Resource Room Newsletter - June 2002
<http://www.resourceroom.net>
If this was forwarded to you and you'd like to get future newsletters, send an email to info@resourceroom.net and say "subscribe." If you're the original recipient and you don't want to get them any more, say "unsubscribe."The Fortune article about successful businessmen overcoming dyslexia is a real keeper. If you don't have time for anything else, check that one out!
Surfin' Sally's Latest Links
Schwab Learning
<http://schwablearning.org/>
Don't miss their updates, including
-- free newly revised Educator's Guide to Learning Differences <http://schwablearning.org/articles.asp?r=433&g=4>
-- Anger Overload in Children: Diagnostic and Treatment Issues <http://schwablearning.org/articles.asp?r=521&g=2>
Meeting the Needs of Twice-Exceptional Children
<http://www.ditd.org/floater.php?location=202>
Advice for dealing with gifted students who struggle in school; excellent information about intelligence testing and how the special education process can be used to help these children.
Learning difficulties in Math
LD OnLine's LD In Depth: Math Skills
<http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/math_skills/math-skills.html>
<http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/math_skills/garnett.html>
Kate Garnett's Math Learning Disabilities article is probably my favorite article from this comprehensive collection of articles about learning disabilities and mathematics.Paula's Special Education Resources Math Page
<http://www.conknet.com/~p_bliss/math.htm>
Another comprehensive look at information and resources, focusing on math learning differences and related material.Math Resources for People With Disabilities
<http://mathforum.org/social/math.disabled.html>
Not limited to learning disabilities, this link takes you to resources for making mathematics education accessible to people with disabilities. If you've ever tried to use a screen reader to read a math problem, you may have some idea what some of the challenges are.Accommodating Math Students with Learning Disabilities
<http://www.gse.harvard.edu/~ncsall/fob/2000/kenyon.html>
More strategies and ideas for adapting mathematics instruction for students with learning disabilities.What Have We Learned About Good Instruction? Math and Learning Disabilities
<http://www.mdk12.org/practices/good_instruction/projectbetter/math/m-12-13.html>
An overview of issues math teachers should consider to make instruction more effective for students with different learning needs.
In the news
Trying to Bridge the Exam-diploma Divide
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20763-2002May28.html>
The Washington Post, May 28, 2002
Work hard, behave yourself, get good grades... what for? Read about high-stakes testing in Virginia, and students with learning disabilities.Group Works to Revive Interest in Art Colony Located at Dublin Lake
<http://www.TheUnionLeader.com/Articles_show.html?article=11445&archive=1>
'"Alexander was the son of Harvard philosopher William James, and the nephew of Henry James," said Tuller. "His father wanted him to go to Harvard, but he was dyslexic, and couldn't pass the entrance exam. Finally, Thayer said, 'Send him to me."
Personal stories in the news:
Overcoming dyslexia
<http://www.fortune.com/indexw.jhtml?channel=artcol.jhtml&doc_id=207665>
FORTUNE, Monday, May 13, 2002
This article is a real keeper, describing many highly successful "losers" with dyslexia. There are also related articles and links.Graduating student defies expectations
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56604-2002May22.html>
The Washington Post, May 23, 2002
This student was expected to live in a group home and perhaps work in a sheltered workshop. Not!Creative journey: Artist Mark Williamson.
<http://www.ldonline.org/first_person/mark_williamson.html>
First person account of an artist with dyslexia.
New online articles and lesson plans at the Resource Room
This month's feature: MATHMultisensory Teaching: Positive and Negative Integers
by Susan Jones, M.Ed. 6/02
<http://www.resourceroom.net/Math/integers.asp>
In three parts, this article includes many options for introducing the concept of positive and negative integers, strategies for connecting the concrete to the abstract, links to further resources for using math manipulatives in secondary school mathematics, and links to more online resources about positive and negative integers.Mathematics and Dyslexia
<http://www.resourceroom.net/Sharestrats/ida_math_fall98.html>
From the International Dyslexia Association's Perspectives quarterly newsletter, reprinted with permission. An excellent summary of knowledge about the relationship between dyslexia and difficulties with mathematics.Online Tmes Tables Practice
<http://www.resourceroom.net/Math/1timestables.asp>Learning the Times Tables: Guidelines and ideas for practice
by Susan Jones
<http://www.resourceroom.net/Math/Jones_tables2.htm>
There's more than one way to learn the times tables, and this article suggests several that use different kinds of learning strengths.The role of manipulatives in introducing and developing mathematical concepts in elementary and middle grades
<http://www.resourceroom.net/myarticles/Jones_mathmanip.htm>
Though written in 1986, it's still a valid look at research about how children learn or don't learn math concepts, and apply calculation lessons to their math knowledge. Could even help your insomnia, too.
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 older readers. Romance, adventure and non-fiction are all featured.ju4