Boys and Summer Reading

by Jen Robinson

All of the tips that I proposed last week for encouraging summer reading apply to both boys and girls. However, there is widespread concern that boys aren't reading as much or as well as girls are. Studies by the U.S. Department of Education show that boys score worse than girls on reading at every age range. (See Guys Read.) As reported recently in the Huffington Post, "the 2010 Kid and Family Reading Report found that regardless of race, geography or socioeconomic status, boys were lagging far behind girls in reading outside of school assignments."

Many different studies validate the points that a) boys' reading scores are worse than girls' scores and b) boys spend less time reading than girls do. Of course "a" follows "b." You get good at something by doing it. If boys aren't reading, they don't have a chance to improve, and thus they find reading more frustrating and don't want to do it. And so the cycle continues.

Many people are working on the issue of boys and reading. Reading Rockets has offered resources specific to boys and books for years. Jon Scieszka, the former U.S. National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, founded an organization called Guys Read. The mission of Guys Read is "to motivate boys to read by connecting them with materials they will want to read, in ways they like to read.” Pam Allyn, the executive director of LitWorld, a nonprofit that promotes global literacy, recently published Pam Allyn's “Best Books for Boys: How to Engage Boys in Reading in Ways That Will Change Their Lives.”

These resources offer a number of potential reasons for the trouble that some boys have with reading, ranging from biology (boys develop reading skills more slowly, and don't like to sit still to read) to sociology (a lack of male role models for reading, and a perception that reading isn't cool). The point made in the above-referenced Huffington Post article is that part of the issue of boys not reading is one of perception. Although they may not be reading as much as girls are, boys ARE reading. They just aren't necessarily reading the books that their mothers and aunts and (primarily female) teachers want them to read. They're reading comic books, box scores, user manuals, joke books and various other forms of nonfiction.

I think that there's truth to this, but I also think that it's not good enough to broaden one's definition of reading and conclude that there isn't a problem. Boys' reading scores are still lagging - we need to make some extra effort to get them to spend more time reading. But I do think that accepting the different formats that boys choose as valid types of reading is part of the solution.

Here are a few specific tips for encouraging boys to read this summer:

1. Be flexible about what you consider reading. Don't panic if the only reading your son does is the sports section and online news sites. His reading experience doesn't have to be the same as yours. Figure out what kinds of things he does read, and provide more of those.
2. Find books and magazines that are about the subjects that your boys are interested in. Don't try to steer your 10-year-old who likes to build robots toward the Penderwicks. Instead, find some non-fiction about robots. If you run across a fictional story about robots taking over the world, and you think that your son might be intrigued, then offer it as a suggestion. But that's all. A suggestion. Librarians and booksellers can help you here, as can search functions at online bookselling sites (and the references listed below).
3. Consider eBooks. If your son thinks that things presented onscreen are inherently more interesting than things presented offscreen, then give eBooks a try. These days, you can read books on dedicated readers, tablets and many cell phones. There's no reason to get hung up on the format of books. It's the experience of consuming words that matters. Of course, you probably don't want to encourage reading eBooks on a raft in the middle of the lake, but they are wonderful for trips, allowing you to bring along a much wider range of material than you might have otherwise.
4. Consider reading competitions. If your boys tend to be competitive, a reading challenge might be just the ticket. Some summer reading programs highlight the people who read the most books. If you think that your son will respond to this, give it a try. One thing that I bet could really work well would be a competition between your son and one of his friends or male role models over who reads the most books (or magazines, or pages, or whatever).
5. Get dads involved. One of the reasons that boys don't read as much is that they don't see male role models reading, and so they don't think that reading is something that guys do. If dads or other male role models can spend some extra time this summer talking about whatever it is that they might be reading, and asking their sons about what they are reading, this could go a long way.
6. Embrace series books. There's some evidence (see http://www.readingrockets.org/article/23978) that boys like to collect things, and as a result are more receptive to series books. If your son is enthralled in a series, whether it's fiction or nonfiction, go with that. Don't struggle to get him to branch out and read other things. Let him dive as deeply as he wants into one particular series. He'll eventually exhaust it and can branch out after that.

