Showing posts with label whole brain approach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label whole brain approach. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Developing a YES I CAN attitude - Empowerment Training for Children - APOGEE Achiever™ ~ WHOLE BRAIN ~ RSA Animate ~ The Divided Brain



Left Brain ~ Right Brain
Whole Brain

When one considers what is put forth here by Dr. Iain McGilchrist one fully appreciates the unity, the communication, the balance, that is sought and created by the whole of the brain. Each half in complement, not in competition of the other. When students present a particular difficulty, be it cognitive, emotional or physical, the best 'remedy' to assure progress, to assure reason, to assure creativity, to assure healing and ultimate resolve, is the whole brain in response.

APOGEE Learning™ was founded and developed to provide those experiences, those approaches, those explorations, that integrate the academics and the arts. APOGEE Learning™ supports the whole of learning that serves and enhances both understanding and application. It is in all of its manifestation a whole brain system.

A number is a symbol. It has a particular configuration, a particular meaning. It represents itself and it represents the parts that define it. Let us further consider that all numbers have their start from the value of ONE. It is this 'one' that is repeated, added, multiplied to become many or that which is more than 'one.' There is the physical representation of a number value, by its 'design', by its object referent, by the measurement it denotes. It is physical, conceptual and symbolic. It is of parts, it is of the whole. Many students, in their early learning of numbers, take comfort in the stability and consistency that numbers represent. 1+1=2, be it written, spoken, or demonstrated. A 'truth' is mastered and a feeling of power in mastery prevails. However, when numbers become part of a word problem, where language implies interpretation, difficulties often ensue. Here is where math most obviously calls for the integration of both left and right brain into a whole brain consideration.

Some students present themselves with a tendency to process more with right brain orientations, while others process more with left brain orientations. Either extreme can make learning of particular skills and/or subject matter more difficult. Orientations, learning style, problem solving strategies are all taken into consideration and are viewed from the perspective of how they contribute or detract from reaching a resolve or a completion of a task.

Be it learning to be masterful in school, on the playground, on the sports field, on the dance floor, at the piano, with any musical instrument, on stage, off stage, one needs to integrate responsive movement with discernment. Approaching each new learning, each new challenge, with a healthy interplay of right and left brain is to assure command and ultimate mastery.

With whole brain approaches the student learns to consider an assignment, a problem, a challenge, a goal, a quest, understand the ways of approach, the means toward resolve, attainment or completion.

and so the intent and goal of
The APOGEE Achiever™ Program...

With autonomy, mastery, and purpose
creative, caring, free thinkers
and doers are developed.

All inquiries are welcomed. All posts will receive a response.
.

The APOGEE Achiever Program
The Academics and the Arts
~ Soar To Success ~

•Individualized Subject Tutoring•
•Study Skills and Mastery Strategies•
•All Learning Styles•
~Reading~
~Mathematics~
~Writing~
~Organization~
~Communication Skills~
~Assignment Management~
~Stress Management~
~ Acu-Tone™ Sound Therapy~
~Relaxation, Breathing, Attention and Focusing Exercises~
~Achievement Goals~
~All Ages ~ All Grades ~ All Subjects~
~PSAT~ SAT ~ All Test Preparation~
~Coaching~
~Family Therapy~

• Inquiries welcomed
• Call or post
• All Questions Answered •

For more information on services
provided for all learning needs:
http://www.apogeelearning.com
http://www.acu-tone.com

APOGEE Learning ~ A Whole Child Paradigm

Learning styles honored and supported
Readiness experiences provided
Task analysis applied
Student interests as motivators
The Whole Brain approach to study and mastery

Inquiries Welcomed
Call for your FREE Introductory Consultation.
845-359-9056
toll free: 1-866-228-8663
1-866-ACU-TONE

For information on Qualifications and Experience:
Rose Marie Raccioppi | LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/rose-marie-raccioppi/20/509/293


