Over on I Speak of Dreams, Liz Ditz has another of her entries about individuals with dyslexia who have accomplished much. This entry is about an Australian author, Jackie French, who has a book discussing her views of dyslexia.
As I read Liz’s entry, I was reminded that I wanted to post a note about P. Buckley Moss, an artist of some note who lives just across the mountain from me. Ms. Moss, who has Learning Disabilities seeks to ensure that art is a part of the educational program for students with disabilities. The P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children’s Education, promotes that goal.
The Foundation was created and initially funded in 1995 by the P. Buckley Moss Society, an organization of over 15,000 members worldwide. The Society’s local chapters use creative fundraisers to support charitable projects within their communities.
As a humanitarian role model to the Society, Pat Moss is noted for her charitable endeavors, one of which is the education of children. She believes art in all of its forms must be an integral part of the curriculum, especially to help children with learning differences succeed in school. Pat frequently speaks to groups to help improve their understanding of children who learn differently. Pat has actively promoted educational programs in the USA, Japan and Panama. Thus, the Foundation exists specifically to encourage using the visual and performing arts in all educational programs, but especially in those programs involving children who learn differently.
Although I have reservations about the popular terminology of “learning differently” and although I strongly champion systematic, explicit instruction in academic learning, I also consider art, music, drama, and related activities to be important parts of an overall curriculum. I’m glad the Moss Foundation is pitching its ideas.
I had the privilege of sitting on a panel with Ms. Moss ~10 years ago. The topic was a PBS show on reading instruction. She was a gracious and valuable contributor who brought a humane perspective to an academically tilted discussion.
Link to the Moss Foundation, Ms. Moss’ portfolio, and the Moss Museum.
HS LD
The Battle Creek (MI, US) Enquirer picked up an article by Meredith Bivens of the Lakeview High School Crystal about Suzee Dunn, a fellow student who has dyslexia. It’s a nice story of achievement in the face of the adversity that comes with Learning Disabilities.
Ms. Bivens captured some of the important ideas about LD. In addition to describing Ms. Dunn’s personal view of dyslexia, Ms. Bivens touches on the Dunn family, the importance of hard work, and other features revealed by the case. Although readers of LD Blog will recognize a myth that Ms. Bivens repeats (anyone?) in the following quote, the story also reveals some serious problems with LD.
I’m glad someone had the foresight (excuse me) to rule out vision problems in Ms. Dunn’s case, but I’m very sorry that her teachers did not take action earlier in her life. To the extent that Ms. Dunn’s recollections accurately represent what happened, it is embarassing to see that teachers promoted her difficulties by dismissing her problems or attributing those problems to spurious explanations.
Link to a PDF of the actual issue of the student paper that included Ms. Bivens’ story; it focuses on dyslexia and includes several other features, too (check the art!). Otherwise, Link to Ms. Bivens’ story in the Enquirer.