LDAO Publications - SOAR HS - Some Assembly Required: High School
Reviews
Reviews from:
Elaine Etmanski for the School Advocate
Anne McDonagh for Learning Curves
Super-teacher Bryan Reigate
Richard Beaudry for School Libraries in Canada (link leads to that site)
Book Review: SOAR HS and the SOAR Workbooks
Evaluated for the School Advocate. Fall 2007 Vol 3 / Issue 2
by Elaine Etmanski, Dept. Head, Academic Resource, RF Hall CSS
With the high incidence of diagnosed Learning Disabilities and the Ministry of Education initiatives re transitions to secondary school, the SOAR HS and accompanying guidebooks, are a wonderful starting point for intermediate special education teachers to help prepare some of our most vulnerable students for secondary school.
Although some of the language is dated (groovy, cool) the entire topic of what it means to have a learning disability can manifest itself in students is handled extremely well and is explained in language that intermediate students can understand. The book gives students the foundation and knowledge that they will need to survive secondary school and at the same time allows each students to explore their own personal learning style.
The book presents information interspersed with humour and provides a stepping stone for further discussions around the whole topic of learning disabilities. All the acronyms that special educators use so freely are fully explained. The information presented is a good overview and to supplement the information, related websites are provided. As well the addresses of all the LD associations in Ontario are made available.
The accompanying guidebooks (1,2,3) present some very practical information, strategies and work sheets around the topic of learning disabilities. The worksheets and activities are easy to read and provide students with the chance to highlight their learning. Some of the major differences between elementary and secondary school are dealt with, along with the skills that students will need to make the successful transition to secondary school.
Having a learning disability is a looked at in a positive manner and giving students "their wings to soar" is encouraged.
The use of the book and guidebooks would help students deal more positively with their disability and it also demystifies the whole area of disability. Students who use the book and guidebooks would be better prepared to deal with all the challenges of secondary school by knowing their strengths and needs and by beginning to learn how to advocate for those needs.
If students take one message from the book, it is that they must believe in themselves and by believing in themselves they can be successful.
Although the book and guidebooks are written for students, they are a good reference for parents and teachers and they help to bridge the gap between fear and knowledge.
This book would be most useful for students/teachers in the intermediate grades and most specifically grade 8. With guided discussion students would come to understand their disability and as a result more able to advocate for their own needs.
Book Review: SOAR HS
By Anne McDonagh
published in Learning Curves, Vol.9 Issue 4 Dec/Jan 2007
Learning Curves has always had a keen interest in learning disabilities because we believe many adults going back to school were unsuccessful the first time round owing to undiagnosed learning disabilities. We welcome any addition to the body of information available on this topic.
SOAR HS (Some Assembly Required High School) by Jeff Clayton with Krishan Jayatunge has just been published by Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario. It is geared to high school students and is a very accessible read. Anyone - high school student, parent or teacher - could do worse than read this book in order to get a good understanding of learning disabilities.
The purpose of the book seems to be to keep high school students with learning disabilities in school and assumes that they are the readers. The unconventional format resembles a comic book. The tone is breezy and the language is adolescent "cool." There are lots of cartoon-like illustrations, yet the information is sound.
The first part of the book covers topics helpful to any high school student - learning styles, interests and preferences, strengths and weaknesses and influences. Students are urged to heed Joseph Campbell's advice to "follow your bliss." They are also encouraged to "give themselves a break." A quick outline follows of the debate around what a learning disability is including a delightful sketch of the brain indicating where various types of learning take place. Finally, we get to examples of learning disabilities in the form of case studies, sure to interest the readers as well as inform them. The rights of students with learning disabilities in the school setting are discussed along with various types of accommodations and strategies.
Anyone who has a learning disability, who has a child with a learning disability or a teacher of any type who inevitably comes across students with disabilities will learn a lot from this book.
SOAR HS - Some Assembly Required: High School
Reviewed by Bryan J. Reigate
The words "learning disability" can carry many negative feelings for those who are affected by, and those who work with students who have learning disabilities. Jeff Clayton's SOAR HS is a masterpiece that succeeds in helping teenagers and adults realize that while learning disabilities present a challenge, they do not have to be a barrier to a happy and successful learning experience.
Upon reading the introductory pages of this book, the reader can tell that this book is unlike any other text on the subject of learning disabilities. While Mr. Clayton's book provides a wealth of valuable information on learning disabilities, the information is presented in a very original and appealing manner. Mr. Clayton's "guide" is written for educators, administrators, parents, and adolescents alike. There is no assumption that the reader has prior knowledge of the history or nature of learning disabilities, and an understanding of complex legal or technical terms is not required. Mr. Clayton uses very down-to-earth language in his description of learning disabilities and their effects, and how to cope with learning disabilities.
What makes this book truly unique is the beautiful artwork that appears on every page. The colourful yet eye-pleasing pictures complement Mr. Clayton's words and sentiments perfectly. Readers will no doubt find the friendly cartoon characters inviting, and will want to keep turning the pages. Herein lies the true magic of this book: Mr. Clayton realizes that not all readers learn best from reading black and white text. For those readers who have difficulty comprehending the material which they are reading, they can use Mr. Clayton's art as a guide to grasping the ideas which are being expressed in this book.
Whether you are a teacher, an administrator, or the parent of a teenager with a learning disability, SOAR HS should be an integral part of your personal library.
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