Author Archives: Roger Boswarva

What Are the Mind Processes You Can Help Your Child With So They Read Easily and Well?

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The Learning Curve December 19, 2011 Jeffrey Pflaum 1

What Are the Mind Processes You Can Help Your Child With So They Read Easily and Well?

Today’s guest with Roger & Virginia on The Learning Curve is Jeffrey Pflaum, the author of Motivating Teen and Preteen Readers: How Teachers and Parents and Teachers Can Lead the Way.

Jeffrey is a 34 year veteran of teaching in the New York City School System where he achieved spectacular results in the classroom.  He and his work have been widely cited in publications dealing with education and is featured on the Education Resource Information Centerat Teachers’ College, Columbia University and Indiana University.  Also at the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning,Illinois University.

Jeffrey is also a BAM! Street Journal Blogger at the BAM Radio Network serving the education community.

Hear Jeffrey revel how reading is all about “an internal life” and that there is a “reading process” that you can help your children learn.

Hear how Jeffrey taught his students that words can excite and incite young readers to create three-dimensional concepts and images; and that reading is like a 3D virtual reality created by the reader.

Jeffrey’s book is available at your local bookstore, Amazon.com and B&N.

Jeffrey can be contacted at  jeffreyppflaum@gmail.com

 

Click here to listen December 19, 2011 Jeffrey Pflaum 1

Roger and Virginia at The Learning Curve

 

Student Failure is Caused Before Grade School and Continues on to High School Drop-out—How Can You Prevent This for Your Child?

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The Learning Curve December 12, 2011 –Murray Bass Part 2

Student Failure is Caused Before Grade School and Continues on to High School Drop-out—How Can You Prevent This for Your Child?

How Can You Start Your Child on the Path to Successful Learning and Literacy? What are the Successful Sequential Steps?

Today’s guest with Roger & Virginia on The Learning Curve is Murray Bass, the founder and president of Tools of Learning for Children. This is part 2 of our interview with Murray.

Murray is an 83 year-old retiree who has some children enjoying reading books as early as 3 years-old! His “wards” are routinely doing it at age 4! What a remarkable story this is.

The Mission Statement of Murray’s registered Section 501c(3) non-profit, Tools of Learning for Children organization is:

“The Founders of this Nation envisioned a country populated and governed by literate, patriotic people. To fulfill their vision, Tools of Learning for Children commits to this mission.

“We will raise funds and provide materials for two purposes: to facilitate children being able to read — the foundation of all learning — and to help them understand that they are blessed to be citizens of the United States of America.”

This is important because:

  • The 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress (published October 21, 2008) showed the following achievement levels for Californian public schools:
  • 4th Grade reading — only 18% were proficient and 30% reading at a basic level.  47% are reading below the basic level.
  • 8th Grade reading — only 20% were proficient and 41% reading at a basic level. 38% are reading below the basic level.

What a disaster!

Compare this example of what Murray’s organization is accomplishing with 3 and 4 year-olds at a cost of around $15 per child.

A letter from Judy Ingersoll,VacavilleChristianSchools,Vacaville,CAdated June 18, 2008.

“Murray,

“Out of 102 report cards for Early Kindergarten students (children who have not yet entered kindergarten)

102 children (all of them) know all of their phonics sounds

92 children can easily blend consonants and vowels

87 children can read one vowel words

56 can read two vowel words*

“* We have not stressed two vowel words in the past as our kindergarten teachers have asked us to focus on phonics and blending, but with front line phonics the children are more prepared to read so we have tested the children this year to see how they are doing.

“Please remember we still have 4 year-olds in EK, and some of these children started school very late in the year, even during the last couple of months so they did not have a full year with Front Line Phonics. Still, the fact that 100% of the children know their phonics sounds and 90% are blending consonants and vowels the first week of June tells us by the end of summer these children will be even more prepared than they are now.

“Thank you for all you do for VCS.

“Judy Ingersoll”

You can reach Murray at (707) 427-0744 or by email at mbass25@sbcglobal.net.

Give him a hand . . . he could also use an extra dollar or two.

 

Click here to listen December 12, 2011 Murray Bass Part 2

Roger and Virginia

 

 

LINKS:

Roger and Virginia links to http://www.howtolearneasily.com

Tools of Learning for Children links to http://www.tools4preschool.org

 

 

How Young Can You Start Your Child on the Path to Successful Learning and Literacy?

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The Learning Curve December 5, 2011    Murray Bass

How Young Can You Start Your Child on the Path to Successful Learning and Literacy?

Today’s guest with Roger & Virginia on The Learning Curve is Murray Bass, the founder and president of Tools of Learning for Children.

Murray is an 83 year-old retiree who has some children enjoying reading books as early as 3 years-old!  His “wards” are routinely doing it at age 4!  What a remarkable story this is.

The Mission Statement of Murray’s Tools of Learning for Children organization is:

“The Founders of this Nation envisioned a country populated and governed by literate, patriotic people.  To fulfill their vision, Tools of Learning for Children commits to this mission.

“We will raise funds and provide materials for two purposes: to facilitate children being able to read — the foundation of all learning — and to help them understand that they are blessed to be citizens of the United States of America.”

