Natural Supplement for ADD/ADHD Help

My sons both struggled through school with dyslexia and ADD.   At the time I didn’t think it was severe enough to warrant medication (although in retrospect that was probably a mistake), so we soldiered through.  At one point, a reading tutor recommended a rather expensive supplement (expensive for us).  My older son was in 4^th grade.  After a couple of days on the supplement his teacher pulled me aside and said, “I don’t know what you’re doing for him, but whatever it is keep doing it!”  We were thrilled!  However we couldn’t afford to continue using the supplement.  I lost track of what it was and have spent years trying to find it again. 

Now that I am working on my Masters Degree in Brain Based Teaching, I’m finding new resources!  One link the University recommended was a site by Dr. Daniel Amen.  I was immediately absorbed in his fascinating site.  Then I saw it… the supplement… or one that appears to be an even better version of it.   I’m so excited I’ve just got to share it with everyone!

It’s called “Attention Support: Children and Teens.”  Following is the description on their website:

“For those of you who need support for attention and impulse control, Dr. Daniel Amen, New York Times bestselling author of “Change Your Brain Change Your Life” has developed a nutraceutical supplement formulated to help improve mental focus, while promoting a sense of calm. Dr. Daniel Amen’s Attention Support: Children and Teens includes phosphatidyl serine to help maintain cell membranes, DMAE for improving memory and concentration and pycnogenol to boost dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters which help improve focus. We recommend Dr. Daniel Amen’s Attention Support for those looking to restore overall brain health and to support attention and impulse control.”

Here is a direct link to the supplement:

http://store.amenclinics.com/attention-support-children-and-teens

My sons are in college now, but I am still purchasing it for each of them.  I’ll post again to let everyone know how it is working. 

Finally

Please know that everyone may not have the same positive result we did with this natural supplement.  Also, don’t forget to search their website for contraindications, and check with your doctor.  Last but not least… I am in no way connected with their site and do not receive any benefits from sales.

Free Technology for Teachers: TED Talk - The Beauty of Data Visualization

Very interesting post!

Free Technology for Teachers: TED Talk - The Beauty of Data Visualization

How to Set Up Your Everyday Math Online Lesson Plan

This is my second post about the online components of Everyday Math.  The first reviewed how to sign in and set up classes.  This post will detail how to set up your online lesson plan.

One of my favorite components of EM online is the ePlanner.   Just input the date range and lessons you want to cover and your lesson plan will be generated.  The option to exclude holidays or flex days is built in.  Another fantastic benefit is the ability to access individual lesson components straight from your calendar (including online games that go with each lesson).  Let’s get started!

Set Up Your Lesson Plan

Access your Everyday Math account and select the ePlanner ‘Launch’ button. 

On the next screen, you will:

1. Select your grade level.
2. Leave the next box on "Create a New Lesson Plan," unless you have returned to update an existing plan.  In which case you would need to select that lesson here.
3. Name the lesson plan.  I chose 'Clegern 2nd 10-11.'
4. Set the date your lessons should begin.
5. Select the 'Next Step' button.

After you select the ‘next step’ button, the screen below will appear.  First, be sure to set the correct beginning and ending unit and lesson.  By default the lessons begin with Unit 1/lesson 1, and end with the last lesson in your series. Next, you will be able to select specific days on the calendar to specify non-instructional days.

I’m going to select September 6^th to set up a non-instructional day for Labor Day. When I click on September 6, here is what I see:

I set the start day as September 6, and the end date as September 7.  Next I select ‘Holiday’ as the day type.  Finally I type ‘Labor Day’ in the Day Note box.  Select the Save button.  Now you can see those two days blocked off as holidays on the calendar.

After inputting your holidays, field trip days etc., click the ‘Create Lesson Plan’ button at the bottom of the page.

Once you have created your lesson plan, the following screen will appear.  There are several available options.