Sunday, October 2, 2011

The Educator - The Poet - The Artist - The Sound Therapist - A Shared Paradigm - APOGEE Acu-Tone™


The meter, the harmony, the balance, indeed a guide for the poetic word, yet each term defines the very core of our well being. Sound is signaling. The thoughts we hold, the words we speak, the inner language we live, the vibrations we respond to, influence and bear upon our health, physically, emotionally, spiritually,

APOGEE Acu-Tone™ was first conceived when I was but seven years of age. I had the opportunity of hearing an orchestra 'tune up.' I thought upon observing and hearing the process, that we and our world was also in need of a 'tune up.' Exploration of sound and understanding its implication for health and well being, have been a life long journey. After decades of research and development, APOGEE Acu-Tone™ , a system of sound therapy, was introduced formally in 1983. It is based upon the principles of yoga science and acupuncture. Pure acoustic sound applications are placed onto meridian pathways acupuncture and cranium points. For the last 28 years those who have experienced an APOGEE Acu-Tone™ session, consistently report a deeply relaxed state of being, relief from pain, a feeling of renewed balance, a total sense of inner harmony, a peaceful interlude, and a most welcomed respite from stress.

APOGEE Acu-Tone™ has been particularly beneficial in bringing about readiness for learning, problem solving, and the willingness to move toward resolution of conflicts and relationship difficulties.

APOGEE Acu-Tone™ is particularly suitable for children where acupuncture may be counter indicated. The sound applications are totally safe, certainly noninvasive, and exceedingly effective. There are a number of delightful activities integrated with the sessions for children. Children respond most favorably.

For more information and related research:
http://www.apogeelearning.com/acutone/about.asp
http://www.apogeelearning.com/acutone/sound.html

An added word...

What does an educator, artist, poet, sound therapist, counselor, and consultant have in common? Hmmm... they all share the name Rose Marie Raccioppi. Life is most certainly GOOD! ... many paths to follow in this life's journey. After being challenged by the ravages of cancer 28 years ago, I gave myself permission to do it all... and here I am in well being and in total celebration of life's gifts. YES, our potentialities are ever present... we just have to learn how to allow them freedom. This pursuit of quest, this inner drive for understanding and expression, success and satisfaction, are what APOGEE Learning™ and all its related services and supports make real. For all who are willing to see, explore and develop their many potentialities, be it for individual, family or professional development APOGEE Learning™ is but a call away.


All inquiries are welcomed. All posts will receive a response.

The APOGEE Achiever Program
The Academics and the Arts
~ Soar To Success ~

•Individualized Subject Tutoring•
•Study Skills and Mastery Strategies•
•All Learning Styles•
~Reading~
~Mathematics~
~Writing~
~Organization~
~Communication Skills~
~Assignment Management~
~Stress Management~
~ Acu-Tone™ Sound Therapy~
~Relaxation, Breathing, Attention and Focusing Exercises~
~Achievement Goals~
~All Ages ~ All Grades ~ All Subjects~
~PSAT~ SAT ~ All Test Preparation~
~Coaching~
~Family Therapy~

• Inquiries welcomed
• Call or post
• All Questions Answered •


For more information on services
provided for all learning needs:

http://www.apogeelearning.com
http://www.acu-tone.com

APOGEE Learning ~ A Whole Child Paradigm

Learning styles honored and supported
Readiness experiences provided
Task analysis applied
Student interests as motivators
The Whole Brain approach to study and mastery

Inquiries Welcomed
Call for your FREE Introductory Consultation.
845-359-9056
toll free: 1-866-228-8663
1-866-ACU-TONE

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Race To Nowhere Trailer 1 and The APOGEE Achiever™



Race to Nowhere | Find a Screening
http://www.racetonowhere.com/screenings

These are the very stories that called for my attention, both as an educator and as a parent. The stresses, the confusion, the disappointment, along with the vision yet present, the aspiration yet held, the questions yet to be asked, led to the development of APOGEE Learning Enhancement Training Systems™ over twenty eight years ago. Hundreds of misunderstood children, teens and adults have been re-introduced to their inherent abilities to learn, to be productive, to be resolute and to enjoy newly defined goals and success.

