| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 by Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Homeschooling Specials Homeschooling Visual-Spatial and Creative Learners by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006 "Visual-Spatial" is a learning style that describes children who think in pictures, rather then in words, who are creative, and have very original (even unusual, "out of the box") ideas. They usually like to create or build or make things. They tend to be disorganized and have trouble remembering details. In general, these children learn best from visual material (diagrams, books, maps, and pictures), rather than by listening to lectures. They need to see "the big picture" in order to understand a new concept, this is called "whole to part" learning. (The opposite is "step-by-step" or "sequential learning".) A child who is highly Visual-Spatial does not have an actual "learning disability" but is at a distinct learning "disadvantage" in the typical classroom environment. Even though an estimated 30% of school children are Visual-Spatial Learners, most teachers are trained to present information thru lectures, in a "step by step" style. Most textbooks are also arranged to teach concepts in small steps, instead of providing the big picture first. When a V-S child struggles in school he or she may be suspected of having a learning disability. V-S Learners often have trouble with the sequential nature of math, with memorizing math facts, and with keeping all the details in order. They often have trouble with writing, because they think in pictures, but have to translate those pictures into words for their written work. They are often so cluttered and forgetful of details that they may seem to have a disability in organization. Homeschooling is a great option for visual-spatial learners, because, when they are taught in a way that fits their learning style, visual-spatial learners can make sense of math, write well, and even get organized. The articles below talk more about what it means to be visual-spatial, and also how to help your child learn and achieve in a way that works for him or her. The Visual-Spatial Learner: An Introduction by Linda Silverman Are You a Creator? -- by Linda Silverman, a child's guide to v-s abilities Visual-Spatial Resource.org -- lots of great articles and books on v-s Teaching The Right Brain Child by Dianne Craft MA CNHP of Child Diagnostics -- manual, videos, and flashcards (sold separately), a former homeschool mom and special ed teacher helps parents learn how to use Right Brain Strategies to teach their children Spelling, Math, Reading, Phonics, Sight Words, Vocabulary, Following Directions, and Study Skills. Her website is rather bare bones... here is a description of her program. Issues with Reading and Written Work: Web 2.0... The Machine is US/ing US by Michael Wesch, Kansas State University -- shows how word processing, HTML, and the Web have changed the way we communicate - have made it more V-S friendly! I Can't See It ! A Visual-Spatial Approach to Language Arts a book by Alexandra Golon Visual-Spatial Learners have trouble with writing by Alexandra Golon Writing Problems of Visual Thinkers by Gerald Grow Help for Reluctant Writers and Kids Who Hate to Write Graphic Organizers from Enchanted Learning -- free online examples and directions for using many different types of graphic organizers Issues With Math: Teaching Mathematics to Visual-Spatial Learner by Linda Silverman Taking Timed Tests by Alexandra Golon Nothin' But the Facts! A Visual-Spatial Strategy for the Times Tables a book by Alexandra Golon Teen-friendly Flash Cards -- these have great visuals to help remember math facts, created by a teacher, Joel Harrison, in Orange County, CA Fraction Summaries -- nice reference pages to help remember procedures Arithmetic weakness does not correspond to lack of "math talent" - v-s children may be gifted in conceptual math but not calculation Borenson's Hands-on Equations a visual method of teaching children how to solve linear equations in algebra (great for younger kids, too) East Meets West: Fundamental Differences in Math Teaching -- a review of Liping Ma's "Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics" by Drs. Fernette and Brock Eide, "...many US teachers don't really understand the "big picture" of math" Issues with organization and attention: Organizational Skills for V-S Learners -- by Alexandra Golon Excess Teacher Talk Swamps Children -- by Linda Doherty, education editor of the Sydney Morning Herald Does inattention always mean ADHD? Help with Short Term Memory Skills THE PROCRASTINATOR'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, AND OTHER IMPORTANT SPOTS IN THE UNIVERSE by Deirdre V. Lovecky, Ph.D. -- we all know a few procrastinators... what planet are they from? ;-) Graphic Organizers from Enchanted Learning -- free online examples and directions for using many different types of graphic organizers Get Organized Without Losing It by Janet S. Fox -- humorous book written for kids in upper elementary to middle school The Organized Student: Teaching Children the Skills for Success in School and Beyond by Donna Goldberg -- strategies and tips to help parents help their kids organize their lives Time Management for Unmanageable People:The Guilt-Free Way to Organize, Energize, and Maximize Your Life by Anne Mcgee-Cooper -- aimed at those who are creative, right-brained, or otherwise "out-of-the-box" types, helps understand that the same organizational methods don't work for everyone, good for middle school kids and older Giftedness and Visual Spatial Issues: Is Your Child Gifted? Is Your Child a Gifted Visual-Spatial Learner? Kids Can Be Gifted and Have Learning Disabilities? Online support groups for homeschooling V-S learners Homeschooling Extraordinary Children - support for parents homeschooling bright children with a variety of learning differences Homeschooling Creatively - focus on individualized education and child-centered learning (very helpful for Auditory-Sequential parents who are homeschooling Visual-Spatial children) Related Issues Thinking Like Einstein: Returning to our visual roots with the emerging revolution in computer information visualization by Thomas West -- a book discussing how visual-spatial learners are leading the way in a new era "where the most advanced work in science, art, or business will be done using modern information visualization technologies and techniques", also author of the book "In the Mind's Eye" Check out The Homeschool Diner's online enrichment resources! These are collections of free online activities, experiences, and resources that may appeal to your V-S learner (there's something for everyone ;-) Online Enrichment for Visual Arts Online Enrichment -- Music Online Enrichment for Math Online Enrichment for Science You will also find audio-visual and hands-on resources listed within each subject in the Homeschooling by Subject section |
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