POWERFUL: SPECIAL ED STUDENT SHOCKS THE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ARENA

It's that time for a motivational video.  It's always interesting when I go and look for something instead of having something brought to my attention from my parents, a student teacher or another staff member.  This video is about a high school boy with Autism.  He helps the team with practices, get's them pumped up for games and provides them water.  The last game, the coach decided it was time to let him suit up and actually feel what it was like to wear a jersey and not be getting the team water.  The last 4 minutes of the game, the coach puts him in.  What will happen is unbelievable!!!!  

Alphabet Lego's

I'm sure that I have posted about the Alphabet Lego's, but they are such a hit with my preschoolers and kindergarten students. The one thing that's nice is you get to work on your ABCs plus your building skills.

 

 

Making a car using the letters.

 

Here is just one page that comes along with the set and gives you different ideas on how to make different things. It's nice, because it also works on following directions.

 

Coach makes special needs students feel like part of the team

Paige Brown from SMSU sent this video to me and thought it was a perfect fit for my Special Education blog.  I have to say I agree!  It's always great to hear about other people incorporating a special needs child into academics in the classroom or sports.  Below you will find the article and underneath that is a link to the video.  Please take time to check it out!

Before every home game, Georgia high school football coach Scott Hamilton makes sure to add some special players to his roster.  

For two years, Hamilton has surprised special needs students at Paulding County High School near Atlanta by making them part of the team for that week's game. The "Player of the Day'' gets his own jersey and takes part in all the team activities, from the pep rally to riding the bus to the pregame dinner to running out of the tunnel on to the field. 

"It just gives them a chance to be part of something they normally don't get to be a part of,'' Hamilton told TODAY's Gabe Gutierrez in a segment on Tuesday. 

A pair of special needs students, Levi Bishop and Austin Beal, were recently selected by Hamilton to be part of the team for a game. 

"We don't get the opportunity to see our children, like everybody else does,'' Marion Bishop Fowler, Levi's mother, told TODAY. "He's opened these players' eyes. You know honestly I don't think even Coach Hamilton realizes what it does." 

"For them and us,'' Dana Beal, Austin's mom, added. 

Hamilton is out to show his players that it's about more than just wins and losses, while also promoting compassion in the school. 

"I'm trying to show these boys how to be men,'' Hamilton said. "You can be a tough guy and still have a compassionate side."

Beal and Bishop recently took the field in their jerseys with big smiles as they ran out of the tunnel with the team in the pregame. 

"It's really a highlight of my day every day to watch them come out and go through the tunnel,'' Hamilton said. 

"I like (Hamilton) because he's good to me and the players,'' Levi told Gutierrez. 

Hamilton hopes to leave a legacy beyond his win-loss record on the football field. 

"When I die, I don't want to be on my tombstone, 'Scott Hamilton, the football coach,'' he said. "I want it to say, 'Scott Hamilton, a good man.'"

Link to article and video  

Please take the time to check it out!  It's great to see what this coach is doing!

Classroom Updates

Since the beginning of the year, we had to make some updates as to how the classroom worked. Being in special education you always have to be prepared of change and ways to move things around in the room in order to make little spots for students who need to come in and out. I thought I would share with you how I have set up my room now. I only took pictures of the spaces I changed. I hope this gives you ideas on how to make things work in your classroom.

 

This spot is for a preschooler who struggles with sitting down on the carpet and following directions. So when he comes in here we will work on keeping him in one space while working on tasks.

 

A little different view of what the space looks like.

 

Here is a closer view of the table that has his task buckets and then underneath there is a laundry backet. This is still a work in progress, because the student doesn't come in full time yet, but there will be a strip of paper on the table with velcro and one tag from each task will be on that strip of paper that he is required to do. When he has completed this task, he will put it in the laundry bucket and that way he knows he is done with that task. He will be required to complete 3 tasks and than at the end of the strip there will be a choice of a fun activity.

 

Here is another space and this space is more closed off for the student. He likes his privacy and it's less distracting for him as the other students come in and out of the room. Yout notice against the wall there are some three drawer tubs. I got those online from Walmart, because they came in a set of 2 and they were the same price as one in the store. In each drawer there is two tasks to complete. He has a piece of paper with velcro on it and then the paraprofessional or I set it up for him with three tasks and than a picture of a book or an I-pad at the end.

 

In this picture you can kind of see the wall and the table. In the middle of the table is the strip of paper.

Here is an up close picture of what the outside of the drawers look like.

 

This is an example of what one of the inside drawers look like. You can see on the outside there are the two pictures and if they had the strip set up, one picture would be missing. On the inside of every drawer, I put the same picture on the task that way he knows he is picking up the right task.

 

 

Hope you enjoyed. Please email me or comment below with any questions on how things work in my room.

