All Dogs Have ADHD..!

Oh my goodness... I was shown an AMAZING book yesterday by one of my collegues! Have you heard of this one??

It is a book  by Kathy Hoopmann, and she has some amazing books for kids all about ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome. This book, All Dogs Have ADHD, uses extremely cute photographs of all sorts of dogs to help explain what it is like to have ADHD, and helps kids relate to certain behaviours and understand that it is OK to have ADHD. I think it is a great book not only for kids diagnosed with ADHD, but also for kids who are around kids that struggle with attention (classmates, siblings, etc). Kids can instantly recognize the traits that are exemplified by these canines.  THEN I did some looking into it, and she has another book that looks great:

 All Cats have Asperger Syndrome. Incredible. I haven't had a chance to look at this one, but I bet it is great too - can't you picture some feline tendencies relating to the non-verbal/sensory/literal traits of a child with Asperger Syndrome?

Kathy Hoopman also has an adventure series where the characters illustrate what it is like to live with Aspergers; think: A kids version of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" By Mark Haddon (which is a MUST READ if you haven't checked it out yet!).

And, while we are on the topic of fabulous books, have you read House Rules by Jodi Picoult? She is one of my absolute favourite authors, and in House Rules, she delivers an amazing, can't-put-it-down, brilliant novel demonstrating the struggles, triumphs, and challenges between members of society, families, and individuals with Asperger Syndrome (and all based around a murder mystery, too! Can't get much better than that.) Also a must-read if you have not picked it up yet!

I hope everyone is staying warm out there (us northern-ers anyway.... it is -45 degrees Celsius in Alberta today...brrrrrr. Snow day today!)

I would love for you to leave me a comment to let me know what you think of these books! Also, if you have any other great resources (or just darn good novels) that you have come across that relate to ADHD, Asperger Syndrome, LD, Social Skills, etc.I would love to hear about them too!

:) Christine

Great things came from the '80s...

I am so excited to have gained a few followers, and so many comments and visits to my page! Thank you all!

So, as I am trying to get my motivation up for the *last day* before winter break, I find myself on YouTube, searching my favorite clips. Although my students would make a strong argument that "BBC Talking Animals" or "Funny Cats" are the best videos out on the web, I always end up watching a few tried and true segments that never fail to motivate me. Rick Lavoie is one of my favourite speakers to watch - as a teacher of kids with Learning Diabilities, I can definitely relate to anything this man talks of. My students are all some combination LD and ADHD, social skills challenges, low (or no) working memory, and slow processing. Needless to say, I have taught some V.E.R.Y bright and unique children - all of which  just learn differently. I could talk and talk of this subject, but for now I will leave you with this clip from Rick Lavoie's F.A.T. City Workshop - there are so many clips, but this one is on the topic of reading, decoding, and spatial challenges. Let me know what your take is on what Rick Lavoie has to say. His examples are very interesting, and although he makes some generalizations and over-the-top examples, I find it pretty darn interesting... not to mention all the e x c e l l e n t '80s attire and hair-styles. ;)

If you are like me, and will spend a bunch of time watching 'related videos' when you find something good, you MUST check out Rick Lavoie's clip entitled "When the Chips are Down". Fabulous stuff!

Here are a few favourite websites of mine:

http://www.ldonline.org/

http://www.ldaa.net/

http://www.totallyadd.com/

http://www.ldexperience.ca/ 

http://www.learninglinkslibrary.ca/

Do you find it hard to keep all of your individual kids' needs in mind while you are teaching? Is your schooling system in support of using academic time to work on some time-consuming, but very much needed strategies for learning? I am from up north in Canada, and I would love to hear some of your thoughts from different countries & systems! 

~ Christine

Today you are you, that is truer than true

I find it sweet that some Dr. Seuss quotes can apply throughout your whole life. This year, I had these Dr. Seuss quote posters made, to put up around my classroom. They aren't too flashy & colourful, but have a nice old-school-chalk-board feel. I had them printed on 11x17 paper, and they are a fabulous touch for the classroom!
~CK

CLICK HERE to download original PDF