Category Archives: Dyslexia

May 8, 2013 · 7:12 am

Commander Ben Talks about Invasive Species and Dyslexia at Rockdale Intermediate School

Commander Ben talks to 350 enthusiastic students about invasive species and dyslexia at Rockdale Intermediate School

Commander Ben talks to 350 enthusiastic students about invasive species and dyslexia at Rockdale Intermediate School

Last month, I had one of the greatest experiences in my life when I went to talk about invasive species and dyslexia to 350 third through fifth graders at the Rockdale Intermediate School.  Dr. John Pruett, of the Milam County Master Naturalists, coordinated the event as part of the Milam County Nature Festival, which took place the next day on Saturday, April 13.

When I arrived at the school, Dr. Pruett met me at the entrance and then I checked in and got to meet Principal Kathy Pelzel and Ms. Susan Boyd, ACE Coordinator for the school. Before the start of my talk, I joined the other Milam County Master Naturalists, including Ms. Joyce Dalley, in a conference room where we chatted about invasive species, nature, and other fun stuff.

At 2:00 PM, Dr. Pruett introduced me to a cafeteria room full of excited students. They gave me an enthusiastic and thunderous round of applause as I took the mic.  I was humbled…and nervous!  But once I started to speak, I relaxed and had a wonderful time. They were a great audience!

Commander Ben talks about his "Ecesis Far Far Away" video and the invasive species Elephant Ear.

Commander Ben talks about his “Ecesis Far Far Away” Video and the invasive species Elephant Ear.

I talked to the kids all about invasive species, the Invasive Hunter Academy, my blog, my videos (and showed a few of them!), and my experiences with dyslexia.  With each video, I talked about the characters that I played and the invasive species that I featured. It was a lot of fun.  It was especially rewarding when the kids laughed and laughed while watching my The Amazing Invasive Hunter Man video, part of my Battle with Invasive Species video series.

After my talk, the kids had some great questions for me…including…Was I nervous? (Yes) How old am I? (14) What’s my favorite animal? (Dog – especially my dog Obi-Wan) What’s my favorite color! (blue, but green for plants too) And what are some of the toughest invasive species in Texas? (Giant Reed and Hydrilla)

Ms. Susan Boyd, Dr. John Pruett, Ms. Joyce Dalley, and Commander Ben show off their invasive hunter skills.

Ms. Susan Boyd, Dr. John Pruett, Ms. Joyce Dalley, and Commander Ben show off their invasive hunter skills.

Thanks Dr. Pruett, Principal Pelzel, and Ms. Boyd for inviting me to talk to the great students at Rockdale Intermediate School. I hope the kids had as much fun as I did. I know they’re going to be great future invasive hunters!

Your friend,
Ben

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Filed under Amazing Invasive Hunter Man, Battles with Invasive Species, Dyslexia, In an Ecesis Far Far Away, Invasive Hunter, Invasive Hunter Academy, Invasive Plants, Invasive Species, John Pruett, Joyce Dalley, Kathy Pelzel, Milam County Master Naturalists, Milam County Nature Festival, Rockdale Intermediate School, Susan Boyd

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April 10, 2013 · 9:19 am

Talking about Invasive Species and Dyslexia at Rawson Saunders

Commander Ben talking about invasive species and dyslexia to science classes at the Rawson Saunders School

Commander Ben talking about invasive species and dyslexia to science classes at the Rawson Saunders School

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of speaking to the 8th grade and 7th grade science classes at the Rawson Saunders School here in Austin, Texas.  What is so neat about Rawson Saunders is that it is a school for kids who have dyslexia like me. Founded in 1997, Rawson Saunders is the only full-curriculum school in Central Texas exclusively for students with dyslexia.

I was invited to speak about my experiences with invasive species and dyslexia, and I had a wonderful time visiting with some great kids who are like me.

The day started at around 7:45AM when I arrived at the school and met Dr. Nadia Cone, who is the Academic Technology Coordinator for the school.

