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Well, here we are, midway through August and time to get our heads ready for back to school. One item to check off your list might be that summer reading assignment you have been putting off. Go on, dig in and read! 
But, parents/guardians and teachers have to get ready too, so here are a few of my favorite resource links with some great ideas:
Enjoy your last few days. Then, be ready to hit the books, reconnect with friends, meet new friends, and have a great school year.
Graphic from Flickr Creative Commons License by stevendepolo.
By: SSPP Reads,
on 5/16/2012
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By: SSPP Reads,
on 10/19/2011
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Last weekend I had the opportunity to view HBOs Journey Into Dyslexia, directed by Alan and Susan Raymond. The free viewing took place at the San Francisco Public Library Main Branch (SFPL) and was sponsored by the Northern CaliforniaBranch of the International Dyslexia Association (NCBIDA). Video Verite is the website for the films of Alan and Susan Raymond. There are lots of educational resource links on the site, notably Parents Education Network, SAFE Voices, LDOnLine.org, and of course NCBIDA. What I found so moving about this 77 minute documentary was the story of world-famous micro sculpture and dyslexic Willard Wigan. As a child growing up in England, he was made to feel like nothing. One teacher in particular held him up to his classmates as an example of failure. He found meaning in the very smallest of things and his work is created in the eye of a needle. He slowed his body down so that he can sculpt the micro sized objects between heart beats, in one-and-a-half seconds. Check out the camels in the eye of a needle. His work is so small to view it properly one needs to use a microscope.
NCBIDA has a recommended list of books for parents, educators and students, you might want to check out here. LDOnLine.org also recommends a few as does GreatSchools.org.
Graphic from cbbc Newsround pictures.
ADHD to some is a racecar running at high speed:
Having ADD is like having a Ferrari engine for a brain. It will propel you to win many races in your lifetime. However, there is one problem. You have bicycle brakes! So, you need to see a brake specialist, someone like (Dr. Hallowell). Once you get your brakes strengthened, then the race car can win races instead of spinning out on turns.
To others, it’s a tug-of-war where one provokes, the other reacts and no one is willing to drop the rope. In last week’s blog I said ADHD was treatable but there is no cure. 70% of individuals who have ADHD in childhood continue to have it in adolescence, up to 50% continue to have it in adulthood (ADDitudemag.com). While not a disease, it is a disorder to be reckoned with both in the family and at school. Your child’s pediatrician, therapist, and school counselor are invaluable resources. Read everything you can (a few recommendations were posted in last week’s blog). Get the whole family involved. Here are a few things you can do, right now!
- Find something positive to say about your child to your child every day. So often he/she is getting negative feedback because of the behavior that doesn’t fit into a school setting. Children with ADHD can do well, even excel, when they receive help and support.
- Get your child engaged in some physical activities–tennis, swimming, martial arts, track and field, or even some team sports like soccer, baseball or softball.
- Give your child a hug. It’s pretty tough to show love and affection when you are battling each other. Think about it, when was the last time you hugged him/her? The two most important predictors of which children stay out of trouble are: feeling a positive connection at home and feeling a positive connection at school (National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health).
Recognize your child’s needs address those needs and advocate for him/her. Help your child learn about ADHD. Here are a few books you might check out: Shelley the Hyperactive Turtle by Deborah M. Moss (Woodbine House, 1989); Eddie Enough! by Debbie Zimmett (Woodbine House, 2001); Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos (HarperTrophy, 20o0).
Graphic from Flickr Creative Commons jennylinddesign.
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By: SSPP Reads,
on 10/5/2011
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Katherine Ellison, Pulitzer prize-winning investigative journalist, author, wife and mother, spoke at a workshop I attended recently. She shared her experience raising her ADHD son (now in high school). Buzz, A Year of Paying Attention (Hyperion Books, 2010) chronicles her year of investigating Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). According to the National Institute of Mental Health:
Scientists are not sure what causes ADHD, although many studies suggest that genes play a large role. Like many other illnesses, ADHD probably results from a combination of factors. In addition to genetics, researchers are looking at possible environmental factors, and are studying how brain injuries, nutrition, and the social environment might contribute to ADHD.
Ellison describes ADHD as “interest deficit” or behavior that is attempting to wake up the brain. She said that 5.4 million US kids are diagnosed with ADHD. According to the National Institutes of Health, 3 to 5 % of the US population has ADHD, yet more than half those surveyed in the Roper Poll (October 2010) mistakenly think that learning disabilities (including ADHD) are a product of laziness. More than two-thirds of parents think specific signs of learning disabilities are something a 2-4 year old will grow out of (also not true) and are therefore are more likely to delay seeking professional help. And, while 31% of parents say they would turn to teachers for information about learning disabilities, 43% of teachers think the home environment is at least partially to blame for children’s learning disabilities. Delayed diagnoses of LDs and ADHD results in time lost where interventions could have been established, time, research shows, that cannot be made up. ADHD is treatable, but there is no cure.
