Letter from Betty for July, 2015

Hello,

Summer vacation has begun, the days have grown longer, and summer fun is in the air! This certainly is a wonderful season for outdoor activities. As parents watch their children engage in informal summer games, perhaps it is a good time to think about the challenges of organized sports that will arrive with the coming school year. Our feature article this month, "Dealing with Sports Challenges" addresses the needs of children with physical, learning or attentional problems when participating in organized sports and athletic endeavors.

For our puzzler this month, "What Sport is That?" we present 9 very unusual competitive sports, each with a two-word name. See if you can take jumbled columns of partial names and sort them back together to match the images. You can do this!

Finally, please remember that whatever your educational needs are, Foundation for Learning, is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, SAT/ACT test prep, and educational evaluations. Please don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 for a free consultation.


Best regards,
Betty

Focus on One: (New) SAT or ACT [UPDATED for July 2015]

Free Diagnostic test offered at FFL

Currently many high school juniors take both the SAT and ACT to determine which test is better for them. We feel it is beneficial for the students to focus on only one test. In order to accomplish this, we administer a complimentary SAT/ACT diagnostic test to help students determine which test is better suited to their abilities.

Summer test dates are:
July 23, July 25, August 8, August 22

*Our diagnostic test incorporates the new SAT which will be adminstered beginning in January 2016. Please call Donna for more details.

Please call (973) 425-1774 or email betty@foundationforlearning.com as space is limited.

Dealing with Sports Challenges

Children love sports and now that summer is here there's more time to be active and more opportunities for participation. For children with challenges, it can be difficult to find the right fit. .All children need to move, stretch, test their limits, and let off steam. It’s just a matter of matching them up with the correct sport.

Let’s look at different activities that are appropriate for a  variety  of students:

If your child  struggles with coordination and balance, swimming may be the right activity. Moving about in the water is not only fun,  it is good exercise and helps to develop and strengthen all muscles. An additional benefit is that your child can improve at her own pace because it’s an individual activity. Judo, tae kwon do, karate and other martial arts also help to develop muscles and coordination. They are taught in a slow, patient, structured way and allow children to achieve new skill levels at their own pace.  If your child is interested in a team sport, consider signing her up for soccer. On a beginning level, a defensive position does not focus quite so much on running and tactical strategies and it allows players more time to prepare for blocking a shot or kicking the ball away from the danger area.

If your child has listening or comprehension issues, consider cycling as it provides a good workout! Once a child has learned how to ride a bike and understands basic safety rules, riding through nice quiet neighborhoods or through local parks is a fabulous summertime activity. Once she's mastered the bicycle, parents might look into riding stables in the area. Horseback riding helps to improve balance, teaches responsibility, and allows the child to communicate nonverbally with the horse. Additionally, many stables now offer therapeutic riding programs for those with special needs. For more information on the benefits of therapeutic riding, click here.



If your child is not comfortable socially, consider involving her in track and field activities. While the focus is on the individual and she is only competing against herself to better her time or distance, she is still part of a team.  The opportunity for socialization is there, but the child won’t feel the pressure of participating in a group activity…unless she wants to. The same goes for tennis, an activity that can be found readily in most communities. Group lessons are available for socialization, though the focus is on the instructor rather than the player, making it a great activity for a child who struggles with social skills. During match play, the child can play singles or doubles, depending on her comfort level. Yoga and martial arts also offer positive body-mind activities for children who prefer to work out alone.. Neither activity involves competition, but yoga is very calming and it's great for improving balance and strength; martial arts builds self-esteem, self-control, and concentration.

Two other non-team activities that allow for self-paced practice and social opportunities are skating and swimming. Other than learning the basic skills and safety rules, these activities allow a child to have fun and have a good work-out on their own or with friends, without the pressure of being on a team.

Children who have trouble attending might not prefer team sports, especially those with rules and strategies that they have to remember on the spot. Wrestling allows children to master different moves, learn discipline, and helps them strengthen the ability to stay on task. Competitions are one-on-one rather than team-based, and the matches themselves are very quick so the ability to focus for long periods of time is not required. Again, swimming and track and field are other good options for those with attentional challenges. However, if your child wants to participate in a team sport, then have them give basketball a try. The rules are few and easy to understand and players are in constant motion.