Here are a few specific recommendations of authors and series to try:

• Bearport Publishing's various nonfiction series (Fast Rides, Animals with Super Powers, etc.)
• The Secrets series by Pseudonymous Bosch
• The Skeleton Creek and Trackers series by Patrick Carman (these are multi-platform series that involve websites in the reading experience)
• The Underland Chronicles series by Suzanne Collins
• The DK Readers series (lots of fiction and nonfiction titles)
• The Final Four Mystery series by John Feinstein
• The Squish series by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
• The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
• The Lunch Lady series by Jarrett Krosoczka
• The Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles series by Rick Riordan
• The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart
• The Frankie Pickle series by Eric Wight

Source: http://www.pbs.org

Posted On : Jul 14, 2011
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Fun Writing Activities for the Summer Holidays!

Why are you making me do this? It’s not fair! No one else has to work over summer...attach any sort of “child labor” connotation and the battle begins. However, writing over the summer can be fun and provide all of you with some memorable moments.

Here are some suggestions to encourage your child to write in a fun and creative way that won’t be perceived as work:

1. Joke/Tongue Twister/Riddle Diary – record several each day to share in the car or just before bed.

2. Jigsaw Letter –with a picture on one side and a letter on the other; cut into pieces and mail to grandparents. It’s even better if grandparents reciprocate.

3. Menu Planning – plan your meal, write out recipes, ingredients/groceries, and send out invitations to family and friends. Ask your guests to write a review of your fine cuisine and make sure to write a review of Mom and Dad’s next creation.

4. “Character” Emails – invent a fun character with some quirky habits - Gizmo Goat, Brainy Bunny, and Tattletale Tiger. Write emails/notes to family and friends and sign off as your quirky character.

5. Partner Stories – write the first sentence or paragraph of a story idea, then ask a parent to write the next section. Take turns coming up with fun twists to the storyline. Try and throw some obstacles into each other’s paths to keep the story going as long as possible.

6. Scavenger Hunts –plan and write clues for a scavenger hunt. Then have some fun with friends and family enjoying the game.

7. Sidewalk Talk – using chalk on your sidewalk, patio, fence or even a large chalkboard, write and draw for fun, the end result looks great too!

8. 20 Questions – think of a famous person. The person guessing writes out each yes/no question to a maximum of 20. This can be done via email or notes.

9. Musical Performance – write new words for your favorite song and perform it for your family.

10. Trip Memory Book – keep a trip diary book with labeled pictures and captions of your vacation.

11. Comic Book – turn your family into cartoon characters and create an adventure on paper.

12. Instruction Pamphlet – write instructions for your Mom and Dad to explain how to use something they don’t understand – ex. Facebook, Twitter, DVD operation, MP3, video games.

13. Human GPS – help your parents map out your vacation this summer by being their human GPS, be sure mark places that you would like to stop at along the way.

14. Make an ideas jar - cut out slips of paper and write a word or two on each - purple/rough/sunny/loved. Get the children to pick three to five words and make up a story using them.

15. Write a Script – write and perform a puppet show, play or animation. This is something the whole family can do.

These are just some of the many ways to enjoy writing with your child over the summer. It’s a great time to be imaginative and create some lasting memories.

Source: http://www.calgaryschild.com/family-fun

Posted On : Jun 25, 2011
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Why Summer Reading Matters

By Zrinka Peters

It's finally summer, the great outdoors are calling, and sitting down with a book might be just about the last thing your child would choose to do. After all, doesn't that sound kind of like school?

Sure, summer reading does have a lot to do with learning. But that doesn't mean it has to be dull. Summer can be a great time to exercise not only the body but the mind as well. As Elizabeth Kennedy, expert contributor to About.com's Guide to Children's Books, says, "Any time you read, you tend to increase your vocabulary, knowledge, and understanding, even if your motivation for reading is fun."

A great resource for summer reading is your local library's summer reading programs. Many libraries have established programs which can provide extra incentives and guidance to kids for summer reading.

Nancy Smith, a librarian in Washington County, MN, says, "The goal is to keep kids reading through the summer, so they don't fall back." The summer reading program at Smith's library, like at many others, sets reading goals for young readers – challenging them to read (or be read to) 10, 20 or more hours over the summer. Along with goals, the library offers rewards. After completing 20 hours of reading, kids get their names posted on the library's "wall of fame." Readers' names are also entered in drawings for surprise prizes.

Many libraries also offer age-appropriate book clubs and story times for babies on up to teens. Attending story time can even be used as reading time that works towards the child's reading goal.

