321 Learn! » Learning Disabilities

When Students Lie to Teachers

Jennifer Wagaman — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:15:25 +0000

Lying is not a novel concept, a fact that parents will readily share with any who ask. Children will lie when it seems easier in the moment than telling the truth and dealing with the consequences of the truth.

Teachers will often deal with students who are telling lies for one reason or another – getting out of homework, not admitting what really goes on at home, not wanting to get into trouble, and sometimes simply not remembering. Understanding why a child is lying is important as this helps the teacher understand the best consequence for the lie.

If a child is trying to hide the truth about something, there could be good reason for the teacher to know what that truth is. Here are some common reasons why a child might lie: about homework:

Lies about homework -

The child may not have understood the homework
The child may be struggling with the concept being taught
The child may not have help at home (or the materials to complete an assignment)
The child may have forgotten to do the homework
The child may simply be trying to get out of extra work

Depending on the reason, the teacher should handle the resulting consequences differently. A child trying to get out of the work, for example, may be rewarded with extra work. A child without help at home or who is struggling to understand the work may need extra time with the teacher and modified homework for a time.

SpellQuizzer, a Spelling Software

Jennifer Wagaman — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:15:21 +0000

SpellQuizzer is a spelling program that provides parents an alternative to traditional spelling practice that often turns into a fight.

What is SpellQuizzer?

SpellQuizzer is a simple spelling software that parents or teachers can download onto their computer and allows a parent or teacher to create a spelling list, and a student to then be quizzed on that spelling list. Students are given a recorded verbal prompt and must type the word. If spelled correctly the next word is given and if spelled incorrectly, the program provides the correct spelling and the option to respell those words at the end of the list.

The software is simple to install and comes with a thorough and easy to follow help section that will allow any parent the ability to use this program. Need additional help? There are several detailed video helps on SpellQuizzer’s website providing all the additional help a parent might need.

Does SpellQuizzer Work?

SpellQuizzer is a unique spelling program that gives students an alternate to the traditional call and response, paper and pencil spelling practice. This program is a particularly excellent choice for students with writing disabilities as it allows them to learn the spelling words without the burden of writing the words down.

Will SpellQuizzer be right for every child? Most likely not. Some children may need the extra reinforcement of putting pencil to paper to practice their spelling words. Some children may simply not like typing their spelling words. Many children will enjoy this spelling program, though, and with a free trial and low cost, there is nothing to lose.

Want to win a copy of SpellQuizzer? Leave a comment below and earn a chance to win a free copy of SpellQuizzer! Contest runs through Friday, January 15, 2010. Winner will be contacted by email.

Understanding Children with ADHD

Jennifer Wagaman — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:03:58 +0000

Teaching a child with ADHD is difficult. Parenting that child is even more difficult and being that child is the most difficult. It is important to remember, first of all, that the child is not choosing to misbehave or be inattentive. In fact, the very act of focusing or attending to a task may be nearly impossible for the child.

A child with ADHD has trouble focusing. When told to go pack his backpack at the end of the day, he may get lost and find himself over by the pencil sharpener, not sure what he was supposed to do or where he was supposed to be going. This same child may have trouble writing down assignments, completing a simple task or following a class lesson while the girl behind him keeps tapping her pencil on her desk.

Ironically, this same child with ADHD probably does not have trouble focusing in some areas of life. Video games may hold his attention for hours on end without taking a break. This does not lessen the validity of his disability, though, as this is what Dr. Phelan calls a high interest activity.

To jump into the mind of the child with ADHD a teacher has to attend to every sound around her at the same time. She has to also plan dinner, think about what she will do after dinner and day-dream about going for a walk in the woods at the same time. There is so much going on in the head of the child with ADHD and the ability to shut out some thoughts is simply not there.

Remembering this when working with a student who struggles with ADHD may help the teacher have a little more patience. Read some tips for working with students who have Adhd.

Hurricane Names and Social Skills Lessons for Special Needs Students

Jennifer Wagaman — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:23:43 +0000

Each year the National Hurricane Center publishes a pre-approved list of names for the season. These names can be a jumping off point for teaching students social skills.

Teachers and parents who work with children who have special needs must be proactive and teach children the proper social cues and responses. Here is one unique way to do that.

Use the current hurricane season to introduce students to what a hurricane is. Show pictures, video clips and read about how a hurricane forms and how it can be so devastating to an area that it hits. Then have students brainstorm emotions and character traits that would accurately describe a hurricane.

