Thank You

When I wrote my comment I was not expecting any response but I wanted to say thank you to all of you who wrote something. I really appreciate them and the advice and encouragement. Again, thank you.

Project

I was wondering if the child you observe for the project have to have a learning or speech disability. I have a three year old niece that I want to use for the project, but I didn't know if this was okay? I didn't know if we could observe a family member?

Clubs

I would love to join at least one club related to my major. I am already in a sorority and I also attend meeting for one of the Christian groups on campus. However, I know that becoming involved in a group relating to my future profession would help me to make professional connections as well as insight into my career. I have been really busy the first part of the semester with my sorority. Things are slowing down now and I'm wondering if it's too late to join a special education group or a regular ed group? If not, are there any that you guys would recommend over others?

Article Response

I just wanted to comment on the article that was given out in the last class. I believe that this was very relevant to what we have discussed thus far in class. The article makes language development in the classroom seem so easy with a simple process. We all know that this is much easier said than done. However, I think that sometimes we try to make tasks rather in the classroom or in society more difficult than they seem to be. When we actually break the task down into smaller parts or do one thing at a time it always seems to get done quicker. The article describe a process that with all parts put into action would work in any classroom. I'm sure that children want us as teachers to sometime simplify or do more things step-by-step. Does anyone else feel the same or different?

Observation

I did my observation the other day and it was wonderful! This was my first technical observation in a 'real classroom'. I really loved it and ended up staying longer than I really needed to. I this experience reaffirmed my desire to become a teacher!!!! I hope all of you guys have the same great experience that I did!!!!

Stages Of Language

I was wondering could the stages of language be used as a tool to evaluate special education children? Parents usually want to know how much their child has progressed.....so do you guys think it would help to show the parents. To say, 'Look how far they have come, the child was here but now he/she is here."

Monday Night Eye Opener

Monday night really opened my eyes when Ms. White said if you are not going into teaching for student learning then that person needs to get out and do something else (this might have been last class-I can't remember, but it was said nonetheless). I have already been questioning whether I really want to teach; if that is really what I love to do and want to do and I believe it is not. However, the knowledge I have gained from this class has been so enriching.

I would have rather been at class Monday

Hello,
I missed class Monday, can anyone give me some insight of what happened in class?
My son was hospitalized, Friday the 21st and not released until Tuesday night, although, he had a short relapse Wednesday. The relapse caused another painful visit to the ER. My son had RSV and the croup. So in short of the crazy week I had, I would like to get caught up on class. Any thought would be wonderful,
Thanks again, Melanie

Irony....

I have a funny story for all of you guys.

Have you ever just had one of those days where EVERYTHING went wrong? I had one today.
I woke up late. I needed to print off something for class and my printer didnt work! So I go downstairs and Dupree's printer doesnt work. So I have to go and wake my friend up at 9 to print my hw!

So tonight, I was working on some more stuff and I realized that I couldn't get access to my W drive. I go downstairs and guess what? I cant on Duprees printer either. So....I go to the SSB and finally get everything saved,printed and worked out!

I seriously hope that you guys can find the humor I have in this.

But for the moment, I think I hate technology!

Missed Monday's Class

So, I missed Monday's class due to a death in the family.
I heard it was a good class and was wondering if some of you could share something that you took away from it. Thanks!

The class was the best one yet!

I enjoyed Monday night's class. I think I learned more than any night so far. I would like to thank Ms. White for telling us about the Jena 6. It has been on every TV I have seen since she told us about it. I would like to work more on the language analysis project.

Test Grade

I got the other email about the tests being graded but I cant find mine. Do I check it in the "my grades?"
I found the page with the previous grade but for my test grade it has an exclamation mark where the grade should be. Does anyone have any sugestions??

Class

I enjoyed class Monday and getting to watch that video. I can't wait to start on my language sample, because, I love working with kids and listening to them talk. I have a nephew who is just learning to talk and I love just sitting down with him and hearing what he has to say. I was just wondering if I could do the language sample with my nephew. He is 2 and like I said before he is just learning to talk. So I was just wondering if that would be alright?

