May 2003

Kentucky Education Rights Center, Inc.

May, 2003 Newsletter

MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME
By Stephen Foster

                                                        The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,
                            Tis summer, the people are gay;
                                                            The corn-top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom
                                        While the birds make music all the day.

                                                The young folks roll on the little cabin floor
                            All merry, all happy and bright;
                                                        By'n by hard times comes a knocking at the door
                                            Then my old Kentucky home, Good-night!

                                                        Weep no more my lady. Oh! Weep no more today!
                                                        We will sing one song for my old Kentucky home
                                    For the old Kentucky home, far away.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PARENTS REGARDING AN IEP OR SECTION 504 MEETING

Do your Research! Go to the public library or call your state's Parenting Training and Information Center for suggestions, advice and information.
Nobody should be developing your child's IEP or Section 504 without you! If this happens, DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING and tell them you want to schedule a meeting to help develop this plan.
If you aren't satisfied at the end of the meeting, ask for another meeting.
Bring a tape recorder to meeting. Tell them that you are going to bring one. If they say you can't, ask them to provide you with documentation that prohibits tape recorders. Tell them you will make copies for them. The reason for a tape recorder is to allow you to go over meeting at a later time. These meetings can be stressful.
A few days before a meeting, make a list of everything you want to discuss and make copies for everyone. If you can't get to everything on your list, request a second meeting to do so.
Bring an advocate that knows the ins and out of Special Education if possible.
The night before a meeting, put everything you want to bring in a folder.
If you do not understand something that is being said, DO NOT HESITATE to interrupt and ask it to be explained to you. Don't leave the meeting confused.
You can request that specific people be at this meeting and if they have confirmed and dropped out at the last minute, ask to reschedule meeting.
Go to meeting prepared and with a positive attitude. Show them that you are more than willing to work with them and that you want them to work with you. After all it's about your child -- who is the important person regarding all of this!
Make a list of what works for your child. Have it added to the IEP or Section 504 Plan. Do not sign until it's added.
If you feel the plan isn't being met, remind the teachers to read the plan. You can also make a copy of what is in the plan and put it in your child's binder. Let the teachers know it will be there for their review.
Keep in touch with teachers. Call them, write notes or letters. If you are concerned about anything, request a meeting.

Useful Links for Learning Disabilities

ADDHelpline
ADD Solutions for Teachers and Parents
ADHD - A Guide for Parents
ADD/ADHD - Books, Resources, Research, Kids, Support, etc.
ADD/ADHD With or Without LD
C.H.A.D.D.: For Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders - A wealth of information here!
Cloister Creek - Serving Students with Learning Disabilities, Language Disorders, & ADD - 14-28 Years Old
Learning Disability Association of America
Learning Strengths in the Midst of Learning Disabilities
Materials on ADD and Related Disorders
Parenting Children with Attention Deficit Disorder
Resources for the Learning Disabled Community
School Psychology Resources Online
SNOW Resources - ADD/ADHD Resources
Support Groups for ADD
The ADD/ADHD/LD Community - Lots of Great Stuff Here!
The ADD Clinic - Diagnosis & Treatment - Lots of Info Here!
The Instant Access Treasure Chest

Kentucky Education Rights Center, Inc. "Advocating for Special Needs Children"

CHADD of the Bluegrass

Presents:

What: “Ask the Panel”

Questions about ADHD? Turn to the panel. “How do I know if my child is AD/HD-, they act just like I did?” “Why is it important to get a diagnosis?” “How do I get a diagnosis?” “How can I bring positive results from a parent-teacher conference?” “Why is counseling an important componant to treating AD/HD?” “How can I get my child to mind?!” “How can I help my child find friends?” “What do I do when my child is soooo oppositional?!”

