Below is another great article I found about ADD/ADHD. If your not familiar with ADD/ADHD then please read these frequently asked questions so you can easily identify if your homeschooling child has it or so you can better meet your student’s learning needs. If you are a homeschooling parent of a child with ADD/ADHD I’d love to hear about your experience.
Please provide an overview of attention deficit disorders.Attention deficit disorder is a syndrome characterized by serious and persistent difficulties in the following three specific areas:
1. Attention span.
2. Impulse control.
3. Hyperactivity (sometimes).
ADD is a chronic disorder that can begin in infancy and extend through adulthood, having negative effects on a child’s life at home, school, and within the community. It is conservatively estimated that 3 to 5% of our school-age population is affected by ADD. Even though the exact cause of ADD remains unknown, research shows that ADD is a neurologically-based medical problem. There is no one “test” for determining if a person has this disorder. An accurate diagnosis requires an assessment conducted by a well-trained professional - usually a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, child psychiatrist, or pediatric neurologist. (From ERIC EC Digest E569, Teaching Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders).
What information is available on legal issues and attention deficit disorder?
Most students with ADD are served in the general education classroom. Some students may receive services under the rules and regulations of either Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The IDEA defines as eligible only students who have certain specified types of disabilities and who, because of one of those conditions, need special education and specially designed instruction. Section 504 protects all qualified students with disabilities, defined as those having any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities including learning. Section 504 covers all students who meet this definition, even if they do not need to be in a special education program. It is important for classroom teachers and other professionals who work with these students to understand the classroom modifications and accommodations that can assist these students. (From Section 504 and the ADA Promoting Student Access: A Resource Guide for Educators. Council for Exceptional Children, Reston, VA).
What can you tell me about the use of Ritalin and other medications in the treatment of ADD? What are some alternatives to medication?
No cure or “quick fix” exists to treat AD/HD. The symptoms, however, can be managed through a combination of efforts. management approaches need to be designed to assist the child behaviorally, educationally, psychologically, and, in many instances, pharmacologically. Medication has proven effective for many children with AD/HD. Most experts agree, however, that medication should never be the only treatment used. Many parents and teachers have heard that mega-vitamins, chiropractic scalp massage, visual/ocular motor training, biofeedback, allergy treatments, and diets are useful treatments for AD/HD. However, these treatments are often experimental, and advocates and parents need to become informed consumers and exercise caution when considering such treatments. (From NICHCY’s briefing paper on ADD).
I think my child is gifted. My child’s teacher says he might have an attention deficit disorder. Is this possible? Where can I get information on children who are gifted and might have an attention deficit disorder?
During the past five years, an increasing number of gifted children have been identified or diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder, with or without hyperactivity. This dramatic increase is somewhat disturbing, and has been explained in many different ways including greater awareness on the part of educational professionals and improved diagnostic techniques. However, ADD in gifted students is difficult to assess because so many of the behavioral characteristics are similar to those associated with giftedness or creativity. A child who is gifted may have ADD. Without a thorough professional evaluation, including a physical examination by a physician, it is hard to tell.
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
Homeschoolers, it’s time for you to get your hands dirty and garden! Gardening is a great way for homeschoolers to learn about plants, vegetables, photosynthesis and have fun during the summer. Gardening is also the perfect way to reinforce homeschooling curriculum by discussing the water cycle, the process of photosynthesis and other concepts in biology. Click the links below to start your homeschooling garden project.
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschoolers Indoor Projects for Kids: Here are some fun indoor garden projects for pre-k homeschoolers.
Elementary Homeschoolers Terrarium Projects: Chech out these cool and creative garden projects that elementary homeschoolers will love!
Middle School Homeschoolers Vegetable Garden: Middle School homeschoolers can build a lovely vegetable garden using this great guide.
High School Homeschoolers Science of Gardening: High School homeschoolers are encouraged to read all about the science and art of gardening by watching the videos on this awesome website.
