#LDchat Archive
Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.
Wednesday August 31, 2016
12:00 PM EDT
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Welcome to today’s LD Chat! This is Dan with the Understood team.
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Today, we’re talking about school readiness boosters—including digital tools—to help kids .
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Common Sense Media () & Common Sense Education () are our special cohosts.
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All participants will be automatically entered to win a special prize pack!
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Hi, Chrissy from Common Sense is here!
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Be sure to follow us and check your DMs later today to see if you won!
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Hello ! Tanner (aka ) here tweeting from Common Sense Education. Excited to learn from all of you.
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Hi Brian and Kristin! Always great to have you!
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Aaron here signing in from Yukon, Canada.
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Thanks for joining again!
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Hi all! Kerri from Winnipeg.
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Hi Aaron! Hope you're keeping warm.
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Michael, ed tech coach from Ohio, checking in on today.
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Kerri! Where are you tweeting from today?
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The fire is rip roaring in our wood stove. It's officially fall here!
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Hi, following from Denmark
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Hi Michael and Jenn! Thanks for joining!
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I’m home this time! In my kitchen! :) (Finally have home office space set up now though!)
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RT CommonSense: Hi, Chrissy from Common Sense is here!
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After the chat, feel free to follow up with me
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I love the fall, and not just because it's season!
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Hi Eva! Thanks for joining!
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I wore jeans today (which makes me happy), started off at 13*C (55*F) but it’s moved up a few degrees ;).
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We’ll use a Q1, Q2… format for questions. Please use the A1, A2… format for answers.
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Use with your tweets during this chat!
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First question coming up...
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Greetings from Tampa Bay, Florida! This is Christine.
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Q1. can be tough for kids with poor skills. What are some helpful tips and tools?
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A1: Implement an org system and then practice using it-w/ talk, then role-play, and then gradual release throughout the schoolyear.
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A1 My parents would always start preparing me a week or 2 before school. Helped me get in a organization routine.
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A1: We've rated quite a few great organizational tools that also build executive function skills: https://t.co/5ScnBKQKYr
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I recommend list making apps with automated reminders
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A1 label everything, check homework, make a plan with the teachers
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What sorts of techniques did they use to help get you organized?
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Yep, setting (and prepping!) routines so critical.
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A1 The Facebook group has had some discussion on this recently. myHomework app mentioned, more for ?
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A1: Practice walking your schedule out in MS, HS, or College
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A1 color coding can help and engaging your child with what helps them.
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A1: T created a "school day" social story flipbook for my 6yo w/ ASD. Big contributor to early success for her.
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What are some of the highly recommended ones, Chrissy?
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A1: I’ve used drawings showcasing the need to have items w the little ones. The visual aspect helps them remember
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Do you have any favorites?
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A1: You can do a dry run before school starts and use some visual reminders by the door, in the bathroom, etc.
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RT CommonSense: After the chat, feel free to follow up with me Chrissy4Kids
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A1. Similar (esp. timing-wise) is I’m organizing my home office space. So, getting a homework area ready before school begins.
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A1: OmniFocus, Evernote or more simply Google Tasks
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A1: Time-management apps can also be helpful: https://t.co/XiVMfZ7JjB Morning Kids is great for little guys, 30/30 for older kids
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A1: Teachers can also help students organize by setting up a thoughtfully designed classroom & workflow: https://t.co/zHfCGDURf1
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A!: Here's a great list of Organization Apps and Games for Kids and Teens With Special Needs https://t.co/BUr49vxUgB
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A1. Family I work with has a 7 y/o who has been asking for summer “homework” in different subjects—including gym :). Keep it fun!
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Thanks :) It really help and also can be used to learn the words for basic things like pencil and so forth
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Use the same binder everyday, wake up at the same time, organize some form of a schedule to follow similar to class.
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I start by creating new schedule boards for my kids, changes in daily chores, times, and activities.
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A1. I think he either does some exercise, reads a book, does a few math problems… Nothing that takes more than a few minutes.
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Routine is a great tool for staying organized.
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Keep an eye on our Facebook page in the upcoming weeks. We're going to be posting about homework stations!
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Q2. How can parents help their kids start off the year feeling more confident?
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Sounds great. Bite-sized "homework" to keep learning in the routine.
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A2: Find the locker, meet the teacher, confirm friends in class, review progress from last year
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A1 Here are som organizational apps for people with .
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A2: Positive reinforcement-celebrate the successes, then strategize to improve off of the struggles.
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I'm an adult and I still need routine to help me stay organized and sane!
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A2. I think the “summer homework” thing applies here too. They’ll know they KNOW stuff! :)
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A2: Give them small missions to accomplish so they feel successful right away. Be helpful in a specific way.
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A1 Go over their schedule and materials beforehand but always ask for their input.
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Thoughtful conversation that includes the child about goals for the year.
