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Association
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Special Association of the June 1999 |
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| From the Editor By the time this newsletter reaches you, the school year will have come to an end. It's scarcely believable that we've reached that stage yet again, and many of us are actually making preparations for the coming year. In just a few months, we'll be gathering at the next Annual Conference. Specific details, as always, will be carried in the Conference Catalogue. That will, no doubt, arrive in your school at the beginning of September, so look for that and make your choices for the sessions you will want to attend for Conference Day. As indicated in previous newsletters, ATEC's conference will have the theme of Student Mental Health. In view of recent media attention given to the tragic incidents occurring in schools across North America, discussion of mental health, its detection and treatment, and related strategies is timely indeed. Suffice to say, it is certainly not something we can shrug off as “a sign of the times” or glibly assume “it can't/won't happen here”. Violence in various forms, suicide, drug abuse, etc. have become far too common. Ironically, the incidents that have grabbed the greatest amount of attention are not occurring in large urban centres, which is where we have long assumed these things happen. They have been happening in rural and suburban communities, which we have tended to regard as havens of stress-free life styles. That alone may be a warning to us to start paying heed to how our children are dealing with issues in their lives and how we, as teachers, need to become more informed about recognizing the difficulties in expressing and coping with those issues. Conference `99 will take place at the Dartmouth Holiday Inn on October 22, 1999. This will be a new location for us, and one which we anticipate will offer spacious and convenient accommodations. Book displays, educational materials, and information booths will be available throughout the day. This promises to be a very interesting conference, so register early as our numbers will be limited again this year. Remember: no on-site registration will be available. Several articles have been offered for inclusion in the next ATEC Journal, scheduled for publication in November. As always, we welcome contributions from any of our Association members. Photographs (preferably, but not necessarily, black & white) can also be included. Material for the Journal or for the newsletter can be sent to: Bil MacMullin, |
ATEC Executive President
Barry Crozier Past President Mary
MacCallum Vice President Frank
Howell Secretary Louis
Detienne Treasurer
Rick MacKinnon Newsletter
Editor Bil MacMullin Members-at-Large
Cathy Cotton Heather Facey |
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| ATEC Helps Support
Literacy at Centre Consolidated One of the goals of the South West Regional School Board is to increase the awareness of the importance of literacy. Because of this, it became one of the improvement initiatives for Centre Consolidated School as well. A committee made up of four teachers, a program support assistant and our principal was formed. Their task was to determine what was the best way to increase/improve literacy. As a group, we came up with many ideas of how we could do this at school. But we wanted to do more than just limit this to in-school activities. We decided to look outside our school community for more answers. We were very fortunate to make contact with Martha Chenyah, from the adult division of the Department of Education and Janet Shively, Family Literacy Action Group. Together we found some common beliefs. Families, particularly parents, are key to helping us increase literacy. A plan of action was developed. It was decided that an evening to celebrate literacy would be a fun way to draw attention to its importance. Author Sheree Fitch was suggested as someone who was noted as a great presenter. We decided we wanted Sheree, but funds were needed. We applied for grants to help us in this case, and were very fortunate to receive two, one of them being for $500.00 from the Association of Teachers of Exceptional Children (ATEC). Another for $100.00 came from the NSTU Lunenburg Local. Without this generous assistance, none of this would have become a reality. When Sheree was called, it was easy to see her commitment to literacy. Plans were discussed and two dates were arranged. February 10th saw parents and students gather for a fun filled evening led by Sheree Fitch, who read from her works. Everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed Sheree's energetic delivery of her work. On February 24th we held our second event: a Family Literacy evening. This time parents, grandparents, etc. were invited to sign up for three twenty-five minute workshops. Teacher Cindy Mitchell assisted five junior high students in providing child care so that parents could attend the sessions. The children read, drew pictures, got book marks and went from station to station in the gym playing a variety of games. They did not want to go home. We opened the event by gathering the adults in the gym. At that time, parents who had preregistered could check their schedule for the evening and talk about our school's commitment to literacy. Then the sessions began. The workshops presented were: Reading Strategies (presented by Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, Pat Crnogoracs), Study and Organizational Skills (presented by Jr. High Teacher Dave Kokochi and Principal Jeff DeWolfe); Learning Disabilities, (presented by Mary Rose MacIntyre-Learning