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?

Events for parents, teachers & caregivers in the Washington, D.C. metro area

CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) Presents:
Parent to Parent Family Training on AD/HD
Fall Sessions/Alexandria, VA: 7 consecutive Friday evenings
October 2nd- November 20th (except Oct 9th for CHADD conference)
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm
Commonwealth Academy, 1321 Leslie Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301
Fees: $100.00 CHADD Members or $145.00 Non-CHADD Members
(includes annual membership in CHADD)
Couples may share the manual and pay one entry fee
Instructor: Leah Daziens, CHADD Certified Teacher
For more information contact: leah.daziens@gmail.com
Registration Deadline: September 23, 2009


Fairfax County Public Schools:
A meeting regarding the identification of students with disabilities who have been enrolled in private schools by their parents and the provision of special education services.
The Individuals with Disabilities Act 2004 (IDEA) addresses the requirement for schools to provide special education and related services for children who are placed by their parents in private schools located within the school divisions geographic boundaries.
www.fcps.edu/dss/sei/privateschools/index.htm

Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Fairfax County Public School Gatehouse Administration Center
8115 Gatehouse Road, Falls Church, VA 22042
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Please register: Sheila Weaver – Sheila.weaver1@fcps.edu 571-423-4160


Exceptional Schools for Exceptional Students School Fair
Sunday, October 18, 2:00 – 5:-- p.m.
Katzen Art Center, American University @ Ward Circle, Washington, DC

Showcasing the many wonderful school choices available to families of children with learning differences. Find out about individualized programs that will help your child thrive both academically and socially.

Admission is FREE and OPEN to the public

Participating Schools:

Accotink Learning Center
Alexandria Friends
The Auburn School
Chelsea School
Commonwealth Academy
The Diener School
Ivymount School Model Asperger Program
The Maddux School
Kingsbury Day School
The Lab School of Washington
Landmark
Mansef
McLean School
The Nora School
The Norbel School
Oakwood School
Parkmont School
The Siena School
The Summit School
The Katherine Thomas School

For more information please contact Beth Atkinson at 301-592-0567 x 12 or batkinson@thesienaschool.org


George Mason University, Center for the Arts Presents: How We Learn: Human Exceptionality and CognitionMargo A. Mastropieri, Professor, College of Education and Human DevelopmentMonday, October 19, 2009 at 7 p.m.This presentation will describe how research with exceptional populationscan advance our understanding of all human learning and cognition and maycontribute to the development of a theory of learning and instruction. Inthis view, research on individuals with special learning needs can helpuncover processes or skills overlooked by a solitary focus on more efficientlearners. Mastropieri will discuss what her research has provided and how itinforms us about learning. She will examine the future research directionsto narrow the difference between what we have learned and what we couldlearn.Tickets are free. For more info http://gmu.edu/cfa/vision/


Children Together welcomes Pam Schiller, Ph.D.
In this practical workshop Dr. Schiller will get down to the nitty-gritty and provide participants with a tool box full of specific strategies and hands-on activities that can be used in play – to promote early literacy and brain development in young children at home and in the classroom.

Saturday, October 21, 2009, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Alexandria, VA

$50 for early registration (prior to 10/12)
$60 registration for walk ins
$40 for five or more from one school or Organization (by 10/1)

For registration information go to www.children-together.org


The Oakwood School Parent Association presents William R. Stixrud, Ph.D. 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 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.,
Oakwood School, 7210 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA

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 at the door.
Please reserve a seat by calling 703-941-5788

Getting Ready for School - Part 5

Additional ENCOURAGING words/messages to give your child ~~

- Your skills are really improving;
- How kind of you to share toys with your friend, that’s very generous.
- You are taking such good care of your pet. He’s so lucky to have you!
- Now THAT’S what I call a thorough job! Thanks for picking up your toys.
- That’s a great effort
- Keep at it; I know you’ll figure it out. How can I help?
- You are such a good learner!
-I’m impressed by your concentration.
-I remember when you were first learning that. You’ve come a long way.
-You’re so fun around the house; life would be boring without you!
-What would I have done without you today? Thanks for cleaning the house with me.
-I’m so proud to tell people I’m your mom (dad).
-You’ve really improved! That’s great!
-It’s wonderful to see you so happy
-I appreciate your attention to detail. You are one sharp cookie.
-Your patience is commendable. Keep at it; I know you’ll get it yet.
-I’ve never thought of it that way. How creative!
-You’re doing a great job of controlling your anger.
-You’re on the right track! That’s using your brain.
-You’ve put a lot of careful thought into that.
-you’re getting the hang of it! Your practice is really paying off.
-Now THAT’S an interesting point. Thanks for sharing it.
-Your attitude is very respectful attitude. I appreciate that.
-You solved your problem; how clever!
-That is wonderful! Your confidence is really showing!
-How sensitive you are to your brother’s feelings.
-Your dependability makes life so much easier for me.
-I love your sense of humor. How do you think up those jokes?
-You hang in there when the going gets tough. You’re a strong person.
-Look how much progress you’ve made. You should be proud.
-Hey, relax for a while; you deserve a break.
-What a good memory you have. That effort deserves a high five!
-I really enjoyed your performance. No one could have done it better.
-Keep trying; I know you can work this frustrating problem out.
-How calm you were when you got that bad news.You are really maturing.
-It’s a real gift to me when you do your chores without being reminded.
-I have to hand it to you; you did exactly what you set out to do.
-Congratulations, you can be proud of your achievement!
-I LOVE watching you grow up. You never cease to amaze me.
-You are such an interesting person. I can’t imagine lifewithout you

