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.

Mom's Caring Voice As Good As A Hug?

In the latest issue of Time, scientists have concluded that Mom's ability to soothe or pacify a situation can be powerful whether it is a hug that you receive in person, or over the phone.

The study which was conducted by Leslie Seltzer, a biological anthropologist, has suggested that the impact of this social bonding to either "friend or befriend" has a considerable impact on how individuals deal with stressful situations. Rather than reacting on impulse, these interactions that individuals may have with their mothers can help them diminish their stress homones or cortisol, by touching or talking.

As I read through this article, it reminded me of when I needed to make "cold calls" to hundreds of clients as a means to make new business. Prior to calling these individuals on the "cold call list", I would phone my mother who would be the voice of unconditional love and support on the phone. After hanging up, I knew that any task could be accomplished no matter how arduous or monumental. Until now, I follow the same philosophy and still call my mom when confronted with an uneasy situation.

For more information on this article, please visit:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1992405,00.html

Sources:

O'Callaghan, Tiffany (2010, June 7) Thanks, Mom! Time Vol. 175 No. 22

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.

The Results Are In!

Hello!

As the summer approaches, schools will be mailing back CRCT scores and report card grades. I am pleased to say that many of my students who prepared for the CRCT with me did fairly well. Several students even scored at a level three with all of the practice pages and workbooks that we used in the last few months. I am so pleased with the efforts of all of my students and look forward to working with them soon.

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.

CRCT Study Guides....

One more week until the CRCT and I hope that you are all prepared for this test. If you need some problems to work on leading up to the test date, here is a link that may help you:

http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CI_TESTING_CRCT

If you cut and paste this link on your browser, it will open up a page that has study guides from 1st through 5th grade. Have your child work on this with you as you review the answers with them when they are done.

I wish everyone the best of luck as they work on CRCT Preparation. 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, or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at cjoyjavier@gmail.com or visit my website at www.christinejavier.com.

Have a great Spring Break!

World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2010

Autism, a pervasive disorder that affects millions of people, is one of three diseases recognized by the United Nations. World Autism Day was created to recognize the prevalence of this disease and raise awareness as well as promote early diagnosis and intervention to those who have this disease.

Today is World Autism Awareness Day and many people around the world will be sporting their "blue shirts" to commemorate this most important day.

If you would like to see what your community will be doing to celebrate this important day, please log on to:

http://www.worldautismawarenessday.org/site/c.egLMI2ODKpF/b.3917085/k.8FDB/Event_Schedule.htm

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.