Rodney Said:

What are some tips to teach writing to elementary students with learning disabilities?

We Answered:

I think that the person who said to use the "brainstorming" piece of the writing process is correct. Poor writers have trouble inventing and organizing their ideas. By brainstorming, you will put several topics on the board that are generated by the students.

The other thing that is very helpful for these learners is to use graphic organizers that will help organize their ideas, once they have them. Just put, "writing graphic organizers" in your search engine and you will find plenty at all levels. Many LD kids have various memory or processing deficits, so this keeps them on track.

The other thing I did with my students was to prove to them that they spoke perfect English. I would challenge them to say a perfect sentence by telling me something about their morning. Then I would write exactly what they said on the board and show them that it was perfect English. I did this with a number of kids to prove to them that they spoke perfect English.

Next I told them that the way to write perfect English was to say their sentence before writing it. We would practice this with answers to easy questions such as, "What is your favorite food?" Then I would go around the group and have them say a sentence about their favorite food. "My favorite food is pizza." I would right a couple on the board, again proving the point about perfect English.

Finally, I had them write the sentence they had just said. After that, we went on to more complex sentences and ideas, gradually of course.

I have found that teaching the rules of grammar does not work for kids that have LD. They are already having trouble just dealing with the organization of their own minds and having to put meaningless information in there just doesn't work.

Ben Said:

Chances of getting into USC, Stanford, UCLA, Columbia...?

We Answered:

Hello,

I am also interested in Columbia University and did some research on the university. I also know a few alumni and current students attending there. So I know a little bit about the university and can answer your question about Columbia. I'm sorry to say that I won't be much help with all your Cali schools.

To start off, it sounds like you are involved with quite a few different things there.
As for school work, you look like you are challenging yourself with AP classes and it looks like you are performing well in those classes as well. From what I looked up, Columbia puts a big emphasis on your GPA and your coursework because they work with a core curriculum.

One thing I suggest though is your SAT score. I know that their average SAT score for admitted students is quite high. The first two things all colleges look at are your GPA and your SAT scores. To match up with your current GPA, I would suggest that you get your SAT score above 2200. That would definitely give you a higher chance in admission to wherever you may apply. Also, make sure to take some SAT II tests to show your interests and show them your areas of expertise.

Another thing I might suggest is, when you write your essay, make sure to have a very specific focus and theme. And request booklets and such from colleges and really know the colleges and incorporate your research into the essay and it should help you a lot.

Columbia has its own online application and if you have seen some of the questions they ask, they really want to get to know you as a person and they are into the whole 'holistic' view of students.

And just to add, I'm not sure if you can classify Columbia as a 'realistic' school. I understand that you have a high GPA and are taking quite a number of AP courses, but Columbia is still an ivy league school and therefore the admission rate is quite low. When you write your essay and do interviews, make sure to sound confident, but not over-confident and proud. And your ethnicity might help your chances because Columbia loves diversity.

And for future 'chance' questions, I suggest you visit college confidential. They have a lot more information about admission chances and such.

Good luck with your college application process.

Nicholas Said:

SAT IQ ADHD questions from a gifted student, people knowledgeable in IQ testing/gifted education/SAT/ADHD only?

We Answered:

Hoagies gifted site just has a lot of info you can find on ADHD, both the commonness in gifted kids as well as misdiagnosis in gifted kids who just have a lot of energy, many interests and get bored easily! I know you already think you have it, and maybe you do. I say, at your age, just work with it, instead of drugging yourself. Just my bias.

As far as the SAT goes, Collegeboard is the SAT site. I say look in their "contact us" section and fire someone off an email on this. Since you already have a diagnosis as a exceptionally to profoundly gifted kid (educational options site I gave), what are you looking for in testing yourself more?

You sound like you have enough energy and smarts and creativity to be an entrepreneur, big time. You really do need a lot of energy and it sounds like you have it. Maybe Bill Gates was also ADHD...

Jane Said:

Is there anyone here who grew more liberal as they became older?

We Answered:

me

Jeanette Said:

Is it beneficial to hold back a 3rd grader?

We Answered:

I think it sounds sensible. It's such a young age and all the better, your child will have little comprehension that it is happening in the long run. When it comes to later education such as high school, it's never a level playing field, so what's the harm in giving your child the upper hand?