Hi everyone - can you give some feedback on this reader's question?

I am the Mom of three, two boys 13 and 11, and our princess just 1.

My 11 year old has been in Learning Support for 5 years, he is now in 5th grade and soon will be off to middle school. Every other year the school wants to do either a "Conner's Scale" or "BASC" to try and prove that my son has ADD/ADHD. However, every time they test him it disproves he has ADD/ADHD.

He has been in "Regular Class" for 5 months now and his latest report card show him as a "B" student with exception to Math he received a "C". The teachers complain that he does focus they say he is a quiet child but he just can't seem to work at a "normal" pace.

They are puzzled how he get an "A" on all his tests when he doesn't seem to tow the line on his class work.

Could it be that he is a Kinesthic Learner? If so then do you have any suggestions to what I should do to work with the teachers?

There are questionnaires to determine whether a child is a kinesthetic learner. I recall answering one which determined whether the person is a a)visual learner b)auditory learnier or c)kinesthetic learner. I am a kinesthetic learner, although as most people, I have a combination of traits. And I can see how it has put me at a disadvantage in classroom situations, which rely upon auditiory input more and more as the chronological age advances. Kinesthetic basically means that you learn by doing. My first thought is to make sure you use this talent of his. Is there a hands-on activity whaich he excels at? (musical instrument? building? drawing? etc. etc.) Encourage him to find one thing that he can be better at than most people. Help him find his strength and let him shine. This is a great way to boost his self-esteem. And, as far as classroom instruction goes, does he have GOOD people helping him? Re there people who understand his strengths and weaknesses and are willing to work with them? Also, do you have a good outside doctor, who can provide the teachers with valuable information about your son? Teachers tend to listen a lot better to a doctor than they do to a parent. Good luck and let us know if you find good information about this. I bet you can research this just by typing "kinesthetic learner" into your address bar.

Hi myhands -

Welcome to this channel and thank you for posting some very good advice!

Susan <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've compiled all the kinesthetic math and language lessons into a handy ebook or large paperback book at these URLs:

ebook:
Kinesthetic Math and Language Lessons
http://www.bellaonline.com/ebooks/ebook57

large paperback:
Kinesthetic Math and Language Lessons
http://www.lulu.com/content/157704

Susan

This isn't a reply, but a request. I am looking for information on kinesthetic learning ideas for very delayed readers that are 12 to 17. Tracing letters and so forth seem to juvenile to them. Do you have any e-books for this age for reading and math? Thanks for your help. Linda
laengland@kidsbh.com

Hi Linda,

"Kinesthetic Math and Language Lessons" ebook (or paperback workbook) contains these kinesthetic lessons for ages 9 and older - through high school. They are also lessons for the younger students in Part I.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art24899.asp

Part II. Introduction to Advanced Lessons for Ages 9 and Older
- Making Geometric Shapes - Advanced Lesson
- ABA Sequencing - Waltz Combination
- ABA Sequencing - Schottische Combination
- Subject and Predicate in Sentence
- Indirect and Direct Objects Lesson
- Meter and Verse
- Multiplication
- Division
- Division with Remainder

Hope that helps. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Susan

After reading the post, I wasn't sure why she thought her son was a kinesthetic learner. I would think a kinesthetic learner would do poorly on tests, and better on school work, especially tactile projects.

Maybe he does better on tests because they are a conducted in a controlled time enviroment. Perhaps the teachers could break down class projects into 10-15 minute blocks of time. For example they could tell him I would like you to be on page 27 by 10:30 and then have the questions 1-10 completed by 10:45.

I would recommend reading Mel Levine's works. Especially "All Kinds of Minds" and "Educational Care" He is THE expert on learning styles and learning differences.

hi there,

Just wanted to add some thoughts to that post. Hopefully some of these questions will help find a solution to the problem.
1. What was the goal of academic support for five years? The resource people should be able to explain her son's learning style to the current classroom teachers.

2. I hope I don't ruffle too many feathers with this one, but what is wrong with being a B-student? Is that a problem for the teachers, his parents or himself? I think that is a very important question.

3. Can the teachers/parents and student create small attainable goals? - Not straight As. But something small that could easily be measured. For example complettion of one week's class work on time.

After the goal is agreed upon, three way partnership needs to be created. Parents, teachers, and the student must be willing to contribute to the goal. The changes cannot be made only by the teachers. Everyone needs to be willing to make an effort. <img src="/images/graemlins/easter.gif" alt="" />

I agree with Myhands post. It is so important to find our strengths. When we feel self confident every aspect of school/life is better.

Hi Jeanne - thank you for your comments! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Susan