MzTeachuh: Learn About Frequent Disabilities in School Children

 

Developmental Disabilities

https://www.cdc.gov/child-development/about/developmental-disability-basics.html

• Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas.
• These conditions begin during the child's developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person's lifetime.
• Most developmental disabilities begin before a baby is born, but some can happen after birth because of injury, infection, or other factors.

What are developmental delays?
https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-developmental-delayshttps://ncld.org/understand-the-issues/specific-learning-disabilities/

What are Specific Learning Disabilities?

Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs), commonly referred to as learning disabilities (LD), are brain-based disorders that affect an individual’s capacity to excel in specific academic areas. These disabilities manifest differently but primarily affect reading, writing, and mathematical skills. Here are some of the most common,

https://ncld.org/understand-the-issues/specific-learning-disabilities/

Your chances of knowing someone with learning disabilities are very good. Did you know?

https://ldaamerica.org/support/new-to-ld/

5 Strategies to Help Neurodivergent Students Find Success in Math
https://www.edutopia.org/article/supporting-neurodivergent-students-math

Complete Guide to Dyslexia

https://childmind.org/guide/parents-guide-to-dyslexia/

A Writing Prompt to Really Get To Know Your Students

 Three Things I Want You To Know About Me
I came up with this prompt while teaching high school, but it works with younger kids, too. It gives the students a choice of what to comment on, and allows them to use their own voice to tell it like it feels. You may learn a lot about music, sports, and their dog; but sometimes you will also learn about very serious topics like family crisis or illness. And at times the school can help the families. But you will know the students better, especially if you actually read the essays and comment on them. The kids feel very validated, and more willing to write the remainder of the year no matter what the topic.

Jim Abbott of the Yankees, pitching a no-hitter.

I especially enjoyed when the students shared their dreams for their future. You would be amazed how many major league baseball players (of the future) were in my seventh grade classes. Far be it from me to say otherwise. Who knows, anyway? If Jim Abbott, who had only one hand due to a birth defect, became a major league pitcher, shouldn't I be like his grown-ups and be filled with encouragement?

Late Summer: Vivaldi and Vincent Van Gogh

 

Poppies and Butterflies Van Gogh

The intensity of insects buzzing, the sirocco searing across your face. Flowers bloom then fade daily. Can music sound like the dizzying daze of summer? Vivaldi thought so.

Antonio Vivaldi - Summer (Full) - The Four Seasons 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY1p-FmjT1M 

(P.S. Don't forget to hydrate. Just listening to this can make you thirsty.) 

And also...

Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers With Vivaldi's Summer 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZtZTxkGtwI

MzTeachuh: Trauma Informed Teaching

 

 Helping Students Feel Safe in an Uncertain World

https://www.edutopia.org/article/helping-students-feel-safe-uncertain-world

How Trauma-Informed Teaching Rewired American Education

https://thenext30years.substack.com/p/how-trauma-informed-teaching-rewired

What is trauma-informed teaching?

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-trauma-informed-teaching

MzTeachuh's Five Minute Bible Study: You Are Able (Romans 8:28)

 

We have one challenge after another. That is life. When these super tasks rise up, there are are few steps we can remember to finish strong and satisfied.

You Are Able

...because God will clarify what you need to do. Situations can be complex, but the Lord will give you a verse, a thought or plan, or a helper who has expertise to help you in your progress. The Holy Spirit is quite the analyst and loves to help.

You Are Able

...because God gives strength. At times, we don't even realize we have a deficit. And there are times we feel completely inadequate. Either way, the Holy Spirit in His gentle way will show us how to improve our ability to function.  It is humbling, of course. But mostly, it is a relief to understand we can do better and why. Maybe our schedule needs adjusting. More sleep, healthier food. Maybe we need to recognize limitations and adjust the workload, get help in a deficit area. Tech? Organization? People skills? Ask God for help. Then ask people for it.

You Are Able

...because you can finish. Some days finishing the afternoon is tough and sometimes you are in a project of months. Fortunately, we live one moment at a time. When Jesus said, "Take no thought for tomorrow," He meant, "Take no anxious thought for tomorrow." One minute at a time. We have organized with contingencies (see above how the Holy Spirit helps us plan) and even if we are slogging through- get rest, eat healthy, and finish. If you get bored, lose interest or are distracted, the Holy Spirit is going to remind you to finish the task. We can ignore that or not, but having made the commitment and investment already, go ahead and keep at it, Really long term commitments are difficult. What do you need to be able to finish? A Brain Break? A vaycay? A hug? Pray about your feelings and the situation. You are able to finish. You will finish. It's not forever, it only feels like it.

Romans 8 is packed full of encouragement. Check it out.

AudioBible.com

https://audiobible.com/bible/romans_8.html?srsltid=AfmBOorgiIIpbXOeB21Bbr2M1awZx0H_o3tXqZKTp-T5Z23F7nR-4AFP