Daily Activity Logs
What is the purpose of an Activity Log?
How to use Activity Logs:
Children with FASD need to review key concepts often in order to memorize important information. An activity log or lesson journal can provide other adults the information that the child is learning in the classroom. This way, material can be reviewed and discussed outside of the class. Parents remain informed and feel as if they have a role to play in their child's education and can do so in such a way that is helpful and meaningful to the child.
To get the most out of an activity log, the teacher or an educational assistant must be involved in the tracking and recording of key concepts or "take away points" from a lesson. One way to do this is to provide the student with specific points (or perhaps formulas for mathematics) from each lesson that they then copy into their journal. This way the student is involved in writing without any anxiety or fear of forgetting something important.
The activity log or lesson journal should be reviewed by the student before new lessons. It serves as a concrete reminded of what they are expected to know, and can then ask questions if they feel they are unsure of anything they have already learned.
Research Supporting Activity Logs:
Rasmussen, Caremen and Jeffery Bisanz (2010). The Relation Between Mathematics and Working Memory in Young Children With Fetal Alcohol Specrtum Disorders. Journal of Special Education, 55 (3), 184-191.
Harpur, Lisa (2001). FASD Teens in the Classroom: Basic Strategies. Guidance & Counselling 17 (1), 24-29.
Kalberg, Wendy O. and David Buckley (2007). FASD: What types of intervention and rehabilitation are useful? Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 31, 278-285.
- Aids as a visual reminder of learning materials and concepts.
- Can be used as a great visual and concrete reminder of the student's academic achievement. This way the child keeps track of what they are learning and are then able to share it with their parents, other teachers, or even classmates.
How to use Activity Logs:
Children with FASD need to review key concepts often in order to memorize important information. An activity log or lesson journal can provide other adults the information that the child is learning in the classroom. This way, material can be reviewed and discussed outside of the class. Parents remain informed and feel as if they have a role to play in their child's education and can do so in such a way that is helpful and meaningful to the child.
To get the most out of an activity log, the teacher or an educational assistant must be involved in the tracking and recording of key concepts or "take away points" from a lesson. One way to do this is to provide the student with specific points (or perhaps formulas for mathematics) from each lesson that they then copy into their journal. This way the student is involved in writing without any anxiety or fear of forgetting something important.
The activity log or lesson journal should be reviewed by the student before new lessons. It serves as a concrete reminded of what they are expected to know, and can then ask questions if they feel they are unsure of anything they have already learned.
Research Supporting Activity Logs:
Rasmussen, Caremen and Jeffery Bisanz (2010). The Relation Between Mathematics and Working Memory in Young Children With Fetal Alcohol Specrtum Disorders. Journal of Special Education, 55 (3), 184-191.
Harpur, Lisa (2001). FASD Teens in the Classroom: Basic Strategies. Guidance & Counselling 17 (1), 24-29.
Kalberg, Wendy O. and David Buckley (2007). FASD: What types of intervention and rehabilitation are useful? Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 31, 278-285.