Christopher Kliewer, Citizenship in School:Reconceptualizing Dowm Syndrome-Reflection

   While reading the book by Christopher Kliewer, I began to see the reasoning behind his writing on behave of the children with some sort of learning disability. He gives examples of different teachers in the classroom, using unique ways to teach a concept that they can all learn. If we, as Educators, use many forms of teaching methods in our classroom, we can help all the children learn and understand the techniques. Just because a child has a disability, does not mean that they can not function or learn a lesson in their school. I think that he may be against the use of tracking in the Schools. He seems to focus his writing on having the children work together, and not separating them from one another because of their abilities.

   He discusses, in great length about Howard Gardner, and his views on this topic. Gardner has come up with the three R's that should be integrated into our styles of teaching. They include, Problems, Challenges, projects, and opportunities. He has focused his Field of study on school-based literacy, and Mathematics instruction. I found it relative to our class when I was reading about his idea of culture, and how it is important to include in our classrooms. Diversity is important, and we, as Educators, need to change with the times that we are living and teaching in.

  I sat down, after reading this article, and thought about what I should write, and what it means to me. I have ADD, and was not diagnosed until eighth grade. Why was it not known to my teachers or parents until such a late age? the reason why, and I realize it now, is because I had learned to deal with it, and hide it from my peers and Educators. I did not want to be labeled, and taken out of the classroom that consisted of all of my friends. The children that were pulled out, and called to some kind of resource were made fun of by the other student. So, I learned how to get through my grades, and not ask for the extra help that I did need. This is upsetting and depressing to me now as an Adult looking back at this situation. These student should not be labeled, or considered different or be casted out from their peers. This is still a problem in schools, and in the lives of these children that are affected by this daily. If we are aware of the issue and problems that are associated with it, why is it not a key note that we address.

I found this website interesting, a great connection to the lesson for this week in class. I think that in class, we should talk about ways that we can help create a positive atmosphere in our classrooms, for all of the different disabilities that our students face daily.
http://www.ndsccenter.org/resources/position9.php