No Flu for YOU!!!

Get ready... It's coming along with Santa and the snow.... Flu season. The aches, the fever,  the sniffles.  Don't want the flu, get the flu shot. I am not a doctor but it makes sense to me. My primary care recommended it and I trust him completely. He has been with me for 25 years and  I value his opinion and judgment.

I  had my flu shot. A little preventative maintenance goes a  long way. Yes. I hear the opposition against injecting my body with those chemicals. As my mother would say, "hogwash." The flu shot is beneficial with few side effects. It's the smart thing to do. It is recommended for everyone over 6 months old and,yes,including pregnant women. The flu shot does not give you the flu and remember you are vulnerable for two weeks.

Wash your hands often. And make sure you kids wash their hands when they get home  from school, sports, work, music lessons, and all activities! Hope you have a flu-free winter!

No More Dummies!

A recent study released by the ACT testing group suggest that 75% on new college students will NOT be able to master these basic freshmen courses: college algebra, English composition, introductory social studies and biology without remedial help!!! This disturbs me and I hope it troubles you, too. You, the parent, will end up paying for remedial classes in college and your child will receive NO credit for them.

Barely half (52%)of high school  graduates met the reading benchmark.
Only  (45%) demonstrated proficiency in math  and science (30%). 
28% of the ACT test takers (49% of the nation's graduating seniors) took ACT --- failed  to reach any of the  benchmarks!!!

The Program of International Student Assessment (PISA) ranked the  United States ranked 36th out of the world's richest economies.  Shanghai tops the list in  math, reading and science.  In China and Shanghai, nine out of 10 students say, "It depends on me. If I invest the effort, my teachers will help me to be successful."  These students have the drive and the confidence. The biggest surprise from Shanghai is these students are very, very  good in higher order thinking skills.

How are our students able to compete in the global economy?  We are becoming a nation of dummies! I am embarrassed and furious. Let's stop making excuses and value education.  

Invest  time and money now to teach your child  the higher order thinking skills necessary to be successful. We can teach your child reading strategies required to synthesize and  analyze so they can construct meaning, think strategically,  and problem solve.  Time to get serious about education, stop making excuses,  and act now!

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/03/world/asia/pisa-education-study/index.html.

Where the Jobs Are... STEM

STEM... a new buzz word. What does it mean? It means JOBS!!! STEM stands for Science, technology, engineering and math. These are the courses that will make you well-rounded, smarter, and lead to better job opportunities! Your assumptions about math and science can disappear!

Because technology is dramatically altering our lives, businesses and consumers need to evolve to keep up with the  needs. STEM skilled workers are in high demand but in low supply! According to Stan Usovicz of Verizon, 80% of the fastest growing jobs careers in our country require STEM skills. U.S. is not graduating enough students  to meet this demand. STEM jobs have grown  3 times faster than any other job!!

Students who complete algebra II in high school more than double their chances of earning  a four year college degree (Source: Achieve  Inc.)  Two out of three (66%) of high school students who completed Algebra II  felt they were  well-prepared  for the demands of college and the workplace.  Of those who took less than Algebra II, only 4 out of 10 (40%)  felt they were well prepared. Hummmmmm.... Get prepared, get smart, and get a rewarding job and career.

IEP and College Bound?

It's never too late to begin to plan for the next step after high school.... Especially if your child has an IEP and is entering high school. 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates the (IEP) team consider post-school goals when the student is about to enter high school at about age 14. By age 16(or younger, if appropriate) a statement of transition services (eg for work, college, community, etc.) needed by the student must be included in the IEP. 

Transition plans are the  student's goals and vision for life as an adult, career interests, extracurricular and community activities, and the skills the student needs to progress toward his or her goals. Plans include preparation for proficiency tests and other assessments needed for postsecondary academic work (e.g., SATs), as well as the development of self-determination and self-advocacy skills.

Remember.... Once students with disabilities graduate from high school, they are no longer eligible for services provided by the school system and will not have an IEP in college.

Even for students who have struggled academically in high school, postsecondary education may very well be a possibility. Students who wonder whether college is a realistic option can explore summer pre-college courses for high school students who have completed their junior or senior year. Alternatively, students can take a college course the summer before they enroll to get to know the campus, learn how to use the library, and sharpen their study strategies and time management skills.

http://www.ldonline.org/article/11772/

Santa is coming....

Christmas shopping make you cringe? Sweat? Cry? 
Let us help you.

Want alone time?  Drop your kids off here!

Beginning Saturday Nov. 2, 2013, Learning Magic will offer Saturday hours.
9 AM - 1 PM for students to develop Study Skills, reading strategies, math basics, and more!

It's a win win situation. Safe, stimulating, and fun! Register now and plan to shop!!

508-821-7770.

Happiness for FREE!!

What's the secret to happiness? Money? Nope. Big house? Nope. Expensive car? Nope.

Easy and free happiness with these 10 steps.