Have each hurricane name printed on an index card and pass them out to the students. Here is the list of the 2009 hurricane names:

• Ana
• Bill
• Claudette
• Danny
• Erika
• Fred
• Grace
• Henri
• Ida
• Joaquin
• Kate
• Larry
• Mindy
• Nicholas
• Odette
• Peter
• Rose
• Sam
• Teresa
• Victor
• Wanda

Have each child become a hurricane in turn, acting out the emotions and character traits listed on the board. After the child/hurricane does something, the teacher should call out “freeze!” and everyone has to stop and discuss an appropriate way to handle the situation.

A good way to conclude the lesson is to have a class discussion on how the child who was being the hurricane should have acted/reacted to situations that would have been more appropriate.

This is a great lesson to tie into science class as they learn about hurricanes. They can also work on their writing skills as an excellent follow up assignment could be a journal entry about a situation in which they reacted poorly and how they should have reacted differently.

20 Free Online Resources for Readers and Writers

Jennifer Wagaman — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:38:05 +0000

The web is a great place for readers to find free books and connect with other book-lovers online. Writers can also use the web to find the tools they need to create, write, and publish their work. Here is a list of 20 free online resources that almost any reader or writer will enjoy:

Resources for Readers

Online Books Page – This University of Pennsylvania resource provides more than 35,000 free books that can be read online. This site is an excellent place to find classic books, banned books, and other popular reads.

Classic Reader – Classic Reader is one of the best places to find free classic books online. The site offers fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short stories, and books for young readers.

Read Print – Read Print is an online library with more than 8,000 free novel, poems, and short stories. It is a great site for students, teachers, and readers who enjoy classic books.

Librivox – Librivox volunteers provide free audio books that can be downloaded to your computer and transferred to MP3s and other music players. New books are constantly being added.

Goodreads – Goodreads is a book-lover’s dream. The site allows you to track what you have read, form a book club, and get recommendations on what to read next.

Reader2 – Similar to Goodreads, Reader2 allows users to create a booklist online and find new books to read. This free social service also provides a virtual community to discuss books and authors.

Shelfari – This book-oriented social media site is a good place to show off your bookshelf and discover new authors.

BiblioPhil – Readers can use this free service to rate and keep track of the books they read. BiblioPhil also lets users track book loans, book recommendations, and the condition of books they own.

Bookins – Bookins is a free service for book-lovers on a budget. The site allows you to trade books with other members. You can get any book (or DVD) shipped to you for less than $5.

Resources for Writers

ThinkFold – ThinkFold is an online brainstorming and outlining tool that works well for individual and collaborative writers. Work-groups can interact on a shared outline and see changes being made in real-time.

Zoho – Zoho is a web based suite of productivity apps. Zoho offerings include an online word processor, spreadsheet maker, document manager, note taker, presentation tool, organizer, and a full-featured wiki.

yWriter – Designed specifically for authors, this free word processor leaves the mind free to write by keeping track of work and breaking novels into scenes and chapters.

RoughDraft – RoughDraft is a free online word processor for writers. It instantly backs up files, automatically creates cover pages, and provides special modes for writing novels, plays, and screenplays.

Writewith – Writewith is an excellent tool for writers who write in groups or work with an editor. This free app allows you to upload and share documents, assign tasks, and track all changes and actions.

Big Universe - This award-winning web community is a nice place for young writers to create and publish their own book online. Big Universe members have created nearly 10,000 books to date.

Writing Room – Writing Room is an expansive online community for writers who want to discuss writing, improve skills, and publish work online. The site also offers contests and trade secret videos.

Novlet - Novlet is a unique web app that supports collaborative, non-linear writing. Writers can use the free app to work together on projects and take current stories in new directions.

NaNoWriMo – This annual writing project encourages amateur and professional writers to use the month of November to write a 50,000 word novel. The site offers endless encouragement and a community forum for writers to get help and discuss ideas.

Blurb – Blurb is free bookmaking software that can be used to create and publish your own books. You can order completed copies for only $4.95 each.

Guest post from education writer Karen Schweitzer. Karen is the About.com Guide to Business School. She also writes for OnlineColleges.net, an online college resource.

Attention Deficit Disorder

Jennifer Wagaman — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:37:13 +0000

ADHD, the disorder that tends to effect more boys than girls: is it over diagnosed as a result of poor parenting? Is the child who can’t sit still in class simply disobedient or did he have too much sugar or other food additives?

Some teachers still believe that ADHD is a made-up disorder; an excuse for parents and teachers to use medication to manage discipline problems in the classroom. In fact, ADHD is a very real, very frustrating disorder that effects more students than we probably realize at this time.

This great book: All About Attention Deficit Disorder provides straight-forward honest answers regarding this disorder, the diagnosis and the treatments. Even if you think you understand ADHD, check out this book. You may be surprised at what you learn!

