Summer Camp Guide 2011

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

General Camp Information:

American Camp Association (Virginia section) www.acavirginiascamps.org
Frost’s Summer Camp Guide www.gocamps.com
Camp Page Guide to Summer Camps www.camppage.com
National Camp Association www.summercamp.org



Programs specifically geared towards children with learning differences and special needs:

Oakland School, Keswick, VA www.oaklandschool.net
Basic Concepts, Rockville, MD www.basicconcepts.org
Camp Little Foot, Rockville, MD www.ttlc.org
Oakwood School, Annandale, VA www.oakwoodschool.com
The Lab School, Washington, DC www.labschool.org
Paladin Academic, Sterling, VA www.nubellearning.com
Capital Camps, www.capitalcamps.org
Camp JCC, www.jccgw.org
Summit Camp, Honesdale, PA, www.summitcamp.com
Over the Rainbow Camp, Bethesda, MD 301-384-5081
Kamp A-Kom-Plish - MD, www.kampakomplish.org
Summer Treatment Programs – http://128.205.76.10/stp.html
ADDitude’s camp Directory – www.additudemag.com/directory.asp
Directory of Summer Camps for Children with Learning Disabilities - $5,
Learning Disabilities Association, 4156 Library Road, Pittsburgh, PA
15234, 412-341-1515
Kids’ camps – www.kidscamps.com














Other camps/programs:

DAY CAMPS

CompuWrite, George Mason University, http://kihd.gmu.edu/camps
Institute for the Arts, Fairfax Cty. Public Schools www.fcps.edu/DIS/OACE/prek12.html
Sport Rock Climbing Center, Alexandria & Rockville locations
www.sportrock.com
Washington Sailing Marina, Alexandria, VA www.washingtonsailingmarina.com
Challenger Space Camp, Alexandria, VA www.launchpad.challenger.org
Virginia Baseball Club – various locations www.govbc.com
Torpedo Factory/Art League, Art camps, Alexandria, VA www.theartleague.org
Sports Broadcasting, Washington, DC www.playbyplaycamps.com
Browne Academy, Alexandria, VA www.browneacademy.org
Burgundy Farms School, Alexandria, VA www.burgundyfarm.org
St. Stephens/St. Agnes, Alexandria, VA www.sssa.org
Flint Hill School, Summer on the Hill www.flinthill.org
The Langley School, McLean, VA www.langleyschool.org
Episcopal High School, Various sports programs, Alexandria, VA
www.episcopalhighschool.org
Potomac School Summer Programs, McLean, VA
www.potomacschool.org
DayJams Music Camp – various locations www.dayjams.com
Adventure Links, various VA locations www.adventurelinks.net
Rockville Skate Park, Rockville, MD www.ci.rockville.md.us
Fairfax County Park Authority www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks
Fairfax County Public Schools, http://www.fcps.edu/news/sumsch.htm
Khary Stockton Soccer Camp, Alexandria, VA www.kharystocktonsoccer.com
Discovery Creek, Vienna, VA www.discoverycreek.org
Mt. Vernon Community Children’s Theater www.mvcct.org
Animal Camp, Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, Alexandria, VA www.alexandriaanimal.org
Calvary Road Christian School wwwcrcs.org
Computer Camp, Georgetown University, www.internaldrive.com
Arena Stage, www.arenastage.org
Wilderness Adventure, Virginia locations, www.wilderness-adventure.com
Congressional Camp, Falls Church www.cogocamp.org
Creative Cauldron Arts Adventure, Mason District Park, Annandale
www.creativecauldron.og
Potomac Overlook Park, Jr. Naturalist www.nvpa.org








TADA!, musical theater camp, NVCC – Annandale Campus
www.americanmusicstage.com
TIC, Technology Camp, Bethesda & McLean www.ticcamp.com
Modeling Camp, Tysons, www.modelingcamp.com
Studio Theater Acting Conservatory, Washington, DC www.studiotheater.org
Basketball Camp – Bishop Ireton H.S., Alexandria, VA www.bishopireton.org
National Zoo – various camps – www.fonz.org
Sailing Camp – Belle Haven Marina – www.saildc.com
Alexandria Country Day School - www.acdsnet.org
ArtStar Youth Camp – www.lortonarts.com
Camp Creativity, Corcoran College of Art – www.corcoran.edu/campcreativity
Shakespeare – www.shakespearetheater.org
Chesapeake Academy Summer Session – www.qualitygraduates.org
Chinquapin Camp – www.alexandria.gov/recreation
Congressional Camp – www.congocamp.org
Fairfax Collegiate Summer Program - www.fairfaxcollegiate.com
Jewish Community Center of No. VA. –
Camp Achva – Fairfax – robinv@jccnv.org
Camp Shavuon – Falls Church- amyv@jccnv.org
Camp K’Tona – Alexandria – amyv@jccnv.org
KidSpanish – NVCC Alexandria – www.kidspanish.org
Levine School of Music – Arlington, DC – smennel@levineschool.org
Mad Science – Alexandria, Arlington – www.madscience.org/dc
Traveling Players Ensemble - Madiera School, Mclean, VA
www.travelingplayers.org
Cybercamp – NVCC Alexandria – www.cybercamps.com
Theater Lab school of the Dramatic Arts – Washington DC,
www.theatrelab.org
Living Earth – Charlottesville, VA http://www.livingearthva.com/

















Overnight Camps - CoEd

Camp Flintlock- MD, NC – www.campflintlock.com
Kroka Expeditions – Newfane, VT – www.kroka.org
Randolph-Macon Academy – Front Royal, VA – www.rma.edu
YMCA Camp Letts – Edgewater, MD – www.campletts.org
Camp Conrad Weiser – Wernersville, PA – www.smymca.org
Camp Hidden Meadows – Allegheny Mountains, WV –
www.camphiddenmeadows.com
Camp Highroad – Middleburg, VA – www.camphighroad.org
Camp Horizons – Harrisonburg, VA – www.camphorizonsVA.com
Camp St. Charles – Southern, MD – www.campstcharles.com
Camp Staunton Meadows – Clover, VA – www.campstauntonmeadows.com
Camp Tall Timbers- High View, WV – www.campfallingtimbers.com
Camp Twin Creeks- Marlington, WV – www.camptwincreeks.com
Camp Chanco on the James - Spring Grove, VA – www.chanco.org
Capital Camps – Waynesboro, PA – www.capitalcamps.org
Kamp A-Kom-Plish- Southern, MD – www.kampakomplish.org
National Young Leaders Conference – Tysons – www.cylc.org/nylc
Summer Camps on the River – Christ Church, VA –
www.christchurchschool.org
Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing- New Castle, VA –
www.wilderness-adventure.com
YMCA Camp Silver Beach – Jamesville, VA – www.campsilverbeach.org
SOAR – Success Oriented Achievement Realized - NC, www.soarnc.org


Boys Overnight

Camp Sea Gull – Arapahoe, NC – www.campsilverbeach.org
Science Camp Watonka – Hawley, PA – www.watonka.com
Valley Forge Military Academy – Wayne, PA – www.vfmac.edu
Camp Kooch –i-ching, Int’l Falls, MN – www.kooch-i-ching.org
Sanborn Western Camps: Big Spring Ranch 4 Boys, http://bit.ly/7rdCE








