External Links

 

The Reading Brain and Fast ForWord

A short video produced by Scientific Learning Corporation discussing how the brain processes language and how Fast ForWord changes areas of the brain essential for language and reading.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsSUamFekwI 

 

 

Children of the Code and Mind Shame

 

"Warning: Protracted difficulty with learning to read can lead to cognitive habits and emotional aversions that endanger the general health of learning. Above all else, do no harm."

- Children of the Code

 

This non-profit organization has attracted a large number of international scholars who recognize that the current education system is failing a huge segment of school-age children. Despite the obvious outcomes of children who struggle with the written word, they believe the mind-shame that results from struggling with reading to be a far greater danger for these children. When young children realize they are not performing at the level of their peers, a devastating downward spiral is set in motion which more often than not results in social, emotional and academic failure.

 

http://www.childrenofthecode.org/Tour/c3c/index.htm

Further reading on The Children of the Code web site 

 

Children of the Code refers to the code of the written word with all its complexities, inconsistencies and anomalies. Their premise is that we are all Children of the Code and exist at a time in history when reading is relatively new to the human race. School curricula has evolved to teach a narrow majority of learners to read. It is estimated that a large minority of children do not process auditory and visual information in a way that enables them to learn to read effectively, that is, their brains are wired differently than the majority.

 

What do the following famous people share in common?

• Benjamin Franklin

• Merriam Webster

• John Dewy

• Dale Carnegie

• Franklin Roosevelt 

• Charles Darwin

• Mark Twain

• Isaac Asimov

 

These men all recognized the deep flaws in the code of the English language and each one of them attempted to make inroads into changing the code to make the written word more accessible to all. The scope of their attempts to change the code included revisions to phonics, spelling, and the alphabet itself. Each of these men was thwarted in his attempt to effect change and each experienced the resistance of those who took the existing code for granted.

 

The Children of the Code sites staggering statistics that report that an average of 25 % of all U.S. 4th, 8th and 12th graders are below basic reading levels and that a shocking average of 64% of all 4th, 8th and 12th graders are below proficient levels.

 

http://www.childrenofthecode.org/Tour/c1/index.htm

 

Many of the scholars on this site believe that the science of neuroplasticity can empower struggling readers and learners to become proficient life-long learners.

 

Click below for a link for a link to the home page of Children of the Code:

 http://www.childrenofthecode.org/

 

 

Re-training the brain by Michael Merzenich

A twenty three minute video looking at the brain from birth to old age and its ability to change.

http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_merzenich_on_the_elastic_brain.html