2010 8th Grade Graduates

L to R: Jacob, Shane, Lee

 
Arizona Science Center Trip

Happenings

A  Memorable Eighth Grade Ceremony

for the 2010 Totem Day School Graduates

Parents, students, teachers, and faculty celebrated together to
commemorate the eighth grade graduation of three special students
from Totem Learning Center & Day School, Lee, Shane, and Jacob.   The celebration included a unique motivational program individually designed for each graduate and concluded with participants sharing their special memories while enjoying refreshments. Shane will continue his education by attending Sunny Slope High School. Lee and Jacob will continue as high school students at Totem Day School. Best Wishes to each of these students in their future educational endeavors.
 

Arizona Science Center Field Trip

Have you ever wanted to experience the heat of a volcano,  how about lay down for a nap on a bed of nails, or maybe you are in the mood for a one hour trip under the sea with sharks swimming next to you!  The students at Totem had the opportunity to take part in these and other remarkable exhibits during their June 14th field trip to the Arizona Science Center.
“The best part was riding the bike,” commented one of the students.  He was referring to the Sky Cycle, a bicycle on a tightrope 15 feet off of the ground.  The bicycle had a 300 pound counterweight, allowing the rider to cruise along the tightrope without tipping over. 
The students eagerly walked from exhibit to exhibit, touching, playing and manipulating the materials to bring science to life!  One student particularly loved learning about how pulleys can help lift heavy objects, such as themselves.  “It was fun pulling myself up,” he remarked, “I felt so strong!”
In addition to the exhibits, the students sat in awe during the “Under the Sea” 3-D movie at the I-Max Theater.  “They were on the edge of their seats, some of the kids were actually reaching out to touch the exotic fish,” noted one of the teachers.   In addition to the video, the students all agreed that the “Forces of Nature” gallery was one of the highlights.  The students experienced some of nature’s most devastating phenomena such as a wildfire, a hurricane, a monsoon, and an earthquake; all while standing in the same place.  Hey, maybe these 110 degree days aren’t so bad after all!     

TOTEM welcomes John Vorseth to our staff!

John Vorseth comes to Totem as a new teacher with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from ASU and a Master’s in Cross Categorical Special Education from University of Phoenix.  John is the father of four children, one of which has PDD-NOS.  He has more then 15 years of experience in operations management and consulting in addition to involvement in youth sports leagues and volunteering for school organizations.  Through his work with his family, and coaching children with PDD-NOS, he decided that he could better help the community in the field of special education.  John keeps very busy coaching, managing and assisting with MALL, AYSO, DYB, and the school PTA. He is also currently an executive board member with Mesa American Little League. 

John’s goal is to provide creative and meaningful instruction that fosters an interest in his students to learn.  He is a very enthusiastic instructor who uses positive reinforcement to help children to draw upon their own strengths to become confident and successful.

Keeping Literacy Alive Over the Summer

Summer vacation is just around the corner. Children and their weary parents are dreaming of long summer evenings free of homework and studying. What a relief it will be to put those books in the drawer or on the shelf and leave them there for a few months! Right? Wrong!

Teachers know, and experts agree, that what is often referred to as the “summer slide” can harm your child’s educational progress. 

Research demonstrates that all students experience significant learning losses during the summer months, according to the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University. Children from low-income families are especially at risk, and may experience an average loss of two to three months in reading skill over the summer months. (For more information on the Center for Summer Learning, see the link below.)

 Reading is a skill for life, and, as with any skill, practice is key. Studies have shown that children who read more become better readers. Children who read over the summer months often gain, rather than lose, important skills. When children become better readers, reading becomes a more enjoyable experience, and they want to read more. Whether your child is just beginning to learn the letters of the alphabet or reading Shakespeare, reading every single day, even in the summer, will keep reading enjoyable and skills sharp. Particularly for students who struggle, keeping hard-earned literacy skills strong over the summer break is essential.

It’s not hard to do. Many libraries and bookstores offer summer reading clubs that keep children engaged with parties and prizes to encourage reading. With so many great books out there, summer is the time for you to help your child find books and magazines that are interesting and fun. Your local public library or bookstore can help you and your child find just the right book about just the right topic. Whether it is a book about building bridges, a favorite athlete, a magazine about cool cars or a funny comic book, reading for at least 30 minutes a day will keep your child on the road to becoming a lifelong reader. Writing should be part of the summer, too. Encourage your child to keep a summer journal and write letters to grandparents and friends.