Which is better?

Here's a question for you guys.

Do you think that its enough if a teacher has extreme love for their students? Have you ever experienced a teacher that maybe wasn't the best at things but they still impacted you greatly? And which would you rather have, a teacher that was uber smart or a teacher that was trying their hardest and cared about their students?

I was just curious if anyone has yet been able to check on their test feed back.. I know that some times I have A LOT of computer problems so I didnt know if it was just me... Thanks

OK, So after class on Monday I had some things to think about... I had not been watching the news lately come to find out some pretty sad things have been going on. I have never been one to judge someone because of the race, religion, sexuality, or financial status, but to see that the world is still behind is depressing to me. Why any one person thinks that they are better than another just blows my mind. While sitting here typing this I just wanted to say some thing so that it stays in others minds that the world doesn't do what's fair and as future teachers we have to make it as fair as we can for the students we are helping...

One small change could make all the difference...

After class tonight I started thinking about judgement. I mean, have you ever really thought about it? What causes us to look at others differently or in a negative way? Is the way we were raised? Was it a terrible experience we had? And I guess the real question is " Are any of the fears that we have a reason to look negatively on or disrespect another person?". I have to say no. Just because one was raised a certain way does not mean that they DO NOT have the priority and ability to change it. I believe that its time that each of us lay one prejudice we have aside and take a step foward. Try something simple at first, like befriending someone you wouldn't before. Can you imagine what would happen if every person did one thing to change the outlook? Maybe by just giving one good example things could change slowly. Thats what hope is about, am I not correct?

"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don't give up."-- Anne Lamott

"Even the lost find their way home when you leave the light on." -Amy Marie Walz,

buddy walk

The buddy walk is at keeneland race tract sept 29!!! you can find more infomation online at
www.dsack.org

it should be alot of fun even if you dont want to register come and stop by!!!

Confused

For the project are we suppose to pick only one form of analysis or are we suppose to do all of them? Are we allowed to do the project on a child who we know or who is our relative? Sorry if Mrs. White said it in class and I did not hear it.

Tonight's class

Hey there everyone. I am sick today and was hoping that someone would be kind enough to scan or send me the particulars of the book response we are doing in tonight's class. I have already e-mailed Prof. White, and she said she would try but I just want to be sure that I get it.
I would love it if someone could help me out.

Thanks!

Erica Jones

My e-mail is erica_jones67@eku.edu if you want to e-mail me, thanks again!

Class tonight

Hey, did everyone survive our first test? I know I needed to be more prepared! What are we going to discuss in class tonight? The syllabus just says test. I missed last week so I feel lost.

Test

This question is for Mrs. White or anyone else who knows the answer,

I have never taken an online test before so i am really not sure how this works, but will we be able to get any feedback on the test? I would like to know what answers were not right or why points were taken off so that i can learn from anything i did wrong.

Thanks!

Maggie Sporing

Test difficulties

I was working on my test with just 2 hours to go and I was kicked off my internet server. Sadly, I was not able to get back on the test. Did anyone else have the same problem?
I have not been able to get a hold of Dr. White through email and hopefully she will contact me soon with instructions.

Test difficulties

observation

How long is our observation supposed to be? Does it have to be more than 1 hour or 2? I get the observation requirements for my classes confused.

Monday the 17th night class

I was unable to come to class this past Monday. My daughter was sick with strep throat and upper respiratory infection. We have been through fever, aches, nausea and the whole shebang! Sound like class was very interesting by your blogs. Sounds like you had long discussion on how babies begin to develop their language and at what stages. Did you talk about Grammatical Morphemes? Are they like when a child will say walked or jumped? Is their anything in particular that you learned Monday night that might be helpful on the test? I would appreciate your input.

Thanks!!!