1. Exercise. 7 minutes a day is enough!
2. Sleep more.
3. Move closer to home. (Mita Yeo, are you reading this?)
4. Spend time with family and friends. (One of 5 regrets of dying.)
5. Go outside -- even for 20 minutes!
6. Help others.
7. Practice smiling.
8. Plan a trip. Don't have to take it. It's just a nice break.
9. Meditate. Clears mind and  calms me down.
10. Practice gratitude. List three good things that happen to you every day. Share them.

Best news yet... As we get older, we get happier. We let go of disappointments and we are more selective how we spend our time and with whom we spend out time.

Time for me to go outside for a walk now. Want to join me?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/belle-beth-cooper/10-simple-things-to-be-happy_b_4241824.html

Clothes Calls

4 years old or 14 years old.... What to wear to school can be  an issue.  If it's not an issue, then let it go.

Part of growing up and right of passage is the freedom to dress oneself. Now with dropping temperatures, what to wear to school may stress you and your child out and its time to put your foot down.

 Ask these questions:
1. Is it a safety issue or health risk? No high heels and slippers in the snow and slush!
2. Are the clothes in violation of the school policy? No sweatpants or pajamas means no sweats or pj's.
3. Is it your issue (What will people think) or against family rules? Does the T shirt compromise your family values?
4. Are they too revealing or baggy?

Ask yourself why you are so bothered by this? Focus on the style and appeal of the clothes, not your child. Remember when your parents thought what you were wearing was a poor choice? You may have some prom or yearbook pictures to prove it!

8 Again!

Why do I always seen to run out of time? We have  a house, a dog, job, business, bills, adult kids, older parents... So do you... So how do we accomplish things and be more productive? Here are eight secrets. I have tried them all and agree with the Huffington article cited. I challenge you to select one at a time and practice it (see #7).

1. Beginning a task makes it easier to finish. I dreaded writing a letter of recommendation.  I put it off for 4 days and wrote down some ideas. The next day, I expanded on those ideas and finished it sooner. My brain did nag me.

2. No more multi-tasking. I can't give all my attention to you if I am speaking to you on  the phone, responding to emails, making copies, reading mail. Not one thing gets 100% of my attention. I cut conversations short if someone is typing while speaking with me.

3. Willpower depletes energy. I know there is one more piece of cake left and I tell myself I am not going to eat it. How many times have I done this? My mind strays back to that piece of cake...Now I just eat it and get back to work.

4. Facebook is not being productive. Enough said. Although I do get satisfaction from it!

5. Use energy sporadically. I take breaks between intense tasks.

6. Have a daily To Do list. I started making lists again. I   LOVE crossing out completed items, too!

7. Practice, practice, practice at meditating, Spanish, piano, running, tennis, whatever!

8. Sleep enough! And yes, 8 hours is enough! 1/3 of us do not get enough sleep!

Lorraine, my former mentor, often admonished me and say, "Plan one extra thing to do each day."  Dave, my husband says, "You get more done in one day than some people do all week." What's my secret? These 8 suggestions.
Read the entire article.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/30/facts-more-productive_n_4150440.html?utm_hp_ref=email_share

Boy 14 + Internet in his room = Wake Up Time for Parents

Doctors to parents: Limit kids media time! Use of media is second only to sleeping.
Is this really a surprise? Unrestricted media use leads to  violence, cyber-bullying, school problems, obesity, lack of sleep, and more problems. It's not the cause but parents are clueless about the effect media has on kids.

Doctors recommend two hours of media use. This means the Internet for entertainment, Facebook, Twitter, TV and movies; online homework is an exception.

A 2010 report that found U.S. children aged 8 to 18 spend an average of more than seven hours a day using some kind of entertainment media. Many kids now watch TV online and many send text messages from their bedrooms after "lights out," including sexually explicit images by cellphone or Internet, yet few parents set rules about media use, the policy says.  "Time to get with it, " health specialists are saying.

Kids now are spending  more time with media than in school!! What happened to no TV's in their bedrooms? Kids send sexually explicit pictures and texts after "lights out." And yes, it just may be your kid!



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/28/doctors-kids-media-use_n_4170182.html

Interview Time?

We've all been there.. Sweaty palms, my shoes are dirty, my pants too short, my shirt is too bright, didn't prep enough.  It's interview time!

Here are some  comments to consider and help you relax:

1. Ask, "What are some of the short and long term projects I need to focus on with this position?"
2. "I'm flexible." Conveys the message you are easy to get along  with and bosses like that!
3. Visit their website and use their key phrases and words. This lets the interviewers know you are plugged in to the company.
4. Say, "That's a good question'" when you need time to think or don't know the answer. Learn to take a minute to think.
5. Tell them why you want the job and how this position play into your future.

To read more:

http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interview-questions/best-things-say-in-interview/article.aspx?wt.srch=1&wt.mc_n=olm_skr_srch_tbl_RON38_img20

Don't Need Money....

So what helps to be successful? According to Entrepreneur Magazine these three habits of high achievers state these three are key.

