Learning Disabilities Podcast Interview with Rich Weinfeld
The
LD Podcast is a fantastic resource for those of you who parent or teach kids with learning difficulties. The site offers information and support in the form of a blog and an ongoing series of podcasts on various issues related to learning difficulties. While the LD Podcast bills itself as a resource "for parents by parents of kids with learning disabilities," I think it also offers some great information for teachers, as well.
Recently, the LD Podcast featured a podcast with one of Prufrock's most popular authors, Rich Weinfeld. Rich is a coauthor of
Smart Kids with Learning Difficulties: Overcoming Obstacles and Realizing Potential, and
Helping Boys Succeed in School. In the interview, Rich discusses how we identify kids with learning disabilities, how parents can talk with teachers and administrators to make sure their child is getting what they need while forging constructive relationships, and when a parent might want to consider an educational advocate.
Click here to listen to the LD Podcast's interview with Rich Weinfield on the topic of helping kids with learning disabilities.
Is Homeschooling an Option for Gifted Children?
HomeEducator.com recently ran a short article titled, Gifted Children and Homeschooling by Kathi Kearney. I think the article offers a balanced and thoughtful overview of the topic. From the article:
Not every parent should consider homeschooling for a gifted child and not every gifted child should be homeschooled. That said, homeschooling is an excellent alternative for many gifted children at some point in their development.
Homeschooling is an especially important option in situations where a child’s school can’t—or won’t—provide appropriate services and, as a result, the child’s social-emotional development, behavior or school achievement starts to deteriorate.
Kearney feels that homeschooling can offer greater flexibility in curriculum pacing (acceleration strategies) and in the depth and type of enrichment activities that can be offered gifted children. She also points to some of the pitfalls that homeschooling parents may experience. For example, she says that many homeschooling families may find the "canned" curricula offered for sale to homeschooling families fall short where gifted children are concerned.