Over the years, I’ve worked with countless struggling students, many of whom have dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning challenges. Two of the biggest obstacles they face isn’t a lack of intelligence or effort—it’s anxiety and focus. The fear of making mistakes can be paralyzing, preventing them from practicing and, ultimately, from improving. I’ve seen firsthand…
Read MoreWe got a chance to sit down and chat with Brian Silbert, author of Berticus: How I Survived School! And Bullies! And Farley Finnigan! You can enjoy the interview here: FINAL QUESTIONS: Q: Berticus seems to have great relationships with his teachers. How important is it to create such a relationship? A: It’s critical. If…
Read MoreToday we are diving into the whimsical world of Berticus, a fifth grader whose life is a whirlwind of imagination, impulsive actions, and the awkwardness that comes with growing up. Berticus is not just any ordinary kid; he embodies the struggles of childhood, caught between the innocent fantasies of youth and the complex realities of…
Read MoreBerticus, the lead character in Brian Silbert’s book, Berticus: How I Survived School! And Bullies! And Farley Finnigan! , seems to have many symptoms that coincide with the diagnoses of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In fact, they found it to be a good fit for the CHADD National Resource Center (NRC) Library collection. It is listed…
Read MoreBerticus: How I Survived School! And Bullies! And Farley Finnigan, by Brian Silbert “A kid’s rough school days make for a rollicking and often endearing story…Silbert’s tale is endlessly amusing, thanks to the charm of its titular hero. Berticus’ narration makes his typically zany plans seem perfectly reasonable.” Kirkus Review Berticus embodies the quintessential fifth…
Read MoreWhy Can’t Our Children Read? It is reported that reading achievement has declined since 2019 and continues to decline. Why is this happening after teachers have worked so hard to improve reading scores? First, it’s essential to understand that reading is based on early language development. Evidence has shown that COVID-19 brought changes that affected…
Read MoreThe goal of teaching your students to write is to insure that your students develop strong writing skills so they will better be able to express ideas, opinions, and thoughts in a creative and mature way. In addition, when an individual is able to write well, they develop a more positive self-image, grow intellectually, develop…
Read MoreDear Dr. Linda, I’m in my second year of teaching, and I teach the second grade. Teaching vowels is one of the most challenging parts of my job. I’ve had many courses on the history of education and educational theories, but I never had a course simply on how to teach vowels. My Master’s degree…
Read MoreDear Dr. Linda, Please put in the column you wrote about college rejections because it helped us get through a very difficult time. I’m happy to report that Kim is doing well and is extremely happy! I’ve included the email I sent you. Happy Parents — “Our daughter Kim, applied early decision to Cornell, and…
Read MoreDear Dr. Linda, My son is in the 10th grade. He is bright and works hard. He always does his homework and likes school but still has a B average. He’ll get an A in a course and then a C in another. He goes to sleep around midnight every night because of homework and…
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