WHEN DOES IT END? I really can't imagine how things got to the place they are for us a nation and beyond that, globally. 

Something is seriously out of order when airing your differences makes maiming and killing other human beings a viable option. (I guess you could define that as war.) 

Have we really progressed so very little in the brief time we have been in control of this planet? 

Until we really understand how connected we are as people regardless of race,religion,background I don't think we will truly progress any further as a species. Very very sad.

Praying for the people in Boston and especially for the person who created and detonated the bombs. They are definitely a very hurt and sick individual. Today I will look at my classroom as a platform to soothe and support. Encourage and speak life into the lives you touch every day. You may not get another chance, and your words may make the difference for someone between life and death for themselves or others.... Blessings to you.

Photo credit "Weir" by Vaughan Harries
We have officially hit what I affectionately call- " The 40-day-slump". More of the school year has gone over the dam than we have in front of us. The students are ready to be "done" for the year, the teachers are secretly feeling the same way but would NEVER admit it. In my world which is in the sometimes "no-man's-land" of  special education, I often feel like the fuse is creeping on a time bomb. Which student will fall off the map this week?  I am hoping that in some way I can impact this last part of the school year in a positive way. We are preparing madly for the next wave of standardized tests, trying to keep up with ever increasing core curriculum demands a.k.a. HOMEWORK*. How can we stop the insanity? I try to have something novel, silly, totally out of context to present to my classes every day. I allow them to breathe. I remind them that in spite of how much the world is changing (them included), they are still children, and yes, it is OK to laugh and play on occasion. HAPPY FRIDAY~ hopefully the snow will melt and we can spend some time outside......
> 
* see video below

RACE TO NOWHERE

Conference night, can be the lonliest time of all for a special education teacher. Because you see the students on your caseload annually during their IEP meetings, many parents do not come to conferences and yet, your contract requires you to be there... to me this is a good chance to tackle that project you have been meaning to do but haven't had the uninterrupted time to accomplish. Is there a lesson plan you have been wanting to work on? Some new piece of tech that you think would work for your class? Paperwork that needs doing? Carpe Diem!!!

What happens when you you stare at the centers of each object?

What is happening in a student's head when they are disengaged with instruction? How does the responsibility measure out? What can we do differently? Gallery of Visual Illusions

These are the questions that teachers struggle with every day. When I think about how I engage in a learning environment, it helps me to jog my brain with something that may be totally irrevelant to the topic at hand. It helps me to "grab" my focus and re-align it. Sort of a "brain break". Physical movement is also good for this. I have used similar images as those above and the ones found by following the link to do that. The subtle undercurrent is  this "hey, learning can be fun too, it's not always boring.."
Note: This is yet ANOTHER day when the district really should have considered some sort of delay/cancellation AND it's a FRIDAY.... oh well :-/
Have a wonderful weekend!

Elaine H.
2/22/13

Five consecutive Sundays we have had snow that has effected the drive to school by making things just difficult enough to be a pain, but not life-threatening enough to cause the elysian event known to all students and faculty as a "SNOW DAY". To be fair we did have one 2-hr late start. Because the students (and teachers if the truth be told) will be distracted by the meterological event, having something interesting to look at /do is always a bonus. Here is a short video on "Japanese multiplication". It is an extremely easy way to do multi-digit multiplication problems. Check it out and see what you think. The video is a visual tutorial there is no audio. It is fun  to do together and then have someone check with a calculator. It really works! Try it.

Elaine H. 2/11/13

When I think about what it means to teach special education, I have to admit that it seems to me to be a catch-all place for the things that just don't fit into the standards based-outline that is set up by the state or even the federal level. A lot of times I feel like I am working "without a net" so to speak. Interestingly enough the students and colleagues I have met in this field are some of the most inspiring and interesting people I know. I like working behind the scenes, and I also like working in a place where success is determined by the individual's outcome and not by how they measure up to the "standards". 
Elaine H. 2/10/13

At some point in any career it is useful to reflect on the things that led up to where you are. To focus on the center or trying to create enough balance to find the center of being.

I hope to reflect on my experiences as an educator in such a way that they will not only inform my practice as a teacher but help me to have direction and purpose for what I do both inside the classroom and out. It is my hope that this will not only become a dialog with self, but also a wayside for like minded spirits to share their journey as well as share the "wisdom on the way". Welcome, well-met friend, colleague or passer-by. Each journey begins with a step...

Elaine H. 2/5/13