It has been a day. You know, one that leaves you wanting a good book and a hot bath. Here's what I have to say when it is all said and done. I love the people who pioneered special education before me. They were onto something big!
My kid has a disability and she has access to everything all the other kids with two feet have. She rocks a unicycle, runs laps, skis, hikes, pogo sticks and other means of activity.
What if your kid had a disability that no one could see on the outside? Would you want him/her to do all the other things kids do? Lets say they can't hear. Should they still be aloud to watch movies? What if they couldn't see? Would we deny them access to art? What if they had Tourette's? And shouted odd phrases that made others uncomfortable? (My friend had a student who use to shout "I have a chicken in my pants") would we kick him out and put him in a classroom made for one? Or, would we teach tolerance? Would we teach that people are made differently?
I had a student earlier say, "your arm hurts- maybe we should amputate." Obviously, I recognize this as a fifth grade joke but...
Another student earlier this week told someone that the dog was "retarded". Sure, I know what he meant, but it isn't okay.
I had a hard day. My students, and all others have rights. First, they are human.
My kid has a disability and she has access to everything all the other kids with two feet have. She rocks a unicycle, runs laps, skis, hikes, pogo sticks and other means of activity.
What if your kid had a disability that no one could see on the outside? Would you want him/her to do all the other things kids do? Lets say they can't hear. Should they still be aloud to watch movies? What if they couldn't see? Would we deny them access to art? What if they had Tourette's? And shouted odd phrases that made others uncomfortable? (My friend had a student who use to shout "I have a chicken in my pants") would we kick him out and put him in a classroom made for one? Or, would we teach tolerance? Would we teach that people are made differently?
I had a student earlier say, "your arm hurts- maybe we should amputate." Obviously, I recognize this as a fifth grade joke but...
Another student earlier this week told someone that the dog was "retarded". Sure, I know what he meant, but it isn't okay.
I had a hard day. My students, and all others have rights. First, they are human.