Transitioning
@GardenGerty (160696)
United States
March 27, 2018 9:14pm CST
The young lady on my caseload is in fifth grade. She will leave this school and go to middle school next year.
Our teacher has arranged for her to participate a few times in the class she will probably go to next year.
We cut our morning routine short at our usual school.Miss A--- had breakfast, ordered her choice for lunch and did her hygiene and beauty routine. We use a locker room and she brushes her teeth, tidies her clothes, puts on deodorant and brushes he hair so she looks her best. She can be a very pretty girl.
I drove her the 10 miles to the next town. We checked in at the office and went upstairs to the special classroom. She did a group social studies lesson with a group of four other students.
After that we went to cooking class, where they learn cooking skills and often make a snack. They made cheese quesadillas today. The students do worksheets evaluating the recipes and then they have a recipe work page to put in their own cookbook.
The third class she had is called Practical Arts Education System--Paes. This has a variety of skills that students work on that help them get evaluated for future work opportunities, and interests. It really is helping them get ready for life.
All in all she will get to go for about twelve days. I hope she continues to be interested and enjoy meeting new friends.
I feel like it is helping her look forward to next year and new challenges and experiences. It seems to be a good transition.
13 people like this
12 responses
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
29 Mar 18
Yes, her "label" is Intellectually Disabled. She is also bi-polar, has depression, and has recently been found to be on the autism spectrum.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
29 Mar 18
@sallypup It is a biochemical condition in her case. I am sure if her life circumstances were different it would be better, but it is something that is part of her to begin with, not necessarily caused by circumstances.
2 people like this
@sallypup (61155)
• Centralia, Washington
29 Mar 18
@GardenGerty So young and depressed. I've heard this is more common now adays- a sad comment on society.
4 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
28 Mar 18
So many teens need to learn practical skills they no longer learn at home. I'm glad my mother taught me to cook and bake and do my laundry, etc. The parents of some of my friends wanted them to spend all their time on academics and not be bothered with household stuff. So a brilliant child never learned to function in a way that enabled her to run a household and her mother is still helping her even after she's married. Of course, there's much more to it than that, including some health issues.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
29 Mar 18
There are things I wish I had worked harder on with my kids, but they did take classes that helped equip them for some of life's choices. In their school at that time they were required.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
2 Apr 18
@bagarad Part of our "cooking" class included flower arranging, setting fancy co ordinated tables, and I seem to remember being graded low on those things. We got to plan some menus and budget, but I do not remember being included in a group. I do know that my dad taught me how to shop and find a bargain, and I learned cooking at home from about nine years on up. We had health and nutrition elements as well, but most of what we were taught was contradicted later.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
29 Mar 18
@GardenGerty When I was young we had a required home economics course in Junior High, but I found it a waste of time. We learned to make fondue, something I have never cared about, and I already knew how to cook the other things I did care about. The sewing section was also lost on me. I hated sewing, although my mom was good at it and made all my clothes. In class I created one apron with Mom's help at home. Most of the girls in my class could already sew, so the teacher spent the most time with them and had me using the machine to stick on paper to practice. Big deal. I wasn't motivated to learn to sew until I got married. Then I bought a few books and taught myself.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
29 Mar 18
@JudyEv It has made her very excited.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
29 Mar 18
We will go Tuesdays and Thursdays from now until May 8. I think it is great.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340200)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Mar 18
@GardenGerty That is quite a period of time. Hopefully it will be long enough to make her transition easier.
2 people like this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
28 Mar 18
Thats so cool she can get use to those classes and stuff now. Never heard of paes.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
29 Mar 18
I had not heard of it either. It seems similar to a program I have seen at other schools for all students to sample possible job skills.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
28 Mar 18
This is very good training for these young girls, to learn all of life's essential lessons that we all need to know about. It will be good for this young girl, to learn all these things.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
29 Mar 18
Another good thing about this larger school is that she will have more of a peer group. She will begin to learn how to socially get along.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
29 Mar 18
@GardenGerty This will be a wonderful opportunity for her, to grow and develop, emotionally and mentally.
2 people like this
@shaggin (72141)
• United States
29 Mar 18
I really wish every school had time to teach them skills like this. I love cheese quesadillas and they are easy to make! I like how they are transitioning her this way that's wonderful. It will help ease some of her nerves. Will you be with her next year?
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
29 Mar 18
No it is a different school district. I need to continue where I am, as I am needed there.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
2 Apr 18
The school is much larger. She has no real peer group at the elementary. She is treated okay, and tolerated, but really no one is "like" her. At the larger school there are students she knows from when they were younger and attended our school and some go to the mental health after school group. We feel like it will be great for her. She also will benefit, I think, from going between classes.
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
29 Mar 18
I think she will. She is getting to know a variety of other students and will have a peer group.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
29 Mar 18
She will be connected and familiar with the school before she goes full time next year.
1 person likes this
@rakski (123255)
• Philippines
1 Apr 18
@GardenGerty oh wow that is good to hear. Great job for you!
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
28 Mar 18
I wished all kids could take the paes and cooking, that would help all of them in life. I am glad your day went well with the student.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
29 Mar 18
The way it was explained to me is that PAES is connected to job readiness evaluations and the school guidance program. I am not sure, but it may be that all of the students do at least some in the tech center and PAES area.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
29 Mar 18
It is interesting to see larger programs. I have not ever worked with the older students before.
2 people like this
