The Resource Room
Resource Room Newsletter - April 2003
http://www.resourceroom.net
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This Month's Feature: Spelling
Writing and Spelling: Ask the Experts (Louisa Moats)
http://www.pbs.org/launchingreaders/writingandspelling/meettheexperts_1.html
Reading Rockets interviews Louisa Moats about writing and spelling.
Resource Room: Reading and Spelling
http://www.resourceroom.net/OGLists/index.asp
Includes exercises for adding suffixes to words and phonics-based word
lists, and
Five Guidelines for Learning to Spell and Six Ways to Practice Spelling
http://www.resourceroom.net/myarticles/Jones_spelling.html
and
Six Ways to Practice Spelling
http://www.resourceroom.net/OGLists/6waysspelling.pdf
The second file(second part of first article) is in PDF format; Adobe
Acrobat
(http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html) is the
place to download the free software to access it.
Spelling Pudding
http://family.go.com/raisingkids/learn/activities/feature/dcpt28learn/dcpt28learn2.html
You'll have to endure the pop-up ads, but this is a fun one. Messy, but fun!
Musical Spelling Rules
http://gardenofpraise.com/spell1.htm
The 1-1-1, silent e, y and patterns for plurals are set to music. There
are also lots of other neat spelling and reading ideas and resources on this site.
When Older Kids Can't Read
http://www.sonoma.k12.ca.us/topics/reading_corner/pdf/Older_Readers.pdf
This article by Louisa Moats addresses reading and spelling and students
in upper primary grades and later.
In the news (note: online news is often removed after 7-14 days. However, you can get more by going to www.google.com and clicking on the "news" tab and typing in a key word such as "dyslexic.")
Slingerland Program Microscope
http://gilroydispatch.com/news/newsview.asp?c=44002
The Dispatch, Thursday April 17, 2003
Parents are fighting to keep this reading program from being cut in
their school system.Bill plays down FCAT for disabled students
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/local/5650604.htm
Tallahassee Democrat, Thursday April 17, 2003
Florida decides that students with LDs can get a high school diploma
instead of a "certificate of attendance" even if they don't pass the FCAT.
MCAS too high a hurdle for some students
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/local_regional/fran_mcas04202003.htm
MetroWest Daily News, April 20, 2003
"They were always told if they worked hard and did their best they'd
eventually be rewarded. Now Mike Collins and Lisa Williamson have been
told their best just isn't good enough." High-stakes testing strikes
again...
Personal stories in the news:
Arnold Artist is a Cut Above
http://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=10539
April 17, 2003
Being in special classes because of dyslexia, Andy Enzi didn't get to go
to arts and crafts. Then somebody gave him a chain saw!
Bending Minds And Wills Like Beckham
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48465-2003Apr17.html
The Washington Post, April 17, 2003
Actress Parminder Nagra, star of "Bend it Like Beckham," talks
about learning to slide her foot while kicking a soccer ball and
memorizing tapes of scripts.
A Lifelong Secret Revealed
http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2003/04/20/bbicanre.htm
An ice storm and coincidences lead to a retired telephone field
technician sharing the story of his struggle to learn to read.
Golden girl Sarah to visit palace after award win
http://w3.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/story.asp?StoryID=12659
Cambridge News Online, 16 April, 2003
Aside from working hard because of her dyslexia, Sarah's
conquests includeincluding a 50-mile-trek of Scafell Pike in the
Lake District, and a voyage on the Lord Nelson tall ship.
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You're welcome to come chat with us!
Net Haven http://www.net-haven.net
Net Haven is a small, friendly chat site where parents and
teachers can supportively share challenges and ideas.
Chat topics are not strictly enforced -- we've been known to wander!Some of the educational resources available from the Resource Room Store. You can order online from our secure shopping
cart.Stone Fox Comprehension Companion
http://www.resourceroom.net/products/StoneFoxComprehension.asp
- 27 pages of chapter-by-chapter exercises sent directly to your
computer for the ridiculously reasonable price of $2.95.
Harry Potter Comprehension Compendium
http://www.resourceroom.net/Products/HarryPotterComprehension.asp >
More than 170 pages of comprehension exercises, chapter by
chapter, to accompany Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The
workbook is sent directly to your computer as an Adobe Acrobat
PDF file. $12.95.
Tandem Reading
http://www.resourceroom.net/Products/tandem.asp
Help new and not-so-new readers make the connection between
phonics and good literature. This guide to reading with a child
is designed for parents or tutors to support phonics programs
with guided practice and reinforcement -- but without losing the
fun of reading! Strategies include "penciling" (a simplified
version of Alice Ansara's technique) and practicing words and
patterns before oral reading.
Drill Bits and Drillable Syllables
http://www.resourceroom.net/Products/drillbits.asp
Word lists and flashcard sets based on the syllable patterns as
taught in Orton-Gillingham programs. Lists are broken down into
problem areas such as individual vowel sounds, blends and common
"irregular" spelling patterns.
Tools for the Times Tables
by Dr. Steve Chinn (accompanying workbook by Susan Jones)
http://www.resourceroom.net/Products/toolstimes.asp
Who needs a whole book and a workbook about the times tables?
Well, who needs to understand numbers?
Written especially for hands-on learners, this book and workbook
are full of strategies and ideas so that students can really
master the times tables and come away with a true understanding
of numbers and how they work.
If you know someone of any age who finds calculations
frustrating, take a look at these books.
Books for New Readers
http://www.resourceroom.net/Products/literacy.asp
These easy, excellent and inexpensive books were written for
older readers. Romance, adventure and non-fiction are all featured.