Learning+Outside+The+Lines+A+Book+Review

Lynette Russell Fall 2010 Book Review What happens to a student who is learning disabled? In the past, these students were always identified and removed from the general education classroom. Typically their stay in the general education classroom was less than enjoyable since they negatively stood out from others due to the lack of achievement, mal behaviors and other social weaknesses. Currently, new law mandates that these students remain in the general education classroom. General education teachers especially, have concern about whether these students can really succeed in the general education setting. The authors Jonathan Mooney and David Cole came together and authored a book that clearly shows with specific strategies students with learning disabilities can be successful in school and highly successful in life. __Learning Outside The Lines: Two Ivy League Students With Learning Disabilities And ADHD Give You The Tools For Academic Success and Educational Revolution __gives readers a personal view of the strategies that work for students with learning disabilities and ADHD.  The authors briefly tell of their journey from being diagnosed with disabilities to graduating from Ivy League schools. The authors describe strategies that helped them succeed in school and life. They also discuss positive and negative effects teachers had on them as they struggled with the disability .The authors are very active in promoting the fact that students with disabilities can achieve high standards if teachers use specific strategies and that disabilities do not call for separation. They spread their message through publishing books, motivational speaking and projects. This is an excellent resource for teachers. It can help teachers to understand what their role is in including students in general education. The authors give very personal descriptions of their experience with a disability and the strategies that help them beat the odds. This really communicated to me that teachers have a vital role in bringing this strategies to the classroom so that all students may succeed. I loved how the book was written in such a private point of view. This book is full of suggestions, not from a doctor or specialist, but form intelligent men with really appropriate feelings about their strengths and weaknesses. As a teacher I often found myself saying “Oh, his teacher should have helped him out!” The authors did a good job of communicating how very effective strategies can make all the difference for students with disabilities. As a teacher you hope that you can make a difference in each child’s life, this book gives you the tools to do so.