Teenage Mental Health and Suicide

Documentary that looks at adolescent mental health problems and approaches used to help students in need.  Link to video.

Behind the acts of violence and rage of both the Virginia Tech and Columbine shootings is a larger issue of mental illness in teens that is rarely addressed. For instance:

• The rate of teenage suicide has tripled over the last 60 years –28 teenagers a week now die by suicide.¹
• Depression and anxiety in adolescents often go unrecognized or untreated for years, and the results can be fatal – over 90 percent of adolescents who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental illness at the time of their death. 

Leave comments about what you have seen work and efforts made to keep people connected with one another and their immediate social situations.

Calculators: To Use or Not to Use

Should students use calculators or not?  Research supports the use of calculators especially for multiple step problems.  Many multiple-step problems are scored incorrect due to the increased opportunity for errors when using large numbers.  How many of us want to multiple 304 x 213 without a calculator?  Not me. An example for recommended use of a calculator would be division problems exceeding two digits into four digit combinations.  Research also indicates that understanding of algebraic concepts are enhanced when calculators are used.

Only about 1/3 of secondary educators allow use of a calculator and only 1/2 of special educators allow the use of a calculator for students with mild disabilities when completing multiple-step problems.

Important notes:

1. Teach kids how to use a calculator, don't assume they know how to use one.
2. When evaluating special education students who have used a calculator for several years, consider allowing them to use one on reevaluations.  Proficient calculator usage is a positive aspect to report on.
3. Make the recommendation for use of calculator for multiple-step problems and large number computations.

Source:  Essentials of Evidence-Based Academic Interventions by Wendling, B and Mather, N.

READING CBM NORMS

Having difficulty finding and keeping track of Reading CBM norms for grades K- 8?  I have put together a resource for these tools that includes norms for many CBM reading measures K-8, Fall, Winter, Spring. Also includes norms for rate of improvement. Featured in the Wiley Essentials of Dyslexia Assessment and Intervention. To download visit the Services and Downloads on this blog and click on the Curriculum Based Measurement Norms link.  While there check out the other tools that can be helpful with your RtI efforts. Happy Progress Monitoring!

Cognitive Strategy Instruction (CSI)

CSI is an instructional approach that focuses on developing thinking skills to improve outcomes.  Many students with learning difficulties are passive in the learning.  CSI helps to engage students making them more active in their learning.  CSI also helps to improve executive functioning, which is often reported with struggling students.  The approach is effective because it provides strategies for students whose problems go beyond the achievement areas.

Cognitive Strategy instruction is designed to help students learn strategies employed by successful students. Learning strategies provide a framework, or game plan, for the student to follow.

An example for reading comprehension (paraphrasing) is RAP.  RAP reminds students to:

1. Read the paragraph
2. Ask yourself, "What were the main ideas and details in the paragraph?"
3. Put the main idea and details into your own words

Source:  Essentials of Evidence-Based Academic Interventions, Wendling, B. and Mather, N.

Concussions

From the Star Tribune - Kid's Health Section:

"Heightened concern about youth concussions spurred legislation in Minnesota and national guidelines governing when injured athletes can safely return to sports, but many parents and educators remain confused about when students’ brains have healed enough that they can safely return to class.

The American Academy of Pediatrics weighed in on Sunday, with new guidance called “Returning to Learning,” in an effort to keep concussed kids from being rushed back to class in ways that could prolong their brain injuries and cause their grades to plummet."  Link to full Article.

Attention School Psychologists:  Learn how to become a Certified Brain Injury Specialist at http://www.acbis.pro/.  Training teaches to develop plans for concussed or brain injured students.

Dyslexia Video

Well made documentary discussing personal struggles and triumphs of children and adults.  

Raises real  emotion and desire to make sure all students who struggle get the help they need.  

Link to Video.

For Reading/Dyslexia Consultation and Assessment contact Ron Hockman, School Psychologist

Home Work

The way we traditionally give homework assignments is a one of the major reasons kids dislike school.  Most homework in middle school and high school is copied or completed by someone else.  Low homework grades often pull down otherwise good test performance grades and teachers spend a lot of time grading homework.  It can be argued that that time could be used to prepare lessons.  

A different approach is to assign homework, don’t collect it, instead give a short quiz at the beginning of class that has a few of the problems, items, etc. from the homework, grade the quiz quickly.   This quiz can help understand what the students understand rather than what was copied or completed by someone else.  This approach can also reduce pressure on the students and teacher grading time.