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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
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(c) 2012, Heather Idoni - www.FamilyClassroom.net
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Welcome to The Homeschooler's Notebook!

If you enjoy this newsletter, please recommend it to a friend! 

Not a subscriber? Get your own subscription to The Homeschooler's Notebook here:

http://www.familyclassroom.net

And please visit our sponsors -- they make this publication possible! :-)

 

=================
IN THIS ISSUE:
=================
Notes from Heather
-- Psychology Today Article
Winning Website
-- Virtual Panoramic Tours
Helpful Tip
-- Free Starbucks Gift Card
Featured Question
-- Piecing Together Curricula
Additional Notes
-- Newsletter Archives
-- Sponsorship Information
-- Reprint Information
-- Subscriber Information

 

====================
Notes from Heather
====================

Experiences of ADHD-Labeled Kids Who Switch
from Conventional Schooling to Homeschooling or Unschooling

---

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:

www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201009/experiences-adhd-labeled-kids-who- switch-conventional-schooling-homeschool

---

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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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

==================
Winning Website
==================

Geographic Panoramic Tours

www.fullscreenqtvr.com/

"We went on some virtual field trips recently using Full Screen TV. This would be a great site to keep in mind for a geography project -- but we just enjoyed taking a look around the top of Everest and the moon! And we really liked the Extreme part of the site."

-- Julie, www.homeschooling-ideas.com

 

==============
Helpful Tip
==============

Free $5 Starbucks Gift Card from Approved Learning!

Not sure how much longer this will last, but I took a short survey and did receive my free $5 Starbucks gift certificate via email. You can print it out right from your computer! You will also be entered in a drawing to win a Kindle Fire. :-)

www.facebook.com/pages/Approved-Learning/110671095692452

-- Heather

 

========================
Featured Question
========================

Piecing Together a Curriculum

"I have been homeschooling for 5 years now and I have always used a boxed comprehensive curriculum. I am currently using HOD (Heart of Dakota) which we like, but I use my own science, language arts and math, so basically we are using HOD for history and bible and some of their science. So, as I teach each day and think about whether I am going to purchase HOD again for next year(which would be this summer for us), I wonder why not just do my own thing since I am basically piecing together already. I still have the help of the teacher's guide for history and for the living books (readers and read alouds) that go with the history lessons.

My question is this: Do any of you have any advice on how I know what I need to keep teaching as we go along from year to year so I know we are covering everything -- and how I would know which readers to pick out for my kids? How do you do that? I feel like I would save a lot of money not getting a boxed curriculum since I am already purchasing math, language arts and science separately besides the whole curriculum. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!" -- Wendy

 

======================
Our Readers' Answers
======================

"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

 

=======================
New Reader's Question
=======================

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.

 

=====================
Ask YOUR Question
=====================

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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=====================
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=====================

All contributed articles are printed with the author's prior consent. It is assumed that any questions, tips or replies to questions may be reprinted. All letters become the property of the "Homeschooler's Notebook". [Occasionally your contribution may have to be edited for space.]

Again, I welcome you to the group! Feel free to send any contributions to mailto:HN-articles@familyclassroom.net or mailto:HN-ideas@familyclassroom.net.

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