How did your child do in the first semester of school? Were you pleased with his performance, or do you think there is room for improvement? No matter what letters appeared on his report card, now is the perfect time to help your child get excited about learning.
This can be accomplished by creating an atmosphere in your home that encourages learning.
Sylvan Learning Center of Tualatin, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages and skill levels, offers tips on how to get involved with your child's learning process and help motivate him or her in this new year.
* Have family reading time at least once a week. Utilize Book Adventure, a free Sylvan-created, interactive reading motivation program, at www.bookadventure.com. Kindergarten through 8th grade students choose their own books from more than 7,000 titles, take short comprehension quizzes and redeem their accumulated points for small prizes. Book Adventure also offers teachers and parents resources and tips to help children develop a lifelong love of reading.
* Set aside a specific time for homework and studying. Take advantage of this quiet time to sit with your child and work on your paperwork. This visually demonstrates the importance of "work time" to your child.
* If homework was a struggle during the first semester, set up a reward system for this semester. For example, deposit change in a small jar when homework is complete. As soon as the jar is full, treat the whole family to something everyone will enjoy.
* Refresh your child's study space. Make sure that all materials, such as pencil sharpeners, erasers and extra paper are accessible and in adequate supply.
* Create study plans. Have your child do her most challenging assignment first, while she is most focused, then have her work on easier tasks. Finish each homework session with a fun activity.
* Search the Internet with your child to learn more about topics being covered in school.
* Invite your child to participate in cooking or shopping to strengthen his math skills.
* Encourage your child to choose a classmate with whom she can study and swap reading books.
* Get your child organized inside and outside of school. By being organized, your child will have plenty of time to complete all assignments, and he will also learn the value of time management.
* Talk to your child's teachers. The second half of the year can be more challenging than the first. Find out if your child needs extra help in a specific subject in order to keep up with the class.
Learn additoinal educational tips at www.DrRickBlog.com.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Do you provide a routine for your kids?
Pilots famously have them. Surgeons do, too. So do engineers, technicians, nurses, and most other professionals and service providers. I’m talking about simple checklists, quick, simple lists of behaviors and duties that remind us of the basics and guide us toward success. If all those professionals find checklists helpful, why shouldn’t students and their families?
Yes, checklists are general and simple (some say simplistic), but isn’t that exactly their advantage? They’re meant to be a helpful reminder to those of us who are rushed, busy, spread too thinly, and battling absent-mindedness because of our hectic lives. If that describes you and your family at times, click on the heading above for a journey to the Dr. Rick Checklist for Academic Success!
Yes, checklists are general and simple (some say simplistic), but isn’t that exactly their advantage? They’re meant to be a helpful reminder to those of us who are rushed, busy, spread too thinly, and battling absent-mindedness because of our hectic lives. If that describes you and your family at times, click on the heading above for a journey to the Dr. Rick Checklist for Academic Success!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Embracing Technology in the Classroom
Teachers are quickly coming to the realization that today’s crop of students are “digital natives.” They aren’t intimidated by technology, and have no problem jumping feet-first into the electronic unknown. In this spirit, some innovative teachers have found ways to take everyday technologies and repurpose them for the classroom.
Do you know about iTunes U?
http://drrickblog.com/post/2010/01/11/Learning-and-Technology.aspx
Do you know about iTunes U?
http://drrickblog.com/post/2010/01/11/Learning-and-Technology.aspx
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Oregon Earns C- in Education Report
Quality Counts 2010 is the 14th edition of Education Week's annual report card on American public education as measured by data on states' education policies and outcomes. Education Week is a publication for school adminstrators and educators. Whereas membership is required to view the contents of the site, the public has access until January 21, 2010. The Quality Counts report and other material can be seen at http://www.edweek.org/ew.
Grades were compiled for six areas of interest: Teaching Profession; Chance for Success; K-12 Achievement; School Finance; Standards, Assessments, & Accountability; Transitions & Alignment.
