Hi Everyone,
Thank you so much for being patient with this blog post going up! As you know, both Mrs. Hogan and I have gotten quite sick and between the two of us, we're lucky the boys have a familiar face in the classroom!
Tuesday we discussed bullying. We focused on the bullying that happens to kids with disabilities. It's hard for me to believe that 60% of kids with developmental disabilities are bullied every year. In comparison to 25% of the typically developing kids, that's a huge number! I think Hannah said it best when she mentioned that this probably occurs because they are seen as different.
We all know that in junior high, being different can be a very hard thing. You all have the ability to stick up for yourselves (if you want to). Our students with developmental disabilities, particularly our peers with autism, do not always have that ability. That is why you are so important. You can help to be that voice for them.
On Tuesday we read a lot of statistics and focused on ways to help. Now I want to you to hear what it is like for the child with autism- in their own words. Please go to this link here. Listen to the NPR news story and then check on your homework under the "Homework" link at the top of this website.
Have a great (and healthy!) rest of your week! I'm hoping you don't catch "the sickness" from Mrs. Hogan or I!
-Mrs. VanLaan
Thank you so much for being patient with this blog post going up! As you know, both Mrs. Hogan and I have gotten quite sick and between the two of us, we're lucky the boys have a familiar face in the classroom!
Tuesday we discussed bullying. We focused on the bullying that happens to kids with disabilities. It's hard for me to believe that 60% of kids with developmental disabilities are bullied every year. In comparison to 25% of the typically developing kids, that's a huge number! I think Hannah said it best when she mentioned that this probably occurs because they are seen as different.
We all know that in junior high, being different can be a very hard thing. You all have the ability to stick up for yourselves (if you want to). Our students with developmental disabilities, particularly our peers with autism, do not always have that ability. That is why you are so important. You can help to be that voice for them.
On Tuesday we read a lot of statistics and focused on ways to help. Now I want to you to hear what it is like for the child with autism- in their own words. Please go to this link here. Listen to the NPR news story and then check on your homework under the "Homework" link at the top of this website.
Have a great (and healthy!) rest of your week! I'm hoping you don't catch "the sickness" from Mrs. Hogan or I!
-Mrs. VanLaan