   1. Say no to distractions. Every time.
      High achievers have tasks to accomplish, too. High achieves get them done by limiting down-  time. with no excuses.

   2. Read something new everyday. 
     I know. You are tired of hearing me tout the benefits of reading. Reading and success are directly proportional. I am fortunate to have a mentor who reads more than I do. She often suggests great book, articles, and magazines to read. Genres differ and it's the learning, fun, and enlightening that matters!

   3. Don't let failure stop you.
    Tell people about it and continue to strive towards your goal with a better goal. Learn the lesson and attribute it to "experience." Build relationships with strong, smart, trustworthy people and collaborate!

See  http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/229518

"To Be Or Not To Be" in MA?

Charles Chieppo and Jamie Gass from Pioneer Institute, a Boston-based think-tank, assert that MA 3rd grade student reading scores are 10 points lower than they were in 2002. The writers also state that  MA  aggregate SAT scores are 20 less than they were in 2006. MA students were the highest performers in the country. (See Taunton Gazette Mon. Oct. 14, 2013)

Are these decreasing scores the result of Gov. Patrick  changing and eliminating parts of the Ed Reform Act of 1993? (MCAS is a result of the Ed Reform Act.) Third grade literacy scores are often the best predictor of future academic success. These falling scores are a calling to wake up  and look at what is happening. 

What happened to  the MCAS History exam as part of a graduation requirement? Now we have the Common Core and PARC and with the Common Core, classic literature will be cut by half! I realize not everyone is going to college but I believe everyone should be exposed to Chaucer, Bronte, Hawthorne, and Shakespeare! One of my greatest days as a teacher occurred reading and discussing Hamlet's soliloquy "To Be Or Not To Be" and a student exclaimed, "Suicide. That's what that's about. I always wondered what that meant." Where else where one learn  of the genius of Shakespeare? Keep the Classics in and expectations high! 

Disturbing College

An explosive report, "Academically Adrift", found that nearly half of college graduates gained no critical thinking skills during college. This is due to a lack of rigor, the report suggests. Universities once expected students to study for 30 hours per week. But today, students are barely averaging 15 hours. More unnerving is that universities are also dropping their standards, resulting in adults who simply don’t have the skills to think critically, or work at a problem long enough to get the job done. And employers are taking notice. 
Read more at

http://www.amazon.com/Academically-Adrift-Limited-Learning-Campuses/dp/0226028569

Thnking about your Major? 5 Jobs not going away...

Where will you be in five years? How many times do we hear this? Do our plans go as we think?
No. Not usually. Not sure what you want to do or be? Consider these careers not going away:

1. Registered Nurses                           Make sense. We will always need hands-on care!
2. Police officers                                 Public safety is always a concern for government.
3. Elementary School Teachers           Always a need teachers.
4. Accountants                                   Businesses need to know bottom line
5. Computer Engineers                       Look how this field has grown in the last 10 years.

Does this make sense to you? Your thoughts?

Dyslexic at 3???

Amazing break through with dyslexia.

MIT and Boston Children's Hospital  identified a fiber connecting two language processing areas in the brain may linked to dyslexia. These fibers are thinner,  smaller and less organized.

As a result, earlier identification means earlier intervention. Dyslexics no longer have to experience school failure.  Earlier intervention means rewiring and rebuilding of these fibers.

Some signs of dyslexia are delayed speech, problems with phonics, trouble creating rhyming words, and a family history of dyslexia.

Watch this video....

http://www.necn.com/10/07/13/New-process-may-diagnose-dyslexia-in-chi/landing_features.html?blockID=854493&feedID=8498

"Praise Junkie" with your kids? Read this....

Do you tell your child  how smart he/she is? Most parents do and as a result, these kids often lack confidence about his ability to tackle routine school challenges. Sounds backwards, doesn't it?

 

A growing body of research—and a new study from the trenches of the New York public-school system—strongly suggests it might be the other way around. Giving kids the label of “smart” does not prevent them from under performing. It might actually be causing it. 

 

Read about  the inverse power of praise... It makes sense to me....

 

http://nymag.com/news/features/27840/

Surprising Stats

 Surprising -- or Not Surprising Stats

 

Did you know 90% of elementary aged children in Korea receive tutoring and 85% of secondary students in China do.
Why??? Partly due to the perceived shortcomings in regular schools.

No one is born knowing how to be a good reader or how to solve word problems……

If your child is struggling in school and has poor study habits, Learning Magic has the solution. 

Learning Magic provides expert instruction and practice in a one-on-one setting with certified and qualified staff. We offer flexible times and convenient locations -- our center, your home or a library!

The most common reason for tutoring is not because of poor grades but to earn better grades and test scores!!

 

Even Harvard coeds get tutored..... Stay competitive, too! If tutoring is good enough for them certainly it's good enough for your child!


Call us 508-821-7770.

I Forgot Again

I've have not forgotten how much I forget...Ok. Sometimes I do forget. Seems like I  am losing it. I  call myself to leave me messages at home and at work. I'll ask my husband to leave me a note to remind me. It's happening to me.