Getting Ready for School - Part 4

Here is a list of words you can use to help and encourage your child:
Being positive goes a long way! :-)

WOW!
Great Job!
You’ve got it!
Awesome!
Outrageous!
You’ve got talent
Super!
Fantastic!
I see what you’ve done
You’ve really improved
You’re working really hard
Right on
Outstanding
You’re the best!
Nice work
Wonderful!
Fabulous!
You can do it!
You did it!
You’re really good at this
Good job
Good work
Keep it up
Clever
I like the way you did that
Incredible
Impressive
Nice work
I’m proud of you
That is really creative
Bravo
I’ve really enjoyed being with you or working with you
High five!
High Ten!
That’s cool!
I’m touched,
Your cool!
That’s funny!
Awesome!
I can see you like what you’re doing!
Great!
Your smart
That was fun!
I like your sprirt!
I like your attitude!
You really shine!
Woopie
Yahoo
Thank you!
You outdid yourself
You learned something new

Getting Ready for School - Part 3

Things your child may be worried about~~~

Talk to your child about these things, walk through their day and let them how everything will work. Get them prepared before they have a chance to get too anxious.

How will I get to school? (riding a bus or carpool)
Explain the route (picking up other children), how they will get off the bus and get into the school and to their classroom.
Make sure they know how to act on the bus or in the car.

What if I miss you?
Let your child know that it’s ok to miss you. You will miss them too! You are both doing your job – their job is to go to school just like mommy and daddy have to go to work. (Or mommy has to go to the grocery store or clean the house). Everyone has a job to do and their “job” is to go to school and have fun!
Make sure they realize that you are NOT out doing something fun when they are at school.

What do I do if I have to go to the bathroom? Where is the bathroom?
Explain to your child that everyone at school has to go to the bathroom. Tell them to ask the teacher if they can go to the bathroom. Make sure they know that it is OK to go to the restroom during the school day.

Who will I sit with to eat snack or lunch?

Let them know that they can sit with their new classmates and friends.
Sometimes the teacher may assign a seat and that is ok too – it's an opportunity to make a new friend.

Will the teacher be nice?
Of course the teacher will be nice!
The teacher will have rules for the whole class to follow and these rules may seem tough but they are for everyone. Let them know that their teacher will be wonderful and she will love your child.

Will the kids be nice?
Of course the other children will be nice!
Your child will make many new friends – some may become best friends and others may just be classmates.

How will I get home?
Explain how the bus ride (or carpool) will work coming home – the route the bus will take, at which bus stop your child will get off and who will be waiting for your child at the bus stop or at home.

Getting Ready for School - Part 1

I write this from my experiences as the mom of two special needs boys (currently in elementary school and high school), as a former preschool teacher, and a PTA President. These are just some tips to help get you and your child ready for school, whether it’s preschool or elementary school.

Going to school is a big step and a change for everyone, even mom and dad.
One of the best ways to prepare your child for school is to be prepared yourself. Your child will look to you, if you are confident, they will be too.

Know—
- the school calendar – holidays, special events, etc..
-the school/class hours
-your child’s class schedule – post it on the refrigerator for everyone to see
-the drop off and pick up process, bus schedule, and/or car pool schedule
-the schools playground, before school and after school rules
-how to reach the school by phone and e mail
-the schools lunch room rules and policies – no peanut products?
-the schools electronics policy – ipods, cell phones, gameboys
-how the school communicates emergency announcements
-how the school communicates other information – newsletters, e mails,
flyers in backpacks, etc..
-how best to communicate with your child’s teacher – e mail or phone
-what the school dress code is

Make sure you have all the school supplies, gym uniform, Kleenex, etc. before school starts! And don’t send all your child’s school supplies in with him/her on the first day. Try to drop them off at school before school starts. This way your child isn’t trying to carry everything and do everything on their first trip to school.

Get involved – volunteer as a room parent, join the PTA/Parent Association, just get involved! It really does make a difference. Your child will see you at school and see you enjoying being a part of their world. The teachers will appreciate you and your time. And believe it or not, it does have an impact on how and how often the teacher interacts with your child.

more on Monday.......