 

ABC Search: Sensory Activity

I found this activity on Pinterest and followed it the website that created it. It came from Little Hands, Big Work. I thought this was a really neat idea, because I currently have a student in here that has sensory issues and loves the feel of different textures and things. When making this activity, I would recommend having a big cookie sheet underneath the tub of rice. This way when they are playing it and feeling it at first you have a place for the rice to go. Believe me, it still will go every where else too. I found some foam alphabet and number puzzles I believe from Walmart. They are very cheap. I took out all the middle letters and numbers out of the foam pieces and put them in the rice and then put the left over pieces together like a puzzle. I laid one set next to the bucket of rice so that way when they were seraching for the letters or the numbers, they were able to transfer those pieces to the correct spots. I do also have the number puzzle set up too, because I do have the numbers mixed in with the rice.

When he picks a letter or a number I will have him say the letter or number. If he is unable to complete this task, then I will say the letter or number and have him repeat me.

 

He started out feeling the rice and squeezing it in his hands. Then he would take hand fulls and bring it up to his face.

 

 

This is were he was squeezing it and shaking it.

 

Fall Leaf Pattern

With the different seasons, I really like to try and come up with different activities that pertain to that season that are fun and educational at the same time. I find that the more activities that include hands on tasks seem to engage the students more than just giving them a worksheet. I have been going to a website called, File Folder Heaven and finding a bunch of neat activities and adaptive units/bundles. Let me tell you that they are wonderful! They have book activities, activities using cookie sheets, and file folder games. This activity that I'm about to show you is a activity using a cookie sheet. I just purchased the cheap cookie sheets from Walmart for I believe ninety-two cents plus along with some magnets. The girls that I did they activity with seemed to really enjoy something different, besides using an activity with velcro. They thought it was pretty neat how they stuck to the cookiee sheet.

 

This is what it looks like when it's all put together.

 

Now time to show you what it looks like in action....

 

I really love the reaction from the girl in the pink shirt! She thought it was just awesome that they stuck to the cookie sheet.

 

 

 

 

 

CVC Activity

I came across this activity on The Teacher's Treasure Chest. I thought it was a really neat idea for those students who are learning their CVC words.

I bought the activity and printed everything out. I cut it all apart and had it laminated for durability. When putting it together the way the directions said seemed like it was flimsy and would not stand up the way I felt it should. So, at that time I had an SMSU student in my room and we came up with pitting it in a three ring binder. This way it protected it, but also gave it more of a hard surface to work on. I also found the cards weren't flapping around and shifting side to side.

So this is what Paige and I came up with.

This is what the outside of the binder looked like.

This is what the inside looked like. If you notice I still kept the ring holders around the cards so they could easily flip, but I taped down the CVC Word Flip Chart sign. In the top pocket of the binder I put in the sheet that tells the students what each color means.

 

It's been awhile since I've posted on here and I thought I'd better catch up!  I have taken numerous pictures on my I-pad that I also need to get posted.  I was talking to my dad on the way to school this morning and he asked me if I had see this article about Autism.  I told him I didn't and if he found it again to send the link my way.  Being a good dad he is, he searched until he found the article for me.  

Special education is a passion for me and is another family away from my own family.  I could sit here and say that I'm more intrigued in one disability more than the other, but than I'd be lying.  Every disability no matter how severe or not severe it is, it brings joy to my life!  Anyways.....here is the article!

Can it really be that simple? Autism Balm by Dr. V. Ruth Pinney

Philadelphia, PA – Olfactory Biosciences Corp.’s (OLFC) Chief Scientist Dr. V. Ruth Pinney and developer of NOXO Autism Balm™ has created something that to some would be too simple a solution on the surface to the quite sophisticated and seemingly complex problem of reducing coping behaviors in Autistic children and adults. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Words by Leonardo da Vinci that explain Dr. Pinney’s solution to provide relief from an invisible menace
to those with super sensitivities. Many people working with loved ones affected by Autism may not have suspected the overstimulating power of odors from the
environment. www.noxoinfo.com/autism 

Dr. Pinney explains that NOXO Autism Balm(TM) "Is a simple, but powerful way to ‘tone down’ their overwhelming perceptions. The Autism Balm works well with most children that have Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It is successful because it targets sensitivities naturally, changing the child's perception to sensory inputs in a direct, safe way! Many are super-tasters and smellers, super feelers, etc."

"NOXO’s approach is to treat ASD through the powerful Olfactory Nerves or Sense of Smell." Further, she explained, "Since Autism Balm is simple to use, safe and effective and is not a medication, the child can easily carry it around with them and use it when they think that they need it."

Because NOXO Autism Balm(TM) is safe and non-invasive, doctors and therapists are finding a solution in this seemingly simple balm.

Jacqueline de Vries, Director, Crossroads Center of NJ notes that "NOXO helps children, get mellow, calm but also happy. . . . She says the wonderful effect seemed to last for about 5 hours."

A former international pediatrician A. A. Chang, RN, of the L A Sheriff Department reports, "I am in disbelief how this Autism Balm brought some tranquility in our home." The positive feedback continues to come in from professionals, parents and those affected by the sensitivities.