Class this past week.. Structural Analysis

The in class activity we did Monday with morphemes and utterances, what was the exact purpose of the structure analysis? Was it simply just to determine whether or not the child had any type of language or communication problems?

relating Mondays class

I am the proud mother of a 2 and a half year old boy and the topics we covered in class Monday night were so helpful for me. I consider him to be soooo smart and great at everything, because I am his mother, of course. But I thought it was very cool to learn how speech is produced at the same time as him becoming a jabber box. He is really ahead for his age in his speaking. I am around many 3 and 4 year olds who do not talk as clear and have the size of vocabulary as he does. One thing I believe really helps a child grow in speech is being talked to as a grown up. Baby talk is sometimes a hindrance to a child when they always hear it.

"Momma Owie"

I was checking my yahoo e-mail today and saw an interesting video of a 2-year old girl that called 911 and saved her mother by simply saying "Momma Owie" I thought that this pertained to what we have been talking about in class discussions. I thought I would post to tell you guys about it. To see the video go to yahoo.com it is under features for today. Just click play video.

Exam Deadline?

I found last nights class to be of great benefit. Reviewing the topics last night was very helpful, its making more sense. And for some reason I was able to get more of a grasp on the info at hand last night, seems like the atmosphere in class was different. I hated that I had to leave early, can someone please tell me when the exam deadline is?

Special Olympics

I work with the Madison Co. Special Olympics. We are always looking and needing volunteers. If anyone is interested, I can give the contact info. There is a big Halloween/Fall Festival the last sat of Oct. It is a huge fundraiser for the Special Olympics.

Great Ballgame!

I am not too much of a sports kinda gal- well football unless it is high school but I actually watched the UK and UL football game on Saturday night and my goodness!

I found myself really engaged in the game. I guess since it was close one and a nail bitter helped!!! Wow!! I wasn't pulling for either team I graduated with Jacob Tamme and so I kinda hoped UK would win just b/c I cheered for him in high school and we were friends and some of my old allstar girls now cheer for uk. Although, UL is always so good. Oh well it was just a great game!!

Kelsey Kendall

Hello everyone!!! I recently got together with the lady i babysit for and she is also the head of downs syndrome association in central KY. I began helping her with the Buddy Walk that is this month Sept 29!!! so i was wondering if anyone was interested i have all the info and will bring it to class!!! It will be very fun and a good experience!!! I thought everyone would should have the chance to go!!

Hey guys!

I was looking at the Course Schedule and it says there is a reading response due tonight. I think I must have missed something either in class or email, but I have idea what reading response this is!! Can someone help me out? Haha, enlighten me, please! :)

I look forward to class tonight. See you all there!

Help!

This is a question for Ms. White or anyone else who has figured it out. Is there an easier way to see the blogs YOU have posted? I like to read people comments but it gets really hard to remember where I posted and when. Is there some way you can see all your personal posts together??

The Biology of . . .Baby Talk | Early Language | DISCOVER Magazine

Found very interesting article after Monday class. Please click on this underlined Title. The Biology of . . .Baby Talk Early Language DISCOVER Magazine

Review of Monday - Speech Production

In response to those who missed Monday - and to help EVERYONE continue to think about the objectives from Monday. I want to post some questions relative to the OBJECTIVES from Monday. None of you want a professor to LECTURE and TELL you information so let's see if by using our resources, blog discussion and in class dicussion we can deepen our understanding of the important concepts in this class. Let's start this discussion considering the path AIR takes to produce speech. What happens to air or what does the air do in each of the four processes. Try to use vocabulary a anyone would understand if they did not know the terms (respiration, phonation, resonation and articulation).

Review of Monday - Acquire Language

Think about HOW babies ACQUIRE language. When BABIES in the videos are talking - - when is it IMITATION, when is it to communicate personal MEANING, when is it more about the INTERACTION? How does this relate to the models discussed in the book and summarized in Blackboard? You can view more video clips of children at various stages of language at http://stuff2view.blogspot.com/ .

