The Paper Provides a Different Learning Experience

The Paper Provides a Different Learning ExperienceSome English classes have moved from the classroom to the web. Students all over the world who learn English through online classes have a completely different learning experience than students who can't access a classroom setting. The many benefits of this include giving students a more interactive approach, making the student's reading and writing skills more developed, as well as preparing them for future life in the United States.In the past, the New York Times Learning English had provided free lesson plans on their website, which helped provide the learner with an insight into the English language. Today the newspaper has changed course and offered lesson plans for only $10 per month. This makes it much more affordable for students and parents who are simply trying to teach their children a little bit of English.Today there are many places online where students can take lessons in English. Some of these programs have no cost at all. The educational systems that provide these programs are often run by nonprofit organizations which are trying to help children in the developing world learn English and other language skills. The websites which make the resources available for these programs are helpful in many ways and the service of the newspaper is invaluable for an educator to have.When the New York Times Learning English programs were initially introduced in 2020, there was much outcry in the media. Parents worried that these programs would invade the privacy of the families of students who were taking the lessons. For the most part the parents had nothing to worry about as the courses were not really linked to the school curriculum. But for anyone who is interested in changing the landscape of the education system as a whole, the impact of the paper's articles are immeasurable.These days more students have trouble reading and writing and this can hinder their ability to go on with their lives. By letting them get some insight into how English works and what is being taught, the teachers get an edge on their students. There are also benefits of being able to link to the curriculum from a distance and this means that the students don't have to commit to a single class every day. Students who learn English online are more likely to continue their studies as they're getting an added dimension of activity in their lives.Nowadays all of the many English teachers around the world who use the newspaper as a resource have taken the lessons provided by the newspaper and been able to apply them to the students who are taking their own courses. They're not the only ones who benefit from this. The newspaper gets more students interested in reading the newspaper because the people in the newspaper know so much more about the English language than the students themselves. Even if a student only takes one or two lessons per week online, the newspaper is a great way to introduce the concept of gramm ar, vocabulary, spelling, etc.With English, there is such a wide array of possibilities, it's almost impossible to learn all the nuances within the limited time available. When a student learns to read English, they are gaining a valuable skill that is used in everyday conversation. Teachers can also use this as a way to reinforce what they teach in their class when the students can't take all the time to learn the same thing. It can be a very effective learning tool and the newspaper offers the best way to go about teaching the language.

Composite Number Definition Online Tutoring

Composite Number Definition Online Tutoring Composite number definition is an integer (number) that is exactly divisible by one positive number (integer) other than itself or 1. The composite number is a positive integer that can be factorized into two or more other positive numbers (integers). We can also define composite number as a number that is a multiple of at least 2 integers other than itself and 1. The prime numbers are not composite numbers or in other words integers that have no integral factors but itself and 1 are not composite number. The examples below will help to better understand composite numbers. Example 1: Identify which of the following numbers are composite numbers and why. a. 24 b. 82 Solution: To identify composite numbers we need to see it can be factorized into 2 or more positive numbers other than itself and 1. a. 24 can be divided by 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12 therefore it is a composite numbers b. 82 can be divided by 2, 41 therefore it is a composite number Example 2: Which of the following statements are true and false and why? a. 43 is a composite number b. 22 is a composite number c. 53 is not a composite number Solution: a. False that 43 is a composite number since 43 can be divided by 1 and 43 and no other integer. b. True since 22 can be divided by 2, 11. c. True since 53 can be divided by 1 and 53.

