When I read this value, I first thought of the video we watched in class about the man that does marathons and triatholons with his father. I was really touched by that video. Less able really does not mean less worthy. This man had a desire to be in a marathon and his father helped that dream come true. I don't think he has ever walked a day of his life, but he was able to complete several races. He had a dream and it came true. No matter what the circumstances are of a person, they are entitled every right to participate in the American life.
I remember a boy that I went to middle school and high school with who has down syndrome. His name is Josh and he was the friendliest guy. He loved to be like all of the other boys and do all of the things that the other boys were doing. I remember that he was on the football team. He was always enthusiastic about the game and loved to be right there in the action. I don't know if he ever got to play, but he was always with the team supporting them and helping in anyway he could and he loved it. Just like the man from the video, Josh wanted to do something for him and he got to do it.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
expanding relationships
I don't know what it's like to have a disability, but I do know what it's like to feel left out.
Growing up I was always a shy person when it came to meeting lots of new people at one time. When I first started college about 3 years ago, I remember hating it at first. I only knew a few people from my home town that were there but I wasn't close to any of them. My best friend who was going to the same college, wasn't supposed to come until the following semester. I had a really hard time the first couple of months. I was afraid to talk to people and becasue of this I didn't know hardly anyone. I kept quiet in my classes and didn't quite know my roommates well enough to feel like we were good friends. I hated feeling alone.
Now I have changed quite a bit. After two years at BYU-Idaho, I took a year off to teach English in Taiwan. It was one of the best things that I have ever done and really helped me to open up. Now that I am here at a new school, I feel alot more confident than I had been before. I came here to Hawaii knowing 2 people, which in fact I didn't really know that well. I had only met them a few times before. I thought that I was going to have a hard time getting adjusted to being here and having to start over again. Actually, I feel like I fit in here. I have met a ton of people and feel like this is really where I am supposed to be. I have connected with friends, co-workers and teachers in a way that I never did while I was in Idaho.
"Connections are crucial to quality of life." People need people! I can't even imagine being a kid in school who has a disability. I was extremely insecure growing up and to have a disability that young students might not accept would be difficult. I admire those people who have overcome their disabilities and have made the best of their life. I know that students can be cruel to others and have seen it in my own life. IT is important to emphasize the importance of relationships with others.
Growing up I was always a shy person when it came to meeting lots of new people at one time. When I first started college about 3 years ago, I remember hating it at first. I only knew a few people from my home town that were there but I wasn't close to any of them. My best friend who was going to the same college, wasn't supposed to come until the following semester. I had a really hard time the first couple of months. I was afraid to talk to people and becasue of this I didn't know hardly anyone. I kept quiet in my classes and didn't quite know my roommates well enough to feel like we were good friends. I hated feeling alone.
Now I have changed quite a bit. After two years at BYU-Idaho, I took a year off to teach English in Taiwan. It was one of the best things that I have ever done and really helped me to open up. Now that I am here at a new school, I feel alot more confident than I had been before. I came here to Hawaii knowing 2 people, which in fact I didn't really know that well. I had only met them a few times before. I thought that I was going to have a hard time getting adjusted to being here and having to start over again. Actually, I feel like I fit in here. I have met a ton of people and feel like this is really where I am supposed to be. I have connected with friends, co-workers and teachers in a way that I never did while I was in Idaho.
"Connections are crucial to quality of life." People need people! I can't even imagine being a kid in school who has a disability. I was extremely insecure growing up and to have a disability that young students might not accept would be difficult. I admire those people who have overcome their disabilities and have made the best of their life. I know that students can be cruel to others and have seen it in my own life. IT is important to emphasize the importance of relationships with others.
Becoming self determined
This value reminds me of our agency here on earth. We are given choices every single day that we have to make. Nobody has the ability to choose for us except us!