The truth, the innocence, and the all-knowing spirit of life fills our first breath. Who and what answers our first cry? What happens in the moments of life that fill the years to follow? Do we become the sum total of who touches, who answers, who denies, who ignores, who accepts, who rejects, who encourages? What moves us out of the shadow of our own experience? How do we hold on to the promise and joy of our own experience? How do we befriend that knowing within? What is the power that breaks the grip of oppression? What is this power that declares in silence, in words, in deed? What's this power that knows only itself as its teacher?

Why do systems that purport to educate have increasing numbers of youth shutting the doors of school behind them? Why does society have increasing numbers of school age children leaving the very systems that are supposedly preparing them for the world of work, independence and productivity?

A birth of a child is filled with promise and joy. Each birth is another opportunity to allow life its meaningful expression. The child almost instantly seems magnetized to particular stimuli and experiences. Why is the child so drawn? Wherein lies his or her individual quest? Do we allow the child’s responses and in turn learn more of what life is when newly presented? Do we allow the child to experience joy of knowing self? Are we able to guide, nurture and encourage inquiry and exploration? Or do we impose and ultimately destroy what is open, curious, exploratory and creative? Why these questions? When one has been an educator for over fifty years these are the questions that challenge the credibility of your profession.

For soon to be three decades, children, teenagers, young adults, adults and parents of those who have been tagged failure, learning disabled, emotionally disturbed, attention deficit disordered, hyperactive, gifted under-achievers and “lazy”, have chose to avail themselves of services that provide a renewed opportunity to explore self, learning style, creativity, and those experiences that have encouraged or have dimmed the joy of learning.

What have these last three decades of service taught me? It has brought me closer to the pain of so many and closer to the joy experienced when freed from false beliefs, misconceptions of self and a sense of powerlessness. Those who tell their story tell of the judgments, criticism and pain they experience as students of failure. Yes, many “drop out” of school and “drop into” the health, social service, welfare and judicial systems. Failure and the thwarting of what is whole and natural is indeed the hallmark of disease and dysfunction, be it personal, social, economic or political. Understanding of what is supportive of individual difference is basic to the creative and harmonious use of human energy and motivation.

If we hope to creatively and harmoniously use human energy and motivation we must be supportive of individual differences and self-knowledge. If we are to be true to the precepts of a democratic system of governance, we cannot create systems that negate, demean or discriminate. A system that tags a first grader as a failure must be newly accountable. If a child does not readily acclimate itself to the world of filling in blanks, matching pictures, coloring in spaces, matching symbols to sounds is this child a failure? Or have we, the bearers of judgment and the creators of arbitrary standards, failed?

The relationship of the “Seven Rays of Natural Intelligence”©, Survival, Change, Transformation, Balance, Communication, Visualization, and Transcendence, to the requirements of reading, mathematics, social sciences, writing, language, creativity, science and the arts are explored. In this way the student is brought closer to understanding the integrative action of the mind-body energy system and its relationship to learning. The student experiences the communication between mind and body and comes to more fully appreciate the power of one’s inner resources. Practices to enhance readiness for the learning process and to reduce stress so often experienced by these students in their everyday lives include:

* Breath Awareness
* Use of the Neti Pot
* Nutritional Guidance
* Guided Relaxation
* Creative Visualization
* Centering
* Hatha Yoga
* Affirmations
* Imaging
* Clustering
* Music & Movement
* Art & Color
*Cognitive Kinesiology™
*APOGEE Acu-Tone™

These practices have significantly improved physical health, have enhanced mental and academic skills, have facilitated self-expression and promoted self-awareness. The immediate and long-range benefits to students have been documented by improved behavior, attention, motivation, attitude, achievement, and acceptance of self.

