| How to Teach a Dyslexic Child Posted: 07 Sep 2016 05:00 PM PDT Dyslexia is a learning disability that causes an individual to struggle with reading and writing. It can also affect other areas of a person's life: focus, memory skills, and organization. When you understand how to teach a dyslexic child, you can help build their self-awareness as well as their cognitive skills by using teaching methods with a multi-sensory approach. This will help them not only in the classroom, but for the rest of their lives. EditModifying your Teaching Methods - Utilize the Multi-sensory Structured Language (MSL) approach. While this method is the gold standard for teaching children with dyslexia, it is beneficial for all children. MSL teaches phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, vocabulary, accuracy and fluency, and writing and spelling. Students are encouraged to use all of their senses (touch, sight, movement, and sound) as part of the learning process. [1]
 - Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, recognize, and use the individual sounds in a word.[2] A child that can identify that the words pat'', park, and "pump" all start with the same sound would be demonstrating phonemic awareness.
- Phonics is the relationship between letters and sounds.[3] Knowing what sound the letter "B" makes or that "ph" makes the same sound as the letter "f" is an example of phonics.
- You can receive MSL training and certification. The International Dyslexia Association [4] and the Institute for Multi-sensory Education [5] provide information about training and certification requirements.
- Visual cues help individuals with dyslexia to understand written material. Use color on the blackboard or marker board. Write decimals in math problems in a different color. Grade in a color other than red, as red carries a universally negative connotation.
- Write note cards. This provides something tangible for students to look at while also giving them something to hold. Having them read the note card out loud also engages their motor and auditory skills.
- Make sand trays. Sand trays are simply tray-like containers that contain sand (or beans or shaving cream). Students can use these to spell words or draw pictures in the sand. This engages their sense of touch.
- Incorporate fun activities into their learning time. Games and other creative activities get the dyslexic child more involved in the learning process. This makes learning more fun and rewarding, as it gives them a sense of accomplishment.
- You can use music, songs, and chants to help students learn and remember rules.
- Be direct and explicit when teaching. Explicit teaching includes describing and modeling the skill, breaking down the skill into steps, providing clear instructions and feedback throughout the process, providing examples and demonstrations, clearly stating the purpose and reasoning behind the skill., and presenting the information in a logical order.[6]This process is done until students master the skill.
- You should not assume that student has any previous knowledge or understanding of the concept.
- If you are using explicit teaching to teach a child about the letter "s," you would begin by clearly stating what he or she will be learning that day. You would then demonstrate the sound that the letter "s" makes and have them repeat it back to you. You would then model different words that begin with "s," and have them repeat the words out loud. You may also use songs, chants, or pictures of things that begin with the letter "s." You could ask them to think of some words that start with the letter "s." You would provide constructive feedback throughout the lesson as well.[7]
- Repeat yourself often. Since dyslexic children may struggle with short-term memory, it is challenging for them to remember what you say. Repeat instructions, key words, and concepts so students are more likely to remember what you say, at least long enough to write it down.[8]
- When building on new skills, continue to incorporate previously learned information. Repetition will help reinforce older skills and create a connection between concepts.[9]
- Use diagnostic teaching. You should continually assess how well a student understands what is being taught. If something is not clear, the skill should be retaught. This is an ongoing process. Students with dyslexia often require more time and more intense instruction to learn a concept.[10]
- If you wanted to teach children phonemic awareness, you might start by giving them some words and asking them to identify all the sounds in the words. You would note the strengths and weaknesses and then develop your lesson and teaching strategy based on the assessment.[11] As you are teaching, you would provide correction and feedback by asking the child questions and noting any progress. You may also conduct small quiz at the end of each day to monitor progress. When you feel the child has learned the skill, you would give them the original assessment and compare the results. If the child has mastered the skill, you would move on to something more difficult. If the child did not master the skill, you would continue to teach the skill.
- Use time wisely. Dyslexic children often struggle with focusing. Other things may distract them, or they may have a hard time listening to a long lecture or watching a lengthy video. Dyslexic children may also struggle with short-term memory, making it difficult for them to take notes or understand simple instructions.
- Take your time. Do not rush through a class lecture. Give students time to copy anything written on the board. Make sure dyslexic students understand you before moving on to another section.
- Incorporate short breaks regularly. A dyslexic child often struggles to sit for long periods of time. Take short breaks throughout the day to divide long lectures. You can also move from activity to activity. For example, lecture, game, back to lecture, followed by a learning activity.
