J is for Jewels.
Our students are our own jewels in
our "jewelry store" of life.
Their CUT is different.
We have males and females. Each
group is equal in size.
Their CLARITY is different.
Each of our students picks up concepts
at their own rate of speed. Some need
more or less help with concepts.
Their COLOR is different.
We have a virtual melting pot in our
three rooms. Males and females.
adult's and kids. Caucasion, African
American, Hispanic and we have a
variety of abilities and disabilities in
our rooms.
~Keep on Dreaming~
I is for Integration.
Webster's definition is:
Incorperation as equals into society
or an organization of individuals of
different groups.
In the school setting, integration
is:
The act or process of uniting different
groups.
In the past this was called
"Mainstreaming."
ie: spending time with peers in their
grade level.
For example: I have a Kindergartner
that I get off the bus, he goes through
his arrival routine and then we have
a work session, shortly after that he
goes to his general ed Kindergarten
class where with support as needed
he stays and follows the same routine
as the class does. He then comes back
to us and follows our routine until he
goes to "specials" ie: PE, ART, Music
or Library with his Kindergarten
friends. He also has support in these
classes also.
For the most part all he needs is re-
direction when he "gets off track."
Some of our other students just go to
specials, one goes to specific classes
within her grade level.
As with most everything where our
students are concerned integration
is geared toward each child's
abilities.
This process is two fold:
1. It helps our student's work toward
being in a general ed class .
2. It gives their peers a chance to get
to know a peer that functions
differently than they do.
I think it also helps their peers realize
that they are ok to be around even if
they look, act or behave differently
than they do.
~Keep on Dreaming~
G is for Guarantee.
As we know there are not a lot of
them in this world.
But we are going to talk positively
on this.
Yes, my "kids" deal with lots of obstacles
in their lifetime but for the most part are
not aware of any of them. Which is good.
Their parents on the other hand get to do
the dealing with those obstacles.
Now back to our word---at school we guar-
antee that we will guide, cheer, redirect,
provide as much help they may need and
love our kids. Not all days go this way but
we try very hard at it.
Our "kids" will continue to deal with
obstacles as they grow and we hope that
as they move from elementary school to
middle school they continue to have
people around them to do what we have
done for them.
H is for Heart
To teach one must have heart.
The heart to deal with the good, the
bad and the ugly.
A good day is when everyone is happy,
things get done and no one has a melt-
down (kids or adults.) Adult ones
happen when the kids are out of the
room. All staff are in attendance.
Recess outside!
A bad day involves those meltdowns,
non compliance, two or more staff are
gone, things don't get done and we
have to stay inside for recess!
An ugly day involves two or more sick
kids and or staff, runny snotty noses,
and barking coughs, kids screaming
and tantrums being thrown, more
meltdowns and these are the days that
the staff would like to run away from.
Thankfully these are few and far
between!
Often we ask ourselves:
"What am I doing here?"
"Am I making a difference?"
"Maybe I should change careers?"
But we wake up the next morning
and do it all over again because
WE HAVE HEART!!!
~Keep on Dreaming~
F is for Free Fun.
Look for things to do as
a family, with friends, with
the kids or totally on your
own.
Here are some suggestions:
1. The public library--lots to do here.
Books, magazines, CD's and DVD's.
Computers plus research materials.
Libraries are a great place for
families as they provide area for
all in the family. While there see
what programs your library
available to you.
2. Hit the web and find out what
is going on in and around your city.
3. Check out community sports,
see what is going on on those
fields. Go watch your kids play
ball, your nephew play soccer,
the neighbor or your coworker.
You get the idea.
4. Gather the family or friends
and have a game night.
Get out those board games
and enjoy your time together.
5. Check out your local museums,
galleries and public gardens and
see if the charge a fee or if one
day is a "free day."
6. Hit the park. Go to your
usual one or try another
one.
Enjoy some free air and
get some Vitamin D too.
Plus while your are there
get in your daily walk
and take some pics.
7. Get crafty. Work on those
project you have set aside.
Now is the time to work on
them.
8. Have a movie marathon.
I am sure that some of you
still have movies on disk at
home. Well, pull some out,
pop some popcorn and
ENJOY!!
Whatever you do have some
fun!!
~Keep on Dreaming~
