Take some time to read this great article about helping students with Attention Deficit Disorder. Included are seven solid strategies that parents and teachers should start implementing for students with ADD.
As all good teachers know, every student has unique interests, abilities, and learning styles. In a successful classroom, this individuality is respected. In fact, teachers use what they know about each individual to help students learn. This same care and respect can help the growing number of students with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) overcome some of the educational challenges that they face.
Distinguishing ADD from the normal range of childhood activity is difficult and requires the help of a trained professional. There is no cure for ADD. However, you can use strategies like the seven below to help students with ADD find success in your classroom.
Establish a calm, structured classroom
Set up regular routines and clear, consistent rules. While this classroom structure need not come at the expense of creativity or excitement, students with ADD are usually most comfortable in classrooms where procedures, expectations, and limits are explicit.
Provide a “stimuli-reduced study area” in a quiet, low-traffic area of the classroom. Encourage students to use it. To learn more about setting up this study space, go to KidSource Online.
Seat students with ADD away from distractions and close to you. Younger students who have trouble staying in their own spaces can benefit from clear physical boundaries, such as their own table or a box marked on the floor with colored tape.
Always be clear and concise when giving instructions
Repeat yourself! Students with ADD flourish in classrooms where reminders and previews are the norm. Be sure that students know what to expect, and give them frequent updates.
Maintain eye contact when giving verbal instructions and make sure that students understand the instructions before they begin the task. You may want to have students repeat directions back to you.
Simplify complex instructions, and break large tasks into a series of smaller, more manageable parts. Provide older students with written instructions for multistep projects. Review these instructions orally to be sure that students understand.
Use non-verbal cues to communicate with the students; for example, quiet the class by raising your hand or blinking the lights. Give private cues when students are off-task, like sending a signal to re-focus by placing your hand on the shoulder of a chatting or distracted student. If a student is struggling with written instructions, print simple, easy-to-understand icons in the margins of the page in order to draw attention to key points.
Help students to become better organized
Provide students with an easy-to-use assignment log. In this log, clearly list the day’s assignments on a clear, standardized homework schedule. Be sure to include a checklist of all books and supplies that students will need to complete the assignments. If possible, older students should make these homework schedules on their own. Remind all students to consult this notebook at the end of each day and to make sure they understand the assignments.
Take advantage of technology
Encourage students to do writing assignments on computers or word processors that have a spell-checking feature. Students can also use hand-held, computerized spellers. Of course, these aids should not replace good, comprehensive training in these basic skills. However, for projects that emphasize content mastery, technology can be a very valuable tool! Students who can demonstrate their knowledge without worrying about spelling or handwriting can feel pride in their accomplishment and enjoy a great boost in self-esteem.
Give frequent and specific praise
Be sure to tell students how much you value them. Praise all good behavior and outstanding academic performance or improvement in front of classmates or in private. Be specific - tell students exactly what they accomplished!
For example:
“Great job, Leila! You raised your hand before you answered the question!”
“Thank you for washing your paintbrush and putting it back where it belongs, Juan. You really listened to my directions!”
“What a clean desk! You are very organized today, Matt.”
Reward success in the classroom by:
Distributing small prizes, like stickers.
Adding checkmarks or stars to a prominently displayed chart.
Giving successful students firm handshakes and bright smiles.
Telling students that you are proud of them!
Share good news with family members
Tell family members about their children’s accomplishments. Don’t limit home-school communication to difficult periods or crisis situations.
Give younger students a daily home-school “report card.” Encourage them to keep cards in their assignment logs and to share them with their parents. Use this report card to describe students’ achievements and to ask for information or assistance.
There are no easy solutions to ADD, but a classroom environment that is rich in structure, support, and encouragement can nurture success in all students.
Home schoolers, do you have a craving for something sweet? I have the perfect solution for you! Roll up your sleeves and make some yummy summer treats. Home schoolers should ask their parents for help before working on their delicious masterpieces. Cooking is fun and a wonderful skill to learn. It can also reinforce home schooling curriculum like chemistry, math, and reading.
Preschool Home Schoolers Summer Popsicles: Preschool home schoolers will love making these delicious popsicles, especially on a hot day!
Elementary Home Schoolers Frozen Chocolate Banana Pops: Home schoolers in elementary school will have a ball making this easy recipe for scrumptious chocolate covered bananas.
Middle School Home Schoolers Fun Healthy Fruit Shakes: Summer treats don’t have to be unhealthy. Middle school home schoolers can enjoy creating a variety of tasty and healthy fruit shakes.
High School Home Schoolers Ice Cream Sandwiches: Is there anything more brilliant than an ice cream sandwich! Everyone loves to eat ice cream sandwiches and now high school home schoolers can assemble their own.
“Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” — Isaiah 40:26
Even though it’s the summer, home schoolers are still encouraged to sharpen their minds by reading, writing, and solving logic problems. That’s right, logic problems. No matter what age your home schooler is he or she will love logic problems by the end of the summer. Logic problems are fun, challenging, and will help home schooling students logically evaluate problems in the real world when they are older.
Pre-Kindergarten Home schoolers Butterfly Puzzle: Pre-K home schoolers can use logic to unscramble the photo and see what the picture is!