So, where to go for help? You can start with your pediatrician, asking for a psychiatric referral to get an ADHD diagnosis. You can read, talk to parents/guardians of children with ADHD and get connected to folks with similar challenges. Parents Education Network (PEN) is a good place to network. They also sponsor workshops and EdRev in the spring in San Francisco. Books to read include Ellison’s and Dr. Ned Hallowell‘s Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction. An online magazine I recently came across is ADDitude, containing lots of helpful information.
Check out some websites: CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder), LD OnLine (learning disabilities and ADHD), Harvard’s Helpguide. More next week.
Graphic Creative Commons License Marla Cummins.
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By: SSPP Reads,
on 8/24/2011
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Let’s talk about the ways we learn differently. Actually, let’s take a look at Learning Differences, reading resources for families with students who learn differently. This is the second of three blogs exploring SSPP Reads, your go-to literacy took kit
Assistive Technology (AT) is any kind of aid that assists the learner–something as basic as pencil and paper to Livescribe’s Pulse Smart Pen, recording/listening devices from Learning Ally (formerly Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic) , or audio books. There is much to learn in order to get the right tech for your student. Great Schools headquartered in San Francisco is the country’s leading source on school performance and a key resource for AT information. Check these links through Assistive Tech.
LD Links has loads of informational links–check out autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, speech and language delays, and more. A good starting place for you to familiarize yourself with learning differences and learning disabilities.
Explore key links to understanding accommodations in the classroom, modifications of curriculum, and psycho-educational assessments. Learn about IEPs, RTIs, and 504s! See Parent/Teacher Education .
The more you learn about learning differences, the better prepared you are to advocate for your student and to help your student learn to self-advocate.
Graphic from Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com; Creative Commons License.
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All About Learning Differences as of 1/1/1900
While not perfect, summative tests provide a snapshot of the school that can be compared to prior years (see Formative vs Summative Testing, Princeton Review). Public schools in the spring usually have high stakes summative tests, such as STAR–California Standardized Testing and Reporting–we don’t at Sts. Peter & Paul’s. But, our Junior High Students do have final exams in their core subjects.
The National Middle School Association (NMSA) is the only national education association dedicated exclusively to middle school education. A featured article by Catherine Garrison and Michael Ehringhaus on NMSA’s website discusses assessment.
The key is to think of summative assessment as a means to gauge, at a particular point in time, student learning relative to content standards. Although the information that is gleaned from this type of assessment is important, it can only help in evaluating certain aspects of the learning process. Because they are spread out and occur after instruction every few weeks, months, or once a year, summative assessments are tools to help evaluate the effectiveness of programs, school improvement goals, alignment of curriculum, or student placement in specific programs.
If you’re a parent/guardian of a young adolescent, you will want to check out NMSA’s Fundamentals for Student Success in the Middle Grades.
Graphic from Flickr Creative Commons License minciusodas
Parents Education Network is sponsoring the third annual EdRev at AT&T Park on Saturday, April 16. You won’t want to miss this fabulous event. I wrote about it last year. If nothing else, you get to go on the field of the World Champions San Francisco Giants! A few highlights:
- In an exclusive video address, 2010 World Champions San Francisco Giants center fielder Andrés Torres will discuss his own experiences with ADHD and welcome attendees to EdRev 2011 with a message of inspiration and empowerment. Go Andrés!
- Dr. L. Todd Rose, Co-Chair of the Mind, Brain, and Education Institute at Harvard will speak of his research on learning–that variability in learning is normal (and valuable), and learning depends on the fit between student and the context. In this keynote address at EdRev 2011, Dr. Rose will combine personal reflections on his journey with a fascinating glimpse into the revolution in learning that is just around the corner.
- DJ and live entertainment
- Live graffiti demonstration
- Skateboarding demonstration
- Giants Field activities
- Student Art Show
- lots of exhibits for students, parents, and teachers
Free registration for students and teachers! Come on down, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Well done Christopher!, May 5, 2006
By
Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
There are times when a book will capture your heart; it can happen in many ways, but each time it is fresh and new. This is the case as I read this delightful work by 13 year old Christopher Welch as scribed by his mother, Debra Welch. Christopher has learning differences but this has not quenched the fire of life within this special young man, nor his desire to share adventures of his life with others. We begin this read with a poem, a simple one, yet one whose words say volumes because they shine forth with the love of one young boy for his lake and the activity that awaits him there.
As we share in the adventure of Christopher, we learn how to catch a Bullfrog and care for it, even if it is injured; and he even shares the four stages of a frog's growth with us.
Along with the story we are treated to some wonderful pictures of Christopher, his frog hunting and his beloved lake. I actually learned some things about frogs that I never knew. Thank you Christopher.