Cognition vs Language

Think about do babies THINK and have COGNITION first or do they start producing speech/language first. Consider all of the video clips we watched. You can view those and more at http://stuff2view.blogspot.com/ . Are babies thinking and developing cognition and meaning prior to being able to produce speech and language? Or do babies have the ability to produce speech and language before they are aware of meaning? You may wish to look at the chapter for this week, chapter 5 and consider the difference between vocalization and speech (or review the resources on Blackboard for Week 1).

catching up too

I am in the same boat. I have had a pulled muscle and thought I was fine until about 3 o'clock Monday. So I as well would like a little insight on class that night if no one minds. I would really appreciate it. I find missing a class like this one puts you in a position to be behind all semester because we have very in depth and helpful conversations.
If anyone, as well, wants to post any questions pertaining to that class to get my head flowing that would be nice.
I hope everyone has a great week and I will see you all Monday.

Can anyone help me catch up on Monday?

I had to miss class Monday night due to a bad virus. I went to meet my carpool ride for the class, but while I waited, I kept feeling dizzy and just plain awful. I called Melanie about five minutes before she got to our meeting place and told her I was going home and going to bed. You all should thank me as this virus appears to be very contagious. Most people I came into contact with this weekend turned up ill.

I would appreciate any help catching up on what we did. I hate to miss class. Especially a once a week class. Too much information is lost.

So I will appreciate any communication and feedback on what happened in class.
Sheila Neal

Between families and words.....

Hello guys, its Erin Ray again.

I was thinking tonight about communication, especially how families communicate with each other. Have you ever thought about this? Sometimes the people that love you the most are the hardest to talk to. Even if you have no form of a communication disability, your family can make you feel like you do. Sometimes we try so hard to show those we love who we are, we end up being disappointed when things fall short.

I was faced with this when my dad came to visit this weekend. He met my new boyfriend for the first time. And actually, he really liked him. But as I sat and watched them interact, I wondered. Is it sad that my new boyfriend knows me more than my own dad? And it is. It makes me sad to think about it.

I guess in the end each of us have our own battles to fight. In the end, maybe we all just have to go that extra mile to show the ones we love who we are.

I know that I am going to try to, no matter what it takes.

September 11

I was just sitting here watching news clips from September 11, and it really took me back to that what I was doing when it happened. I remember i was a freshman in high school and i was in algebra class and our teacher told us what happened and turned on the Tv. I didn't get it I didn't even know what the world trade centers were so it took me a while to understand how big of a deal it was! I was just wondering if other people remember what they were doing, and how they felt as that tragedy happened.

Class last night.

I really enjoy the discussion sections we have together as a class. By getting different opinions on certain subjects helps me to understanding the chapters/information a little easier. You realize its o.k. to have different opinions as long as you grasp the big picture. I thank the teacher for giving us the opportunity to express our self, even though I am very quite person I enjoy listening.

See ya next Monday!

Beth Ann

Why Teach?