With a little forethought regarding your child’s individual needs and abilities, research into local opportunities, and enough motivation, your child will be able to learn, grow, and shine as an athlete while enjoying the benefits of good physical activity.

The PUzzler for July 2015: What Sport Is That?

Question: What are the nine sports in the images below?

Instructions: You may click or tap on the image to see a larger version and get a closer look. Use the jumbled list of choices below the photos to assemble the name of all 9 sports. Each totally real competitive sport has two words in it's name. Choose one word from the left column and one from the right column to go with each sport.

 

Answers in the next issue. 

Answer to the June 2015 Puzzler: T. Rex Time Machine

Question: If a Tyrannosaurus Rex living 67 million years ago had a time machine that he could squeeze his super-sized dinosaur body into, and he could use his tiny little brain to pilot such a vessel, which trip through time would be the longest in years: to see a living Stegosaurus or a living Marc Bolan, front man for the 1970s rock band T. Rex?

Bonus question: How much longer in years is the longer of the two trips?

 

Answer:

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Answer:  
From the earliest era of Tyrannosaurus Rex back to the time of the last Stegosaurus is a longer trip than T. Rex the dinosaur would take into the future to see Marc Bolan and T. Rex the rock band performing "Bang a Gong."

Bonus answer:
The longer trip is longer by 14 million years.

Explanation of timeframes (you knew this!):
Tyrannosaurus Rex hunted its prey for 3 million years, beginning 68 million years ago. Stegosaurus munched on bushes for 5 million years, ending 150 million years ago.

Letter from Betty for June 2015

Hello, 

As the school year begins to wind down, families are planning vacations and trips with extended family members and friends. Being the parent of a child with a learning disability can make these memorable moments challenging. Some parents struggle to receive the understanding and the support system they need from their loved ones and friends. You'll find tips and advice on how to handle these situations in our feature article, "Getting Support from Friends and Family."

We take a third trip in our imaginary time machine with this month's Puzzler, and this time the pilot is a dinosaur. See if you can puzzle out the relative size of two enormous time spans in "T. Rex Time Machine."

Remember: Whatever your educational needs are, Foundation for Learning, is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, SAT/ACT test prep, and educational evaluations. Please don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 for a free consultation.


Best regards,

Betty

Betty Bodenweiser
Director
Foundation for Learning

Focus on One: (New) SAT or ACT

 

Free Diagnostic test offered at FFL

Currently many high school juniors take both the SAT and ACT to determine which test is better for them. We feel it is beneficial for the students to focus on only one test. In order to accomplish this, we administer a complimentary SAT/ACT diagnostic test to help students determine which test is better suited to their abilities.

Summer test dates are:
Please call for June availability
July 25, August 8, August 22

*Our diagnostic test incorporates the new SAT which will be adminstered beginning in January 2016. Please call Donna for more details.

Please call (973) 425-1774 or email betty@foundationforlearning.com as space is limited

June 2015 Test Schedule

Mark your calendars! Here are the latest test dates. Testing is winding down for this school year, but as soon as 2015-2016 dates are available we will share them.

 

Getting Support from Friends and Family

Disappointed, frustrated, and awkward are some of the emotions you may feel when friends and family don’t understand your child's learning issues.
 

As a parent you expect unconditional love and support from those closest to you, right? Yes, in an ideal world, friends and family would “get it” and be there to help when needed. They’d offer comfort and encouragement when you need it, and be sensitive to your child’s needs when visiting or in social situations. But we don’t live in a perfect world. It could be that they don’t understand the issues at hand, that they’re making judgments based on pre-conceived ideas or they don't think your child has a disability.



Talking with friends and relatives about your child’s learning issues can be helpful to both you and them in many ways. Listed below are Dos and Don’ts to help facilitate these conversations.

1. Do: Discuss your child’s issues with family members and friends he sees regularly. Give them the chance to ask questions and you the opportunity to correct misconceptions as they come up in conversation.
2. Do: Provide helpful strategies.  Loved ones who spend time with your child will find these strategies helpful when you are not there to step in and help your child.
3. Do: Identify your child's strengths as well as his challenges.
4. Do: Help relatives stay involved in your child’s successes. Invite them to your child's ballet recitals, ball games or the theater to watch them perform.. 
5. Do: Spend more time with people who will recognize your child’s courage, strengths, and other positive attributes, and can give you the kind support that you desire as a parent.
6. Don't: Use a lot of technical terms. Use plain language to explain your child's challenges.
7. Don't: Have just one conversation about your child’s issues and never bring them up again. Revisit the conversation regularly to educate those who care about him..

