Most recent public comments by Rochelle Solomon https://nowcomment.com/users/68218 https://nowcomment.com/documents/197823?scroll_to=1857814 https://nowcomment.com/documents/197823?scroll_to=1857814 Week 11 NowComment Prompt: Imagine you are a special educator working at an elementary school. You learn that you will be getting a new student who has mobility restrictions, including using a wheelchair. Task: Who are three professionals that you would include on the team to ensure the student is able to access what they need in the least restrictive environment? Be sure to explain EACH professional and why they would be an important member of the team.  When school starts you want your classroom to feel welcoming to all students no matter what the disability of the child. If I learn that I am getting a new student who has mobility restrictions, he three professionals that I would include on my team to ensure that the student is able to access what they need in the least restrictive environment is the physical therapist/ occupational therapist, paraprofessional and the school nurse. First, the related service staff members are here to inform us of what the student is capable of and give insight on how to better accommodate the student on a daily basis. Second, the paraprofessional because they will be able to help give me added support in the classroom. He/she will be able to also help facilitate interactions among all the students. Third, the school nurse. He/ she will be able to let us know of any health accommodations that needs to be implemented in the classroom. This will allow me to have a daily schedule with all students in mind. Being able to modify and accommodate the students to ensure that they are in a safe environment and engaged in meaningful activities. Sat, 02 May 2020 17:53:30 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/191721?scroll_to=1807448 https://nowcomment.com/documents/191721?scroll_to=1807448 The way that I would structure my classroom and lesson for my students with Autism Spectrum Disorder is to first, make sure that my classroom is comfortable and organized. Children with Autism feel more comfortable when they have a routine. I would create a firm schedule that we will follow. Making sure that a clear printed copy of the schedule is visible for them at all times. Second, I would keep instruction simple by using visual aids and direct language. Because they may not understand figurative language or different concepts. I want to keep it as simple as possible not to frustrate them. Third, we would take breaks that are scheduled so that they do not get overwhelmed and in the process I would encourage social interaction with their peers. By doing this, it will help them to develop their social skills so that they can communicate with other teachers, family, and classmates. Ensuring that the students will be successful in the classroom. Thu, 16 Apr 2020 00:55:09 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/189555?scroll_to=1782846 https://nowcomment.com/documents/189555?scroll_to=1782846 What steps would you take to ensure that you are providing all services necessary for a student with speech and/or language needs? The first step, that I would take is to make sure that we have access to the general curriculum and state standards. This ensures that the goals and tasks that are set will be easy enough for the students to accomplish. The second step, is to develop a procedure for the student to be able to ask for help. This will encourage the student to participate in classroom activities and express their wants and needs. The third step is to use a peer-buddy system when appropriate. This will give the student self- esteem and self- confidence. As well as working in small groups learning from one another and making friends. Finally, I would make sure that the student has access to any special equipment or materials needed to be successful in the classroom. • Who would you work with? Working with the Speech- Language Pathologist to ensure that we are meeting all the guidelines required to give the students an appropriate education. • What assessments would you use? The assessment that I would use is picture assessment and student self assessment. Observing the student during the entire process. • What additional information would you need? What the parents goals are for their student. Sun, 12 Apr 2020 19:57:07 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/186301?scroll_to=1756556 https://nowcomment.com/documents/186301?scroll_to=1756556 Interventions My first intervention strategy is redirection. This intervention is so that we can refocus Joshua’s attention to another task. For example, asking him to answer a question or assigning him a task to carry out. By doing this intervention it will take him away from what ever has stressed him to misbehave. The second intervention I would use is modeling. Have Joshua to observe some positive modeled responses. Let him interact with his peers and discuss what he has learned. By showing Joshua how to react in different situations will allow him to rethink having inappropriate behavior. Documentation 1. Have a daily communication log. This will show how he has progressed and what strategies worked for that day. 2. Behavior charts- to promote positive reinforcement. Have a reward system in place to help promote appropriate behavior and this will also help Joshua to self monitor his own behavior. Sun, 05 Apr 2020 21:02:37 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/180224?scroll_to=1750988 https://nowcomment.com/documents/180224?scroll_to=1750988 Task: For one of the students, identify three strengths of the child as well 2 areas to target with specific interventions. Student: Audell Three Strengths 1. Audell has a strong support network 2. He has great social interactions with his peers 3. He has confidence that he can and will succeed 2 Target areas of specific interventions. 1. One specific interventions is for him to do peer tutoring. The teachers can pair him with another student to make sure he understands the assignments and check his work. 2. Communication planner/ log, this will keep all lines of communication open between everyone. This will also document his assignments and the completion of these assignments Audell will be able to stay on task and if he needs any other type of intervention this can be decided by the team. Wed, 01 Apr 2020 20:41:00 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/173789?scroll_to=1715911 https://nowcomment.com/documents/173789?scroll_to=1715911 Identify four things you can do to establish enhanced communication, cooperation, and collaboration with your students’ general education classroom teachers. Explain value of each. The four things that I can do to establish communication, cooperation, and collaboration with the general education teacher. 