Life Skills Assessment

I created a Googledocs document to track our students life skills. Responses can be graphed and charted. I hope you find this useful.

If your computer asks you for a user name or password to open this, please contact me for that information.

https://spreadsheets0.google.com/a/harrisonburg.k12.va.us/gform?key=tSki1jTyfB0TTdMSoTGjkkA&hl=en&gridId=0#edit

Celiac Disease and Down Syndrome

I am finding out that there are actually a fair number of students with Down Syndrome who have Celiac Disease. Many physicians and families do not know to look for this disease. Although my son does not have Down Syndrome, he does have Celiac Disease. I can attest to the fact that his behavior and his ability to learn improved significantly after being diagnosed.

Feel free to check out this article for more information.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48739.asp

Soothing Smoothies Anyone?

My students run an economics business. We will be selling Smoothies and Healthy Snacks. I've written a grant for adapted knives, blenders, and cutting boards for my students. I have 1,000 Smoothie cups and lids in our basement! I would like recipe ideas for Smoothies and Healthy Snacks. I am thinking of Dill Pretzels for our first Healthy Snack. Please submit ideas. Thanks! Our profits will be used to take field trips.

A Database of Books!

For a Literature class I took, I created a suggested database of books. You can search for books whose characters have special needs. For example, you can search by Down Syndrome, Autism, LD, Dyslexia, Deafness, etc. Elementary level tradebooks are specified with the words "Elementary Level." If not specified, the books would be more appropriate for middle and high school students.

Should the site ask for a username, put my e-mail
jwright@harrisonburg.k12.va.us
password: books

http://litforspecneeds.dabbledb.com/dabble/litforspecneeds?_k=zidUqGzA&view=2121

Enjoy!

A Fresh Start

Education is one of the only jobs where you get a fresh start each year. I am looking forward in anticipation of meeting my new students this fall. Each student is precious to my classroom. Each one has unique strengths that I want to build upon.

I am completing my NETS*T Technology Certification. I am interested in how switches can be used to assist students with special needs to access Smartboard. Ideas anyone?

I also would like to know if anyone has ideas for using webquest and filamentality with students with special needs.