tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52185999921414564892024-03-13T11:28:22.339-07:00Best Education PossibleThis weblog seeks primarily to be a resource to parents and their children facilitating, "Empowerment & Personal Responsibility through Education." This blog is an extension of http://www.BestEducationPossible.net an online community dedicated to Parents and their efforts to empower their children through Education.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.comBlogger1204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-65124315743568487092020-08-01T20:05:00.005-07:002020-08-01T20:20:08.384-07:00New Masterclass For Parents Available Now<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Best Education Possible Homeschooling/Virtual Learning Masterclass for parents is now available. Click the picture below or follow the <a href="https://www.besteducationpossible.com">link</a>.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.besteducationpossible.com"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZK7_IoXknPc/XyYtjnlPg9I/AAAAAAAAAng/vTaO6ii1LbQvxeNbVJ_jnNRPXgk7feH3QCLcBGAsYHQ/w384-h400/1596337548203365-0.png" width="384" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.besteducationpossible.com/">www.BestEducationPossible.com</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-12607728385018479042020-07-29T11:32:00.008-07:002020-07-29T15:41:28.208-07:00Message To Parents: In The '20-'21 School Year You Are Not Alone - Get Help Now With The Best Education Possible Homeschooling Master Class<div>
The 2020-2021 school year is going to present new challenges for
parents. Our founder, Debra E. West is a solution-oriented award-winning retired
elementary school principal. Here is her message:
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<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/22XWbx12_DQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="22XWbx12_DQ"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Debra was recently quoted in a feature on <a href="https://people.howstuffworks.com/learning-pods.htm" target="_blank">HowStuffWorks.com</a> in and article, <a href="https://people.howstuffworks.com/learning-pods.htm" target="_blank">The Pros and Cons of Pandemic Learning Pods</a> by <a href="https://www.howstuffworks.com/about-carrie-whitney.htm" target="_blank">Carrie Whitney, PhD. <br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>Here is a brief excerpt from her comments:</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p></p><blockquote><p>Without outside support, online learning works best when parents are
home, according to Debra West, a recently retired educator in
Huntsville, Alabama, and founder of <a class="ext-link" href="https://www.facebook.com/besteducationpossible/">Best Education Possible</a>.</p>
<p>"You really have to be there to supervise," she says and
compares learning at home to being in a classroom where a teacher is
constantly rotating around the room. Parents who have to work outside
the home need more support. West saw this during the spring 2020 virtual
learning when parents of her former students contacted her.</p>
<p>"They were really, really struggling and having a hard time,"
West says. In response, she created a course to help parents get started
on the right foot.</p>
<p>"The main thing I'm trying to get across is that they have to
start off correctly, and they have to start off with a routine," West
explains. Go to bed, get up, get dressed, have a dedicated workspace, so
the child knows where to work.</p>
<p>"You can't just leave it like it's going to be OK, because it's
not," she says. "I just really feel like it's going to take a complete
community effort."</p></blockquote><div>Source: <a href="https://people.howstuffworks.com/learning-pods.htm">https://people.howstuffworks.com/learning-pods.htm</a></div><div> <br /></div><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-31443447427529294582020-04-23T10:57:00.000-07:002020-04-23T11:00:46.171-07:0013 Tips For Parents Teaching Kids At Home<div style="text-align: justify;">
Best Education Possible founder Debra E. West is a retired, award-winning teacher and pricipal with over 30 years experience in education. Here she offers 13 tips for parents who are challenged with teaching their children from home. Please share with anyone you know who has children and is struggling at this time. Thank you! </div>
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Here is the video:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N0Ww1Lfxf2k" width="560"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-77151708553127180262014-06-22T22:03:00.000-07:002014-06-22T22:04:11.030-07:00Teachers and Technology<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bmZwWYGyp4Y/TwS-X4_wISI/AAAAAAAAApA/2xbmX-P2e4s/s1600/clock%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bmZwWYGyp4Y/TwS-X4_wISI/AAAAAAAAApA/2xbmX-P2e4s/s1600/clock%255B1%255D.jpg" height="318" width="320" /></a>In order to prepare students to be college or career ready, teachers must give them the tools necessary to be successful. Technology is changing so rapidly that teachers must explore and learn the latest tools and programs. It takes professional development and sharing of information to keep up with this rapid growth. Students and teacher will lead and learn together. Real life problems and projects will be the wave of the future classroom. Technology is here to stay and teachers must get on board.<br />
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I Pads, iPhones, active boards, and tablets will be the tools used in the classrooms. Time is moving on and if teachers are not using all the tools available, they will be left behind and so will their students. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-9127777552798673142014-06-16T14:01:00.000-07:002014-06-16T14:02:32.984-07:00How Can Technology Improve Student Learning?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rH97ImaYPrE/TvqWUPYdUsI/AAAAAAAAAn4/IdlaeLgsB0Y/s1600/371951_BG1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rH97ImaYPrE/TvqWUPYdUsI/AAAAAAAAAn4/IdlaeLgsB0Y/s1600/371951_BG1%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a>Technology alone cannot improve student learning. Teachers must allow their students to explore through technology and become global peers that solve real world problems. Teachers must receive the training and professional development that is essential to support the technology or it will be an electronic text book. Our children must learn to collaborate with peers and teachers to combined ideas explore new paths. This is an exciting time in education for our students, but can be a scary time for teachers because things continue to grow and change so quickly. <br />