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. — Genesis 1:11-12
Spring is the perfect time to get out in nature and discover the beauty and science found in flowers. Flowers may seem like they are merely for aesthetic beauty, but smart homeschoolers know that without flowers, our entire ecosystem would collapse. What a wonderful God we serve, who provides us with a necessary element of creation that is so beautiful at the same time!
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschoolers Coloring Pages: Here are some beautiful flowers for your younger homeschoolers.
Elementary Homeschoolers Primary Games: Complete a sunflower jigsaw puzzle and other fun games.
Middle School Homeschoolers Kidport: Learn all about the science of flowers at Kidport.
High School Homeschoolers About Homeschooling: Learn more about the art of drying and pressing flowers.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11
It’s getting a little warmer out there and what better time than spring for a good hike? Hiking is a great way to appreciate God’s beautiful Creation while simultaneously getting that heart pumping! A hike can be a lesson in Science if you take a closer look. Study Romantic poetry about nature for a quick English lesson. You can always look up verses about nature for a Bible devotion as well. Pre-Kindergarten Homeschoolers Babycenter: Learn how to hike with your toddler so he or she doesn’t get too tired on those long trips. Elementary Homeschoolers GORP: Going on a hike is a great activity for younger children. Here are some helpful tips that will keep your kids on the trail. Middle School Homeschoolers Rails to Trails: Rails to Trails is dedicated to converting unused railroad tracks into great hiking, biking, and walking trails.
High School Homeschoolers American Hiking Society: This government organization will give you all the information you need to plan a great hike.
“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.” - Ecclesiastes 5:10In Him,
The Jubilee Academy
Happy Monday, my homeschooling pals! Hope you had a restful weekend and are ready to go for another week of learning and growing in the Lord. Last week we got a visit from a furry friend: Punxsutawney Phil. It got me thinking that maybe we should visit some other mammals that will be crawling out of their burrows over the next few weeks. That’s right, I’m talking about mammals. Click on the links below for mammaliar fun!
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschoolers Enchanted Learning: Learn all about mammals right here at Enchanted Learning.
Elementary Homeschoolers Bear-Tracker: Learn how to recognize the tracks of different mammals.
Middle School Homeschoolers European Mammals: Learn how to visit all kinds of European Mammals by finding out where they live.
Hiya homeschoolers! Are you ready for another day of learning? Yesterday we had so many great fall activities, we decided to add another “fall” day to the blog! Here is another fun-filled collection of autumnal web links. So grab a steaming mug of hot cocoa (don’t forget the marshmallows!) and sit right down for some world wide web fun.
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschoolers Enchanted Learning: Check this out for a list of fun crafts you can do with orange, red, and yellow leaves. They are beautiful decorations for your house in the fall.
Elementary Homeschoolers Family Fun: Here are some great opportunities to enjoy God’s creation in the fall. Don’t just spend fall sitting at your computer!
Middle School Homeschoolers Wilderness Survival: Fall is a great time to build a big ol’ bonfire out in the backyard. Here is a helpful guide. Again, don’t forget to bring marshmallows!
High School Homeschoolers About.com: It’s time to start thinking about getting the house ready for winter. Here is a checklist you can fill out to make sure that you won’t be getting any uninvited guests in your chimney. It’s also good for keeping heating costs under control.
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” -Jeremiah 32:17
Goodmorning my homeschooled pals. Another glorious week of learning is ahead of us. Isn’t that exciting? We’ve got a great week planned with plenty of fun stuff on the horizon. Can you believe it’s almost halway through November? This fall season is zooming by! We still have some time left before the snow comes. Today we are going to use the power of the internet to find some fun autumn activities.
Pre-Kindergarten Homeschoolers A to Z Kids Stuff: Click here to find a fall-themed finger-play song, a fall art project, even a fall science project, just for pre-K homeschoolers.
Elementary Homeschoolers Family Fun: Here are six fun fall activities for all you elementary school homeschoolers out there in cyberspace.
Middle School Homeschoolers Science Made Simple: Click here for a cool science experiment. Find out why leaves change color in the fall.
High School Homeschoolers Sugar Shack: Ever wondered how maple syrup is made? Click here to find out!
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” -Revelation 1:8
