Posted by Lauren Grossberg on Wed, Apr 14, 2010
Photography can be a great way for students to express themselves through art and creative expression. For the visually impaired students at Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, it can be a way to communicate.
The technology class in the school has started a unit on photography. For most of these students, with significant visual impairments, they had never even used a camera before this class. The school, founded 125 years ago, accepts children with sensory impairments. The technology class is available to students in 9th to 12th grade. Through this course, students can learn about photography, PowerPoint, recording equipment and other technological items that are used everyday.
With the popularity of camera phones and digital cameras, the school felt a lesson with cameras would be an important addition to this technology class. Many of the students use cues other than vision to let them know when to press the shutter button, for example their sense of hearing or the feeling of the wind when they are outside. The blind students hold the camera to their foreheads, which help stabilize the shot. They then aim the lens towards whatever they're facing for easy shooting.
The students have learned and enjoyed working with the cameras. One of the students even won second and third place in a recent art exhibition open to local high school students. The students excelled so much that the first time the class was offered, the school extended it from just one week to a few weeks.
It is great to have an option for students to participate in something that they may have thought was impossible because of their impairments. It gives them more opportunities to excel in their dreams.
Photo By:fotographix.ca
Free Teacher Resources | Special Education by MangoMon
Posted by Lauren Grossberg on Tue, Mar 16, 2010
Physical education is such an important part of every child's school experience. This is the place where they get a break from the stress of the classroom. It is here where they get to run around and have a little fun in their day.
The Day School of the Children's Institute of Pittsburgh in Squirrel Hill offers physical education classes which are designed specifically for those children who have special needs.
The students in these classes all have very different disabilities but that doesn't limit them to what they can do. From square dancing and basketball to hockey and football, these students get the opportunity to participate in such physical activities. These activities are specifically adapted to each student's needs and abilities and can sometimes even include physical therapy.
Physical education classes like these are great for all students, especially special needs students. Not only do they get physical exercise that is important in leading a healthy life, but they can learn skills that will help them socialize out of school with their families and other people. Simple games and sports teach students some essentials like rules, teamwork and success.
The activities must be designed with the students in mind. Some require staff to adjust the rules or set up for students to be able to participate. Staff members and volunteers accompany most students.
In this class, there seems to be no limit on what the students can do, which is also a great lesson for them to live by.
Photo by: Jug Jones