Posting a blog every day has been a good learning experience. I love reading Sheree's blog. I want to use this blog to practice for having a teacher website.

2006 National Down Syndrome Congress Banquet video (WMV)

Monster Mash

THINGS FROM SCHOOL

FIRST GRADE PUMPKINS

CARVING A PUMPKIN

Carving a jack-o-lantern is a tradition or custom of many American families. Families will go to area stores that sell pumpkins and spend hours just looking for the right one. When the right pumpkin has been chosen, take it home and wash the outside of the pumpkin and dry it completely. An adult will be needed to carefully cut open the top of the pumpkin where the stem is located. Save the stemo of the pumpkin. Next you will need to remove the pulp or stringy part of the pumpkin and the seed using a large spone place all of the insides of the pumplin on the sheets of newspaper to keep your area clean. After all the seeds and pulp have been removed, you may want to wash the outside of the pumpkin again to make sure you hae a clean surface to work on. Markers can be used to draw the face you want on the outside of the pumpkin. You can make it as scary or as funny as you like. You will need the help of a parent or other adult to help cut out the face you drew on teh pumplin. This may take afew mintues to do becfause pumpkins can be very thinck and theri skin can be slick. You must practice safety rules when using a knife or pumpkin carving knife. Then place a candle inside the pumpkin andlight the candle using matches. At this time, place the top with stem back on the pumpkin. Finally, place the jack-o-lantern on your front porch and wait for the trick or treaters. Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Promise Ice Cream

I got this in an email today. Just something to think about.

OLIVIA JAMIE CIVICS 101 3rd GRADE I just had to say this. We are worried about "the cow" It’s all about the Ice Cream The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had was while teaching third grade in 2008. The presidential election was heating up and some of the children showed an interest. I decided we would have an election for a class president. We would choose our nominees. They would make a campaign speech and the class would vote. To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members. We discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have. We got many nominations and from those, Jamie and Olivia were picked to run for the top spot. The class had done a great job in their selections. Both candidates were good kids. I thought Jamie might have an advantage because he got lots of parental support. I had never seen Olivia’s mother. The day arrived when they were to make their speeches Jamie went first. He had specific ideas about how to make our class a better place. He ended by promising to do his very best. Every one applauded. He sat down and Olivia came to the podium. Her speech was concise. She said, “If you will vote for me, I will give you ice cream.” She sat down. The class went wild. “Yes! Yes! We want ice cream.” She surely would say more. She did not have to. A discussion followed. How did she plan to pay for the ice cream? She wasn’t sure. Would her parents buy it or would the class pay for it. She didn’t know. The class really didn’t care. All they were thinking about was ice cream. Jamie was forgotten. Olivia won by a land slide. Every time Barack Obama opens his mouth he offers ice cream, and fifty percent of America reacts like nine year olds. They want ice cream. The other fifty percent know they’re going to have to feed the cow.

PRETTY BUTTERFLY - ANDY WILLIAMS

On TARC I found many interesting sites.

Baby Gamer

The ARC





Andy William's version of the song Butterfly in 1957.



Mariah Carey's version of the song Butterfly in 1997.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VNCeaxADws

Ten Reasons to Vote for Barack Obama

This list was compiled by grassroots volunteer Todd Smyth. Here's the link to the page.

Top 10 Reasons to Vote for Barack Obama

1. Barack Obama has personal experience with poverty and the growing income gap, having grown up abroad in Indonesia and working as a community organizer in the south side of Chicago.

2. After graduating Harvard Law, Magna Cum Laude and president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama could have become a wealthy corporate or trial lawyer but returned to Chicago to practice civil rights law.

3. He also taught Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago, so he knows how our government is supposed to work.

4. He has the most experience as an elected official and legislator with over 10 years in state and federal public service. He is the only top Democratic candidate who understands both state and federal government as an elected legislator.

5. He opposed the Iraq war before it started and has a specific plan for redeploying all combat troops by March 31, 2008.

6. He has received an A+ score from the Genocide Intervention Network for being a "champion" and taking crucial action to end the genocide in Darfur, co-sponsoring and voting for all significant Darfur legislation.

7. Barack Obama is committed to universal health care by the end of his first term.

8. He has sponsored, co-sponsored and advocated for significant and realistic legislation to end global warming by capturing and safely disposing carbon dioxide, raising vehicle fuel economy standards and replacing petroleum with home-grown biofuels like cellulosic ethanol.

9. He has the broadest base of supporters, has not accepted PAC money and is the least compromised by big money special interests.

10. Barack Obama has the intellect, natural talent and charisma to communicate effectively to the entire world, bring people together, change the status quo and move our country forward.