- Use appropriate time limits. It takes dyslexic children longer to complete assignments other students may have no problem completing. Allow dyslexic students more time to take exams and quizzes and to complete homework so they do not feel rushed.
- Stick to a daily routine. Schedules help dyslexic children know what to expect and what is coming up next. If possible, post your routine, using both words and images, on a classroom wall for students to refer to.[12]
- Your daily routine should also include a daily review of previous information. This well help the students connect previous lessons to the lesson you are currently teaching.
- Utilize other resources. Do not feel like you are the only teacher for a dyslexic student. There are several resources available to help dyslexic children learn. Seek out other teachers, dyslexia specialists, or tutors who have experience working with dyslexic students.[13]
- You should also ask the child and the parents about preferences, learning styles, and the strengths and weaknesses of the student.
- Encourage peer tutoring. Peer resources and social support are probably one of the strongest resources you can offer. Students can read aloud to each other, review notes, or conduct lab experiments together.
- Different forms of technology are a great way to enhance learning. Games, word processors, voice activated software, and digital voice recording can all be very useful for a child with dyslexia.
- Consider developing an Individual Education Plan (IEP). An IEP is a comprehensive plan that identifies the educational needs of the child, provides specific recommendations, and defines specific curriculum adjustments.[14] The IEP is a collaborative document to ensure that the school supports the needs of the student. This document will also make sure parents, teachers, counselors, and the school are on the same page.
- The IEP process is long and complex, but it is worth it. If you are a parent, you should talk to someone at your child's school about starting the process. If you are a teacher, let the parents know that you think an IEP would be helpful.
- Be aware of the child's self-esteem and emotions. Many children with dyslexia struggle with low self-esteem. They often feel that they are not as smart as other students, or they are perceived as being lazy or problem students.[15] Try to be as encouraging as possible and highlight the strengths the student has as well.
EditImproving the Classroom Environment - Have the student sit close to the teacher. Placing the student near the teacher will help eliminate any distractions and allow the child to focus on their work. Sitting next to extremely talkative children or a noisy hallway may make it more difficult for them to concentrate.[16] This will also make it easier for the teacher to provide extra instruction of necessary.
- Allow the use of recording devices. Tape recorders can help students overcome reading difficulties. The student can replay instructions and concepts for clarification or reinforcement. If recordings are made available before class, the student can read along as he or she listens to the tape.[17]
- Provide handouts. Again, since dyslexic children struggle with short-term memory, providing them with some sort of outline as you are lecturing is helpful, especially following long lectures.[18] This well help the child follow along with the lesson, take better notes, and know what to expect. .
- Use visual cues, such as asterisks and bullets, to highlight important directives or information.
- Write homework instructions directly on the assignment so the child knows what is expected. It is also beneficial to allow use of reference guides such as alphabet and numbers
- Use different test taking formats. Because children with dyslexia learn differently, the usual test taking formats may not allow them to demonstrate what they have learned. Children may benefit from oral testing or untimed tests.[19]
- During an oral test, the test questions are read to the student and the student answers the questions orally. The test questions can be pre-recorded or read at the time of the test. The student's answers could also be recorded for easier grading.
- Students with dyslexia often have trouble working under pressure and take longer to read questions. Allowing the student ample time to take a test will ensure that student has time to understand the questions, think, and write down an answer.
- Seeing all of the test questions at once can be overwhelming. Only allowing the student view one test question at a time will help them focus.
- Decrease the amount of copying. Students with dyslexia need more time to copy information from the board, take notes from lectures, and write instructions for assignments.[20] Teachers can provide lecture notes and written instructions for assignments so the student can focus on the actual information.[21] Teachers may also assign another student to take notes or allow a good note taker to share their notes with the student.
- Do not focus on the quality of handwriting. Some children with dyslexia may struggle with handwriting because of the fine motor skills it requires.[22] You can change the response format of the question to multiple choice, underlining, or some other form of marking to make it easier for them to answer. Students could also be given extra space to write answers. Emphasis should be placed on the content that the student provides versus how the information looks or is presented.[23]
- Model organizational structures. Help individuals with dyslexia to develop organizational skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Organization could involve using different folders and dividers to keep track of homework, assignments, and tests. Model these in your classroom, but also encourage them to apply them at home.
