2/17/2017
Topic:
Students With Disabilities
Sheila Ruotolo
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I currently have a student who is in the ASD category. It's challenging in the classroom mostly because of the students reactions to him. I have everything from massive compassion to giggles at his mood swings. Fortunately, I have a son who is ASD so I use a modified version of the techniques I use at home on this student. I use the word modified becuase my son while high on the scale is not as high as this young man, therefore, I have to tweek things here and there. He needs constant reassurance that he is ok because he feels things differently than the adverage student. For example, while working on pirouettes he feels "his bones crackeling and twisting off". This scares him and can set him into a mild melt down. I reassure him that he he's ok and I remind him that I understand he feels things different than his classmate, that I do believe him (that is very important because he things no one does) and that I'm watching him to make sure he doesn't get hurt. I then have him repeat it for me and praise his great work and we're able to move on. I've also found that talking in what I call "sing song" speak helps calm him down and stops the tears quickly as well. I have had to talk with the other students because they're 5th graders and have a hard time controlling the giggling. Once I did that, we're all back to a productive class and positive learning environment for everyone. I know I'll have to repeat what I'm doing to help him a lot but that's ok too...I'm used to it at home. |
2/17/2017
Topic:
Tools And Strategies
Sheila Ruotolo
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Option 1: I currently use Peer Partners in my classroom as part of my "normal" teaching style. I have at student with ASD that works with a student who has more advanced dance training aand I have discovered that both students are not only flourishing but they are also discovering something new about themselves. It's wonderful to witness. I want to try Venn Diagrams to help with terminology. I don't have much technology i my classroom but I do have a dry erase board and I feel this would help my srudents with memorizing their dance steps. |
2/21/2017
Topic:
Assessment Of Learning
Sheila Ruotolo
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I have very few (if any sometimes) students with a disablitiy in my class but my assessments are much like my college Acaubry. I too put steps together each time my students learn a handful of step in the genre they are studing for the the year. This is a very effective way to see if the student are understanding and "getting" what you're trying to teach. However, I would love (and plan to next year) try the student journal becuase while I am assessing and fixing issue that I see, I would like to know how the kids feel about what they're doing. My classes move very fast and there is no time to write things down as we're exiting or any other time, so, I feel the journal (with journel checking dates) would be a valuable tool for me to assess the childrens' knowledge and mastery of the standards I am required to teach. |