1. Communication 2. Co-Teaching 3. Planning 4. Collaborating First, both teachers need to establish a relationship with one another. Discussing their philosophy, expectations, and goals for the school year. Making sure that they listen to each other and have respect for one another. Communication between them is very important because it sets the tone for the rest of the school year. Communication is always the key to success in any situation. Second, in cooperative teaching, both general and special education teachers maintain joint responsibilities for instruction in the classroom. Both teachers bring their training and experience to the classroom. They can adapt to using the different teaching techniques in the classroom. For example they can try parallel teaching, or one teach one assist, this will make the learning process enjoyable. This is also let them know what will work and what will not work. Third, having an action plan of the schedule will keep confusion down and the day will run smooth. Everyone knowing what they are responsible for makes it a lot easier. Co-Teaching can be a wonderful experience when planning and good communication is involved. Fourth, their collaborative goal is for all students be provided with appropriate assignments, making sure that each student is learning and participating in the classroom activities. Remembering that it’s all about the students. This is a very important aspect to teaching in the classroom. Mon, 30 Mar 2020 20:35:23 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/172645?scroll_to=1685426 https://nowcomment.com/documents/172645?scroll_to=1685426 Assistive technology helps individuals with disabilities perform daily activities. There are many different devices that fit the needs for all individuals with disabilities. The three different assistance technology devices that will benefit Charlie is power mobility, special computer software with voice recognition and education aids such as pencil grips. First, Charlie will need power mobility, this will allow him to maximize his independence. He will be able to maneuver around the classroom as well as the school and in the community. Also, it will allow him to be comfortable. Second, special computer software with voice recognition on programs which will help home to carry out daily assignments in a timely manner. This will help Charlie with any spelling difficulties and type for him in case he has a hard time keeping up in class. Third, Charlie will use education aids such as pencil grips so that he can participant in classroom activities. This device will allow him to achieve better positioning of pencils and strengthen his hands. By using these devices it will allow Charlie to become more independent and make his daily task a little more easier. He will be able to maximize his full potential and learning will be fun for him. Sun, 22 Mar 2020 17:25:39 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/171060?scroll_to=1642860 https://nowcomment.com/documents/171060?scroll_to=1642860 Court Ruling: Health services deemed necessary for a qualified child with a disability by the IEP team must be provided as long as a non physician can perform the services. Specifics: The case involved Garret F., who was a student in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he was a quadriplegic and required a ventilator after his spinal column was severed in a motorcycle accident when he was four years old. During the school day he needed a personal attendant to see to his health care needs, that included urinary catheterization, suctioning of his tracheostomy tube, and observation for respiratory distress. The parents requested a hearing under the IDEA, an administrative law judge decided that the school board was responsible for the services. A federal trial court in Iowa affirmed, concluding that such services did not fall with the “medical services” exclusion clause or the IDEA’s related services provision. The case then moved to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court’s earlier opinion in Irving Independent School District V. Tatro had established an unambiguous standard, whereby the services of a physician are exempted, but “services that can be provided in the school setting by a nurse or qualified layperson are not”. Garret’s services did not require a doctor, the court upheld the lower court’s decision. In 1998, the court’s decision in Tatro, the school board did not argue that Garret’s care constituted medical services, it proposed that several other factors should be considered, and that included “whether the care is continuous or intermittent” and the expense of the service. The majority, noted that the school district’s proposed test was not supported by the statute’s text or any other regulation. Focusing on the issue of expense, the court rejected accepting a cost-based standard, arguing that doing so would have required it to engage in judicial lawmaking without any congressional guidance. Congress intended the IDEA to open the door of public education to all qualified students and to require school boards to “educate handicapped children with non handicapped children whenever possible”. Ruling: Under the IDEA and the court’s own precedent, the justices ruled that a school board must fund such related services to help guarantee that students such as Garret were integrated into the public schools. Conclusion: Special Education is the means through which children with disabilities receive an education specifically designed to help them reach their learning potential. Within the Special Education umbrella there are many different services for Special Needs students’. For Garret, he needed related services, school nurse services designed to enable a child with disability to receive a free appropriate public education as described in the IEP of the child. His medical services will be evaluated so that they can better assist him with his disability which will allow him to benefit from the special education services. Fri, 20 Mar 2020 22:43:42 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/172120?scroll_to=1642859 https://nowcomment.com/documents/172120?scroll_to=1642859 There are so many methods that a teacher can use to foster positive communications with parents. Communication is a two way street for both teacher and parents to be actively involved in the students life. Teachers are responsible for the students’ academic and year round development. The first method is to be open and honest and frequently sharing your understanding of their students’ strength and weaknesses. When having conferences to discuss the students progress. You can focus on the positive things that the student has accomplished. This will allow parents to give you some suggestions for the goals and inventions. The more you keep the parents informed the relationship between you and them will be well respected, trustworthy and meaningful. The second method is to keep clear and precise data on the students progress. It is very important to document your student’s present level of performance. This will allow parents to see their student’s academic strengths and challenges as well as functional performance or any behavior issues. This will allow the parents to know what instruction is working and what instruction is not working. By doing so, you and parent can develop goals and analyze the effects of specific interventions on skills and behaviors so that the student can be successful. Having the parents be involved in all decision making puts them at ease and they will feel that they have made the right decisions concerning their student. The Third method of communication is to communicate with parents via email, text messaging, printed communication, and phone calls. By giving the parents access to you as the teacher, will make them feel more comfortable knowing that they have many ways to get in contact with you on a daily basis. Communication is the key to success. Tue, 24 Mar 2020 20:17:58 -0500