- Students should also be encouraged to use personal assignment planners and calendars to keep track of due dates for assignments, test dates, and other activities they may be involved in. Have them write daily assignments in their assignment book. Check the assignment book before the students leave school to make sure they understand the direction.[24]
- Modify homework assignments. A one hour assignment for a typical child may take 3 hours for a dyslexic child to complete. This can make the child anxious, stressed, and place an unnecessary burden on them. Instead having the student complete questions 1-20, have the student only answer the odd or even numbered questions. [25] Teachers can also set a time limit for homework each night or only have the student focus on key concepts.
- Instead of presenting homework assignments through writing, students may be allowed to present information orally, visually, or other ways that they communicate best.[26]
- Read 'The Gift of Dyslexia'. It is written by Ronald D. Davis, who is dyslexic himself. It will give you information on how dyslexic people's minds work compared to non dyslexic people's minds and will help you understand how dyslexic children learn better.
- Give them flash cards with letters and words every week. If they do well and memorize them give them a treat or an award.
- Allow students with dyslexia to use lined or graph paper for math problems. Lined paper enables them to follow the math problem horizontally or vertically, depending on what kind of problem they are working on.
- Use objects to help teach dyslexic children, as this will be more of interest to them and they will understand it better.
- Have them read along to audiobooks.
- Never call them stupid. Show them a list of famous dyslexic people, like Albert Einstein to encourage them.
- Do not have a dyslexic child do anything in the class which will seem odd or pointless (eg. like drawing endless circles on the board with both hands) to the other students, no matter how helpful it may be to the child. If it's something that is worth pursuing, have it done in some other setting.
- Do not force children with dyslexia to read in front of the class. Instead, have them read one-on-one with an adult or with a student who will not tease them.
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| How to Identify Different Betta Fish Posted: 07 Sep 2016 09:00 AM PDT Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are one of the most common aquarium pets.[1] In addition to being visually stunning, they are also very curious and friendly creatures.[2] Learning to identify the physical characteristics of Betta fish can make it even more rewarding to observe them in their environment. EditExamining a Betta Fish's Tail Fin - Examine the short length a Betta fish's tail. Betta fishes have a variety of tail types. One simple way to identify a Betta fish is by the length of its tail. Short tails are common in wild type Bettas, as well as Bettas that are bred to fight.[3]
- Short-finned Bettas, which are also called Plakats,[4] are sometimes bred to have D-shaped tails.[5]
- Since female Bettas typically have shorter tails than male Bettas, it can be challenging to determine the sex of short-finned Bettas.[6]
- Identify a long tail length. Some Betta fishes will have long and flowing tails, which can be beautiful to look at. Long tails come in different shapes, such as veiled, halfmoon, and delta. Veiltail Betta are one of the most common types of Betta fish,[7] and one of the most popular types of pet fish.[8]
- The veiltail is long and flowing.[9] It arches up and over the body, resembling a veil.[10] The tail is usually asymmetric and broad at its base, and more pointed at its outer edge.[11]
- The halfmoon tail looks like a half circle, or a capital 'D.' The perfect halfmoon shape has a spread of exactly 180° between the top and bottom tail rays.[12] Halfmoon tails are usually very fragile.[13]
- There are also 'over half-moon' tails, which extend beyond a 180° tail spread angle.[14]
- Delta tails are in the shape of a D, but do not achieve a 180° tail spread angle.[15] Delta tails are sometimes called 'Super Deltas,' with a tail spread angle of 160° to 179°.[16]
- The Delta tail usually has rounded edges, but the Super Delta tail tends to have a broad base and a wide end.[17]
- Determine if a Betta fish has a double tail. As the name suggests, Double Tail Betta have two distinct tails. Ideally, the two tails are clearly split at the tail base.[18] Double Tail Betta fish usually have a doubling and/or widening of their unpaired fins (dorsal and anal fins).[19]
- With an even split at the tail base, the tail and unpaired fins should be mirror images of each other.[20]
- The double tail is sometimes called a 'full-moon' tail.[21]
- Identify a crown tail. The crown tail has reduced webbing and individual tail rays that extend out.[22] Crown tails come in a variety of colors and can be quite striking to observe.[23] Crown Tail Betta are becoming increasingly popular in pet stores.[24]
- The rays of a crown tail are typically long and straight, but may start to curl in response to unfavorable water conditions.[25]
- Crown tails may be long or short. They are typically shorter on female Bettas than male Bettas.[26]
