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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
Posted by MrsKS
Posted by lipglossjunky73
I'm not saying not to teach it, but it needs to be taught according to their learning styles, and with an understanding of how they grasp concepts overall. Based in their language, grasp of abstract concepts, and how it relates to them functionally....
does this particular teacher have other issues in teaching these types of students?
Is this like a one time deal or an ongoing problem??
This post sounds like she's not teaching effectively in a manner they would specifically understand. as if her teaching skills need refreshing. On multiple topics. not just this one.
she def shouldn't be showing frustration. I hope she's at least letting it out to you and not allowing the students to see it.
Oh and eta: I thought you were saying to NOT teach this topic at all because they might stay the wrong thing to the wrong person. I understand what you were saying now. especially after your last 2 posts.
Which is why I don't understand WHY she is not grasping that herself?
How is she working in that field not knowing that?
I am not in that field and I get that. 
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Posted 2/15/11 12:06 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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JessInCA
live laugh love
Member since 8/06 5082 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
Posted by jilliibabii
Posted by lipglossjunky73
But Is it necessary to force a group of developmentally delayed youth to see a diffence if it doesn't come naturally to them?
This is exactly what I was thinking the entire time I was reading this. Why are they pushing this on them so much? I agree with you- I think it's great that they don't see someone and think "That's a black person." Why is it so wrong just to think "That's a person."
That's what I was thinking too... and to address the educational aspect, maybe she can't teach the students to easily identify racial differences, but she can still teach them about Black History month and about influential black Americans even if they don't understand the whole "color" thing. I think the teacher's focus is a little off, IMO.
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| Posted 2/15/11 12:55 PM |
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jgl
Love my little boys!!!
Member since 8/07 7060 total posts
Name:
g
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
as a teacher who works with spec. ed students, these kids seem obviously low, why of all things in this world should we teach them this? I think she gave it a good shot and it is time to move onto something that could acutally HELP them in life 
you were not racist!
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| Posted 2/15/11 2:12 PM |
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kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!
Member since 8/07 12475 total posts
Name:
Keri
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
Posted by groovypeg
Posted by jilliibabii
Posted by lipglossjunky73
But Is it necessary to force a group of developmentally delayed youth to see a diffence if it doesn't come naturally to them?
This is exactly what I was thinking the entire time I was reading this. Why are they pushing this on them so much? I agree with you- I think it's great that they don't see someone and think "That's a black person." Why is it so wrong just to think "That's a person."
i agree....and you can always throw the "is it functional" card at her bc really what comes out of them knowing the difference? does it change the way they interact with people?
etd to add: maybe the bigger picture is that she just doesn't know how to teach them. obviously what she is doing is not working!
I also agree
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| Posted 2/15/11 2:43 PM |
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peanutbutter2
Carpe diem!
Member since 11/10 5287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
Posted by jilliibabii
Posted by lipglossjunky73
But Is it necessary to force a group of developmentally delayed youth to see a diffence if it doesn't come naturally to them?
This is exactly what I was thinking the entire time I was reading this. Why are they pushing this on them so much? I agree with you- I think it's great that they don't see someone and think "That's a black person." Why is it so wrong just to think "That's a person."
I completely agree with you both.
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| Posted 2/15/11 2:52 PM |
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LeShellem
A new beginning
Member since 2/07 3600 total posts
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LeShelle
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
Here's my two cents. This reminds me of a moving, cant think of the name but a white women adopted a black boy and then the birth mother wanted him back. I remember the white women's daughter asked the adopted boy holding his hand against her what the difference was and the boy said his hand was smaller. I think these kids will probably not ever get it, they have that sense of innocence about them that wont go away.
How about teaching about African American history instead. Teach that a group of people who came from Africa did these great things and we should celebrate how much they contributed to this country. To me that seems like an easier thing to teach children like the op was describing.