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Project base learning is a very effective way to integrate technology into the classroom. Students can perform in-depth investigation by creating websites, blogs, videos, and web tools. Students learn better by experiencing it hands on and technology can increase academic achievement, critical thinking, collaboration, and motivation. The technology that we are using today will be obsolete in 2-3 years. Therefore, time is not waiting for education to incorporate technology. Technology is dictating how students will learn and work and the direction that schools need to take<br />
. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-34764203651665835962014-01-05T19:42:00.000-08:002014-01-05T19:42:22.570-08:00Give up Cigarettes and Gain No WeightAccording to an article in Good Housekeeping Magazine, June 2010, giving up cigarettes doesn't have to mean gaining weight. Researchers from Northwestern University analyzed 10 studies involving 2,233 smokers, and found that those who watched the scale while quitting put on less weight (about 1.9 fewer pounds) after three months thant those who just cut out the cigarettes. Success in one area encourags more success in the other. So, attempting both at the same time not only could prevent dreaded weight gain, it could also up your chances of stopping smoking once and for all.<br />
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<a href="http://www.readsh101.com/imgload/1113_smoking1_SS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_51101="null" src="http://www.readsh101.com/imgload/1113_smoking1_SS.jpg" gua="true" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-39758351895210783382012-11-28T14:00:00.000-08:002012-11-28T14:00:04.765-08:00Inequity in American Education of the Poor: Part 4
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3g-roHEf5g8/ULK6fkGverI/AAAAAAAACCU/bPtzDqBeZc0/s1600/120315093402-nyu-graduation-story-top%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3g-roHEf5g8/ULK6fkGverI/AAAAAAAACCU/bPtzDqBeZc0/s320/120315093402-nyu-graduation-story-top%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another crucial factor in determining education inequality is
the family background of students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is a proven correlation between the academic successes of parents with the
academic success of their children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a
Harvard’s “Civil Rights Project,” Lee and Orfeild identified family background
as the most influential factor in student achievement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only 11% of children from the bottom fifth
earn a college degree while 80% of the top fifth earn one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
translates to a home-life that is more supportive of educational success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As mentioned in family background, access to resources play a
hugely important role in education inequality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In addition to the resources, access to proper nutrition and health care
influence the cognitive development of children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children who come from poor families
experience a disadvantage from the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The lack of resources is directly linked to ethnicity and race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Black and Latino students are three times
more likely than whites to be in high poverty schools and twelve times as
likely to be in school that almost everyone is poor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, parental involvement and awareness
is extremely important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally,
children from poorer families, who are often minorities, come from families
that distrust institutions. Disadvantage parents must educate themselves in
order to assure the success of their children and their children’s
children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Education must become a
priority in the home and the schools must make these parents feel welcome and
important partners.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">High poverty schools must have all the characteristics of an
effective school. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The schools of the
poor students must focus on achievement and monitor student progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
must be a cooperative working environment and the school’s atmosphere must be safe
and orderly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With strong leadership, dedicated
highly effective teachers, parental involvement, and high expectations for all
students, and time on task any schools with poor students should meet with
academic and personal success.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-14746323091787308622012-11-27T14:00:00.000-08:002012-11-27T14:00:04.126-08:00Inequity in American Education of the Poor: Part 3
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNyaCFxV7fA/ULK5RdEJsOI/AAAAAAAACCM/ZyuG1BmXWHw/s1600/SREB-middle-school-students-picture%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNyaCFxV7fA/ULK5RdEJsOI/AAAAAAAACCM/ZyuG1BmXWHw/s320/SREB-middle-school-students-picture%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To ensure students are mastering the skills necessary to be
college or career ready, measuring of academic success materialized. However,
most racial and ethnic subgroups of children have improved their scores over
time, performed better on mathematics, reading and science measures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, the achievement gap causes
critic to blame the public education for failing to teach the poor students.