I once  prided myself for remembering phone numbers and birthdays. I blame technology for that. Now I talk into my phone or into  my dashboard. No more mnemonic tricks or memory games to help me remember.

Is technology making my life easier or is it dumbing me down? Now when I want to know something I just Google it.  It took less time for Beth to Google the answer than it took me to look it up in Strunk and White!  I learned but it took me a couple of years to remember to just Google it.

Here's my plan...if I remember it. As I age (gracefully), I'll play some brain games like crossword puzzles or Sudoku. If I'm stuck, I'll Google the answers. So much easier.   Plus I'll nap. Research indicates that an hour nap increases memory, alertness and productivity. I'll try napping... Right now so I don't forget. After all, I do want  a productive afternoon.

Better Questions to Ask your Child about School

I often hear, "Ask open-ended questions to get  a better response."  How do I do this? Here are some ideas from the National Society of Learning Disabilities... ...

•  What was the most interesting thing your teacher said today?
• Who sat  next to you at lunch?
• What were most people eating at lunch?
• What's the biggest difference between last year and this year?
• Who did you like talking to the most?
• What does your teacher say is the most important rule?
• What was the best game at recess?

This article points out that during unstructured times  (recess, lunch) are when more negative  social experiences occur so asking about these times will enlighten you.

For more questions, visit:

www.ncld.org/parents-child-disabilities/family-coping-ld/13-questions-to-ask-child-about-school?utm_source=newsletter_september_24_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=ldnews

Falling for Fall?

The heat kicked on... Sweatshirts, socks, scarves,  jackets, and closed-toes shoes...

Know what that means. It's here.. Fall, the most invigorating season. Why do I love it? Here's why: football (hall pass for shopping), crisp clean air,  pumpkin everything, leaves changing, picturesque walks with my dog, apples, and progress reports!!!

Yes. Finally an indication of school performance! Is your child doing well? Great! Often students wish to do even better and call us for enrichment. Surprisingly, the most common reason for obtaining help is to get better grades or test scores.

Successful learning takes time. Remember, colleges are very competitive today!  Bear -Sterns estimates that parents of the top 5% and the bottom 15%  seek tutoring.  Tutors can motivate your child, help overcome their fears, and point them in the right direction to become life-long learners! Isn't that what you want?

If your child is under-performing or receives below an 80, call us. Normally things don't improve on their own. Tutoring is a short term solution. We remediate, motivate, and build self-esteem! Our greatest reward is when students succeed. So call us and fall, not fail,  for fall!

Time to Take Time for Living - Great Ikea Ad

Oh my... Ikea has the right idea with this commercial...
Stop  the  appointments, the sax lesson, the ballet lessons, the running around town so much and ask yourself when was the last time you -- as a family -- ate supper together?...

Love this ad.... Hope you take the time to watch it....


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/18/make-time-for-living-ikea-commercial_n_3948322.html?ir=GPS%20for%20the%20Soul

Costs $349,000.00.....So Dog Gone It, READ!

In Massachusetts, 43% of third graders are not proficient readers, according to the 2013 MCAS results released today. Performance in reading on the third grade MCAS has not improved since 2001.
Among children from low-income families, a staggering 65% lag in reading.

"Third grade reading proficiency rated declined 4% points since 2012," according to Carolyn Lyons, President and CEO of Strategies for Children. "Consider that each high school dropout costs Massachusetts taxpayers, on average, $349,000, and the cost of NOT investing early becomes staggering. We must act now.”


Here at Learning Magic, we understand how busy you are working, juggling family, making ends meet.
We can help...  Call us about our reading programs, book clubs, and phonics games.

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/354498

Common App Essay Thoughts

Writing a college essay stresses out everyone.. well almost everyone!
What do you want the school to know about you? What makes you unique?  What strengths and talents do you have? What struggles have you overcome?

Decide what YOU want them to learn about you. Select one of your accomplishments, talents, or challenges. Be positive. Don't write anything that would reflect negatively on you or your behavior.

• Brainstorm with one of these techniques: a web, a list, questioning, outlining, or free writing. 
• Organize your info, write your first draft, edit it,  then write your second draft.
• Ask three people for feedback.
• Incorporate any feedback and re-write it.

READ your essay several times before submitting it.  Does it flow? Is it logical? Grammar correct? Transition words included? Catchy opener? Lots of adjective? Active verbs?

Struggling?  Pick another prompt. It's ok. (Occasionally you use can use some material from the first prompt in your second one.)

Remember to make it personal to you and memorable. An essay may be the deciding factor!!
Happy writing!

8 is Enough

Who ever said that I  needed  LESS sleep as I get older? I remember hearing it but I can't remember specifically who said it to me.  What I do know is it's NOT true!  Most research indicates 8 hours of sleep a night is sufficient. Compared to my husband and friends, I sleep way more than they do! I do average 8 hours sleep a night. Guess I am fortunate. I used to think I was just lazy.