As a parent, you might want to find a parent support group in your community that will give you the opportunity to spend time with people whose parenting experiences are similar to your own. You can trade information, tips, stories and experiences,as well as support one another. Gather like-minded families together and schedule outings and family-centered activities.Just being around and spending time with them will bolster you, creating much-needed connections for you as a parent and for your child.

The Puzzler for June 2015: T. Rex Time Machine

Question: If a Tyrannosaurus Rex living 67 million years ago had a time machine that he could squeeze his super-sized dinosaur body into, and he could use his tiny little brain to pilot such a vessel, which trip through time would be the longest in years: to see a living Stegosaurus or a living Marc Bolan, front man for the 1970s rock band T. Rex?

Bonus question: How much longer in years is the longer of the two trips?

Answers in the next issue. 

ANSWER to The Puzzler for May 2015: John Adams Time Machine

Question: If John Adams, second US President, jumped into a time machine in the last year of his life, would he take a quicker trip back into the past to witness the arrival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock, or forward into the future to witness the day that Google first appeared on the world wide web?

Bonus question: How much longer in years is the longer of the two trips?

 

 

Answer:

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Answer:  
Believe it or not, if John Adams had a time machine and used it to travel to the past to see the Pilgrims arrive at Plymouth rock, that would be a much longer trip through time than if he traveled to the future to see the first day that Google was born!

Bonus answer:
From John Adam's final year of life in 1826 back to the time of the Pilgrim's landing on Plymouth Rock in the year 1620 is 34 years longer than the trip he would take into the future to see the first Google search results in 1998.

This means that:
The Pilgrims seemed more ancient to John Adams than John Adams seems to us today.

Letter from Betty for May 2015

Hello, 

Are you concerned about your child's learning skills, do you feel that he is not working up to his potential in the classroom? If you have worked closely with your child's teacher throughout the year and have not seen considerable changes in his performance, it might be time to consider having an evaluation completed to assess his academic and cognitive strengths and weaknesses.  Our feature article for May, "Learning Evaluations" offers some advice on this topic.

We have a second adventure in an imaginary time machine with this month's Puzzler. See if you can puzzle out the relative size of two time spans in "John Adams Time Machine."

At Foundation for Learning, we are ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, SAT/ACT test prep, and educational evaluations. Please don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 for a free consultation.


Best regards,

Betty

Betty Bodenweiser
Director
Foundation for Learning

May 2015 Test Schedule

Mark your calendars! Here are the latest test dates.

 

Learning Evaluations

 

IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT HAVING YOUR CHILD EVALUATED for learning issues, you probably have a lot of questions. The information below might be helpful:

There are significant benefits to having your child evaluated. Issues that are specific to him can be identified, and you, as well as his teachers, will better understand his learning style. It’s also the first step to seeing if he is eligible for special services and support which will make his classroom experience more manageable and successful.

If the school refers your child for the evaluation, then by law, the school will pay for the assessment. You can choose to have the evaluation done privately, outside of the school, but you’ll most likely have to cover the expenses for that yourself.

The in-school assessment is performed by the Child Study Team made up of professionals who have special training in different areas. This team may include a learning consultant, speech pathologist, psychologist, and other professionals as well. Each team member completes her evaluation and then works with the other team members to paint a comprehensive picture of your child’s areas of strengths and weaknesses. They’ll look at test results, overall school performance, and medical records. The team may look at development, vision and hearing, motor skills, and social skills as well.  They’ll also talk to both you and your child’s teacher so they have a well-rounded exploration. For your part, you might want to create a binder ahead of time and have it on hand. In it, keep track of report cards, examples of work, test scores, notes from the teacher, and information from your child’s doctor that you think might be important. Also include notes outlining your own concerns and observations, ie: how long homework assignments take to complete, or areas where you notice problems or struggles.



