Liisa Clarke - Teacher (Posted Dec 6 2005)
The I am a special education teacher teaching in a secure custody
unit
in Northern Ontario. My students are between the ages of 16-18 and most are
Aboriginal male. Many are below grade level and have had negative
experiences with school and lack any self-confidence in the classroom.
Presently we are doing a car unit. We just completed a study on the
Driver's Ed manual so when they are released they
can write their G1. We are
now doing model cars. They love it and are totally engrossed in their
project to the point they don't want to do anything else.
They don't believe they are studying English because it is not the
traditional material. They are reading detailed directions and following
instructions. We are using current car magazines
for assignments and they love it.
Their self-confidence has soared and this self-confidence
has transfered
to other subjects. They are eager, willing to take risks and the quality of
their work is 100% better.
I am going to continue using nontraditional materials in my classroom.
After Christmas break we are going to use Siamemse Fighting Fish for our
English class.