https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850 Out of My Mind by: Sharon Draper en-us 2022-10-19 17:14:33 UTC 2025-12-20 09:22:59 UTC hello@padlet.com ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351179875 The title "out of my mind" represents a child named Melody who was born with cerebral palsy. She has never been able to talk or speak words to communicate her thoughts to her family, those thoughts are only run through in her mind.]]> 2022-10-21 19:33:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351179875 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351204726 Melody: She changed when inclusion was introduced into the public school system. Melody wanted to prove she was smart and had thoughts of her own by speaking through a Medi-talker. Melody set her own goals to compete in the Whiz kids quiz competition through this life changing device.

Catherine: Melody's paraprofessional adapted Melody's learning materials to represent "real grades" and supported Melody by being her advocate.

Melody's Parents: As doctor's assured that Melody couldn't hear or speak, her parents never gave up by giving Melody positive childhood memories. 

Ms. V (Violet) The neighbor: As Melody's caretaker while her parents were at work always believed Melody could understand every word she said. She taught Meldoy how to read and programmed her smartboard.]]> 2022-10-21 20:05:15 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351204726 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351211604 I find myself relating to Mrs. Gordon, Meldoy's 5th grade english teacher. She is understanding, positive, and an encouraging figure to Melody. I teach a similar passion to preschoolers without bias and strive to reach each child in my classroom. I find ways even if it takes a bit extra to help a child learn and be comfortable at school.]]> 2022-10-21 20:14:49 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351211604 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351232000 Before the 1980's many children with disabilities were institutionalized or hospitalized due to their condition. Children with a disability were seen as unhealthy and most times abandoned by their families. Many cultures rejected disabled children and they were not allowed to come to school. Melody would have not been given a chance to participate in school or activities if she were born before this time period. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act passed in 1990 giving rights of students with disabilities and the services provided, the law makes schools more inclusive and effective in providing education to students at a mainstream school (CDC, 2022).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 2). What is cerebral palsy? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html ]]> 2022-10-21 20:43:19 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351232000 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351274655 After winter break, Melody takes Elvira her Medi-Talker to school for the first time. Melody experienced being the center of attention because she can express what she feels with words. Melody is able to tell jokes and communicate with her peers at school. The story narrates Melody having the many of firsts, including her aids fashion style. Melody refers to Catherine dressing funny and needing to update her style throughout the book. Later on, in the book Catherine improves her clothing image by purchasing more stylish items for Melody's liking. ]]> 2022-10-21 21:54:32 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351274655 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351300789 In this book, there is sadness; being born with cerebral palsy, being forced to be silent, memories that have words, words that have meanings and not being able to tell anyone for so long. By far, this book has unsettled happenings in it...the fish and missing the plane.

Before the smartboard, Melody tried to tell her mother the fish jumped out of the water bowl, she tried to save it, but the bowl fell off the table, breaking, and the fish died as a result. Melody has lived without a voice to tell anyone about this incident until later in the novel. Melody protested by having fits in a way to alert her mother, this was the only way she knew how to tell them something was wrong. She called them tornadoes. Her parents didn't figure this out until much later in the story.

When Melody was due to compete with the Whiz kids quiz team in Washington, the plane left early. None of the other team members called to tell her, while Mr. Dimming's, the teacher responsible lacked the effort to include Melody by notifying her parents of an early flight change. Melody has experienced heartache, and this is one scenario I find upsetting for a child. Melody accomplished a milestone by allowing herself to be who she is in front of others. This was a turning point in the book showing Melody was unwanted.]]> 2022-10-21 22:54:14 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351300789 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351303282 After missing the plane, Melody wanted to go to school to face her peers. I find this an act of bravery. Her mother preferred if Melody stayed home due to the weather and these circumstances.  Melody stood strong as her mother was gathering items to drop her off at school and get to her own job. Looking out at the mirror, Melody seen her sister Penny behind the car as her mother was about to back up. Melody purposefully started having a "tornado," frailing her limbs to get her mother's attention. It wasn't enough as her mother backed up hitting Penny. Penny survived in the end, but this goes to show Melody's parents have work to do and need help with trying to understand their daughter better.]]> 2022-10-21 23:00:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351303282 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351310211 Melody cannot express herself to others because of her physical disability. Melody experiences many conflicts and not having a verbal way to speak words from her mouth is the primary battle. I see Melody's anger at her body and not being able to control it or understand why it doesn't work. I also believe the book tries to knowledge Melody's struggles with technology and entering in all the information she wants to communicate in her own type of language.

Handler. (2020, January 24). How does cerebral palsy affect speech & language development? Handler Henning & Rosenberg LLP. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://www.hhrlaw.com/blog/2020/january/how-does-cerebral-palsy-affect-speech-language-d/]]> 2022-10-21 23:19:54 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351310211 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351310982 The definition.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 2). What is cerebral palsy? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html ]]> 2022-10-21 23:21:49 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351310982 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351313409 Technology used to speak words.]]> 2022-10-21 23:28:49 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351313409 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351324148 The author displays inner emotions by having Melody turn off her Medi-talker in chapter 18, regulating what she is able to control (Draper, 2019). The author wrote about Melody missing the plane causing her to be upset. Melody reacted by pushing at her sister's toy when she offered it to cheer her up. While pushing the toy away Penny loses her balance not expecting Melody's reaction causing her to bump the top of her head. Penny became upset as her sister couldn't tell her she wanted to be left alone. Melody was portrayed as hurt feelings and she wanted isolation. Melody couldn't express her emotions through her face so she could indicate in these small ways.