But wait – what about reading just for fun? Kennedy notes that "Summer also provides time for kids to enjoy purely recreational reading, with no pressure to read certain books or to pass follow-up tests, just a chance to discover the joy of reading for its own sake." Summer, with its hours of free time and slower pace, provides the perfect opportunity to read for pleasure instead of sticking to assigned books. It's a great time for kids to explore whatever they enjoy or interests them, through books. That makes summer reading a top way to prevent the notorious "summer slip" that puts so many kids behind when they return to school in September.

But what about the reluctant reader who can't be persuaded by simple rewards to pick up a book? As Kennedy points out, "Their continued participation is dependent on their being connected with books at the appropriate reading level on subjects that interest them." To this end, a children's or teen librarian can be an excellent resource when trying to locate interesting books that will appeal to your child. The librarian can also help with finding age-appropriate books that cover subjects your child has a particular interest in. Ladybugs anyone? Or maybe volcanoes?

Summer reading has the potential, maybe even more than during the school year, to turn a reluctant reader into a voracious one, if they take the opportunity to delve into subjects that they find fascinating. Make this a reading summer! Your kids – and their teachers – just might thank you.

Source: education.com

Posted On : Jun 08, 2011
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Who Can Benefit from Summer Tutoring

As the school year winds down, parents’ thoughts turn to the summer and how their children will spend their time other than in front of a television or computer screen. While everyone needs some down time during the summer and schedules go out the window, a little focused attention on education will help tremendously come September. Here is who can benefit from summer tutoring and how:

 

 

 

High School Students

 

 

 

Summer School – Many high school students take summer school courses to retake a failed course, to improve a grade or to get ahead. For whatever the reason, it can be a real challenge and stressful to complete the intense course curriculum in a short period of time. It is much more bearable if someone is there to support them.

 

 

 

Advanced Math and Science Courses – Students planning on taking upper level math or science classes come September such as Physics, Advanced Functions or Data Management can be overwhelmed quickly with new concepts and the pace of the classes. Use the summertime to jump start the learning and get ahead. Entrance to university is very competitive and students do not want to lose ground early in their grade 12 year.

 

 

 

Elementary Students

 

 

 

Avoid summer learning loss - Studies show that during the summer months, children on average forget over two and a half months of their math skills as well as an average of one month of learning in other key subjects. Tutoring as little as 1 hour per week can help combat summer learning loss and keep students engaged in education.

 

 

 

Students that are working slightly below grade level and need to catch up – Some students haven’t fully understood or mastered concepts from the past year. It results in missing building blocks which are vital to the next year’s learning. Combined with summer learning loss and the next school year could be very difficult if help isn’t received to fill in any missing building blocks to strengthen the foundation.

 

 

 

Students on IEP’s – Summer time is a great time to continue working towards the goals set during the school year.

 

 

 

Students who need to be challenged more – Enrichment tutoring over the summer helps these students exceed the curriculum expectations and reach their potential.

 

 

 

Summer Tutoring Program

 

 

 

Based on the needs identified during our Free Educational Consultation, your son or daughter works one-on-one with a qualified tutor in the privacy of your home. The right tutor can help with any need and your child still gets a summer break as tutoring sessions are typically 2 – 4 times a week for 1 hour. Even with summer school, one-on-one tutoring will give your son or daughter the much needed support to get through the course content in a short period of time with confidence.

Source:

By Thea Valiquette, Education Consultant - Tutor Doctor Mississauga

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Test Stress

By Rachel B. Martin

Whether your kids are just jittery before exams or prone to full-blown freakouts, there are ways you can help.

Testing, Testing

Math quizzes. Federal- and state-mandated exams. Midterms and finals. PSATs, SATs, and ACTs. Tweens and teens are dealing with more tests than ever, and feeling pressured to do well on all of them. The result? Kids too anxious to perform -- or learn -- as well as they are able to. According to a recent study, 61 percent of high school students are troubled by exam stress and nearly half of tweens are affected. The study also found that students who felt overwhelmed scored 15 points lower in math and 14 points lower in English language arts than their calmer peers.

And it appears that more and more kids are suffering. "We used to associate high levels of test anxiety with students who were perfectionists or worriers," says Barbara Hinojosa, PhD, a psychologist who works in the Lake Worth Independent School District in Texas. "But now I've observed and heard from colleagues that most students are feeling pressured."

The stress is coming from all sides, starting with the kids themselves. "Adolescents are often overly sensitive and self-critical," says psychiatrist Janet Taylor, MD, a member of Family Circle's Health Advisory Board. "Adding school pressure to the mix can feel overwhelming."