For every critic pointing out the failures of the system, there’s a success
story to be told that outlines the progress public education has made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The U.S. Department of Education released a
report in December 2011, documenting that school districts across our country
are unevenly distributing their state and local funds, shortchanging schools
that serve low-income students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
report reveals for the first time the extent of inequity in our nation’s
per-pupil expenditures from state and local sources among the schools within a
school district.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Weber was an early researcher to the literature school inequity. In his 1971 study of four effective inner-city schools, Weber focused on reading achievement that was clearly successful for poor children on the basis of national norms. All four schools had strong leadership and the principal was instrumental in setting the tone of the school; helped decide on instructional strategies; and organizing and distributing the school's resources. All four schools had "high expectations" for all students. All four schools had an orderly, relatively quiet, and pleasant atmosphere. All four schools strongly emphasized pupil acquisition of reading skills and reinforced that emphasis by careful and frequent evaluation of pupil progress.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-69873954934129971732012-11-26T14:00:00.000-08:002012-11-26T14:00:00.810-08:00Inequity in American Education of the Poor: Part 2
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HG0VWgJp7LU/ULK3EgRhhKI/AAAAAAAACCE/PxgGIjVr80w/s1600/education%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HG0VWgJp7LU/ULK3EgRhhKI/AAAAAAAACCE/PxgGIjVr80w/s320/education%5B2%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">High academic expectations for all students that are
measurable and attainable are imperative in order to close the inequity gap in
American public education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all begins
with our failure to have high expectations for the children of the poor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This simply requires that an effective school
bring the children of the poor to minimal mastery of basic skills. Focus must
be on student learning with a combination of discipline, intensity,
concentration, and commitment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Research proves that our public schools know
the methods and technics in order to successfully educate all children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An average student who attended “high rigor
instruction schools” would learn about 78% more mathematics between grades 8-12
than comparable students in a “low rigor instruction school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must stop throwing money or funding at the
problem, and strategically educate these students with research based methods
and rigor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Despite several decades of reform, public schools in America
are criticized by some as not teaching all children effectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consistently poor test results and low
graduation rates prove the critics right. It takes a village to raise a child, but
the same village must share accountability when many of their children are not
learning in the public educational systems, especially the poor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Districts with higher poverty rates have
fewer highly educated, experienced teachers and less stable teaching
staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These schools need highly trained
and most effective teachers in their classroom. Highly effective teachers show
passion, respect, caring attitude, fairness, skilled communication, creativity,
sound knowledge of content, and have a positive impact on the lives of
students, parents, and colleagues. Schools of underprivileged students must
have educators with these traits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-26622198181644708902012-11-25T16:21:00.001-08:002012-11-25T16:36:02.375-08:00Inequity in American Education of the Poor: Part 1<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYfBuxgOQwU/ULK1_w0KzcI/AAAAAAAACB8/SsmbMVEVZrI/s1600/race%5B3%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYfBuxgOQwU/ULK1_w0KzcI/AAAAAAAACB8/SsmbMVEVZrI/s320/race%5B3%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Public schools that teach poor children successfully must
have strong leadership, an environment of high expectations that all children
can learn, highly qualified teachers, and active parental awareness and support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Progress of society must be measured by our
willingness to develop the least among us. Evolution necessitates public policy
that begins by making the poor more educated and less underprivileged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means the standard of education to
public schools must be equitable and teaching poor children at least as well as
middle-class children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This certainly is
not happening in most schools for the poor in America.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being a strong instructional leader is the challenge for
principals in schools today, but even more challenging in schools with high
poverty residents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Academic and social
success is too complex for a principal to achieve alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There must be a leadership team that works
