Power Point Template for EEX Project our version

Thursday Night Out : 

Thursday Night Out Ashley Schnaars &Michelle-Leigh Bilow schnaarsaa@knights.ucf.edu & michelle.bilow@knights.ucf.edu November 10, 2010 EEX4070

The Altamonte Springs  Advisory Board for the Disabled, Inc. : 

The Altamonte Springs  Advisory Board for the Disabled, Inc. The Altamonte Springs Advisory Board for the Disabled, Inc. is a non-profit volunteer organization that provides special attention to the Special Community Services Division within the City of Altamonte Springs Department of Leisure Services. The purpose of the board are to evaluate and fill the needs of the disabled in the area of social and rehabilitative activities. In addition, the board raises funds and host’s many special population social activities such as bowling nights, arts and crafts, karaoke, cooking class, and even themed dances. Being there at all times to any member of the special population who has any type of need is what this organization strives for. There are about 30- 40 special needs population attending these events.

Engagement Activities : 

Engagement Activities The community needs that was being expressed was for the special needs population a place to go and communicate with other people and entertainment was provided. It also gives their caregivers a break and the special needs population a chance to have fun. We were able to assist those attendees in craft projects, assist in a pumpkin decorating contest, chose songs for karaoke, assist with cooking demonstration and practical application of cooking instructions given, made sure that everyone who needed a dance partner found someone to dance (sometimes it was us), judge for the dance contest, and chaperoned a Halloween costumed dance. We also provided assistance with clean up after the events We fulfill our 15 hours of service by attending weekly events on Thursdays.

Participant Demographics : 

Participant Demographics Those who wish to be a participant of these events must: be age 13 and over, be able to function in a group structure, capable of participation in group activities, have independent bathroom skills, and be able to follow basic instructions. The group that we worked with did not fit the criteria of the IDEA because they did not meet the age requirements, its more of a extra curricular activity group that hosts fun and interactive events . The craft, karaoke, and cooking classes had on average of 20 – 30. The dances have on average 75 – 100 in attendance.

Arts and crafts night : 

Arts and crafts night Craft Night: We made bracelets, necklaces, and grouped to make a pumpkin and had a contest. Our group made a princess pumpkin. We did not win :O( but we had fun!

Karaoke Night : 

Karaoke Night This was the smallest turnout for all the ones we attended and yet it was so fun for all that attended and there was even dancing.

Cooking Night : 

Cooking Night

Cooking Night : 

Cooking Night Ranger Mike shares his recipes and teaches us how to make the recipes. We made either bloody worms or an octopus

Cooking Night : 

Cooking Night We also made pumpkin puke and popcorn treats – YUMMY ! Ranger Mike also has his pictures and recipes for all his classes listed on facebook.

Monthly themed dance : 

Monthly themed dance October’s Dance was a costumed Halloween themed dance. We were dance floor monitors and made sure everyone who wanted a dance partner got one, and judges for a dance and costume contest. We even celebrated someones birthday.

Ashley’s Perceptions of Differences : 

Ashley’s Perceptions of Differences When I was first told that we had to work with a special needs group, I was a little nervous about working with them because I have never worked with them before. I was told that they could be touchy feely, or even just shout out things that were not appropriate. I didn’t know what to expect and I had to go in with an open mind. After working with this group I feel more comfortable around them even though sometimes the position I was in made me feel uncomfortable. I am glad I got to experience this with them I am a lot more comfortable and now have a better understanding of what to expect with future students. We had arts and crafts night and I assisted a lady who has CPS. She was very excited to make her pumpkin and I was excited to help her. She let me wrap a fuzzy pipe cleaner around her finger just to make hair for her pumpkin. She was so happy with a big smile on her face.