This is important because:

  • The 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress (published October 21, 2008) showed the following achievement levels for Californian public schools:
  • 4th Grade reading — only 18% were proficient and 30% reading at a basic level.
  • 8th Grade reading — only 20% were proficient and 41% reading at a basic level.

What a disaster!

Compare this example of what Murray’s organization is accomplishing with 3 and 4 year-olds at a cost of around $15 per child.

A letter from Judy Ingersoll, Vacaville Christian Schools,Vacaville, CA dated June 18, 2008.

“Murray,

“Out of 102 report cards for Early Kindergarten students (children who have not yet entered kindergarten)

102 children (all of them) know all of their phonics sounds

92 children can easily blend consonants and vowels

87 children can read one vowel words

56 can read two vowel words*

“* We have not stressed two vowel words in the past as our kindergarten teachers have asked us to focus on phonics and blending, but with front line phonics the children are more prepared to read so we have tested the children this year to see how they are doing.

“Please remember we still have 4 year-olds in EK, and some of these children started school very late in the year, even during the last couple of months so they did not have a full year with Front Line Phonics. Still, the fact that 100% of the children know their phonics sounds and 90% are blending consonants and vowels the first week of June tells us by the end of summer these children will be even more prepared than they are now.

“Thank you for all you do for VCS.

“Judy Ingersoll”

 

Click here to listen December 5, 2011 Murray Bass Part 1

Roger and Virginia

 

Parental Choice in Education Allows Needs to Start with the Child and be Customized Around the Child.

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The Learning Curve November 28. 2011 Linda Dobson–part 3

Parental Choice in Education Allows Needs to Start with the Child and be Customized Around the Child.

Into whose hands goes the decision of what will be learned and by when?

Currently, the system’s standards make the system more important than the children it is supposed to serve, hence:

A Declaration of Educational Independence.

Parental choice in education is needed rather than the new laws being foisted upon us.

We need to change the core common standards that perpetuate the current system along with its belief that all children can be cookie-cutters and all the same.  This is a system that has not served our children well; and has only served itself.

Become your child’s best learning coach.

More freedom in education.

Today on The Learning Curve with Roger and Virginia we have the return of Linda Dobson, author of The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child, and eight other books on helping your child’s education.

Linda has a treasure trove of information on her website: http://www.parentatthehelm.com

Linda has been a columnist with Home Education Magazine “forever,” and was the first “Early Years” adviser for http://www.homeschool.com.  She also participated with Barnes and Noble University on these issues.

Click here to listen November 28, 2011 Linda Dobson 3

Roger and Virginia at The Learning Curve.

 

Learning is a Process—The Passive High School Method is NOT Good Enough to Succeed at University: An active Method of Learning is Needed.

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The Learning Curve November 21, 2011 Robert Neuman–part 2

Learning is a Process—The Passive High School Method is NOT Good Enough to Succeed at University: An active Method of Learning is Needed.

Parents have a critical part to play in getting their kids ready for college.

This week we have the return of Dr. Robert Neuman, the retired Dean of Academic Development at Marquette University and author of Are You Really Ready for College?

Dr Neuman reveals there are too many conversations about what the schools are not doing, but not enough conversations about what parents are not doing!

What you and your child can do to prepare for college and then what to do when in college so we win.

Click here to listen November 21, 2011 Robert Neuman part 2

Roger & Virginia at The Learning Curve — Overcoming the Seven Barriers to Comprehension

 

25% of College Freshmen Don’t Return For Their Sophomore Year, 64% Don’t Graduate in 4 Years and nearly 40% take 7 or More Years or Don’t Graduate at All . . . Will You (or Your Child) be One of Them?

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The Learning Curve November 14, 2011 Dr. Robert Neuman–part 1

25% of College Freshmen Don’t Return For Their Sophomore Year, 64% Don’t Graduate in 4 Years and nearly 40% take 7 or More Years or Don’t Graduate at All . . . Will You (or Your Child) be One of Them?

This week’s Learning Curve with Roger & Virginia is about preparing for college and doing well when there.

Our guest is Dr. Robert Neuman, the retired Dean of Marquette University and author of Are You Really Ready for College?

Hear Dr. Neuman reveal the fact that good grades in High School do not guarantee good grades in college?  No! — College takes personal skills as well as smarts.  Students who don’t have the skills or who are not properly prepared have trouble.  It is high school graduates with excellent grades that comprise the failure statistics cited above in our headline.

Parents, you need this information so you can avoid the financial strain of incurring the extra cost of the added years your child will take to graduate because of not really being ready for college.

Students, you need this information so that you arrive at college able to win at it and get the best results you deserve.

Did you know the US ranks only number 14 in the world for the percent of students who complete college?  You don’t want to part of that sad stat!

Find out about the difference between passive and active learning, and why active learning is important in college.

Click here to listen The Learning Curve November 14, 2011 Robert Neuman 1

Roger & Virginia at The Learning Curve — Overcoming the Seven Barriers to Comprehension

 

 


A Declaration of Educational Independence

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The Learning Curve November 7, 2011 Linda Dobson–part 2

A Declaration of Educational Independence

Today on The Learning Curve with Roger and Virginia we have the return of Linda Dobson, author of The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child, and eight other books on helping your child’s education.