Commander Ben and Dr. Nadia Cone

Commander Ben and Dr. Nadia Cone

Dr. Cone brought me over to the science lab and introduced me to Mr. Jacob Hendrickson, the science teacher. I set up my iPad and hooked it up to a projector for my Keynote presentation. Then around 8AM, the 8th graders started piling into the classroom. I was so nervous! This was the first time I would be giving a presentation to kids my own age. I have given presentations to elementary school kids and high school kids but never middle-schoolers.

Commander Ben and Rawson Saunders Science Teacher, Mr. Jacob Hendrickson

Commander Ben and Rawson Saunders Science Teacher, Mr. Jacob Hendrickson

I was worried that middle school kids might be really hard on me. But I had no need to worry. The kids were great – both the 8th grade class and the 7th grade class. I made lots of new friends!

Commander Ben presenting to the Rawson Saunders 8th grade science class

Commander Ben presenting to the Rawson Saunders 8th grade science class

My presentation was all about invasive species, blogging, movie-making…and of course…having dyslexia. It went great. The kids had some interesting questions and also shared some of their own stories with me about things they like to do. It was a lot of fun.

Commander Ben answers some great questions from the students in the 7th grade Rawson Saunders science class

Commander Ben answers some great questions from the students in the 7th grade Rawson Saunders science class

Many thanks to Dr. Cone and the great folks at Rawson Saunders for inviting me to speak to your students. I look forward to visiting again in the future.

Invasive Hunter Academy at the Milam County Nature Festival

I’m excited about giving more talks to school kids about invasive species and dyslexia, including my upcoming talk to 350 upper elementary students in Milam County this Friday!

Plus, I’ll be bringing my Invasive Hunter Academy to the 4th Annual Milam County Nature Festival at the Rockdale Fair Park this Saturday, April 13, 2013. It’s going to be a lot of fun, and I hope to see you there!

Your friend,
Ben

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Filed under Apple, Dyslexia, Invasive Species, iPad, Jacob Hendrickson, Keynote, Middle school, Milam County Nature Festival, Nadia Cone, Rawson Saunders School, Rockdale Fair Park, Science class

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January 28, 2013 · 9:11 pm

Learning Ally Features Student Adventurer Commander Ben

Commander Ben and Ms. Jenny Falke after talking with him about dyslexia for Learning Ally

Commander Ben and Ms. Jenny Falke after talking with him about dyslexia for Learning Ally

I want to share some great news with you! Today, Learning Ally featured a blog post and video about how I have worked with my dyslexia and used the wonderful selection of audio books available from Learning Ally as part of my education.

A few months ago, Ms. Jenny Falke, Senior Communications Associate with Learning Ally, asked if she could interview me for an article.  I told her that I would love to share my experiences about dyslexia and listening to novels and textbooks from Learning Ally during my elementary and middle school years.

Ms. Falke was a great interviewer! It was a wonderful night, and I was happy to tell my story so I could help other kids who have dyslexia.  Check out the Learning Ally blog, and watch a video there where I share my struggles with dyslexia and how I was able to keep up with my studies using audio books from Learning Ally.

If you have dyslexia, visit the Learning Ally site and learn more about their great audio books and learning resources for students (like me!) and other people with dyslexia.

Your friend,
Ben

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Filed under Audio book, Dyslexia, Dyslexic, Learning Ally, Ms. Jenny Falke

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December 29, 2012 · 10:59 am

Bow Wow Reading Dogs – Volunteering at Austin Dog Alliance

Working with a Bow Wow Reading Dog

Working with a Bow Wow Reading Dog in training

As I have shared with you on my About Page, I love dogs! And something I really enjoy doing is volunteering at Austin Dog Alliance. This is a great organization that offers training for dogs, including programs for dogs to become pet therapy dogs.

Austin Dog Alliance has a wonderful program called Special Dogs for Special Needs, where pet therapy dogs are trained to go on to become companions to special needs children.

