Multisensory Lesson for the World Cup 2010!!

For all of those who love International Football, (or Soccer as it would be known here in the United States), here is a quick lesson to help your children be more engaged with the game.

This lesson will focus on your child's understanding of where the different teams are located on a global map. This is certainly helpful if your child is rooting for one team but does not know who, what, or where the opponents are from.

For example here is what you can have your child do while watching the game:

• If your child is rooting for Team USA and they are playing against England, have your child locate England on the map
• Draw the flag(s) of the country playing against Team USA.
• Ask your child to find out how long it would take if you and your family were to travel to that other country. Have them imagine what that other country may be like (examine the landscape, people, language, food, and traditions).
• View sources that may better illustrate what that country is about.
• After doing this quick research project , have your child write one paragraph about what they have learned about that country.

Log on to the following website to help with your research:

• Wikipedia: FIFA World Cup 2010
• CIA Factbook
• Country Reports

While you are watching the game(s) your child will have not only found where these countries are, but will know where they are in relation to where they live. This will surely expand the world view that your child has and give them perspective as far as time and distance.

As a recap, here are the 32 countries that will be participating in the
2010 World Cup:

• * Australia
• * Japan
• * Korea DPR
• * Korea Republic
• * Algeria
• * Cameroon
• * Côte d'Ivoire
• * Ghana
• * Nigeria
• * South Africa (hosts)
• * Honduras
• * Mexico
• * United States
• * Argentina
• * Brazil
• * Chile
• * Paraguay
• * Uruguay
• * New Zealand
• * Denmark
• * England
• * France
• * Germany
• * Greece
• * Italy
• * Netherlands
• * Portugal
• * Serbia
• * Slovakia
• * Slovenia
• * Spain
• * Switzerland

Happy viewing:)

If you are in the Atlanta/Marietta/Kennesaw/Vinings/Sandy Springs/Buckhead area (Cobb County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cherokee County) and have any questions about the CRCT, SSAT, SAT, GED, Summer Tutoring, Orton-Gillingham, Handwriting Without Tears, Writing Strategies, or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at christine@learningridge.com or visit my website at http://www.learningridge.com/. If you need immediate assistance, you can call me at 404-964-8533.

ADHD Foods to Avoid (and Choose)

Many parents are aware of many medications that may help their child with ADHD symptoms. However, did you know that there are some foods that help (or hinder) ADHD as well?

In an article published in msn.com, five foods are listed in helping with, and exacerbating the symptoms of, ADHD.

5 Foods to Choose:
1. Essential Fatty Acids
2. Vitamin B Complex
3. Protein
4. Calcium/Magnesium
5. Trace Minerals

5 Foods to Avoid:
1. Sugar
2. Salt
3. Additives
4. Hydrogenated Oils
5. Caffeine

For more information on this article, log on to:

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/adhd/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=100163625&imageindex=1

If you are in the Atlanta area (Cobb County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cherokee County) and have any questions about the CRCT, SSAT, SAT, GED, Summer Tutoring, Orton-Gillingham, Handwriting Without Tears, Writing Strategies, or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at christine@learningridge.com or visit my website at http://www.learningridge.com/

Science in the Summer....A Multisensory Lesson on Bioluminescence

Growing up in the Southwestern part of the United States, there was not much "science" that one could experience outside. Other than the tumbleweed that flies through the pavement during a short sandstorm or the occassional snake that you might see while hiking, the urban Southwest is really boring in comparison to the vast wildlife in the Southeast.

That is why the season that I always look forward to when it comes to nature gazing is summer. For over eight years now, I have been privilege of watching fireflies roam through the humid air every evening. On occassion, I will see them dancing and lighting up their lower abdomen. This scientific process where the firefly will light up the bottom part of their tummy is called bioluminescence. This is also one of the only times where I feel like a four year old who is standing outside waiting for these harmless but eternally amusing organisms hover over our garden.

If you would like to create your own "natural light" with the assistance of a firefly, here is a quick lab set up:

1. Grab a medium sized (12oz or more) plastic water bottle.
2. Remove the label from the bottle and poke a few small holes in the bottle using sharp scissors.
3. Retrieve some grass and a few drops of water to keep the "plastic ecosystem" firefly friendly.
4. Slowly, but surely, collect your fireflies (make sure that you have at least one female and one male in the bottle so that they can entertain each other) and usher them into their "plastic ecosystem".
5. After you have collected enough fireflies to your liking, turn off the lights where you plan to use your "natural lights".
6. Watch the fireflies glow:)
7. Release your fireflies back into their natural habitat.

We had conducted this science lab and were entertained for a little over a half hour!

If you are in the Atlanta/Marietta/Kennesaw/Vinings/Sandy Springs/Buckhead area (Cobb County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cherokee County) and have any questions about the CRCT, SSAT, SAT, GED, Summer Tutoring, Orton-Gillingham, Handwriting Without Tears, Writing Strategies, or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at christine@learningridge.com or visit my website at http://www.learningridge.com/. If you need immediate assistance, you can call me at 404-964-8533.