Every Wednesday all of my students write for the entire period. Those students that cannot read, yes their are high school students that do not read, tell me what they want to write, I put it on the board and they copy the letters.
Writing is an important function for us all. We freeze our communication in a temporal sense through writing. It requires organized thought and language. This is how it fits in within the purview of speech and language. Our association has been trying to get Speech and Language to tackle writing for the past decade and a half. It has met with resistance primarily because we were not trained in its use in the Universities.
That reminds me about my good friend deceased, Jim Morris. We was a Speech and Language Specialist that was trained at the University of Oklahoma. In the 1960s we were called speech correctionists. Our field focused on the spoken part. In the 70's The field opened up to include language. Delayed language and its neurological ties. The experts in the field realized that dysfluency, dysphonia, dysarthria, and dyspraxia could have some linguistic ties and should include dysphasia. Jim was not convinced. He spent ours with the cadavers in the medical wing dissecting vocal folds and intercostals and pieces of esophaguses. This was not an area that we should be rushing into. It is more "language arts."
The profession did not follow his interest. It headed to the aphasias and many speech and language professionals have worked their entire career helping rehabilitate stroke patients, largely a language therapy.
These same pros are reluctant to get into writing. It opens the field to broadly. They would also be reluctant to deal with the autistic, its a psych disorder in their viewpoint. Behind every autistic client is a social language issue that we need to be working. The challenges are great here. Its not really one we can walk around.
So I work in a classsroom setting with my speech students. Many of them are autistic. Our focus is to develop communication. Wednesday it is written. It is functional in the sense that relays a common shared experience. Some weeks its about a movie that we have watched together and dissected. Sometimes the topic is about events of the day and how they are effecting them. Soemtimes its more general. Write about what you did on your three day vacation honoring MLK. That is on the docket today.
Have a great day! Pat
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
No Snow here
Even though my sister had to forge through the snow to get to her school today.. see her post.. We started off the day with a rain just slightly more than a drizzle. By the afternoon it was coming down in buckets.
More disruptive than the weather, which in itself brings about bizarre behavior was the presence of another distraction.. the junior highs decided that today was the day to visit the high school. So lead my student docents, groups of 24 or so tromped through the school. Most of them were wide eyed. Others were trying to make a name for themselves in a bigger arena.. it didn't work. A school of 2700 is not going to remember how bad you are. My students were asking to go the restroom, craning their necks to see who was there, and generally not focused on the task at hand. This is difficult to reign them all in to focus back on the lesson.
On top of this, a student died in an auto crash this weekend.. but the school could not release the name due to legal restrictions. Counseling was to be available in the student support center.
When I came to work this morning, a student had missed the overpaass and crashed the mustang into the guard rail triggering the car's air bag. The Hollister Abracombre crowd had stopped and had exited their cars to walk up the grassy embankment to look at the car. They were all female and they looked like egrets looking for bugs in the grass. No one had appropriate footgear for their inquiry. No one was in the disabled car. I have yet to find out if the announcement was connected to accident scene that I had witnessed. I sort of think that the person who was stopped by the guardrail was not a fatality.
Pat
More disruptive than the weather, which in itself brings about bizarre behavior was the presence of another distraction.. the junior highs decided that today was the day to visit the high school. So lead my student docents, groups of 24 or so tromped through the school. Most of them were wide eyed. Others were trying to make a name for themselves in a bigger arena.. it didn't work. A school of 2700 is not going to remember how bad you are. My students were asking to go the restroom, craning their necks to see who was there, and generally not focused on the task at hand. This is difficult to reign them all in to focus back on the lesson.
On top of this, a student died in an auto crash this weekend.. but the school could not release the name due to legal restrictions. Counseling was to be available in the student support center.
When I came to work this morning, a student had missed the overpaass and crashed the mustang into the guard rail triggering the car's air bag. The Hollister Abracombre crowd had stopped and had exited their cars to walk up the grassy embankment to look at the car. They were all female and they looked like egrets looking for bugs in the grass. No one had appropriate footgear for their inquiry. No one was in the disabled car. I have yet to find out if the announcement was connected to accident scene that I had witnessed. I sort of think that the person who was stopped by the guardrail was not a fatality.
