Rolling Down.....

Yesterday, Ryan asked me if we could go to the park. I thought it would be the best after they had helped me pulling some of the front yard weeds, watering the plants and few other chores. Plus, it was a beautiful, cool day.

Doesn't that make you want to go down the hill? I probably would for once.

Off Again

Please bear with me that I will be off blog for a while.

Boys' 1st Pinewood Derby

A month before Pinewood Derby race began, Ryan and Dylan spend two weeks on preparing to make their first Pinewood Derby car. The boys had to make their first decision on how they want to shape of their cars, sanding and painting. The boys had no idea what to expect to decorate their first Derby car. They actually thought painting the plain cars were good enough. Ryan chose only White. It surprised me because he normally likes red or blue. Dylan chose Orange which is typical of him.

It relished David a lot because he once was involved in a Derby raced. He loved the enthusiasm. He had hoped the boys would do the same when the Derby race came.A sudden overtime working before the derby, however, reduced our actual working time to approximately two frantic days on race day. David hacked out the body paint with an okay paint job. Once he finished putting the last minute plastic wheels on Ryan's and Dylan's, I had put the stickers on Ryan's car. That was not a good way to do that-- that's not me who likes to do the last minute. I took it over because I wanted to make my boys feel good about themselves (actually I don't think they did, but at least they learned their valuable lesson.)

While I was busy putting the stickers on Ryan's car, the boys were awed to see the wooden trophies and creative Pinewood Derby. I thought it was pretty cool for them to see all kind of creative cars instead of leaving the plain cars.


Before the Derby race began, Dylan and his pack started off the pledge. It made him feeling good that he had a chance to walk down the aisle. I loved seeing him being pride.

No sweat. It had nothing to do with how the car looked. We arrived at the pack meeting just in time for the weigh-in, took our seats near the track and waited. My son Dylan’s name was called. He and two other boys carefully set their cars in the starting blocks. David and Dylan hearts were pounding. The starter released the gate, and they were off—Sssshoom! Unfortunately, Dylan's car was placed LAST. It devastated Dylan. He took it off to the playground. I know being a good sportsmanship was not easy for him.

Next, Ryan's troop was last because one of the son's father did not finish their son's plain "Hummer," Jeep. He was lucky to act it out in a very short time. Anyway, Ryan was very excited to watch his Derby rushing down the lanes. Though he did not win anything. It did not stop him from having a bad attitude for losing the game.

After the races were over, their were trophies passing out for the first place and championship. Also, the pack voted for the creative, funniest, painting, and (I can't remember fourth ones.) The fifth one was eliminated because it says, "Slowest." The leader cub scout agreed that it was a bad judgment before giving the award out.

Personally, I think both Dylan and Ryan had learned their valuable lesson that it is very important for them to create their car instead just leaving it out on a plain car. So hopefully the boys will have a better motivation for next Pinewood Derby Race.

Classroom Philopshy

At one time or another, everybody has been in a class that seems tedious and boring. Student’s winds up concentrating on anything and everything except what they are supposed to be focusing on. In fact, students not being able to fully concentrate in classrooms happens so often that researchers have spent years trying to figure out what type of classroom would not only enhance students ability to learn, but also encourage students to learn. I believe that the temperature of the room, having tables instead of desks, and the overall decorations of a classroom play a big part in designing an ideal learning environment. But unfortunately in my case, deaf and hard of hearing
students rely heavily on visual props.

As I have mentioned it earlier that deaf and hard of hearing students rely on visual props, the overall decoration of a classroom is one of the best ways to encourage students to learn. Through experience I can personally say that after elementary school most classrooms have only a couple, if any, decorations on the walls. It’s true that having nothing on the walls won’t distract a student because there’s nothing for him or her to be distracted by. However, when students walk into a plain white room. Students often show no motivation in learning. Not only the plain wall, I strongly believe it is essential to set the corner activities away from the window.

That was the first thing I did when I moved the calendar corner to where the students would not be distracted whenever somebody walks by. It really worked having them involve in learning such as the seasons, numbers days of school, calendar patterns, and weather. After sitting down for a few minutes learning about the "today's" calendar, the students return to their desk: to work on their monthly report. The intention is to encourage them working independently even my four year old students.

Besides calendar, I work on their Science activities such as recognizing the Non-Living Things and Living Things. It will help them to know the difference when they come to reading or asking questions. This also included watching the white carnation flower change into green two days later. Seeing their jaw dropped was the best thing to watch them. Teaching and Learning about parts of flowers and plants can be taught at the same time. It saves my time. They enjoy learning new words whenever they see on their Science Wall. Soon, I will teach them non-living things.

This week, I will have a pine cone with peanut butter on the cone. Then put the bird seeds for the birds to eat. Teaching younger kids in Science is a lot fun because I am able to start their Science foundation before they go onto a higher level.

As for math, I again use more visual aids: word problems, math art and math graphs. My favorite part is doing the monthly math graphs. It made my students to work on his expressive skills when asking others. Truthfully, it really worked. After the graphs done, I often brag the work outside of my classroom. Many people often awed the work between my aide and I have created monthly.