Then there's competition among kids, which often contributes to the problem, says Rollin McCraty, PhD, director of research for HeartMath, a nonprofit research organization. And schools also play a role. "Teachers' jobs depend on test scores," says McCraty, "and some teachers are focusing too much on prepping kids for specific exams instead of building gradual, logical mastery of the subject."

The anxiety may also come from the home environment. "Parents want their kids to go on to the best high school or college, and children don't want to disappoint," says Richard Roberts, senior research scientist at Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, New Jersey. "Parents also lead their kids to believe that their entire future is riding on one test." At the other extreme are parents who don't know what kids are facing -- 41 percent of parents are unaware of how many exams their children have, according to a recent study by the American Educational Research Association. Without the facts, they may not offer enough support and guidance.

This isn't to say that all anxiety is bad. A little pressure actually motivates kids to get ready for the challenge. "But if a child is so stressed out that he experiences negative emotions," says Hinojosa, "he won't be able to focus. It's important that you help your kids find the right levels, so that they're nervous enough to study, but not so anxious they can't concentrate."

How to Help

Okay, are you now totally stressed? Don't be. There are lots of ways to help your kids conquer anxiety and do their best. Try these tips so your kids -- and you -- can rest easier about school.

Plan ahead. Have your child put all his exams on the family calendar so tests aren't last-minute crises.

Discuss pressure. Have frequent conversations, giving your kid details from your own life like, "I'm really worried about getting this proposal in by tomorrow. Do you get anxious like that about tests?" Or ask, "Are your friends nervous about the test?" Then you can follow up with, "What about you? How are you dealing with it?"

Discourage cramming. Kids shouldn't wait until the night before the test to try and pack their heads full of facts, says child psychiatrist Ron Zodkevitch, MD, a member of the Family Circle Health Advisory Board, because they'll probably forget most of the material anyway. Instead make sure your child spends some time each day with his course notes or text. It's a good idea to review carefully, but, says Dr. Zodkevitch, "your teen should be paying more attention to understanding the material than to memorizing."

Get assistance. Even before trouble hits, insist that your teen ask all his teachers, "How can I get extra help if I need it?" and then follow through (you may have to arrange before- or after-school transportation). "One of my daughters did well on math homework but struggled with tests," says Dr. Taylor. "The confidence she got from sessions with the teacher improved her test performance tremendously. She said she felt less nervous during exams."

Teach strategies. Remind your child always to read test directions carefully and to go over all of the questions before starting, so he'll know how long to spend on each. "Time pressure can add to anxiety," says Roberts. If your child has trouble finishing school exams, have him prepare by making up possible questions and answering them within a preset period. (Have him use a timer.)

Keep it real. Apprehensive teens often overestimate the consequences of not doing well on an exam. Remind your child (and yourself!) that all her goals, hopes, and dreams won't go down the tubes from one bad experience, says Dr. Zodkevitch. There's always another chance for success -- certain tests, like the SATs, can be taken multiple times, and most colleges will accept the best score. Some teachers will drop the lowest grade, or allow extra-credit work. Bottom line, you want your child to understand that her overall learning experience is more important than a single exam or grade.

Signs of Stress

If you notice your child has one or more of these symptoms, or she herself complains about any of them, she may be feeling overwhelmed and need extra support from you.

 

• Physical problems like sweaty palms, stomachaches, and headaches
• Trouble sleeping
• More than usual irritability and moodiness
• High rate of absenteeism, especially on test days

In worst-case situations, school performance may seriously drop and a child may feel sad, frustrated, and bad about himself. If this happens, or if your teen can't seem to get a grip on his test anxiety, take him to a cognitive-behavioral therapist, advises Amy L. Krain, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at the New York University Child Study Center. "This type of therapy is very effective in helping a child cope with physiological feelings of stress as well as anxious thoughts," she says.

Relaxation Techniques

The best defense against exam overload is for your teen to learn how to stay calm in general. If your child follows these practices, handling challenges without getting overwhelmed will eventually become automatic.

Progressive relaxation. Have your child lie flat. Tell her first to contract her facial muscles, hold for a count of 3, then relax them. Next, tell her to slowly squeeze then release every muscle group throughout the rest of her body, one area at a time -- back, arms, stomach, buttocks, thighs, calves, and feet. After a few run-throughs she should be able to do it on her own (before bed is a good time).

Slow breathing. When your son notices he's tensing up, he should deliberately inhale (count to 4) and exhale slowly, repeating 5 times, says Krain.