Girls Overnight

Camp Carysbrook – Riner, VA – www.campcarysbrook.com
Camp Rim Rock – Yellow Spring, WV – www.camprimrock.com
Camp Seafarer – Arapahoe, NC – www.seagull-seafarer.org
Hameau Farm in the Big Valley – Belleville, PA – www.hameaufarm.com
Kroka Expeditions – Newfane, VT – www.kroka.org
Sanborn Western Camps - High Trails Ranch 4 Girls Florissant, CO http://bit.ly/7rdCE

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Please help us out and take our survey.
We really appreciate your time and feedback.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HCBSPDS

Thank you!
ChicksWithKidz

My Aching Back

You've heard we had a record snowfall in the DC Metro area over the last week and a half. Well all that snow had to be shoveled -- from the front walk, from the driveway, from the pipestem/alley, from the cars, from in front of the elderly neighbor's, from the driveways of neighbors with health issues. We even had to shovel a big moat around our fence so that our dog couldn't step over it. (really, he could step over a 3 foot fence, and he did!)

Wherever it was, we shoveled it.
We tried to keep ahead of the accumulation, shoveling in shifts about every 2 hours. The problem wasn't really the shoveling, although that wasn't fun, it was where to put all the snow. The mounds were big after the first snow. After the 2nd you couldn't scoop and throw it high enough! (Having stilts or being really tall might have helped!) You had to really bend and reach to get it out of the way and on top of a mound/pile.

So all that shoveling, lifting, scooping, throwing, was not great for my back. (And I'm just plain old!)

Add to that the fact that for the last 2 weeks I've been living in either boots or slippers - not the best for foot, leg and back support. (I'm used to Dansko clogs or walking shoes with orthodics).

Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to NO MORE Snow and a trip to the chiropractor and masseuse next week.

veggie snacks

Since we've been snowed in for DAYS, we've been doing A LOT of cooking and baking. Tollhouse cookies, turkey wraps, pancakes, etc.., basically eating a lot to re-energize for all the playing and shoveling we've been doing.

Here is our favorite veggie dish that my kids LOVE. (I don't think they realize they're eating so many veggies!)

Vegetable Salad Bars

1 can crescent rolls
1 pkg. (8oz) cream cheese
1 pkg. DRY ranch dressing
2 rounded tsp sour cream
2 rounded tsp mayo

½ small head cauliflower
½ sm bunch broccoli
2 sm carrots

Shredded Cheddar, Swiss or Monterey cheese

Shred the veggies in a food processor

Unroll the crescent rolls and lay out on the jelly roll pan – pinch together the seams
Bake as suggested
Let cool

Mix together cream cheese, dressing, sour cream and may – you can let this sit overnight.

Cover roll with cream cheese mixture
Pat on shredded vegetables
Sprinkle with cheese
Press firmly

Cover w/ Saran Wrap and refrigerate
Cut into bars and serve.

Will keep for several days.

Summer Camp Guide

Yes, it's that time again.... time to think about summer camp.

Here is a list I have compiled over the years as a mom, as a Parent Association President and the writer of the Parent Association's Newsletter.


SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

General Camp Information:

American Camp Association (Virginia section)www.acavirginiascamps.org
Frost’s Summer Camp Guide www.gocamps.com
Camp Page Guide to Summer Camps www.camppage.com
National Camp Association www.summercamp.org



Programs specifically geared towards children with learning differences and special needs:

Oakland School, Keswick, VA www.oaklandschool.net
Basic Concepts, Rockville, MD www.basicconcepts.org
Camp Little Foot, Rockville, MD www.ttlc.org
Oakwood School, Annandale, VA www.oakwoodschool.com
The Lab School, Washington, DC www.labschool.org
Paladin Academic, Sterling, VA www.nubellearning.com
Capital Camps, www.capitalcamps.org
Camp JCC, www.jccgw.org
Summit Camp, Honesdale, PA, www.summitcamp.com
Over the Rainbow Camp, Bethesda, MD 301-384-5081
Kamp A-Kom-Plish - MD, www.kampakomplish.org
Summer Treatment Programs – http://128.205.76.10/stp.html
ADDitude's camp Directory – www.additudemag.com/directory.asp
Directory of Summer Camps for Children with Learning Disabilities - $5,
Learning Disabilities Association, 4156 Library Road, Pittsburgh, PA
15234, 412-341-1515
Kids’ camps – www.kidscamps.com


Other camps/programs:

DAY CAMPS

CompuWrite, George Mason University, http://kihd.gmu.edu/camps
Institute for the Arts, Fairfax Cty. Public Schools www.fcps.edu/DIS/OACE/prek12.html
Sport Rock Climbing Center, Alexandria & Rockville locations
www.sportrock.com
Washington Sailing Marina, Alexandria,VA
www.washingtonsailingmarina.com
Challenger Space Camp, Alexandria, VA www.launchpad.challenger.org
Virginia Baseball Club – various locations www.govbc.com
Torpedo Factory/Art League, Art camps, Alexandria, VA www.theartleague.org
Sports Broadcasting, Washington, DC www.playbyplaycamps.com
Browne Academy, Alexandria, VA www.browneacademy.org
Burgundy Farms School, Alexandria, VA www.burgundyfarm.org
St. Stephens/St. Agnes, Alexandria, VA www.sssa.org
Flint Hill School, Summer on the Hill www.flinthill.org
The Langley School, McLean, VA www.langleyschool.org
Episcopal High School, Various sports programs, Alexandria, VA
www.episcopalhighschool.org
Potomac School Summer Programs, McLean, VA
www.potomacschool.org
DayJams Music Camp – various locations www.dayjams.com
Adventure Links, various VA locations www.adventurelinks.net
Rockville Skate Park, Rockville, MD www.ci.rockville.md.us
Fairfax County Park Authority www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks
Fairfax County Public Schools, http://www.fcps.edu/news/sumsch.htm
Khary Stockton Soccer Camp, Alexandria, VA www.kharystocktonsoccer.com
Discovery Creek, Vienna, VA www.discoverycreek.org
Mt. Vernon Community Children’s Theater www.mvcct.org
Animal Camp, Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, Alexandria, VA www.alexandriaanimal.org
Calvary Road Christian School wwwcrcs.org
Computer Camp, Georgetown University, www.internaldrive.com
Arena Stage, www.arenastage.org
Wilderness Adventure, Virginia locations, www.wilderness-adventure.com
Congressional Camp, Falls Church www.cogocamp.org
Creative Cauldron Arts Adventure, Mason District Park, Annandale
www.creativecauldron.og
Potomac Overlook Park, Jr. Naturalist www.nvpa.org
TADA!, musical theater camp, NVCC – Annandale Campus
www.americanmusicstage.com
TIC, Technology Camp, Bethesda & McLean www.ticcamp.com
Modeling Camp, Tysons, www.modelingcamp.com
Studio Theater Acting Conservatory, Washington, DC www.studiotheater.org
Basketball Camp – Bishop Ireton H.S., Alexandria, VA www.bishopireton.org
National Zoo – various camps – www.fonz.org
Sailing Camp – Belle Haven Marina – www.saildc.com
Alexandria Country Day School - www.acdsnet.org
ArtStar Youth Camp – www.lortonarts.com
Camp Creativity, Corcoran College of Art – www.corcoran.edu/campcreativity
Shakespeare – www.shakespearetheater.org
Chesapeake Academy Summer Session – www.qualitygraduates.org
Chinquapin Camp – www.alexandria.gov/recreation
Congressional Camp – www.congocamp.org
Fairfax Collegiate Summer Program - www.fairfaxcollegiate.com
Jewish Community Center of No. VA. –
Camp Achva – Fairfax – robinv@jccnv.org
Camp Shavuon – Falls Church- amyv@jccnv.org
Camp K’Tona – Alexandria – amyv@jccnv.org
KidSpanish – NVCC Alexandria – www.kidspanish.org
Levine School of Music – Arlington, DC – smennel@levineschool.org
Mad Science – Alexandria, Arlington – www.madscience.org/dc
Traveling Players Ensemble - Madiera School, Mclean, VA
www.travelingplayers.org
Cybercamp – NVCC Alexandria – www.cybercamps.com
Theater Lab school of the Dramatic Arts – Washington DC,
www.theatrelab.org
Living Earth – Charlottesville, VA http://www.livingearthva.com/


