Frequently Asked Questions About
The Learn Well Program (LWP)
- Tell me about sponsoring a Financial Education Program.
- For what students is the Learn Well Program designed?
- Is LWP just for struggling, "At Risk", or Special Education students? If not, how does LWP help ALL students?
- What is the academic purpose of having the student solve a maze, or draw George Washington, as some Learning Skills Package exercises require?
- How will LWP fit into my classroom?
- Why use graphics?
- I want my students to use their own imagination when reading. Won’t these Graphic Lessons inhibit that?
- If I use graphic-stories to help teach my students to read, won't they become dependant on "easy to read" graphics-material?
- Why does the student have to click on every balloon, and click to advance the story? Why not just make it "auto-run"?
- Aren't your LWP Booklets just substituting comic books for textbooks?
- The Learning Skills Package gives permission to print and make as many copies as we want. But they’re in color. Isn't this expensive to print?
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Tell me about sponsoring a Financial Education Program.
Poor money skills and financial illiteracy is a huge problem in our country - especially when it comes to students. Far too many kids today do not possess even the most basic money skills. Sadly, this situation perpetuates the cycle of poverty and financial struggling we see in our communities.
There are two basic elements contributing to this situation:
1) Unfortunately, financial education is currently not part of the required curriculum in many school districts (though this is changing). But most teachers and parents recognize the need and importance of students learning about money and would welcome a program that teaches them money skills.
2) Many students are unable / unwilling to read materials that could help them.
Because financial education is not a required subject many schools do not have funding to address the problem. But, there is a national trend taking place whereby businesses are stepping up to help their communities by sponsoring extra-curricular financial education programs in local schools and community organizations. This is a scenario where everyone benefits. The students learn important life skills and the businesses make a significant impact in their own communities.
Learn Well Graphics wants to help these companies, schools, and organizations address this problem by providing user-friendly materials that will effectively help students learn basic money skills. The CIPHERS Series was created to help students easily learn basic money skills they can use and to get them reading at the same time. No other product takes this innovative approach to helping kids learn such important information. No other company offers this unique approach to helping businesses, schools, and community organizations work together towards solving this problem.
*Can you describe the Booklets? The CIPHERS Series are full color graphic-booklets that each focus on a specific money skill (i.e. checking accounts; budgets; saving). The booklets present the topic in a short adventure story format. They show students how the “topic” is used in everyday life and why it’s important for them to learn the concept or skill (even if he/she is “ just a kid” ).
*Who are The CIPHERS? The CIPHERS are four talented teenagers who help the students of Challenge Rock School resolve various issues by using basic math and /or money concepts. They are kind of like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/ Charlie’s Angels with math and money skills.
*Why are these booklets so effective? Kids want to learn about money. These booklets work so well in Financial Education Programs because kids are very receptive to comic books. There is a much better chance of reaching the student with a user-friendly graphic-booklet like The CIPHERS, than with an intimidating brochure or handout sheet that features a lot of text and a few diagrams.
The booklets tell a story. Kids like stories. They understand and remember them. This is why Star Wars and Harry Potter are so popular. The CIPHERS story shows the students how the “topic” can impact them in real life situations. “Money” is made relevant to them.
*What is the Reading Level of The CIPHERS? Using graphics helps make reading and understanding easier for many students. The CIPHERS Series is designed so that most students ages 11-17 can read them without difficulty. This is the formula that many commercial comic books (and newspapers) use. Our Board Of Advisors is composed of teachers with over 100 years of combined classroom experience and they review the booklets to make sure they are age appropriate in terms of reading level and content.
*Are there other benefits to using The CIPHERS? Yes. The CIPHERS booklets help to get kids reading. Reading is an acquired skill that must be practiced and these booklets make reading user-friendly. They also introduce the student to many new “money vocabulary” terms they will need to know.
*Many schools do not have an established Financial Education Program - How will these Booklets fit in? It’s easy to start your own program. The CIPHERS booklets are self-contained lessons. They offer a clear and basic explanation of the topic covered. The teacher, or corporate volunteer, needs no special expertise. The class (school or organization) needs to find only 30 minutes for a Lesson. The booklet is passed out to the student and forms the basis for a 30-minute classroom discussion where the instructor can elaborate on the topic. The back cover of each issue of The CIPHERS contains either a subject Review or short quiz that can be used for classroom discussion also. We recommend a series of classes where the students focus on one CIPHERS booklets (topic) per week.
*How much do the booklets cost? For less than the cost of a cheeseburger you can help a kid learn money skills that can stick with him/her for life. The booklets are only $2.95 each (minimum order of 100 units).
*Tell me about the Private Label. If your company is sponsoring a Financial Literacy Program, and you order a minimum of only 200 units of a booklet, we will print whatever Sponsor name you want on the front and back covers of the booklet.
*What is the “custom-create” feature? If a sponsor or school has a specific topic and age group that they wish to focus on, we will work with them to create a booklet that meets that need. For instance, if a bank wants to distribute a booklet to high school seniors in their area that explains the differences between credit cards and debit cards we will work with the bank to develop a booklet that includes the basic required information. These custom-created, private labeled booklets will cost the same as the regular issues of The CIPHERS - $2.95 each - when ordered at a minimum of 2000 units.
It takes 4-5 weeks from the time of order to write, draw, print, and deliver a custom-made booklet to you.