Fun Activities that will Get Kids Learning this Summer

Fun Activities that will Get Kids Learning this Summer Children experience significant learning loss during the summer months when they do not engage in learning activates. This summer slide is responsible for up to two months of lost learning in math and up to one month of lost learning in reading. For kids with ADHD, who often finish the school year behind their peers academically, summer learning activities not only help offset the summer slide, but also help build skills that may have been missed during the school year. Unfortunately, because school is more challenging and stressful for kids with ADHD, they are typically more resistant to participating in summer learning activities. While structured academic enrichment activities are an important part of any summer learning plan, theres also room for fun learning activities at home that wont feel quite so much like schoolwork. When kids with ADHD are doing something that they enjoy, their resistance disappears and their enthusiasm soars! Here are 5 creative activities that will help get your child learning while having fun this summer. Family Game Nights. Almost all board games involve some elements of reading, writing, math, planning, or strategic thinking. When kids are immersed in their favorite games they dont realize that they are actually practicing their academic skills. Great games for practicing math skills are Phase 10, a rummy-style game that combines math and strategy and Sumoku, a crossword-style numbers game that helps kids practice foundational math concepts. To encourage reading, try Apples to Apples, which requires reading on every card, and Bananagrams, a Scrabble-like game thats allows kids to create words without the rules and limitations that come with using the Scrabble board. Write a Blog. Blogging provides kids with an excellent opportunity for self-expression while they are practicing writing and communication skills. Blogging is one writing activity that most kids are excited to try because they can choose topics that they find interesting, and they can share their interests with family and friends. Positive feedback from blog readers helps build confidence and encourages more posts (and more writing!). Choose a blogging site that allows you to password protect blog posts, so they can only be viewed by readers with the password. And always review your childs blogs before they are posted. Teach your child about online safety by discussing ground rules for blog topics and blog content. Edublogs (edublogs.com) is a great blogging platform created just for students. It allows for password protected posts, and is free for student users. Expert for a Day. Sometimes the best way to learn something is to teach it. When we teach others we are more attentive to details and we think more critically and deeply about a topic. Encourage your child to teach you and other members of the family by making them an Expert for a Day this summer. With the help of your child find a local historical site or educational attraction (the zoo, a marina, a nature preserve) that you and your family can visit this summer. Have your child learn about the site or attraction through research online and at the library. Allow your child to take the lead on your family outing and play the role of tour guide for the attraction. Encourage your child to take notes while he or she researches so he or she can remember the important details when you are all at the site. Your child will love taking the lead and the whole family will learn from the experience. Cooking and baking are simple, every day activities that provide excellent learning opportunities. Kids use their math and reading skills, practice following multi-step instructions, and even learn about science! The Exploratoriums Science of Cooking website (https://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/index.html) includes recipes and activities that teach kids about the science of cooking in a way that is engaging and interactive. Their Bread Science 101 page (http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/bread/bread_science.html) teaches about the chemical reactions that occur when dough ingredients are mixed together and yeast is added to help the bread rise. Combine this website with a simple bread in a bag recipe (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/85114/bread-in-a-bag/) and you have a learning experience that every kid will enjoy. EarthCaching. Everyone loves to go on a scavenger hunt! Geocaching has taken the hunt to a new level with hidden containers (caches) all over US (and the world) that can be discovered using a simple smartphone GPS tool. To make Geocaching more educational, focus your familys search on EarthCache sites. EarthCaching is a scavenger hunt for geographical and geological caches. EarthCache sites are listed on geocaching.com and in the Geocaching app. When you search for a Geocache on the site or app, check the EarthCache box under Geocache types to find these unique sites! Finding creative ways to engage your child in learning over the summer will go a long way in helping him or her start the new school year off with confidence. Your child will enjoy learning and will be excited to grow his or her brains while having fun! ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

