Resource Room Newsletter - October/November 2002
<http://www.resourceroom.net >
Links, articles and lesson plans
This month's feature: Learning in 'content area' classes
Even extremely bright students with learning disabilities can struggle in content area classes that are not modified for their learning differences; the "merely" average or above average learners even more so. These articles go beyond learning strategies and into teaching routines, where the teacher incorporates effective skills and strategies into teaching.
Content Enhancement Online
<http://www.contentenhancement.org >
This has a "beta version" of the Interactive Organizer, with graphic organizers for teachers and students and many resources for helping teachers plan for diverse learners.LD OnLine: For Teachers
<http://www.ldonline.org >
Click on "For Teachers" to links to many effective strategies for teaching specific content and skills areas. Two excellent recent additions are:
Watering Up The Curriculum for Adolescents with Learning Disabilities: The Knowledge Dimension
< http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/teaching_techniques/watering_up1.html >
and Watering Up The Curriculum for Adolescents with Learning Disabilities: The Affective Dimension
<http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/teaching_techniques/watering_up2.html >
You could easily build a years' inservice activities on these articles, or use them to guide your planning year-round.The Learning Coach
<http://www.thelearningcoach.org >
Includes samplings of teaching routines and graphic organizers for middle and secondary content area courses by Keith LenzResponding to Student Concerns about Fairness
<http://www.powerof2.org/feature/index.php?id=101 >
"How come he only has ten words to learn?" This article has a wealth of strategies and approaches for developing a more truly fair learning environmnet.
Using the Resource Room to Support Content Areas: Elements and The Periodic Table
<http://www.resourceroom.net/older/periodictable.asp >
Break down the symbols in teaching chemistry into manageable steps; includes links to other lessons and ideas.
Lowering the Language Barriers in Middle and Secondary School
<http://www.resourceroom.net/myarticles/barriers.asp >
by Susan Jones, M.Ed.
What does make it so difficult for a bright, motivated LD student (well, at least until s/he's failed for a while) to succeed in general education classes? What can a teacher do about it?In the news
The Famous Dead yield only murky diagnoses Baltimore Sun, Nov. 17, 2002
< http://www.sunspot.net/bal-te.myths17nov17,0,5280455.story?coll=bal-home-headlines >
Baltimore Sun, Nov. 17, 2002
Takes an analytical, skeptical view of our desire to impose posthumous disabilities on famous achievers and leaders.The Agonies of Adult ADHD
Nov. 22, 2002
<http://www.msnbc.com/news/836724.asp?cp1=1 >
Summary of issues and answers for adults withADHD.
Personal stories in the news:
Ex-Cape Rider is tops on Highveld --
< http://iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=4&art_id=ct20021119111216762C452714&set_id=6 >
Independent Online, August 25, 2002
This champion cyclist with dyslexia was motivated to finish school by a promise of funding for his professional career on the bike.TV ACTRESS OPENS HI-TECH STUDENT DISABILITIES CENTRE
Express & Echo, October 30, 2002
< http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=101955&command=displayContent&sourceNode=99871&contentPK=2927589 >
Actress Susan Hampshire has opened a new hi-tech centre at Exeter University to help students with disabilities.Appliances say the darndest things
The Examiner, Nov.21, 2002
< http://www.examiner.com/ex_files/default.jsp?story=X1121RATHBONEw >
A San Francisco artist says that being dyslexic has "heightened her fascination with words."
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
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.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. Introductory price: $12.95.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 adults. Romance, adventure and non-fiction are all featured, with diverse characters.