Disabilities Specialist, SWRSB); Computer Programs That Promote Reading and Writing, (led by Program Support Assistant, Anita Kingdon); Choosing Good Books (led by staff of the South Shore Regional Library); and Writing Fun (with author Sheree Fitch). Each session was well attended by both fathers and mothers, not to mention friends and grandparents as well! After the workshops everyone was invited back to the gym. While parents and guests were served refreshments, they were also encouraged to take some of the many hand-outs provided, all dealing with children and, of course, literacy. Many parents had the opportunity to take a book home to read to their child that very evening. It was great to have Mr. Terry Doucette, Director of Schools for the Eastern Zone and Superintendent Ann Jones spend the evening with us. Ms. Jones delivered a closing message. Then we held a draw for 25 books that had been donated by local companies (Zellers, Coles, Sagors, Scholastic, Vanwell Publishing and Carousel Books). Other literacy movements in our school include providing some of our IPP students with reading materials that will allow them to have success. We have provided these students with some high interest/low vocabulary books. We are also in the process of providing resources for teachers who volunteer their time to assist in our Behaviour Counselling Room. Children are referred for behaviour counselling as a way of turning a negative incident into a learning experience. The books chosen at these times are children's books that contain a message. Not only do we hope to improve our students social skills, but by reading to them we are giving them another chance to experience literacy. More literacy events are planned for later this year including TV Busters, a program where children get rewarded for not watching TV. One thing is for certain, the adage that “it takes a community to raise a child” has been given practical application. With help from parents, as well as financial assistance from ATEC and NSTU, our hopes to increase an awareness of literacy has happened.· |
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| Spelling Styles Chart Visual Style
Auditory Style
Tactile-Kinesthetic
Style Multisensory Style
Taken from: Teaching Kids With Learning Difficulties in the Regular Classroom by Susan Winebrenner, Free Spirit Publishing Inc. Book Review
Author: Susan Winebrenner
This 235 page book is an excellent resource for anyone working with what has become the typical classroom. Inclusive classes, multi-level classes, diverse learning strategy classes, or whatever term is used to describe most classes today can all benefit from suggestions on how to get all students actively involved in learning and participating in class activities. The author provides general descriptions of a very wide range of challenges that may contribute to learning difficulties, as well as many more detailed pieces giving specific suggestions on how to deal with learning challenges. One feature of this book that will appeal to many teachers is the inclusion of many reproducible pages. The author has put in charts, diagrams, lists and organizational aids that can be photocopied by for use by students and/or teachers. These pages are printed throughout the book, and relate to the many chapters which focus on particular challenges: reading or math challenges, behaviour difficulties, anger management, writing skills, auditory and visual impairments, multiple intelligences, etc. |
ATEC Bursaries These bursaries are awarded annually to students who meet the criteria established by the Executive. Applications are invited each year. Forms are available through the NSTU offices, and are also available at most school guidance offices. The next issue of the ATEC Journal will contain information about past recipients of this bursary and their experiences following high school. ATEC also offers financial assistance through our “Reaching Out To Meet The Needs” grants, and our “Out-of-Province Conference Grants”. ATEC members are invited to apply for these. Application forms and details about how to qualify can be obtained by contacting the NSTU Building, 3106 Joseph Howe Drive, Halifax, or fax (902) 477-3517. |
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| HELP WANTED Interested in getting more involved in your Association? Our Executive is very interested in having some new faces join us. Although each of us on the current executive has enjoyed the roles we have taken on, and are willing to continue doing so, we also recognize the benefits of adding individuals who can contribute different strengths and energy. The time commitment is really not that great. The Executive meets 3 or 4 times per year, and any additional duties do not usually cause any excessive allotment of time. However, there is a gratifying sense of contributing to a worthwhile endeavour, and also of being “in on the action”. Anyone interested in finding out more abut what is involved is invited to contact any of our Executive at any time. At our October Conference, the closing event is the Annual General Meeting, and it is at this time that new members can be added. For anyone who would like to ease into being on the Executive, you may want to consider becoming a “Member At Large” in order to find out more about how the Association works and how you might best contribute your talents and skills. Think about it, and we will see you at the Conference on October 22 at the Dartmouth Holiday Inn. |
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| The ATEC News is published by the NSTU for the Association of Teachers of Exceptional Children, Bil MacMullin, Editor. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor, ATEC or the NSTU. | ||