EditObserving the Color Pattern of a Betta Fish - Look at the solid coloration of a Betta fish. Betta fish have been bred to come in a wide range of solid colors, including black, red, blue, and white. There can even be variations within a particular color family. For example, the coloration of a red Betta fish can range from bright to deep.[27]
- Betta fish that are red as juveniles may lose their coloration as adults due to the Red Loss gene.[28]
- For black Betta fish, the ideal coloration is pitch-black, or melano black. It is caused by a gene mutation that results in increased melanin.[29]
- Black Betta fish are usually a smoky black.[30]
- Some solid-colored Bettas will have a metallic look, due to pigment-containing cells called chromatophores.[31]
- Identify different solid colors on the body and fins. A Betta fish with one solid color on its body and another on its fins is considered bi-colored. Either the body is dark with light fins, or vice versa. There should be a sharp contrast and divide between the two colors. Two types of bi-colored Betta are butterfly and Cambodian.[32]
- Butterfly Bettas have solid colors on their bodies, which partially extends to their unpaired fins. The outer edge of the fins will be a different color, creating a distinct band of color.[33]
- Some butterfly Bettas have three colors, and therefore do not fit the strict definition of bi-colored. The three colors will still be distinct. An example of a tri-colored Betta fish is the Thai Flag Betta (red, white, and blue).[34]
- Cambodian Bettas have flesh-colored bodies and deep red fins. Cambodian Bettas have lost popularity as new color patterns have been introduced.[35]
- Check for a marbled color pattern on a Betta fish. The marbled pattern will contain different colors with no distinct border between the colors. The colors usually look like splashes or blotches across the body and fins.[36] Interestingly, the marbling can change from day to day.[37]
- Most marbled Bettas have two colors.[38]
- A tri-colored marbled Betta is known as a 'koi.' Koi usually have splotches of red and black on a light-colored body.[39]
- Look for a copper color pattern. The copper pattern actually contains a variety of colors (e.g., lavender, turquoise, purple), and is most obvious with the light from a flashlight. Ideally, there should be a roughly even distribution of colors between the body and fins. The body of a copper Betta will usually be blue with a metallic cover.[40]
- Identify flecks of color on a Betta fish. Betta fish with speckles or flecks of color are called grizzle Betta. Grizzle Betta will have random flecks or spots of color on their bodies and fins. The random coloration is usually iridescent.[41]
EditIdentifying Male and Female Betta Fish - Observe the coloration and fin shape. In general, female Bettas are less colorful than male Bettas. In addition, the female Betta tails are not as long or showy as those on male Bettas. In fact, the female Betta tail is more likely to be round.[42]
- Because young male Bettas do not have long fins, fin shape cannot be reliably used to determine sex in young Bettas.[43]
- Look for a beard. The beard is not an actual beard. – It is a membrane under the gill cover. In males, it can be seen when the gill covers are closed or open. Female Bettas also have a beard, but it is visible only when the gill covers are open.[44]
- Male Bettas flare (open their gill covers and expand their beard) to make themselves look bigger to another male Betta.[45]
- Identify a small white dot behind the ventral fin (underside front fin). The small white dot is present only on females. It is the ovipositor or ova—the location where a female produces her eggs. This small white dot is more apparent in an adult female Betta.[46]
- The ova may be difficult to identify in a young female Betta, making it more challenging to determine the sex.[47]
- There are over 30,000 types of Betta fish, but only a few types are commonly sold as pets.[48]
- It can be difficult to determine the sex of a Betta fish. Do not get discouraged if you have trouble distinguishing between a male and female Betta.[49]
- Usually a male fighter fish has a larger head, so be sure to take that into consideration.
- Male Bettas are territorial and should not be housed together. If more than one male Betta fish is in a tank, they may fight to the death.[50]
- Male and female Bettas should not be housed together unless they are breeding. The male Betta may antagonize his female counterpart, and may even try to kill her.[51]
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| How to Eat a Kumquat Posted: 07 Sep 2016 01:00 AM PDT Kumquats look like miniature, usually oval oranges. They have a sour, citrus tang, and can even cross-breed with citrus fruit, but are sometimes classified as a separate genus.[1] Strangest of all, the peel of the kumquat is sweet and delicious, creating a surprising clash of flavor when the fruit is eaten whole. EditEating a Kumquat - Choose ripe kumquats. Ripe kumquats range from bright orange to yellow-orange. Stay away from greenish, unripe fruits .The skin should be nice and firm, free of blemishes or shriveled areas.[2]
- Wash and dry the fruit. No matter where you got the kumquat, rub the peel under cool, running water. Since the peel is edible, you don't want any traces of pesticides or dirt on the surface. Pat the fruit dry with a paper towel.