together to develop a vision and goals that are achievable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, without strong
instructional leadership at the helm to both create and manage the vision, teachers
are not likely to form committees to improve the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The principal must set high expectations,
develop teacher leaders, and maintain a positive attitude toward students,
staff, and parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not always
easy when you are dealing with an at-risk population.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-2721679306077316442012-09-27T14:00:00.000-07:002012-09-27T14:00:04.909-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-juJzl7dkjGY/UF_MIG1G7NI/AAAAAAAACAs/Wi_vjvNz67g/s1600/4f3bd4d6f2c02.image%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-juJzl7dkjGY/UF_MIG1G7NI/AAAAAAAACAs/Wi_vjvNz67g/s320/4f3bd4d6f2c02.image%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
According to an article in the September 2012 issue of Parent magazine, your smartphone or tablet can turn into a command center with everything you need to plan, prep, and navigate your kid's year. The best part is these great apps fro Apple and Android devices are all free! Below are 9 and 10.</div>
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9. Easy Reader</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cut down on storytime expenses and trips to the library with OverDrive media Console. The app lets you "borrow" e-books froma a selection of public and school libraries.</div>
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10. Nifty Note Taker</div>
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Evernote offers quick ways to manage your growing to-do lists: Record a voice note on the o for your partner or type up some tasks for your kids. Everyone has access to the notes on any of your family's devices. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-32009559760288065242012-09-26T14:00:00.000-07:002012-09-26T14:00:03.913-07:00School Apps for Mom: Part 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IE2j4b0JiCE/UF_Ks0iluYI/AAAAAAAACAk/1EDEyCRgkPs/s1600/moms-smart-phone-art-02%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IE2j4b0JiCE/UF_Ks0iluYI/AAAAAAAACAk/1EDEyCRgkPs/s320/moms-smart-phone-art-02%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
According to an article in the September 2012 issue of Parent magazine, your smartphone or tablet can turn into a command center with everything you need to plan, prep, and navigate your kid's year. The best part is these great apps fro Apple and Android devices are all free. Below are 7 and 8 of 10.<br />
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7. Team Player<br />
For less stressful soccer games and basketball practices, the app allows you to organize your children's busy schedules, contacts for the players' parnts, stats, and other import info.<br />
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8. Class Aide<br />
Designed for older students. inClass is great for parents who want to stay on top of all of their kid's assignments, due dates, and the other things that take up the school year. (Apple only)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-44921746249554394642012-09-25T14:00:00.000-07:002012-09-25T14:00:06.889-07:00School Apps for Mom: Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1hVRHDlXvA/UF_Ib_LUT5I/AAAAAAAACAc/vKYnYrHY_mQ/s1600/smartparents%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="208" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1hVRHDlXvA/UF_Ib_LUT5I/AAAAAAAACAc/vKYnYrHY_mQ/s320/smartparents%5B2%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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According to an article in the September 2012 issue of Parent magazine, your smartphone or tablet can turn into a command center with everything you need to plan, prep, and navigate your kid's year. The best part is these great apps fro Apple and Android devices are all free. Below are 5 and 6 of 10.</div>
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5. Savvy Shopper</div>
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Save time and money on back-to-school shopping with RedLaser. Simply scan the item's bar code ad it compares online and in-store prices to locate the best deals</div>
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6. Student Tracker</div>
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If you're nervous about your kid taking the bus, get Life360 Family Locator. Register his cell (it doesn't have to be a smartphone), and this app will find him on the map. It also has a panic button.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-90288958698317736542012-09-24T14:00:00.000-07:002012-09-24T14:00:01.556-07:00School Apps for Mom: Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbAvdNRT--w/UF_HGxnocYI/AAAAAAAACAU/0ngWSfF4aws/s1600/mom-with-iphone-at-park%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbAvdNRT--w/UF_HGxnocYI/AAAAAAAACAU/0ngWSfF4aws/s320/mom-with-iphone-at-park%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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According to an article in the September 2012 issue of Parent magazine, your smartphone or tablet can turn into a command center with everything you need to plan, prep, and navigate your kid's year. The best part is these great apps fro Apple and Android devices are all free. Below are 3 and 4 of 10.</div>
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3. Brain Booster</div>