Good health habits. You've heard it before, but it's too important to ignore: Make sure your tween or teen gets enough sleep, eats right, and exercises regularly. Physical well-being makes kids more resilient overall and less vulnerable to stressful situations, advises Hinojosa.

Positive thinking. Overwhelmed kids are invariably having negative thoughts like, "This is too hard" or "There's no way I can write three essays." Suggest to your child that she replace that inner harangue with positive words (written, or said out loud or to herself) like, "I've done my best so I don't have to worry" or "No matter what, I tried." Similarly, if she's feeling intimidated by an upcoming event, she should visualize it going well.

Source: Family Circle Magazine 2007

Posted On : Mar 09, 2011
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Tutor Doctor Offers Tips to Boost Test Scores

Local In-Home Tutoring Service Shares Seven Ways For Students to Reduce Anxiety and Improve Test Taking Abilities
Tutor Doctor, a personalized one-on-one, in-home tutoring service, is offering local area students seven great tips to help improve test scores.

Most everyone is familiar with the anxious feeling that slowly builds up inside your body before taking a test. While it is normal for most students to experience some level of anxiety before and during an exam, it has proven to become a problem for some, affecting their scores so much that they no longer are an indication of the student’s true ability. Tutor Doctor aims to squash anxiety and help local students boost their grades.

“There are many techniques that students can use to improve concentration and help in school,” said Frank CEO of Tutor Doctor “Every student is different, which is why we use a one-on-one method in our learning model, but these are a few tips and tricks to get students started on boosting their marks in school.”

Students can begin the path to better test taking skills with these simple tips:

1) Write Down Anxieties Before A Test- A recent study in the journal Science explains that students can greatly benefit from writing down their anxieties before taking an exam. The study suggests that releasing anxieties onto paper will clear students’ minds during a test and allow them to focus better.

2) Counter Anxieties By Writing Down Positive Responses- In a guide on how to reduce anxiety while taking tests, Claire Stone, MFT and Berkeley therapist, explains that it is beneficial to write down positive responses to the negative anxieties or thoughts that students write down. This will ensure that all the negatives will be cleared from students’ minds while taking a test.

3) Stay Physically Fit- According to Lesley Cottrell, an associate professor of pediatrics at West Virginia University, children’s physical fitness is associated with their academic performance. Students who stay physically fit during the week generally experience better test scores.

4) Maintain A Healthy Diet- There is a correlation between positive test scores and a healthy diet. Students should be sure to not take an exam on an empty stomach, and make sure they are eating the right foods. Joe Landsberger, author of the Study Guides and Strategies Web site, offers fruit and vegetables as a recommended option to reduce stress. Avoid processed foods, artificial sweeteners and foods containing preservatives, as they are considered “stressful foods.”

5) Get Enough Sleep- Many students struggle to get adequate sleep at night, but it is important that they try to get between seven and nine hours. According to psychologist John Markovich, “Sleep keeps students well-rested. It gives them a good attention span, along with a more stable mood, which increases concentration.” Getting enough sleep at night will help students focus while taking tests.

6) Study With a Friend- When possible, students should study with a friend or parent. This helps students understand the material better and learn from one another.

7) Aromatherapy- It has been proven that essential oils such as lavender and rosemary can stimulate the brain and improve concentration and learning abilities. Students can use this method by lighting a lavender candle while studying, helping them retain information easier before the test.

Tutor Doctor services students with learning techniques in their homes with a one-on-one method. With locations worldwide, the franchise has continually impacted the lives of students by helping them improve test scores in school.

About Tutor Doctor
Tutor Doctor was founded in 1999 as an alternative to the “one-to-many” teaching model most extra-curricular learning centers offer by providing a personalized one-on-one, in-home tutoring service to students. The company quickly grew and in 2003 turned to franchising as a way of expanding the company’s impact and meeting the vast market demand. Now with offices internationally in Canada, the United States, Latin America, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean, the Tutor Doctor vision is becoming a reality as the lives of students and their families are being positively impacted throughout the world. With 180 locations worldwide, Tutor Doctor was listed by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the fastest growing franchise brands. Tutor Doctor is affiliated with the National Tutor Association (NTA) whose mission is to foster the advancement of professional and peer tutoring, support research into best practices and standards for all tutors, support tutor training, advocate for tutor certification, and uphold the NTA Code of Ethics. For more information about Tutor Doctor visit the web site at www.tutordoctor.com.