Bow Wow Reading Dogs

This Bow Wow Reading Dog decided he wanted to try and sit in my lap!

This Bow Wow Reading Dog in training decided he wanted to try and sit in my lap!

The pet therapy program at Austin Dog Alliance that is nearest and dearest to my heart is called “Bow Wow Reading Dogs“. These are pet therapy dogs who are specially trained to go into schools and libraries to work with children who struggle to learn how to read.

You see, dogs love to be read to. They are also very loving and patient and don’t mind if you read slow or stumble on your words. They’re just happy to be with you and hear your voice. This can be incredibly comforting to the kid who struggles with reading. Trust me, as someone who struggles with dyslexia, I know how comforting a dog can be as a reading companion!

Bow Wow Reading Dog: Max

Max and Me at Austin Dog Alliance

Max and Me at Austin Dog Alliance

I’d like to introduce you to Max. Max is a Bow Wow Reading Dog and my friend. I first met Max when I attended K-9 Kids camp at Austin Dog Alliance, then I went on to work with Max to help train him to become used to being around kids for the Bow Wow Reading Dogs program. But Max was easy to work with because I think he was born being used to spending time with kids. He’s just a beautiful all around great dog!

My dog: Obi-Wan

Obi-Wan and Me

Obi-Wan and Me

I’d also like to introduce you to my dog, Obi-Wan. She’s not an official Bow Wow Reading Dog, but ever since she joined our family five years ago, she’s been my reading companion.

You may be wondering why Obi isn’t in the Bow Wow Reading Dogs program. Well, when Obi was a puppy she was found on the street and brought to a rescue group who put her up for adoption. She was just 11 weeks old and sick but I couldn’t resist adopting her, especially since our beloved Po, a cute Boston Terrier, had died and our family needed to fill the hole in our hearts. I have great parents who agreed. As my Mom always says, “Every boy needs a dog and a Mother who will let him have one.”

It turned out that Obi had parvovirus and was very sick. She had to take a lot of medicine and we had to keep her quarantined in our home for about 6 months until she recovered and could eventually receive her canine vaccines. She did recover and is a happy and healthy dog today.  Spoiled too! 🙂

Obi-Wan...Best Dog Ever!

Obi-Wan…Best Dog Ever!

But Obi can get a little nervous in loud rambunctious environments like a school, and her attention span is a bit short, not making her a great candidate for the Bow Wow Reading Dogs “official” program. But she is certainly in our “unofficial” reading program!

Tips for dyslexics: Practice reading to your dog

Reading to your dog is a great way for dyslexics to practice reading!

In this video, I’m reading parts of The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein to Obi, and you’ll notice that she wanders off from time to time. 😉 But I don’t mind in the least because she is “The Best Dog Ever!”

Learn more about Austin Dog Alliance

Austin Dog Alliance is an amazing organization and they are in the process of building a new expanded facility to train even more dogs in their Special Dogs for Special Needs program and related therapy dog programs. To learn more, to volunteer, or to donate to this worthwhile cause if you wish, be sure to check out their site by clicking on their logo below:

austindogalliancelogo

Your friend,
Ben

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Filed under Austin Dog Alliance, Books, Bow Wow Reading Dogs, Dyslexia, Dyslexic, K-9 Kids, Parvovirus, Pet therapy, Reading, Reading therapy, Rescued dog, Shel Siverstein, Special Dogs for Special Needs, The Giving Tree

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November 19, 2012 · 7:28 pm

Commander Ben Talks About Invasive Species with Highland Lakes Master Naturalists

Thanks to my friend, Miss Sheryl Smith-Rodgers, I recently had the honor of speaking to the Highland Lakes Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists.

Commander Ben & Sheryl Smith-Rogers, Texas Master Naturalist, Highland Lakes Chapter

I had such a fun time giving my invasive species presentation to their group! Everyone was so nice to me, and they were passionate about protecting native plants. Plus, after my talk, they gave me a great goodie bag with some things to help me during my adventures fighting invasives.