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Kinder Town's team of parents and educators picks educational apps by age and subject so you don't have to. (Apple only)</div>
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4. Virtual Assistant</div>
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The Cozi Family Organizer will keep your clan on the same page with reminders for homework or doctor's appointments sent out from the shared calendar.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-43266675208339315072012-09-23T19:31:00.000-07:002012-09-23T19:31:00.410-07:00School Apps For Mom: Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6yub5jxhMI/UF_FrqRapGI/AAAAAAAACAM/JvIc2YBhFpM/s1600/smartphone-mom%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6yub5jxhMI/UF_FrqRapGI/AAAAAAAACAM/JvIc2YBhFpM/s320/smartphone-mom%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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According to an article in the September 2012 issue of Parent magazine, your smartphone or tablet can turn into a command center with everything you need to plan, prep, and navigate your kid's year. The best part is these great apps fro Apple and Android devices are all free. Below are the first 2 of 10.</div>
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1. Digital Tutor</div>
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Need a refresher course in math, English, and other subjects? School A to Z helps you answer your student's homework head-scratchers and gives project suggestions on a variety of topics.</div>
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2. Kitchen Helper</div>
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Whether you're looking for lunch ideas or something you can whip up fast, allrecipes.com Dinner Spinner can help with its more than 40,000 options.</div>
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Come back tomorrow for 2 more tips for School Apps for Mom.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-74993273465954308502012-09-20T14:00:00.000-07:002012-09-20T14:00:06.378-07:00Get Organized!<div style="text-align: justify;">
With schools in some parts of the country well into the routine, while others are about to start, handling the daily onslaught of kids' permission slips, bills and junk mail can be a full-time job. To keep track of your family's incoming and outgoing messages and mail, set up a "communication station" in a convenient location (like the mudroom or kitchen). A wall-mounted magazine rack gives each family member a slot for their papers, while a "look here: calendar is for quick references. Flyers, invites, and such stay in view on a bulletin board.</div>
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Below are 3 ideas that can help keep you organized during the busy school months according to an article in the September 2010 issue of Good Housekeeping.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RLEDDf9vTQw/UFaK7USKOkI/AAAAAAAAB-8/rmV_JxUNl2A/s1600/get-organized4%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RLEDDf9vTQw/UFaK7USKOkI/AAAAAAAAB-8/rmV_JxUNl2A/s320/get-organized4%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>1. Sort Smart.</strong> Stop mail clutter at the door in a tiered bin with three sections. IN, OUT, READ. The IN slot is for mail that needs to be dealt with fairly soon (bills, paperwork, etc. that should be addressed weekly); OUT is for outgoing mail; READ is for materials to peruse later (magazines, coupon books, and so on, to be purged monthly). </div>
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<strong>2. Make Notes</strong>. A sticky note on the door is the perfect can't-miss-it reminder. Tuck the notepad and pen in a bin (near your station) meant for holding outgoing items, like those library books that are due tomorrow.</div>
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<strong>3. Pen It In.</strong> A color-coded calendar (with a different color for each person) will keep the family on schedule. But don't write everything here, save personal activities for your own datebook. Just jot down events that involve multiple family members (things that require a driver etc.). Purge your bulletin board of no-longer-needed papers when you change the calendar page.</div>
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I truly hope everyone has a good working relationship with their children's school this year, 2012-2012. Make it a priority to get involved and stay informed. Your children need you to be a positive partner in their education and the school needs your participation and support. Most school districts are operating on limited or less funding, so any assistance you can give, I know will be appreciated. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-65812622334293892822012-09-19T14:00:00.000-07:002012-09-19T14:00:05.121-07:00Tip 83: If Your Child Is Sick, Keep Him Home<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4KklRfbN_aU/UFaIanLna4I/AAAAAAAAB-0/GUk50GhuhM0/s1600/sick+child+with+woman+2%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4KklRfbN_aU/UFaIanLna4I/AAAAAAAAB-0/GUk50GhuhM0/s1600/sick+child+with+woman+2%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></div>
A child who is ill has no business at school. That brings us to tip #83.</div>
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<strong>Tip 83: If your child is sick, keep him home.</strong></div>