With clarity of purpose, and understanding of intent, the student increases his or her ability to direct his or her mind. The student emerges newly motivated, newly energized and newly appreciative of his or her own power and potential.

As each lesson proceeds, be it in reading, mathematics, social studies, writing, language, science, or the arts, particular attention is given to the relationship of the subject to an aspect of self. The intent is to see the Self in all, to know the self as a student of life, ever evolving, ever changing, ever present. The student who has experienced failure so often feels apart from his own very being. These practices allow the student the opportunity to realign self with self.

As the students become more aware of themselves, more respectful of the care they must give their own bodies, more aware of how – what they do, what they think, what they believe, what they fear, what and how they feel, influence their ability to learn, they no longer feel defenseless in the wake of stress nor do they continue to be the victim of stress. These students have come to more fully understand the significance of themselves, their feelings and their own inner resources as they witness the “A” replacing the “D”, the success replacing the failure, the acceptance replacing the rejection, the calm replacing the chaos.

With autonomy, mastery and purpose,
creative, caring, conceptual thinkers
and doers are developed.


• Inquiries welcomed

• Call or post
• All Questions Answered •

The APOGEE Achiever Program
The Academics and the Arts
~ Soar To Success ~

•Individualized Subject Tutoring•
•Study Skills and Mastery Strategies•
•All Learning Styles•
Reading
Mathematics
Writing
Organization
Communication Skills
Assignment Management
Stress Management
Acu-Tone™ Sound Therapy
Relaxation, Breathing, Attention and Focusing Exercises
Achievement Goals
All Ages ~ All Grades ~ All Subjects
PSAT~ SAT ~ All Test Preparation
APOGEE Cognitive Kinesiology™ - Cause and Effect
Coaching

Family Therapy


For more information on services
provided for all learning needs:

http://www.apogeelearning.com
http://www.acu-tone.com

APOGEE Learning ~ A Whole Child Paradigm

Learning styles honored and supported
Readiness experiences provided
Task analysis applied
Student interests as motivators
The Whole Brain approach to study and mastery

Inquiries Welcomed
Call for your FREE Introductory Consultation.
845-359-9056
toll free: 1-866-228-8663
1-866-ACU-TONE

'Race to Nowhere' Film Screening Brings Awareness and Questions
Nyack-Piermont, NY Patch


http://www.nyack.patch.com/articles/race-to-nowhere-film-screening-brings-awareness-and-questions-2#video-4847203

A deeper appreciation of what our students experience in their quest to fulfill expectations, define their goals, and come closer to understanding their purposes, was indeed gained via the viewing of, "Race to Nowhere." The impassioned commentary in response to the viewing certainly gives us reason to pause. I had the opportunity of speaking with Marie Giustino, who is pictured in this posted video. I was impressed with her desire for greater awareness of the issues and needs confronting present day students. Her faith in the changes that ultimately will benefit students was expressed with heartfelt enthusiasm. Stress management, understanding learning styles, study strategies, subject mastery, are significant considerations.

In my capacity as an educational consultant/therapist, what was portrayed is illustrative of the issues, concerns and needs brought to me consistently by parents and students themselves. I have initiated a blog to encourage greater awareness of present day issues (http://www.apogeelearning.blogspot.com) and most certainly welcome a dialogue. After 28 years of private practice, I have only to admire our youth and respect their visions. Let us take last night's discussion and bring it forward. Our children, our youth, our students deserve no less.

Last night's coverage by Patch of the viewing of 'Race to Nowhere' Film Screening (February 10, 2011) is most worthy of consideration by all parents, all educators, all students, all interested in the well being of students and families. I encourage every school district to provide a viewing. The issues presented are real and exist here in schools through out Rockland County. http://www.nyack.patch.com/articles/race-to-nowhere-film-screening-brings-awareness-and-questions-2#video-4847203