Blog #7 Chapters 12-15

After skimming Chapters 12-15 in the text (focuses on interventions), write a short paragraph/blog about how each chapter can/should help you with this unit plan…be specific but brief! Post by Sun. Jan 8^th and respond by Tues. Jan. 10^th

Blog #8 DLU Reflection

Diverse Learner Unit Project – Overall, how did it go? What did you learn? How will making accommodations (and getting serious about it) affect how you will (do) plan for your future teaching?     You cannot accommodate all kids all of the time, but quality, constructivist classrooms get close...varying instruction and differentiating learning is the best you can often do. How do you think focusing on creating the most effective lessons possible can help the most students? How did doing this unit facilitate that kind of learning and teaching?

ü  Blog by Wednesday, Jan. 11^th and respond by Thursday, Jan. 12^th 

#6 Diverse Learner Unit Topics

This is more of an informal blog... share what your DLU topic is. Why did you pick it? What does it mean to you? Are you tied to it personally or more professionally or is it random? Share a few thoughts and respond to others if/when you have time. Try to post by Wednesday, Jan. 4th and respond as quickly as possible (by Thursday, if you can!).

Blog #5 Position Paper Topic Research

Position Paper Research
Each of you has gotten approval for a topic of research (don't blog until you have your approved topic from me). Instead of the position paper (which was long and arduous), a blog conversation seems more fitting.

So share the following:
1. Your topic/debate (and remember, this is on a continuum and not necessarily an either/or).
2. Know the research that supports both sides of the issue (i.e. share how a four day school week benefits students and how it is detrimental...this will definitely apply to different types of learners!).
3. Share which learners are most impacted by the different sides...
4. Make your claim of what you believe is best for the majority of these learners below (i.e. is a 4 day week beneficial to most? Why? OR is a 4 day week detrimental to most? Why?
Blog #5 by Friday, Jan. 6^th and respond to classmates by Sunday, Jan. 8^th.  

Here are the learners I'd like you to choose from...address AT LEAST 8 of the most applicable to your topic (many go for what they deem special needs but this list is the most common in-the-classroom reality in Missouri per DESE):

• Apathy
• At-Risk (gangs, drugs, attendance, sexual abuse, homeless, pregnancy, poverty [included by itself too as SES can impact students on all spectrums – think about a wealthy student in a middle class school, a poor student in a wealthy school – it goes both ways])
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Autism Spectrum
• Behaviorally challenged (undiagnosed) – this can be a classic ornery kid or a child who really cannot control him/herself/keep his/her hands to him/herself or one who is just not yet diagnosed
• Bullied or bullies -- these kids often have the same needs and often the bully starts off being bullied and hence becomes a bully as a coping mechanism 
• Depression
• Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia -- only include the ones that are applicable to the topic
• ELL/ESL
• Emotional Disorders (children of divorce, substance abuse in family or self, family issues, loss of a loved one, sibling rivalry issues, etc.) – this can range from mild to severe
• Giftedness
• Learning Disability (LD) – Academic deficit, language deficit, social-emotional problems, cognition deficits, motor skill/coordination problems, etc.) *Sometimes ADD & ADHD are included here
• Overextended student – students who do EVERYTHING from sports to choir to band to debates to virtually anything – these kids often suffer from extreme stress AND they often miss class due to games/matches, etc.
• Socio-Economic Status (SES) – especially a factor if a child is a different SES that his/her peers
• Shyness
• Struggling Reader (IEP or undiagnosed)
• Visual vs. Auditory learners (address them collectively)