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There is nothing more frustrating for a teacher then a sick child at school. Children will come directly from their car to the teacher saying, "I told my mom I wasn't feeling well, and she said to go to the nurse if I don't feel better". If your child has a fever, headache, or diarrhea do not send them to school. This is how the flu and other viruses are spread throughout a school building. Make sure you have alternative arrangements if your child gets sick. It is not fair to the teacher and other students to be around a sick child all day and it's really not fair to your child. Be sure that a child is fever free without medication for 24 hours before sending them back to school. It is common curiosity for everyone involved.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-55089084074540063662012-09-18T14:00:00.000-07:002012-09-18T14:00:01.099-07:00Tip 82: Respect School Hours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Fo191fsWt8/UFaEdSyu5EI/AAAAAAAAB9k/IbqgdUAVzCs/s1600/makes_eat_time%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Fo191fsWt8/UFaEdSyu5EI/AAAAAAAAB9k/IbqgdUAVzCs/s320/makes_eat_time%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is not unusual for a few kids to be habitually late for school almost every day and other kids that are picked up 15 minutes or so early. That brings us to tip #82.</div>
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<strong>Tip #82: Respect school hours.</strong></div>
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Parents may think that being a few minutes late in the morning isn't important, but this is when the teacher is establishing morning routines and giving announcements. When a child comes in late they miss out on assignments that are not easily made-up. On the other hand, when parents want to beat the crowd and check their child out a few minutes early every day, their child misses out on reminders and last minute annoucements. Being 15 minutes late or leaving 15 minutes early may not seem like a lot of time, but teachers have less than seven hours to fit in a whole lot of learning of the school day and every minute counts and these minutes add up throughout the year. It also gives your child the idea that time is not important.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-81286678409888783372012-09-17T14:00:00.000-07:002012-09-17T14:00:01.698-07:00Tip 81: Watch Your Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jv3Yp8m6yRw/UFaBYl5QVKI/AAAAAAAAB8U/Mh08v31ERDM/s1600/Parent-TeacherConference1%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="210" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jv3Yp8m6yRw/UFaBYl5QVKI/AAAAAAAAB8U/Mh08v31ERDM/s320/Parent-TeacherConference1%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Children are always listening to what we say and how we react to situations. They learn from our actions. That brings us to tip # 81.<br />
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<strong>Tip #81: Watch your words</strong><br />
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Whenever you are talking about school or your child's teacher, try and refrain from saying negative things in front of them. In many cases school was not a positive experience for the parent, so they think and speak about the school and teachers in ways that will make the child think and act negative at school. Try to be positive in front of the child and deal as positively with the teachers and administration, so there can be a partnership between the two to help your child have a good school year. Usually if a parent is calm and positive the school will do whatever they can to help.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-33515140411662329522012-09-16T18:32:00.000-07:002012-09-16T18:35:28.481-07:00Tip #80: Encourage Writing At Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4E0wjSkBpc/UFZ-JZUQQFI/AAAAAAAAB7E/D1aWKadRv6I/s1600/KidsWriting%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4E0wjSkBpc/UFZ-JZUQQFI/AAAAAAAAB7E/D1aWKadRv6I/s1600/KidsWriting%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></div>
Research shows that the entire brain is working when we are writing. Only part of the brain is active when reading or listening, but the entire brain is active when writing. That brings us to tip #80. <br />
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<strong>Tip # 80: Encourage writing at home. </strong><br />
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Never limit your child's writing to school assignments and essays. Have your child write out birthday invitations, thank-you notes, and keeping a daily journal. Encourage your child to get a pen pal or compose monthly letters to grandparent, relatives, or friends. All these examples will boost their writing ability and make their brain totally active!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-60234637715426309042012-09-14T14:00:00.000-07:002012-09-14T14:00:00.851-07:00Encourage Your Child To Think<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLUkGosORV0/UEzrbAKtrVI/AAAAAAAAB50/o88Uyy-m2Sg/s1600/Child+thinking+of+Peace%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLUkGosORV0/UEzrbAKtrVI/AAAAAAAAB50/o88Uyy-m2Sg/s1600/Child+thinking+of+Peace%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></div>
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Curiosity is the key to student success now and in the future. Kids are naturally curious. Set them loose in a room full of craft supplies or a muddy sandbox, and you'll see their imaginations come to life. The following ideas are how to nurture curiosity for the beginning according to Todd Kashdan, author of Curious? Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life and clinical psychologist and professor psychology at George Mason University. The following are 6 ideas on how to nurture curiosity in the classroom according to an article in <em>Instructor </em>magazine 2010: Although this article was intended for educators, parents can take the same information for nurturing their own children.</div>