I wanted to be a teacher all my life, I feel like I was born to be a teacher, though I denied it. As a child I was going to be a Surgeon, have 8 kids and travel the world, how different life is today. I have half the 8, lol. I loved science as a kid, still do and the thought of cutting open a person fascinated me, and I had something to prove. Yet, every personality test I took in High School, teacher was number 1, but I still said medicine was for me. The main reason I think was I felt I had to prove something to myself, family and to all those people in my life who always told me "You Cant Do That". I have a great family, but when it comes to me they tend to doubt my abilities, a lot of people do, until they get to know me.
After being a stay-at-home for 14 years, I became a single mom of 4, full time employee and a full time college student, in pursuit of a Medical Degree. My goal was to go to Vanderbilt, even with my sister telling me "You need to set your sights and go to Med school where ever they are willing to accept you". I pressed on, still denying the inner voice that said "what am I doing in this field" but I have 4 children to put through college and on a teachers salary, that ain't happening. After 2 years a lot of self realization, it all became clear, you cant deny your passion or your destiny.
At the end of the day its not about monetary value, its how you feel inside, what you have accomplished and the contribution I have made, big or small, to this world. Who wants to work at a job, day end and day out, and the only satisfaction is a huge salary. I am not saying the medical field is not a a great field to be in, its just not for me. I worked in a hospital, on and off over the years and I never had enough time to spend with the patients, so last September I quit my job (found a new one), changed my major and never looked back. The best time I have had are with my kids, coaching softball teams, talking with their friends and in the schools reading to the class and helping them. One thing I am very proud of is the relationship I have with my own kids and how their friends respect me and are comfortable enough to confide in me. I feel like I am a great motivator and I have a lot to offer students and am able to interact with kids of all ages.
I want to make a difference, a positive one. I never want to hear someone tell a child or anyone 'they can't do something". We may have to go a different route but all things are possible. If we set our goals high and fall short, its not a failure, as long as you've tried and given it your best. There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing the look on a child's face when they understand what you are talking about. I am a creative person and education will allow me to be that, if one way of learning doesn't work than I can find a different way.
Whether I am in Special Ed or not I just want to teach, its hard to describe why other than I feel the need, that I have to, its definitely a desire that cannot be denied. I believe that everyone has a place in this world, has something to offer and deserves to be happy. I am going to share with you my vision for education. One area I see myself in, is politics, there are changes in policy that need to be made for all children to receive the education that they deserve.

My Vision for Education, May 2007, LeaderShape Institute

The value of a high standard, quality education is understood and provided for every child in the United States. The power of potential that lies within every young person is realized and utilized to the fullest.
Every school in the U.S. is equally and adequately funded providing the same learning opportunities and resources for every student.
Local school districts will overhaul budget, curriculum, hiring practices and school board structure: In order to provide resources and support networks for all schools, higher professional standards and consistency of curriculum across the state(s).
All leaders from local communities, political leaders, educators and parents need to be active participants and well informed, concerned individuals and as a collective unit to the welfare of our children and their education.
"THE FOUNDATION OF EVERY STATE IS THE EDUCATION OF ITS YOUTH."(Diogenes Laertius)

Tonights Class

So I felt that the discussion in class tonight was very intense. Did anyone else feel this way? I felt that the films were very cute but at first it was difficult to understand the task that we were suppose to do after watching the film? I felt we needed a little more direction on the definitions.

How do you best communicate?

I find it hard to communicate face to face on any level. I feel that what I might say will be taken in the wrong context. The only time I am really verbal is when it comes to children! I have always found that I can speak my mind in that department. No person will mistreat a child in front of me without me saying something! Some talk with a lot of body movements, some look at the ground when speaking, there are many ways in which we communicate.

What way do you communicate best?

What do you find hard about face to face communication?

Why teach Special ed.?

I spent most of my life wanting to be a vet. Then my senior year of high school I had the privilege of being a peer tutor. I worked in the class with students with severe disabilities. It changed my life. I realized that was my calling and I am making it happen. I also have two older sisters with a physical disability and some mental disabilities. They are my inspiration. They did not get very good educations though they were capable. I want to make a difference in children's lives and show them that they can beat the odds and become something great.

Why I want to be a special education teacher.

I have not been able to post because I have had problems getting into the blog, but I have figured it out now. I saw the prompt on 'why I wanted to get into special education' and I thought it was a good starting point for me.

I guess the main reason I wanted to be a special education teacher in the beginning was because it made me more marketable (I'm just being honest), but when I began doing observations, and watching the students and how they interacted I relaized that I enjoyed being in a resource room, or just watching a special education teacher with his/her students better than the general education classroom.

Again, I'm just being honest, which can sometimes seem pessimistic, but in every school that I have observed, particurally non-inclusion schools, I saw a pattern. I saw that these schools desperalty needed qualified teachers for special education. Most of the students with 'minor' disabilities were in general education classrooms for most of the day, which can be good, but in some circumstances, the students were in there for the simple fact that there was not enough staff to accomadate everyone but the students with the most severe disablities.

