan 30, 2017

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JRod Today was a struggle. My allergies are really bad. Runny, itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itchy ears...I'm a mess! I had to force myself to get to the gym. After taking another allergy pill, I set off.

Monday is my strength training using machines and dumbbells. I started off on the first two machines, but the third one was being taken u...See More

Jan 30, 2017

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Apple Seed for Monday, 30 January 2017

by Barb S. hs/ret

Jan 30, 2017

<h3><font color=blue>It matters not how long we live, but how.

<i>~ Phillip James Bailey</i></h3></font>

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Chaotic Classroom

by tryangle357

Jan 25, 2017

I am a special education teacher. I was recently transferred to a new school. My new school had two teachers to quit in December and really needed a sped teacher. The students have been disrespectful, defiant, and non-compliant from the beginning. Students walked into the classroom rearranging the desks and using profanity. They totally disregarded...See More

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Questions Some questions to help understand the situation: what kind of special ed is it? Is it a self-contained class, a resource class or?? Were the teachers who left both from this class? Is there an assistant? How many kids are in this class? How many years experience do you have and how many with this age group?

On 1/25/17, tryangle357 wrote: ...See More

Jan 29, 2017

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Tired of feeling hated by all sides

by Moderate

Jan 29, 2017

Ok. I know I will likely be deleted. Going to get it out anyway.

I am so tired of going online (facebook, etc.) and feeling hated by EVERYONE.

I am very moderate in my beliefs. I can see pieces of truth in what is put out there from both sides. And I see bias, exaggeration, fear mongering put out by both sides also.

Just ...See More

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Debbie Change is always hard and many people are scared of the "change" our country is currently in. Personally, our political climate has been one particular way for so long, certain people are having difficulty accepting this change.

I think it's up to all of us to do the best we can. At this point, I'm not sure that protesting, burni...See MoreChange is always hard and many people are scared of the "change" our country is currently in. Personally, our political climate has been one particular way for so long, certain people are having difficulty accepting this change.

I think it's up to all of us to do the best we can. At this point, I'm not sure that protesting, burning cars, and name calling are going to make things any easier. Does it ever?

On 1/29/17, I hear ya wrote: > I've been unfriended on Facebook and Twitter and frankly I > don't give a damn. Let 'em go. I keep my views to myself on > Facebook for the most part but when you "like" something or > comment on a public post, your friends can see and, instead > of talking to you about your views, how to came to them, > etc, they just unfriend. A few departed with snarky words, > then left. I don't worry about them. > > I'm a bit more vocal on Twitter where I don't have > neighbors or family members on my Twitter list. I tend to > post videos to what was actually said, quote from our own > government's websites, etc. People are going berserk, > saying all kinds of things about people whom they once > considered friends, I've seen two families blow up at each > other on Facebook and vow to never speak again--including > two sisters in their 60s! > > I see people saying they are "terrified" and are always > sobbing. I saw tons of signs at various protests and > marches with people holding signs saying they're > terrified...but they can stop being terrified and start > living any time they choose. I get the impression that many > feel they are more morally righteous than anyone else. > > The "Mus lim ban" that everyone is freaking out about is > not what the media is calling it but no one is paying > attention to that. It is sad that so many people > don't/can't think for themselves and go along with whatever > the media is telling them is the truth. Mr Obama did the > same thing for 6 months and where was the outrage? Where > was the outrage when Jimmy Carter banned the Ira nians for > a time? > > Here is what I saw on CBS a few minutes a go--I posted the > same thing from the Fox News site because it was the first > place I saw it but people called it "fake news" so I found > the same thing on CBS. > > [link removed]?

Jan 29, 2017

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long-time lurker On 1/29/17, Debbie wrote: > Change is always hard and many people are scared of the > "change" our country is currently in. Personally, our political > climate has been one particular way for so long, certain people > are having difficulty accepting this change. >

I think we all change and grow and are never the s...See MoreOn 1/29/17, Debbie wrote: > Change is always hard and many people are scared of the > "change" our country is currently in. Personally, our political > climate has been one particular way for so long, certain people > are having difficulty accepting this change. >

I think we all change and grow and are never the same as we were a year ago or 30 years ago. But, this administration is doing its best to further the divide.

> I think it's up to all of us to do the best we can. At this point, > I'm not sure that protesting, burning cars, and name calling are > going to make things any easier. Does it ever?

Protesting is part of the foundation of our country. I'll defend that right by participating. Marches since the inauguration have been amazingly peaceful and organized to minimize disruption. Just like every well planned classroom, there are no guarantees that all will behave.

-ltl

> > On 1/29/17, I hear ya wrote: >> I've been unfriended on Facebook and Twitter and frankly I >> don't give a damn. Let 'em go. I keep my views to myself on >> Facebook for the most part but when you "like" something or >> comment on a public post, your friends can see and, instead >> of talking to you about your views, how to came to them, >> etc, they just unfriend. A few departed with snarky words, >> then left. I don't worry about them. >> >> I'm a bit more vocal on Twitter where I don't have >> neighbors or family members on my Twitter list. I tend to >> post videos to what was actually said, quote from our own >> government's websites, etc. People are going berserk, >> saying all kinds of things about people whom they once >> considered friends, I've seen two families blow up at each >> other on Facebook and vow to never speak again--including >> two sisters in their 60s! >> >> I see people saying they are "terrified" and are always >> sobbing. I saw tons of signs at various protests and >> marches with people holding signs saying they're >> terrified...but they can stop being terrified and start >> living any time they choose. I get the impression that many >> feel they are more morally righteous than anyone else. >> >> The "Mus lim ban" that everyone is freaking out about is >> not what the media is calling it but no one is paying >> attention to that. It is sad that so many people >> don't/can't think for themselves and go along with whatever >> the media is telling them is the truth. Mr Obama did the >> same thing for 6 months and where was the outrage? Where >> was the outrage when Jimmy Carter banned the Ira nians for >> a time? >> >> Here is what I saw on CBS a few minutes a go--I posted the >> same thing from the Fox News site because it was the first >> place I saw it but people called it "fake news" so I found >> the same thing on CBS. >> >> [link removed]?

Jan 29, 2017

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