Leslie Gray: September 2011

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Research with Homeless and Transient Familes

Research with Homeless and Transient Families

Topic:

The topic I would choose would be academic achievement on homeless and transient families. It has been shown that children living in poverty situations have lower academic achievement. My research would include traveling among them to see where intervention could be implemented to help them in later academic situations.

Positive Contributions:

The positive contributions that could be made by this research would be to improve the academic abilities of children whose families are homeless or transient. This could reduce or even eliminate some of the guilt felt by parents who can do little to change their situation. This would give their children a better start to life.

Rational:

Providing children with early interventions would help them have higher academic skills in school. Living with people gives you a great insight into their thoughts and ways of life. I would be able to find where the families get resources that they need such as shelter, food, and medical care. Finding what resources they use on a regular basis and being able to implement early interventions would help all involved.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Research simulation

For my research simulation I have chosen to research the effects of attending preschool on Autistic children. I have a heart for working with children who have autism. The struggles that they and their families deal with on a daily basis are more than I can comprehend. I am interested in learning if attending preschool will help the social and language skills of autistic children. Autistic children are often social outcasts and have difficulties with language and speech skills. In my opinion autistic children being around peers with normal speech skills may help them pick up the language faster. I believe autistic children being immersed in a social setting with other peers will help to increase their socialization and help them to feel less isolated. I believe this experience will also help general education students with being more sensitive towards others.

If anyone has any ideas or personal contacts that may assist in the research process I would be interested in browsing through them.

Personal Childhood Web

Mom-My mother
Influence: showed me a love of learning that has lasted a life time. She would have “Tea Parties” with me but insisted on real food not pretend. She would read to us each night and tuck us in. She showed her love and affection by being there and showing me how to make it on my own. Her impact on my life is ongoing. She is still guiding me to be a better and stronger person.

Dad: My birth father
Influence: taught me that continuing your education may be tough but is always worth the effort. He would take me on camping trips each summer and road trips to historical places. He always called me “sis”. His influence takes me to historical sites. I have an appetite for history.

Don: My step-dad (Dad)
Influence: taught me that hard work was important in life. He taught me how to drive my first stick shift. He moved me back and forth to college many times without question. He considered me his own and became my father when mine abandoned me. He still checks in on me and makes sure my head is on straight.

Grandma D: Paternal Grandmother
Influence: she taught me how to be a “proper” young lady. I remember how I should behave to this day. She showed me how to make ordinary everyday things into magical paths to the imaginary world. A refrigerator box could be a house, doctor’s office, fort, or a cave below hundreds of feet. She showed me how to cook and sew so I could be a good wife. Though she is not with me now I still can look at a plain item and imagine where it could lead me.

Grandma Z: Maternal Grandmother
Influence: taught me that women could be fierce and independent. She loved flowers and taught me a love of them as well.