Spring into Summer
Unpack This Beach Bag of Ideas for Summer Learning
Heading off to camp, writing pen pals, and listening to a few good books are all great summer activities. Browse our virtual beach bag of ideas specifically geared for students with learning disabilities. You'll find materials to download and print, expert advice on communicating your child's needs to summer camp staff, book suggestions, and much more!
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Tips for Choosing a Summer Camp for Your Child with LD
Camp size, activity offerings, location, staff, and camp policies all work together to create a summer camp's atmosphere. If you're a parent of a child with LD, it is worth taking a close look at this article. It's written by someone with valuable insider knowledge — a summer camp owner who is the parent of a child with LD!
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Crickets, Books, and Bach: Develop a Summer Listening Program
Listening to books is an entirely different experience than reading. Because audiobooks can be comprehended at a higher level than a child's reading level, new types of books and authors become accessible. Read this article to find helpful tips on designing a summer audiobook plan for your listener!
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Teachers' Guide to Using Video
Video is a powerful medium. And kids' unrelenting fascination with videos is motivating many educators to find ways to leverage them for all kinds of purposes. But the best ways of using videos are not always obvious. Teachers want to know: Among all the millions of videos out there, how do you find the best, across the content areas? Who are the great content creators, and what are the most well-curated sites? What kinds of videos are best for actual instruction? How do you get students engaged in discussion after watching videos? Hold your questions! KQED's Mind/Shift guide has answers for you.
Read article >
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1in5: A Social Hub for Young People with Reading Disabilities
The 1in5 Initiative is a web social media hub for young people with learning disabilities. The site's name is drawn from the fact that one in five Americans are reported to have dyslexia. 1in5 hopes to draw families, specialists, and people with dyslexia online to "share stories and resources, educate society, and debunk myths." The site's content is largely video based and provides useful information about dyslexia.
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Expert Advice: Can a School Deny an IEP Because of Academic Success?
Question: We had our 13-year-old daughter re-evaluated privately. Then I went to the eighth grade counselor to discuss what the IEP process would be like. The counselor stated that my daughter may qualify for 504 but not an IEP because her grades are good. Can a school deny an IEP because of academic success?
Answer: Schools are required to consider but are not obligated to follow the findings and recommendations of outside evaluators, so your private report is helpful but does not automatically entitle your daughter to eligibility….
Read more »
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Glossary Term: Source*
A text used largely for informational purposes, as in research.
*Defined by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
Featured Resource: Interview with Jay Leno
"If you don't think you're the smartest person in the room and you think you're going to have to work a little harder, and put a little more time into it, to get what everybody else does, you can actually do quite well." That's one thought Jay Leno shared when interviewed by the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity. Read more from the interview, including what it was like for Jay to grow up with dyslexia, including having his Scottish Mom help him with fourth-grade French!
Want more?
Read an article from the Wall Street Journal featuring other adults with dyslexia, including actor Henry Winkler, Governor Dan Malloy, and CEO Dr. Cosgrove.
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LearningStore Resource
Live it, Learn it! The Academic Club Methodology for Students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD
Sally Smith — the highly respected founder of the Lab Schools, where 95% of students with learning problems go on to college — shows elementary school educators how to immerse students in any subject using drama, painting, sculpture, music, and other art forms. The book includes chapters on using the approach in different settings, including junior high, high school, and summer programs.
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Calendar Check-In
Looking for information about what's happening this month? Check out our May 2013 calendar. It's loaded with dates for symposia, conferences, lectures, expos, and more.
Research and News
IEP Roadmap
Spring is the time of year when parents meet with their IEP teams to look at this year's progress and plan for the coming year, which may involve transition to a new school. Here are some resources to help guide you along the way:
- Emiliann's IEP Team >
- IEP Roadmap infographic >
- Parent's Guide to Developing Your Child's IEP > (in English and Spanish)
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Pay Attention to Attendance
As the school year draws to a close, it can get harder and harder to get your child to school on time or at all. Attendance research suggests that there is an important link between attendance and achievement. But how can parents support good attendance habits? Check out this PDF from Attendance Works for tips to keep your teen on track and how to communicate with his or her school. The PDF is available in English and Spanish and for multiple ages.
Learn more about Attendance Works >
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