The 2009 presidential Inauguration is coming up on Tuesday, January 20th, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and National Education Association (NEA) have developed free lesson plans and instructional activities to teach students about this historic event. These materials cover the history of presidential inaugurations and historical events leading up to the current historic presidency and beyond.

Instructional Strategies to Adapt AFT and NEA Lesson Plans

• Tip Tips on Differentiated Instruction
• Differentiated Instruction and Assessment
• Scaffolding Instruction

Learning disabilities are sometimes called invisible disabilities because they are not easily seen. In some cases, people with learning disabilities consider this a positive. Others see it as a negative. Learn about invisible disabilities, the problems they cause, and their benefits. If you are the parent, teacher, employer, or friend of a person with an invisible disability, learn ways you can help.

More on Invisible Disabilities and Related Resources

• Disability Rights at Work
• Handicapped Parking
• Is Depression a Legitimate Disability?
• Why We Need an Invisible Chronic Illness Week
• The Impact of Not Being Believed
• News Story - Deaf Man Attacked for Not Speaking

With most schools back in session after the holiday break, now is a good time to rethink your child's homework space. While you are shopping for supplies and getting kids back into learning mode for the second half of the school year, check out these tips on homework. You'll find ideas for preparing your child's workspace as well as some great links for homework help sites on the web in Homework Helps.

Helping your child create a new work space or reorganize her homework space can help you both sail through the rest of the year more smoothly. Continuing to work on study skills and avoiding bad study habits like cramming can help your child academically and prepare him for more responsibility as he grows. Older students may benefit from forming their own study groups.

Is your child a reluctant reader? Many children with learning disabilities avoid reading and do not get the practice they need to improve their skills. Learn some great ways to improve basic reading skills and reading comprehension. Increase their reading time with reading activities that they will actually enjoy!

It is sometimes tricky to find books for kids and teens who are reluctant readers because they read below grade level and can’t find books they can read that interest them. Most books they can read are written for younger students and seem childish or embarrassing to them. High interest low level, or "hi lo" books, can help. These books cover age-appropriate subjects for older readers but use vocabulary and phrasing for lower reading levels. Children's books guide, Elizabeth Kennedy has suggestions to help.

More on Reluctant Readers and Hi Lo Books:

• What is Dyslexia?
• A Dyslexia Success Story - Writer Debbie Macomber
• High Interest - Low Reading Level Books
• Treasure Kai and the Lost Gold of Shark Island, High Interest Interactive Reader
• Hi Lo Reading Level Book by Max Elliot Anderson