Elementary Home schoolers Cool Logic Games: Elementary home schoolers will enjoy these online games and learn all about logic too.
Middle School Home schoolers Brain Teasers: Middle school home schoolers can sharpen their logic skills by trying their best their best at these fun brain teasers.
High School Home schoolers Interactive Logic Problems: Solve this tough problem about the high school play and other mind bending problems.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” — Galatians 5:1
What’s the deal, homeschoolers? What’s the deal indeed! Today we are going to learn how to become poker-faced card sharks. There are lots of fun card games to learn. You might even learn some math on the side! Now remember,the Bible has a lot to say about the dangers of gambling. When we play card games, we don’t play for money, just for fun. Remember, don’t be a sore loser! Ok, who wants to deal?
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschoolers Yahoo! Games: Got any threes? Go fish! This popular kids card game is free at Yahoo!
Elementary Homeschoolers Yahoo! Games: How bout a free trial of Jewel Quest Solitaire?
Middle School Homeschoolers Family Fun: Five Card Frenzy will put you in a frenzy! It’s a crazy mix-up between solitaire and five-card poker.
High School Homeschoolers The House of Cards: Here are dozens of links to different card games like Cribbage, Spades, Bridge, Canasta, Euchre, Hearts, and more!
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” -Romans 8:1-2
Goodmorning all, and welcome to the Jubilee Blog. Do you hate math? Math doesn’t have to be boring. Today we are going to play some fun math games. You’ll have a great time and learn a thing or two about arithmetic
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschoolers Gayle’s Preschool Rainbow: This site has a variety of matching and counting games that will give preschoolers a good foundation in math.
Elementary Homeschoolers Cool Math 4 Kids: Click around on some of the fun games like Lemonade Stand, Brain Benders, and more!
Middle School Homeschoolers Cool Math Games: Check out this Mah-Jongg
High School Homeschoolers Games 2 Train: Check out the Algebots, a free computer game that uses Algebraic principles.
“The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” -Galatians 6:8
Hello young mathmeticians! Sometimes math can be tough, but it can also be lots of fun. Sometimes both! Click around on the links below to find some fun math riddles, puzzles, flashcards, and games.
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschooling Students Mathcar Racing: Can you solve the problems fast enough to win first prize in the grand prix?
Elementary Homeschooling Students FunBrain’s Math Arcade: This board game is full of arithmetic twists and turns. It also specializes to your grade level, so anyone can play.
Middle School Homeschooling Students Math Baseball: If you answer a math problem correctly, you will get a hit. Try for a grand slam! Advanced gamers can choose “Algebra.”
High School Homeschooling Students Physics Applets and Games: Physics can be hard to understand because it’s tough to imagine what’s happening when you’re looking at numbers. Here are some fun simulations to help you understand what’s really going on.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” -Philippians 4:4
Hey kids, parents and educators! Want to play some fun games today? Well you have come to the right place. Just click around to explore the fun!
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschooling Students ABC: has original cartoons, stories, music, and interactive games for children of all ages. Also in French, Italian, German, Russian, and Spanish.
Elementary Homeschooling Students Bowakwala: fun Flash site for primary grade kids. Discover new things each month including a story, games, songs, and a link to UpToTen for more fun! Also in French and Spanish
Middle School Homeschooling Students Rainbow-Magic: cool mazes, puzzles, coloring, games, brainteasers, interactive quizzes, and lots more!
High School Homeschooling Students Brainquest: includes daily questions, games and trivia, cards, and more fun stuff!
“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” -Revelation 2:10
Sometimes math can be a tough subject. Learn great FUN ways to do it.
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschooling Students Flashcards for Kids: Students can choose math operations, complexity and number size for practice in addition, subtraction, etc.
Elementary School Homeschooling Students Stanley Park Chase with Multiplication: On this site, children help a dog find something he has buried by solving simple multiplication problems. A very engaging site.
Middle School Homeschooling Students Cool Math 4 Kids: Called an amusement park for math, this website provides games and activities for the different operations of math. Cool Math 4 Kids is for children under 13 and is part of the Cool Math website.
High School Homeschooling Students AAA Math: The interactive website offers online activities for all grade levels. This site contains hundreds of pages of Basic Math Skills.
“The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness.” -1 Samuel 26:23
Explore the cool world of math with sites for all ages!
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschooling Students Kids Bank: Learn all about the bank and why they hold our money for us to keep it safe.
Elementary School Homeschooling Students Math Cats: This site is all about math and the world of cats.
Middle School Homeschooling Students Kid-at-Art: Welcome to the imagination factory. Click here for more.
High School Homeschooling Students KinderStart: What interests you? Reading? Law? Math? Science? Music? Check out all different kinds of careers.
“This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, ‘Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?’ declares the LORD. -Jeremiah 35:13
Got a math question? Well most everyone does from time to time. Here are some great sites for all levels of math.
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschooling Students WebMath: What type of math problem are you working on?
Elementary School Homeschooling Students MathDork: MathDork is an educational partner to all students who wish to attain the highest level of understanding in math.
Middle School Homeschooling Students Geometry Problem of the Week: A chance for students to try their hands at solving a weekly problem in geometry.
High School Homeschooling Students Ask Dr. Math: An excellent service that allows students to get math problems answered online for free!
“I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” -Psalm 91:2
