Great Resources if you want to learn ASL!

Hello everyone! I found a wonderful web site that has any resource that you can think of when it comes to the Deaf/HH. It has sites leading to the history of ASL, ASL dictionaries, Articles & Blogs relating to Hearing Impairment, and so much more! Please check them out!


http://deafness.about.com

Teaching Technology to my H.I. students - A challenge!

I am having such a hard time integrating technology in my classroom for my H.I. students. I sit and complain that there is never enough technology out there for the Deaf/HH, but have a few purchased items right in my classroom and still do not use them! Every week I am telling my aides, interpreters, and myself that I am going to allow at least 15 minutes a day for each of my students to explore the internet and have the opportunity to play the fun ASL games that I have. Due to so little time in the day (since my students are mainstreamed @ different times of the day & actually do not have all of them for more than at least an hour per day!) and all of these snow days that we are having, I am having such a hard time just trying to catch up on all of the actual "work" that they are up to two weeks behind in! I WANT my students to have the knowledge of what is available for them, but to actually have them sitting at the computer by themselves playing a fun game or learning something new--well, it is extremely frustrating! So, I am going to have to write myself an actual contract in allowing my students to have the opportunity to explore what is actually out there for them and what I have "bookmarked" onto my computer for them to do. Since I am completing my Lesson Plan for Dr. Merrill's class about Chinese New Year, I plan on gathering all of my students around the computer and have them ask me questions about what we can find out about China and how they celebrate this holiday on the internet. We can also look up how we celebrate our New Year here in the states. Of course, I have this wonderful idea that I will actually put in my lesson plans--I just actually have to make the time to complete this task. How do any of you use technology in your classroom? How do you "make" time for all of your students to complete something relating to your themes or topics you have within your district? Sure, we have an actual computer lab--but, as far as signing up for a time for my students to use it--Good Luck there! Every time I would like to use it, it is almost ALWAYS being occupied by another class. I guess I am just going to have to make the time for myself to have my students explore more on their own--but, with some assistance needed by either myself or the interpreters. I have great sites that I have saved for them to use, I just actually have to let them use it! It may not be exactly what I want to teach them, but really --they are learning to read when they are using one of my ASL reading programs! I guess I just have to change the way that I teach and allow the uses of technology to also teach my students as well. Any questions or opinions would be helpful! Thanks so much!

Deaf Technology

I was searching for some information about the uses of Technology for the Deaf & Deafblind. I came across this website. It gives a brief discussion about the philosophy of American Sign Language and how it came about, as well as the various types of technology that is used for the Deaf & Deafblind.

http://www.deafgeek.com

Sign Language Barbie Doll!

I found this cool website relating to Special Education (Special Education News) and come across an article dated for April of 2000 of creating a Barbie who consists of having the ASL sign "I Love You". Inside of this spectacular Barbie package will includes the ASL alphabet and some basic ASL signs. If this was way back in 2000, how come I haven't seen this yet in stores? Have you come across it anywhere? If so, please let me know! I will include a link for this article as well.

http://specialednews.com/disabilities/disabnews/hearingsignlanguage041800.html

Martin Luther King Jr.~Day off or not?

What do you think? Should all schools around Michigan/USA be closed to honor Martin Luther King Jr.? Well, I was reading the Saginaw News on 1/21 & 1/23 discussing the issue as to whether or not schools or universities will take part in closing for the day to honor MLK. The issue seems to be whether or not to close or stay open in order not to lose a day of instruction. For my opinion, it depends on the district and what they believe. I remember growing up and graduating from a Saginaw Public School and never receiving that day off. But, when I worked in Detroit, we did actually have the day off to remember and honor MLK. Being in Detroit is a lot different than growing up in Saginaw about this holiday. Teachers within my school not only read and taught about what MLK did for our country, but we also focused on other African Americans and what they did for our country during Black History Month. Since I do teach Hearing Impaired, it was vital for my students to clearly understand why we talk about these famous people and what they did for our country. They have no idea about these specific people until we teach it to them. I showed movies, read books, and completed activities relating to these special people. I believe that all schools should partake in these activities and focus on the people that changed our country (no matter if they are African-American or White). Being in Saginaw School District, we do participate in honoring MLK and having the day off. My students that I have (four 1st graders & two 3rd graders), really do not understand why we have these days off (including 1/2 day for Veteran's Day, Labor Day, or Memorial Day). Therefore, it is my understanding that as a teacher of the Deaf/HH, I need to teach these concepts to my students in order to fully comprehend these holidays and all involved in each. They have a hard time understanding St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day, Christmas, and other holidays as well. I read a lot of books pertaining to all holidays and relate my vocabulary/spelling words for them to really understand why we have these holidays and why we celebrate them. For MLK, I am teaching the concept of everything he has done for our country and why we celebrate this holiday on his honor. I show real pictures of people in parades, his life time line, and many-many activities relating to him. Sure, hearing students may understand the basic concept of all of these holidays, but do they truly understand the meaning behind them? Maybe not. But, I believe it is up to the teacher on now much in depth they would like to discuss each holiday and what kinds of activities they would like to complete. I do not feel it takes away from any instruction time, because I teach the concept of each holiday prior and after it takes place. Now that MLK day is over, I am still teaching the concepts involved and they are still working on their spelling words. I want them to be able to tell me what he has done and what this holiday means to them whenever I ask them after the lesson or at the end of the year. Doing this will allow me to see if my students grasped the full concept and really understand why we celebrate holidays and what it means to them. Then, I will know if I did an excellent job teaching them or if I need to reassess these issues in the future. Let me know your thoughts on MLK or any other holiday that you take part of.

An actual snow day!

Yes, we actually had a snow day today. To tell you the truth, I am glad that we did. I wasn't feeling good anyways (thanks to my students who are already sick and spread it around!) and actually slept all day! Even if we didn't have the snow day today, I would have gotten a sub anyways. Even though on snow days I actually do some kind of school work--well, not today. Even though I am actually doing my "homework" for our EDU class, it just doesn't seem like homework to me. It was nice to sit home and do absolutely NOTHING-just stay in my pajamas all day and sleep--OH, WHAT A LIFE! My son was pretty surprised to see me this morning when he woke up. He was so excited and giddy, all he kept saying for about an hour after waking up was - "Mommy, home". That makes me feel so good and that is why I count down the days until the weekend. Sure, I love being with my students and teaching them as much as I can during the week-nothing beats the weekend when you can enjoy your time with your family and friends! It is pretty sad that I am already counting down the days until our Easter break (or Spring Break depending on the school system). I love my week off --when I do nothing but spend time with my most important people--! The weather is not supposed to be the best for tonight or tomorrow night--so, just MAYBE--we will have another snow day! YEA, RIGHT! But, I can be hopeful-since it would be an actual Friday that I had off! Wishful thinking!

Snow days

You know what really sucks--actually having to go to school on a snow day just because it is our "work day". Students and teachers had yesterday off for Martin Luther King day and today, well-the students had off because it was a conference make-up day. I am so glad that they are considerate of staff safety when it comes to dangerous conditions (much like--not at all!) It just would have been nice to stay home and be in my pajamas for just one more day!