While my students learning to express his thoughts, I usually a whole lots more with English prints and signing flashing cards in order to have them write sentences. First, I started out having them to write simple sentences with prompts. Now, I am shifting to have them try to write sentences WITHOUT prompts. One of them did at 60% accuracy without looking at the wall. It is also because the students had practice their weekly spelling words. ( I forced them or they would get an ice cream treat on Friday. Am I mean? But it motivated them.

Like I said they learn the best by through visual aids, I also believe it is because my "hopeless" students had made 180 degree turn within seven months. For those who worked with my students last year thought they would NEVER learn anything, they saw the positive changes in them. I fooled them-- just because I definitely knew from my experiences that using both bright colors on the wall and use lots of hand-on activities are the best tools.

Walking on Trails

On an early morning, I decided to drop my two sons off to school while I have a day off from work in order to spend a quality of time with my mother and her husband. When I got back from dropping the boys off to school, I literally asked my mom and Bruce if they were interested walking down along the Salt Creek that runs through the hills behind my house. It was a perfect cool day to go outside for an hour exercise and to identify the Spring plants around the trails. Frankly, I thought it was awesome stroll through the best of California's back country.

Along the Salt Creek Trail, we could see the beautiful view of my backyard. I must say I was so proud to have a beautiful home area. There were tons of beautiful TREES, SPRING FLOWERS AND INSECTS EVERYWHERE. We even saw the most awesome humming birds hovering around the flowers. My mother took an excellent close-up picture of a humming bird. She even taught me that there are four different kinds of humming birds in Southern California. Two of the kinds stayed in Southern California all year long while the two other kinds of humming birds migrated during the winter. It broaden my mind to think about many other kinds of small and big animals migrated, not just the geese itself.

I also learned many more flowers and trees while my mother and her husband, Bruce walked along with me. I must admit that I learned so much within an hour because my mother is a real GREEN THUMB ! Bruce is a bird- watcher. He knows many types of birds. Not only knowing the types of birds, he also absorb all kinds of trees and plants. Learning everything from them was like taking a Free Science class.

It made me more appreciation of living in the area where I don't have any houses behind my backyard. Without a doubt, I will go out for a walk with my kids whether they like it or not. I'm a tough mom. I personally do enjoy the view both day and night. I once in a while like to sit outside at night to look up at the stars.

Letter from Extended Student Service

Today, I received an apologizing work e-mail address from the Extended Student Service Assistance Leader regarding the Kickball activities that I had complained on my earlier post.

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Hello Mrs. McClellan,

This is Mr. Casey. I wanted to apologize for the situation we're in with Dylan for kickball. I believe it was back when we were first telling the kids about kickball and getting them signed up that I had talked to you about Dylan's interest in being on the kickball team. At that time, you filled out the kickball permission slip but for whatever reason I did not get a copy of Dylan's insurance. I think I had given you the permission slip to take home and fill out and you then brought it in the following day. When I received the permission slip from you I filed it away in my kickball folder. It was my fault for not following through on the insurance. I should have gotten it from you at the time you turned in the permission slip, or in a more timely manner so that Dylan could have started the season with us on time.

I realize that my delay in getting Dylan's insurance from you has led to the unfortunate situation we now see ourselves in. The lack of practice time for Dylan, his possible unfamiliarity with the rules, and his seeming discomfort in being on the field all directly result from that. Again I am sorry for that.

My purpose in coaching kickball is to allow all the kids the opportunity to play, have fun, and experience the competition. With 17 kids being on the team and our only being allowed to play 10 at a time in the game, it becomes necessary to use some of the team members as substitutes. These subs come into a game in the top of the third inning in our four inning games. Thus, the playing time is equal between the sub and the player that he/she replaces. Each player plays two innings. Also, we must play four girls and one kinder in all games at all times. This makes it that much harder to let all of our first and second grade boys play the whole game.

Before our game on Tuesday Dylan had been laying on the mat in the auditorium back at school. Just before our departure for the game, I asked Dylan if he was certain that he did not want to play that day. He decided that would play after all. So, in seeing Dylan resting on the mat at Maryland I felt that it would be easier for him to just play half of the game on such a hot, tiring day.

My apologies again to both you and Dylan. I am very sorry for all this and I am sad to hear that Dylan no longer wants to play. If he would like, we would be glad to have him come back and play with us in our final game on Tuesday.

Thank you,

St. Patrick's Parade

On Saturday early morning, my family and I decided to take my mom and her husband, who were in town for a weekend visiting, to watch Saint Patrick's Parade at Balboa Park. I thought it would be a perfect time to share the Saint Patrick 's spirit along with the crowds.

By the time we got to Balboa Park, we were lucky to find a close parking lots and sitting on the curb where we could see the ending of the parade. One of the couples brought their dalimation dog in a front of the parade. Ryan loved any kind of dogs! He indeed had a chance to pet a dog. That dog was very hyper due to the noisy. The worst part was that the dog was confused when he saw many firetrucks with the sirens passing by. If it was my dog, I would NOT bring to the parade.