I want my body well-rested so I may perform better all day! A good night's sleep benefits everyone -- not just kids!

• Sleep deprivation affects my memory, my attitude, and my energy level. Who wants to be with a spacey, miserable sloth anyway?
• Sleep keeps our skin looking healthy. When we sleep, growth hormones are released. These help build muscle mass, thicken skin and strengthen bones.
•  A lack of sleep lowers the libido!  Have you said or heard, "I'm too tired." or "I'm too stressed"??????

Some suggestions to get 8 hours a night?

1.  Set a bedtime for you and the kids and stick to it. My husband and I usually have the TV off by 10. Pick a time that works for you and your family.
2. Do quiet activities before bedtime. I read. Reading with your kids is great bonding time and instills that value.
3. Avoid sugar, caffeine, exercise too close to bedtime. These raise adrenalin levels. 
4. If you still experience trouble, see your health care provider.

For kids, sleeping difficulties cause behavior and performance problems in school. 69% of children report sleep difficulties. Alarming, isn't it? For adults, job performance may be affected along with weight gain, depression, and other health issues. So begin today and get your rest! You need it!!! Your body, family, coworkers and friends will appreciate it!

Off to College????

The big day is coming! What should you  be buying for your child?

Going off to college? Three things are required:

1. linens (sheets, towels, blanket),
2. laptop, and
3. clothes (t-shirts, sweats, sneakers)

Don't buy the cute, expensive, foolish room decorations.  Wall art?  A fancy bulletin board? Pretty trash barrel? No. Spend your money wisely!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.. for Parents!!

Hate to admit it but summer is winding down...

I feel the briskness at night and in the morning when I take out Shila.  Fleece is ready and our heat has accidentally kicked on... Dave was not happy with that!

During  summer, minds are on "vacation." Life is a little more relaxed and laid back. Bedtime is later, sleeping-in is allowed, and down times are encouraged!  Now is the time to think about routines and transitions to get back into the groove of school.

 Try this helpful hint to ease the crankiness and make the transition more manageable. For the elementary aged children, begin setting an earlier bedtime.  Children are used to staying up later and sleeping in so begin the process a week or two before school begins. Expecting young children to wake up on the first day of school three hours earlier is unreasonable!

You may also want to wake them up earlier now, too.  I know... I can see your eyes rolling... This subtle change may make their lives -- and yours -- less contentious when school begins! Good luck!!

Ready for Greatness?

I am now a Nurtured Heart Approach Certified Trainer. Yay!!! This philosophy has rocked my world! Imagine  learning a way for helping children and adults use their intensity in successful ways to awaken their greatness!

Nurtured Heart Approach taught me how to talk to others on a heart-level. It's not behavior management. It is so simple and I will teach you!!! It's time to learn a new way of dealing with difficult people... especially children. The old punitive way is NOT working! Let's shift our paradigm by focusing on the successes and the positives while simultaneously  teach life skills in the moment of their greatness... Not in  a crisis situation. Make sense?

Let's show our children we value them and celebrate them. Learn how today!

Princess Kate's Story

OK  now that I have your attention... No. No baby talk.. Princess talk.....


Kate's family spent money on her education and look what happened! She married a future king!!!
I am not saying you will become a princess..... or prince.....
But higher test scores increase your acceptance opportunities into a prestigious college!!!!! The privileged attend  prestigious schools.... I know because I graduated from Harvard and met some movers, shakers, and millionaires.

So get ready.... Fall is coming and with that.... ACT's and SAT's....Reading... Math...
Gain confidence and learn tricks to get into the college of your choice!! You never know........

Activate your child's brain. Call today.   508-821-7770.

 

Bored with Board Games? Never....

My body warms all over and I smile fondly thinking of  the days playing Operation, Stratego, Battleship, Monopoly, Backgammon, ....  I love them and everything about board games from the competition, the laughter, the ruckus, the strategies...   What did I learn from this time together? Tons!!
Board games helped my critical thinking skills, spatial recognition skills, learn colors, numbers, letters, shapes, winning and not winning, and life skills like patience, persistence and planning! A plethora of games are available  for some fun and hilarious times....

So next time you are looking for something to do, go PLAY a game!

Read about the benefits of games for all .....

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/creativity-play/benefits-board-games

Healthy Summer

 

Having a healthy summer? Using sunscreen. Eating all the succulent fruits? Spending more time outside? Walking more?
Great if you are... But are you keeping your brain healthy, too?
Don't forget about summer reading...
And don't forget about Algebra, Geometry, fractions,  SAT's and the ACT's.

Call us today about Money for Kids, Photography for Kids,  Board Games, and Sundae School.

Visit our website learningmagic.net for convenient summer hours.
 Go ahead... enjoy the watermelon, plums, peaches... But don't forget about academics, too!

Sundae School at LMI

,

I know.. It's a drag... But you gotta' do it....
Summer is the perfect time to make reading fun in Sundae School.