Overnight Camps - CoEd

Camp Flintlock- MD, NC – www.campflintlock.com
Kroka Expeditions – Newfane, VT – www.kroka.org
Randolph-Macon Academy – Front Royal, VA – www.rma.edu
YMCA Camp Letts – Edgewater, MD – www.campletts.org
Camp Conrad Weiser – Wernersville, PA – www.smymca.org
Camp Hidden Meadows – Allegheny Mountains, WV –
www.camphiddenmeadows.com
Camp Highroad – Middleburg, VA – www.camphighroad.org
Camp Horizons – Harrisonburg, VA – www.camphorizonsVA.com
Camp St. Charles – Southern, MD – www.campstcharles.com
Camp Staunton Meadows – Clover, VA – www.campstauntonmeadows.com
Camp Tall Timbers- High View, WV – www.campfallingtimbers.com
Camp Twin Creeks- Marlington, WV – www.camptwincreeks.com
Capital Camps – Waynesboro, PA – www.capitalcamps.org
Kamp A-Kom-Plish- Southern, MD – www.kampakomplish.org
National Young Leaders Conference – Tysons – www.cylc.org/nylc
Summer Camps on the River – Christ Church, VA –
www.christchurchschool.org
Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing- New Castle, VA –
www.wilderness-adventure.com
YMCA Camp Silver Beach – Jamesville, VA – www.campsilverbeach.org
SOAR – Success Oriented Achievement Realized - NC, www.soarnc.org


Boys Overnight

Camp Sea Gull – Arapahoe, NC – www.campsilverbeach.org
Science Camp Watonka – Hawley, PA – www.watonka.com
Valley Forge Military Academy – Wayne, PA – www.vfmac.edu
Camp Kooch –i-ching, Int’l Falls, MN – www.kooch-i-ching.org

Girls Overnight

Camp Carysbrook – Riner, VA – www.campcarysbrook.com
Camp Rim Rock – Yellow Spring, WV – www.camprimrock.com
Camp Seafarer – Arapahoe, NC – www.seagull-seafarer.org
Hameau Farm in the Big Valley – Belleville, PA – www.hameaufarm.com
Kroka Expeditions – Newfane, VT – www.kroka.org

Because you just can't make this stuff up.....

And because I can just now write about this without cracking up or have my husband get mad that I would share this…..

Christmas Eve 2009—
That morning my boys were sleeping, I took the dog to the dog park for a good run, and my husband was going to do his wrapping. I wasn’t gone long when my husband calls me and says he thinks he needs to go to the emergency room, he’s cut his fingers. I said I’ll be right home. I was thinking how bad can a wrapping paper injury be?
Not five minutes later he calls me again and says an ambulance has sideswiped a car in front of our house. The ambulance was not there for him.
So I come rushing home to find an ambulance, a police car and the fire chief truck in front of my house.
The ambulance was called for a neighbor’s elderly mother who was ill and it couldn’t get down the street due to the record amount of snow we got in the last few days and cars parked on both sides of the already narrow street.
The driver and everyone were laughing about it saying if they just had an inch or so more they could have made it. The car they hit was from a "hanger on" from a neighbors Christmas party the night before, they had to go wake the poor guy to tell him.
(The elderly women who was taken to the hospital in another ambulance and is doing just fine.)

Anyway, when I got in the house, my husband was bleeding pretty badly from his left hand. When I asked what he was wrapping and what had happened, he fessed up that he was wrapping a joke gift for me. That joke gift was a wooden spoon, because I tend to break wooden spoons by slamming them on the counter to make a point to my kids (better than using the spoon on the kids, right?!).
The spoon had come with some pretty thick shrink wrap stuff on it, so he was using the scissors, open, to slide between the wrap and the spoon to get it off. The scissors slipped and cut into his thumb and 2nd finger.

Since the EMT guys were just hanging out in front of the house, I told my husband to go see what they suggested and if they’d take care of it for him.
He walked out and they told him he bought himself a ticket to the ER, but he’d have to take himself there. They thought he would need about 20 stitches between the two fingers. Since it was a hand injury, they were required by law to ask if he was trying to kill himself/commit suicide. My husband’s response was “No, my Christmas shopping is all done!”
So the EMT wrapped his fingers and sent him in the house.
And I sent him on his way to the ER, about a mile away.
He was there for several hours. Calling me every so often to give me an update and tell me about all the people that were there for a fall on the ice and snow and the shoveling injuries. Nothing as fun and interesting as a wrapping injury.

When he came home he had 9 stiches in his thumb and 3 in his finger. He was so bandaged up – it looked worse that it actually was, and he couldn’t get it wet.
So I had to make Christmas Eve dinner by myself which was ok, but I’m not the best cook in our house! And then I had to get his food ready for him. We always have lobster tails and steak for Christmas Eve. Which meant I had to get the lobster out and cut up his meat - like having another child.

My kids slept through the entire incident, even the ambulance crashing into the car.
The joke over the next few days was “don’t give dad anything sharp”, “don’t let him open that box”, etc..
I did lay out some scissors on the kitchen counter Christmas morning to see if he would notice. He said I was “cruel”.

When I opened my presents Christmas morning, the wooden spoon was loosely rolled in black tissue paper.

The Holiday Card dilemma

There is a lot of pressure at this time of year to get that perfect holiday card with the perfect picture of the perfect family. (I won’t even go into the Christmas letter)
I’ve done the picture card for many years. I always put a lot time, energy and thought into selecting the picture and the card.
But this year, I’ve been really busy, really stressed. I tried several times to upload a photo (or two!) to a site, to get that perfect card. I spent time selecting the photo, the card etc.. but it just wasn’t happening.
So I made the decision that it just wasn’t worth the additional stress to get the card done, addressed, stamped, sealed and mailed.
I decided to send the same picture but send it via e mail.

I sent the “card” out to friends and family and the response has been immediate and amazing!
I’ve received replies from friends wanting to catch up, connect and comment on the photo. (You never hear from people after you put that card in the mail!)