Top three invasives for conversation starters

To start the day, the master naturalists group treated my Mom and me to a delicious lunch at an Italian restaurant in Marble Falls. It was a lot of fun chatting with everyone over a great meal (I had a salad) and luckily there were no invasives in sight there.

I had a good time talking with people over lunch about three invasives that they really dislike:

  • Bastard Cabbage (Rapistrum rugosum) – One lady talked with me about how her property is being over run by Bastard Cabbage, and how she is going to put it down Indian Blanket seeds to try and stop it.
  • Malta star-thistle (Centaurea melitensis) – Another person talked with me about how one day his property was great, but then invasives struck! His property was overrun by Malta star-thistle, KR Bluestem, and Johnson grass with a touch of Salt cedar…and don’t forget that insidious cursing plant…Bastard Cabbage.
  • Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) – Another lady talked about how Japanese honeysuckle is overrunning her property and how she and her husband just can’t stop it. It grows along their fence line so rapidly.

In my interview with biologist Mr. Darrell Hutchinson, “Austin Invasive Species Corps Aid Golden-Cheeked Warbler“, he talked with me about the web of interdependence in nature. I shared his insight with the group, and they found this analogy very interesting.

Next, I shared some information from my interview with with Dr. Jay Famiglietti, “Last Call at the Oasis: Interview series with Dr. Jay Famiglietti“, how he explained to me about the water, energy, and food nexus. They also found this really cool.

Presenting with my trusty iPad

After lunch we headed over to the group’s meeting area where we started to set up. I was amazed by how many naturalists were there! It looked like about 75 people, maybe more! I was really excited.

I had my iPad with me where I had prepared my presentation using the Keynote app. The group provided me with a great projector so that I could show my Keynote slides and videos on the screen behind me.

When it was time to start, everyone quieted down and Miss Sheryl gave me a great introduction.

Miss Sheryl Smith-Rogers introduces Commander Ben to the Highland Lakes Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist

During my presentation, I talked about:

  • How I got started as Commander Ben – the Invasive Hunter
  • What invasive species are
  • Some examples of common invasive plants in Central Texas
  • How I fight invasives, and
  • Why I started the Invasive Hunter Academy.

Then I showed the group three videos from my “Battles with Invasive Species” series:

All the videos got a great reception, but I think everyone especially enjoyed seeing the grumpy scientist in the Amazing Invasive Hunter Man.

I ended my presentation by sharing with the group some of my experiences with dyslexia, and the technologies that I use to write my blog and make my videos. Plus, I gave them a glimpse into what’s next for Commander Ben: Working more with invasives, dyslexia, and high school!

Everyone loves stickers

When I finished, everyone applauded and then Miss Linda O’Nan, vice president of the group, presented me with a goodie bag including a great Texas Master Naturalist hat! I also got to meet Miss Fredi Franki, president of the group.

Great goodie bag! Thank you!

Love the hat! 🙂

Commander Ben and Linda O’Nan, Vice President of the Highland Lakes Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist

Commander Ben and Fredi Franki, President of the Highland Lakes Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist

After my presentation, I chatted with all the master naturalists as they came and looked at the Invasive Hunter Academy stuff I had brought along with me. I noticed even the adults loved the stickers. Who doesn’t love stickers!

Thanks to Miss Sheryl for the great blog post of the event, Commander Ben Enlightens Us.  Be sure to check it out.  Miss Sheryl has a fantastic nature blog!

Many thanks to all the Highland Lakes Chapter Texas Master Naturalists! I had a great day and look forward to seeing you all again…maybe out in the field!

Your friend,
Ben

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Filed under Apple, Bastard Cabbage, Dr. Jay Famiglietti, Dyslexia, Highland Lakes Chapter, Invasive Hunter, Invasive Hunter Academy, Invasive Species, iPad, Japanese honeysuckle, Keynote, Malta star-thistle, Marble Falls, Mr. Darrell Hutchinson, Sheryl Smith-Rodgers, Texas Master Naturalists

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