We were talking about auditory learners and the classroom next door was being a little noisy. I mentioned that if you are an auditory learner, you might be distracted by the noises next door because as an auditory learner, you are constantly picking up on auditory cues (including distractions). Several students nodded their heads in agreement. One student said, "Why are they allowed to make so much noise?"
This launched us on an explanation of why the students next door can and are so noisy. I explained that next door was the "severe" disabilities in special ed and they do activities that can be noisy. Another student then said, "Why do you say severe?" She then said something along the lines of, "If you call them severe, you're implying that there's special ed that isn't severe..."
This was the teaching moment.
I told them that special ed was like a spectrum. Using my hands, I gestured toward one side of the invisible spectrum and explained that kids on the severe side were forever stuck in a certain phase: they needed to practice coordination like putting a puzzle together or catching a ball. They also worked on counting numbers and knowing their ABCs. Then there are different levels of disabilities all the way over to the other side of the spectrum. This side of the spectrum is called mild/moderate and includes learning disabilities.
I then made the comparison using hot sauce. I said, "You know how there is severe, or really hot sauce, and then there is mild hot sauce? That's kind of what it's like."
That same student who asked the "severe" question said, "So we're the mild?"
"YES."
I then got on my soap box and explained that I absolutely hate it when people make fun of other people or have negative impressions about resource. I said that it's horrible that someone would make fun of someone else because of how they learn.
"It's the same thing as someone walking into the classroom next door and saying, 'Look at these idiots. They can't even pick up and throw a ball.'"
My students looked kind of shocked when I said that and I explained that it's the same thing! How dare someone make fun of someone else because of how they learn.
This is my favorite part:
Then my students all started talking at once and sharing stories about how their friends ask them what Resource Learning is and it takes them forever to explain it or they say that it's somewhere they get help with homework. It was great watching them all connect and get excited to share their stories with each other.
In conclusion to our wonderful little chat, I told them that a while ago I heard a boy outside my classroom ask what this class was and then say something like, "You're in resource? You must be stupid. haha just kidding man."
I looked right at that boy, pointed at him and gestured for him to come into my classroom. He looked around and asked if I meant him, and nodded my head. I gave him a little lecture and said, "What did I just hear you say?"
mumble mumble..."Nothing..."
"I think I just heard you say that someone must be stupid for being in resource."
"Yeah...but I was just joking. We're friends."
"Do you think it's funny to make fun of someone else for being in resource? Even if you think you're friends, it is NOT acceptable or funny to make fun of someone else."
I told my 7th period students that whenever I hear someone make fun of someone else for being in resource, I lay into them! I told my students that if they ever hear anyone say something negative about resource, send me an anonymous tip, and I WILL take care of it. They seemed kind of in awe. Maybe the actually believed me.
It felt so good to have this chat with them and just be honest. Too many students who have a learning disability or struggle with...whatever...just don't talk about things. They need to have a place where they feel comfortable sharing their stories and realizing that they are OKAY. They don't need to be embarrassed or ashamed. They need to take action and be comfortable with who they are.
-Ms. Damron-
And if you know anyone who needs a talking to - send them my way - and I'll deal with them.
This reminds me about what one of my linguistics professors said about the languages on the Iberian peninsula. He used the concept of a rainbow to demonstrate gradual change that blends together but can sometimes appear separate if not in the context as a whole (think red vs. blue. Very different. But once you start looking at The purples and different shades they all blend together)
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