Maddie sits on the floor with her regular teacher (foreground) and her speech teacher (in the back). The teachers use hand signs and words to ask Maddie to point to one of two pictures, the one to which the word and sign refer. Watch this video carefully, noting which concepts Maddie understands. (We have provided some suggestions to get you started.) You can watch the full five minute video first or first watch video segments that focus your attention on Maddie’s thinking. In this videative, we offer some possible conclusions about what Maddie knows and ask you which ones you accept. Finally, we ask you for comments on this general procedure of working with children with special rights.
The naming exercises in this video are narrowly focused, structured, and teacher directed. At times, when new knowledge is being offered, the child with special rights may need small moments such as these, during which the new information is introduced and reviewed. These encounters are short in duration and are provided with the belief that the information gained in the "structured" moments can be integrated into the natural flow of the child’s day, in play encounters with family, teachers and peers. What do you think? Would you use these methods if you had Maddie in your class? How might you modify this naming game? What additional approaches would you add to help Maddie communicate?
Click here to see “Helping Maddie Learn New Words” in our Videatives Video Streaming library. Click here if you would like to download a high resolution video file of the full five minute clip. Click here if you would like a trial subscription to have access to all 150 video clips and text in our Video Streaming library.
Notes from the Field
The Power of Video Documentation – Five Spaces Remaining. We have attracted a wonderful group of educators for our workshop on video documentation to be held at Boulder Journey School on September 22, 2009. This workshop will propel you to new levels of understanding what children know, how to support their continued learning and how to create video documentation for all of your constituents to view: children, parents, colleagues, and policy makers. To learn more or to register, click here.
Note that participants can also register for a study tour at Boulder Journey School on Monday, September 21.
EduRetreat – India, November 26 to December 9, 2009 . This is our second announcement concerning this wonderful opportunity to tour alternative schools for young children in India, meet with scholars, and participate in reflection sessions with Dr. Lilian Katz and Dr. Silvia Chard. The itinerary has been expanded to include a meeting with M. Ghandi’s grandson and attending an educational conference in Ahmedabad where Howard Gardner will be present by telecast. I (George Forman) went on EduRetreat 08 and can vouch for its value, beauty, transformative power, and deep connection to the spirit of India. Please visit the EduRetreat webpage, read the testimonials, study the new itinerary, and give this trip strong consideration. Videatives will host an online forum a month prior to November 26 and a month subsequent to December 9th. Click here to learn more.