Teaching in an Inclusion Classroom

Jennifer Wagaman — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:24:42 +0000

As we get ready for the new school year, many new teachers are finding themselves preparing for an inclusion classroom for the first time. While many teaching programs help prepare new teachers for the challenges that they will face, these programs can fall short when it comes to giving a clear picture of how to handle the difficulties of an inclusion classroom.

The number one important thing to keep in mind is to remain flexible. Working with children who have disabilities will provide an extra challenge and there will always be something new and different to face each day and each lesson. Remaining flexible will help the new teacher sift through each issue as it comes up and adapt to the necessary changes.

Read more tips on teaching in an inclusion classroom.

Test to Identify Genetic Defects

Jennifer Wagaman — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:07:05 +0000

According to British researchers, within the next year a new test could be used to identify any and all of the 15,000 known genetic defects while a baby is still within the mother’s womb.

This test utilizes karyomapping, which basically looks for any abnormality in the baby’s DNA. Additionally, the test could identify chromosomal defects that would prevent the baby from being able to survive. The test has been used to correctly identify cystic fibrosis in both the UK and in the United States.

While this test is a huge step that would enable parents to know about potential genetic defects that would effect their child, there are concerns that this could be the beginning of a designer baby trend. Parents could theoretically eliminate the possibility of giving birth to a baby that is anything less that perfect, while at the same time, raising the abortion rate.

While it may be helpful to know about problems that a baby will have, where is the line that indicates that medical testing has gone to far? Parents who have children with special needs have often mentioned the blessing that their children have been to them and the life lessons they have learned from raising a child who does not fit the societal norm.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Association will set strict limits on what this particular genetic test can be used to test for. Potential disorders to test for include Huntington’s disease, spinal muscular atrophy and autism. Professor Tony Ruthford, chair of the British Fertility Society says that this test could very well be a Pandora’s box, but reiterated that the protocols allowing for very limited use of the test will remain strict.

For more info: Universal embryo test ‘very near’

New Study for Autism

Jennifer Wagaman — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:04:44 +0000

Researchers are doing one of the largest scale studies on Autism called Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI). They are looking for 1200 women who are pregnant and already have one child diagnosed with Autism. The study will begin by following the women as they are pregnant, and continue to monitor the child through three years old. They are looking at both environmental and genetic factors that may contribute to the diagnosis of Autism in a child.

Families who have one child with Autism and are not pregnant currently but may become pregnant in the next few years are encouraged to participate as well. Researchers are eager to have families join the study as early during their pregnancy as possible and will continue to enroll families in the study for four years. They are looking for women who are fewer than 20 weeks pregnant in order to be able to obtain the most data possible for the study.

Both the National Institutes of Health and Autism Speaks have funded this study that will take approximately 8 years to complete. One of the study sites is in Baltimore, Maryland under the study Coordinator, JaDenna Jones.

Learn more about the study and how you may be able to participate by going to EARLIstudy.org

or contact JaDenna Jones for more details:

By Phone:
(443) 287-4768
(877) 868-8014
By Email: EARLI@jhsph.edu

“Autism Escapes” Helps Children Travel to LADDERS Clinic

Jennifer Wagaman — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:09:40 +0000

A new “Angel Network” called “Autism Escapes,” is helping children and their families across the country get to Mass General’s widely acclaimed LADDERS Clinic for children with autism and co-existing medical conditions.

Commercial flights can be quite stressful for both children with autism and their parents, which is one reason why the physician parents of 10-year-old Michael, who has autism, have convinced corporate jet owners and pilots to pitch in to help families travel to Boston; the project is sustained by donations of funds and private jet hours, grants, and fundraising activities and hopes to expand into providing respite travel for families in the future.

Aside from the free flight, children are also treated to pre-flight tours of the aircraft to get them accustomed to the environment; a behavior specialist is also on board. Flights arrive at nearby Hanscom Air Force base in Lexington, and children are then transported to LADDERS, one of the country’s premier programs for children with autism.

Dr. Margaret L. Bauman, Associate Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Director of LADDERS said, “This service should allow families who might otherwise be reluctant to travel with a challenging child to do so without concern for that child’s behavior during the trip, and with the knowledge that they and their child will receive the specialized attention needed to make this trip as easy as possible.”

If your child has autism/autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and a co-existing medical condition, such as seizures or a gastrointestinal disorder, your family may be eligible for a flight to LADDERS. Be sure to check the Autism Escapes website for details.

Guest post by Michelle Fabio, who writes about online education at OnlineEducation.net.