“I Hate Geometry Proofs. They’re Stupid.”

March 21, 2009 By 22 Comments

Do you hear a lot of grumbling in your home when high schools kids struggle with geometry proofs and can’t see the point?

Are geometry proofs really necessary? Do they have a purpose other than passing the math test and doing well on standardized tests?  Is this a life skill your kids will use?

Unless your child majors in math, it’s highly unlikely he’ll ever need to the specific skill required in completing geometry proofs. And chances are he’ll soon forget how to do them.

So what’s the point? Why do we make kids go through this ordeal?

Math Homework Help – Tutors or Coaches

March 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Math Tutor Getting Help for your ChildYour teen’s having trouble in algebra. Maybe your second grader is already behind in arithmetic.  Perhaps you have a high school senior who wants to do well on his SAT’s and feels he’s not prepared. Where do you go for math homework help? And how do you choose the right person? You could look for a math tutor? Or would a coach would be better?

Tutors usually teach, or re-teach, content. Examples include how to regroup when subtracting, how to remember the amendments to the Constitution for the test on Friday, how to conjugate French verbs. Whenever possible, a good tutor will offer math homework help relevant by connecting it with other content that’s meaningful to the student.

Coaches, on the other hand, basically help students learn how to learn. By focusing on the process of learning as opposed to reteaching content, students learn invaluable life-long skills and strategies.

Do You Think My Kid Has ADHD?

March 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Parents often ask me if I think their children have ADHD since they just can’t sit still.  ADHD certainly is common enough.  Running around instead of sitting still, however, isn’t the only symptom of ADHD.

Attention deficit disorder in children, also referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, refers to children who often have difficulty focusing their attention. They have trouble listening, remembering things, staying still, and/or waiting their turn. Their school success, education, and learning are affected.

Psychologists and psychiatrists use the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Addition, DSM-IV) to diagnose ADHD.

Dyslexia Definition: Why Suzy Has Trouble Reading

March 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment

“Dr. Silbert, maybe you can tell me what’s wrong with Suzy. Does she have dyslexia or some other learning disability? I don’t even know the dyslexia definition. She reads the word ‘ride’ over and over again on page one. Then she turns the page and can’t remember how to read the word ‘ride.’ She acts as if she never saw it before. She also leaves words out and puts words in. I can’t help it, but I end up yelling at her and she ends up crying. Something is wrong!”

Suzy’s case is typical. Suzy has dyslexia, a reading disability.

Dysgraphia Treatment: Talking with Teachers

March 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

When writing is so difficult for your child that he does poorly in most of his classes, a school psychologist or his teacher may determine that he has dysgraphia. Despite this learning disability, with the right dysgraphia treatment and accommodations, your child can excel, even succeed, in school.

You and his teacher will want to consider some of the following strategies for your child so she can start improving in school.

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