Mimi Moorehead

> In a message dated 12/26/2001 8:29:18 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> dljones0@... writes:
>
>
>> It's frustrating for him and for me. Once we deal with these
>> issues, I think he'll be much happier.
>>
>> It was recommended by his dr. that he get one-on-one counseling and
>> also group counseling but I'm not sure where to go. Also, do the ps
>> do anything to accommodate ADD students?
>>
>> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I would like to respond to your last question.

First, I just want to say that I believe that unschooling is, by far,
the best way to let your children grow. I am the mother of 7-year-old
unschooling twin boys. I am also a former public high school geography
teacher. I have seen and experienced first-hand, the damage that years
of schooling does to children, including myself.

Public schools "say" they accommodate ADD children, but let me tell you
it is impossible for them to do so. I don't think it's possible for
them to accommodate *anyone* when teachers such as I are assigned a
student load of between 150 - 190 students! Even an elementary school
teacher with a ratio of 1:15 can not accommodate all his/her students,
ADD or no ADD.

At my high school I was what was called an Inclusion Teacher. This
means that 2 or 3 of the 6 geography classes I taught were Inclusion
classes. Inclusion classes are those with between 5-15 special
education students (these include ADD students) learning side by side
with the so-called "regular" students. There was usually a total of
30-35+ students in the class. Inclusion classes also have an extra
teacher (special-ed certified) present in the classroom.

I was very outspoken about my ideas on inclusion. I was the only
teacher in the whole school who was for it. I found it very offensive to
see special ed kids separated from the regular-ed kids. Inclusion
receives a lot of resistance from the teachers because it makes them
work so much harder. Unfortunately, this work I am talking about
includes lots and lots of documentation that has to be made to prove
that you have made the modifications for the special ed students.

These are some of the modifications I used to accommodate my special-ed
students:

1. Allowed them to have more time to complete their homework or
classwork, if they needed it (this meant I had to make a note to myself
to remember to ask for this work at a future date - remember, I've got
150+ students, I can't keep this in my head!)

2. Shorter and easier assignments (This must be noted in my grade-book)

3. Use an easier-to-read atlas. (This is noted in their IEP
(Individual Education Plan))

4. Allow them to have their own book to take home if the regular-ed
kids must use the class-room set.

5. Easier and shorter versions of my quizzes/tests, etc. (this
means I have to type up 2 versions of everything. I was also an ESL
teacher, teaching 5 different levels of ESL(English as a Second
Language) students, so I actually had 6 different versions of all my
quizzes, tests, Classroom/Homework assignments so I could accommodate
every one, supposedly!)

6. Special ed kids usually get preferential seating, usually at the
front of the classroom.

7. More contact with the parents. I made it a point to call 3
parents every day of the week. On weekdays, I did this from home in the
evening, after school. I would go down my long list of students
(special ed students were always at the top, so they got more calls) and
telephone the parents of students that needed extra attention. Both
negative and positive calls were made.

8. All of my students were given my home telephone number and
email address, in case they ever had an questions or concerns and they
wanted to communicate with me in the evenings or on weekends. I made an
extra effort with my special ed kids and their parents to assure them
that I was always available. I would also work in my classroom until
5PM every afternoon. My door would be open to anyone who needed any
extra help in any subject, not just geography. I also made myself
available during my lunch time since I usually ate in my classroom. I
would allow them to eat with me.


I loved and cared for my students very much and, in a way, I miss being
a teacher. But, let me tell you, I worked very, very hard and tried my
best to accommodate every one, especially my special-ed students, and I
know, with all certainty, that in NO WAY did I come close to
accommodating ANY of my students the way that I know a loving, caring
parent can!!!

Sorry this is so long but I want to say one more thing. If your son
decides to return to public school and he has been labeled as ADD, he
may be classified as a Special Ed student. From my experience with many
other teachers (but, not all) here in Houston, Texas, the term "Special
Ed." has a negative connotation. It is unfortunate that with many (but
not all) teachers, when they see that star next to a student's name
signifying him/her as special-ed, their reaction is immediately
negative. Thoughts of disruptive behiavior and extra work for the
teacher immediately come to mind.

Like in any other profession, there are some very caring and good
teachers and then there are some bad teachers. Even though those who
try their very best to give everything they can to as many of their
students as possible, they can not give to those children what their
parents can give them for those 8+ hours of every day. This is how I
feel about things and these have been some of my experiences.

Mimi


>>
>>
>
>
> living in abundance
> lovemary
>
>
> The love that you withhold is the pain that you carry - from lifetime
> to lifetime.
>
>
>
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Mimi
Mama of Leroy & Paul, born 01/10/94


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[email protected]

In a message dated 12/26/2001 8:29:18 AM Eastern Standard Time,
dljones0@... writes:


> It's frustrating for him and for me. Once we deal with these
> issues, I think he'll be much happier.
>
> It was recommended by his dr. that he get one-on-one counseling and
> also group counseling but I'm not sure where to go. Also, do the ps
> do anything to accommodate ADD students?
>
> Sorry for all the questions and rambling.
>
>

Welcome to unschooling-dotcom!! I am sure you will get some great responses
on how unschooling can help in your situation. Please dont apologize for your
questions!! If unschooling is what you and your son are interested in, you
certainly have come to the right place. I also recommend doing as much
reading as you can at www.unschooling.com. There are some great topics in the
message boards there that would answer a lot of your questions.

living in abundance
lovemary


The love that you withhold is the pain that you carry - from lifetime
to lifetime.



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