Did you Know, April is Autism Awareness Month?

Hi Everyone,

 Did you know, April is Autism Awareness month? There are a lot of activities going on to support awareness about autism and to support the ABA center on campus, for the next few weeks. I think it is really cool to see people coming together to help a good cause. I have heard a lot of people say  they will run or walk for the Autism Event coming up here at Caldwell. Do any of you know a family member or friend with autism? With how many people that are affected with autism, especially here in NJ, I think this is a great cause.

Careers in School Settings You May Not Know About: Athletic Trainers, & Physical Therapists

I thought I would write about the people who may work in schools that you might not realize are even there. Physical therapist and  athletic trainers. I know some of you are also considering the possibilty of coaching or similar positions so this might also interest you. I have been going to physical therapy for the last few months.  Well I had always needed to go to physical therapy all my life, and am back again. So I know ALOT about PT. Where I go now though, there are not only PT's but also Athletic Trainers. Which before recently, I did not know much of what Athletic Trainers did, especially that they often work in schools, both colleges and high schools.

Physical therapist in schools, I already knew about... I had a PT in school. During my gym period I would not only work with my gym teacher but also my PT. So part of the period of gym I would do the gym acticvity, and I would also do stretches and excercises with a Physical therapist.

I thought it was so interesting to learn that AT's are hired in school, because I had no idea they were even there! But looking back now, I realize I was lucky to go to a high school that actually does hire AT's. AT's like a physical therapist, helps peoople recover when they are injured, but  from a particular sport. I also learned that Athletic Trainers monitor games that go on for each season, so they are right there to help if you get hurt.   Because of being back in PT and now also working with AT's, I have a new respect for these people!

Do any of you already have an interest in Athletic Trainig or PT in an educational setting?

A Good Read: Any Recommendations?

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of good books to read? Here are some of my favorites:
- She Said Yes by Misty Bernall ( about Cassie Bernall, who died from the Columbine Tragedy, because she believed in God).

- The Curious Incident of the Dog in  the Nightime ( a murder mystery and autism novel)

- The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks ( a love story, most of you probably already know)

- I will ready anything by author, Torey Hayden ( a special education teacher)

- The Freedom Writers Diary  ( which is what the movie Freedom Writers came from)

Please send your suggestions. :)

ED 340: Today's Observations & Writing

Today, I went to my school that I am observing at for ED 340. I don't normally go on Tuesday's so it was interesting to go on a different day. Today, I was a scribe for one of the students, meaning I had to write for them. I had to write for them because the student while in kindergarten, had recieved very little attention on writing, at their previous school. So now, this student is just learning what most of their classmates already know how to do. This student can barely hold the pencil, after long periods of time, they get very tired since writing is so new too them. I can not believe that wherever this student went to school previously, did not teach what they should have, like at all. Basically the teacher told me " that he really didn't have a kindergarten", particularly in the area of writing. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? This makes me angry that somethig like this could happen to one of my students, or to one of my own kids in the future. Has any one seen this or heard of this at any of their schools?

One more Spotlight on a School... Eden Autism Services

Since I just wrote about Collier, there is one more school I thought I should mention. Through connections I have with one of my previous jobs, I have worked with many students, from Eden Autism Services ( Eden Institute). Here is a video about the school. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MJT8R_dea0
Eden is a school for children who have  autism ( mostly severe cases)  and uses the principles from Applied Behavior Analysis  ( ABA). Also- Caldwell has a great masters ABA program guys so check that out!!!  Question: Do any of you guys have " connections" that have helped you towards your education degree ? It is because of my job at a special needs  summer camp, that I was allowed to do observations at this school, so thanks to my old bosses!!  official site:
http://www.edenservices.org/

Spotlight on a special education school.... Collier HS

Hi Everyone, I thought I would share with you a link on a particular special education school I am interested in, since I know some of you are also interested in special education. This school called Collier High School is an alternative high school for teens with emotional challenges. They are looking for substitutes right now, and require the subs to have 60 college credits. Once I have 60, I hope to be a sub here also. Check it out. Where are some of you subbing. planning to sub? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyLzg9pqG0w

2ND Recording: Welcome

http://www.box.net/shared/3ho0ok877o  This is a recording I would like to use on a teacher website for my class.

Observations for ED 340 continued, and Music Workshop.

Hi! Well observations are going great! The teacher and students are all  really nice. Friday, which was my third time going to my school, was a very busy day! I graded papers, and organized folders for most of the day which was a really good experience. I was tired later on though! Have you guys graded or done other similar task for your classes yet? Also, the math concepts first graders are learning are challenging for them. My class is doing the machine concept of addition/subtraction. So its like saying, " if the number is 2 and plus 2 is put in. What comes out ?" This was hard for the first graders, and my teacher had to stop and reteach them this, on the day I came. 
         On Saturday, for my Music for the Elementary School teacher class, I went to a workshop for music educators/ elementary school teachers at William Patterson. It was interesting, although a long day. I did find some of the workshop challenging, like the two hours the music teachers spent going over the recorder. It is amazing how since observing and taking other classes, how much elementary school students are learning!

Hazing in A NJ HIgh School, Girls Bullying Each Other:Acting Like " Mean Girls"

I was very shocked to read a story about Millburn High school, and how hazing occures every year on the first day of school. Female students create a " slut list" each year, and some students cry because they areon it, others are actually upset they are not!! The story was published in 2009, and it had been a long traddition at the schoool. The hazing is done by female students, attacking other students. This does occur at many schoools, girls being very " Mean Girl" - like to their classmates. I remember hearing about a couple very violent, agressive fights at my old high school. This makes me upset, as teachers, what can we do about this??

NJ Middle Schoolers Stop Bullying... With the Help of Enrique Iglesias!!

Hi Guys!! Here is a great story!!! Middle School students from Long Branch, NJ used You Tube for an anti- bullying project! The students created an anti-bullying song, based off the beat of Enrique Iglesias's song " I like It". Then, Enrique heard the song, and he really liked their project's cause. Also, I am so excited to say for the ED 340 class, my group's mini lesson was inspired by this story. It was such a good use of character education and technology!! I loved this idea, how you would use technology for character education? Check our the video the NJ students made!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-X3Pu20w24

Ms. Forte reads a poem: Things you need to know and Welcome to First Grade!!!!

http://www.box.net/shared/bshj1558xy