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1. Cue into students' interest. To enhance a student's curiosity, you must build activities around his/her interest, preferences, and sense of challenge. Focusing on rules, obedience, and inflexibility interferes with curiosity. </div>
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2. Satisfy that feeling of competence. Sparking curiosity take more than pointing out that something or someone is interesting, complex, or mysterious. After something new grabs their attention, students need to feel competent and understand it. That can make all the difference in whether they act on their curiosity or find something else to do.</div>
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3. Accept the negative and uncertain. Embrace uncertainty. By acting on their curiosity, students can explore this tension instead of trying to hide their feelings. As a result, they become better problem solvers and show a greater willingness to change, even if it requires a great deal of effort.</div>
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4. Knowledge opens kids' eyes. If you want students to be curious, help them accumulate knowledge. The more they know, the more they'll want to know. </div>
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5. Find the unfamiliar in the familiar. If you think you are an expert, you ma stop paying attention and curiosity can disappear. When you think you basically understand everything about your students' personalities, you start relying heavily on old scripts and categories.</div>
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6. Remember that things change. You learn to be curious when you recognize that there are few absolute answers in life. Flexible thinking leads to flexible people. Move away from black-and-white thinking to a greater appreciation of the beautiful gray area between.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-3093112420571909542012-09-13T14:00:00.000-07:002012-09-13T14:00:02.178-07:00The Difficult Parent At School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F8A2k8OHcvA/UEzqDFfDPyI/AAAAAAAAB5s/8etVoM9nISI/s1600/act-parent-teacher-conference-800x800%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F8A2k8OHcvA/UEzqDFfDPyI/AAAAAAAAB5s/8etVoM9nISI/s320/act-parent-teacher-conference-800x800%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think it is extremely important for parents to realize that a teacher has the responsibility for satisfying many other students and parents besides yourself. You should be willing to forgive if your child's teacher makes a mistake or fails to devote full attention to your specific issue. Make sure you are being reasonable in every situation you address.</div>
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If you are constantly are confronting your child's teacher with questions about minor issues and request conferences, the teacher will quickly feel annoyed, and become increasingly evasive. Never storm into a meeting angry and ready for an argument. Calm yourself down and make sure you are ready to listen and evaluation the entire situation. According to Stacy DeBroff, author of " The Mom Book Goes To School", here are the things that make a parent difficult for a school setting.</div>
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<strong>1. Complainer:</strong> This is parents frequently calling the teacher or drops in on the classroom to gripe about minor details.</div>
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<strong>2. Confrontational:</strong> This parent constantly pesters the teacher and is unwilling to list to feed back and suggestions.</div>
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<strong>3. Meddler:</strong> This parent typically micromanages every detail of their child's education and personal life.</div>
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<strong>4. Needy:</strong> This parent is on whose hand the teacher has to hold thought every step of the child's education</div>
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<strong>5. Nowhere-to-be-found:</strong> This parent is almost impossible to track down and is never available when teachers need to meet.</div>
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<strong>6. Overreacting:</strong> This parent's first instinct is to barge into the school highly agitated, emotional and irrational.</div>
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<strong>7. Overachiever:</strong> This parent lives vicariously through the high standards they set for the child and the success that child achieves.</div>
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Work very hard not to be one of the personalities above. You will get better results from your child's teacher and working together will help your child get the "Best Education Possible".</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-80995109755060578702012-09-12T14:00:00.000-07:002012-09-12T14:00:00.982-07:00Information on Dyslexia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gyqax13SY0U/UEznP7fBpyI/AAAAAAAAB4c/PwEdWj6cyLU/s1600/dyslexia-testing%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="206" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gyqax13SY0U/UEznP7fBpyI/AAAAAAAAB4c/PwEdWj6cyLU/s320/dyslexia-testing%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dyslexia is a reading disorder that persists despite good schooling and the child usually has normal or above average intelligence. It's a handicap that affects up to 1 in 5 school children. Yet, the exact cause and nature of the problem has eluded doctors, teachers, and parents. Dyslexia was first described more than a century ago. The mystery and some of the stigma may finally be lifted. Researchers have found that it it not brain damage, but that a growing number of scientific evidence suggest there is a glitch in the neurological wiring of dyslexics that make reading extremely difficult. The most successful programs focus on strengthening the brain's aptitude for linking letters to the sounds they represent. The good news is dyslexia didn't stop very famous men and women from achieving greatness. In some cases it may have fueled their creativity. If you suspect your child has dyslexia, according to Christine Gorman, it is never too early to do something about it. Here are a few of her suggestions:</div>