I’ve gotten e mails hailing me as “ahead of my time”, “queen of technology” and “being green”. Friends have even said they are going to jump on the e mail card bandwagon. (It seems everyone is running a little late and is very stressed this year).

So who knew I was starting a revolution!

Happy Holidays!
~Kellie

Easy Recipes...

For holiday entertaining – these are my go to, never fail (EASY!), family favorites, recipes –

Turkey Wrap
1 pkg large fajitas
2 containers Aluoette vegetable cheese spread
1/2 lb sliced turkey

spread the cheese on the fajita
place the turkey on top
roll up
wrap in Saran Wrap
refrigerate for 1 hr or overnight
slice and serve
(makes about 40 slices)

Chicken Dip
3-4 boneless chicken breasts - cooked and shredded
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup Franks Hot Sauce
1 jar Marie's Blue Cheese Dressing

mix all together
bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, until bubbly and slightly brown
serve with tortilla chips

Totellini & Pesto
1 pkg tortellino
1 container pesto sauce
1 container sour cream

cook pasta until almost done - drain, rinse in cold water
mix pesto and sour cream
refrigerate both tortellini and sour cream mixture for 1-2 hrs. or overnight
serve in chip and dip bowl w/ toothpicks


Apricots and Blue Cheese
1 package of Sunsweet Apricots
fill indentation in apricots with small spoonful of blue cheese
serve at room temp.

Baked Brie
1 round of Brie
1 Tbsp. Craisins (dried cranberries)
3 or 4 dried apricots – sliced ---- optional
Granulated brown sugar

Place the brie in the freezer for 1 hr.
Using a knife, remove the white rind.
Grease a small baking dish
Break up the brie into the baking dish and sprinkle the
Cranberries and apricots throughout.
Bake in a 305 degree oven until melted and bubbly (about 10 – 15 minutes)
Sprinkle w/ brown sugar.
Serve warm


Artichoke Dip

2 cans (14 oz. each) artichoke hearts
1 cup mayo
1 cup sour cream
½ cup Parmesan Cheese
Crackers

Preheat oven to 350
Chop artichoke hearts coarsely
Mix mayo, sour cream and parm cheese.
Add the chopped artichoke hearts and mix thoroughly.
Pour into ungreased baking dish.
Bake for 20 minutes,
Serve hot.

Cheesy Bread
½ baguette, cut into 2 inch slices
½ small yellow onion, thinly sliced
1/8 lb thinly sliced, cooked ham
¾ cup white wine
½ tsp black pepper
1 ½ cups grated Gruyere Cheese

Heat oven to 400 degrees F
Place the bread in a buttered, ovenproof skillet or a 9 in sq. baking dish
Scatter the onion and ham over the bread
Pour the wine over the mixture
Sprinkle with the pepper and Cheese
Bake until the cheese has melted and begun to brown, about 20 mins.


Vegetable Salad Bars

1 can crescent rolls
1 pkg. (8oz) cream cheese
1 pkg. DRY ranch dressing
2 rounded tsp sour cream
2 rounded tsp mayo

½ small head cauliflower
½ sm bunch broccoli
2 sm carrots

Shredded Cheddar, Swiss or Monterey cheese

Shred the veggies in a food processor

Unroll the crescent rolls and lay out on the jelly roll pan – pinch together the seams
Bake as suggested
Let cool

Mix together cream cheese, dressing, sour cream and may – you can let this sit overnight.

Cover roll with cream cheese mixture
Pat on shredded vegetables
Sprinkle with cheese
Press firmly

Cover w/ Saran Wrap and refrigerate
Cut into bars and serve.

Will keep for several days


Tortilla Soup

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion – chopped
2 garlic cloves – minced
¼ cup chopped cilantro
½ tsp cumin
2 jalapeno peppers – finely diced
2 scallions – chopped (green & white parts)
5 cups chicken broth
2 cups diced chicken or turkey (pre cooked – get rotisserie from store)
1 cup frozen corn
At least 1 can kidney beans
2 Roma tomatoes
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
Tortilla chips
Sour cream

Heat olive oil in large stockpot over medium heat.
Add onion, garlic, cumin, cilantro, jalapeno & scallions.
Cook for 2-3 minutes
Add chicken broth and bring to a boil
Simmer covered for 20 mins
Add beans, diced chicken, tomatoes & corn
Serve in bowls and garnish with more tomatoes, cheese, tortilla chips & sour cream

Breakfast Casserole

2 cups shredded cheese
¼ cup butter
1 cup light cream
¼ tsp pepper
½ tsp salt
2 t dry mustard (Coleman’s)
12 eggs slightly beaten
1 lb sausage – optional
Can use spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, whatever

Spread cheese in baking dish
Dot with butter
Combine cream, S & P, & mustard.
Pour half cream mixture over the cheese
Add beaten eggs
Add sausage
Pour rest of cream over top
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes – until bubbly

Christmas books for children

I thought I’d share some of my family’s favorite Christmas books.
(And these are in no particular order)
Happy Holidays
~~Kellie

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado

Alabaster’s Song by Max Lucado

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojceichowski

Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood

Santa’s Book of Names by David McPhail

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry

Snowmen at Night
and
Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner,

This is The Star by Joyce Dunbar

Santa Calls by Willam Joyce

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck

Who’s That Knocking on Christmas Eve by Jan Brett

I’ve Seen Santa by David Bedford

The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett

Santa Mouse & Santa Mouse Where Are You by Michael Brown

Bright Christmas, an Angel Remembers by Andrew Clements

Rocking Horse Christmas by Mary Pope Osborne

How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky

Holiday Cookie Party Times Two

~About 10 years ago a neighbor and I decided to co-host a ladies holiday tea and cookie exchange. It started out as a lovely affair with a few neighborhood ladies. We used our holiday china to serve finger sandwiches and appetizers. Wine and wassail served in our good crystal, and we used cloth napkins and tablecloths.
Over the years it has developed (turned into!) a huge, much more laid back event with contests and prizes.
One year there were over 70 women. Who thought that having 70 women in my house would be fun?? The number of people wasn’t really the problem, the fact that each person had to bring at least 3 dozen cookies was. There were cookies everywhere – counters, tables, on the piano, the sofas, and chairs – basically any flat surface had cookies on it. And it took forever to distribute them.
That year I swore I wouldn’t do it again. Well, I did do it again, and again. It has been scaled back and now it is so much more fun. We serve wine in plastic cups and use paper plates and napkins.
We have contests and prizes - most Martha Stewart like, my kids’ helped (obviously!), most festive, best in show. The prizes are ribbons, cookie cutters, and the “big prize” is the golden spatula. The spatula gets passed from year to year to the winner of the best (worst!) overall.
My husband and kids love all the cookies we get, there is just no way I would (could!) make that many or that variety of cookies.
And it just wouldn’t be the holidays without the cookie party!
So again this year, we are off to host the cookie party. Tis the Season!


~The second holiday cookie party is the teacher/staff appreciation party that I started years ago at one of my kids’ school. It has now become a wonderful tradition that the teachers and staff wouldn’t dare let go away.