NO Question

GMAT Question of the Day #343 - YES/NO Question GMAT MBA Admissions Blog This week's GMAT Question of the Day relates to question #343 from the Official Guide for GMAT Review, 2017. It is a typical AD/BCE, YES/NO Question. A little content knowledge: Decimal expansions of (reduced) fractions depend on the denominator, not the numerator The decimal expansion of a (reduced) fraction will terminate if the prime factorization of the denominator contains only 2’s and 5’s. The first of these should be pretty common sense, but the second takes some thinking. When we convert a fraction to a decimal we’re dividing the numerator by the denominator. To make this work we add zeros to the dividend (the numerator) and continue dividing until the process terminates or we find a repeating pattern. Because we’re adding zeros, our dividend is a multiple of a power of ten. If an integer doesn’t divide any power of ten it won’t divide a multiple of a power of ten unless it is a factor of that multiple â€" in that case the fraction wasn’t reduced: That’s pretty abstract, but worth knowing because it will solve this problem for you right away. However, a totally common-sense straightforward approach will work: (1) SUFFICIENT: This is a lot easier to work with than it looks â€" there are a finite number of factors of 100 (9 in fact: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, and 100) and we know decimal equivalents for all of them. Multiplying those decimal equivalents by an integer r isn’t going to change the fact that they all terminate. AD/BCE (2) INSUFFICIENT: Pick a factor of 100, like 5. That’s r. If s = 2 the answer is YES. If s = 7 the answer is NO. AD/BCE The correct answer is A. Takeaways: In a YES/NO question, if you’re given a statement that results in a finite number of cases that you can produce quickly, just check them. John is a Senior MyGuru GMAT tutor based in Chicago, but is also the founder of Owl Test Prep . We encourage you to check out their web-site and YouTube channel.

