This blog contains thoughts, observations and comments from my experiences past, present and future in the field of special education and Conductive Education. I welcome your input please feel free to comment on anything you read here!
Wow! Anyone who knows me knows I do not dance...however how could I possibly refuse multiple invitations from the adorable Cory? Before I knew it I was whirling around the dance floor and I'm sure, making a complete fool of myself lol! Two of the highlights for me were watching the Dance-Off! A circle on the dance floor which allowed each of the campers to showcase their dance moves. Once again I was blown away by the talent of these campers. There were some really great dancers! The second highlight was an imitation of John Travolta and Olivia Newton Johns song Summer Nights, performed by myself and Daron! We even brought a tear to J-Macs eye it was so moving, LOL!
I can't wait to see what our last day will bring! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It's warming up here in Wisconsin and camp is progressing and becoming more crazy by the second! This mornings language class included choosing awards for our fellow campers and games! Our group were guessing what sports personalities they had written on paper that they couldn't see! Each team member answered questions to ascertain who their sportsperson was! After lunch we talked about goals for the coming year and I was impressed and astounded by the mature goals set by each of the campers. Goals such as finding a job, applying to college, being a better boyfriend, improving communication skills and power chair driving skills. This group of campers have high expectations for themselves and this gives me great hope. I love that they are able to believe in themselves and I look forward to seeing how each of them develops in the coming year. We watch a movie this afternoon, "Only God Could Hear Me", check it our here on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watchv=2r9pvtNTx4k&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Tonight is the dance.....looking forward to more fun, communication and of course a good dose of craziness! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Language class this morning was working on Hollywood movie skits! Our group had Twilight and each camper was given a character and lines in the script. The campers had to create props and then act the scene out in front of the other campers! It was great watching everyone create their lines then practice acting out the script. We saw scenes from Harry Potter, Twilight, Finding Nemo and Toy Story. All the scenes went really well and got laughs, the campers all added their own unique personalities to the performances. It made the idea of a performance using our communication systems at Standing Tall seen totally achievable!!! The afternoon was a talent show and was an absolute hoot. The campers did everything from a top ten list of reasons to return to camp, a dance, stand up comedy and a fantastic rendition of YMCA by some of the camp councilors!
The evening was The Amazing Show! Magic and comedy that was funny and the campers had a blast! Night time brought on more games and a mammoth round of UNO ensued! Again each of the campers was responsible for their own moves, communicating using devices and vocalizations to indicate their choices. Once again I got more ideas about how to allow my students to have more control over their activities and integrate their devices and communication systems. So many possibilities, so many opportunities, so much potential! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Today the campers get a personal interview with Jon Feucht the camp Director. He lectures at UW Whitewater and can give them advice about college life for individuals with disabilities; the pitfalls, the services, accommodations, organizing staffing etc. His personal experiences are invaluable to the campers and offers them support and advice. Our morning activities today focus on accessing the Internet. E-mails, Twitter, FB and texting. The campers are introduced to abbreviations and emoticons and taken through the do's and don'ts of texting, emailing, using FB and Twitter. This transitioned into a Hollywood quiz (that's our camp theme) and creating our own Hollywood handprints! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We're exhausted, but in a good way! The rest of the day at camp was filled with activities and more importantly opportunities for communication. Lunch time everyone orders lunch in their own way! Then they sit together at tables and have conversations with each other and with the staff and helpers there. The tables are loud and lively and there is a lot of laughter! This afternoon was swimming! An activity less about devices (for obvious reasons :0)) and more about fun! But there was no letting up in the laughter! Dinner followed a similar pattern to lunch, more talk, more laughter, more noise and lots of food! The evening activity was bowling and I don't think I have ever been in a more competitive environment LOL! On the whole there was sportsmanlike conduct but I'm sure I heard a few colorful phrases being thrown around the bowling alley!!!
I can hardly believe we have only been here one day!! The campers here are inspirational, the staff are some of the most motivating and dedicated I have ever had the pleasure of working with! I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It's camp week and Gregory, Daron and I are all up in Wisconsin at Whitewater for the Authentic Voices of America Camp. The Camp Director is Jon Feucht. Jon is assisted by a talented and unique staff of professionals, some of whom are AAC users. Campers are counseled and mentored by persons with disabilities who are living active, productive lives. Here's our week! Day 1: After some excitement with an unexpected fire drill we are in our language class! We've created shirts for the end of camp and now we are playing Catchphrase. Each camper has a movie to describe using their device and their teammates have to guess it. Greg's is trying out his eye gaze as well as his scanning this morning and is doing great! There are some amazing campers here, they are driving their chairs independently with head arrays and accessing a range of devices with direct select, eye gaze and scanning! I am blown away by the skills I am seeing here already and it's only the first morning!
One of the most challenging things for our students has been independently exploring books! Even if they managed to get their hands on a book physically, their impaired motor skills mean that they are not able to turn pages! The next challenge they face is the reading itself! Many of our students are still reading at a preK or Kindergarten level even though chronologically they are at a much higher grade level. While it is still important for them to work on their actual reading level there is also a need for them to be able to access age appropriate materials. There are more and more digital books available on line now and many free sites, just check out the books on these sites before you give your students access. One of the things I most love about giving the students access to the books is the fact at they can explore at their own pace. They can look at a picture or page for as long as they want to. Also having speech with the books means the students do not have to rely on anyone to read to them the book to them. More independent seems to mean more desire to interact with the books and this is definitely something we want to encourage! Here are some examples of the sites we are currently using: Free sites Tarheelreader.org Scribble press app Paid sites Onemorestory.com Googling accessible books will provide you with many more sites. Then with a switch box and jelly bean switch the students can have access to many books.
The Scribble Press App has also allowed us to create and publish our own books and this has led to an increasing library of books that the students connect to on a very personal level! Below is a video of one of our students accessing a book via her laptop computer.
With three British conductors at school we decided to extend the patriotism and celebrate the Diamond Jubilee! We organized our own indoor 'street party', complete with trifle,Skips,Quavers and Hula Hoops, and British bunting. We learned about the Queen, and some of the things she has accomplished in the past 60 years. And we did British arts and crafts projects!
We also created a time capsule. Our school is entering a new era as we expand with we classes, teachers and conductors. Each of the students were asked to write a letter to their future selves. Using their communication systems and books they wrote their likes and dislikes, and their thoughts and feelings about themselves and their school.
Statements included: I like playing with children. Sometimes we do weird things in school but it's lots of fun! I like having my passé mur so I can talk! School is fun but at times I don't like this school. I like to eat with my friends at school.