Here’s how it works ---
We ask each family to send in 2 dozen cookies. The cookies can be purchased, baked and even sliced and baked – it doesn’t matter, just as long as you send in cookies. (It is strictly voluntary but most families participate.)
After lunch on a Friday afternoon, we decorate the lunch room and spread out all the cookies.
We serve milk to go with the cookies and we play holiday music.
We give each teacher, staff member, janitor, etc. a box and let them fill it with any and all cookies they choose. Any leftovers are put in the teachers lounge/staff room for everyone to enjoy.

This is such a great way to say thank you to all the people that touch the lives of the students. And really, who says thank you to the person that cleans the building, or the teacher that your child sees only once a week?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

~~Kellie

Homemade Holiday

As we are all try to figure out what to give everyone for the holidays and try to save money, here are a few things that I have done with my boys over the year. Most years we have done our “crafts” over the summer and put it away for the holidays. My boys have been so proud of the gifts that they have made themselves and the gifts have lasted a long time.


-When my boys were really little, I would take them on a “collection” walk around the neighborhood. We collected rocks - big rocks, little rocks and pebbles.
Once home we washed the rocks, painted them and even glued things on the rocks – googley eyes, smaller rocks, feathers, and even cut up construction paper. 10+ years later, grandma still proudly displays her rocks on her kitchen window sill and in the garden.

-another year we purchased tiles in various sizes from the hardware store. We put handprints on the tile and gave them to grandparents and aunts and uncles to use as trivets. Again, they are still used today.

-Stepping stones are always nice in the garden and grandmas love their gardens. So one year we made stepping stones from a kit purchased from the craft store. We used our hands and feet to make imprints on the stones, then embellished them with small rocks and decorative pebbles.

-One year we went to the craft store and purchased small cardboard boxes and ornaments. (they were made from recycled materials). We painted them, put glitter on them, and even glued sequins on some of them. We gave the boxes to cousins and other relatives and we used the ornaments as gift tags on wrapped presents.

-When the boys were very young we made our own holiday wrapping paper. We took white tissue paper and used their hands in red or green paint to make handprint paper. We also took holiday cookie cutters, dipped them in paint and used them on the tissue paper as well.

-As the boys got older, we made more elaborate gifts. So one year we made soap. It was sooo easy and my boys loved it! We purchased everything needed from the craft store - molds, soap blocks, scents, colors, and a how to book. I did the melting of the soap and pouring it into the molds. My boys selected the mold, the color and the scent of the soap. It was so much fun and we had soap everywhere. (we were really clean that year!) The boys enjoyed selecting the mold and creating a unique soap for each family member – Cousins, peace symbols and happy faces in funky colors, grandpa doesn’t like spiders so they put a plastic spider in clear soap. Auntie likes turtles, so we made all different scents and shades of green turtles. A few teachers liked flowers so we made various colors of flowers with different scents. To accompany each gift we searched dollar stores, craft stores and other variety stores for different soap dishes. I think each gift cost about $7 and everyone loved it!

-Because we have sooo many girls in the family one year we made them all “magic wands”. We bought small dowel rods from the craft store, painted them and used feathers, gems, and glitter to decorate. The girls were so excited and thought they were truly magical!

-One year we thought we’d try to work with beads, so we made everyone beaded zipper pulls for backpacks, purses, and coats. The beads, pulls and sometimes a decorative charm were purchased from a craft store. The boys enjoyed making patterns with the beads and selecting various ending pieces (charm) for each pull – i.e. fish, phone, flip flop, sun, moon, cat, etc.. Some family members still have the pulls on their winter coats.

-For teacher gifts one year we made note and thank you cards. We purchased card stock from the craft store. My boys each selected 4 things that each teacher liked – coffee, dogs, golf, flowers, cats and so on. Using clip art and word, we chose different fonts and placed the teachers name with a picture of their favorite things on the page. The layout was 4 cards to 1 page of cardstock. We printed the cards out in a variety of colors, cut the page into 4 cards and tied with colorful ribbon. The teachers loved it and the boys were so proud of their computer skills.

-Other years we have gone to the Crate & Barrel outlet and purchased the following for teachers gifts --
-plain coffee mugs (about 1 ea) and put a $5 gift card to Starbucks in
it.
-big popcorn bowls (under $10) and put packages of microwave
popcorn in it.
-clear candy dishes ($1 or so each) in a variety of shapes & sizes, and
filled them with homemade candied nuts or bagged candy.
-holiday dish towels and pot holders all under $2


Have a wonderful Holiday Season
~Kellie

New Mammogram Guidelines, Really?!

The government has come out with new guidelines for mammograms, I am so upset about them that I don’t even know where to begin…..

Here are the current facts/statistics for Breast Cancer –
-1 in 6 women is diagnosed with the disease. (who is the one in your circle of women?)
-Someone dies every 3 minutes from the disease.
-Mammograms save lives – I am living proof.

In April of 2008, at age 44, a routine mammogram found my breast cancer. It was small, 1.6 cm, but extremely aggressive, Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.
If I had waited another year until I was 45 or even 6 years until I was age 50 to get a mammogram, I would most likely be dead by now or by the time I got a mammogram.

Mammograms save lives!
Every women should get a baseline mammogram at age 40. And based on her risk factors, should get one every year or every other year after that.

Some risk factors are:
-Is there a history of breast cancer in your family?
-Is there a history of other kinds of cancers in your family?
-Did you give birth to any children? (if yes, you have a lower risk)
-Did you breast feed? (if yes, you have a lower risk).

I hope that the guidelines don’t influence women to become complacent in their care or allow insurance companies to deny coverage of mammograms.

I can not stress enough the importance of regular Dr. visits and mammograms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GET YOUR BOOBIES SQUISHED! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prevention is the Best Medicine

Despite waiting in line for 4 1/2 hours to get the vaccine, I got the dreaded swine flu. (apparently it takes up to 3 weeks to give you immunity).
It hit me like a truck over the weekend. I've slept for hours and still don't feel any better. And Tamiflu doesn't seem to be making it any better. Currently on day 4.

