Tympanogram tests for eardrum function. If the test results in a perfect bell curve, it means that the eardrum is functioning and therefore that the child’s hearing is currently ok. If the test doesn’t show a bell curve then there may be a problem with the eardrum and hearing may be compromised. This may simply be fluid in the ear causing pressure on the drum.…
Pencil Grip Troubles: Our Simple, Unique Solution!
A common challenge for new writers is the pencil/pen grip: how do I grip the pencil? what do I do when my hand hurts? what can I do to make it easier to write? The most common issue seen in beginner writers is that their pencil/pen grip is too tight! This causes their knuckles to turn white, their hands to hurt and in addition they…
How to Remember the Months of the Year
Does your child have trouble remembering the months of the year? Or perhaps they know the months but often forget one? Do they always forget the same one? Maybe they know the months, but do they know the number of days in each month? You may be able to recall this chant from your childhood. Here is the poem to go through with your children…
Lexia Core 5 Levels and how they correlate to the Australian Primary School Year Levels.
Do you know what level your child has reached in Lexia Core 5? Are they at level yet? The Lexia Core 5 program is a valuable tool for boosting your child’s English skills in addition to the work they do here at Smart Achievers. It is relevant for all children in primary school. We encourage students to spend the recommended amount of time (set by…
Recent Advances in Understanding Word-Level Reading Problems: Assessment and Highly Effective Intervention
Dr. David Kilpatrick’s National Tour. Nicole attended Dr. David Kilpatrick’s National Tour organized by LDA. Dr. Kilpatrick presented on ‘Recent Advances in Understanding Word-Level Reading Problems: Assessment and Highly Effective Intervention’. Julie and Nicole are currently reading through and summarising interesting and important information to share with parents. We will share snippets of information with you over the next few weeks. In summary… Dr. David…
Where to get your VISION checked in WA
Unfortunately, there are only a few Accredited Fellows of the ACBO (Australian College of Behavioural Optometrists) in WA, and they are all in Perth. Accredited Fellows of ACBO are: Bassendean Optical – Michael Doyle – 9377 2811 (6 West Rd Bassendean) Bull Creek Optometrist -Gary Crerie – 9332 7222 (Suite 1/78 Calley Dve Leeming) For Eyes Fremantle – Adrian Rossiter – 9335 3433 (158 High St…
Behavioural Optometry; Set Your Sights Higher
Seeing is a more complicated process than we usually think. A good vision test includes sharpness of sight near and far; an ability to aim and focus the eyes properly (especially for near vision tasks such as reading and computers); the ability to sustain focus for long periods of time (for reading and computers); tracking eye movements (for reading fluency and accuracy); processing of the…
i before e?
Is this a spelling “rule” you recall from your childhood? It’s one that many of us can rattle off, but perhaps you’d be interested to know that there’s more to it… It’s not just “i before e”, with a whole lot of exceptions. The full rule is: i before e except after c, where the sound is ee <ei> is a phonogram for long /ā/ (eight), along…
Elements of letters to Manuscript to Cursive Script to Individual Style
Elements of Letters to Manuscript to Cursive Script to Individual Style. By Julie Bradley 6/2/13 Revised 12/09/17 I have written this as a guide to teaching lettering or handwriting within a school and the progression I find appropriate. This is from an eclectic point of view as it is hard to rationalise a style or script without being aware of the many contributing factors. It…
Natalie, Julian’s mother
The way Julian was being taught spelling at school, where words that sound the same but have different spellings, are all bundled into the same spelling list, was not working for him. The only way for Julian to learn these lists was to memorise the spelling. He’d remember how to spell for the test, but very quickly forget it for the future. We attended tutorial…