There are many wonderful resources on the internet that can give you ideas and activities to keep reading alive over the summer. You can also learn more about the importance of summer learning. Here are some that are worth checking out:

 Activities 

• The Michigan Department of Education has developed wonderful summer learning guides for Pre-K through Grade 2. Scroll down on the page to find links to the guides. Also, click on “Additional Learning Materials“  for games and stories that strengthen literacy skills.
• Reading Is Fundamental has several resources for summer reading fun:
  • “Summer Reading is Sweet”
  • “Summer Reading Tips for Kids”
  • A summer reading brochure for parents, with 10 weeks worth of great summer reading activities

• This site from the Florida Department of Education has a calendar of summer reading and learning activities for young children.
• The British Columbia Public Library offers summer reading tips for parents, with a special emphasis on reading with your preschooler.
• Scholastic.com has launched “Summer Reading Counts,” an interactive online resource for families. This special area devoted to summer reading features interactive and fun activities for children, in addition to expert advice and information for parents and caregivers. 

Research 

The Center for Summer Learning, based at Johns Hopkins University, seeks to create high quality summer learning opportunities for all young people. The Center develops, evaluates, and disseminates model summer learning programs, stimulates research, and builds public support to ensure that no child takes a vacation from learning during the summer months.

Watch the April 2005 Webcast of Summer Learning: A Community Conversation about Education, sponsored by Sylvan Learning Center in partnership with Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Summer Learning. Plus, learn more about the research behind the importance of summer learning.

 “Summer Learning Loss: The Problem and Some Solutions” by Harris Cooper, from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education.

Source: LD Online, February 2009 edition, NCLD 

Succeeding with LD and AD/HD: Targeted Interventions and Positive Supports

By Karen J. Miller, MD
Published: March 6 2005 

Once learning and attention problems are identified a multi-modal management plan should be developed. LD and AD/HD are chronic problems but functioning can be improved with targeted interventions and positive, strength-based approaches. 

Children with learning disabilities benefit from specialized instruction targeting their processing deficits in a systematic manner. If they qualify as having a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed to meet their needs. 

Interventions for children with AD/HD should include positive behavior management, educational interventions and medication when appropriate. Behavior management at home and school should emphasize increased structure, reinforcement for appropriate behavior and avoid punitive punishments. If AD/HD results in substantial educational impairment they can qualify for an IEP under the Other Health Impaired (OHI) category. If a child with AD/HD doesn’t qualify under IDEA but requires supports, modifications or accommodations in the classroom a Section 504 plan may be implemented. 

Medication can be an important part of the treatment program for children with ADHD. Medications, such as Ritalin®, Adderall® or Strattera®, improve capacity for sustained, effortful attention and impulse control. However, medications do not teach better skills or extinguish bad behaviors. Appropriate educational and behavioral interventions are still essential. Medications can help a child with ADHD be more available to absorb and apply new skills and to be able to reflect (at least briefly!) before acting. Response to medication cannot be used as a “test” for AD/HD. Only about 70% of children with AD/HD respond to the first medication tried. Even if a child shows behavioral improvement, medication will not address an underlying learning disability. When both LD and AD/HD are present medication can help support the extra “brain work” needed to compensate for processing problems. 

The key to long-term success for children with LD and/or AD/HD is a positive attitude and an emphasis on developing strengths. Parents and teachers should foster a resilient, problem-solving approach to life’s challenges. Children should have opportunities to devise alternative ways of meeting goals, develop their talents and use their skills to help others. A child should not be limited by their learning or attention differences, but inspired to achieve by using their different strengths and passions.

 Source: LD.Org; NCLD- June 2010 edition;

This article was orginally published in Pediatric Annals in April 2005.
 

LD Online has gathered together an extensive collection of resources on learning disabilities: www.LDonline.com

Accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities can be found at: www.wrightslaw.com

He has progressed in his academics dramatically! We highly recommend

TOTEM to anyone who has a child struggling in a large classroom environment.

 The individual attention and time spent with him exceeded our expectations.

Charlie loves TOTEM and thanks us all the time for sending him to school there.”

~ Susie V.
“As the mother of two children who needed the expert services at Totem

Learning Center & Day School, I can say it was worth it.  After only 6 weeks

 of instruction, my children gained in every area and up to six years progress with their new success, they stopped talking negatively about themselves and they became excited about learning.  My children finally understood the concept of learning – that is, they learned how to learn!  What an amazing transformation!  Children with learning differences endure a daily struggle, but now I know they don’t have to.  The teachers at Totem used their research-based programs to

help my children find their way out, and they can help yours too.”  ~Kristina B.

students with learning disabilities many of whom have been referred by leading education psychologists and physicians.  TOTEM has also provided special

education services for students’ IEP contracts for several school districts in Arizona.

In August 2008, TOTEM was approved by the Arizona Department of Education as

a special education day school.

11144 N. Frank LLoyd Wright Blvd. Ste. 200

Scottsdale, AZ 85259

Ph. 480-767-8659

Fx. 480-767-9776

www.totemlearningceter.com