SPED: Jan. 2012

Special Education:  "What is 

Specific Learning Disability?"

by:  Mariana Santos

Special Education Teacher

                                                                

Under the special education umbrella, there are thirteen categories of disabilities. The most prevalent amongst these categories is known as Specific Learning Disability (SLD). Here are some Q and A’s to help you understand SLD better.

Q: What is a specific learning disability?

A: SLD is a disorder that affects the brain's ability to receive, process, analyze, or store information. It may appear as the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations.

Q: What are the signs of a specific learning disability?

Slow vocabulary growth, often unable to find the right word	Slow to learn the connection between letters and sounds
Difficulty rhyming words	Makes consistent reading and spelling errors including letter reversals (b/d), inversions (m/w), transpositions (felt/left), and substitutions (house/home)
Trouble learning numbers, alphabet,       days of the week, colors, shapes	Transposes number sequences and confuses arithmetic signs (+, -, x, /, =)
Extremely restless and easily distracted	Slow to remember facts
Confuses basic words (run, eat,  want)	Behind grade level by two years in conjunction with the other

Q: What do I do if I suspect a learning disability?

A: There are a number of things you can do as a parent. First, speak with your child’s teacher. It’s important that you understand how your child is progressing in the classroom and where his or her academic difficulties are. Second, have your child evaluated. An evaluation helps you understand where your child is at in his or her academics, where his/her strengths and weaknesses are, and what you can do to help. You have a right to ask the school for an evaluation for your child. Third, learn what you can about specific learning disabilities. The more you know, the more you are able to help your child. Finally, be an advocate for your child. Understand the laws that determine the rights of individuals with disabilities.

To find out more about Specific Learning Disabilities, visit http://www.ldworldwide.org/.

SPED: December 2011

Special Education:  "What is IDEA?"

by:  Mariana Santos

Special Education Teacher

        Welcome to the special education corner! My name is Mariana Santos and I am the special education teacher at LBJ Elementary. This corner will feature tips, strategies, and information about the world of special education.  

What is IDEA? IDEA, now known as IDEIA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act), is our nation’s special education law. Enacted by Congress in 1975, IDEIA was put into place to ensure that children with disabilities have the opportunity to receive a free and appropriate education, just like other children. IDEIA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.

To find out more about IDEIA, visit http://idea.ed.gov.

ESL: May/June 2012

"End-of-the-Year Poem"

by:  Lois T. Gumataotao

ESL Teacher/Coordinator

 To the Parents:

I am glad to have been your child’s teacher

And now the year has come to an end

It’s time to say  “Adios”

And together we all are friends.

I’ve watched your children learn and grow

And change throughout the 180 days

I hope that everything I have done

Have helped your child in various ways.

So with happy memories, pride, and belief

                         I send them out LBJ’s door

With great hope and expectations

For what next year holds in store!

          

To the Students:

I am glad to have been your teacher

You’ve learned so much and worked so hard

Now another door will open next year

But don’t forget you make me very proud.

I’ve come to nurture and love you so

The year now ends and we must part

Always remember to strive for success

And that you will always be in my heart.

So from me, Ms. Lois Gumataotao

I thank you for making the grade here

So have a safe and wonderful summer

And remember to visit me next year!

ESL: April 2012

                  "Some Teaching Techniques Teachers Use               To Teach English Language Learners!!

by:  Lois T. Gumataotao

ESL Teacher/Coordinator

  In last month’s article, you read about how the ELs (English Learners ) learn.  This month as promised, you will learn just some of the teaching following techniques, methods, and approaches that have been found to be effective in language teaching.  They are:

Ø      TPR (Total Physical Response): This is a technique that uses a sequence of model commands.  For example, the teacher instructs the students to touch something of a specific color, or play Simon Says, or physically respond to a command.  ELs find TPR relaxing and enjoyable because all of the language introduced is visual and contextual, and they are not forced to speak until they are ready.

Ø      Cooperative Learning:  This involves students working in groups towards common learning objectives.  It includes peer tutoring, whereby group members coach each other; jigsaw methods, in which each member of a group is responsible for a portion of a text; and cooperative projects, written papers, oral presentations, and artwork.

