Monday, July 8, 2019 - ‘Assist Yourself’ with Educational Technology

Ms. Diehl’s Reading 3 class continued utilizing their three part reading method which is a strategy on how to tackle reading and also comprehending textbooks. Part one is preview: where you scan the chapter and generate background knowledge. Students also need to think about the assignment. What does the teacher expect them to learn from the reading? We turned the headings and subheadings of a chapter into questions. Then used the LINCS vocabulary strategy to look up and learn new words in the textbook. Part Two is to read the textbook. The students look at the questions asked in part one and only highlight the answers to those questions. We will get to part three later in the week which is review.

Students have the option of selecting “Equestrian” for one of their activity blocks.  Many students go to Lee Stables in Litchfield, since they accept riders of varying ability levels from Beginning to Advanced.   Students are responsible for grooming and tacking the horses that they will be riding during their session. Tacking refers to putting all of the necessary equipment (saddle, stirrups, bridles, etc.) onto the horse.  Students are able to then choose whether they would prefer to practice English or Western Style of riding.  These styles vary in what type and how the equipment is used, riding attire, and the terminology used to describe the horse’s motion.  Forman Summer riders are able to then decide whether they would prefer to practice on a trail or in a ring with their newfound horsefriend.  We are ecstatic to partner with Lee Stables to provide this learning experience for our Forman Summer students!

In support of Week 2 theme, “Assist Yourself”, the evening community event featured Ms. Chen’s presentation of Free Tech Toolkit for Students with Learning Differences: Building Your Brain’s Neuroplasticity. Students watched scientific short videos about the concept of neuroplasticity--which is activity-driven--and discussed how the brain can be wired to form new thought patterns and learn new skills. Students were then introduced to some free apps to assemble a basic toolkit that consists of a planner (iStudiez, myHomework), a learning or mind mapping tool (Notepad, ModMath, Inspiration Maps, Dictation Talk-to-Text, Pocket Text-to-Speech), and a studying tool (Quizlet, Khan Academy). Students who answered questions related to the videos or volunteered to play with those apps on Ms. Chen’s iPad--which was projected unto the big screen--were rewarded with bags of microwavable popcorn to enjoy in their dorms! All students can now chant, “Bodybuilding your brain: use it or lose it!”