When: Thursday, May 8, 2003 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Panel:

Dr. Karen Frohoff, Eastern Kentucky University

Dr. Bobbie Burcham, Psychologist, Fayette County Public Schools

Janet Blair, Diagnostician, Fayette County Public Schools

Kathy Isenhour, Teacher and Parent, Fayette County Public Schools

Daniel Lee, LCSW, Counseling Associates

Karen Meade-King, Safe Schools, Fayette County Public Schools

Who:

Parents, Adults, Teachers, Educators, Health Care Professionals, Advocates, Counselors, Psychologists and anyone working with or living with someone with ADHD

Where:

Tates Creek Christian Church

3150 Tates Creek Road

Lexington, Kentucky Corner of Tates Creek and Albany

Free parking behind the Church (follow CHADD signs to Meeting Hall)

For more information contact:

Karen Frohoff at Karen.Frohoff@EKU.EDU or kisenhou@cs.com

(859) 622-8292. Professional development certificates provided.

IDEA’s?

We’re always looking for ways to better our organization, your suggestions will not only be welcomed, but invaluable. Please don’t hesitate in offering your suggestions. Feel free to either call or use our e-mail address, kerc@edrights.com

Whose In Charge?

A Directory of Kentucky School Districts, Schools and Administrators

"If your actions inspire others to
dream more,
learn more,
do more, and
become more,
you are a leader."
~John Quincy Adams

Thanks, Dr. Chris Baker for all your wonderful quotes!

Hate Your Computer?

Click Below and See What It's Suppose To Do!

Charitable Contributions

We Need Your Help!

KERC was founded with a purpose to provide services to the families of children with disabilities without causing them financial concerns. In order to do this, funding is solicited to support this service and allow the families to focus upon their children, not the costs associated with gaining their rights to an appropriate education.

We ask that you too offer your support by giving what you can. As a non-profit organization, all donations are considered charitable contributions. Your contribution will not only benefit our children, but may well be of financial benefit to you as well!

Please make all checks payable to: KERC

Want to make a donation by credit card?

We accept Visa and Mastercard!

Want to make a contribution of stock certificates?

Give us a call and we’ll furnish you with information to do so.

&n On-Line Contributions?

Click Here

More of my favorite things by Karen Sheetz

Usborne Books

Ahh…… Usborne books like a breath of fresh air. Peter Usborne, the founder of Usborne books accurately predicted in 1973 the need for educational, nonfiction books to change in order to compete with TV, comic books and now videos and computer games. So he borrowed some ideas from both TV and comic books to make sure that his books would engage the child and stimulate their interest as well.

I can honestly say that these are the books that my children most often choose to read during story time. These books as a whole, have managed to combine entertainment and learning. The books are very visual and interactive. The primary books convey tons of information in an easy to read format. There may only be six to seven sentences on each double page, but the amount of information that is conveyed is significant. This is the format that I have found to be most productive for those reluctant readers (and reluctant listeners) who don’t want to get bogged down in a bunch of descriptive language. Books that are short and sweet with great visuals and interactive activities. The visuals are engaging without being too distracting. Most of the books for the young student are self-contained on each double-page spread, so you can read about any topic in any order.

Also, the books are very well made. Even the soft covered books are sturdy. The pages are made of high-quality paper. This is especially true of the lift-a- flap books that have a few double flaps in them. While the company doesn’t market itself solely to any one type of learner, overall, the visuals are very engaging with lots of activities to keep the child plugged into the activity. The following are some of my favorites:

Lift-a-Flap Learners:

My Favorites are: Animal Homes, Baby Animals, and Bugs and Slugs. Beautifully done. $ 8.95.

First Numbers:

This hardback 48 page book is an excellent resource for early math activities. Claymation figures on a white background provide the visuals for this awesome math book. This book covers sorting and matching, counting, find the missing number, odd and even, etc. What I liked the most was the description of the language of math. For example, More or fewer? This page asks (with picture cues provided) Which hen has fewer chicks? Which cake has more candles? The next three pages go on to ask More or less?, Most and fewest?, and Most and Least. All the child has to do is point, so this is a nice book to read with a young child or an emerging student. $12.95

Puzzle Books:

My favorites: Puzzle Train, Puzzle Ocean, Christmas Puzzles, and Travel Puzzles. These books are excellent for early visual discrimination, categorizing, and sorting. The student uses clues in the text (usually six or seven sentences) to figure out simple questions posed to the reader. For example, in Puzzle Train there is a busy train station with four trains. Each train is at a different platform with a sign that tells when it leaves the station. From reading what the passengers are saying to each other, the reader (or listener) needs to determine who will go on which train. This is the “puzzle” if you will, figuring out who goes where. Each double page of this series is creatively done to help build those early thinking and discriminating skills so necessary for proficient reading comprehension. $5.95.