Whether it's Walk Two Moons, Fallen Angels, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, The Host, Stormbreaker, The Greatest Generation, let's make it Sundae School here at Learning Magic! You know what popcorn reading is, let's have ice cream reading!

Bring yourself, a book, and a notebook for some "hot fudge" reading. We'll provide the sweet time!

Call today  508-821-7770 or visit our website and let us know what you'll be reading and your favorite flavor!

Clear the Air... ACT v. SAT???

I heard it again today from a high school junior.... "A really smart kid told me to take the SAT's because that's what colleges want." UGH!!!! So not true...

I researched top national schools including Harvard, my alma mater, Yale, UMass Amherst & Dartmouth, and Brown. They ALL accept either score.... Visit your school's Admissions page and look yourself! You will be pleasantly surprised!

So which test is for you???? Here are some things to consider:

1. The ACT is more straightforward. The questions are easier to understand
2. The ACT has a science section that tests your ability to reason and interpret graphs and  data.
3. SAT has more sections.
4. The SAT is for ardent wordsmiths.
5. Colleges look at each SAT section.
6. Colleges look at the ACT's composite score.
7. Writing section is optional on the ACT.

So what's my advice? Stop listening to "really smart kids" and become one! Call us.
Our experience will guide you to reach your dream school!
 

.

Summer Bucket List

 OK.. Summer.  My favorite 93 days!! I love driving around with ALL the car windows open.. I don't care about my hair...
I love the air, walking barefoot, the smells, no turtlenecks,  jacket, and the sounds...

Summer has only 93 days so let's plan on what we want to accomplish.....
What's on my bucket list? Here are some of mine....

1. Get up everyday by 7AM. Yup... AM!!!
2. Read a book a week.
3. Visit a new place every week! Could be a park, a restaurant, a town, etc... Any place!!
4. Go to a concert. 
5. Swim in the ocean, a lake, a pond (yikes), and a pool.
6. Get a tan.
7. Play tennis twice a week.
8. Be more accepting of people and situations. (Ugh.. I'll work hard on this!)

These may be mellow, but I acquiesce to my age. I don't plan -- or want to -- run through a car wash in my bathing suit or dive off a bridge into unknown water.

What are some of yours?

Summer is NOW!! Enjoy it!
Check out this website for some ideas...
 
http://summerbucketlist.blog.ca/2010/04/14/summer-bucket-list-8371318/

Summer Planning

Summer is the perfect time to start planning for college.


Plan a tour and visit schools that interest you.
If you can't travel, visit local campuses and get a "feel" for the type of campus you prefer.

Country, sprawling, rural, city, small, warm climate, West Coast, East Coast, 20,000 students, all females, males, Christian, Ivy League???
Ask your self these questions and go visit.

We are fortunate to live in this area so go visit Harvard, U Mass, BSU, Regis, MIT, Northeastern, BCC, Massasoit, Curry, Massasoit, WPI....

Good luck....

SAT & ACT Super Skills

Wishing all the students who recently took the SAT's and the ACTs!

Remember most students take the tests at least TWICE! Don't be discouraged. The tests are difficult and require skills and practice. If they were easy, you would have scored 2400 or 36!

Call today to schedule some prep! 
Early bird gets the worm -- and the most convenient hours!
Summer sessions begin Monday July 8th.

Even Superman needs help sometimes!

June's Birthday!

Happy Birthday, June!

Have a great birthday and thank you for all you do!

Love, Brian, Nick, Ashley, Hailey, Erin, Beth and me!!!

Summer Fun @ LMI

FUN Summer Courses at LEARNING MAGIC, Inc.

MONEY for KIDS -- What do the rich teach their kids about money? Find out about investing, income statements, balance sheets, and accounting in a fun-filled class!

Mondays   9 - 10:30 AM     July 29, 2013 - August 12, 2013.

BOARD GAMES -- Remember Monopoly? Blokus? Backgammon? Rummikub? Chess? Scattergories? Let's play!

COLLEGE and CAREER PLANNING -- Don't wait until junior year... Your self-discovery journey begins with this class! Learn about academic planning, creating a portfolio, career opportunities and college choices. It's all about YOU!

Call us today.. 508-821-7770!

One of those days............

Multitasker? Read this and Do Nothing Else!!

Are you cooking supper, watching the news and reading this blog trying to save time? Truth is you're wasting your time. Our brains are not equipped to multitasking tasks that require brainpower.

We all have lots of things to do and get done but our brain cannot process two simultaneous,  separate streams of information and encode them into short term memory.  When information doesn't make it into short term memory, it can't be transferred into long term memory for later use.   If I can't remember it, I can't use it. So why multitask then? It's inefficient.

The brain can not do two complex tasks simultaneously. The truth is multitasking can only happen when the two tasks are simple and don't compete with each other for the same mental resources like walking and chewing gum, juggling and riding a bike or folding clothes and listening to music. It's rote and that's why I can do it....

