We have discussed our sketches around your questions.

Liss' parents don't listen to her because: They think it is an unimportant little problem. They think that she is just a child Their are so busy with their life.

But Liss thinks that she doesn' t mean anything for them.

She can: Call the Norwegian contact-telephone for children and ask for help. Go to a grown up - maybe a teacher- and ask for help, so that they together can talk with the parents. Scream so that the parents can understand how serious this problem is. Tell the children how she feel.

Hans' parents won't let him go to the cinema because: They think he is too young They are afraid that he will get scared.

He can: Be calm and try to explain the parents what the film is about. Ask one of the grown ups to join them. Tell a little liar - that children on twelve are allowed to see the film. But then he maybe will get bad conscience.

Maybe some of the other children on Kidlink will discuss what they think Liss and Hans can do.

From Ragnhild, Jonas, Lise, Andreas and Marius - Heide is on a trip to Maroco.

Hello Ragnhild, Jonas, Lise, Andreas and Marius (lucky Heide in sunny Morocco).

I can see you've thought a lot about Hans & Liss' parents. You say that Hans could tell a little lie about the film, but then he might get a bad conscience. If he breaks the law by going to see a 15 film, maybe that would give him a bad conscience too. Even if his parents let him go. What do you think?

best wishes,
Liz

Thank you for answering us.- Liz Exton. We can tell you that it isn't dark the whole day here. We have daylight from 8.30 to 15.00. The polar circle is further north. We enjoy doing langlauf and downhill when we are skiing. We don't have a skilift but we practise something called Telemark skiing.

This week we have been working with " Being heard" Three of us: Marius, Lise and Ragnhild have made two little sketches. The first is about a girl called Liss. Two boys tease her at the school every day. But when she tries to talk with her parents, they don't listen to her.

The other one is about a boy called Hans. He is twelve years old. He has agreed with his friends to go to a cinema. The film is allowed for children older than fifteen. But when he asks his parents, they say no. Hans think that is unfair, because the others are allowed to, and they are as old as him.

Jonas and Andreas has written a letter to the mayor about the traffic here.

Dear Sigmund Vedstad.

We are two pupils from Sollia school: Jonas Rybraaten and Andreas Nordahl. We wish that there in our rural district well be bikepath and lower speedlimit. Because it isn't safe to walk or bike along the road with such a high speed.

Just past the school there is 60 km/h but where else it is 80 and 70 km/h. In the summer holiday when there are many on holiday some people drive 100 km/h in 80 speedlimit and too fast in the 70 and 60 speed limit. We suggest that the municipality do make lower speedlimit and make a walk/bikepath from "Rondanegjestegård" to "Atnsjø cafe" about 10 km. So we can walk, bike, ride and ski and have a safe school road. We think that children are more important than cars.

With regards from
Jonas Rybraaten and Andreas Nordahl

Hello everyone at Sollia school,

You have almost as much daylight as we do in England. It's light here from about 8:00 to 16:30.

Marius, Lise and Ragnhild, your sketches are very good. Did you discuss why Liss' parents won't listen to her? And what Hans' parents' reasons were for not letting him go to the cinema? Maybe some of our other friends can discuss your sketches and tell us what they think. How can Liss and Hans make their voices heard?

Jonas and Andreas, I quite agree with you! Most cities need more bikepaths. I lived in Amsterdam for a while and the bikepaths there are wonderful. They even have special traffic lights for bikes. I think it's a very good idea for children to write to the mayor and make their voices heard on matters like this.

Thank you for sharing your work with us,

Liz
(Kidlink helper)

We are working through the special needs module. Our class did some of the blind activities. We wanted to share our observations.

Mrs. Bank’s class
The Galloway School Houston, Texas

I think it was interesting being blindfolded. It was also somewhat scary. It would be frustrating having to have someone always with you, though. IT would be challenging to learn in school. That is what I think about this experience.

Bryce

I will tell you about what it is like when are blindfolded. It is like a blink person that needed help. You needed a partner to help or you are going to crash into thins without noticing. It can remind you when you grow up you don’t want to be blind. You might get scared, but you have to trust your partner. You might feel like you are going to bump into stuff. This is why I should tell you what it is like to be blindfolded because I don’t want you to get frightened.

Alan

It was pretty weird and fun at the same time. I ran into Mrs. Bank and the wall. If we could do it again, I would volunteer. I recognized many objects and people by the sound they made and feel. I learned those senses are very useful. Along the way we talked to others in the school. While standing there for a few moments, I almost lost my balance. I had fun and learned a lot. When I was blindfolded at lunch it was very fun. All I needed help on was opening my drink. I can’t believed I didn’t get anything on my clothes! There you have to remember where you put your food. If I didn’t I would have eaten Jonathan’s food. My food was tacos. Doing these experiments made me happy I have all my senses.

Courtney

I am about to tell you how it felt to be blindfolded. It felt weird !! When I felt something, I really had to think about it. I had to listen. That is what it felt like to be blindfolded.

Natalie

I’m going to tell you what I felt when I was blindfolded. It felt weird to have to depend on someone. It was also frustrating to not be able to see. That is what it felt like when I was blindfolded.

Nick

I like being blindfolded in this project. It was awkward being lead by someone else. But is was easy identifying the rooms I was in. When I was writing my name, I thought it would be fine. It was not. I liked doing this project.

Anna

Some people in this world are blind and some wonder what its like. Well, me and my fourth grade class experimented on what it was like to be blind. The first thing we did was get partners. Then one of the partners put on a blindfold, takes the partner’s elbow and walked through the school. While doing this it can feel scary, but fun. So maybe if your wondering what its like to blind, You can do what we did.

Morgan

Two mornings ago we did an experiment. We were blindfolded and had a partner lead us around we had to trust them, it was super hard.

John

Excellent! I really enjoyed reading about your experiences.

Some of you noticed you have to rely on your other senses and learn to trust people. You also learnt how tricky it can be doing everyday things like eating your lunch and writing your name. Do you think this experince has changed how you think about people with special needs?

Are there any other schools who have tried this experiment and would like to share their observations with us?

Liz
(Kidlink helper)

your friend,
Liz
(Kidlink helper)