“All we have is hope - no
child with a learning problem needs to become a lost child or is beyond rescue.”
Chapter 1
(Nathan’s story)
o 1 in 5 students
struggle with learning .
Example:
o Bright child,
articulate, leader athletic and then school.
o Can't read, struggles
with math
o School contacts home
Solution:
o Repeats grade 1
o Finally gets help
o Mel Levine - finds
out how the brain is wired for students with learning difficulties and provides
strategies for these students and the teachers.
o Nathan has decoding
issues.
Chapter 8
(Adam’s story)
q 16-year-old behind
bars for break & enter.
q He feels being behind
bars was actually good for him.
q Allowed him to learn
in a comfortable environment where he could finally feel positive about school.
q Small classroom sizes
that allowed for differentiated instructed (used all senses to present
information)
q Early recognition is
needed in order to provide the necessary accommodations.
q When you don’t give a
student what they need, the chances that they will eventually give up is so
much more likely to happen.
q Some states are
accurately predicting crimes rates based on 3rd & 4th
grade literacy levels.
q Education is starting
to become a significant public health concern. (drop outs, drug and alcohol
use, mental health issues, and criminal activity)
Chapter 8.1
o This chapter
recognizes the struggles and pain that parents of children with learning
disabilities and the children themselves with learning difficulties experience.
o We can help these
students.
o With early diagnosis,
a consistent plan for support that is followed from grade to grade, remediation
and compensation plus the continued development of positive coping strategies,
we can keep these children in high school and out of jails and hospitals.
The Chapter that I was most interested in was Adam's story because I have seen so many students, some that I grew up with, and some who I have taught, "slip through the cracks" and not get the attention they needed. This led them down the wrong path which they are still on.
This chapter motivated me to search for more stories about crime and learning disabilities. Here is a great video that talks about the adverse effect that the criminal justice system has on people with disabilities. Not what I would call an even playing field.
I love your opening quote! It is so true, yet, sadly, I know that some children with a learning disability fall through the cracks and that is so disheartening. However, with classes such as the one we are taking, more and more teachers are learning how to better support these students.
ReplyDeleteThe video really packed a punch! It is so sad to think that people with disabilities feel they should not come forward when victimized because they feel they will not be taken seriously! How much happens that we do not know about! How often do we see "bullies" victimizing those who they see to be weak, never really thought they would target people with a disability. What these poor people went through, some often victimized by their own families! Bravo for them to speak out to create more awareness! Thanks for sharing Allan!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your blog Allan! This is a very powerful video and one that every teacher should see.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this video Allan. It is very sad to know that some students fall through the cracks and do not receive the support they need to be successful.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for your comments everyone. It is indeed a topic that is quite often overlooked.
ReplyDelete