- Rub the kumquat (optional). Some say that rubbing or squeezing the fruit between your fingers helps it release the sweet, citrus-like scent of the rind.[3]
- Remove the seeds (optional). The seeds are not poisonous, but they have the same bitter taste as orange seeds.[4] If you're feeling dainty, slice the kumquat in half and pluck out the seeds. You can easily spit the seeds out as you eat instead, or even chew them up if you don't mind the flavor.
- Pull off the nubs of green stems as well.
- Eat the kumquat. Unusually, kumquats have a sweet rind and sour flesh. Nibble the end of the kumquat to taste the rind first. Once you encounter the mouth-puckering juice, you can either keep nibbling cautiously, or pop the whole fruit in your mouth. If you can stand it, the explosive wedding ceremony between tart and sweet is unique in the fruit world.
- Some kumquat species are less sour than others, or have a thicker peel. If the flavor doesn't impress you, try to find a different type, or use the fruits in cooking.
- If you hate the sour taste, squeeze out the juice and eat the peel by itself.
- Store extra kumquats. Kumquats will last for about two days at room temperature, or about two weeks in an airtight, refrigerated container.[5] You can eat them cold from the fridge or let them warm up first, whichever you prefer.
EditCooking with Kumquat - Slice and add to salads. Their intense flavor makes kumquat a good pairing for bitter or peppery greens, such as endive or arugula. Slice into thin rounds with a sharp knife. Remove the seeds, then layer the slices on top of the salad to show off the color.
- Make kumquat marmalade. Kumquat marmalade is much sweeter and less bitter than regular marmalade. The recipe is similar to most marmalades or jams.
- Since the kumquat seeds contain pectin, you can boil them along with the fruit to thicken your preserves. Keep the seeds in a cheesecloth bag while boiling, so they don't end up in your jar.[6]
- Pickle the kumquats. Pickling takes at least three days, but the result is quite unique. This particular recipe keeps some of the kumquat's sweet flavor.
- Add the kumquat to meat dishes. The acidic kumquat adds a nice flavor to lamb and poultry dishes. Add it 30 minutes before the meat is done braising or simmering.[7] Seafood pairs especially well with kumquat, but it doesn't need to marinate in it. Add the fruit at the last minute instead, either as a garnish or blended in a vinaigrette.
- Infuse vodka with kumquat flavor. Wash plenty of kumquats and cut them in half — at least 10 fruits per cup (240mL) of vodka.[8] Cover with vodka and let sit in a cool, dark place, shaking once a day. It should pick up a faint taste after a couple days, a strong taste after a week or two, and steadily continue to infuse for many weeks or months.
- If you enjoy sweet liquor, add some sugar as well, up to ¼ cup (25g) sugar per cup (240mL) of vodka.[9]
- Stew kumquats. In the United States, the first appearance of kumquats coincides with Thanksgiving preparations. Take advantage of this to add pizazz to your holiday cranberry sauce, or use the same basic approach to make chutneys and desserts:
- Slice 1½ cups (360mL) kumquats. Discard the seeds and stem.
- Simmer in a covered saucepan with ¼ cup (60mL) water, until the kumquats soften.[10]
- Add one of the following:
- A can of cranberry sauce
- Or dried cherries, grated ginger, black pepper, and cinnamon[11]
- Or ¾ to 1 cup (150–200g) sugar to make candied kumquats
- Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, until chutneys become a little translucent. Add more water whenever the pan starts to look dry.
- Freeze the rinds into cups. Cut large kumquats in half horizontally. Scoop out the sour, juicy flesh with a narrow teaspoon or grapefruit spoon, and add it to smoothies, fruit salad or ice cream. Freeze the hollow rinds in airtight containers, then use the rinds to hold sorbet or other desserts.
- Alternatively, leave the flesh in the cut kumquats. Dip the ends in a beaten mix of egg white and honey, then in a mixture of raw sugar and cinnamon. Freeze and eat as a fancy dessert.[12]
- Finished.
- There are several species of kumquats, varying in shape (round or oblong) and color (yellow or orange).[13] Meiwa kumquats are the sweetest, while Marumi, Nagami, and Hong Kong kumquats are successively more sour.[14][15]
- Most of the seeds are near the blossom end, opposite the stem. Cut open this end and you can usually remove most of the seeds with a quick poke of the knife..[16]
- Kumquats are in season during winter. If they are available at other times of year, they are probably imported and may not be as fresh or juicy.
EditThings You'll Need - Knife (optional)
- Water to wash the kumquat
- A kumquat
- Sugar (optional)
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