Be Polite! Learn the Politest Phrases in 9 Foreign Languages

Be Polite! Learn the Politest Phrases in 9 Foreign Languages Be Polite! Learn the Politest Phrases in 9 Foreign Languages Its a bird, its a plane, itsPolite vocabulary!This hero is ready to swoop in and save you from dreaded language confusion  and awkwardness.Polite vocabulary can help you overcome a language barrier and clarify that you have good intentions.Sure, if you need a few more words, a  translation app can help  fill in gaps in your knowledge. You may also want to practice with a  language exchange app  to prepare for any planned interactions.But if you only have a limited amount of time to learn a language, or if you want to be prepared for chance encounters with languages you dont speak fluently,  your best bet is to learn polite vocabulary first since its the most essential.Below are some of the most polite words and phrases in popular world languages to prepare you for pleasant interactions! Why Learn These Polite Phrases?First of all, learning polite phrases in the language of a country youre visiting simply  shows respect. Everyone knows that its impossible for one person to speak all the worlds languages, but if you show youre making an effort to learn someones language by using some polite vocabulary, it will show that you respect the language, which in turn shows respect for the people who speak it.Secondly, learning polite phrases will help you avoid being offensive, or coming across that way. Assuming that everyone everywhere speaks English is rude and ethnocentric, so you dont want to come across like youre making that assumption. If youre traveling, most people will cut you some slack and understand you might not be fluent, but using some polite vocabulary will allow you to avoid conveying the idea that everyone should speak your native tongue.Additionally, learning polite phrases will help you communicate clearly. After all, even if someone speaks English, you cant count on them understanding everything you say. Learning polite words and phrases that theyll understand will help ensure that your communication is clear and that you avoid any awkward misund erstandings.Finally, learning polite phrases will help you build bonds with people. When you speak at least some of someones language, it builds more of a bond than if that person must consistently speak your language. This will help you connect more easily with more people. This holds true no matter where you are, so even if youre not planning on traveling to a foreign country, you may want to learn polite phrases in any languages you might be likely to encounter in your own countryâ€"or just learn all the phrases for the common languages below!Be Polite! Learn the Politest Phrases in 9 Foreign LanguagesChineseCombined with other basic Chinese phrases, these words and phrases will prepare you for simple interactions.For the purposes of this list, weve used simplified Chinese characters, which are used in mainland China and Singapore. Traditional Chinese characters have a different appearance and are used in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Malaysia.??  (ni hao) â€" HelloAn important ca veat: While this phrase is considered polite, it may not actually be used as often as you think it is. This post goes into more detail about different ways to say hello in Chinese  and will help you understand the context surrounding Chinese greetings more.Speaking of context, FluentU can help you learn a much more context-based, nuanced version of most of the languages on this list. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.??????  (hen gao xing jiàn dào ni) â€" Nice to meet you?????  (wo de míng zì shì . . . ) â€" My name is?  (qing) â€" Please??  (xiè xiè) â€" Thank you???  (bié kè qì) â€" Youre welcome??  (bào qiàn) â€" Sorry????  (da rao yi xià) â€" Excuse me???????  (ni huì shuo ying yu má?) â€" Do you speak English?SpanishIf youre looking to communicate in Spanish, these polite words and phrases are a good jumping-off point. Follow up by studying basic Spanis h phrases, and youre on the road to success!Hola  â€" HelloEncantado/Encantada â€" Nice to meet youEncantado  and  encantada  actually mean enchanted. Theyre used like nice to meet you. If youre male, you would say  encantado. If youre female, youll say  encantada. Remember: The ending reflects your gender, not the gender of the person to whom youre speaking.Mucho gusto  â€" Nice to meet youLike  encantado,  mucho gusto  doesnt literally mean nice to meet you. Instead, it means much pleasure. However, its used just like the English phrase nice to meet you.Youll hear both  encantado/encantada  and  mucho gusto.Me llamo â€" My name isThis translation also isnt literal.  