Pat
What Learned in 7 months of Walking
When you engage in an activity there needs to be some reward in it for you if you are going to keep it up for a period of time. Here are some of the rewards for 7 months of walking 1 and half miles a day.
1. Some adrenalin you start you day with more energy if you have walked. This habituates and pretty soon you need this to work your day.
2. You can always fasten your buttons on your pants or belt. This was not happening before. I was busting my buttons on my pants on a regular basis. Thank goodness I married a woman that could help me out in this regard.
4. People say they admire my resolve. This works as a one liner for many people. I see you out walking in the morning.. yada yada yada.. This will not sustain you.
5. I have enjoyed the reading of about 6 books on my walks. You cannot do this in high traffic areas. Audible dot com has an audio book for your even in low light conditions.
6. Walking allows me to listen to all kinds of music. I have developed an unsatiable music habit.. well I had that before walking.
7. I have become a regular at my local Starbucks.. They start making my coffee and getting me a spoon before I order. The newbies are left wondering what is going on behind them as they take my order.. double short dry cap in a here cup. Some have never heard of a "here" cup. There first duty is to write it on a paper cup.. so I have to be insistent that a here cup is an actual ceramic cup..
8. It gets me up early in the morning.. Have to get up early to get the walk in before going to school. It also always me be read the local paper and write this diatribe..
9. It gets me to bed earlier at night.. The 5:15 rise is only possible with a 10:15 fall.
10. It puts a little method to my life.. an an organizational way.
Overall its been worth it.. home you can find some time to regularly do something for yourself.
Love
Pat
1. Some adrenalin you start you day with more energy if you have walked. This habituates and pretty soon you need this to work your day.
2. You can always fasten your buttons on your pants or belt. This was not happening before. I was busting my buttons on my pants on a regular basis. Thank goodness I married a woman that could help me out in this regard.
4. People say they admire my resolve. This works as a one liner for many people. I see you out walking in the morning.. yada yada yada.. This will not sustain you.
5. I have enjoyed the reading of about 6 books on my walks. You cannot do this in high traffic areas. Audible dot com has an audio book for your even in low light conditions.
6. Walking allows me to listen to all kinds of music. I have developed an unsatiable music habit.. well I had that before walking.
7. I have become a regular at my local Starbucks.. They start making my coffee and getting me a spoon before I order. The newbies are left wondering what is going on behind them as they take my order.. double short dry cap in a here cup. Some have never heard of a "here" cup. There first duty is to write it on a paper cup.. so I have to be insistent that a here cup is an actual ceramic cup..
8. It gets me up early in the morning.. Have to get up early to get the walk in before going to school. It also always me be read the local paper and write this diatribe..
9. It gets me to bed earlier at night.. The 5:15 rise is only possible with a 10:15 fall.
10. It puts a little method to my life.. an an organizational way.
Overall its been worth it.. home you can find some time to regularly do something for yourself.
Love
Pat
Monday, January 21, 2008
Buying a New Mac?
This Saturday while the parents and Mikie Sue were at the house, Dad asked me whether the little mini mac would serve his needs. Mikie assured him that I would be able to answer the question.
Of course the answer is no. But considering that he has an older Mac component set up the answer may have been a little hasty. His computer doesn't have a USB 2 port. Heather is caught in somewhat the same situation. When it comes to downloading and uploading Apple is so dependent on the USB 2 ports..
To me the mini mac is design for a different user than Dad. It is for those people that are switching from PC's to Mac and have invested in good screen. This reduces their over cost to switch to Macs. The RAM is significantly limited. If you buy the RAM you need to do photography you are close to what a Mac with a built in screen costs.
It is also old technology. The minute you buy it you are will have fewer years before it will not be accepted by the peripherals or the software that goes with it. For a few dollars more you will have the latest and the greatest.
Mikie got from Bob for Christmas the latest IMac 23 inch screen. Mikie and I agree that this should be Dad's next computer. It has enough room to do all of the photography you want to do including layers. The screen is drop dead gorgeous and it has enough ram and speed that it would smoke the mini. Ideally, he should have two. The IMAC 23 and the new air laptop. The air would be great for traveling to Colorado and collecting his photos without the weight and would incorporate the airport abilty to transmit without cords to other computers and printers the work he is doing. It would make it fun to see the photos he has with the big screen.
