From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities
A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis
As we mentioned before, frequent, extreme stress and the anxiety it produces can devastate children with reading and other disabilities:
If the stress is too severe or too prolonged … stress begins to harm learning…. Stressed people don’t do math very well. They don’t process language very efficiently. They have poorer memories, both short and long forms. Stressed individuals do not generalize or adapt old pieces of information to new scenarios as well as non-stressed individuals. They can’t concentrate. In almost every way it can be tested, chronic stress hurts our ability to learn. (Medina, 2008, p. 178) Read more...
anxiety, Dyslexia, dyslexic, dyslexics, frustration, frustration level, helplessness, independent reading level, instructional reading level, intervention, Learning Disabilities, learning disability, Parenting, Reading Disabilities, reading disability, reading intervention, reading levels, Reading Materials, reading problem, reading problems, reading remediation, remedial reading, remediation, resilience, Resiliency, self-efficacy, self-esteem, strengthening resiliency, stress, stressors, struggling reader, Struggling Readers
From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities
A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis
Recently, I received a letter from high ranking official at a major public university with a great reputation; the letter advertised a set of programs that promised to quickly “turn poor readers into good readers.” This promise disturbed me, as did the letter’s other promises: Read more...
- “Your child will become a strong, independent reader, build confidence [sic], and become more successful in school.”
- “Your child will complete reading assignments more quickly and easily, be more successful in school, and become a strong, enthusiastic reader.”
Dyslexia, dyslexic, dyslexics, intervention, Learning Disabilities, learning disability, poor readers, Reading Disabilities, reading disability, reading intervention, Reading Materials, reading problem, reading problems, reading remediation, remedial reading, remediation, Rutgers University, struggling reader, Struggling Readers, summer reading programs, university reading programs
From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities
A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis
The Rutgers University Continuing Studies program promises that its 10-hour summer classes will “turn poor readers into good readers.” In essence, Rutgers is telling parents that if they spend $329 for their children to attend 10-hours of instruction in classes of up to 20-students, taught by teachers unlikely to have graduate degrees in reading, these parents will see their children’s reading problems disappear. In 10-hours of classwork, Rutgers (or presumably the company that runs the program) will turn poor readers into good ones. Read more...
Dyslexia, dyslexic, dyslexics, intervention, Learning Disabilities, learning disability, Reading Disabilities, reading disability, reading intervention, Reading Materials, reading problem, reading problems, reading remediation, remedial reading, remediation, Rutgers University, struggling reader, Struggling Readers
From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities
A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis
If your child has problems with reading comprehension, ask yourself, “Is his listening vocabulary equal to or better than that of most children his age? Does he understand the meaning of the vast number of words he’s asked to read?” Below, Dr. William H. Rupley of Texas A&M University and Dr. William D. Nichols of Western Carolina University emphasize the importance of vocabulary for helping children develop reading comprehension: Read more...
Dyslexia, dyslexic, dyslexics, intervention, Learning Disabilities, learning disability, reading comprehension, Reading Disabilities, reading disability, reading intervention, Reading Materials, reading problem, reading problems, remediation, struggling reader, Struggling Readers, vocabulary
From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities
A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis
Dr. John Wills Lloyd put together an impressive blog post about the Rutgers University Continuing Studies summer reading program that had upset me. He named many other universities. If you want to learn more about university continuing education programs and the company that’s apparently instructing the children in the Rutgers’ and the other summer reading programs, read his post: http://teacheffectively.com/2011/06/20/something-odd-going-on/. Ironically, Dr. Lloyd’s post is also carried on the Rutgers University Newswire – Topix. Read more...
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From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities
A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis
A direct mail advertisement from Rutgers University Continuing Studies promised that its summer reading programs would quickly “turn poor readers into good readers.” This promise disturbed me, as did the letter’s other promises: Read more...
- “Your child will become a strong, independent reader, build confidence, and become more successful in school.”
- “Your child will complete reading assignments more quickly and easily, be more successful in school, and become a strong, enthusiastic reader.”
advertising reading programs, Dyslexia, dyslexic, dyslexics, Learning Disabilities, learning disability, Parenting, Reading Disabilities, reading disability, Reading Materials, reading problem, reading problems, struggling reader, Struggling Readers, summer reading program dangers, summer reading programs
From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities
A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis
It’s critically important that schools help children become proficient readers, writers, and mathematicians. But it’s equally important that schools nurture children’s curiosity, compassion, interpersonal skills, motivation to learn, social and emotional intelligence, problem solving abilities, independent learning abilities, civic and social awareness, civic responsibility, and commitment to the environment, community, and all people. With many such citizens, America (and the world) can thrive. Without them, it can’t. Read more...
basic curriculum, basics, civic awareness, civic responsibility, compassion, curiosity, curriculum, Dyslexia, dyslexic, dyslexics, independent learning abilities, interpersonal skills, Learning Disabilities, learning disability, Motivation, motivation to learn, problem solving ability, Reading Disabilities, reading disability, Reading Materials, reading problem, reading problems, social and emotional intelligence, social awareness, struggling reader, Struggling Readers
From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities
A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis
In his highly recommended book about reading for parents of babies and older children through age 7, Dr. Richard Gentry makes many practical recommendations for making reading a satisfying, motivating experience. Below are several recommendations that apply to children of all ages. Read more...
- Know what your child is capable of doing.
- Tune in to what’s enjoyable.
- Turn off what’s not interesting.
- Step away and hold off on literacy activities that your … child seems to resist.
Dyslexia, dyslexic, dyslexics, Learning Disabilities, learning disability, motivating children, Motivation, Parenting, Reading Disabilities, reading disability, Reading Materials, reading problem, reading problems, self-efficacy, self-esteem, strengthening resiliency, struggling reader, Struggling Readers
From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities
A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis
Parents of children with reading disabilities often ask, “How can I help my child improve his reading.” My answer often surprises them. They expect me to show them how to teach phonics or other word recognition skills. But what I tell many parents is this: “Help your child to understand new or unknown words that he hears. Help him to use those words in his speech. Show him you love words. Love of words is infectious.” Read more...
Dyslexia, dyslexic, dyslexics, intervention, Learning Disabilities, learning disability, Parenting, reading comprehension, Reading Disabilities, reading disability, reading intervention, Reading Materials, reading problem, reading problems, reading remediation, remedial reading, remediation, struggling reader, Struggling Readers, vocabulary, vocabulary development
From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities
A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis
Many middle school and high school students with reading disabilities have difficulty understanding their textbooks and succeeding on assignments. Reasons for their difficulties include: Read more...
- Their inability to understand the demands of the task
- Instruction devoted solely to the mastery of subject materials, such as a social studies chapter.
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