Talking points # 9 Kliewer

1. "Acknowledging students with Down syndrome as thoughtful, creative and interested learners with personal identities that distinguish them from all other people suggests an individual value that enhances any context containing the child."
I took this quote as a way of saying that Down syndrome students should be seen as creative thinkers just as every other child in the class is seen. They should not be held back from certain activities because it can only be for "creative thinkers", but should be told to engage in these activities because it may actually help them become thoughtful and creative. It will also keep them interested in learning because they would be able to participate and engage in the classroom conversations and activities. While letting the children engage in the activities, teachers also have to realize that these students may have different ways in expressing their ideas and they have to take it into consideration and include it into the classroom.

2. "Through citizenship, they came to recognized as thinking, creative individuals who added unique and valuable dimensions to the group."
I think that this was a really good statement to sum up alot of the article. These children were lucky to have people who cared enough to help them and see them as creative individuals who do have a say and have ideas about life and learning. If it weren't for this, these children may not have had such success as they did and would still be seen as individuals who cannot or are not capable of creative thinking and important ideas.

3. "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."
This quote reminded me of class today and how we talked about putting the child first and then the "label". A child should be seen as a child and an individual before being seen as disabled. If a teacher just labels his/her student with a disability, they are more likely to become distant with that student and the child will just fall farther behind. If the teacher embraces the student as a child and individual before seeing their disability it will help them to become comfortable and not be shut out. The teacher will never know what the child is capable of if they are blinded by the child's so-called disability and they will never show their knowledge if the teacher does not give them the opportunity.

I really enjoyed reading all the stories in the article. It helped me keep interest and it also is the sort of topic for stories. Seeing children face everyday life in school when they are labeled with disabilities, is much easier to understand than someone just saying, oh children that are labeled with disabilities have a hard time in school, period. He helped us see differences and similarities in didn't students experiences of going to school with a disability. I really believe that if all teachers and schools accepted disabled students into the classroom just as they do with the typical students and include them in all the classroom activities, more students with disabilities would advance and come out on top.