Disability Day!

September 27th & 28th, we participated in a very difficult activity. Each student had a assume various disabilities and perform different activities with that disability. Some taped their arms to represent a physical disability. Some had to speak with marshmallows in their mouths to recreate a speech impediment. Some had to wear headphones that played low static to simulate a hearing impairment. More than that, the students were also "labeled" and treated according to their label. Labels included: "laugh at my ideas" - "ignore me" - " - "praise me" - "I'm a slow learner" - "I'm brilliant, I know everything" While at first these activities seemed humorous, they really made an impact and impression on the students!

Big Books and Puppet Shows

The students created Big Books and Puppet Shows that teach children about self-esteem and the importance of being happy with who you are.

Christina Land and Bethany Faucette wrote and created a book entitled "Jackson's Special Christmas" The story is about a poor donkey who feels very unloved. The other animals on the farm are far more important than him. Then he learns that the Baby Jesus was taken to Bethlehem on a donkey. It was then he realized how important being a donkey really is.

Heather Williams and Megan Steele designed and created a book entitled "Emily's Bike Buddies." The story surrounds a young girl whose friends make fun of her because she still has training wheels on her bike. By the end of the story she is able to ride independently and happily with her friends.

Jin Mei Zheng and Jatana Jennings wrote and designed the book "Mimi, Myself and I." In this story, a young and imaginative caterpillar goes to school where all the caterpillars make fun of her for her imaginative mind. Then, to make matters worse, after Spring Break, all of her classmates had turned into butterflies, but little Mimi was still a caterpillar. In the end, she blossoms into a beautiful butterfly that all of her friends admire and respect.

Anthony Bufis, Erin Tharpe, Allison Lippert and Kate Sorgenfrei - wrote and produced a puppet show about a baby squirrel who couldn't find a nut. Through the adventure he learns how to become a hunter and provide food for he and his mom.

Michael Harris, Gayle Smith and Jessica Wickline wrote and produced their own version of the classic story, "Cinderella".

Jonathan Leonard, Victoria Abrom and Stacey Clayton (not pictured) produced a smaller version of the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast"

POT!!!

We have also been studying self-esteem and the importance of developing a positive self-image in students. We each designed a "pot" based on the article by Virginia Satir "A Pot Nobody Watches." We filled each other's pots with positive comments to promote high self esteem in our class.

Anderson University - College Day!!

We visited Anderson University on September 15 for Teacher Cadet Day. The students toured campus, talked with current students and professors from the education department, and had the opportunity to hear from current "Teaching Fellows" recipients. All teacher cadets are eligible to apply for a "Teaching Fellows" grant and many colleges will waive the application fees for these future teachers.

Mrs. Dicey and Story Hour!

We had a guest speaker this morning for our Teacher Cadet class. Mrs. Susan Dicey was the librarian at Oakview Elementary when these senior cadets were there. Some were reunited this morning during story hour. We are studying self-esteem in children's books and the importance of having a positive attitude and speaking kindly to your students and to each other. Mrs. Dicey joined us this morning to read some books sharing these themes. She also shared with the cadets how to read to small children; how to keep their attention; and how to draw them into a story. Mrs. Dicey is now the media center specialist at Southside High School.

Mrs. Dicey is pictured here with Megan, Kate and Stacey - former Oakview students!

September 11 - September 15

Bethany Faucette kept the log this week. Click below to read her comments and share some of your own!

Congratulations September Student of the Month!

Bethany is a teacher cadet and plans to teach elementary school in the future. She is an active member in the chorus, LOVES to dance, and choreographs her own routines. Bethany was awarded "Student of the Month" for her tremendous work on this month's Departmental Bulletin Board

September 4 - September 8

Stacey Clayton kept the blog for this week. Check out her comments and leave her a shout-out!

August 28 - September 1

Anthony Bufis kept our log for this week. Click below for his comments. Feel free to send him a shout-out!

August 24 - August 25

Viviana Abrom kept the class log for this week. Click on "comments" to read about our week and post your own "hello" to Viviana.