Michelle’s Perceptions of Differences : 

Michelle’s Perceptions of Differences I think I was as apprehensive as I am in any meeting a new group type situation. My uncle has Down’s Syndrome, so I had some notion to what I was to expect. I think I was more apprehensive due to the fact that these were adults, which I was not aware of till we arrived. I went to an integrated school, and with that has come mixed feelings on full inclusion. I think that depending on the class and the child that works, or does not. Most of my experience with special needs population hands on has been with children with autism. It was a challenge at first. I think that from general population you have certain norms of how they will act or react to certain situations and they are for the most part true. With special populations you know ahead of time that it will be different and there is n I do not have the patience to be an Exceptional Education Teacher, as I have 3 cousins who do it and God Bless them for having that as a strength. I like the group we worked with and plan on staying with them after this class is over with my schedule permitting. The biggest impact was how scocieties ways seem to impact all sub sects as well. They had the popular girl and the big man on campus. I was just surprised to see that in my observations.

Connections to Your Course : 

Connections to Your Course We were completing the Teachers in Action project for EEX4070 Three Course Topics: Positive Student Behavior, Physical & Developmental Abilities, and ADHD For student behavior with positive reinforcement when we would be explaining the crafts. Physical & Developmental Abilities - we helped with inclusion at the dance with the wheelchair bound to make them feel included in the dance contest and dancing in general. ADHD – We helped keep on task and on point when they start to wander away mid task to “reel” them back to task. We understand thanks to our experiences that there are positive ways to address situations that arise. We will not say we feel completely confident in our abilities to comfortably teach exceptional students but thanks to our experience we are on way there.

Ashley’s Civic Engagement : 

Ashley’s Civic Engagement I feel that volunteering is a good way to become more comfortable and experienced with exceptional students. It allows me to make a difference in ones life and help them succeed to their greatest capability. The purpose it serves is to help those in needs and those who want extra time for learning. It serves the purpose to change what matters and gives hope and courage to those individuals who have the ability to learn to the fullest. Service learning is a very important aspect because it is the only way experience is acquired and gives me the opportunity to learn new things. I get to interact with students who need extra help and try and be the one to change their views on things. Positive reinforcement and attitudes really make a difference and the student who you are helping will be more open to actually learning with someone new. This experience is very time consuming and need someone with patience to work with these exceptional students. I do not think that I am a good candidate for that since my patience level isn't so high. I feel a little more comfortable about teaching and helping these students but I would not make it my first priority to teach exceptional students. I am glad I got the opportunity to learn more about it and try at least. I would encourage students and teachers to embrace in service learning because it allows the student and teacher to learn something new everyday. It helps the student and teacher who is doing the service learning become more aware of the difficulties it has with teaching these students and gives us an advantage to really understand where they are coming from.

Michelle’s Civic Engagement : 

Michelle’s Civic Engagement My perspective on civic engagement and/or volunteerism has always been high on my priority list. I have been a Girl Scout for 12 yeas(10 as a girl & 2 as a Leader), I co-established, organized, and lead a non-profit organization for single parents and their children for 4 years, Room mom for 2 years, a RAP tutor for a year, and have put in about 300 hours of dividending for Seminole County School District in 2 years. My motto has always been you are only going to get out of anything the effort your willing to put in to it. I think this group serves a major purpose if nothing other than socialization. My uncle was not socialized outside the family, well into his 40’s with both parents gone, he had not a lot of socialization and no job skills. Now with support of programs like these, he is living in a group home, has a job, and he has a sense of self worth. I think service learning is a HUGE part of learning. You can read about things you have never experiences and depending on the write may have a picture in your mind, but when you get hands on experience you live it. Actually my service here has made me want to stick with this group as much as my schedule will allow. I think it is fair to give back to honor those who helped my Uncle Paul get a life to be proud of. I would agree and encourage pre-service teachers to do service learning. I decided to switch majors after spending 200 hours in one year being a free assistant teacher three days a week. I figured if I could spend all that time working in this field for free, it was obviously a passion of mine.

Final Thoughts : 

Final Thoughts We thought this was an overall great experience, that it is a worthwhile organization, and definitely filling a community need. We will further our experience with special needs populations to gain experience and confidence in our abilities to teach those special needs students.