Me llamo actually means I call myself If you want a more literal translation, you can also say Mi nombre es  However, this is less common.Por favor â€" PleaseGracias â€" Thank youDe nada â€" Youre welcomeLo siento â€" SorryDisculpe â€" Excuse meDisculpe  comes from the verb  disculpar, which means to excuse, so this is a fairly literal translation.Perdón â€" Excuse mePerdón,  on the other hand, means pardon. Either can be used to mean excuse me. ¿Habla usted Inglés?  â€" Do you speak English?FrenchContinue on with basic French phrases to prepare yourself for better communication.Bonjour  â€" HelloTrès heureux/Très heureuse â€" Nice to meet youWhile this is used like nice to meet you, it literally means very happy. If youre male, youll say très heureux.  If youre female, you would say très heureuse.  Je mappelle â€" My name isSil vous plaît â€" PleaseMerci â€" Thank youJe vous en prie â€" Youre welcomeJe suis désolé â€" SorryPardon â€" PardonJe suis désolé literally means I am sorry.  Pardon, on the other hand, means pardon. Either phrase can be used as an apology.Excusez-moi â€" Excuse meParlez-vous anglais ? â€" Do you speak English?GermanLearning these polite words will help you, but if you really want to interact with German speakers, you should also dig into  these basic German ph rases.Hallo â€" HelloEs freut mich, dich kennen zu lernen  â€" Nice to meet youIch heiße â€" My name isBitte â€"  PleaseDanke â€" Thank youBitte â€" Youre welcomeMaybe this word looks a little familiar to you. Thats because you saw it just a couple lines up. The German word for youre welcome is in fact the same as the word for please. Youll also notice this in the Russian language.Verzeihung â€" SorryEntschuldigung â€" Excuse meSprechen Sie Englisch?  â€" Do you speak English? (formal)Sprichst du Englisch?  â€" Do you speak English? (informal)JapanesePolite Japanese phrases are essential if youre traveling to Japan. You might also study basic Japanese survival phrases to prepare yourself.????? â€" Hello????? (??????) â€" Nice to meet you??????? (???? ????…??) â€" My name is?????? (???????) â€" Please?????????? â€" Thank you???????? â€" Youre welcome?????? â€" Sorry????? â€" Excuse meThis phrase is particularly useful and expressive since it can convey regret, confusion and even g ratitude. Its like the Swiss Army knife of Japanese vocabulary.?????????(???????????) â€" Do you speak English?ItalianItalian sounds good no matter how you use it, but its still better to be polite. Once you have that down, you might want to learn some more  useful Italian phrases.Ciao â€" HelloWhile  ciao  is better known across the world, in formal situations,  salve  is more fitting.Piacere di conoscerti â€" Nice to meet youMi chiamo â€" My name isPer favore â€" PleaseGrazie â€" Thank youPrego â€" Youre welcomeMi dispiace â€" SorryIf mi dispiace  is too much of a mouthful, you can shorten it to  mi spiace.  Scusi â€" Excuse meLei parli inglese? â€" Do you speak English?RussianIf youre going to Russia, these polite phrases are essential, but theyre just the tip of the iceberg. Delve deeper with Russian travel phrases to prepare yourself more fully.???????????? â€" Hello??????? ?????????????  â€" Nice to meet you???? ????? â€" My name is?????????? â€" Please??????? â€" Thank you??? ??????? â€" Youre welcome???????? â€" Sorry???????? â€" Excuse me?? ???????? ??-??????????  â€" Do you speak English?KoreanVisiting Korea? Youll definitely need these polite phrases. Tack on some Korean travel phrases, and youll be set for a much easier trip.????? â€" Hello??? ?????  â€" Nice to meet you? ???  â€" My name is?? â€" Please????? â€" Thank you???? â€" Youre welcome????? â€" Sorry????? â€" Excuse me??? ??? ????? â€" Do you speak English?PortugueseYou can use these phrases if youre traveling to a Portuguese-speaking country or to start teaching yourself Portuguese.Olá â€" HelloPrazer em conhecê-lo â€" Nice to meet youMeu nome é â€" My name isPor favor â€" PleaseObrigado â€" Thank youSeja bem-vindo â€" Youre welcomeDesculpa â€" SorryCom licença â€" Excuse meVocê fala inglês? â€" Do you speak English?Lets face facts: Invisibility and super speed are overrated.With these words and phrases, politeness can be your superpower that will allow you to have enjoyable interact ions with people from around the world!

