Learning Diversity Blog | Eagle Hill School

Bringing Students' Original Ideas to the World

In this blog, discover how by setting "traps" to catch students in the act of creating original ideas, they often develop into a process called Organic Entrepreneurship.

Discovering New Math and Hidden Talents at Our Public Puzzle Board

written by: Dr. Tony McCaffrey

Discovering New Math and Hidden Talents at Our Public Puzzle Board

Eagle Hill students work on solving all types of puzzles on the Puzzle Board and it has turned out to be a place of pure enjoyment!

New Educational Software for Learning Diverse Students

written by: Dr. Tony McCaffrey

Eagle Hill students are filling the gaps with educational software.

Spatial Thinkers Will Literally Help Re-MAKE the World

written by: Dr. Tony McCaffrey

When a spatially-gifted student encounters 3D design software for the first time, it can be life-changing.

Reinforcing Grammar with Computer Programming

written by: Dr. Tony McCaffrey

How can computer programming reinforce grammar and other skills? Dr. McCaffrey explains how his Introduction to Coding with Python class is writing programs to generate grammatical sentences.

Creating the Adjacent Possible

written by: Dr. Michael Riendeau, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs

Dr. Riendeau discusses the idea of the adjacent possible as a way to understand creativity and the vision behind the design for the PJM STEM Center and academic complex.

Communicating with your teen may seem impossible at times. However, interacting with your child doesn’t have to be too complicated. Here are some tips to communicate more effectively and help build a stronger relationship.

What are YOUR Goals for Summer?

written by: Eagle Hill School

Summer is just around the corner! It's not too late to start making plans to keep the momentum going while still enjoying summer vacation.

This blog discusses ways students with learning differences can keep learning when school is over, without ruining summer (because everyone needs a break).

What I Hope To See in the New Makerspace

written by: Thomas W. Gaskill Jr., Science Teacher and Robotics Coach

Eagle Hill School's state-of-the-art STEM building opening in September 2019, will include new makerspaces. We are currently redeveloping classes and reimagining opportunities that might now exist in the new space. In addition, many courses, not only in science, but other areas of study will incorporate more technology into their curricula and use the makerspace to execute these objectives.

Teaching and Learning in the Adhocratic School

written by: Dr. Matthew Kim, English Department Chair

This blog reviews the radical notion that learning disabilities are not found in the individual but are actually a societal construct that aims to fit people into a bureaucratic structure where they are either abled or disabled. Adhocracy brings collaborative endeavors back into the teaching and learning relationship.

Every Student Can Read - Unique Approaches to Teaching Reading

written by: Nancy Martin, English Department Chair

Teaching to a student's strength requires knowing how a student learns best. This blog highlights some of the unique approaches Eagle Hill uses to help students develop a lifelong passion for reading.

Remember, It's Their College Years, Not Yours

written by: Jed Geary, Director of College Counseling

As the recent college admissions scandal continues to unfold, I find myself intrigued by all the moral, ethical, and legal layers involved. I am shocked and saddened by this scandal. As an educator I want to prevent the students and parents I work with from ever having a mindset that would place them in a situation where this type of behavior would ever be a consideration.

This article featured on March 16th in the The Wall Street Journal—Remember, It's Their College Years, Not Yours—by Sue Shellenbarger, is a great start to helping parents be more introspective as they consider the college search and application process with (not for) their children.

[READ THE WSJ ARTICLE]

Assistive Technology in the Classroom

written by: Nancy Martin, Reading Department Chair

At Eagle Hill, we are firm believers in the use of assistive technology. Assistive technology tools can help teachers more effectively engage and empower diverse learners. In this blog, we will demystify some of the misconceptions of using AT in the classroom.

Reading More through Independent Reading

written by: Nancy Martin, Reading Department Chair

Tips to Improve Reading Skills in Students with Dyslexia

As humans, we tend to enjoy activities that come naturally or easily. So how do we encourage students with dyslexia to read? We have some tips to improve reading skills in students with dyslexia.

Grit Lit: Stories of Resilience

written by: Dr. Michael Riendeau, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs

Providing students with a window into the gritty lives of characters in their reading and considering grit and resilience, we are able to make better predicitions about who will suceed in college and in which enviroment.

Struct +ure/ +ed Word + Inquire/ +y (SWI)

written by: Nancy Martin, Reading Department Chair

i before e = weird!
Is written English logical and understandable? Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) is a way of understanding how the written language works.

The Benefits of Summer Camp for Students with Learning Differences

written by: Erin Wynne, Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement

Read our blog The Benefits of Summer Camp for Students with Learning Differences.

Disrupting Disruptive Technology

written by: Chris Hancock, Assistant Head of School for Student Life

Does setting clear boundaries and rules around cellphone use and screen time positively affect a student’s social development and overall mental health? The answer may surprise you.

How To Talk To Your Teen

written by: Dr. Rebecca Miller, School Psychologist

When “I can’t talk to my teen” really means “my teen doesn’t want to talk to me” which really means “my teen doesn’t want to listen to me” which really means “why won’t my teen listen to me?” What do you do?

Gradual Release in Residence Life

written by: Natalie Mays, Associate Dean of Student Life - Campus Programs

How does one use a gradual release model to teach a teen how to engage in conflict resolution, organization habits or stress relief? In Residence Life, we have the unique ability to work on independent living skills over the course of our students’ high school experiences, changing support levels as they mature and develop.