Posted On : May 14, 2011
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Motivating the Low-Achieving Teen

By Laurisa White Reyes

For some teens, school doesn't come easy. The sources of the problem are varied—some struggle with a learning disability, while others may be challenged by substance abuse or a simple lack of motivation. But, regardless of the cause, parents want to know one thing: is it possible to turn struggling students around?

Anne Messersmith, former addiction specialist with the Interagency Drug Abuse Recovery Program in Los Angeles, believes it is. “The only way to change these kids is to build their self-esteem,” she says.

For many kids, the issue isn't their intelligence, it's their intrinsic motivation, according to Beth Larsen, a high school resource instructor. “Teenagers aren’t motivated by the same external rewards as younger children,” she explains. “The best motivation comes from inside.” Like Larsen, Messersmith also believes that kids need to recognize their own potential in order to succeed. “You have to ask them what they want in life. What are their dreams? Help them reflect back to what their hopes and dreams were when they were children and go from there,” she says.

Teens need to clearly see their goals, whether it's graduating from high school, going to college, or just passing the next big test. But kids who struggle with school cannot be expected to reach their goals alone. They need support from both parents and teachers. Below are six ways to motivate struggling teens to stay on task:

Pay Attention.
Parents often assume that teens do not need the same amount of attention they received when they were younger. But nothing could be further from the truth. “The most motivated students,” says Larsen, “are those whose parents sit with them during homework and do not ignore problems until it’s too late.”

Communicate.
Parents should be aware of what is going on at school and what assignments their children have been given. Larsen advises parents to communicate regularly with teachers about their child’s progress. “Teachers want your child to succeed as much as you do.”

Don't Make Excuses.
Sometimes parents enable their kid’s poor performance in school by laying the blame on that child’s disability or situation. Instead, parents ought to expect teens to be responsible for their own education, while keeping such expectations reasonable. “Parents should also set the example for their kids,” says Messersmith. “No double standards.”

Recognize Achievements.
For teens who struggle in school, even the slightest improvement is an achievement. Praise your child for his efforts. Receiving recognition for accomplishments is a great motivator.

Celebrate Strengths.
“We all have different abilities,” says Larsen. “Parents can motivate their teens to succeed by focusing on their strengths and helping them improve on their weaknesses.”

Never Give Up.
High school students who face academic challenges can sometimes feel like throwing in the towel. But with the love and support of their parents and teachers, even the most frustrated teen can set and meet goals. “It’s so much easier to give up,” says Messersmith, “but don’t get discouraged. Stand your ground.” The key, as Larsen reminds us, “is to never settle, but also don’t have crazy, unreachable goals.” In other words, set realistic goals and never stop helping your child attain them.

Source: Education.com

Posted On : Mar 09, 2011
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Improve Memory Skills

By Esther Wachs Book

Between reading, writing, math, social studies, and science, there's a lot of material for your child to know. Here's how to help him absorb it all.

When I ask my 6-year-old son, William, about his day at school, he often replies, "I forgot." Even when I ask him leading questions like "What did you do in gym today?" he usually draws a blank. He's not being uncommunicative; he simply can't remember.

It's actually not surprising that his memory seems maxed out at the end of the day. While preschool is all about play and developing social skills, the focus in kindergarten and elementary school is on processing and storing different kinds of information, says Lisa Dissinger, Ph.D., a child psychologist and parent coach in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. From the moment they wake up until the time they climb into bed at night, 6- to 8-year-olds are expected to remember everything from daily routines to the facts they are learning in class. They need to know letters and numbers automatically so they can begin to read, spell, and solve math problems, and they must be able to record their own experiences in writing. Rather than just listening to stories, they need to answer questions about specific details.

With these increasing academic demands, some kids begin to feel unsure of their ability to recall everything they need to know, and they may even start saying, "I feel stupid." It's important, however, to reassure your child that remembering is a skill he can learn like any other. "You should also collaborate with the teacher to help make sure your child is able to keep up with the work," Dr. Dissinger says.

Mind Over Matter

Memory is a complex process, and 6- to 8- year-olds are developing a range of strategies to help them recall information. Remembering requires the ability to store information for a few seconds (short-term memory), then for several minutes while manipulating information (active working memory), and finally for an extended period of time (long-term memory). For example, when copying spelling words from the blackboard, children must first remember the sequence of letters, and then they need to write the words down without spending a lot of time looking back at the board. Many whisper the words under their breath or repeat the letters out loud to help themselves. Later, they'll have to memorize the words for a spelling test.

