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News and updates to http://brains.org and Kathie Nunley's
Layered Curriculum(R) Site for Educators: http://help4teachers.com

~~The NO-MEMBERSHIP-REQUIRED website which blends current
psychology research with education.

You can subscribe to this newsletter at: http://help4teachers.com/newsletter.htm
Unsubscribe & EMAIL CHANGE information link at the bottom of this newsletter
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SECTION ONE: Teaching Tips -
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Teacher Tip # 1: I save my "fortunes" from fortune cookies and keep them in
a cute takeout box on the desk. We use these when we need a quick
writing prompt or vocabulary exposure. Candy Couldin, workshop participant.

Teacher Tip # 2: A quick phonological activity: I call the roll changing all
children's names to begin with the sound of the day. They respond by changing
my name to begin with the same sound. V. Fleming, grade 1, N. Pelley. .

Send your favorite teaching tip to me at Kathie@brains.org
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SECTION TWO: Hot Topics
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HOT TOPIC # 1: Traditionally, researchers considered that the brains of
children with ADHD were just developing differently than the brains of children
without ADHD. But new MRI research show the condition may actually be
a brain delay, rather than just abnormal development. Normally, a child's
cortex thickens slowly up to around age 7, then thins out. It turns out that
the cortex of a brain with ADHD doesn't reach its peak thickness until
around age 10. This delay, coupled with an early motor cortex maturity may
explain some of the symptoms of ADHD. Price, M (2008) Monitor on
Psychology, Vol 39(2), pg 12.

HOT TOPIC #2: The search for math and verbally "gifted" students generally
involves traditional scholastic aptitude tests. Researchers have discovered
that tests which measure visual spatial ability, may in-fact be a better indicator
of math giftedness. Adolescents with high spatial ability are particularly gifted
in nonverbal ideation and should be recognized and encouraged to pursue higher
math studies. Webb, R. et al (2007). Journal of Educational Psycholoyg,
Vol 99(2), pag 397-420.

More Hot Topics at the websites!

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SECTION THREE: Website updates
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******From HELP4TEACHERS.COM********
New Layered Curriculum® Sample Units:

** Steve Ritter in Clinton, Mo sent in 2 of his World History units,
"WWI" and "Europe in Revolution."
** Paul Moellering sent us a new grade 3/4 Separatist unit

You can see all the samples at: http://Help4Teachers.com/samples.htm
Remember if you have an Layered Curriculum® units you have designed,
please share them with us! Just email them to kathie@brains.org.

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********From BRAINS.ORG: ***********

The Brains.org Shop has a great selection of my most recommended
books and teaching aids. We carry the most popular books on
differentiated instruction, brain-based teaching and exceptional students
as well as colored overlays, full spectrum lights and electronic sound
machines.

Our shop always carries Layered Curriculum® texts and workbooks at our
exclusive direct discounted price. You'll be happy to know that each
order is charged and processed individually by a real human - and yes,
we do take Purchase Orders. We always appreciate your business.
http://brains.org/store/index.htm

Layered Curricuulm video training kits are available from:
http://help4teachers.com/video.htm

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SECTION FOUR: Kathie's Email
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Hello Kathie,
I have printed out a unit from your website. Is there a way to download the
specific activities, worksheets, etc. ? Thanks! Carla

====================================
HI Carla,
Thanks for your note. The units at the website are there to give teachers
ideas for constructing their own units. Since everyone has their own
unique populations, you would of course need to modify things
to fit your textbook and ancillary material. Good luck with it!
Kathie

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Hi Kathie!
I struggled at the beginning [in designing a Layered Curriculum unit] . I’m
under the impression that the layered activities are all choices that the students
can choose from. So the activities on the left side {of my unit sheet} are things that
we do altogether…for example, I don’t want students to miss certain
discussions and videos. Then after we’ve done a few activities together, I let
them choose in the different layers. I find that with elementary students having
too many choices becomes confusing and overwhelming. Also, my students
are beginner and early intermediate ELLs, so our group discussions
introduce and reinforce vocabulary. Any other suggestions? Rachel K.,
grades 4 and 5, Redeemer International School, Thailand

====================================
Rachel,
Don't feel like everything has to be "optional". There's nothing wrong
with requiring some of the assignments. Just put an asterisks by those
and tell them they are not options, but they can choose from the others
after they do the required ones. Your goal though is to put all of your
classroom instructional activities into one of the 3 layers. - Kathie

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SECTION FIVE: Workshops/calendar schedule/misc
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Happy February everyone. It's always nice to see February arrive as I feel like
I'm on the "downhill side" of winter. While the temperatures are still quite
cold, the days are getting longer, and last Friday I heard a flock of
mockingbird males arrive in the backyard to sing their rival songs to each
other. If I remember my ornithology correctly, that means the nesting season
will start in just 6 weeks.

Those of you who have been waiting for our next Layered Curriculum® trainer
session, take note! We have an online course scheduled for April 18/19.
If you have been to a Layered Curriculum® workshop and have experience designing
and implementing units in your classroom you may want to consider becoming a
licensed Layered Curriculum® trainer. More information and an application are
available at: http://help4teachers.com/onlinetrainingapplication.htm

If you are looking to attend a Layered Curriculum® workshop, we have many
coming up which are open to outside participants. This spring I'll be in Peoria, IL;
Fergus Falls, MN; Saginaw, MI; Lake Geneva, WI; Hamilton, NJ; Montreal, QC;
Fairbanks, AK; Buhl, ID and Beebe, AR. Registration information is posted on
the calendar page: http://help4teachers.com/calendar.htm
I have opened my fall 2008 calendar, so please let me know if you need to
schedule a workshop.

As always, my best to you and yours,
Kathie
=================================================
Workshop information is available at the website
http://help4teachers.com/workshops.htm
or
call: 603-249-9521
email: kathie@brains.org
Brains.org and Help4Teachers is located at:
54 Ponemah Road
Amherst, NH 03031

Layered Curriculum® is a trademark developed by and registered
to Dr. Kathie F Nunley. Usage information available at:
http://help4teachers.com/usage.htm
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Dr Kathie F Nunley
Layered Curriculum(R) . . . because every child deserves a special education (tm)