I'm normally a "germ a phobe", using hand sanitizer every time I, or my kids, get in the car from being in a store, from school, or a quick run into Starbucks. We wash our hands as soon as we walk in the door at home. I regularly use Clorox wipes around the house on door handles, toilet handles, the refrigerator handles, light switches, tv remotes, and phones.
Apparently, all to NO good.
I'm just hoping that no one else in my family gets it!
And I'll continue to use the Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer.......

~~~Kellie

Have a Safe Halloween

There are many ways to keep your child safe at Halloween, when they are more prone to accidents and injuries. The excitement of children and adults sometimes makes them forget to be careful. Simple common sense can do a lot to prevent tragedies from happening.

Youngsters will be out and about on Halloween during evening hours and crossing streets in the dark. Motorists frequently use residential side streets as a cut-through during high volume traffic hours.

Here are a few Halloween safety tips to remember:

~Always use crosswalks and sidewalks and walk facing traffic
~Carry a flashlight or glow sticks
~Wear light colored clothing and reflective stickers on costumes
~Use face paint rather than full-face masks that can partially block your vision
~Only trick-or-treat at houses you know and that are well lit
~Travel in groups and children should always be with an adult
~Inspect all candy and treats before children eat them
~Notify police about any suspicious person or activity

HAVE A SAFE AND SPOOKY HALLOWEEN

HOW THE BRAIN REMEMBERS WHAT IT LEARNS AND HOW TO HELP CHILDREN WHO CAN’T REMEMBER

HOW THE BRAIN REMEMBERS WHAT IT LEARNS AND HOW TO HELP CHILDREN WHO CAN’T REMEMBER

William R. Stixrud, Ph.D.
William R. Stixrud and Associates
8720 Georgia Avenue, Suite 300
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-565-0534
www.stixrud.com

“Vastly more extensive and strenuous use of memory is required for school success than is needed in virtually any career you can name.” (Mel Levine)

“When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school, it’s a wonder I can think at all.” (Paul Simon)

INTRODUCTION: MEMORY AND SCHOOLING

I. Memory defined: Memory is the ability to encode, store, and retrieve information. (You
can’t separate memory and retrieval.)

II. School demands an enormous range of memory — from automatic memory
for very basic skills to memory for the defining features of the most abstract concepts.

A. Longer and longer textbooks.
B. Dramatically escalating rate of information explosion.
C. Tremendous pressure to “get through the curriculum”
D. Increased rate of forgetting (90 percent of learning two weeks after test)

III. Memory as the “forgotten R” (John Hartson)

A. Schools are not equipped to induce automaticity.
B. Schools have de-emphasized the importance of learning poems, etc. “by heart”.
C. Few teachers teach students strategies for remembering.
D. Few teachers give students the necessary daily practice with such strategies.

IV. There are dramatic individual differences in memory skills in equally bright students..

A. Acquisition of vocabulary and factual knowledge
B. Capacity for “automatizing” basic academic skills
C. Memory for spoken language
D. Active working memory
E. Ability to intentionally commit information to memory

V. Can memory be trained?

A. Ancient Greeks used mnemonic techniques extensively
B. Early psychologists found memory practice didn’t increase memory span much.
C. However, memory span is improved dramatically by strategies (e.g., 80+ digits).
D. Mnemonic instruction has produced the largest treatment effects in special ed.
E. Everyone has experienced the benefit of HOME, EGBDF, etc.
F. Working memory training


MODELS OF HUMAN MEMORY

I. Types of memory

A. Declarative memory (conscious, explicit, reflective memory)

1. Information that is independent of a given context such as facts, vocabulary, dates,
events, objects, faces

2. Episodes -- autobiographical memories imbedded in a specific context

B. Nondeclarative memory (implicit, reflexive, unconscious)

1. Procedural memories (e.g., motor skills, procedures)
2. Emotional memories

II. Stages of memory

A.. Short-term memory

1. Holds information for two or three seconds.

2. Because STM capacity is so short (e.g., 7 digits), information from
teachers needs to be recoded or abbreviated, condensed.

a. Paraphrasing is hugely important for academic success.
b. Using “visual scratch pad” (visualization) is also a useful tool.

B. Working memory (“RAM” - the memory needed for the program you are trying
to run)

1. “A processing resource of limited capacity involved in the preservation
of information while simultaneously processing the same or other information.” (holding information on line while processing, updating,
and/or manipulating it).

2. Brain structures and processes used for temporary storage/manipulation
of information in its absence and in the presence of distraction (Tannock).

3. It involves On-line processes: maintenance (span) and manipulation
(updating, shifting)

4. Two key modalities in which we use working memory:

a. Spatial working memory (mental sketch pad; picturing relevant
info)
b. Verbal working memory (e.g, manipulating, analyzing information)

C. Long-term memory (Hard drive)

1. A virtually limitless repository for knowledge, skills, and life
experiences. (We may never forget things in long-term memory
(although they may get lost there).

2. Consists of two stages: storage (consolidation) and retrieval
(access). Consolidation takes hours to months and
works most effectively during sleep, also with active
involvement with information (e.g., elaborating, changing).

3. The amount and form of information transferred to LTM is
primarily a function of control processes such as rehearsal.
How it is stored is determined by links, associations, and
general organizational plans.

4. Rehearsal as a major factor affecting comprehension
and retention

a. Rote rehearsal (for material that must be remembered
exactly)
b. Elaborative rehearsal - in which student reprocesses the
material
c. Frontal lobe activation during rehearsal predicts degree of
retention.

5. Aspects of long-term memory and school performance

a. Memory for factual information
b. Memory for spelling, punctuation, grammar rules, and facts when writing.
c. Remembering math facts and procedures

II. Assessment of the key aspects of memory for school learning and performance:

A. Automaticity (automatic mastery of basic phonological associations, sequences, formulas, and rules). Measure through:

1. Automaticity with alphabet, days of week, months of year
2. Speed of naming/retrieval for names of letters, numbers, shapes, colors, objects
3. Mastery of math facts
4. Speed or fluency of very basic academic skills (doing very basic computations; reading and writing very simple sentences)

B. Working memory. Measure through tests of:

1. Digit span
2. Letter-number sequencing
3. Mental arithmetic
4. Sustained rule following
5. Visual sequences

C. Memory for meaningful spoken language. Measure through tests of:

1. Sentence memory
2. Narrative memory (short stories)
3. Memory for oral directions

D. Ease of acquiring (absorbing) verbally-encoded knowledge. Measure through tests of:

1. Vocabulary (importance of understanding individual differences)
2. Factual information

E. Deliberate memorization (intentional “cramming of information into memory). Measure through tests of word-list memorization. There are huge individual differences.

F. Remembering to remember (remembering to do what you’re supposed to do). Measure:

1. History
2. Behavioral rating measure of executive functioning (BRIEF)
3. Tests of ability to follow multiple-step directions


G. What about visual memory?

1. Role in math?
2. Related to visual-spatial scratch pad?
3. Tests of spatial location (“where” system); memory for objects (“what” system)


THE HUGE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING MEMORY

I. Why is working memory such a big deal (following Diamond)

A. Necessary for considering things from multiple perspectives
B. We need it to understand narratives.
C. Crucial for relating the present to the past and future
D. Necessary for retaining steps in a sequence (e.g., following complex directions)
E. Critical for making connections (relating one idea to another) and creativity
F. Is necessary for remembering something while we are doing something else
G. Has huge role in all aspects of academic learning and work production

1. Is highly correlated with sentence comprehension and reading comprehension, as poor readers don’t use “phonological loop” well (to maintain thread).

a. Reduced verbal memory span
b. Reduced memory for serial order
c. Less use of rehearsal

