ABC News finds an extreme sports camp helps autistic children reach beyond their limits.
Click Here to watch this video:
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8457734&clipId=8457734&playlistId=8457734&cid=siteplayer
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Adopted does not mean adapted.....
I admire individuals who take it upon themselves to raise children who cannot be cared for by their birth parents. The saying that it takes a village to raise a child really holds true in Western society as more and more Americans and Europeans are adopting children from overseas.
One of the problems that have been found to occur in adoptees is the fact that they are having a difficult time assimilating to their new surroundings. According to a study done by Time Magazine, the adopted may find it rather cubmersome to make sense of their new life when their old life still haunts them.
Here is a link to the article describing why the adopted have a hard time adapting:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1997439,00.html
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.
One of the problems that have been found to occur in adoptees is the fact that they are having a difficult time assimilating to their new surroundings. According to a study done by Time Magazine, the adopted may find it rather cubmersome to make sense of their new life when their old life still haunts them.
Here is a link to the article describing why the adopted have a hard time adapting:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1997439,00.html
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.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
What is an IEP?
An IEP - also known as an Individualized Education Plan, mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, claims to meet the unique needs of an individual child who has been diagnosed with a disability. The IEP helps the children reach their goals that they would not be able to obtain otherwise in the general education environment.
Some information that an IEP contains is how the student best learns, what methods are used to show that a student is learning, as well as the service providers that can assist the student in achieving these goals.
During an IEP Initial Meeting, the results from various assessments that were conducted by the School Psychologist will be discussed by the IEP committe of general education teachers, special education teachers, administrators, and the parent. It is during the IEP meeting that the various accommodations, modifications, present levels of performance as well as goals and objectives for the student will be discussed.
The best way to prepare for these meetings is to review the Draft IEP that your student's case manager sends you as well as your Parental Rights. Additionally, take notes to make sure that you remember what was discussed during the meeting.
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.
Some information that an IEP contains is how the student best learns, what methods are used to show that a student is learning, as well as the service providers that can assist the student in achieving these goals.
During an IEP Initial Meeting, the results from various assessments that were conducted by the School Psychologist will be discussed by the IEP committe of general education teachers, special education teachers, administrators, and the parent. It is during the IEP meeting that the various accommodations, modifications, present levels of performance as well as goals and objectives for the student will be discussed.
The best way to prepare for these meetings is to review the Draft IEP that your student's case manager sends you as well as your Parental Rights. Additionally, take notes to make sure that you remember what was discussed during the meeting.
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.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Multicultural Book of the Week
Each week I will spotlight one multi-cultural book for you to read with your children. These books come highly recommended by leading educators, writers and illustrators describing how to appreciate literature that transcends commonly shared stereotypes.
For more information on this list, please click:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3757
The Journey: Japanese Americans, Racism, and Renewal by Sheila Hamanaka (Orchard Books, 1990).
The main character, Hamanaka, is deeply affected as she shares a piece of art she had created which reveals a story of her past. She shares a mural that shows the racism her family and other Japanese-Americans had experienced while being imprisoned in interment campes during World War II.
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.
For more information on this list, please click:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3757
The Journey: Japanese Americans, Racism, and Renewal by Sheila Hamanaka (Orchard Books, 1990).
The main character, Hamanaka, is deeply affected as she shares a piece of art she had created which reveals a story of her past. She shares a mural that shows the racism her family and other Japanese-Americans had experienced while being imprisoned in interment campes during World War II.
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.
Friday, September 24, 2010
1st Man Diagnosed With Autism - Donald Gray Triplett
It was 67 years ago that a young boy by the name of Donald Gray Triplett was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. At times Donald was part of an entertainment act - other times Donald had to forsake his dreams of show business for college.
Donald became the first documented individual to have Autism and is known in medical history books as "Donald T. Case 1".
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.
Donald became the first documented individual to have Autism and is known in medical history books as "Donald T. Case 1".
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.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Georgia Race for Autism Being Held Next Saturday!
The Georgia Race for Autism is being held next Saturday, October 2, 2010. The distances are 10K, 5K, and a 1 mile fun run. The race will begin at 10:00am.
For more information on this event, log onto:
http://www.georgiaraceforautism.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=166
Hope to see you there!
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.
For more information on this event, log onto:
http://www.georgiaraceforautism.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=166
Hope to see you there!
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.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Teacher Bonus Does Not Improve Test Scores...
After reading this article and being a teacher myself - I have always wondered - if we were paid bonuses or commissions based on our students doing well, would that make me a more effective teacher?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130029725&sc=emaf
I cannot answer that question with a "yes" or a "no" as of today. What I can say is that a study has been done affirming the negative. Teachers who are given bonuses are given bonuses. They are not better teachers if they make more money, they are just teachers with bigger pockets.
In my years of teaching I can honestly tell you that the single most effective way that can show how well or poorly the students will do in the classroom is the amount of effort that is placed on managing the "learning time" of a student. A teacher can prepare the most elaborate powerpoint, colorful flyer, and most detailed lesson plan. However, if at the end of the day the students cannot remember what they needed to know before walking out of the classroom, then all of that effort is futile.
I have used an approach with my students differently from my peers and find that sometimes, being consistent and having the students work just as hard as you and sometimes even harder, really shows when they take these tests. So the next time your child comes home from school simply say to them:
"Show me what you learned - and don't say NOTHING.".
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.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130029725&sc=emaf
I cannot answer that question with a "yes" or a "no" as of today. What I can say is that a study has been done affirming the negative. Teachers who are given bonuses are given bonuses. They are not better teachers if they make more money, they are just teachers with bigger pockets.
In my years of teaching I can honestly tell you that the single most effective way that can show how well or poorly the students will do in the classroom is the amount of effort that is placed on managing the "learning time" of a student. A teacher can prepare the most elaborate powerpoint, colorful flyer, and most detailed lesson plan. However, if at the end of the day the students cannot remember what they needed to know before walking out of the classroom, then all of that effort is futile.
I have used an approach with my students differently from my peers and find that sometimes, being consistent and having the students work just as hard as you and sometimes even harder, really shows when they take these tests. So the next time your child comes home from school simply say to them:
"Show me what you learned - and don't say NOTHING.".
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.
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