*Sounds Great. Where Can I Get More Information On Sponsoring A Financial Education Program In My Community? If this sounds like a Program you’d be interested in, then we’d like to hear from you. We’ll be happy to help you set up a Financial Education Program in your community. Please contact us at the phone number listed below.
Richard Keaton
Project Director
(716) 480-1995
Learn Well Graphics 22 Crosby Ave. Kenmore, NY 14217 learnwell@roadrunner.com
For what students is the Learn Well Program designed?
The History and Math/Finance Lessons currently offered by the LWP are generally taught in Middle School. We want to help these students develop their skills before they get to high school.
However, because many students already in high school do not have proficient skills for their grade level the LWP will be of great benefit to them too. Even if they are not currently studying the American Revolution ( for example), LWP will help them in catching up by developing their Reading Skills and other valuable Learning Skills at the same time. LWP will succeed where other Programs have failed because it takes a user-friendly approach to learning that students will respond to.
And because the LWP CDs have the Read Along Feature these Lessons are also great for helping English As A Second Language students learn to read and comprehend better.
Is LWP just for struggling, "At Risk", or Special Education students? If not, how does LWP help ALL students?
LWP can help ALL students. LWP Lessons are based upon required academic material that appears in standard textbooks. Therefore all students need to know the material presented. But further to your question though, the Learning Skills Package is designed to help to ALL students - from "At Risk" to the most advanced students. It includes at least 20 exercises which address several different learning levels. We want to make sure that every student - regardless of ability - will be challenged, and encouraged to succeed and achieve certain goals. And then they can progress to the next level. We want to help you and your students establish a Pattern Of Success.
So some students may write short essays on "Why Not All The Colonists Were In Favor Of A Revolution"; or re-enact the debate over States' Rights in a class play. Others may use their art skills and learn to follow written directions by drawing a step-by-step picture of George Washington, or labeling the 13 Original Colonies. LWP helps students at all learning levels build their skills.
What is the academic purpose of having the student solve a maze, or draw George Washington, as some Learning Skills Package exercises require?
Many students have a poor record of academic success in the classroom. The LSP offers a wide variety of exercises so that students at all learning levels can participate in learning.
Solving a maze, or completing a drawing accomplishes several things. The student has to read, and follow instructions too. But also, it gives the student with a poor record of accomplishment a chance to build up a pattern of success. This is very important. The student can then move on to progressively more difficult LSP exercises offered.
How will LWP fit into my classroom?
LWP can be used in many ways. It can supplement your regular Classroom Plan by using it along with the textbook . Or you can build your Classroom Plan around the LWP Lesson. With the amount of material LWP supplies, you can build from 2-10 days of Classroom activities and homework around the Graphic Lesson and Learning Skills exercises.
You can project LWP on a screen for the whole class to view; or assign it to small groups viewing a computer; or give it to individual students for studying.
The Learning Skills Package also allows the Teacher to build "Individualized Learning Programs" for specific students, or the whole Class. This allows you to focus on developing specific areas of need.
Why use graphics?
First of all LWP is much more than just graphics. It is a multimedia presentation of exciting voices, dynamic sound effects, captivating music, brilliant colors, and interactive exercises all designed to appeal to the student on several levels. Many studies have shown that the more senses involved in learning, the more effective it is for the student. LWP uses "Visual" - students learn by watching (especially young males); "Auditory" - students learn by hearing; and "Interactive" - students learn by participating.
I want my students to use their own imagination when reading. Won’t these Graphic Lessons inhibit that?
We hear you. We're all for a student developing his/her imagination. But, the reality is that many kids just don't have the foundation of that ability fully developed yet. They have difficulty linking the words in a sentence to a visual concept.
They don't know what a Revolutionary War soldier looks like. They can't picture the deck of an 18th Century British ship in their minds. They have limited points of reference to draw upon. The LWP Graphic Lessons, with their great attention to Historical accuracy and detail, fill in those gaps and give the reader a baseline from which to build on for when he/she reads future material.
If I use graphic-stories to help teach my students to read, won't they become dependant on "easy to read" graphics-material?
Graphics will enhance their ability to read other books. Graphics help the Reader to connect written words to concepts. Let's face it, despite the best efforts of teachers and parents, many students still don't have the ability to properly read a standard textbook. We can't abandon them. LWP gives teachers and parents an effective tool to help their students build up basic Reading Skills and Learning Skills . LWP appeals to the student's natural desire to learn, and gives them a way to succeed. By using LWP to develop and practice their skills, eventually your students WILL have the ability to read "real" books.
Why does the student have to click on every balloon, and click to advance the story? Why not just make it "auto-run"?
We purposely designed it this way so that the student will HAVE to stay involved. Getting the student to actively participate in the learning process is crucial for development.
Aren't your LWP Booklets just substituting comic books for textbooks?
Not at all. The LWP Booklets are an integral part of a serious and powerful teaching tool. LWP is a comprehensive multi-media Learning Program that helps develop Reading and Learning Skills. The Booklets offer the same material as the CD-ROM. They provide a very useful tool for reviewing the Lesson; reference in doing the LSP exercises; and to provide a convenient way for the student to practice reading.
The Learning Skills Package gives permission to print and make as many copies as we want. But they’re in color. Isn't this expensive to print?
Yes printing pages in color can be expensive if you’re making a lot of copies. But, most computers allow you to print out the exercises in black and white (grayscale) if you like. Or, you can print out one color copy and make black and white copies in volume on a copy machine.
If you have other questions, please contact us.
