<p>Sophomore Ds is a 3.0 student. Dyslexic and probably mildly inattentive ADD. He has learned this semester that he can actually succeed if he studies A LOT. He knows he has to sit in the front of the room. He knows that Quizlet helps him tremendously with vocab words. He knows that a ten minute daily review of each subject is necessary. He now has a tutor for Spanish 3 that is really helping. He is excited to have found some things that work. </p>
<p>Do you have any more recommendations? He has trouble focusing during some classes, especially those classes whose teachers use power point after power point. Any ideas on staying focused, taking notes, organizing your work/notes? Book suggestions? App suggestions? We’ll take anything to see what works!</p>
<p>He sounds like a student that enjoys more hands-on classes rather than the traditional lecture hall classes. SCGMom has a good point. It does help a lot if you can look at the powerpoints beforehand or during class. Also, he may want to try recording himself reciting his notes and school work; so, he can listen to himself repeat his school notes and do activites besides sitting at a desk, poring over a textbook. Have him record his teacher’s lectures (if allowed). Auditory repetition will probably be very helpful.
Using pictures, mnemonics, and acronyms-anything besides reading-also helps with vocabulary and school subjects in general.</p>
<p>I would second getting the teacher’s Powerpoint in hard copy before class if possible, and taking notes directly on it. </p>
<p>Also, he’s probably eligible to get a copy of another student’s notes for a lecture or class discussion. Ask whoever arranges that accommodation at his school to facilitate that. </p>
<p>I’ve heard Livescribe is terrific, but the paper and notebooks you have to buy to go with it can be pricey. </p>
<p>Small digital recorders are not too inexpensive or obtrusive and have excellent sound quality, esp if he is sitting up close to the teacher. The can plug right into a USB port in a computer to upload a lecture as an audio file, to listen to later. It’s helpful to upload and label the files asap eg, “Cell Membrane Structure, April 17th” .</p>
<p>I am always really big on reading the textbook over “getting it” in class. But it’s important to learn to read the text in an effective way. This depends on the subject, but various strategies can really help to improve performance. College is supposed to be a transition to a time when you can teach yourself.</p>
<p>Both my kids are LD and ADD. As painful as it is, one thing that actually works is to make your own flashcards. By writing the information (whatever the subject) yourself, you actually learn it twice (reading it and the kinetic experience of writing it). And then every time you quiz yourself, you add to the memorization process. My older D got in the habit of using this method for vocab and scientific formula memorization. I think it really helped pull her grades up and knock out a great score on the SAT.</p>
<p>Wow! So many fabulous ideas. I have never heard of Livescribe before. I will look further into it - it may be worth the money, if it has great reviews.</p>
<p>Printing the PowerPoints is another option I haven’t thought about. Hmmm. I’ll have to ask ds about that. None of his teachers have “websites” with this kind of access.</p>
<p>Wondergirl - interesting that you mention auditory repetition. I recently looked at his testing results from 6th grade and one recommendation was that he read aloud to remember information. I even told him to try it while at home. My SIL is a high school french teacher who recommended these sites - showme.com and educreations.com. These look like a fabulous way to study for him! Whiteboard creations with audio.</p>
<p>Jane - thank you for those great options!</p>
<p>sylvan - It’s ironic that you discuss textbooks. It’s something I have been thinking about this week. First - math is the only subject for which he has a textbook. All other classes have textbooks in the room only. I did ask the Spanish teacher for a text and it was amazing the difference in seeing the big picture. His binder is filled with black and white copies of lists, definitions etc. It’s very difficult to see the big picture when laid out that way. And probably overwhelming and uninspiring. Anyway, back to the textbook issue. I have been reading him the Spanish text aloud. Then I realized he needs to learn HOW to read a textbook. I need to teach him that skill. Once he hits college, he will need to do this himself. He needs to learn how to read advanced level writing and how to take notes and study from them. If anyone has ideas, that would be grand. :)</p>
<p>YoHoYoHo - my oldest ds has that book in his college dorm. When I dropped him back off after spring break, I saw it on the bookshelf. I asked if I could have it for his brother, he quickly said no! I have to get another copy now…</p>
<p>nyermom, it’s nice to know that a kid like mine can do well on the SATs. The motivation needs to be there, of course! He does use a lot of flashcards, but he never writes down enough info. Just a few words that never help him understand the big picture. Back in my day, I studied by rewriting all of my notes and main points from the text. The act of rewriting helped tremendously.</p>