2. WM is also a major player in mathematics (e.g, mental arithmetic, multiple-step operations, solving complex problems) and in written language.

II. Working memory and its relationship to inattention (Tannock)

A. A substantial proportion of students with ADHD show working memory problems.

1. Particularly those with behavioral symptoms of inattention
2. Primary association in children is with visual-spatial working memory deficits.

B. Working memory capacity and mind wandering (study of undergraduates)

1. Students with low working memory capacity reported more mind wandering.

2. Individuals who can hold more information in working memory can also more efficiently exclude irrelevant information – and can pay attention.

3. Individuals with poor working memory will appear inattentive and distracted in situations where others will not.

C. Working memory and traditional treatments for ADHD

1. Behavioral interventions aren’t very effective in reducing symptoms because they don’t take working memory into account.

2. Stimulant medication has selective and modest effects on working memory.


III. Development of working memory

A. Typical trajectory (Gathercole)
B. Memory plateaus in middle childhood in students with ADHD (Klingberg)


THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF MEMORY

I. The process of Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) makes memories “stick”.

A. Defined: The cellular process through which synapses strengthen their connections to one another, coding an event, stimulus, idea, etc. as a series of connections.

B. Changing cell surface: When a neuron fires and sets off a neighboring cell, a chemical change takes place on the neighboring cell’s surface, leaving it more sensitive to stimulation from that same neighbor.

C. Recruiting other neurons: Each time two neurons fire together, the tendency to do so is increased, and their combined energy is enough to trigger any neighboring cell to which they are both weakly attached.

D. Permanent bonding: Eventually, the repeated synchronous firing permanently binds neurons together so that the slightest activity in one will trigger all those that have become associated with it to fire, too, consolidating a memory and making it more easily retrievable.

E. LTP in action: Even in just 60 minutes, electron microscopes show the branching contact points between nerves (dendrites) grow and form new extensions

II. Sleep is crucial for long-term memory formation

A. Robert Stickgold’s study of sleep deprivation:

1. A single night of sleep permanently short-circuits the memory consolidation process.

2. Participants kept awake for 30 hours after training showed no evidence of improved performance, even after two nights of restorative sleep.

B. A second study: Study of adults found that interrupting REM sleep 60 times in a night
completely blocked learning (blocking non-REM sleep did not have this effect).

III. The effects of emotions on memory

A. Positive feelings improve neurotransmitter conduction for efficient learning.

1. When excited, there is a surge of excitatory neurotransmitters that increases the
firing rate of neurons in certain parts of the brain.

2. This increases the intensity of perception and boosts LTP.

B. Stress compromises memory

1. Stress diminishes selective and focused attention.
2. Stress limits ability to achieve automaticity.
3. Stress takes executive functions that are critical to memory offline.
4. Stress interferes with the cellular functioning of hippocampus.
5. Prolonged stress kills cells in hippocampus and shuts down neurogenesis.
6. Stress hastens aging, is best predictor of vulnerability to dementia.

IMPROVING THE MEMORY CAPACITIES OF STUDENTS

I. Improving the organism

A. Emphasize the importance of sleep, stress management, and exercise.
B. Activate memory systems through music, emotional involvement, novelty.

II. Helping children with short-term memory weaknesses

A. Help children learn to paraphrase (whisper under their breath).
B. Encourage them to quickly create mental snapshots or movies.
C. Slow down or repeat instruction.
D. Use digital camera to capture work on the board.

III. Facilitating long-term memory

A. Teach how to organize material (how can we remember this).
B. Teach to determine what is most important.
C. Teach mnemonics and tricks for retrieval.
D. Give more time for tests (if retrieval is a problem).
E. Give practice tests.
F. Encourage kids to memorize things they find interesting (e.g., jokes, sports statistics).
G. Allow for downtime, necessary for CREB (a protein necessary for memory).
H. Put information to music.

IV. Improving working memory – teaching suggestions:

A. Preview material (e.g., new words, concepts, procedures) to reduce WM load during instruction.

B. Present information in relatively small chunks (Levine)

1. Break instructional tasks into smaller tasks.
2. Limit steps in directions and provide written steps.
3. Teach associations and grouping of concepts and information as you go.

C. Emphasize post-listening strategies.

1. Review notes.
2. Connect today’s lesson with previous notes.
3. Self-question to determine if they need clarification.
4. Draw up a summary statemet (e.g., of a lecture).

D. Use electronic reminders (beepers to cue returning to task)

V. Improving working memory by teaching kids strategies:

A. FACT: Focus attention; Ask questions; Connect ideas; Try to picture important ideas.


B. Teach paraphrasing

1. Have kids put what they hear and read in their own words.
2. Do it every day. Make it a habit.

C. Teach visualization

1. Have kids make pictures in their head of what they hear and read.
2. Do it every day.

D. Teach other memory strategies

1. Link names/objects/events to rooms in the house and “walk around” (“loci”).
2. Teach pegword method (i.e., one-bun, two-shoe, etc.
3. Make acronyms
4. Draw cartoons or use clip art to make mnemonics.
5. Introduce idea of universal mnemonic.

E. Training independent use of memory strategies

1. See Mastropieri’s ‘Enhancing School Success with Mnemonic Strategies’ for steps.

2. Remember that students remember better with teacher-provided strategies than self-generated strategies.
3. The importance of modeling strategies cannot be overemphasized. Tell students what you are thinking and why you are doing it this way.
F. Use BrainCog Strategies (www.fablevision.com)

G. Practice working memory with:

1. Mental arithmetic, estimation
2. Simon Says
3. Thank You for Calling (software for following directions)

H. Emphasize underlining important points while reading.

1. Reviewing at the end of each page.
2. Dictate important points into a tape recorder.

VI. Improving working memory with medication

A. Stimulant medication has modest beneficial effects on spatial and verbal working memory (Bedard).

B. Stimulant medicine has no effect on verbal span (Bedard).

VII. Cogmed Working Memory Training

A. Significant improvement in working memory, attention, higher order thinking.
B. In preschoolers, improvement in working memory and inhibition
C. Increased prefrontal and parietal activation
D. Improved reading comprehension and math problem solving (but not phonological awareness)


VIII. Helping children with specific memory problems

A. Math facts

1. Repetition, drill (e.g., flash cards; Kumon math)
2. Chisenbop
3. Mnemonics (City Creek Publishers, citycreek.com)

B. Reading fluency/automatically

1. Repeated oral reading (e.g., Read Naturally; Great Leaps)
2. RAVE-O
3. Lexia (computer program)

C. Spelling

1. Cast-A-Spell (uses NLP eye movements)
2. Seeing Stars (Lindamood-Bell)

D. Deliberate memoriztion

1. Mnemonics
2. Organizational strategies

E. Remembering to remember

1. Note taking; assignment book
2. Electronic reminders
3. Universal mnemonic

F. Memory for language

1. Story grammar
2. Visualization (e.g., Visualizing and Verbalizing)
3. Earobics
4. Thank You for Calling (following directions)

IX. BREAK: A combination strategy for middle and high school students (Minskoff and Allsopp). Includes five research-based strategies for memorizing school content.

A. Break memorizing into short time periods.

1. Use short, spaced practice, ideally over several days.
2. Rehearse before bedtime so information will replay during sleep.
3. Cramming may be ineffective for students with disabilities (because of anxiety and the high level of mastery of memory techniques required).

B. Recite the information aloud as you write it.

1. Use auditory and motor cues to reinforce learning.
2. Recite the information aloud from note cards or lecture notes.
3. Read to a tape recorder for review.
4. If reciting is insufficient, write the information too.
5. Test yourself by shutting your eyes and asking and answering questions.
6. When taking a test, writing out acronyms and acrostics in the margin.


C. Establish mnemonics (e.g., acronyms, acrostics, visualization, keyword method)