I really like Helaman 14:30. I thought it was a good scripture that explains our ability to choose, and it states "And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves, for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free." This scripture has great meaning and explains alot about choosing. Those people who perish or will perish do because they chose to. Those who choose to follow the way of the Lord, will be blessed.
We are the ones who determine who we are and the choices that we make. Students in schools choose how they will act. Sometimes choose to be good students and to be high achievers in their school work, while others choose to complete the bare minumum requirements to get a passing grade. Students who do need extra support, should get it from their parents, teachers and peers. HOpefully as a teacher this is taken into consideration, that even though each student has the ability to choose their outcomes, we as teachers can help students along in achieving goals.
I really like Helaman 14:30. I thought it was a good scripture that explains our ability to choose, and it states "And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves, for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free." This scripture has great meaning and explains alot about choosing. Those people who perish or will perish do because they chose to. Those who choose to follow the way of the Lord, will be blessed.
We are the ones who determine who we are and the choices that we make. Students in schools choose how they will act. Sometimes choose to be good students and to be high achievers in their school work, while others choose to complete the bare minumum requirements to get a passing grade. Students who do need extra support, should get it from their parents, teachers and peers. HOpefully as a teacher this is taken into consideration, that even though each student has the ability to choose their outcomes, we as teachers can help students along in achieving goals.
Building on strengths
Everyone of us have strengths that have helped us become who we are today and are still contributing to make us better people.
I have an older brother who is very talented when it comes to school. He has always received top grades in everything he does and excels in his academics. Ever since I can remember, he has been "the smart one of the family." That's what I refer to him as anyways. He was always in the highest classes and passed them without any problems. Now he is finishing his last semester at BYU graduating in Political Science and later going to law school. The thing is though, he is a rather shy boy, possibly because he grew up with 4 sisters. He does talk at home with his family but doesn't say a whole lot in other settings.
Now I compare this with my younger sister who is right after me in age. She is an outgoing girl who is often times a bit loud and talkative in certain settings. She is a very friendly girl who people tend to love. She also has a sense of humor that can make anyone laugh. She has the strength to be around people and to make them happy. In comparison to my brother, she hasn't always done as well as she could at school. She has the potential to do well in school, but just doesn't care as much. Her strength involves people skills whereas my brother is excellent in academic areas.
Even though they are from the same family, they have two opposite personalities. Every child has their own strengths academically or even socially. It is important to help these students build on their strengths and apply it to the classroom and everyday life.
I have an older brother who is very talented when it comes to school. He has always received top grades in everything he does and excels in his academics. Ever since I can remember, he has been "the smart one of the family." That's what I refer to him as anyways. He was always in the highest classes and passed them without any problems. Now he is finishing his last semester at BYU graduating in Political Science and later going to law school. The thing is though, he is a rather shy boy, possibly because he grew up with 4 sisters. He does talk at home with his family but doesn't say a whole lot in other settings.
Now I compare this with my younger sister who is right after me in age. She is an outgoing girl who is often times a bit loud and talkative in certain settings. She is a very friendly girl who people tend to love. She also has a sense of humor that can make anyone laugh. She has the strength to be around people and to make them happy. In comparison to my brother, she hasn't always done as well as she could at school. She has the potential to do well in school, but just doesn't care as much. Her strength involves people skills whereas my brother is excellent in academic areas.
Even though they are from the same family, they have two opposite personalities. Every child has their own strengths academically or even socially. It is important to help these students build on their strengths and apply it to the classroom and everyday life.
Enhancing positive contributions
How often do you contribute to your family? What about your friends? Class? Community? Everyone in society makes some kind of contribution, whether it is the big time business man who controls half the town or the neighbor kid who says hello everytime he sees you. People play different roles in different environments. I know that as an employee at the PCC I contribute by selling items to tourists and making their experience more pleasant or assisting my co-workers when they are in need of some help.
What about those young children who live with their families and attend school? They contribute to their class by supporting the teacher when they attend or when they participate in class activities or assignments. Children who are still in school have opportunities to contribute to their families, their school, their friends and their communitites. It is important that those students are given as many opportunities as possible to make their contributions.
