Cracking the Code of Learning Differences
A Webquest to Demystify LD and Learn More About Yourself

By Kristy Hancock
Collierville High School


Introduction -

Are you a good athlete?
Do you have lots of ideas?
Do you have a great sense of humor?
Do you like art or music?

BUT

You have trouble with:

Writing
Spelling
Handwriting
Pencil-paper arithmetic
Rote memory
Reading comprehension
Organizing what you read or write?

If so, you may be among the roughly 20% of the population with
average or above average intelligence whose brain architecture and wiring cause
them to learn differently.


Learning differences (also called learning disabilities or LD) come in many shapes and sizes.

Reading / Writing / Remembering / Paying Attention / Math


Starting high school with an LD can be overwhelming!


The purpose of this webquest is to learn more about you, your LD,
and how you can be successful in school.


Some areas you will explore are:

Learning Disabilities, in general
Your strengths - You may surprise yourself!
Your weaknesses - We will pinpoint three or four to areas to improve.
Your learning style - How do you learn and study best?
Your goals - What do you want to achieve by the end of this year? by the end of high school?
And, (most important) strategies to help you acheive your goals!


Task -
This webquest involves many steps. You will complete one step each week. At the end of the first six weeks you will compile all of the sections to form “the big picture” of you.


Process -

Week 1 - Learning Disabilities Treasure Hunt
Gather basic information about LD and ADD.

Week 2 - Famous People with Learning Disabilities
Complete matching quiz of famous people with LD.
Find one fact about five additional people with LD.

Week 3 - First Person Accounts
Read and respond to first person accounts of people with LD.
(Kinko’s founder, 16 year old student, and Nelson Rockefellar)

Week 4 - Strengths and Weaknesses
Multiple Intelligences
Skills Inventories
Complete summary chart

Week 5 - Strategies, Techniques, and Methods to Try!
Complete concept map to learn different methods.
Try one or two strategies in one of your classes this week.
Write about it!

Week 6 - Your Goals for the Future
Identify goals for this school year, high school, and beyond.
Career interest inventory.


Online Resources

Definitions/Introduction
Good Explanation http://www.jsrd.or.jp/dinf_us/csun_97/csun97_120.htm

Multiple Intelligences
Inventory http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/project/.../worksheet.html
Chart http://www.remc7.k12.mi.us/zps/elem_extras/uses/m_intel.htm
Inventory (online) http://128.100.250.10/snow/Learn2/lstest.htm

Strengths and weaknesses
Current Skills http://www.muskingum.edu/~cal/database/SkillsInv.html
Variety of Skill Inventories http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/9120/

Learning/Study Styles
Inventory http://www.ldteens.org/study_patterns_%26_learning_.html

Typical Problems
Problems on the Job http://www.muskingum.edu/~cal/database/Probonjob.html

Your Future
Setting goals http://www.muskingum.edu/~cal/database/GoalsInv.html

What you can do
Advice http://www.ldteens.org/brozgold1.html
Tips and Advice for S, P, and T http://www.ldresources.com/tipsadvice.html

What can I do to do better in school? (survival tips)
Info. Organization http://www.muskingum.edu/~cal/database/Interdisc1.html Memory Techniques http://www.muskingum.edu/~cal/database/Interdisc2.html Preview Text Chapters http://www.muskingum.edu/~cal/database/Gensci1.html
World Geog. Tips http://www.muskingum.edu/~cal/database/geography.html General Tips http://www.ldteens.org/TipsTricks.html
College Tips (good for HS, too!) http://ldonline.org/ld_indepth/postsecondary/vogel_tips.html
Mrs. Hancock’s Tips!
How to Con Your Teacher http://www.ldonline.org/kidzone/ways_con.html

First Person/Success Stories -
Kinko's Founder http://www.ldonline.org/first_person/orfalea.html
Matt's Story http://www.ldonline.org/kidzone/magazine1.html
Famous People http://www.greenwoodinstitute.org/resources/ressuc.html
Neson Rockefellar http://www.ldteens.org/Rockefeller.html
More Famous People http://www.ldteens.org/ldlist.html
Famous People Quiz http://www.ldonline.org/kidzone/inter_act/celebrity_quiz.html


Offline/Print Resources -

Take A Walk In My Shoes: A Guide Book for Youth on Diversity Awareness Activities, by Yuri Morita

Succeeding with LD* , by Jill Lauren, M.A.

“Talking to Children About Their Strengths and Weaknesses”, From Parent Journal, Autumn 1996 by Dr. Mel Levine

“The "LD Talk" - Demystifying LD for the Student”, Mia Wernig Elfrink, LDOnline

Living With Learning Disabilities: A Guide for Students by David E. Hall (1993) Lerner Publications Company.



Evaluation -

Each component will be evaluated separately and combined for a final project grade.
Click on assignment title to view rubric.

Learning Disabilities Treasure Hunt 10
Famous People with LD Chart 10
Strengths and Weaknesses Chart 20
Strategy Web 10
Strategy Log with Sample 10
Goals Summary 20
Final Reflection 20
Total 100



Conclusion -

Congratulations! By completing this webquest, you have developed the ground work for your success in high school. Come back and read over your final project often. You may see yourself change over the year! If you re-did this project at the end of the year, it would probably be very different. Imagine how much you will change by graduation!

Keep an eye on your progress, use your strategies, and good luck!




Final Project Components:

poster/project/presentation on:
self profile
strengths/weaknesses
what works for you
a time when you were successful in school
best/worst memory of school
goals for high school
reading/math skills I'm good at...

I need help with...
My favorite time is...
My favorite things are...
I like to
This school work is easy for me...
My favorite subject is
This school work is hard for me...
My best study time is...
Study Preferences