For the older child: The Great Car Rally and The Great Balloon Race are fantastic puzzle books. The pictures and situations are engaging. The Great Balloon Race brings in some basic practical use of math as well. $5.95

Art:

I Can Draw Animals $4.95

What Shall I Do Today? - Great ideas for things to paint, draw, and make.

(hardback) $18.95

Starting to Write - Good for practicing those pre-writing skills. $6.95

Science :

First Encyclopedia of Our World Internet-Linked $9.95

First Encyclopedia of Animals - Internet-Linked $9.95

Usborne Complete First Book of Nature $16.95

Starting point science series:

Earth and Space and Life on Earth (both are hardback) $17.95.

Science Encyclopedia Internet-linked (hardback) $39.95

Geography:

Peoples of the World - Internet-Linked $14.95

Encyclopedia of World Geography - Internet-Linked (hardback) $39.95

Planet Earth - beautifully done (hardback) $21.95

Social Studies:

Usborne My Town $8.95

Many of the academic books are internet-linked. Check it out at Usborne books are in general, only available through direct market sales from Usborne representatives. However, some books are available through Amazon.com and through Scholastics. Request a catalogue and go to a show to see them for yourself. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Books by other publishers :

Art:

Draw Write Now series by Barker Creek Publishing

This series combines drawing and handwriting. Each picture is combined with a simple sentence. There are eight books in the series. A bit more advanced than the Usborne I can draw animals book. Available at Bethany Book Room. $10.95

Ed Emberly drawing books. The author breaks down each picture into a series of steps. Very well done for the student who has sequencing difficulty. We like Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book Of Animals available from Amazon.com. and Jo-Beth Bookstores. $5.95

Social Studies:

Modern Curriculum Press

Maps Charts and Graphs grades 1-8

There are eight workbooks in this series entitled: The Places Around Me, Neighborhoods, Communities, States and Regions, United States and its Neighbors, Eastern Hemisphere, The World, and United States Past and Present. We have Level D (States and Regions) that is at about a fourth grade level. This workbook is a very nice resource for teaching map reading, and interpreting all types of chart and graphs. Available at Bethany Book Room $8.95-$10.95.

Do you need maps to finish out your geography program? Do you have a student who is very interested in this subject? This is the web site for you!

For free, this site provides black outline maps with and without the countries printed on them, landform maps, maps of rivers and lakes and interesting facts about each country. Any map you need you will find on this site. This site is a really great resource.

Do you need a guide to find a story or subject that will get your young child interested in books? You might want to check out the guidebooks available at the library titled: “Great Books For Boys” and “Great Books For Girls” by Kathleen Odean. Over 600 books for children ages 2-14 are outlined. The book is divided according to subject and age. Each book has a description of the story so you can gauge if this is something that your child would like. The only thing that is missing is the length of the story. Still, this is a great resource to use to give you some ideas as you visit the library. I stored my list in the computer for future reference.

Next time some more thoughts about reading. Reading is easy if your child is typical, however you may find more challenge with a special needs child, especially one with language and auditory processing difficulties.

Take heart in all the little achievements you see every day. While the pace may seem slow, know that you are getting to the finish line. In today’s “get it right now” society one can forget the amount of work and perseverance it takes to be a success. I wish you all the best as you advocate for your special child.

Kentucky Education Rights Center, Inc.

"Advocating for Children with Disabilities"

501 Darby Creek Road, Suite 49A

Lexington, Kentucky 40509

Telephone (859) 264-8928

E-mail: kerc@edrights.com