The Quality Counts 2010 report earns the most criticism from teachers unions in Oregon because of the data used to measure the policies and outcomes with regard to the Teaching Profession. This category score draws on 44 indicators used to assess key aspects of teacher policy, including measures of teacher quality, incentives for teachers, and recruitment and retention of a strong teaching workforce. The nation overall earned a C. Oregon and Alaska were the last in the nation, each failing in this area. Oregon scored an average of 56.3% distributed among three sections: Accountability for Quality (58.8%), Incentives & Allocation (50%), and Building & Supporting Capacity (60%).
Chance for Success was based on 13 indicators that show the impact of education in three phases of life [Early Foundations, School Years (K-12), and Adult Outcomes (College/Career)]. The nation earned a C- and Oregon earned a C (75.7%). Early education was the strongest of these individual scores at 80.9% (B-).
K-12 Achievement was low in Oregon with a D (64.5%). Status, Change, and Equity were all measured, each with a score in the sixties. Transitions & Alignment was better at an average of 78.6% (C+). Early Childhood Education (100%) stands in stark contrast to College Readiness (50%). Economy & Workforce measured at a respectable 87.5% (B+). Overall, the Oregon's score for this category was 78.6% (C+).
The Quality Counts report used 8 commonly used measures of equity and spending for scores in the School Finance area. The country earned a C with half of the states in the C+ to C- range. Oregon earned a B+ (87.8%) for equity policy but an F (56%) for spending.
Standards, Assessments, & Accountability was at peak performance for the nation at a solid B. A C+ in Standards, C+ in Assessment, and B- in School Accountability earned Oregon an average of 79% (C+). With most of the states in the country signed up to work toward national content standards, it is really interesting to view the comparison map for states on this issue.
A full Quality Counts 2010 report and interactive state report cards can be found at www.edweek.org/go/gc10. State highlights (showing the information included above)can be viewed at www.edweek.org/go/gc10/shr. A live webinar will be held on the Education Week site on January 19th at 2pm EST and a live online chat with leading policy experts at 3pm EST on January 26, 2010.
Grades were compiled for six areas of interest: Teaching Profession; Chance for Success; K-12 Achievement; School Finance; Standards, Assessments, & Accountability; Transitions & Alignment.
The Quality Counts 2010 report earns the most criticism from teachers unions in Oregon because of the data used to measure the policies and outcomes with regard to the Teaching Profession. This category score draws on 44 indicators used to assess key aspects of teacher policy, including measures of teacher quality, incentives for teachers, and recruitment and retention of a strong teaching workforce. The nation overall earned a C. Oregon and Alaska were the last in the nation, each failing in this area. Oregon scored an average of 56.3% distributed among three sections: Accountability for Quality (58.8%), Incentives & Allocation (50%), and Building & Supporting Capacity (60%).
Chance for Success was based on 13 indicators that show the impact of education in three phases of life [Early Foundations, School Years (K-12), and Adult Outcomes (College/Career)]. The nation earned a C- and Oregon earned a C (75.7%). Early education was the strongest of these individual scores at 80.9% (B-).
K-12 Achievement was low in Oregon with a D (64.5%). Status, Change, and Equity were all measured, each with a score in the sixties. Transitions & Alignment was better at an average of 78.6% (C+). Early Childhood Education (100%) stands in stark contrast to College Readiness (50%). Economy & Workforce measured at a respectable 87.5% (B+). Overall, the Oregon's score for this category was 78.6% (C+).
The Quality Counts report used 8 commonly used measures of equity and spending for scores in the School Finance area. The country earned a C with half of the states in the C+ to C- range. Oregon earned a B+ (87.8%) for equity policy but an F (56%) for spending.
Standards, Assessments, & Accountability was at peak performance for the nation at a solid B. A C+ in Standards, C+ in Assessment, and B- in School Accountability earned Oregon an average of 79% (C+). With most of the states in the country signed up to work toward national content standards, it is really interesting to view the comparison map for states on this issue.
