ADHD Observations... and a $5 Starbucks Giveaway!
Added by Heather Idoni
Monday, March 19, 2012
========================================================== Vol. 13 No. 7, March 19, 2012, ISSN: 1536-2035 ========================================================== (c) 2012, Heather Idoni - www.FamilyClassroom.net ========================================================== Welcome to The Homeschooler's Notebook! If you enjoy this newsletter, please recommend it to a friend! And please visit our sponsors -- they make this publication possible! :-)
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Experiences of ADHD-Labeled Kids Who Switch --- A few months ago Peter Gray, Ph.D., a research professor of psychology at Boston College and a writer for Psychology Today, put out a call for stories about children who have been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and have been homeschooled and/or unschooled. He received 28 accounts of experiences from different families -- and then set out to analyze the data. What he found from these personal stories suggests that (1) most ADHD-diagnosed kids do fine without drugs if they are not in a conventional school; (2) the ADHD characteristics don't vanish when the kids leave conventional school, but the characteristics are no longer as big a problem as they were before; and (3) ADHD-diagnosed kids seem to do especially well when they are allowed to take charge of their own education. Mr. Gray's article includes excerpts from these families' stories. I think you will find it very interesting and affirming reading! Here is a link to the full article: --- Do YOU have your own story to share? Your feedback is always welcome -- just send your email to heather(at) familyclassroom.net. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Piecing Together a Curriculum
====================== "Hello Wendy -- I devise my own curriculum each year, and have never purchased a boxed set. To make sure that I am heading in the right direction, I go to my state's Department of Education website and look up the standards/goals for each subject for each grade. Here is a link to a sample from Vermont: www.aahperd.org/naspe/standards/stateStandards/upload/physical_education_vt.pdf Hope this helps!" -- Gillian --- "Some years ago, I heard some advice from Chris Davis of Elijah Company, regarding developing a custom-made education program. I took his advice and added a few steps of my own. Here's what I offer, preferably done by both parents. You will probably want to do this for each child. 1. List what things you learned or did in school that have served you well. 2. List what things your learned or did in school that have proven to have been a waste of time. 3. List what things you wish you had learned. 4. Thinking of the day your child leaves home, what would it take for you to send him out confidently knowing that he is ready to face the world on his own? Consider skills, knowledge, work ethic, faith foundations, character qualities, etc. 5. What do you believe is God's purpose for your child, and what do you have to offer that will equip him to fulfill that purpose? There is a reason God gave this child to you. What does He expect from you regarding the stewardship of that gift? 6. What do you want to not regret when your child leaves home? Answering these questions will help you establish goals. It will then be much easier to develop an educational program individualized for each of your children. You will probably want to update your lists as your children grow and mature." -- Mary Beth --- "I piece together my own curriculum for my kids using a variety of curricula, teaching books and library books. Part of the way I decide what I want or feel like I need to teach comes from the book Home Learning Year by Year by Rebecca Rupp. The book goes through each grade and gives a list of the things that are typically taught in that grade with some recommended resources as well. It has been very helpful in giving me confidence that I am not going to miss something important in teaching my children." -- Amy
======================= Help for Delayed 15 Year Old? "Hi -- I have 3 children ages 19, 15, and 5. I have homeschooled for 7 years now and graduated the oldest. All 3 have ADHD and the younger 2 are both on the autism spectrum. Both are high functioning, but very different when it comes to learning. My 15 year old functions at about the age of 10. Academically she seems to be stuck in 3rd grade. We currently piece our curriculum together. For math we use Math U See, for history The Story of US, science is ACE paces; for language arts we use Language Lessons for Elementary. My question is this: How do I move her forward? She will do the work, but does not remember any of it later. She also has dyslexia, so writing is so difficult for her. We have tried Dianne Craft's products, but my daughter did not seem to respond to those either. I am about ready to just give up! I know I can't because she would not survive in a public school at this age with her difficulties. On the other hand, my 5 year old is advanced academically. He is close to passing her and this causes much turmoil with her. Any advice would be greatly appreciated." -- Janell in Hawaii --- Would you like to share some wisdom or encouragement with Janell? Just send your email to mailto:hn-answers@familyclassroom.net.
===================== Do you have a question for our readers? Yours will be up NEXT! :-) Send it to mailto:hn-questions@familyclassroom.net and we'll answer it in an upcoming issue!
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