Ten Reasons to Vote for John McCain

John McCain

- National hero POW
- Works with both sides of the aisle
- Conservative socially IE: Pro-life, pro-gun etc.
- Strong on National security.
- Experienced by far more then the others
- Wants to end illegal immigration
- Wants to build the fence that he originally did not agree with because the people asked for it.
- Wants to keep the Bush tax cuts
- Wants to end "pork barrel" spending
- Wants to reduce entitlements (government give-aways)
- Is probably the best representative of what main stream America wants.
- Will responsibly end the war in Iraq. He is committed to staying so that there is not a civil war
like the one in Darfur.
- He is for affordable health care, not Socialized medicine


WNYC has a podcast discussion about Down Syndrome that was generated because of Sarah Palin running for Vice President. http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/episodes/2008/09/09/segments/108539

Who Should be President

Presidential Quiz click here

To take a Presidential Political Survey click here

I Was On Air Force One

John's Birthday Today

They Walked Away

The cars were totaled but BOTH
THE DRIVERS WALKED AWAY FROM
ACCIDENT. It is a good accident
when you can say that.

Interesting Books

Top 3 Children's Books

on Down Syndrome found on

About.com

1.ABC for You and Me

A basic photo ABC book with a wonderful concept, in which each letter is represented by a child with Down syndrome posing or playing with an object (apple, ball, cat, etc.). Designed for preschool to first grade, each page also has the corresponding letter and name of the object, to encourage letter and word recognition. A companion book, "1 2 3 for You and Me" is also available.

2.Russ and the Firehouse (Day With Russ)

This book is part of a series about Russ, a five-year-old boy with Down syndrome. Photos tell the story of Russ' day with his Uncle Jerry, a fireman, during a workday at the firehouse. Author Janet Elizabeth Rickert's focus on her son Russ' activities encourages readers to focus on the child and not his special needs (which are never mentioned).

3.Where's Chimpy?

Although this book features Misty, a girl with Down syndrome, no mention is made of her special needs. In photos and simple words, author Berniece Rabe tells the story of Misty and her daddy searching for her lost favorite stuffed animal. Since any young child can relate to the story, it is excellent for building awareness and inclusion at home or in a classroom.

Click here for more Recommended Books

About Down Syndrome Biographical

Compiled by Dr. Len Leshin

October is Down Syndrome Month

What is Down syndrome?

Down syndrome is a genetic diagnosis that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. Individuals with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. Down syndrome is not related to race, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status. The spectrum of impact on individuals’ intellectual abilities is broad.

How common is Down syndrome?

• Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. One in every 733 babies is born with Down syndrome.

• There are more than 400,000 people with Down syndrome living in the United States.

• Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels.

Found on the Health Informer Website

Don't Believe Statistics

Found on Parenting.com message board submitted by josborne "I thought I would write this as some encouragment for parents who have babies with Down Syndrome.
I do not have a baby with Down Syndrome, But I do have a brother with Down Syndrome. I know the doctors probably talk about all the things your child would not do because of Down Syndrome, I want to tell you about my brother.
I am 32 years old and my brother is 35, all he wants is to be like everyone else.Anything he wanted to try my parents let him try it.Here is a list of some of the things he was not supposed to be able to do.
Graduated high school, he got the 21 credits required to graduate and passed the test you have to pass to get a diploma.He could go to college.
He played the drums in the middle school band.He has a job at a park. He has his drivers license, owns his own truck and pays for it with his job.He drives himself to work and the store and knows how to line-dance.One day he wants to be able to live on his own and possibly get married.My parents have always encouraged him and let my brother try anything he wanted.I am proud of my brother and his accomplishments and my parents who pushed him to be everything he can be.
The doctors are not always right."

Lots of Interesting Information Found on the Web

14 of the Best Books and Articles on: Down Syndrome

as selected by Questia librarians

Fun Book for First Graders

If you give a mouse a cookie story read on Youtube. This is the story I read to the first graders as part of my cause and effect lesson last week.

Interesting Website

I found these site at KidsHealth and ndss National Down Syndrome Society
from a class I am taking at school.


The class I am taking is called Teaching Struggling Learners and this week we are learning about the brain. I thought these sites are interesting.

Also I learned about Fragile X Syndrome. I had never heard of Fragile X Syndrome. There is a possibility of a cure. Watch these videos on You Tube to learn more about Fragile X Syndrome. There are new discoveries everyday.

Ragged Point California

This is were we are going next Saturday. Ragged Point in California for a wedding. I found the first picture at the Ragged Point Inn Website. The picture on the right was on Flickr and was Uploaded on September 18, 2008 by lighthouse1052

Life Is Good

LIFE QUOTES, QUOTES ABOUT LIFE

Life is like a taxi. The meter just keeps a-ticking whether you are getting somewhere or just standing still. -- Lou Erickso

Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us. -- Thomas L. Holdcroft

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. -- Winston Churchill

Live as if your were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. -- Gandhiji

Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies. -- Ann Landers

Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.-- Buddha

Life is like riding a bicycle. You don't fall off unless you plan to stop peddling.-- Claude Pepper

It is not length of life, but depth of life. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Story on YouTube

Where the Wild Things Are

This is a video on YouTube. I will be reading this story to the first graders next week.