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| Posted 2/15/11 2:58 PM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
As a parent of a special needs child, I think this approach is a bit misguided. If you are going to teach my DS how to identify things that are different, he needs concrete examples, I think trying to explain the differences in skin color is too vague and confusing. My DS is much younger, but I don't think I would appreciate the teacher focusing so much energy and time on why people are different because of skin color.
I agree with a previous poster that a better approach would be to discuss famous black people and what they did throughout history. If they aren't getting the concept of "black", then she should focus on individuals and their accomplishments - isn't that the more interesting and educational part anyway?
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| Posted 2/15/11 3:09 PM |
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GinaR
LIF Adult
Member since 9/08 1976 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
Posted by jilliibabii
Posted by lipglossjunky73
But Is it necessary to force a group of developmentally delayed youth to see a diffence if it doesn't come naturally to them?
This is exactly what I was thinking the entire time I was reading this. Why are they pushing this on them so much? I agree with you- I think it's great that they don't see someone and think "That's a black person." Why is it so wrong just to think "That's a person."
I can see both sides to the situation. But I was also thinking this while reading the post. Maybe they just don't get why the color matters. I hope when I have kids, they fail to understand why the pigment of skin matters. I understand the importance of the history and everything. But it may just be something these children don't comprehend.
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| Posted 2/15/11 4:04 PM |
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
Posted by LeShellem
Here's my two cents. This reminds me of a moving, cant think of the name but a white women adopted a black boy and then the birth mother wanted him back. I remember the white women's daughter asked the adopted boy holding his hand against her what the difference was and the boy said his hand was smaller. I think these kids will probably not ever get it, they have that sense of innocence about them that wont go away.
How about teaching about African American history instead. Teach that a group of people who came from Africa did these great things and we should celebrate how much they contributed to this country. To me that seems like an easier thing to teach children like the op was describing.
ITA!!!
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| Posted 2/15/11 6:30 PM |
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
I should add she is trying to tecah them about specific people in history, but she is also trying to emphasize that they are black, and the way to do it is by emphasizing how they look - but really, its not working, I don't see the point to that based on where these kids are at....
I'm glad I wasn't too far off with my comment - thanks everyone!!!! 
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| Posted 2/15/11 6:32 PM |
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KNic19
Baby's First Christmas
Member since 7/09 3541 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
I think she is way too focused on a specific 'intangible' aspect. I understand (and am all for) wanting to teach about black history month, and even for trying to teach that someone is black or white, but if they aren't getting it, don't push it. I think eventually the kids are going to start feeling frustrated as well. Like other posters have said, teach about the history. I don't think you were wrong to question why it really matters at this point. Obviously the kids aren't getting it...move on to something else.
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| Posted 2/15/11 7:15 PM |
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Jacksmommy
My love muffin!
Member since 1/07 5819 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
As a teacher that teaches students of a similar functioning level (or atleast it sounds like it) I would first ask if they even know their colors. Some of my students don't even know their colors in isolation, let alone on a person which, as a person previously mentioned, is difficult. Second of all, I don't think your approach was bad at all, but what is your rapport with this teacher? Is this a common "attitude" of her to take? Sometimes, I have seen, when a behavior consultant suggests something, teachers don't always listen, because the behavior consultant isn't in her class.
I don't think that what she is trying to teach is necessarily bad. . . but maybe she just needs to change her approach. However, there is no set curriculum and sometimes, lessons you think students will get, they just don't. (alternatively sometimes you think students will never get something and they really surprise you!) If she was drillling this all day every day, I would be concerned. If this is a every once in a while opportunity teachable moment, I wouldn't necessarily be concerned - because while every student might not get it, one might!
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| Posted 2/15/11 8:52 PM |
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
I'm with her 2 days a week...
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| Posted 2/15/11 9:26 PM |
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EnV-McC
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/10 885 total posts
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
This lady at your school sounds ridiculous. It's one thing to want to teach kids about Black History, but to try to distinguish the difference between black & white people just sounds like a really bad idea - especially since she's going around and singling people out around the school. Who does that?!?
