Chapter 7 Picture Books

I thought it was interesting to find out Picture Books are a form not a genre. What is great about picture books is the illustrations and they are great extension of the words. This can be hard to do. Picture books are hard to write. To get a a whole story in about 32 pages can be tough.
In class Pickett mentioned when she read to her daughter some of her of her favorite books as a child. She said she can think back of the time she read them. I find myself feeling and thinking back to when I was a kid when I read to my children too. That is one of the great parts of any story; it takes you back to a time you can remember and it opens up good times or bad times. The cycle continues and one day my daughter or son will feel the same way when they read to children.

EDED 4310- Chapter 15

Describe issues related to training Special Education teachers to use technology.

Teachers tend to have problems in technology due to minimal experience. Teachers who have been teaching for years have little technology experience maybe because they didn't grow during the technology stage we are in now. Soon to be teachers are required minimal amount of technology hours. Since the requirements are low and usually entry level technology, future teachers struggle with being prepared for their future teaching. Time is another major issue. Even if the desire is there, time isn't. Time to learn and put the hands on to learning the equipment is difficult to fit in.

Give examples of no-tech, low tech, and high tech solutions for special students.

No tech are ways to use the body in a different way to make the best of their abilities. The textbook gave the example of using one hand to type. The use of one hand may be slow but the student is still able to type.

low tech is non-electrical. Keeping the student organized by using highlighters or maybe word lists can be a way to keep the student on task.

High tech - are complex electrical devices. The items can be electrical wheelchairs or voice activated controls.

Being aware of these different tools or strategies can be beneficial to the student. Staying up to date will be important in being an effective instructor.

April

History Wars-EDED 4310

History Wars are whether to teach civics or take broader approach in this subject. Technology has so much information in any subject. History already has a load of information which is one of the problems. Teachers complain there is too much information to cover in a short period of time. Teachers are also concerned such information will cause less need of teacher. If the information is in their fingertips then why need a teacher? The problem with contradiction of textbooks is an issue as well. I personally feel history should include the basics but include cultural history from the area you teach in. Also I would hope teachers are creative enough to think about combining lessons. Teach writing but write about a history topic. If art is a subject covered learn and create a artifact from the past. We must combine lessons in order to cover things they don't have time to cover.

Mattie the Poet

http://www.mattieonline.com/

We need to stop.Just stop.Stop for a moment.Before anybody Says or does anything That may hurt anyone else.We need to be silent.Just silent.Silent for a moment.Before we forever lose The blessing of songs That grow in our hearts.We need to notice.Just notice.Notice for a moment.Before the future slips away Into ashes and dust of humility.Stop, be silent, and notice.In so many ways, we are the same.Our differences are unique treasures.We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts To nurture, to offer, to accept.We need to be.Just be.Be for a moment.Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,Like children and lambs,Never judging or vengeful Like the judging and vengeful.And now, let us pray,Differently, yet together,Before there is no earth, no life,No chance for peace. September 11, 2001© Mattie

I thought it would be fitting to pick a poet for my author choice of the week. Mattie passed away in 2004 but five years later his words still live in the hearts of many. To be so young and full of creativity is amazing. God gave him a true gift of sharing, inspiring and loving. I think students may feel a connection with this brilliant young man because they share the gift of youth. If we teach our students to dig deep inside and find the words to describe those feeling then they will accomplish the gift of writing. Like Mrs. Pickett said in class, we can't say a students personal feelings about themselves can be wrong. This is what they believe and should be shared and accepted not rejected.

POETRY

Guys, I can't say I understand everything a poet writes but I do like trying to figure it out. I feel like there is a hidden meaning usually and it is different for everybody. I think the text makes great points in helping instructors include poetry in the classroom. It can be tough to understand and have the courage to write one. Usually we think it has to rhyme but it doesn't. I think kids may have an easier time writing a poem if they can use words they feel I their heart. I also love the idea of using shape. Words forming shapes or swirls, I love the creative part of expressing as well.