The more opportunities your child gets to exercise her memory muscle, the easier it will be for her to handle the load of information in school, Dr. Dissinger says. Here are a few ways to boost your child's brainpower.

 

1. Get the details.
   "Studies have shown that parents can have a long-term impact on memory development by including many questions and specifics in conversations about past events with their children," says researcher Catherine Haden, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at Loyola University Chicago. When you talk about a recent trip to the circus, for instance, ask your child, "What was your favorite act?" or "What did the big top look like?" Fill in the details if he can't provide them.
2. Play memory games.
   The card game Concentration and toys such as Simon and Bop It are good ones. In the car, try games like "I'm going on a picnic, and I'm taking . . . ," in which everyone has a turn adding an item and repeating the ones said previously.
3. Suggest strategies.
   Look for memory tricks that can help your child. For example, when you teach left and right, have her hold up both hands in the shape of an L. The hand with the forward-facing L is the left one. To help her recall how to read a word with two consecutive vowels, tell her, "When two vowels go walking, the first does the talking."
4. Divide and conquer.
   If your child has to memorize a short poem or some lines in a class play, have him break the task down into parts and work on the toughest sections first.
5. Practice, practice, practice.
   Offer to quiz your child on her spelling words or multiplication tables. Try repeating the numbers aloud with her to make them easier to recall. After testing her on spelling, have her highlight and rewrite the difficult words. Once your child realizes that memory is an active process, she'll feel smarter and more confident that she can tackle tricky topics.

Source: Parents.com

Posted On : Feb 09, 2011
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Practicing Good Study Habits

Although your children spend hours in school every week, the time they spend at home doing school-related work is just as important. By helping your children learn and practice good study habits, you’ll do a lot to help them succeed in school.

Have a set time to settle down: By having the same start-time for homework every day, you avoid having daily battles about when it’s time to hit the books. Many families have their kids start their studies as soon as they get home from school. Others wait until after dinnertime. The key is to have a routine and to stick to it.

Take a breather: Just like schools have recess, children need to have mini-breaks when they’re working hard to complete homework or projects, or studying for tests. Come up with some five-minute break ideas that will appeal to your child-doing some stretches, playing with a pet, grabbing a glass of juice, etc. Every hour or half-hour (depending on your child’s age and attention span), set a timer for five minutes and take a break. If it’s been a particularly long study session, make it a 10-minute break. Just make sure, when the timer rings, that it’s back to work, no questions asked (or no break next time!)

Create a study space: Every family needs the basic “ingredients” for studying and doing homework: a workspace with good lighting, the tools needed to complete the work (e.g., paper, pencils, markers and ruler), basic reference material available either online or in print (dictionary, encyclopedia and atlas) and a library card for special projects. Keeping all the materials in one area makes it faster and easier to get work done.

Turn off the distractions: Your child’s study area should be distraction-free during study/homework time. That means the TV, music and computer games should be off or out of view and earshot. Kids may say they have no trouble studying with the TV or music on, but studies show that they have trouble retaining what they’ve learned.

Teach them responsibility: Children have to absolutely know that it is their responsibility to know what work has to be done and when it’s due. And of course, it’s their job to make sure they get it done-correctly and on time.

Make day-by-day lists: Keep track of what needs to be done by creating a daily check-off list and posting it in a prominent place (e.g., on the refrigerator). Write in things that are due the next day, as well as longer-term work (such as upcoming projects or tests). Make a big deal out of every item crossed off.

Get in the “flash card” habit: From the earliest grades on (all the way through college), students can benefit hugely from using homemade flash cards to learn facts, spelling and math. Not only does drilling with the cards help cement the knowledge, but the act of writing down the information on the cards in the first place (writing the answer on one side and the question, problem or definition on the other side) is a great learning tool.

Keep a watchful eye: Although you don’t need to sit with your children while they do their homework, it helps to be nearby. They see that you’re keeping track of whether they’re daydreaming or working, they know you’ll be available if they are stumped, and they learn that you care about what they’re doing-that learning is important to you, and to them.

Posted On : Feb 09, 2011
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Five Things Teachers and Parents Can Do to Engage Boys

Whether they're marching around the school identifying shapes, or taking nature walks to explore the great outdoors, getting children to be physical goes a long way toward helping them to focus in the classroom. John Lorinc reports

When Lukrica Prugo wants to deliver lessons on workaday topics like geometry or grammar, she likes to haul her kids out of their desks and take them on what she calls her “gallery walks.”

