Category: Social-Emotional

October 6th is World Cerebral Palsy Day

As part of our novel study, we have been learning about cerebral palsy. The protagonist in the book Out of my Mind, Melody Brooks, is a young girl with cerebral palsy. For some people, having cerebral palsy can impact their mobility, muscular function, and speech.

On October 6th, many people observed World Cerebral Palsy Day which aims to raise awareness around this condition. Did you know that it is estimated that over 760,000 people globally have cerebral palsy?

Check out the video below to watch a video where children interview Carolyn, an authour and activist with cerebral palsy:

Please note: while the children in the video have been given permission to ask questions about Carolyn’s medical history, we should always be mindful to not ask people with disabilities about their diagnoses. While some people may feel comfortable sharing, many may not, so we want to be respectful!

Our First Novel Study: Out of My Mind

We have officially begun our first novel study… Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper! This realistic-fiction book follows Melody, a child with cerebral palsy who is non-verbal. Despite her many interests, talents, and skills, Melody is unable to communicate her thoughts and feelings to those around her due to a lack of assistive technology.

 

Out of My Mind

Lochdale’s speech-language therapist, Ms. Filippelli, came in to our class to teach us about different forms of communication. We began to learn about how assistive technology, such as communication or “core” boards, can create a ‘voice’ for those who are non-speaking. We discussed why some people may not use verbal communication, or may be more comfortable with communicating in other ways.

Feel free to watch the video below for an interview with Ben, who is a non-speaking person who uses assistive technology. In the video, he explains how using an iPad or ‘core board’ helps him to feel less ‘trapped’ inside his head.

Please note: the video contains a brief mention of people protesting against gun violence.

Bystanders vs. Allies: A Historical Example

Today, our class discussed what it means to be a bystander to injustice. We discussed how, sometimes, people may not feel empowered to speak out if they witness something wrong. Sometimes, people might not speak up to help others if they are worried about their own safety. We learned that being an ally means that you use your voice to advocate for others. In history, we examine the friendship between Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald by reading the book Making Their Voices Heard.

During the 1950s, both Ella and Marilyn faced oppression because of their gender. However, Ella also faced discrimination because of her race; many music venues would not hire her to sing there because of segregation and racism. After hearing this, Marilyn stood up as an ally and used her power and privilege to demand that Ella be hired. She had always admired Ella for her talent and her perseverance. We brainstormed ways that we can use our voices in powerful ways when we witness injustice, bullying, etc.

Check out one of Ella Fitzgerald’s most famous songs below:

 

Body Percussion: Rhythm + Self-Regulation at Lochdale!

This week, we have been practicing our rhythm, beat, and timing with our percussion coach, Daniel! He is a musician who specializes in drum styles and rhymical beats from across the world. So far, we have learned about a rhythm called a “Hambone” (a song often drummed and sung by African Americans across the Southern USA). We also talked about how we can use stomping, clapping, and jumping to help regulate our emotions and reduce stress.

Below is a video of a drumming prodigy. A “prodigy” means that someone is very talented at something at a very young age. Have you ever played  the drums?