Teaching The Phonic Sounds

As a tutor, Roma is often given the children that are having difficulty learning to read. Her success rate is pronominal in this area, and she shares one of her secrets below.

If a child knows all their phonic sounds, but is having trouble blending them to form words,  the following video should help immensely.

To hear all the phonic sounds for free click here

Please share your experience or findings in our comment section:

How To Teach Basic Spanish

With the job market as it is, speaking a foreign language (especially Spanish) is more important than ever. We will show you that it is far easier than you might think to advance your career, and that of your child's. At the following link:

· First you will hear the Spanish alphabet in a video format.
· Secondly you will see and hear each phonic sound enunciated.
· For those who do not speak any Spanish, you will be able to purchase a CD and Book to help you learn. If you already speak some Spanish, an English Spanish dictionary is all you should need.
· Then you will be given information on how to teach Spanish to children (the fun and easy way).
· Sound simple...it is suppose to be.
How To Teach Spanish

Teaching Your Child To Do Research

(Note: This is not an activity to be accomplished in one day or even a few days. Allow it to take the time your child needs for effective learning. Also make this an interactive activity between you and the child. )

It is more important to teach children how to think than it is what to think.  2010 elections are approaching fast, and this is a fantastic time to teach children how to do effective research. While they are learning, you will also be gaining valuable information you need to make decisions on who you plan to cast a vote for.

I.  The first activity is to have them access information from your County.   Have them Google the “supervisor of elections (in your county).

•  (exp: "supervisor of elections duval county florida" brings up this page where you are able to access the following link: http://www.duvalelections.com/

On your counties election site have them locate and show you  how to register to vote, dates of elections, and where your precinct is located. You might have them tell you other interesting information they locate there as well. Allow their interests to guide their exploration whenever it surfaces.

II.  At the board of elections office (in your county),  they will be able to find who is running for office in your County and State.  However they can also Google “(Your State) Division of elections to find more information on who is running.

•  (example:  “florida division of elections" brings up this page where they will find the following link: http://election.dos.state.fl.us/candidate/Index.asp )

They will most likely need to key in the required information before the actual list of your candidates names appear. Discuss and assist as needed. 

III.  This is where the fun begins.  From there one  can usually find a link to the candidates websites, and learn what the candidates say they are about.  If not you can can also Google the the candidates name adding the office they are seeking.

• Example:  "marco rubio for senate 2010" brings up this page   where one can then click on the link to his website. http://www.marcorubio.com/ideastostrengthenamerica/ 

Discuss with the child that information here needs to be taken with a "grain of salt"  since the candidate may be saying only what he thinks you want to hear (to get elected) rather than what he really intends to do once in office.

With that information they will now need to do the following: 
    1.  If the candidate has held an office in the past,  the research is easy. Have them Google “(the candidates name) on the issues“.

•  (for example  "cliff stearns on the issues" pulls up this page which has a link to:  http://www.ontheissues.org/FL/Cliff_Stearns.htm .) They should locate the following site in that research:  http://www.ontheissues.org/default.htm   (an excellent site for candidate research- if they have held an office in the past.)

Now they can compare what the candidates say on their website with their voting record.  Does their voting record confirm what he says, or are there discrepancies?    Discuss with the child any important findings, and how you and they feel about this particular candidate. It is a great time to talk about your values and political views with the child as well.

    2. The following activity is optional depending on the child‘s computer skills and interest at this point: If  the candidate has never held an office, the research requires more digging .  Some candidates are very skilled at burying unfavorable information.

Have them Google the candidates name adding tags like on the issues, news article on (the candidates name) (in the persons home town)

• (example: news article Don Browning westdale florida) , ext. 

Note:  The last (optional) activity is a great opportunity to explain to the child the difference between fact, fiction,  opinion, and reliable resources.

Below  are some helpful websites you may want to explore and discuss with your child  as well: 
1.  Open Secrets 
2.  Abigail Adams Project
3.  Heritage Foundation
4.  Wall Builders
5.  The Washington Post 
6.  The Christian Science Monitor
7.  The IMF website explains what the Internal Monetary Fund is all about
8.  The WTO website explains what the World Trade Organization is about
9.  Nothing is 100% accurate. However SNOPES is a good resource that allows one to determine the accuracy of chain e-mailes. One simply types key fazes from the e-mail into the search box to find the answers.

This activity will benefit your child for a lifetime.

Helping the Dyslexic Child

Dyslexia begins when the wires don't meat.pdf. It is actually the way the brain functions. Dyslexics have a larger right hemisphere brain which controls:

• Spacial abilities
• Face Recognition
• Visual Imagery
• Music.

The left side of the brain controls:

• Language
• Math
• Logic

This may be the reason that dyslexics often excel in the fields of artist, athletics, mechanical fields, 3-D visualization; musical talents; creative problem solving; and intuitive people skills. That is also a clue as to which tools to use when teaching them. In other words use activities/ games, music, and hands on teaching with these kids.

F/MRI studies show that those with dyslexia do not use the same part of the brain to read as do others. In fact they (the dyslexic), seem to use different parts of the brain rather than one single area as do most readers.

If a child lacks phonetic skills they have trouble sounding out words resulting in difficulty reading which only adds to the struggles these children experience. So it is highly important to teach phonics with these children using their natural talents.  It is also important to understand as much as you can about their individual learning style as it is about their dyslexia. Each child is unique, and much more than their dyslexia.