Buy the latest.. will not the first one out.. you might be on the bleeding edge. At least the second one out of the series. Its insurance against having to do it all again in less than two or three years.
Love to all Pat
Of course the answer is no. But considering that he has an older Mac component set up the answer may have been a little hasty. His computer doesn't have a USB 2 port. Heather is caught in somewhat the same situation. When it comes to downloading and uploading Apple is so dependent on the USB 2 ports..
To me the mini mac is design for a different user than Dad. It is for those people that are switching from PC's to Mac and have invested in good screen. This reduces their over cost to switch to Macs. The RAM is significantly limited. If you buy the RAM you need to do photography you are close to what a Mac with a built in screen costs.
It is also old technology. The minute you buy it you are will have fewer years before it will not be accepted by the peripherals or the software that goes with it. For a few dollars more you will have the latest and the greatest.
Mikie got from Bob for Christmas the latest IMac 23 inch screen. Mikie and I agree that this should be Dad's next computer. It has enough room to do all of the photography you want to do including layers. The screen is drop dead gorgeous and it has enough ram and speed that it would smoke the mini. Ideally, he should have two. The IMAC 23 and the new air laptop. The air would be great for traveling to Colorado and collecting his photos without the weight and would incorporate the airport abilty to transmit without cords to other computers and printers the work he is doing. It would make it fun to see the photos he has with the big screen.
Buy the latest.. will not the first one out.. you might be on the bleeding edge. At least the second one out of the series. Its insurance against having to do it all again in less than two or three years.
Love to all Pat
Saturday, January 19, 2008
A Visit From the Parents
Mom and Dad and Mikie Sue came over the hill for a visit On Saturday evening.
They got a chance to see how the construction is going. Mikie Sue helped solve the issue with the non functioning TV. Dad helped my move an old heavy buffet using the piano dolly.
We met at Hometown Buffet at 4. They were home by 9. Mikie Sue is served as their driver.
We had a smashingly beautiful day. Sue used her power chair to go over to the house. The kitty boys were very happy to have some people companionship. Tony came over to check with what we needed to do with the island. The section for Sue needs to be lowered to 32 inches.
Hope you had a great day.
: ) Pat
They got a chance to see how the construction is going. Mikie Sue helped solve the issue with the non functioning TV. Dad helped my move an old heavy buffet using the piano dolly.
We met at Hometown Buffet at 4. They were home by 9. Mikie Sue is served as their driver.
We had a smashingly beautiful day. Sue used her power chair to go over to the house. The kitty boys were very happy to have some people companionship. Tony came over to check with what we needed to do with the island. The section for Sue needs to be lowered to 32 inches.
Hope you had a great day.
: ) Pat
The Summer of Old San Jose
When we first moved out to California from Colorado, Dad had to go back to school to complete some units. We moved to a house off of Bascom Avenue in San Jose. It was 1955. The family enjoyed living in San Jose. It has a great public transportation system.
I was 5 and ready to go to kindergarten. Summer school in the demonstration kindergarten was my fare. The teacher colleges had a summer school on campus so that aspiring teachers could see what was going on at the various grade levels. It was fun. We did not own a TV or a video game box then.
We went on a field trip to the science lab at San Jose State. While we were there with our mouths hanging open, the students took out some tree frogs to show the little kids. When we were about to go, the students gathered up their frogs and one was missing. They searched high and low. It had to be in the lab somewhere. The little bugger had escaped and crawled up my leg to my back. It was rescued and we went on to see something else. Despite the panic that ensued, it was pretty fun.
That summer was my first experience with movies. Mom took me on the bus to see 20,000 leagues Under the Sea. This was one of Disney's first journey into the world of Sci Fi. What a wonderful movie.. the colors.. the sound.... The story was somewhat over my head.
San Jose had a wonderful fragrance in the summer then. There were blooming shrubs of all sorts. There were citrus trees always in bloom.
In the back of our rented house was a wonderful caster tree. It was made for climbing. Mom and Dad cautioned us against ever eating the fruit of this tree. They are very deadly. They also attract bees. It was here that I discovered that I had a severe reaction to bee sting. I got stung all summer. Everywhere I got strung my body rejected it and I became seriously swollen. I am very careful around bees today.