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A2: Low self-confidence can stem from failure-anxiety. Help kids see value & dignity in struggling, reflecting, & building
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A2: As mentioned before - changing their rutines to fit the new schedule. Plus prepare their bags w them
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RT CommonSense: A2: Find the locker, meet the teacher, confirm friends in class, review progress from last year
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A2: Mom and I made it a point to talk positively about school. Our daughter met her T several times last year.
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Without my calendar I’d never get anything done and forget everything, so me too
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A2. Focus on strengths, model acceptance
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A2: Setting achievable goals can help focus and confidence
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A2 Meet with the teacher before school, make a game plan, talk and 504 plan. Make them comfortable in the class before hand.
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A2: The main thing is to include them in process so they feel they are a part of what’s happening. Otherwise it can be a shock
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My son's school invited kids a week earlier for finding their new 6th gr classes and be familiar with the campus.
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Did your son find that helpful?
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A2 I'm a morning person and love some morning exercise. Might help start the day off feeling good, energized, & focused.
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A2 Maybe an older student mentor can help acclimate them especially in transition to middle school.
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A2: We also did the Summer Bridge workbooks for retention of learned info
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I think that's a great idea. Did that help relieve some anxiety?
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I have been trying doing 20-30 minute walks in the mornings when I have to get productive. I really like it!
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Can we use this on our site? I can't guarantee it will be published, but we'll be looking for photos of work stations soon
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A2: Seeing common themes so far: process, prep, setting routines, reducing "shock" of school.
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Don’t forget, you might win a prize pack. Follow us and check your DMs later today to see if you won!
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RT CommonSense: A2: Setting achievable goals can help focus and confidence
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A2: Absolutely, he had less anxiety and was comfortable getting himself to class.
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You bet! I was actually contemplating shooting it off to ;). Let me know if you want anything else! :]
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That's awesome! Good for you. Exercise is so beneficial for everyone!
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A2: We also helped our son practice independent note taking - he forgets everything!
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Have you read Spark by John Ratey? HIGHLY recommend.
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Q3. Parent/teacher communication is important all year. What’s the best ways to begin and maintain the dialogue?
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What's Spark about, Kerri?
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I've started doing mindful exercises, yoga, meditating, affirmations, & found it's helped my anxiety and confidence
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I have not, feel like we've talked about it or someone else. I'll check it out. Thanks!
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A2: For our son w/ autism, we created a new picture-schedule book w/ his new room, & schedule -worked w/ his awesome school on this.
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Effects of exercise on mental health, including a chapter on ADHD.
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A3: Remember to respect each other-a teacher is an expert in child development, but the parent is the expert in the individual child
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First starts off w/ study of HS students who did PE first thing in AM = +ve ed impact. HUGE for educators
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A3. Has anyone heard of or used Remind for parent/teacher communication?
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A3 (cont.): Work w/ each other, put things in writing, but meet in person if you're stressed about something-emails can be mean.
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A3: Start with a clean slate, as much as possible, to begin with positive communication.
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RT CommonSense: A3: Start with a clean slate, as much as possible, to begin with positive communication.
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Q3: I created a conversation book for my son w/autism & a resume type template for my 6th grader-both provide info & learning styles
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A3. Find out what is the BEST method of communication with the teacher!
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Yes, some in our school use it.
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establish yourself immediately as a comrade instead of an adversary.Send complementary emails to the teacher
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A3 then regularly check in throughout the year
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Q3 Set up time to meet w/ everyone. Intro and how best to communicate, include the child. talk strengths and challenges
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Last question coming up...
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Q4. Which apps, games & websites will you use this year to boost student learning and success? Why?
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my school uses it and I love it!
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A3 Encourage them to write a letter in their own words.
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A4. I LOVE Voice Dream—super worth the price. Voice Dream Writer would also be great for students w/ writing issues.
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Seems like a good idea, know lots of teachers who give out numbers and are texting w/ parents.
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A3-I like to start ask the teacher for their most preferred mode of communication, it's usually email!
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Simple but ESSENTIAL tip: find out communication preferences.
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A4: Here are some great websites to bookmark that help with practice, research, and resources: https://t.co/unnJxmBh4F
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A3 another form of cards to begin communications on a good note, & reflect on during the year https://t.co/PZUPidbfIX
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I'm uncomfortable w/ sharing personal with Ss or parents--this program bridges that.
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A4: Google Calendar, Google Drive
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A4: GoNoodle and Starfall are huge for my daughter. She navigates them better than some of her typical peers!
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RT CommonSense: RT kerriYWG: A3. Find out what is the BEST method of communication with the teacher!
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A4: I like , , at the HS level.
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A4. Evernote. I paid for Premium mid-class once. It auto-renews, and I am super okay with this. Use it tons for work, too.
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A4 my girls love razkids for reading
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Definitely-google schools have tons of free, great resources at their fingertips!
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A4: I'm an advocate of anything from
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Such a great conversation! We're going to wrap up in a minute, but feel free to keep the conversation going!
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A4 is my go to program to help with organiation. Not just for school, but for life events as well.
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