Don’t feel like you’ll be left in the dark though. The school is required to have your written permission before any testing is completed . Once you give the approval, you’ll receive a plan of action, telling you which assessments are recommended, and who will be doing the actual testing. Once the testing is completed, a report will be compiled and you will meet with the team to discuss your child’s eligibility for special services. If he is eligible for services, an IEP (or Individualized Education Plan) will be written. If you’ve opted for private testing, rather than having the evaluation done through the school, the appropriate personnel from the team will review the report to determine eligibility.  If it is determined that your child is not eligible for special services, you will have a much better understanding about why he is having problems in school, and you can work with that knowledge to determine how to best support him at home, at school, in the community, and through a private tutoring service.

. 

    

The Puzzler for May 2015: John Adams Time Machine

Question: If John Adams, second US President, jumped into a time machine in the last year of his life, would he take a quicker trip back into the past to witness the arrival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock, or forward into the future to witness the day that Google first appeared on the world wide web?

Bonus question: How much longer in years is the longer of the two trips?

Answer next month. 

ANSWER to The Puzzler for April 2015: Cleopatra Time Machine

Question: If Cleopatra had a time machine, would it be a longer journey through time for her to visit the past and see the Great Pyramid being built, or visit the future and see a iPhone being built today? Bonus question: How much longer in years is the longer of the two trips?
 

 

Answer:

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Answer:  
Believe it or not, if Cleopatra had a time machine and used it to travel to the past to see the Great Pyramid being built, that would be a much longer trip through time than if she traveled to the future to see an iPhone being built today!

Bonus answer:
From Cleopatra's time in the first century BC back to the time of the building of the Great Pyramid in 2500 BC is 500 years longer than from our present day back to Cleopatra's era.

This means that:
The Great Pyramid builders seemed more ancient to Cleopatra than Cleopatra seems to us today.

Letter from Betty for April 2015

Hello, 

Welcome to spring! The season of new growth and warmer weather is officially here. It's time to go outside to play in the yard and take evening walks. But be careful to maintain the school year schedule so the end of the year goes smoothly.  

Do you need to work with you child's teacher to establish goals or seek support and services? Our feature article for April, "Discussing Goals with you Child's Teacher" will assist you in this endeavor.

We have a simple challenge for you with this month's Puzzler that involves a little imagination, a bit of knowledge of history, and time travel. Enjoy "Cleopatra's Time Machine."

At Foundation for Learning, we are ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, SAT/ACT test prep, and educational evaluations. Please don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 for a free consultation.

Best regards,

Betty

Betty Bodenweiser 
Director
Foundation for Learning

April 2015 Test Schedule

Mark your calendars! Here are the latest test dates.

NOTE about ISEE - Independent School Entrance Exam: For test locations and to learn more go to erblearn.org.

Discussing Goals with your Child's Teacher

IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING EXPERIENCE and progress in school, you'll want to talk to his or her teacher to find out about additional support that is available. You might be a bit nervous about beginning this conversation, but remember that both you and your child's teacher want to see your child succeed. Your child's teacher will likely welcome a meeting with you to look at options. How do you begin? Ask the teacher’s opinion about what areas should be targeted. Express your own views about what you see from the home vantage, and ask if the teacher agrees or has a different view point. Are there difficulties with homework, organizational skills, or communications? Maybe there’s a particular working style or academic subject that is a challenge. Compare notes on what you have observed and find a focus.
 
Now that you have something specific to work on, set a specific and reasonable goal. Ask what you can do at home to help your child meet this goal, and about actions and resources the school can offer. Are there additional support staff or materials that can help? Finally, set a time-frame for achieving the goal you’ve established together. Once you know the end result, work with the teacher, break down the steps to take and a timetable for completing the steps along the way. Bear in mind that both the final goal as well as the achievable steps along the way should be specific in both nature and the time allotted.



Once your child has achieved success, follow up with the teacher to discuss the next challenge that might be overcome. Success often breeds even more success! On the other hand, if the plan that you and the teacher set up didn’t work, take another look at available options. Ask about other supports and services that can be explored.

Remember, making the teacher an ally in the process will benefit your child greatly, so approach the conversation with the intention of developing a plan and building a team whose goal is to help your child find success. 

The Puzzler for April 2015: Cleopatra Time Machine

Question: If Cleopatra had a time machine, would it be a longer journey through time for her to visit the past and see the Great Pyramid being built, or visit the future and see a iPhone being built today? Bonus question: How much longer in years is the longer of the two trips?
 

Answers in the next issue.