There are times when you'll want to negotiate with your child or student and there are times where you won't. Know your negotiables. For instance, if a child misbehaves and you have a consequence in place for the specific misbehavior, this is not a time to negotiate. However, if a child wants to change the time that homework would normally be done, this may be a time to negotiate. In any event, your child needs to be well aware of the limits. Set your limits together with these 5 steps and, know what to avoid when giving consequences. Most importantly, remember to catch them doing something right and reward them.

Miscue analysis is a process where one analyzes the strategies the reader uses when the reader gets stuck. It is what most educators use to support a struggling reader or a reader at risk. The best teachers of reading will use miscue analysis to determine the areas of weakness in a reader and then teach strategies for that area of weakness. For instance, as students read:

• Do they skip words when the words are unfamiliar?
• Do they look to the pictures for cues?
• Do they try to sound out the word?
• Do they use context to guide them?

Using miscue analysis helps guide instruction to where the reader needs it. Find out how you can be a better teacher of reading by understanding miscue analysis.

See also the Cloze Worksheets (fill in the blanks).

Here we are well into the second term and they're just not motivated! You're not alone! Motivating students is a challenge for most educators. However, remember to keep your expectations high (achievable but high) as you'll always want them to strive for the best, and keep your learning activities interesting, you want to engage your students regardless of subject. Keeping students motivated is always an ongoing challenge, one that you'll strugge with on and off throughout your career. Be sure to maximize differentiated instructional approaches and adhere to the helpful suggestions of keeping them motivated. For those with learning disabilities, try these strategies.

If this is your first time going to an Individual Education Program IEP meeting, I have two words of advice: Be prepared! This article helps you do just that. You'll find out what you should bring in the way of an IEP binder or portfolio and what to expect when you get there. Do not be intimidated by an IEP meeting, it's an informal meeting about putting the needs of your child first to ensure that the best possible program is in place. And, remember, you are allowed to tape the discussion at the IEP meeting which might just be helpful.

You might also want to check out the Basics of Special Education to help you understand what it's all about.