The "Survival Guide" can be used independently by students who display inappropriate behavior, or utilized in class or counseling with groups of kids who need to work on making better behavior choices.  It would be useful for kids with behavioral difficulties, whether they are labeled as having a disability in this area or not.

     The book describes what BD is (and isn’t), the types and causes of BD, and special school programs provided for kids with BD.  It also provides many, many ways for our kids to handle strong feelings and make positive choices.   Chock full of stories and quotes from real kids, it lets readers know they’re not alone in their struggles to display more appropriate behavior.  IDEA! boxes present activities to try out that will help our kids to improve their behavior choices.

    Kids learn to believe in themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and enjoy the results of their better behavior. Includes a glossary and additional resources for kids, parents, and teachers.

    Appropriate for kids ages 9-14 (or later).  Here's the table of contents:

PRICE: About $10 - $13 depending on seller  (176 pages, Soft cover)

To order:   Toll Free Number: 1-866-703-7322
                              Web Site:  www.FreeSpirit.com
                                                     or order from any on-line book store
 
 

Consulting services to Families, Schools & Pediatricians in the Hudson Valley/NYC area. 

Coming soon:

The Culturally Competent Teacher Series
    Tired of reading books on "multicultural education" that offer little in the way of specifics about each cultural group?  Want to know how to modify practices to match culturally based learning and behavioral styles?  This series of books provides you with a consolidated review of the literature regarding commonly found cultural traits and how they can effect the social, behavioral, and academic performance of students who are traditional in their native culture's ways.

     Each book begins with a listing of commonly found important influences within that community.  That listing is followed by an overview discussion of typical child rearing practices within the group, consequent differences (from the American/Canadian middle class orientation) in perceptions/values/behavior, and the resulting effects upon school performance.  Subsequent sections make recommendations for modifications of typical curricular, instructional, and disciplinary practices, and provide guidance for interacting with traditional parents of each group.  Activities and discussion questions end each book, helping the reader to more fully understand cultural differences and better act in an informed and culturally competent manner.
    -Teaching Students of African heritage
    -Teaching Students of Arab heritage
    -Teaching Students of East Asian heritage
    -Teaching Students of Hispanic heritage
    -Teaching Students of Native American heritage
    -Teaching Students of Western European heritage
    -Culturally Influenced Learning Styles: Assessment and Teaching
                   Price: $13 each book
 

The Cultural Influence Inventory(CII)
    IDEA 97 (the special education law) requires that schools determine to what extent youngsters' behavioral or learning difficulties are due to disabilities or simply a mismatch between their cultural ways and the expectations of the school.  However, most educators don't know how to go about assessing the impact of culture.  Or perhaps your school would like to welcome and better serve immigrant pupils.  In either case, the CII helps you identify cultural influences and their degree of impact upon a youngster's behavior or academic performance.  The three part survey instrument (used in conjunction with other procedures described in the manual) provides important information that can help your school differentiate between behaviors that have a cultural basis and those that indicate true behavioral disorders or learning disabilities.  This multifaceted tool can help determine whether youngsters are displaying traditional cultural behaviors, values, and ways, and whether these traits are affecting school based performance.

     -The Student Information Form collects demographic information and identifies important events in the life history of the student.
     -The Student Interview Form gathers important cultural information directly from the student of concern.
     -The Parent/Home Information Form guides interviewers in acquiring information regarding familial, cultural, and language based influences.
                 Price: $60 for each packet (20 copies of the all forms and the CII manual)
 

HEY!  No growling pup!  It's OK if they don't want to buy anything.

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