Journal


 * March 11 2011**
 * My main topic is learning disabilities so I thought going to the IU room would be a good idea for my hands on project
 * The only problem was I didnt know any of the special education teachers so i didnt know who to contact
 * I talked to Mrs. Lewis about my project and she told me that the room across the hall from her had a lot of volunteers so I should ask Mrs. Platt if I could volunteer in her room
 * The next day I went to Mrs. Platt's room and got a chance to talk to her and she agreed to be my mentor and she also said thtat I could come help them whenever I had a free period (i talked to all of the teachers in the room for a little bit and they were kind enough to let me have breakfest with them)

Unfortunatly I didnt get a chance to go back for a long time because I had to use my study halls for school work and projects. However on Saint Patrick's Day I decided that too much time had pass and that I should head down there and see if they wanted me to help out. I was a little nervous because I didnt know exactly what I was supposed to do but I was also very happy to finally have the time to go back. When I got there they had just eaten cake becasue it was also Aigner's birthday (again they were nice enough to give me food and when they offered me some cake I told them that all teachers should be like them and give their students food). I wasnt really sure what to do with myself at first until Mrs. Platt set up the computer. There is this website that allows you to pick a book and it reads it out loud to you. They also have this big button so that instead of having them click the mouse they can press on a bright yellow button to turn the page. I sat down with Mariah and we read about Saint Patrick's Day and circles until they got bored of it and we looked at flash cards together. I was surprised by her ability to recognise some of the cards. Whenever she got one right I would clap and tell her that she did a good job and she would clap and smile as well. Unfortunatly because of the PSSAs the day was shortened and I only got to stay a half an hour but I was still glad that went.
 * March 17 2011**

I went back a few times in March but wasnt able to got as much as I had hoped. I didnt think any of the students would remember my name after my first real visit but Aigner surprised me. During my time there I have done a few things (i cant remember what I did when which is why I'm just writing for the end of march basically). I have gone a few times while they were making food and have helped some of them eat and make sure there isnt too big of a mess. They one day I was there we made country carrots (i had never heard of it until then) and we mixed up the ingridents and stirred it together. Another time I went there and they were finishing up some pictures that they had made. I helped Chrissie put on the lightening that she made for her picture of a thunder storm. Her picture ended up very good and it looked really nice because there was glitter. Everytime I go there they are doing something fun or interesting and they are so happy. Its contagious.
 * March 25-31 2011**

I have been there about twelve times. I spent a lot of time with Mariah and she is so funny. Whenever she is in her chair she has to wiggle around and when she does you can tell that she is so happy. Carol asked me to put new tennis balls on her walker because we noticed while taking a walk around the school that the ones she had were wearing out. I think that they were wearing out because Mariah practicly races down the hallway (i was so shocked the first time with her on a walk because i didnt expect her to go that fast). The one day I went there I helped Mariah with her plant packet. They were learning how to take care of a plant and they had these little packets. I cut out the pictures and then I helped her glue them into her packet. I also got a chance to be there when they played bingo. I was the person to call out the cards. It was really fun and they really loved it when we clapped for one of them when they won.
 * April 5-7**

I have not been keeping good track of when I have gone to the IU room. As you can probably guess I'm not a very organized person. However I know I have been there a few times. I helped Chris and Robby and Aigner with eating a few times. Robby is kinda funny cause he is always up to eat. I also got a chance to be there when they made candy. That was fun and messy... for everyone. And like everyone else we talked about the royal wedding too. They had a lesson on it and we all made little wedding cup cakes for it.
 * April ?-?**

I have passed the minimum of my twenty hours for my hands on but I want to keep going there. Recently we have done a lot. I ususaly get there right before or as they eat and I get to help with that. Another thing that has happened recently is that one of Mrs. Lewis's classes joins us. About 4 other girls are there now. Lately we have been taking the students out side to walk around the track. Mariah was of course excieted like always. The other special needs classes went there with us as well. It was interesting to see everyone there. Paula, one of the other teachers in the IU room, and she and I walked with Chrissy. After two laps however Chrissy was not happy about walking. But when we were done all of the students, including Chrissy got a chance to throw a ball. I think most of students were happy about being outside.
 * May3-13**

//**Constructive Criticism**// I wont lie and say that this was my favorite class because it wasnt. One of the things that I didnt like about this class was the fact that we were in the library //all the time//. I understand why but I still dont like it. In addition to that I didnt like having to fill out so much paper work on top of doing my research for this project. I also advise any and all guidance counselors //not// to give this class to anyone in second semester. On the other hand this class wasnt that bad. The step by step instructions were helpful. I also found the advise from the Dr. Valenza and Mr. Coady helpful as well.