Jon Said:

where would I find cosmetology lesson plans and activities for my class.?

We Answered:

Just a thought, inquire at other vocational/technical centers, and speak with their cos instructors, and see what they can give you. You might even visit, to see how they do things.

Depends on your area.

Duane Said:

I need some lesson plans/activities to be done with 8 yr olds about discrimination! Thanks!?

We Answered:

There's a great picture book called White Socks Only. I believe it's by Evelyn Coleman. Reading and discussing this book would be a good introductory activity.

Juanita Said:

Does anyone have any specific lesson plans/activities for including a child w/ special needs in public school?

We Answered:

You don't need to demonstrate to other students how one child is different - they'll figure it out on their own, and unless the child has something llike brittle bone disease, and the other students need to be careful not to touch the child, chances are they don't need to know.

If there is a specific behavior the child has, such as drooling, talk to the kids about it and how to react to it. I have a student with autism who says swear words a lot. I talked to the older buddies we were working with about it, not laughing, replacement behaviors, etc. and they were terrific with him. They taught him to say heck instead of hell, darn instead of damn, and shoot instead of ... But they didn't need to know everything about his handicaps (he's also mentally handicapped), just enough to interact with him appropriately.

Instead, before the student comes to class do some handicapped simulations with the class. Put a couple of grapes in their mouth, make them tilt their head and hold a tennis ball between their neck and cheek and have them eat pudding or jell-o.

Tape their fingers together (I always ask for volunteers and tell the kids I don't want to end up on the 5:00 news for taping their fingers!) and have them try to button a shirt you put on them or tie their shoes.

Get an old pair of prescription glasses and smear vaseline on the lenses. Have the child put them on and try to read or tell time.

Give students an index card. Have them hold it on their foreheads and try to write their first and last name on it with their non-dominant hand, while it's still on their forehead.

Use a textbook that's way above their level and read it aloud really fast and ask them questions. When they can't answer them, say things like, Why not? Are you dumb? Everyone knows that. Talk about how that makes them feel and how kids with disabilities feel when they don't understand what's going on and others make fun of them.

At the end of these simulations talk to the kids about what it would be like to be handicapped and have to deal with this all day. Talk about how they would like to be treated if they were handicapped, or a parent or sibling. I always start off asking about handicapped people they know, and there's always someone who knows a handicapped person and has a story to share. I'm sure you can find more simulations online, too. The kids have a lot of fun with these activities, and they always volunteer after they realize it's not going to hurt.

Give the kids the info they need to know to help the child fit in, but be sure not to get too personal. If the child is going to have different or less work to do be sure to talk to the kids about that and explain that the child is working to their potential, just as you expect them to work to theirs.

Depending on the level of your students you might even want to create a research project for students. Each one (or in pairs) can pick a different condition - autism, Down's Syndrome, learning disabilities, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, cerebral palsy, MS, etc. and do a report on it. They can read about it, interview someone who has it (or experience with it), look up foundations, and present it to the class.

They can also create a web quest (or you can), present to another class/school, and create simulations to do for another class or the school. This can be an excellent learning experience for all of your students. Be sure to include the child with special needs - they should know what they have and how to deal with it, if that's cognitively and age appropriate.

Good luck!

Myrtle Said:

What are some good websites offering activities and lesson plans for a new elementary school librarian?

We Answered:

http://www.nwrel.org/sky/skysearch.asp?m…

http://www.nwrel.org/sky/mat.asp?ID=5&m=…

Daniel Said:

Do you know of any fun lesson plans or activities for The Crucible?

We Answered:

The Crucible is a freakin awesome book. I got to do it when I was a Junior in highschool and I had so much fun. See if your kids like history too, if they do then get them to do a comparison paper for The Crucible and the Red Scare that Arthur Miller was referring to when he wrote The Crucible. If your class is highly opinionated make them do a point of view paper from either the point of view of the girls or from anyone of the real victims and see what they think. I mean there's so many doors that are opened with this book, it's a wonderful book.

Olga Said:

i need ideas/ activities and lesson plans about how to teach the topic people who help us (occupations?

We Answered:

Here is one lesson i found on lessonplanspage.com If you do not like this one I would recommend going to their website because you know exactly what you want and would hopefully be able to find it.

Title - What I want to be.
By - Michelle
Primary Subject - Social Studies
Secondary Subjects - Art
Grade Level - 1-3
I had my students look through different books in the library, all of which described a certain job. Then, when they had all chosen a career they thought was interesting, we returned to our room and each child painted a t-shirt in the style of the career they had chosen. When they were finished with that, they got up wearing their shirt and told us a little bit about what their job was and what they would do there.

Fabric paints dry faster than regular paints so I recommend these.
E-Mail Michelle!