Love Pat
I was 5 and ready to go to kindergarten. Summer school in the demonstration kindergarten was my fare. The teacher colleges had a summer school on campus so that aspiring teachers could see what was going on at the various grade levels. It was fun. We did not own a TV or a video game box then.
We went on a field trip to the science lab at San Jose State. While we were there with our mouths hanging open, the students took out some tree frogs to show the little kids. When we were about to go, the students gathered up their frogs and one was missing. They searched high and low. It had to be in the lab somewhere. The little bugger had escaped and crawled up my leg to my back. It was rescued and we went on to see something else. Despite the panic that ensued, it was pretty fun.
That summer was my first experience with movies. Mom took me on the bus to see 20,000 leagues Under the Sea. This was one of Disney's first journey into the world of Sci Fi. What a wonderful movie.. the colors.. the sound.... The story was somewhat over my head.
San Jose had a wonderful fragrance in the summer then. There were blooming shrubs of all sorts. There were citrus trees always in bloom.
In the back of our rented house was a wonderful caster tree. It was made for climbing. Mom and Dad cautioned us against ever eating the fruit of this tree. They are very deadly. They also attract bees. It was here that I discovered that I had a severe reaction to bee sting. I got stung all summer. Everywhere I got strung my body rejected it and I became seriously swollen. I am very careful around bees today.
Love Pat
Friday, January 18, 2008
Mac Connections Everywhere
The grey haired man sat on the side of the table, down by the school counselor. He had flame tattos with multicolored tips running from his forearm up to his biceps. The student was at the end of the table. He sat with a chagrin look on his face.
The English teacher on the other side was verbally pounding the student as to why he wasn't doing so well.. He had long hair.. pageboy style. He is failing his freshman English class and his algebra class. His mother in absentia is an accountant. He has difficulty in small groups with presentations (ostensibly shy). He also has the typical freshman malady.. he does most of his work but it stays in the bag and is not turned in .
Being the new age Speech and Lang that I am I asked about what video games he plays at home... oh my..
I asked him about his Avatar and its personality. In some ways its the same as he is. He will play solo games until he needs help and then refuses to ask help to get past the barrier. He then starts a new character.
The family is equiped with 8 macs that run on ethernet so that they can be connected as fast as they can to play War Craft. The father says he likes the game because it really taxes the computer chip. This was confirmed by Ron who says their is a big difference between cheap PC good PC and the G5 Mac in how smoothly the characters move in the game space.
I always ask the vocational questions. What does he want to do when finished with school... answer.. design somethings. Why isn't this kid in CAD? I suggested that? Father said.. You have seen my design. I did the design for the first Macintosh case. It was done on Autocad with about 65 layers.
Later he told me the most exciting day of his life was when the first Mac was unveiled at De Anza College and it spoke to the audience. He stayed with the company until Scully came. He knew it was time to leave.
Happy gaming Pat
The English teacher on the other side was verbally pounding the student as to why he wasn't doing so well.. He had long hair.. pageboy style. He is failing his freshman English class and his algebra class. His mother in absentia is an accountant. He has difficulty in small groups with presentations (ostensibly shy). He also has the typical freshman malady.. he does most of his work but it stays in the bag and is not turned in .
Being the new age Speech and Lang that I am I asked about what video games he plays at home... oh my..
I asked him about his Avatar and its personality. In some ways its the same as he is. He will play solo games until he needs help and then refuses to ask help to get past the barrier. He then starts a new character.
The family is equiped with 8 macs that run on ethernet so that they can be connected as fast as they can to play War Craft. The father says he likes the game because it really taxes the computer chip. This was confirmed by Ron who says their is a big difference between cheap PC good PC and the G5 Mac in how smoothly the characters move in the game space.
I always ask the vocational questions. What does he want to do when finished with school... answer.. design somethings. Why isn't this kid in CAD? I suggested that? Father said.. You have seen my design. I did the design for the first Macintosh case. It was done on Autocad with about 65 layers.
Later he told me the most exciting day of his life was when the first Mac was unveiled at De Anza College and it spoke to the audience. He stayed with the company until Scully came. He knew it was time to leave.
Happy gaming Pat
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