Ø      LEA (Language Experience Approach): This allows students to develop reading and writing skills by drawing upon their current knowledge of English using a given theme with which they are familiar.  Students and teachers work together to create language and compose texts that provide meaningful reading practice. 

Ø      SIOP (Sheltered Instruction observation Protocol) Model:  This model provides concrete examples of the features of sheltered instruction that can expand teachers’ lesson plans.

Ø      Computer-Assisted Language Learning:  Since most ELs are computer literate, the use of technology allows students to work at their own pace, communicate effectively, and learn in the content areas.

No single technique works for all teachers, for all students, or under all circumstances,.  Therefore, teachers are aware to provide a variety of strategies to meet the needs of the ELs in the classroom.

ESL: March 2012

"How Do English Language Learners Learn?"

                                                     by:  Lois T. Gumataotao

        ESL Teacher/Coordinator

  At this time of the year, it is quite evident that there is great progress of the ESL students in all four domains (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening).  So how do the English Learners learn?  The following are only some ways ESL students learn:

Ø      The ESL students learn language best when they are treated as individuals with their own needs and interests. 

Ø      ESL students learn best when their needs, backgrounds, perspectives and interests are reflected in the learning program.

Ø      ESL students learn language best when they are provided with

         opportunities to participate in a wide range of activities. 

Ø      ESL students learn best when learning reflects the way things are currently done in the community

Ø      ESL students learn best when they are challenged and supported to develop and apply their thinking

Ø      ESL students learn language best when they are provided with appropriate feedback about their progress.

Ø      ESL students learn best when the learning environment promotes independence, cooperation and self-motivation.

I hope the above principles provided you some understanding on how English Learners Learn.  I then invite you back to April’s issue in the Trumpeteer to read about the teaching strategies for ESL students.

ESL: February 2012

                      "Showing Appreciation in February"

                                                                       Lois T. Gumataotao
                                                                 ESL Teacher/Coordinator

      

February is a wonderful opportunity to show appreciation for people we love.  Valentine’s Day is on February 14.  For many children, Valentine's Day first becomes important in kindergarten. Some teachers encourage kids to make and decorate Valentine cards for mom, dad or other family members.  Sometimes, this event is used as a way of teaching children about sending and receiving mail.

The whole month of February should be celebrated as a "love month" where each member of the family makes a point of doing kind and loving things for others instead of just focusing on one day.  Talk to your child and discuss the many ways they can show kindness.  Making a project with the whole family increases reading, encourages writing, improves listening and develops oral language.

Encourage acts of kindness within the family. Valentine's month is an excellent time to renew loving relationships in the home, so be sure to make a point of doing fun and thoughtful things for other family members.

Dates to Remember: JUNE 2012


1     Pre-GATE Award Day, Kinder Promotional, Angels of the Month and Portfolio Showcase

4     First Grade Promotional Ceremony Day and Angels of the Month

6     End of Fourth Quarter (180 Days), Last Day of Classes

Have a safe and great summer vacation!

Dates to Remember: MAY 2012


7     FAST Workshop/Resource Expo (Tamuning Elementary School Cafeteria, 5:30pm)

7     Character Project Due (Friendship)

11    4th Quarter Family Project (My School Year Memory Book)

14    Reading Logs Due

17    Spirit Day (Bring Pompoms or Streamers)

25    Reading is the Key and Very Important Parents (VIP) Ceremonies

28    Memorial Day (Holiday)

31    First Grade Portfolio Showcase

Dates to Remember: APRIL 2012

2 - 6 Spring Break

9       Classes Resume

11     High School Parent - Teacher Conference

12     Middle School Parent - Teacher Conference

13     Elementary and Head Start Parent Teacher Conference (No Classes)

16     Character Project Due ((Good Judgment/Maolek Kotdura)

20     Spirit Day (Newspaper Art)

30     Angels of the Month Ceremony and Discipline Plan Incentive

April 27 - May 4 SAT 10 Testing