It works very well on its own or with other Autism Spectrum therapies as an adjunct.

Autism Aid will also assist in supporting the child in eating a variety of nutritious foods. NOXO Autism Balm(TM) is similar to a lip balm but is applied just below the nostrils on the upper lip. Allowing the natural formula to be inhaled and take effect.

NOXO’s solution is safe, easy to apply and non-invasive. It works on your body’s natural processes and responses.

www.noxoinfo.com/autism 

About Olfactory Biosciences Corp www.noxoinfo.com/investors 

Olfactory Biosciences Corp.’s NOXO division is focused to develop a variety of products targeting Olfactory Receptors for the desired effect. These alternative medicine wellness products may modify behavior or provide relief to common behavior challenges such as anxiety, smoking or weight control, as examples.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements by the Company, statements regarding the NOXO product line, optimism related to the business, expanding ales and other statements in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's business. Words such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, sees, estimates and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results could vary materially from the description contained herein due to many factors including continued market acceptance of the Company's products or the need to raise additional capital. In addition, actual results could vary materially based on changes or slower growth in the indoor garden market; the potential inability to realize expected benefits and synergies; domestic and international business and economic conditions; changes in customer demand or ordering patterns; changes in the competitive environment including pricing pressures or technological changes; technological advances; shortages of manufacturing capacity; future production variables impacting excess inventory and other risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings under "risk factors" and elsewhere. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to
reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Richard Stevenson, President

Olfactory Biosciences Corp.

333 E. Lancaster Ave. Suite 317

Wynnewood, PA 19096, USA

Phone: 484-278-1626
Source: Olfactory Biosciences Corp.

Link to article

Angelman Syndrome: Collin Farrell

As being a special education teacher you run across different types of disabilities and illnesses and you are always unsure on how to approach it at first.  Until, you stop and think about how would you work with any other type of child.  That child is the same except a few challenges that need to be over come.  As a student when I was in college I thought that I would be taught about all different types of disabilities, but I was wrong.  A few years ago, I was lucky enough to have the sweetest boy move into our district with a disability that I had never heard of.  The first thing I did was contact our coordinator who hadn't heard of it either.  That is where I begin doing research and finding different blogs to look at and the foundation website to learn more.  Since he has been in our district he has made leaps and bounds.  He is very special to me and I'm always wanting to learn more about him and his disability.  You don't hear about this disability very often and maybe that's why I had never heard of it, but I came across an actor who had a son with Angelman's Syndrome. His name is Colin Farrell.  He did a clip on Ellen's show and talked about his upcoming movie, but also his son.  I thought it was interesting, so I'm sharing it with you.  I also found an article he did.  I'm posting a piece of it, but also sharing the link for you to read the entire article.   

"Colin Farrell says he 'almost broke in half' when his son took his first steps. The Total Recall actor's eldest child James, nine, suffers from Angelman Syndrome - a neuro-genetic disorder with symptoms including intellectual and developmental disability, seizures, jerky movements and sleep disturbances - and he and the little boy's mother Kim Bordenave delight in his small milestones. He said: 'We share in the smallest victories; the first words at age six or seven, being able to feed oneself at 19 and getting the seizures under control. When James took his first steps at age four, I nearly broke in half!'"

Read more

Colin Farrell talks about his son, James  

Feed The Woozle

This game I got the other day and so the kids and I thought we would play it today. It was quite interesting watching the kids play. There are different levels of this game, which is really nice with the different age range I work with. The is a cooperative game. The students are required to work together to collect all 12 coins. The game comes with a spoon, dice, spinner and food cards. Besides having to work together, the students are required to do different actions that they spin on the spinner. Here are a few pictures of what the game looks like and I also took a video to understand more of what the game was about.

Hundreds and Thousands Place Value Folder

I came across this idea for a Hundred Thousands all the way down to the ones place value on Pinterest. I went to the lady's blog and followed her directions. It was pretty easy to follow. The blog that I got all the directions off of was: Thinking Outside the School Box.

Here is how you make it..

Step 1: Take a file folder and fold the bottom up about 3 inches.

Step 2: Cut along the crease up to the fold

Step 3: Cut two more times on the left and 2 more times on the right.

Step 4: Label each flap

Step 5: Hold down three alternating flaps and tape them down with clear packaging tape. Then, tape the three flaps that are left. You will have 6 pockets.

Step 6: Take long note cards and put 0-9 on the top in Red and on the bottom put 0 on all with Black. I made two sets just because if I wanted to have a number show up more than once I was able to complete this.

Step 7: In order to hold my cards, I placed a report card folder on the back and taped it on. I put the cards in for storage. To keep the flap closed I used velcro.

 

Front Side

 

Inside

 

Back of the file folder

 

Here is what it looks like with the numbers in the pockets. You can also see the extra cards that I made at the top of the folder.