I believe what makes this book is the passion that is within this young man as he writes of his frog hunting experience and his desire to share this information with others. It truly is a joy of his life and even for someone like me, who won't find much pleasure in touching a frog, I had to smile at Christopher's achievement in Bullfrog hunting.
I feel this book is for both young and old and all those in-between. First we certainly see the achievement of a young boy who has something to share and despite difficulties does just that. We have some top-notch information on Bullfrog hunting and great pictures that help bring the story to life; plus a work that is sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart. Good job Christopher! Thank you for sharing!
Shirley Johnson Senior Reviewer MidWest Book Review
http://www.amazon.com/Christopher-Bullfrog-Catcher-Shiveley-Welch/dp/1894936469/ref=Sr_1_1?i.e.=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233542084&Sr=1-1
Hank Zipzer is billed as the "world's greatest underachiever," because he has learning differences that make school more difficult for him than it is for other kids. This is actually #11 in the series and I can't wait to read more of these middle grade novels. Hank reminds me of several boys I've known including one of my sons. Based on the true-life adventures of Henry Winkler, Hank and his adventures are brought to life by the talented co-writers Lin Oliver and Henry Winkler - both accomplished story tellers. They write with humor and absolute veracity about something that didn't even really have a name or a diagnosis 30 years ago.
We know a lot more about how the brain works now and conditions such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, and various kinds of information processing challenges. We have a vocabulary, diagnostic tests, and teachers trained to recognize symptoms of learning challenges in the early grades. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma attached to being "labeled," but whether there are actually more cases of learning differences now or we are just getting better at diagnosing them, it is rare that teachers don't have at least one student in their class and in some cases, several students struggling with a learning disability of one sort or another.
Brain research has helped us learn much more about how and when human beings learn. Even without learning challenges, everyone has a preferred learning style and our optimal learning occurs in a multi-sensory way - by reading, listening, doing, reflecting.
What is great about this novel is that the characters, situations, and dialog all resonate. The story is skillfully told and the situations and characters are believable. Certainly, anyone who has helped a child struggle with learning differences will see that story reflected here. And, it's not just about the learning difficulty itself, it's also about self-perception, and coping with other people and their expectations. And for "tweens" there is the social aspect of not being perceived as different that is still as important as it's always been.
With his lead in the school production of "Anna and the King" at stake, Hank must score a B+ on the math test or his father won't let him stay in the play. Hank works with his peer tutor, Heather, who always acted "like her braids were pulled too tight." Hank's typical dance-and-duck response to uncomfortable situations is to be the class joker. But by using stacks of library books, Heather finds a concrete way to explain long division so that Hank finally gets it. We are as happy as he is at his "Eureka" moment.
"Seeing the answer to the math problem right there in front of me was like a door opening and letting light into my big, dark brain. My head couldn't visualize the numbers on the page, or understand the fancy math words. But I could see the books, count the books, and figure out the answer that was right in front of my eyes!" This AHA moment is what every teacher lives for. It's why they put up with everything they do to stay in the classroom. And good teachers, even a "peer" teacher in this case, will figure out what they have to do to convey the learning in a way the student can understand.
Series fiction allows writers to develop a character over time and multiple stories. For kids captivated by a character, it is almost impossible to have too many stories. I inhaled Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Cherry Lane, Black Beauty and other series when I was a tween. For kids who see their story reflected in Hank Zipzer, there are many opportunities to see him react to different situations throughout the 14 books of the series - so far. Visit Hank's website and share his stories with some of the learners in your family.
I have been peddling a completed middle grade novel for some time now and have had three requests for full submissions. The first two came back with personal rejections and invitations to submit future projects. I am still waiting to hear back on the third full but have been told to expect a wait of 3-5 months. Having endured an additional 40 query rejections and several others on partials with seemingly personal invitations to query future projects--I now have all my proverbial eggs in this one last basket.
However, I am nearly finished with my latest "future project" and wondered if I should wait the 3-5 months to hear back regarding the full sub of my last book before sending queries to the inviting agents on the new one. Is it unwise to overlap the query/submission process of two different projects?
Their slow pokieness should have no bearing on your forward motion.
You can have a variety of things in submission at any given time.
IF Slow Poke Publisher makes you an offer, great. If they pass, you've got other irons in the fire.
If EVERYONE makes you an offer you'll have fun juggling offers.
There's no down side to getting your "new" work out into circulation.
Miss Snark,
A question: the fiction editor of Esquire plans to send me a napkin for the magazine's Napkin Fiction Project. He says editors and agents have scouted writers who've written for this endeavor. Is this true? Could I really get attention for what I write on a napkin? Is this why I went to graduate school?
Should I go to the bar and practice now?
dunno;
sure, why not;
no, you went to graduate school to get laid; and,
yes.
Never turn Serendiptity away from the door, even if she's only dressed in a cocktail napkin.
Beat the Summer Slide with 
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