So instead of reading emails and talking on the phone, I'll think I'll take my dog out for a walk instead and give my brain a break!! What about you?

For more fascinating info about multitasking, visit http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecreativitypost%2Ecom%2Fpsychology%2Fwhy_learning_and_multitasking_dont_mix&urlhash=zCL4&_t=tracking_anet

Summertime at Learning Magic

Summer!!!!! Yippee!!!  BBQ's, beaches, sleeping in, boating, ice cream, bike rides, sand, vacation, watermelon, sunscreen, corn on the cob, thunderstorms, pools, sleeveless shirts, flip flops, bathing suits..... 

It is also a time to schedule --- not only your vacation, but for your educational goals! Summer cruises by and before long, it's September and come September, we scramble for ACT / SAT Prep,  summer reading, and school..... Relax this summer and take it easy... Keep your skills tweaked! (Summer loss for all students is estimated to be equal to about 1 month (Cooper 1996).)

• Money and  Math Mondays

• Reading Tips Tuesday

• What I Read Wednesdays (comprehension and the colorful Interactive Notebook.)

Summer is the most popular time for SAT / ACT Prep!  We offer several options for SAT / ACT Prep.  

SAT is Oct 5th and the  ACT is Sept. 21st and Oct. 26th.

Call, email or visit our website for more info.

Summer Hours

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays 8 AM - 7 PM.

Thursdays by appointment.

Call now for most convenient times!

  

Be A Winner!

Failing a class? The end of the year is here and there is always hope.... How can you salvage the grade, earn your credits, and be a winner!

First, take responsibility. What do I mean? Ask your teacher for a copy of your progress report and scrutinize your grades.   Did you fail to complete homework? Ask  to make it up the assignments. What's the worst that could happen? Your homework grade won't change  Tough lesson to learn.

Second, self-evaluation  Take an honest look at your self. Could you do better? Do you have good study habits? Did you take notes? Was attendance an issue? Was the material difficult? Personality conflict? What happened? Don't know..... Now is the  time to ask for help.

Call us today at 508-821-7770 and earn your credits! In my 19 years in the education field, it's my experience that most teachers are here to help students succeed  as long as you make an effort. Be a winner.

According to Bill Rice at www.At RiskStudnets.com, one out of every four students, nationwide, will flunk this year. Another startling statistic:  after 10 years of mandatory education,  some dropouts are still illiterate! For more unbelievable figures, visit http://gazette.teachers.net/gazette/wordpress/bill-page/5938/ .

Love this! It's why we do what we do....

Hi MaryEllen,

How all is well with you!  I wanted to drop you an e-mail to inform you that, I feel the

tutoring/and tutor (Steve) is working very nicely for Michael.

I feel Steve is a very bright young man.  Very knowledgeable and very pleasant.  Michael and he seem to also get along very well which is a plus. 

From what I am told Michael is catching up quickly on Chemistry missed work and soon will be all caught up to current work (which I feel is great).  

Steve told me Friday before leaving that, they will start after vacation on the PROGRAMMING work.

Thank you so much Maryellen for Steve, as I said previously he seems to be a very bright young man.

You are doing a great job on selecting your tutoring staff.

Talk to you soon!  Have a great day.

Thanks again,

Gina R.  

Panic Strategy

What happens when something unforeseen occurs during a test? Your calculator dies? You break you pencil? You get an unexpected question? Don't panic! Panic causes me to forget information. It  distracts me, confuses me, and discourages me.... Now I have a plan for panic!

One of my favorite plans for nervousness or panic is visualizing. Picture yourself in a favorite place. For me, it's the beach. I picture myself sitting in my chair, my eyes closed, my toes playing in the sand, the big white cumulus clouds floating by, and the sun warming my face.  This takes maybe 10 seconds. I can actually feel myself calming down and breathing slower. It's my "time out." What's yours? Running? Listening to music? Whatever it is, go there. Put the test out of your mind for  15 seconds. That's about all the time you will need to get your panic under control and get back to work!
Try it and let me know how you do!

Why the ACT??

The ACT has four multiple-choice tests - English, Math, Reading and Science. The ACT measures your achievement in theses core subjects.There is an optional writing component  so check with your colleges and know their requirements.

In sophomore and  junior years, take the courses  (English, Math, and Science) while they are fresh in your memory. You may decide to take the test twice to improve your score, so plan to take it spring in your junior year.
Why take it in your junior year:

1. You probably have finished most of the class work that's on the test and it's still fresh!
2. Your scores will help you make decisions for classes during senor year.
3. You will have your scores so you may visit colleges.
4. You have time to re-test.
5. Colleges will know of your hope to attend and will contact you  during the summer for tours, admissions, etc.

So get busy, think about your classes, and exercise your mind!

Practice the skills and learn the strategies. We can help. Call us today for ACT info!

SAT Prep Works!

Still not convinced you need SAT Prep???

The SAT is not a test of high school mathematics. There are no questions on trig, parabolas, complex numbers, etc. Much of the questions are on material you learned before high school! There are some questions on geometry and elementary algebra but not many.