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<strong>1. Get Tested</strong> (The International Dyslexia Association can help) (800-ABC-D123)</div>
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<strong>2. Monitor Progress</strong> - If the IEP goals aren't being met, you may want to get private instruction.</div>
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<strong>3. Create an IEP</strong> - Special Education should provide a special program with specific goals</div>
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<strong>4. Boost Strength</strong> - Don't let your child be defined by his or her dyslexia. These children need to be encouraged.</div>
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<strong>5. Get at Home Help</strong> - Computer based reading programs have shown great promise in helping children read.</div>
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<strong>6.Educate Yourself</strong> - You need information to be your child's chief advocate.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-22381512657164235372012-09-11T14:00:00.000-07:002012-09-11T14:00:01.166-07:00Discipline for Softies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRbdiLgfAB0/UEzmGcnUoeI/AAAAAAAAB4U/B3wFFiNnSOA/s1600/mother-child-discipline-small%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRbdiLgfAB0/UEzmGcnUoeI/AAAAAAAAB4U/B3wFFiNnSOA/s1600/mother-child-discipline-small%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></div>
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According to an article in the June 2012 issue of <em>Parent </em>magazine, much of the heavy lifting of discipline comes before misbehavior happens, not after. Having a few well-thought-out guidelines will result in fewer instances where you need to be the bad guy.</div>
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<strong>Step 1: Be Realistic</strong> Setting reasonable expectations means first understanding what your child is developmentally capable of. For instance, 3-year-old lack the maturity and social awareness to share consistently. If you insist on sharing at this age, you'll only end up fighting. For more info on age-appropriate behavior, go to parents.com/behavior-expectations. </div>
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<strong>Step 2: Know Yourself</strong> Only set rules that you're willing to go to the wall for every time, like no hitting. You may dream of a world where your kids make their bed each day, but if you know you'll give in when they push back, scrap bed-making as a requirement or amend the rule in a way you can get behind (such as saying that beds must get made but you'll help).</div>
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<strong>Step 3: Make It Official</strong> Call a family meeting to collaborate on a few essential house rules that everyone can agree to. Let kids contribute every step of the way, offering ideas, decorating the list, and choosing a spot to post it. Then, if they break a rule, you can direct them back to the agreement they helped create.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218599992141456489.post-44923634188459363552012-09-10T14:00:00.000-07:002012-09-10T14:00:00.666-07:00An Autism Advancement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wb0JkuJ60Rg/UEzhhL3j75I/AAAAAAAAB3E/ClMIVElKUwQ/s1600/toddler-playing-with-toy-trains-photo-420x420-ts-dv2159053%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wb0JkuJ60Rg/UEzhhL3j75I/AAAAAAAAB3E/ClMIVElKUwQ/s320/toddler-playing-with-toy-trains-photo-420x420-ts-dv2159053%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Simple imitation exercises can help young children with autism boost their social skills, found a recent Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders study. After a series of treatments using the technique, kids made significant improvement in bringing their parent's attention to an object through gestures and eye contact. If your child has autism, try this at least a few times a day.</div>
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<strong>Step 1:</strong> Pullout similar toys for you both to play with, such as tow stuffed animals or a couple of trains</div>
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<strong>Step 2:</strong> Watch your child's sounds and movements, and copy them. If he/she makes her stuffed animal jump in the air, let yours do the same. Continue this for one or two minutes.</div>
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<strong>Step 3: </strong>Switch roles and model something new to do with the toy, such as running the train up your leg. Repeat this three times to encourage your child to imitate you. If he/she does follow your movements, praise him/her and return to copying their actions. If not, gently guide them through the imitation.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02703169451764107227noreply@blogger.com0