A full Quality Counts 2010 report and interactive state report cards can be found at www.edweek.org/go/gc10. State highlights (showing the information included above)can be viewed at www.edweek.org/go/gc10/shr. A live webinar will be held on the Education Week site on January 19th at 2pm EST and a live online chat with leading policy experts at 3pm EST on January 26, 2010.
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Emotional Side of Learning
The Emotional Side of Learning
Written by Katie Shearer, Center Director – Sylvan Learning Center of Oklahoma City
For students to be academically confident and successful, learning must be about more than just facts and figures. It is critical that any learning environment facilitates students' emotional needs, from their connections with peers to their trust in instructors. This article sheds light on the invaluable connections between the learning environment and "emotional intelligence."
http://www.edutopia.org/social-emotional-learning-introduction
Written by Katie Shearer, Center Director – Sylvan Learning Center of Oklahoma City
For students to be academically confident and successful, learning must be about more than just facts and figures. It is critical that any learning environment facilitates students' emotional needs, from their connections with peers to their trust in instructors. This article sheds light on the invaluable connections between the learning environment and "emotional intelligence."
http://www.edutopia.org/social-emotional-learning-introduction
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Math Success Begins with Algebra
In today's society, everyone, not just those who are mathematically inclined, must understand algebraic concepts and be able to work with technology. Changes in society and new expectations of colleges and employers have revolutionized math curriculums. Success in algebra often correlates to success in college, so it is very important for today's students to do their best with this critical subject.
Beginning with the graduating class of 2014, a graduation requirements test covering reading, writing, and mathematics will be given in Oregon. This means current eighth graders will be held to more stringent requirements in order to graduate. In fact, they will be required to take three math classes (Algebra I and higher)in high school. Kids graduating before them only need three math classes, period, with no stipulation as to the difficulty level.
Parents can sometimes feel intimidated because they lack experience with updated math teaching and technology. What practical steps can be taken to ease parental concerns and help families build confidence in this new approach to middle and high school mathematics?
Students who take algebra in middle school have an advantage over those who do not because they will be able to take higher level math in high school and be better prepared for state (Oregon State Assessments and Graduation Requirements Testing) and national testing like the SAT or ACT.
Parents should encourage their children to take Algebra early in their educational careers, if they are academically ready. Technology should support math instruction and students should be encouraged to use all of the modern tools at their disposal to gain an understanding of the underlying reasoning and computations used in problem-solving.
According to research from Ohio State University's Center for Cognitive Science, math technology and how-to instructional videos allow students to "come to the understanding themselves using their critical thinking skills instead of relying on memorization."
To obtain step-by-step instructional math videos based on American math textbooks, visit www.SylvanMathPrep.com. To obtain educational resources to help students in grades K-12 learn the math skills needed for success, visit the "Math" area of www.SylvanLearning.com or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.
Beginning with the graduating class of 2014, a graduation requirements test covering reading, writing, and mathematics will be given in Oregon. This means current eighth graders will be held to more stringent requirements in order to graduate. In fact, they will be required to take three math classes (Algebra I and higher)in high school. Kids graduating before them only need three math classes, period, with no stipulation as to the difficulty level.
Parents can sometimes feel intimidated because they lack experience with updated math teaching and technology. What practical steps can be taken to ease parental concerns and help families build confidence in this new approach to middle and high school mathematics?
Students who take algebra in middle school have an advantage over those who do not because they will be able to take higher level math in high school and be better prepared for state (Oregon State Assessments and Graduation Requirements Testing) and national testing like the SAT or ACT.
Parents should encourage their children to take Algebra early in their educational careers, if they are academically ready. Technology should support math instruction and students should be encouraged to use all of the modern tools at their disposal to gain an understanding of the underlying reasoning and computations used in problem-solving.
According to research from Ohio State University's Center for Cognitive Science, math technology and how-to instructional videos allow students to "come to the understanding themselves using their critical thinking skills instead of relying on memorization."
To obtain step-by-step instructional math videos based on American math textbooks, visit www.SylvanMathPrep.com. To obtain educational resources to help students in grades K-12 learn the math skills needed for success, visit the "Math" area of www.SylvanLearning.com or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