What about those young children who live with their families and attend school? They contribute to their class by supporting the teacher when they attend or when they participate in class activities or assignments. Children who are still in school have opportunities to contribute to their families, their school, their friends and their communitites. It is important that those students are given as many opportunities as possible to make their contributions.
Envisioning and Fulfilling Great Expectations
As we have been learning in our Special Education class, students of all kinds, with disabilities or not, have great potential to achieve certain goals set for them and to become the best they can. Often times students don't know they have great potential and it is our responsibilty as teachers to support those students. I feel that especially students with disabilities need to know that they can do anything they want and that their teachers are there to support and guide them.
As I did my presentation on visual impairments, it made me realize how difficult things can be for students with disabilities. As I stated in my presentation, I have a cousin who is legally blind which caused her two children to also have visual impairments. My cousin's son Tyler is about 11 years old now. He has already started to form his own opinions on his future and his capabilities. As I was discussing the topic of visual impairments with my aunt, she informed me that Tyler doesn't feel like he can get a job when he is older because of his observations of his mother. His mother didn't get a good education because of his impairment and so she has a really hard time getting a job. Now, Tyler has this perception that he will also fail on having a career someday.
I find that it is very important to let these students know that they do have the potential to fulfill their dreams. As teachers, we need to take these visions and help them become reality.
As I did my presentation on visual impairments, it made me realize how difficult things can be for students with disabilities. As I stated in my presentation, I have a cousin who is legally blind which caused her two children to also have visual impairments. My cousin's son Tyler is about 11 years old now. He has already started to form his own opinions on his future and his capabilities. As I was discussing the topic of visual impairments with my aunt, she informed me that Tyler doesn't feel like he can get a job when he is older because of his observations of his mother. His mother didn't get a good education because of his impairment and so she has a really hard time getting a job. Now, Tyler has this perception that he will also fail on having a career someday.
I find that it is very important to let these students know that they do have the potential to fulfill their dreams. As teachers, we need to take these visions and help them become reality.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Second Life
This is the first time that I have ever gone online to experience a 'second life.' I thought it was very interesting. I used cyworld.com and also secondlife.com. I didn't really like 2nd life as much as I liked cyworld. I felt like the cyworld website was a little bit easier to use.
From our discussions in class about using websites like second life and cyworld, I thought that mostly young kids used these websites. I was surprised to find that there were people my age using them as well. It seemed like they were popular places to meet new people, post pictures and create your own little world.
I didn't do much with second life, like I said before, I didn't really like it, but I did use cyworld. I created my own little 'miniroom' where I could buy other objects, with my acorns that were given to me, to create my own place. It was interesting. There were so many options to choose from, and kind of fun to see all of the different aspects that could be added to your place.
I also found that you could join different groups on cyworld. There were groups that involved people's hobbies and interests. I did join one of the clubs so that I could find out more about it.
I don't use my cyworld or secondlife account that much, but I did find some interesting things about it. It was a good experience to see how much the world of technology is changing and how people of all ages are adapting to these changes!
From our discussions in class about using websites like second life and cyworld, I thought that mostly young kids used these websites. I was surprised to find that there were people my age using them as well. It seemed like they were popular places to meet new people, post pictures and create your own little world.
I didn't do much with second life, like I said before, I didn't really like it, but I did use cyworld. I created my own little 'miniroom' where I could buy other objects, with my acorns that were given to me, to create my own place. It was interesting. There were so many options to choose from, and kind of fun to see all of the different aspects that could be added to your place.
I also found that you could join different groups on cyworld. There were groups that involved people's hobbies and interests. I did join one of the clubs so that I could find out more about it.
I don't use my cyworld or secondlife account that much, but I did find some interesting things about it. It was a good experience to see how much the world of technology is changing and how people of all ages are adapting to these changes!
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