D. Always try to visualize information in your mind.

1. Picture the illustrations you want to remember.
2. Picture your graphic organizers.
3. Self-test the adequacy of your visual imagery.

E. Keywords help.

1. For terminology, find something in the word related to its meaning.
2. Combine keywords with visualization.

SUGGESTED READINGS

Carter, R. (1998). Mapping the Mind. University of California Press.

Clayton, J. Making Memories. www.brain.com

Dehn, M. Working Memory and Academic Learning: Assessment and Intervention

S. Gathercole. Working Memory and Learning: A Practical Guide for Teachers

Hoover, A. “Memory Tips for Students”. ldonline.com

Levine, M. Developmental Variation and Learning Disorders (1999); Educational Care (1994); The Memory Factory (2000); One Mind at a Time (2004). All published by Educators Publishing Service (1-800-225-5750)

Mastroperi, M. Enhancing School Success with Mnemonic Strategies. ldonline.com

Minskoff, E., & Allsopp, D. Academic Success Strategies for Adolescents with ADHD and LD.

Springer, M. (1999). Learning and Memory: The Brain in Action. (ASCP)

Homework Tips/Hints - Part 4

Homework Crisis & What to do

Bad Mood -- Eat a snack, do a bit of yoga or stretching, rip up some paper, listen to music

Spills -- Clean it up quickly. Let it dry. Make a copy. Put a sticky on it with an apology

Distractions-- Have a special study area with all your supplies.
Be aware so you can double check your work while you were distracted

Lost directions/lost materials -- Call a classmate and get the information. Often substitute a piece of paper for a missing worksheet or index card.

Forgotten or lost homework -- Double check your assignment book.
Call a classmate; do what you can; make your best effort; write a note to the teacher

Confusion about directions -- Double check your assignment book.
Call a classmate who usually has the homework correctly.

Long-term project -- Chunk the parts of the project on a calendar. Check the calendar daily so you can stay on schedule. Use weekends if you need to so you can catch up.

Questions -- Double check your assignment book.
Call a classmate who usually knows what the teacher wants.

Homework Tips/Hints - Part 3

When you proofread your writing, call out the COPS


C = Capitalization. Have you used capital letters for the first word in each sentence? Have you used capital letters for names and other proper nouns?

O = Organization. Does each paragraph have the right time sequence or steps in order?
Overall appearance. Is your work neat? Do you have the heading in the correct
place?

P = Punctuation. Does each sentence have correct punctuation marks at the end? (.,?!).
Have you used apostrophes and commas correctly

S = Sentences. Did you use complete sentences? Did you use variety in the first words
of the sentences?

Are you proud of your work?

Homework Tips/Hints - Part 2

Tips to Stop Rushing Through Homework

-- Discuss expectations BEFORE homework begins. Identify the homework that your child normally rushes through. For eachassignment, jot down 2-3 requirements on a post-it note and place on the desk or table next to your child. For example, on a writing assignment, you may list, "proper heading, legible writing, and complete sentences." By being proactive, instead of reactive, you can stop rushing before it happens.

-- Set up Daily Homework Time (DHT). DHT is a specific time each day that's dedicated to homework, whether your child says he has it or not. Your child will spend a minimum amount of time on academically related tasks daily. For example, if the spelling homework is completed quickly, but 40 minutes are still left in DHT, your child could study for a test, work on a long-term project, organize her notebook, or read. If your child knows he has DHT for an hour, he may be less likely to try to rush through an assignment. How long should DHT be?

Here's a guide:
Grade 1: 10 minutes
Grade 2: 20 minutes
Grade 3: 30 minutes
Grade 4: 40 minutes
Grades 5 and 6: 45 minutes
Grades 7-12: 1 hour (as a minimum)

-- Use praise the right way. Recognize good effort whenever possible! Rewards and praise will result inpositive changes faster than punitive words or punishment. When providing feedback, be sure to offer a positive statement first. Follow with specific, constructive criticism and finish off with another positivecomment.
For example, 'You rushed through this writing assignment!'becomes, 'I like the way you wrote your heading so neatly. I do see that your paragraphs need more descriptive details, but overall your essay looks close to being done."

Homework Tips/Hints - Part 1

As promised, here are some homework tips that I have learned over the years with my boys, who both have learning differences. Some come from their schools, some from just being a mom and former preschool teacher. Hope they help you.
~~Kellie


--Make homework time as close to the same time every day – make it the routine. i.e. Snack, homework; tv or video games, homework, dinner, reading

--Make sure that the area that your child is doing homework is free of distractions – No TV, NO music. (The kitchen table isn’t the best if you’re cooking or working there too).

--Create a homework “nook” using a Science project tri fold board (if it’s too high, cut it in half)
Use the board as walls to block out distractions and to the inside add information and tools that your child will need/use - list of ABC’s to help with alphabetical order, multiplication table, clock, etc.
If you still need to block out noise and distractions, put a roof on top.

--Make sure you have lots of supplies and keep them close by – pens, pencils, highlighters, and calculator; this will cut down on getting up and down or creating an excuse for getting up and down.

--If the work seems too much – break it out into smaller tasks i.e. answer just the first few math problems. If that doesn’t work, try doing every other problem.

--Take breaks! Work for 10 minutes take a break, work for 10 more minutes.

--If you child wiggles, you can get a wiggle seat or have them sit on an large exercise ball pulled up to the desk or table.

--Try to involve your child in deciding how to break up the homework or in which order to do it – math first, reading 2nd, or hardest subject first or easiest subject 1st, or big project then shorter tasks

--Read every night!

--Read every day or night at the same time and if possible the same place – big comfy chair, in bed, at a desk.

--If the book is too long or has “too many words”, take turns - have your child read a page or paragraph and you read a page or paragraph.

--If you can, get a book on tape or CD and read along with the cd

--Ask questions at the end of every few pages or chapter so you know your child understands what is being read.

Dr. Stixrud to speak about The Neuropsychology of Memory: How the Brain Learns and How to Help Kids Who Can’t Remember

Oakwood School Parent Association Presents~
Dr. William Stixrud speaking on “The Neuropsychology of Memory: How the Brain Learns and How to Help Kids Who Can’t Remember”

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm


In this lecture, Dr. Stixrud describes what memory is and the different types and stages of memory (e.g. short-term, working memory, and long-term). He explains the different aspects of memorization and which aspects are primarily used in the school setting. Dr. Stixrud addresses the importance of a specific type of memory called “working memory,” which deals with retaining crucial information for sequencing and for making the kinds of connection that are pivotal for success in school. He also discusses the neurobiology of memory (what happens on a cellular level), the critical role of sleep in memory, and the effects of memory on emotion. Dr. Stixrud concludes the lecture by providing information about various strategies and treatments available to improve students’ memories, as well as various teaching aids to augment a student’s ability to remember. He focuses on the tools available to help teach students not only techniques for memorization, but also ways to actually improve one’s ability to memorize.


Dr. Stixrud is a licensed psychologist who has been in private practice as a neuropsychologist since 1985. He specializes in the evaluation of children, adolescents, and adults with learning disabilities, and in the promotion of self-esteem. He currently is a member of the Clinical Supervisory Faculty at Children's Hospital and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the George Washington University Medical Center. Dr. Stixrud also holds an appointment on the Clinical Faculty of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School.


$15 registration fee, payable at the door

Please register by calling 703.941.5788


Oakwood School
7210 Braddock Road
Annandale, VA 22003