What to Say

Some suggestions about what not to say and what to say. The following suggestions are based upon the input of many parents of children with Down Syndrome.

Things TO say

These are the things parents have found comforting or made them feel good:

• "Congratulations."
  They just had a baby! What better response to show that you love them and their baby than to say congratulations. It made us feel like 'normal' parents when someone said that to us. If the hospital allows it, a bottle of champagne could be greatly appreciated.
• "He/She looks just like you."
  The baby probably does look like someone in the family. All of the baby's genes are from the family. My son looked exactly like my daughter did when she was just born.
• Friends and family who actually 'did' something like read about the disability (or find information on the web!)
  This really means something to the new parents. It shows love and concern for the baby. The day after we told Mikey's uncle about Mikey having Down Syndrome, he came to visit us with a handful of papers dealing with Down Syndrome he had gotten from the web. That showed us that he really cared.
• Offer to babysit.
  It is a fear of the new parents that their family will not accept the new baby. By saying something like, "Well, when are you going to let me babysit?" you are showing the new parents that you want to be part of the baby's life. This will be a great relief to them.
• "He/She will do fine."
  The new parents are probably pretty worried. They might not know much about Down Syndrome and they may be concerned about possible medical problems. Having a positive attitude will rub off on them. They don't need pessimism or negativity from their loved ones.
• "We'll all learn from him/her."
  This is another good way to show that you intend on being part of their lives. After all, how can you learn from their new baby if you are ashamed of him/her? Their new child will be an opportunity to learn about love, acceptance, and respect for the disabled.
• "We will always be here to help."
  Another very good way to show that you are going to be there. Let the new parents know that you intend on being part of their lives.

Things NOT to say

These are the things that parents have said really upset or angered them:

• "I'm sorry" or any form of pity.
  Pity is not what new parents want or need. What they need is love and acceptance of their new baby.
• "God gives special parents special children" or any variation.
  The new parents probably don't feel very special right now. Also, some parents may be a little mad at God. Trying to make them feel better with words like these might be appreciated by some parents and not by others. It is best to avoid this.
• "They're such loving children."
  This is a stereotype of children with Down Syndrome and demonstrates that you really don't know much about Down Syndrome.
• "Do they know how serious it is?" or any variation.
  Again, this is a demonstration of a lack of knowledge about Down Syndrome. Some parents may be angry and want to reply with, "How serious is it? Well, every single cell in his body has an extra chromosome... is that serious enough?"
• "You are handling this better than I could."
  This is an invitation for the new parents to say something like, "No, you would be wonderful." Suddenly, the conversation has switched to you instead of the parents and their new baby. Plus, you don't really know how the new parents are handling it, do you?

From the Website Down Syndrome for New Parents

For Virginia

Dear Virginia,

Please come home. I miss you.

Love,

Juneav

My Nieces

"Just when you think you have learned what you need to know in life, someone truly special comes into it and shows just how much more there is." This quote was found on Down Syndrome for New Parents.

Carry On

“There is one phrase which should be erased from your thinking and from the words you speak aloud. It is the phrase ‘If only.’ It is counterproductive and is not conducive to the spirit of healing and of peace. Rather, recall the words of Proverbs: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ 16” From an article by Thomas S. Monson, “The Profound Power of Gratitude,” Ensign, Sep 2005, 2–8 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In the same article the words from this Hymn:

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. …

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. …

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
“Count Your Blessings,” Hymns, no. 241

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

New Mormon.org

Visit the new mormon.org, where you can learn how the restored gospel of Jesus Christ provides answers to life's great questions. Visitors can chat online with missionaries, watch Church members' video testimonies, and request free media items.

Poem

Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the poetess, wrote:

It is easy enough to be pleasant,
When life flows by like a song,
But the man worth while is one who will smile,
When everything goes dead wrong.
For the test of the heart is trouble,
And it always comes with the years,
And the smile that is worth the praises of earth
Is the smile that shines through tears.
(“Worth While.”)

Thomas S. Monson, Miracles Then and Now from the Ensign Magazine November 1992, 68 from a talk given by President Thomas S. Monson The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Standing Outside the Fire

Speakout Stop using the r-word

Website about:

Our choice of language frames how we think about others.
It is time to respect and value people with intellectual disabilities.
It is time to accept and welcome all as your friends and neighbors.

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month -- 31 for 21

Here is Gabby. Isn't she beautiful? In honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October, she is being showcased because she is a beautiful baby, who happens to have Down Syndrome.


I like what I read on Mr. Plinth meta thread: "a friend told him that the gene for fundamental human kindness is on the 21st chromosome and that those with T21 get an extra helping."

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. I am trying to learn.