Like a Pied Piper, the suburban Toronto teacher leads her Grade 7s around the school, getting them to identify shapes or rhyme off adjectives to describe what they see. Or she'll have them move around the class, ranking the assignments pinned to the wall, as if scrutinizing art in a museum. Sometimes she takes them on nature walks and asks them to write poems about what they observe.

“Getting them to be physical is huge,” she says. “They're focused for longer and they answer questions for the full 40 minutes.”

A growing number of educators have pushed themselves to develop innovative ways to engage boys and girls in the classroom. A sampling:

1. Recess:
Many teachers do it almost instinctively: when elementary school children step out of line, they forfeit recess. It's a practice that drives Toronto District School Board director of education Chris Spence crazy. Most boys (and girls) simply need to blow off the surplus energy that accumulates during class time. By missing recess, they may have a tougher time learning for the rest of the day. Alternative punishments could see transgressors running laps of the field, doing sit-ups, or helping with chores around the school.
At home: Talk a walk around the block before your child sits down to do his homework and use the time to brainstorm on big projects and discuss the assignments. (Boys are often more likely to work out their thoughts verbally with mom or dad, while doing an activity that doesn't require a face-to-face chat.)

2. Snowballs/Play fighting
Most school boards now live in fear of liability lawsuits, with the result that many administrators have imposed blanket bans on uncontrolled outdoor activities considered to be risky, such as snowball throwing and play fighting. At St. Andrew's College, a private boys school in Aurora, Ont., the administration took a different tack with winter highjinks: One part of the field has been designated as the snowball zone. Students who venture there may throw snowballs, and they also consent to be targets (the boys must wear goggles to prevent eye injuries). Those who prefer to avoid the mayhem simply stay off the field. At C.B. Stirling, a public middle school in Hamilton that has experimented with all-boys classes, one classroom has been retrofitted with mats for supervised play wrestling.
At home: While family wrestling bouts have been shown to reduce aggression in boys, if you aren't that keen on a pillow fight, encourage your child to take mini-breaks in homework – play a quick game of ball hockey.

3. Fidgeting
Many boys simply have trouble sitting still. They fiddle, tap their feet and squirm within the unyielding confines of a desk. It's less about naughtiness than about body chemistry. Some teachers have experimented with abandoning desks altogether, letting boys sit or lie on the floor. At Upper Canada College, exceptionally fidgety kids have the option of sitting on a Pilates ball instead of a standard-issue desk chair. The ball provides just enough bounce to help the boys work off surplus energy and therefore improve concentration.
At home: Accept that many boys fidget by nature. Read to your son, even if he gets restless. Most of the time he's still listening.

4. Corners
Teachers who know how to engage male students understand the value of encouraging them to debate ideas rather than just passively digest information. The reason: Many boys prefer to work out their thoughts verbally before putting pen to paper. One successful technique is an exercise called “corners.” The teacher puts up four signs – “agree,” “strongly agree,” “disagree” and “strongly disagree” – in each corner of the class and then throws out a deliberately controversial statement, e.g., “Homework is good for you.” The students then go to the corner that most closely represents their views and each group develops an argument for debate.

At home: Discuss the news over dinner, and encourage debate on the issues. Boys respond to assignments that seem practical. Take the time to talk about how schoolwork might relate to real life or future goals.

5. Confronting male stereotypes
For University of Western Ontario professor of education Wayne Martino, the conundrum in the boys education debate is the constant risk of stereotyping. In his view, the question isn't, “Whither boys?” but, “Which boys?” Case in point: the push to create boy-friendly reading curricula dominated by books or graphic novels about sports, technology and fantasy/science fiction. When he teaches male teens, he chooses non-traditional stories that confront dominant pop culture images about hyper-masculinity, homophobia and male relationships (e.g. Billy Elliot). Prof. Martino encourages his students to write their reactions in journals and debate provocative statements about the texts.

At home: Be mindful about projecting gender stereotypes, such as encouraging boys not to show their feelings. Encourage your son to hang around – instead of disappearing to his room – when you have company so he can observe social interaction.

Source:
Special to The Globe and Mail with a report from Erin Anderssen

John Lorinc
From Wednesday's Globe and Mail
Published Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 6:15AM EDT

Posted On : Jan 14, 2011
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