For years, the secrets to great teaching have seemed more like alchemy than science, a mix of motivational mumbo jumbo and misty-eyed tales of inspiration and dedication. But for more than a decade, one organization has been tracking hundreds of thousands of kids, and looking at why some teachers can move them three grade levels ahead in a year and others can’t. Now, as the Obama administration offers states more than $4 billion to identify and cultivate effective teachers, Teach for America is ready to release its data.
Richard Lavoie’s F.A.T. City (Frustration, Anxiety, and Tension) video models situations from the perspective of the LD, learning disabled, child. It is a great way to witness what a LD student experiences in class. Very revealing.
“This unique program allows viewers to experience the same frustration, anxiety and tension that children with learning disabilities face in their daily lives. Teachers, social workers, psychologists, parents and friends who have participated in Richard Lavoie’s workshop reflect upon their experience and the way it changed their approach to L.D. children. 1989.”
This is a list of common signs of a learning disability from The National Center for Learning Disabilities, www.ncld.org. If a student has difficulty with any of these topics, they may have a learning disability.
Organization
Knowing the time, date, and year
Managing time
Completing assignments
Locating belongings
Putting things in order
Carrying out a plan
Making decisions
Setting priorities
Spoken or Written Language
Learning or pronouncing words
Discriminating between sounds
Relating or writing stories
Understanding questions
Responding to questions
Following directions
Reading comprehension
Spelling
Memory
Remembering directions
Learning math facts
Learning new procedures
Learning the alphabet
Identifying letters
Remembering names
Remembering events
* Studying for tests
Physical Coordination
Manipulating small objects
Learning self-help skills
Cutting
Drawing
Handwriting
Climbing and running
Mastering sports
Attention and Concentration
Completing a task
Acting before thinking
Waiting
Restlessness
Daydreaming
Distractibility
Carrying out requests
Social Behavior
Making and keeping friends
Impulsive behavior
Low frustration tolerance
Sportsmanship
Accepting changes in routine
Interpreting nonverbal cues
Working cooperatively
Supplementary Materials
Richard Lavoie article about the F.A.T. City video content
Richard Lavoie, creator of the original F.A.T. City Workshop, reviews the history & philosophy of the project, the major trends & issues in the field of learning disabilities since 1987, and the challenges ahead for parents & educators. - from the Richard Lavoie web site