Linda has a treasure trove of information on her website: http://www.parentatthehelm.com

Linda has been a columnist with Home Education Magazine “forever,” and was the first “Early Years” adviser for http://homeschool.com.  She also participated with Barnes and Noble University on these issues.

Hear Linda address such issues as:

  • Using “flow” in your family learning plan.
  • What are the health benefits of home schooling?
  • Are fluorescent lights contributing to our kids’ ADHD?
  • Did you know you can save time by home-schooling?
  • A declaration of Educational Independence!
  • And much, much more

We use the word “sovereign” in our conversation with Linda: by that we mean, having the child in charge of its interests and having a correct level of free choice.  We also refer to this as “being at cause”—this as compared to being constantly held at effect or at the receiving end of a teachers dictates.

Clock here to listen  November 07, 2011 Linda Dobson Part 2

Roger and Virginia at The Learning Curve

SHOCKING NEWS—The Latest CDC Report Reveals Almost 9.9 Million Children Have Been Diagnosed With ADHD with Nearly 50% Put on Medication. A Bigger Shock is That Between 20-40% Have Been Wrongly Diagnosed and Incorrectly Medicated!

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The Learning Curve October 31, 2011  Dr. Frank Barnhill — Part 2

SHOCKING NEWS—The Latest CDC Report Reveals Almost 9.9 Million Children Have Been Diagnosed With ADHD with Nearly 50% Put on Medication.  A Bigger Shock is That Between 20-40% Have Been Wrongly Diagnosed and Incorrectly Medicated!

Dr. Frank Barnhill, M.D., author of Mistaken for ADHD, returns to tell us what can be done to protect your child from this catastrophe.

Dr. Barnhill, affectionately known as “Dr. Huggy-Bear,” gives us answers to the following points:

What is the key to good discipline?

How to handle a child who fidgets.

The consequences of wrong diagnosis and unneeded medication.

Did you know pesticides disrupt childhood behavior?

What are the most common chemical contaminants affecting your child?

Check out Dr. Barnhill’s websites:  http://www.adhdbehavior.com/mistakenforadhd2/ and http://www.mistakenforadhd.com

 

Click here to listen Dr Frank Barnhill October 12 ’11 cut #2

Roger and Virginia at The Learning Curve

 

What Are the Real Advantages of You Participating in Your Childs Education?

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The Learning Curve October 24, 2011 -Linda Dobson part 1

What Are the Real Advantages of You Participating in Your Child’s Education?

Today’s guest on The Learning Curve with Roger and Virginia is Linda Dobson, author of The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child, and eight other books on helping your child’s education.

Linda has a treasure trove of information on her website: http://www.parentatthehelm.com

Linda has been a columnist with Home Education Magazine “forever,” and was the first “Early Years” adviser for http://homeschool.com.  She also participated with Barnes and Noble University on these issues.

Hear Linda reveal address such issues as:

  • Is homeschooling more healthy for your child? Why?
  • The valid reasons parents home school.
  • What’s the difference between “un-schooling” and homeschooling?
  • One mom finds the secret to helping her son learn.
  • What are the common concerns parents have about homeschooling and how are they overcome?
  • And much, much more

Click here to listen October 24, 2011 Linda Dobson Part 1

Roger and Virginia at The Learning Curve

 

How to Handle Bullies and Being Bullied at School

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The Learning Curve October 17, 2011

How to Handle Bullies and Being Bullied at School

The issue of the effects of bullying at school has recently received nationwide prominence and it is a serious problem.

Bullying and being bullied not only interferes with a child’s success at school, academically, socially and health wise, but it can have life-long lasting ill affects on a person.

Today’s guest on The Learning Curve with Roger & Virginia is Vicki Abadesco, the director of Soul Shoppe, an organization devoted to helping students, teachers and parents eliminate bullying in our schools by giving students, teachers and parents the communication tools and techniques proven to be successful in handling bullies, student conflicts and the effects of being bullied.

Soul Shoppe last year alone served 75,000 elementary students nationwide through its school-wide workshops and assemblies.

Vicki Abadesco has some wonderful resources at her website http://www.soulshoppe.com

Hear Vicki explain how Soul Shoppe’s program achieves:

  • Optimal Learning Environments based on a Foundation of Respect
  • Personal Empowerment based on awareness of choices we make
  • Skill Building to navigate life powerfully
  • Community Enhancement promoting empathy and a high level of functioning for all
  • Joyful Living—encouraging a sense of freedom on all we do

We see this as an important program for, as we state in the Professional Edition of our book, How to Learn-How to Teach: Overcoming the Seven Barriers to Comprehension, an “Area of Fear” is one of the vital fundamentals that must be handled if a student (or adult) is going to be able to actually correctly apply their attention to studying and learning anything.  See: http:// www.howtolearneasily.com

Vicki points out that in the presence of fear a person’s brain and ability to learn actually shuts down.

Click here to listen October 17, 2011 Vicki Abedesco

Roger and Virginia at The Learning Curve