1. If you forgot to add a holiday or flex day to your plan, click the ‘Set Up Lesson Plan’ button.  It will take you back to the setup screen.  This does not have to be done immediately.  This option is also handy for adjusting lessons due to snow days.  Again, the rest of your lessons will automatically be advanced for you.
2. To view the lesson details for a certain day, select the yellow ‘Details’ box.
3. Toggle month/week view here.
4. If you need to spread a lesson out over more than one day, move the day, or delete the lesson, select the move/delete button.  A pop-up box will appear for details.  I love this option because it gives you the flexibility to allow for those times when one day just wasn’t enough for a lesson.  You just make the change and the rest of your lesson plan is adjusted for you!
5. Advance or reverse your view of weeks by selecting the appropriate arrows.

The Details

Click the Details box (#2 above), and the window below will appear.  You will find all the necessary resources at your fingertips.  You can even access games to go with most lessons!  There is far too much to go over.  Most is in pdf format.  I recommend checking it out for yourself… you’ll be glad you did.

Finally

That’s my brief overview on setting up your online lesson plan.  I hope it helps, please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.  There are surely tips and techniques I’m not aware of.  If you know any, please comment below!

Everyday Math Online - Setting Up Your Class

I mentioned on another post that our school district has adopted the Everyday Math Curriculum.  In this post I would like to review some of the online components available with the program.

Everyday Math online is available a www.everydaymathonline.com.  There is a wealth of information and resources available.  Lets start with your basic set-up.  Your school will give you a code that you will use to sign in the first time.  To sign in click the ‘I Have My Registration Code’ button.  You will be prompted for the registration code and guided through your account setup.

 

After setup, when you return to the EM website sign in using the Teacher/Administrator Login button.

Once signed in, you will see the following screen and options.  Take a moment to review the selections.  I will go over more selections in future posts.

Setting Up Your Class

Our district is putting student names into the system, but I believe we will need to put the students into our individual classes.  To do this, select the ‘Build Class’ link at the top of your screen.  A pop-up window will appear as pictured below.

On the left panel (A) are instructions to help guide you through the class setup process.  If you haven’t set up a class before, select (B) ‘Add Class.’  For more encrypted passwords, select the ‘Use Iconic Passwords’ box at the bottom of the ‘Add Class’ popup window.  In doing so, passwords will have a letter, number, and shape.  These are explained in the parent letter.

Once your class name is ready and selected you are can continue.  Go to the bottom of the screen (C) and select the ‘Show’ dropdown box.  Select your grade level.  You may also want to select the ‘Show Available Only’ box so that students already in other classes won’t appear.  Finally, if you have new students to add select (D) the ‘New Student’ button.  A pop up box will appear for you to enter student information.  I do believe that our district is inputting students for us, we will just need to set up our classes.

Passwords

Now that your class is set up, let’s take a look at passwords and parent letters.  Student usernames and passwords are automatically generated.  Here's how to access and print the information.

Go back your EM main page and select ‘Student Passwords.’

I entered a test student so we can see what the password page will look like.  After selecting the above link, a popup box will appear.

In this box we can see the student name, login, and password.  Clicking the ‘Edit’ button under the ‘Reset’ column will enable you to reset student passwords. 

This screen is also where you are able to print individual or whole class login cards.  Finally, from this screen you have the option to log in as your student.

Parent Letters

Now you’re all set up.  Our last task will be to print parent letters.  To print parent letters, you will need to return to your home screen and select ‘Support’ at the top of your screen.

A popup box will appear with several support options.  Two of those options are circled below.  Both contain the Parent Letter, but the second also has some basic teacher instructions. 

Finally

That covers setting up your class, passwords, and parent letters.  I will cover more online components if upcoming posts.  If you have any questions, feel free to email me at gr8arteest(at)gmail.com.  Have a wonderful school year!

Free Technology for Teachers: Free Back to School Guide from Edutopia

Free Technology for Teachers: Free Back to School Guide from Edutopia