5 Ways to Navigate the Community College System

5 Ways to Navigate the Community College System 5 ways to navigate the community college system Many students choose to attend the excellent California community college system. Theres a chance for them to earn some certificates or AA degrees that will help them in their career or, they can transfer to a four-year Cal State or University of California campus and continue to finish their bachelor’s degree. Students who choose this option will need to complete a number of tasks before they can enroll and be successful. There are also a ton of options for students to go above and beyond when it comes to contributing to their campus community and gain an excellent chance of transferring to their dream four-year university. 1.   Before the first day of class Many students intend to start at a community college in the fall after graduating high school but never actually go through the steps to become a student. Anyone can enroll in a community college as long as they have a high school diploma but they still have to become an official student, take a series of exams, and meet with an advisor. Students should visit the website of the college they plan on attending and write down a list of important dates and deadlines. They should also visit the campus theyre going to attend and become familiar with their new surroundings.   While on campus, applicants should also make an appointment to meet with an academic advisor who can walk them through the various courses they need to take to earn an AA degree or transfer to a four-year campus. 2.   Academic and career counselors Community college students should plan to meet with an academic or career counselor at least once a semester while in attendance. New students may need to meet with a counselor several times to make sure theyre on the right track. Academic counselors can make sure that a student is taking the right classes so they can transfer to a four-year university of their choice or they can help students select appropriate courses to achieve an AA degree or complete a certificate program. If students are unsure of what they want to study as their future major they should check back with their academic counselor on a regular basis. Career counselors can also help students figure out what they need to do to get to a specific career. 3.   Choosing a four-year campus to transfer to Community college students in California will have two primary choices when it comes to transfer options. They can either attend the University of California system or the California State system. Both options will provide a clear path for which courses students need to take in order to successfully transfer. Students who are thinking about attending a private college or an out-of-state school are encouraged to talk with an admissions advisor at that school to make sure the courses they’re taking are transferable (READ: 5 Things to Think About Before Deciding On a College). 4.   Academic clubs and organizations One way community college students can go above and beyond their basic course load and impress potential admissions committees is to join any number of academic clubs and organizations. Some academic societies offer membership based on the student’s GPA while others are focused on a student’s concentration/major or just their general interests. Students can also join advocacy and volunteer organizations that help students of all different circumstances be successful and feel close to their community. These types of things look really good on a transcript but they are also a fabulous way to have a good overall two-year college experience. 5.   Non-traditional options Community colleges also offer students a ton of additional options to complete their courses and earn a degree. For instance, there are eight-week courses where motivated students can get through the course material faster, online courses for students who work full-time or dont live near the campus, and some vocational and elective courses ranging from physical fitness classes to concrete on-the-job training. There are tons of ways students can be successful these days, and they should explore the many options that community colleges have to offer. Still applying to college? Our private Irvine college admissions consultants are here to help. Our consultants have a 97% success rate. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write

Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia and Dyscalculia

Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia and Dyscalculia What is a learning disability? Learning Disability is not a specific term; it is a category containing many specificdisabilities, all of which cause learning to be difficult. The following definition of “learning disability” is used for legislative, financial, and educational purposes only. It is NOT a definition of dyslexia, which is one specific learning disability. The term ‘learning disability’ means a disorder in one or more of the basic processes involved in understanding spoken or written language. It may show up as a problem in listening, thinking, speaking, reading, writing, or spelling or in a person’s ability to do math, despite at least average intelligence. The term does not include children who have learning problems which are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or physical handicaps, or mental retardation, or emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage. Simple Definition of Dyslexia Dyslexia is an inherited condition that makes it extremely difficult to read, write, and spell in your native languageâ€"despite at least average intelligence. Revised definition from the International Dyslexia Association Dyslexia is a neurologically-based, often familial, disorder which interferes with the acquisition and processing of language. Varying in degrees of severity, it is manifested by difficulties in receptive and expressive language, including phonological processing, in reading, writing, spelling, handwriting. Dyslexia is not the result of lack of motivation, sensory impairment, inadequate instructional or environmental opportunities, or other limiting conditions, but may occur together with these conditions. Although dyslexia is lifelong, individuals with dyslexia frequently respond successfully to timely and appropriate intervention. Research definition used by the National Institutes of Health Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge. Cause of Dyslexia Dyslexia is an inherited condition. Dyslexia results from a neurological difference; that is, a brain difference. Dyslexia runs in families. f/MRI studies have shown that people with dyslexia do not activate sufficiently the same part of the brain when reading as other people. Studies by NIH (National Institute of Health) and other prominent researchers have demonstrated that dyslexic persons are deficient in phonemic awareness. Phonemic Awareness Quotes from prominent NIH researchers: “The lack of phonemic awareness is the most powerful determinant of the likelihood of failure to learn to read.” “Phonemic awareness is more highly related to learning to read . . . than tests of general intelligence, reading readiness, and listening comprehension.” “Phonemic awareness is the most important core and causal factor separating normal and disabled readers.” NIH research has repeatedly demonstrated that lack of phonemic awareness is the root cause of reading failure. Phonemes are the smallest unit of SPOKEN language, not written language. Children who lack phonemic awareness are unable to distinguish or manipulate SOUNDS within SPOKEN words or syllables. They would be unable to do the following tasks: Phoneme Segmentation: what sounds do you hear in the word hot? What’s the last sound in the word map? Phoneme Deletion: what word would be left if the /k/ sound were taken away from cat? Phoneme Matching: do pen and pipe start with the same sound? Phoneme Counting: how many sounds do you hear in the word cake? Phoneme Substitution: what word would you have if you changed the /h/ in hot to /p/? Blending: what word would you have if you put these sounds together? /s/ /a/ /t/ Rhyming: tell me as many words as you can that rhyme with the word eat. If a child lacks phonemic awareness, they will have difficulty learning the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent in words, as well as applying those letter/sound correspondences to help them “sound out” unknown words. So children who perform poorly on phonemic awareness tasks via oral language in kindergarten are very likely to experience difficulties acquiring the early word reading skills that provide the foundation for growth of reading ability throughout elementary school. Phonemic awareness skills can and must be directly and explicitly taught to children who lack this awareness. Phonological Processing and Phonics Phonemic awareness must exist or be explicitly and directly taught BEFORE phonics (or phonological) instruction begins. Otherwise, the phonics instruction will not make sense to the dyslexic child. Phonological processing starts by knowing which speech sounds are represented by which written letters. The goal of teaching phonics is to make phonological processing fluent and automatic. Phonics teaches how the written letters blend together to produce words, how the sounds of the letters change depending on the letters that surround them, the rules regarding adding suffixes and prefi xes, and so on. In other words, phonics teaches students the internal linguistic structure of words. How can parents recognize it? A reading disability A kindergarten child may have difficulty remembering rhymes and recognizing words that rhyme, naming shapes such as square, triangle and circle, and learning the names and sounds of letters. Most young children confuse the letters b an d but it is symptomatic of dyslexia if they continue to read and write them incorrectly at age eight. An older child or adult may demonstrate many of the following symptoms. Checklist of Classroom Behavioral Characteristics for Preliminary Identification of Dyslexia Reads at a level significantly below his peers… Aways, Occasionally, Never? Knows many words by sight for a short time but forgets them later… Aways, Occasionally, Never? Reads orally in a mechanical fashion without expression or intonatio… Aways, Occasionally, Never? Math Disability Characteristics of Dyscalculia Unable to understand relationship concepts of: time, space, and measurement. Unable to memorize simple number facts and multiplication tables. Lacks understanding of place value for carrying and borrowing. Forgets the procedures for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. Arrives at the correct answer, but only after an inordinate amount of time. Counts on fingers for simple number facts well after the appropriate age. Works very slowly on work pages. Close observation will reveal that he has worked out the answer to a supposedly memorized fact in this fashion: 4X8= 2×8=16 2×8+16 32 Makes many simple computing mistakes. Learns to compute without understanding the concept and therefore does not use the appropriate algorithm for word problems. May reverse the digits in writing: 31 for 13 Carries the unit digit instead of the tens digit because does not understand place value. Ignores math symbols or misreads them. Unable to tell the time by age nine. When distracted in the middle of a math problem, has to start over from the beginning. Looks for any excuse to escape math class. Feigns boredom or fatigue when asked to work on math. Lacks the needed computational skill in shopping, making change, and figuring his expenses. Does not understand the relative cost of items. May become more hyperactive during math period. Covers the bottoms, margins and backs of arithmetic papers with marks for counting up to answers because lacks the ability to compute. Unable to estimate time, space, costs. Does not discover or invent strategies for calculating. What are the treatments for Math disability Dyscalculia Treatment for dyscalculia focuses on many specific instructional methods and at present can follow any structured mathematics program. Dyscalculic persons must have far more opportunities to practice in concrete ways the association of numbers with actual situations. For example, Teachers should not assume that children have understood place value simply because the have learned, to carry the digit on the on the left side of a two digit number and add it to that column. In multiplication they may have learned to move the second row of products one place over, but not understand that they are actually now multiplying the ten’s column. Principles of Instruction for Dyscalculia Start at the student’s success level. Ensure understanding of terms used. (bigger, smaller, more, less, before, after, etc) User concrete objects to introduce all new concepts (blocks, beads, playing cards, cuisinaire rods, stearns blocks, lego, etc.) Continue to have concrete objects available as long as the student needs them. Follow a structured program. Give homework only for reinforcement when you are sure his answers will be correct. Move to semi-symbolic level (pictured objects, rulers, dominoes, etc.) Give massive practice before moving on. Review the work done during the last lesson before introducing the new material. This will reassure the student that he is ready to go on as well as provide some reinforcement. Published Programs Key Math Teach and Practice Program Published by American Guidance Service. AGS What are the treatments of learning disability/ dyslexia? Treatment programs for dyslexia, a specific learning disability, should be linguistically based, highly structured, provide for massive practice for each new element to be learned, and stress phonemic awareness and syllabic decoding. Several such programs are available in the USA. Among the better known programs are: Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Let’s Read, Scottish Rite. Students may continue to be somewhat slower readers and may be eligible for extra time when taking exams such as the College Boards if it is proved- by diagnostic testing- that reading accuracy and comprehension are within the normal range and only reading speed is affected. How can tutors help a child with learning disabilities? A qualified and experienced tutor for children with dyslexia should provide specific instruction several times a week and use a recognized, scientifically based and approved program. Two to three years are usually required to bring the student up to his or her age level in reading and spelli ng. What are the skills and qualifications for a teacher of children with learning disabilities? The teacher must first meet all State teacher requirements and then possess a master’s degree in Special Education or have taken all courses required for certification as Teacher of Children with Special Learning Needs by their particular State. Most tutors are also trained in one or more of the recognized programs for the remediation of dyslexia.