People are so confused as to what I am when they judge solely by my skin color. On any given day I'm mistaken for being Dominican or Indian. I just can't understand her reasoning for pointing people out and then questioning the kids about what that person's race is...
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| Posted 2/15/11 9:58 PM |
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Chai77
Brighter days ahead
Member since 4/07 7364 total posts
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
I really do not think that identifying another person's race is an important daily living skill for these students. I liked your response.
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| Posted 2/15/11 10:05 PM |
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My2Girlz11
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/11 785 total posts
Name:
Corrie
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
As a special education teacher I don't even think it would occur to me to teach a developmentally disabled student(or any student) the difference between a white person or a black person's skin color. It seems a bit odd to me.
I feel she should be focusing on accomplisments of African Americans during this month. If she wants them to distinguish between different people, maybe show different picture of different people in history who were African American. She could ask them, "Which one is Martin Luther King, Jr.?" Instead of asking which one is black.
Also, I think it is odd that another teacher comes into the room and she asks the students what color she is. Sorry, I find this all way too odd that this is even being taught in this manner.
Message edited 2/15/2011 11:03:37 PM.
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| Posted 2/15/11 11:02 PM |
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MissRadiant
Happily Ever After
Member since 9/08 2534 total posts
Name:
N
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
I thought this part of your response was great
"I said, "well, that's a good thing..."
I was asked, after they looked at each other why it was a "good" thing
I said, "they obviously see the person, and not the color of their skin."
Maybe we can all learn something from those children. 
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| Posted 2/16/11 9:36 AM |
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Daisy32
Mommy
Member since 2/08 8081 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
Posted by LeShellem
Here's my two cents. This reminds me of a moving, cant think of the name but a white women adopted a black boy and then the birth mother wanted him back. I remember the white women's daughter asked the adopted boy holding his hand against her what the difference was and the boy said his hand was smaller. I think these kids will probably not ever get it, they have that sense of innocence about them that wont go away.
OMG  that was so moving. I am the aunt and Godmother of an adopted little African American boy and this really hits home.
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| Posted 2/16/11 11:13 AM |
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blondiebabyZ
Ohhhh yeaaahh!!
Member since 6/10 1033 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
Posted by My2Girlz11
As a special education teacher I don't even think it would occur to me to teach a developmentally disabled student(or any student) the difference between a white person or a black person's skin color. It seems a bit odd to me.
I feel she should be focusing on accomplisments of African Americans during this month. If she wants them to distinguish between different people, maybe show different picture of different people in history who were African American. She could ask them, "Which one is Martin Luther King, Jr.?" Instead of asking which one is black.
Also, I think it is odd that another teacher comes into the room and she asks the students what color she is. Sorry, I find this all way too odd that this is even being taught in this manner.
I agree what the heck does it matter what the skin color is, its black history month its the history not the skin color month. If shes gonna pull that then she should start having the kids know alll race colors.
And  for your answer to her about the child "not getting it".
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| Posted 2/16/11 11:36 AM |
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dfw343
LIF Infant
Member since 7/10 246 total posts
Name:
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
If this teacher wants to be more effective in introducing other nationalities and stuff, I can understand that..like teaching them different customs etc so they can can understand how people practice different things but still be the same. SO they don't get scared or intimidated by different practices.
skin color?
Really?
why is that so important!?!
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| Posted 2/16/11 11:51 AM |
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missfabulous
#mommyneedswine
Member since 6/09 10031 total posts
Name:
Colleen
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Re: Thoughts? Regarding black history month....
Posted by jgl
as a teacher who works with spec. ed students, these kids seem obviously low, why of all things in this world should we teach them this? I think she gave it a good shot and it is time to move onto something that could acutally HELP them in life
you were not racist!
This was my first thought as well! Why not focus more on lifeskills than on having them attempt to grasp a concept they just can't seem to get?
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| Posted 2/16/11 11:52 AM |
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