I noticed that the general education teachers had a hard time dealing with the students with disablities and although they tried to make accomadations, most of the time it was futile and whatever problem the child was displaying was handled quickly but not efficiently.

I am not saying that these teachers were under-qualified. I am simply saying that these students needed more time to be worked with, and without special education teachers, it was hard for these students to get the education they deserved. I guess I felt that it was unfair to the students in the general education classroom because I would watch them trying so hard to understand something (slamming their pencils down in frustration) because the their teachers did not have the time to help them. I realized that I wanted to work with students with disabilities because I really enjoyed working with them, and it felt very rewarding to help them to understand something that they had been so frustrated with just a few moments before, and all they needed was a little more attention. Above everything else, I would have to say that the reason I chose LBD students is because they inspire me and humble me, because they try harder to achieve something that many of us take for granted: learning with ease.

Erica Jones

Eager to read 'why'

There was a great post at the end of August that asked us to post reasons why we chose special education as our major. Sadly, the way the blog is set up, it is pushed into a general August group and isnt readily available for people to see and post to. If you just click August, it is there. I have been checking it to see why others chose special ed. Please post to it if you have the time. Thanks

Groups

I have to honestly say that i totally enjoyed doing the group activties for the class. That is a long class, and i believe that if the professor made us sit and she just lectured, i would probably fall asleep. I also think that the group activities give the students a chance to get to know one another in the class. I absolutely love the way the professor interacts with us!

Weekend

How was everyones Three Day Weekend? Did anyone do something worth sharing? Did any go to the UK/eku game? I was there performing there (and it was kind of scary.), eku fans were way out numbered by the UK fans. Well I hope everyone had a good weekend. See you in class on monday!

Groups

I like the group activity. I like doing things that are 'hands-on'. Its the way I learn. I am not a text book reader. I DO read but having activities in a group setting really bring the material into a concept that is easier to grasp. All of my classes this semester have daily group activities and projects, its different but enjoyable.
In a group setting you have to be open-minded, you cant 'hog' the entire lesson. I have a domineering personality and know this about myself and am able to sit back and listen to others. You learn more when you listen. Others think differently and bring a unique perspective to ideas. I like hearing other peoples take on lessons and group activities, you most always learn something new.
One thing I do not like in group work is when you have an assignment and people are absent and when they come to class they want to have input on ideas that were decided by the students who were present and already decided which route the group is taking.

Video's for this week

I believe I have to agree with Whitney about the animal videos by far surpassing this weeks videos. I liked this weeks videos but I liked the animals much more!

Garredd Corder

Hello everyone, i guess i need to tell you all a little bit about myself. Hmmm lets see i am a 5th year senior at EKU. I started my educational experience with plans of being a lawyer. Ever since i watched Mattlock and Law and Order as a child nothing interested me more [from and educational standpoint :) ]..... Until i walked into a classroom and wrote : MR. CORDER on the board. After subbing and coaching the high school tennis team for a semester i went and changed my major to History/secoundary education. Little did i know i would change my mind once again..... I took over a Special education Class for three months after their Teacher just walked out on them the first day back after Christmas break. She had been hired by the school after the regualar teacher had to step down with terminal cancer. The Administration at the school warned that it would be a very challenging experience and told me that the class was just *HORRIBLE*.... I wont lie the first few days were rough, but when it came time for me to leave i didnt want to at all. So to make this long story short i switched my major once again.

Now i do have to plans to go into administration one day, but i want to spend ample time in the classroom before i take that step. I get the feeling to a large percentage of administrators are too detached from the reality of what it is really like inside the classroom.

ohh well i have a sarcastic sense of humor and an avid imagination and well i tend to talk too much. Most Thursday nights i can be found at The Players Club one of my roommates plays down there and if you get the chance you should go hear him or Come down on a BAnd night when he is playing with Aftershock. Hmmm what else...... PETS I had a dog and a cat for 14 years and they both died the same week :( so i havent had any since. Ohh welll any other questions just ask me.

Keep it Real
Garredd