Citizenship in School: Reconceptualizing Down Syndrome

The beginning of this article was difficult to understand and I found myself going over paragraphs several times. Once I got through the first couple of pages the reading was much more enjoyable. I enjoyed the story telling portions of the article and the teacher, Shayne Robbin's that he spoke of sounds like a wonderful role model for all teachers. I was awed by her ability to include children of all levels in the same lesson plan and not only include them but have everyone learning in their own special way.

1)He had to be up, dancing in the middle of the circle, acting it out. He just couldn't resist. He could not help himself. It got all the kids going. We were all Wild Things and it just came alive! Here Shayne is telling a story about the first time she read Where The Wild Things Are in class and the reaction that Issac, a student with Downes Syndrom, had. I loved her ability to allow him to express himself the way that he needed to she is a true example of letting children learn in the least restrictive environment possible. I feel like many teachers would see this as behavioral disorder and would stiffle Issacs way of learning to conform to the "norm' .
2)Vygotsky found that the culture of segregation surrounding people with disabilities actually teaches underdevelopment of thinking through the isolation of children from socially valued opportunities. This is such a vallid point. Children with disabilities who are segregated are void of the experiences that most other children are priveleged to. Everyone's experience is enriched when these children are included. How do we teach children humanity when we dont treat all equally and give everyone the same opportunities?
3)She took Lee's idiosyncratic performance mannerisms and experiences seriously, recognizing in Lee a thinking, affective, valuable individual whose ability to connect with his community could occur only after he was afforded membership. This is such a key point stated in the article, how do these children connect with the rest of society if we shut them away from society. They are people first and need to be treated as people not as disabilities.

I just want to add that I feel teachers like the ones in the stories told here need to be commended on tunning in to the needs of All their students and embracing the challenge to give these children the most enriching and meaningful experiences. I am sure it's not easy coming up with new fresh ideas on how to make lessons work for everyone's needs but these teachers obviously put time, and caring effort into giving these children what they desreve.