Search results matching tags 'special education', 'strategies', and 'ld'

Reading Program that works!

Ilene — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:43:23 GMT

Fletcher's Place is a fun and easy to use reading program that has been successful with all types of learners. Check out the website for data. I have been using this program for years and parents are pleased with the reading success their children make. I enjoy teaching with this program because the children become excited and look forward to reading.

Re: Which LD Strategies Really Work?

Ilene — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 15:51:43 GMT

Hi Joan,

I have worked in the field of special education and learning disabilities for over 30 years. The best reading programs I have found are Fletcher's Place for PreK-3 and Reading Revolution for older kids. They work well and kids and teachers love using them. They cover all areas of reading using games and good literature for children. Check them out on-line and let me know what you think. Good luck,

Ilene

Colors and Tactile Appeal Can Help Your Struggling Readers!

Joan — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:14:00 GMT

Did you know that the white background on a page of text can be "visually offensive" to some readers? Most definitely! By changing the background color of a page of print, focus, concentration, comprehension, and retention can be improved for many. Certain colors can actually "unblock" pathways in the brain, making it possible to improve brain connectivity. This can result in improved reading success.

At several recent conferences, many parents, teachers, and students were able to test colored overlays and the Reading Focus Cards (Patent 7,565,759) that were available for them. For some, yellow overlays worked well to bring words into focus and to "stop the letters from moving". For others, amber (an orange color), green, deep blue, or tan (like the blog here) worked best.

For those readers who needed color AND focusing help, the Reading Focus Card kits were the best option. With a choice of blue, yellow, and clear/non-glare reading window filters in every kit, readers can customize their Reading Focus Cards to suit their individual reading needs.

Developmental optometrists can evaluate and diagnose individual reading problems. Many times, the treatment will involve vision therapy or other options. This can be expensive and time consuming; however, the benefits can be significant.

An inexpensive and time-saving alternative can be the introduction of colored overlays or the use of Reading Focus Cards. They certainly provided some much needed help for readers at the recent conferences.

Brennan Innovators, LLC
www.BrennanInnovators.com

Teacher Issued Patent for Struggling Reader Solution

Joan — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:49:00 GMT

Good teachers have a strong interest in and dedication to the success of their students. They know that ALL students CAN succeed---even those challenged with learning disabilities and differences. Parents, too, know they can help their children thrive and enjoy much success in the classroom with the use of the right tools, some good organizational skills, and a few special strategies.

These teachers and parents will want to know that a new reading and learning tool called the Reading Focus Card, invented by a St. Louis educator, was issued a U.S. patent on July 28, 2009. This new tool called the Reading Focus Card (Patent 7,565,759) can assist children and adults of all ages challenged with focusing/reading issues such as those often associated with ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities. It is also an excellent tool for young, new readers because it helps to promote left-to-right eye movement. Using the Reading Focus Card can even help promote accurate test taking with machine-scored answer sheets.

Joan Brennan, the teacher/inventor, says that using the Reading Focus Card can immediately benefit many students struggling with different reading issues. She adds that parents will be pleased with the non-invasive and inexpensive features of this special device. Teachers will appreciate the fact that this reading and learning tool supports differentiated instruction. Both parents and teachers will be happy to learn that the Reading Focus Card from Brennan Innovators, LLC is made right here in the USA. In fact, all services and support staff for the company including manufacturing are located in the Greater St. Louis Area.

To access information about a focus study of the Reading Focus Card, please visit http://www.BrennanInnovators.com/study.html.

To learn more about the tool itself, please visit http://www.ReadingFocuscard.com.

Which LD Strategies Really Work?

Joan — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:53:13 GMT

Welcome to you as we look toward a new school year! We need to open up this board so that effective LD ideas and strategies can be shared by all. What techniques in your "toolbox" do you always implement when given the opportunity? Which ones are your favorites and why? Don't be shy! This is your chance to get the feedback and kudos you deserve for all the thinking, problem solving, and prep time it has taken to make these "little gems" shine. Can't wait to hear from you!

Joan

www.readingfocuscard.com

Free Strategy and Tool for ADD/ADHD

Joan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:09:00 GMT

I would like to pass along one more idea that I use in my classroom. Some students (ADD/ADHD or not) experience more reading comfort with this strategy:

*** Try using colored paper for printing all materials including worksheets, outlines, notes, etc. Experiment with pastels as well as bright shades. One particular color may produce the best results for a certain individual student. Those persons with ADD/ADHD challenges often find that the white background on a page of text can be (1) distracting, and (2) it decreases their ability to focus and read.

You can try out this idea (FREE!) by going to www.readingfocuscard.com and clicking on the the various color blocks at the top of the pages. By doing so, you will see what it is like to read text over each pastel shade available. I hope that this will help you and your child.

Hope your students AND you will find this strategy helpful.

Joan

http://brennaninnovators.com

More Ideas for ADD/ADHD!

Joan — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:51:00 GMT

I have been receiving some positive comments about the ADD/ADHD strategies posted earlier this month in my blog. Thank you to all! As we are starting to plan again for a new school year, it seemed like a good time to add a few more strategies to this list. If you have any others to add, please reply to this blog and I will put those strategies on my own list!

Here are a few additional ADD/ADHD strategies:

Politely request (as a parent) or allow (as a teacher) for the following:

1. The use of colored paper for all printed materials including worksheets, outlines, notes, etc.--- The white background of a printed page can be quite "distracting" for a person challenged with ADD/ADHD. Experiment with pastel colors as well as bright shades. One particular color may produce the best results for a certain individual.

2. The posting of all classroom rules so that they are easy to read and in full view---When students know what is expected of them, they will feel more reassured and secure.

3. Repeating directions---Students with ADD/ADHD issues need to hear things more than once. Also, present directions and instructions in various ways---in print, orally, and pictorially whenever possible.

4. Making frequent and effective eye contact with students---You can "bring back" an ADD/ADHD student with good eye contact. Do it often.

5. "Walking" the classroom---Teachers should avoid teaching "from the desk" or lectern. Using effective and appropriate gestures and genuine enthusiasm in classroom presentations will make it harder for students to daydream in class.

Hope you will find these strategies helpful, too!

For more ADD/ADHD strategies, go to http://readingfocuscard.com/strategies.html or

http://brennaninnovators.com/strategies.html

Miss Joan