Draper, S. M. (2019). Out of my mind. Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, a Centage Company. ]]> 2022-10-21 23:57:20 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351324148 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351329307 The author tries to illustrate Melody's emotions by her guilt; thinking it is Melody's fault because she cannot communicate or maybe self-pity. On page 261, Melody says, "the morning started out like crystal, but the day has turned into broken glass" (Draper, 2019).

Draper, S. M. (2019). Out of my mind. Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, a Centage Company. ]]> 2022-10-22 00:10:58 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351329307 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351331497 The family dynamic.

Written by Mary Ellen Ellis Mary Ellen Ellis has been writing for CerebralPalsyGuidance.com since 2016. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds undergraduate and graduate science degrees. As a f. (2020, June 7). Siblings and cerebral palsy. Cerebral Palsy Guidance. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com/2016/06/14/siblings-cerebral-palsy/ ]]> 2022-10-22 00:16:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351331497 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351349194 Penny being the healthy child reminds Melody of the things she cannot do. The book hints some jealousy as Penny gets to live a normal life. Melody loves her sister and sees that her parents get to love a child without disabilities just the same. I think these things matter to Melody that they get to experience this. I see the novel explaining Melody's maturity on this topic. Melody's mother does spend more time with Penny and Melody has more of her father's time.]]> 2022-10-22 00:57:58 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351349194 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351359080 In the end of the story, I predicted that Penny would need recovery but would not end up in death. I had my thoughts but couldn't imagine that this family could have any more tragic events. I felt that Penny would make it, this event could have gone very badly but it didn't. In the end, Meldoy learns her sister will be fine but an eye opener for the parents of these two children. ]]> 2022-10-22 01:21:38 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351359080 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351366993 The best part of the story is when Melody gets the option to use language. Her ability to tell how she feels and shape her own identity. Although Melody couldn't speak out; she absorbed everything. She hears noises, smell, and tastes. In chapter 2, Melody hears songs, lullabies, colors, smells images when music is played, "jazz makes me itch" and "country music is like lemons" (Draper, 2019).

Draper, S. M. (2019). Out of my mind. Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, a Centage Company. ]]> 2022-10-22 01:38:00 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351366993 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351370097 The book had many events to keep my mind thinking about Melody. I felt frustrated for her to have all the feelings and not be able to tell anyone for such a long time. She couldn't share any of it and she knew her body would never do what she wanted. I felt the authors story expressed each character in detail to give me a sense of sympathy. ]]> 2022-10-22 01:45:05 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351370097 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351370858 The adult characters in the book I respected for their duties to assist and honor their job when being involved with Melody. I do think Mr. Dimming's had other intentions that he didn't want to deal with Melody and her family on the Washington trip. As for the classroom students in H-5, I felt they tried recognizing Melody as much as possible. Other classroom friends who figured out Melody was the smartest girl in the school, started talking with her, some envied her. Especially Clarie, it's ironic that she was jealous of Melody. Clarie says, "I'm not trying to be mean, honest but it just never occurred to me that Melody had thoughts in her head" (Draper, 2019).

Draper, S. M. (2019). Out of my mind. Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, a Centage Company. ]]> 2022-10-22 01:46:55 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351370858 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351371238 While reading the book, I felt lucky to be who I am. I felt blessed to be healthy and have healthy children of my own. I thought to put myself in the shoes of a parent to someone like Melody having Cerebral Palsy. The emotions the parents went through, how they handled each day, to stay positive, and financial obligations. Melody has to fight to get what she wants when others who live a normal life can easy just say what's on their mind. To have an open conversation with another person freely or tell them you love them comes naturally to most, but not Melody. Melody explained this in chapter 5 as, "I live in a cage with no door and no key. No way to tell someone to get me out" (Draper, 2019).

Draper, S. M. (2019). Out of my mind. Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, a Centage Company. ]]> 2022-10-22 01:47:54 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351371238 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351371830 I didn't feel like the book had a final ending but more of a beginning to Melody's perspective. I could have liked to see something more to close the story. I did like the variety of personalities in the characters and the meaning of kindness.]]> 2022-10-22 01:49:10 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351371830 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351371864 I think giving some words of Melody's bibliography at the end of the book would have been appropriate. I would have liked more on her feelings of Penny and how her family will move forward in their life after the accident. I would want some type of apology said to Melody for her mother not taking the time to understand her better, so she doesn't feel an ongoing fault. ]]> 2022-10-22 01:49:18 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351371864 ahagle832 https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351372042 This book teaches us to believe in oneself, respect others, accept people who are not the same as you, and lessons on friendships. Melody experiences things not being fair, people leaving her out, and friends that are not true.]]> 2022-10-22 01:49:42 UTC https://padlet.com/ahagle832/f77wwsf1okg57850/wish/2351372042