We only saw one fourth of the parade because we did not want to stand in a long lunch line. That was a smart move for all of us because we captured six seats with a table and caught in a short line before the crowds came toward to the food center. The first thing we wanted to eat the Corn Beef Sandwich. It was the first for the boys. Either they were starved to eat, or they actually like it because they galloped the ENTIRE BIG sandwich.

After lunch, we roamed around the fun booth. We did have fun trying out for the St. Patrick's Hat. I decided to make myself glamor for a very short time with lots of green feathers. That was fun. As we passed by several booths, David and I knew that the boys would say, "YES" for a Root Beer Snow Cone. They did not argue for sharing one BIG Bowl of Root beer Snow Cone.

Once we finished roaming around the booths, we headed for Botanical Garden. It was one of my mom's favorite sight seeing in Balboa Park. She and I had not gone there for decades. The boys were goofy around inside and outside of the Botanical Garden. While taking pictures of them, it was nearly impossible to take the BEST pictures of them in a front of the waterfall. I guess it was a sign of telling us politely that they were exhausted to be at Balboa Park for Three and a half hours. Frankly, my mom and I agreed that they were on their best behaviors despite showing their funny faces.

At the end, we thought it was a good plan to go out and do something FUN without charging us too much besides paying for the food. It is far cry better than being in a cooped place, or watching T.V. all day.

KickBall

This year, Dylan decided to participate the Kick-Ball after school activities for FREE. I thought this would be an ideal sport for him to get involved along with lots of physical activities.

For the first three weeks of games, Dylan had missed because the coach from Extended School Services did not tell me that he needs to have a copy of his health insurance. He apologized for the delay and had to keep him out of the three weeks game. I was not happy when I was not informed immediately.

When he finally got a chance to go out to a game, I met Dylan up at a different school site where his brother, Ryan and I could watch his game. Know what? I was disappointed to find him sitting on the bench. I just waited and waited. Finally, the coach acted it up and allowed him to play.

It was not easy for a left- handed person, who kick the ball with his right foot. When he did kick the ball, he ran yet unfortunately the other team touched him. Thus, he was out. Boy, he was upset. I consoled him that I praised him for doing his best.

On the next game, Ryan and I drove to another school site where we could watch him. This was the second time round I discovered that he was sitting the entire hour waiting for him to go up. I personally felt like that the coach should give each player a try. It reflected my teenager's memory when one of the softball coach almost never let me be out of the field. It was because I was not good at a softball. True, but where is the sportsmanship with the coach in these days?

Last, Dylan surrendered on getting involved in the Kickball after school activities. I don't blame him. Hopefully on the next after school sport coach will be more reasonable and allow each child, even poor player an opportunity. It is not about winning the game!

Pink Day

First of all, I must admit that I have my reasons for putting my posts on hold. The month of February and March had been harsh for many thousands of teachers who received pink slips. While I am waiting for an ultimate answer from the district whether the school district will keep another year open for the deaf and hard of hearing program open, I need to brush my anxiety along with many more reasons aside.

I have lots to catch up on my posts. First, I would like to tell you a little bit about the Pink Day that many thousands of teachers wore Pink Shirts on March 13th. It was the day that the other deaf teacher, deaf student teacher and I provided lunch treat out for 50 staff on the campus. What a coincidence ! Still, we had thought of something to make it every possible to make it close to pink or red for the teachers on Pink Day.

We brought the Posole Soup with Chilli Dip from New Mexico, Bread, pink Vanilla cookies except for Chocolate Chip cookies, and Pink lemonade to stuff our teachers' tummies. The table decoration were even made many pink and red hearts to go out for the teachers.

While we were sitting and chatting over our lunch break, many of the staff were pink shirt. That included the students as well.

Pink Rally

Thousands of teachers in California are being laid off. Many districts wanted to close many of deaf and hard of hearing classes in order to save the budget for the interpreters, teachers and aides as well. Many of deaf and hard of hearing students may as well end up going to their home school district where they might not interact much with their peers.

However, it is not a final answer. For those who live in South of San Diego will have a huge debating meeting before April 3rd, that is when the two districts decided on what to do with the deaf and hard of hearing programs: closes two completely school districts, remain few more years in their district along with other deaf peers, or send each of them to their home school district along with an interpreter. Parents were not happy with the idea. So I was not happy with the idea either.

Deaf and Hard of hearing teachers were not the only ones who felt. There were other thousands of teachers in San Diego were not pleased to cut off the students' important education. As for many of us, it would be hard to lose so many AWESOME teachers who also got a pink slip two weeks ago.

Thus, some of us ended up attending the Pink Rally, I didn't due to my mom visiting us. However, I did wear pink shirt and provide everything pink meal out to the teachers on that day. (I will have pictures coming up once the hard drive is being fixed.) I only could give you a general idea of our district attended the pink rally's link.

Losing Motivation

Have you ever experience for losing motivation that you normally do? I have not had this since when I discovered Ryan was diagnosed as PPD-NOS known as autism. As of right now, I am losing a motivation to post our long delay posts on my blog. There are so many things are happening right now.

So, hopefully I will be able to write a short and sweet posts over this weekend. That's if I have gain my motivation up. Please bare with me when the timing is right for me.