Talking Points #9

Citizenship in School:Reconceptualizing Down Syndrome
By: Chris Kliewer

1. "In establishing a representation of citizenship for all, Shayne recognized the transactional relationship of human reciprocity: Community acceptance requires opportunity for individual participation in the group, but opportunity cannot exist outside of community acceptane (pg. 3)."

I agree with this very much so. In order for a student to fully participate in a class setting, they need to feel accepted, like they have a place and role in the classroom. The student wants to have that inner feeling like that opinion and point of view matters, and if they speak, they will not be shot down by others. They need to feel a sense of safety in the classroom. Where they will not be jugded and ridiculed by others if they say the wrong answer. Feeling accepted in the community
will make them want to speak out and participate. The wont fear anything.



2. "The metaphor of "spread" illustrates the image of defect blanketing the unique humanness of students charged with the differences that matter. What is hidden under the cloak of incompetence is the individuality and personality of the human being.
Teachers who valued their children as citizens recognized each student's individuality (pg. 8)."

I loved this metaphor. Teachers need to look within the students. Dont judge them by their disorder or physical appearence. Whats inside is what truley matters, and thats what makes them unique. Make them feel valued and proud of themselves. Every student is different. Share these differences with the classroom, and allow the students to embrace them. Have no tolerance for bullying. Show students that bullying others is not okay. Have students share their personalities and individualities with eachother. Two students or a different race, or one with a disablity and one without.. may share personality traits which can bring them together. Have students share these traits. A teacher should value each of her students and make them feel this value.




3. "Understanding developed out of a constant process of negotiating and renegotiating relationships with peers, adults, and materials. Shayne and her colleagues saw their role as one of creating a relatively safe community in which the children felt confident in formulating and reformulating their web of relationships (pg. 11)."

This quote is my favorite, and I couldnt agree with it anymore. Allow your students to feel safe in the classroom. This will make them want to voice their opinion and speak out in class. Never make them feel dumb, no matter how wrong their answer is. Have them try again, and find them drive within themself to keep trying and not give up.

Thats what teaching is all about. Seeing that light bulb go off in your students head. Making your students WANT to learn and do their best. Making each one of your students feel like they have a role in the class and really matter. Relationships in the classroom are key. Teacher/student relationships as well as student/student relationships. Allow them to grow off of eachother and share the uniqueness and individuality.