Classroom FM Amplifier

A classroom amplification system provides great teaching and learning opportunities for both student and teacher. If you have ever been in a classroom, you know that it is not often that it is completely silent when a teacher is lecturing or giving instructions. Someone may be opening their desk, getting supplies out, sharpening a pencil, clicking a pen, tapping their fingers, coughing, sneezing, whispering, etc. For a student with a hearing loss, even a slight one, it can be difficult for them to ignore those other sounds and focus only on the teachers voice. It might also be difficult for them to hear a soft-spoken teacher above the other distractions.

How do I know this? Because my daughter, Hailey, has a 30% hearing loss in her left ear and this has been a constant struggle for her since pre-school. She was fortunate last year in that we just opened a new high school. In every room of that high school is an FM stereo amplifier with microphones for the teachers to use. The amplification of the teachers voice gives Hailey the clarity and distinction she needs in order to ignore the other sounds around her and focus on what the teacher is saying. Many students have also commented that they like it when the teacher's use the microphone as it is easier to hear them. I think these amplifiers should be in every teacher's classroom!

http://www.hear-more.com/classamplification.htm

Personal Development Podcast

I teach a class based on the book written by Sean Covey called "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens". The class is designed to encourage teens to make healthy choices in their lives, kick back habits, and learn to deal with people who just make us want to scream! It is an encouraging, fun, self-reflecting, self-realizing, and motivational class. We discuss dreams, hurts, relationships, school, life experiences, and more. By the end of the block we have established friendships that go beyond the surface and reach deep inside of who we really are. This podcast goes right along with the message I try to reach with my students...

http://www.robinsharma.com/subscribed_videos.htm

The Mint Website

Financial skills are extremely important for students, teacher, well...everyone! It seems the ability to count change, balance a check book, write a check properly, etc is an uncommon skill for our youth thanks to the vast and ever-changing world of technology. However, as a teacher, I still feel that these skills are extremely important.

I have found a website that will be a valuable asset to my Math of Business class. The Mint is an education website that has opportunities for students, parents, and teachers to develop their knowledge of basic, but oh-so-important, financial skills. It will be a great resource for students and their parents to practice the skills we learn in class.

http://www.themint.org/index.html