Below are some recommendations that use right brain skills to teach , but notice what your child responds to the most, and let that be your guide

• To learn the  alphabet have them sing the "Alphabet Song" while going on a walk with you  (combines activity and music.)
• Have them physically handle the letters, trace and color them.  Line the letters up, and ask the child to find the A (ext.), and bring it to you.
• Use active games like Ring Around the Phonics to teach reading and phonics
• Teach Comprehension as an activity
• Teach Sequencing as an activity
• Understand your child's unique learning style
• Most importantly, make sure your child is enunciating the phonic sounds correctly so as to increase their chances of succeeding. 

As parents we often want to make life easy for our children.  But studies show that when we eliminate struggle out of a child's experiences, we actually decrease their self esteem.  Self esteem is accomplished when the child discovers they have the ability in themselves to accomplish and overcome.  So even though a dyslexic child often faces more struggle than most, that may be the very thing that will give him/ her the confidence  needed to succeed in life.

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Understanding The Introvert And Extrovert

Understanding different personality and how to interact with them increases our chances of succeeding in any activity whether it be a marriage, a family or business venture.  In this article I would like to address two elements of the personality types, Introverts and Extroverts.

It covers the following topics:

• How can I tell if I, my child, or partner is an Introvert or an Extrovert?
• The Source of Conflict, self esteem issues, and misunderstanding  arise when:

 Understanding the Introvert and Extrovert
 

The Rose

This article is based on true stories, and is  especially encouraging for parents with mentally or physically challenged children.

The Rose 

Teaching Made Fun

Fifty percent of children are hands on learners. They shine in the experiential world, but fall short in the class room. Some say the natural tenancies of these kids should be curbed to fit into the "class room style of learning". I say... 

Teaching Made Fun 


Also in this article are lesson ideas for unschooling, and ideas and resources for teaching the Constitution.

Teaching The Constitution

As a child I was never taught much about the Constitution of this Great country. How can we preserve or protect something when we do not know what it is? So I have been studying this great Document, and will share some inspiring and amazing finds with you so you can make sure your children's education is not lacking in this area.

Teaching the Constitution

Understanding Different Personalities Is Essential To Effectively Teach

Understanding different personalities, and how they learn is essential to effective teaching.  One size does not fit all.

The Link mentioned in the video is at this link: Learning Styles and Behavior Problems

Homeschooling and Un-Schooling

There are several fascinating and successful ways to teach children. All of them have something special to offer. So we recommend using a combination. In this article we will discuss one known as un-schooling.

Homeschool and Un-Schooling

Thinking About Homeschooling? Teachers Are

One might be surprised to know that the biggest influx to the home school arena today are professional teachers. The reasons they give are very interesting. (One of my most popular articles)

Thinking About Homeschooling? Teachers Are.

How To Teach Main Idea and Authors Purpose

Children and educators are often confused with the difference between Main Idea and Authors Purpose.  The following link will take you to an article that will explain the difference, and will also help you to teach this Reading element. 

Main Idea and Authors Purpose is part of teaching comprehension, and also prepares children for the FCAT.

Teaching Main Idea and Authors Purpose 

Reading - How to Teach Supporting Details to Children

Reading - How to Teach Supporting Details to Children

This reading element is also part of comprehension, and helps prepare children for the FCAT.

How To Teach The Reading Element Summarizing

Summarizing is one of the reading elements that helps children comprehend what they are reading.  It also prepares them for the FCAT.  Below is a link that will provide you information on how to teach your child this element.



How To Teach The Reading Element Summarizing

How To Teach The Reading Element Sequencing

Sequencing is one of the elements of reading, and prepares children  to comprehend what they are reading, and also prepares them for the FCAT.

 Sequencing is one element I recommend teaching to preschool and older students.  The following link will give you information on how to teach this reading element.

How to Teach the Reading Element - Sequencing

Understanding Different personality Types

There are two books I recommend for anyone wishing to improve their relationships with their children, students, partners, and co-workers. They are as follows:
and

Free Early Reader Book On Line

It is important that children associate reading with phonic sounds as soon as possible.  So as soon as your child has learned the phonic sounds of  Ss, Aa, Mm, Rr, Nn, Dd and Tt make the following free early reader book their first book they read themselves. The attached PDF file is an early reader book from the reading/ phonics game, "Ring Around the Phonics". Download it for free as many times as you like. Book: "Sam And Dan"

Below  are three ways to use the book, "Sam and Dan".

• Use it to teach Sequencing
• Use it to teach Reading Comprehension 
•  Once he/ she is able to read "Sam and Dan" allow them to color it which is a good exercise for helping them learn to write because it develops finger dexterity.

Note:

• If you want to make sure you are enunciating the phonic sounds correctly you can hear and see them enunciated free in video format.
• To learn more about Ring Around the Phonics ("The reading and phonics game children literally beg to play click here .

Home School Legal Defense Link

Home School Legal Defense Association is a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms.

Information About A Free Phone Line And Fax Line

A friend recently told me about a free phone and fax line that he uses and is highly pleased with.  To learn more about this free product, click here. You will be taken to a youtube video.

Advanced Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Wrist Stretching Exercises

Short Story: The Importance Of You

• Short Story - The Importance of You
  This Article is a true short story for children, and is used to build self esteem.