I was able to use the masks this past week, and I didn't realize how frustrating it would be to not have the use of both eyes.  I felt like it took twice as long to get anything done!  I was surprised that I kept running into things because I couldn't see it in my peripheral vision.  By the time I was done with my four hours, I was so cranky!  I can understand now why some students with disabilities and other struggles tend to act out in the classroom.  Overall, it was a good experience.

I am struggling with the speech impairments, though.  I went to Walmart over the weekend with the intent to do the stuttering simulation, but I ended up not doing it.  Right behind me was someone that I haven't seen in 20 years, who happens to have a sister that struggles with stuttering.  I felt like I would be extremely disrespectful and mocking if I did it then.  I'll have to try again.

Although I enjoyed making the evaluation/assessment continuum on the board, my favorite part of the week was watching the video,"The Best I Can Be-IEP." I loved seeing how the students blossomed after getting more involved in their IEP process.  Their self-awareness really helped them to stand up for what they needed and gave them great confidence.  I would like to help all of my students to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses so that they could also know what works well for them and what they need to be the most successful.  I had never thought about self-awareness and self-advocacy as a skill that should be taught in the classroom, but I can see the importance of it now.