The SAT assumes you know how to calculate an average or find the area of a triangle.If this were the case, most students would score a perfect or near perfect score.The SAT tests your logical thinking skills and to use the concepts you learned in ways that are unfamiliar to you. So get the advantage and contact us now!

Quick Facts...SAT vs ACT

Still undecided... Let's take a look at other factors to consider...

                  SAT                                                            ACT

Offered 7 times a year.                                        Offered 6 times a year.

Length: 3 hrs, 45 min.                                         Length: 3 or 3 1/2 hrs.     
                                                                                                                           
Tests: math, critical reading, writing.               Tests: English, math, science, writing.

Cost: $49.00.                                                         Costs: $34.00 - $49.50.

Max. score: 800 per section.                              Max. score: 36
                     Perfect score: 2400.
Avg. scores: Math - 516. Writing: 492.              Avg. Score: 21.
                      C.R.: 501.

SAT if....you posses an extensive vocab, are a strong reader, and enjoy test-taking tactics.

ACT if... you read fast, process quickly, and have a strong working memory.

So again... Which test is for you?
Which test? Practice them both.. Pick the one on which you do better!

ACT vs SAT?

Lots of parents ask me which test their child should take and what's the difference?? A generation ago, the answer was easy -- geography  The students in Midwest generally took the ACT. If you lived on the coasts -- or dreamed to attend a highly selective school -- you took the SAT.

ACT Test 

1. The ACT is more straightforward. The questions are easier to understand on the first read.
2. Vocab is easier on the ACT.
3. ACT has science. which tests your  reading and reasoning skills, based upon a given set of facts. Not for the science-phobe.
4. ACT has trig, Algebra I, II, and geometry. Questions are more straightforward not necessarily harder.
5. 30 minute Writing test is optional.
6. Tackle each content area (Eng, MA, Sci) in one chunk.
7. Colleges concerned about your composite score.
8. Concentrates on grammar, punctuation and syntax.

SAT Test

1. On the SAT, one needs to spend more time on what the question is asking before one can begin to solve it.
2. SAT is of the ardent wordsmiths. College level words. Critical Reading requires strong working vocab.
3. No science sections.
4. No trig. Tests Algebra I, II and geometry.
5. 25 minute writing essay is required.
6. SAT has more (10) sections.
7. Colleges concerned about how you did on each section.
8. Measures verbal skills and focuses on vocab.

Great test takers are great test takers. But you can learn the strategies! Get an edge! Call and sign up for some classes starting March 30 and April 2, 2013.

For more info.... visit 

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505145_162-37241433/sat-and-act-which-is-the-better-test/

SAT Word of the Day....

Word of the Day

Despondent: gloomy, depressed.

        Alex was despondent after his car accident.

Look at the beginning of the word.. "despond"... Think to yourself this word is like" respond" which means to react, to act positively... Continue thinking... 

The prefix "de" means down.. so to act down.. drop your head....sad.... depressed.... Think despondent...

Tip of the Day

Remember all questions can be answered without a calculator . Use your own  calculator to do math you can not do in your head or if you can do it quicker with a calculator --  like long division or changing percents to fractions.

SAT Word of the Day

Word of the Day

Conflagration - big fire. (noun)

My Mother remembers the chaos that occurred the night of  the conflagration at the Coconut Club in Boston.

Picture this.... Fire and smoke on Oak St. last Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Workers holding "'flags" -- conflag  (with flags) to warn drivers of the fire and to re-route traffic on Oak St.

Tip of the Day

Draw a diagram with ALL geometry problems! If a drawing is provided,  TRUST it.... unless it says NOT drawn to scale. Then redraw it......

SAT Word of the Day

                                 Word of the Day

Benevolent - generous, charitable. Adjective.

• Ex. Mrs. Harding was a benevolent employer and made Christmas merrier for her employees.

Think of the word  benefit-- to help, to promote, profit, do good.

• Same root... ben meaning good and volv meaning to roll (revolve, evolve)

SAT Tip of the Day

Understand ALL the directions for the test BEFORE the test. Don't waste time reading the directions on test day! Focus your precious time on getting correct answers.

SAT Word of the Day

WORD of the Day
Abridge.. to shorten.
Remember it this way... We cross a river over a bridge.. It's so much faster than swimming!
Picture that in your mind.

An example...  Books are abridged... an abridged dictionary. Shorten, condensed and easier to use.

SAT TIP of the day
Answer every question you can UNTIL you reach one you can't or you're not sure of it... Leave that blank and go on to questions you CAN answer... If you have time, return to the unanswered ones....
Focus on the ones you KNOW or are mostly likely to get right! Why waste time on a question you don't know when you can  get points on questions you do know!

SAT's Explained

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT's) is a standardized test that most high school students take before applying to college. About two million students take this exam yearly. Usually high school juniors take this test for the first time. One out of every two students take this test twice -   typically in the spring of their junior year and again in the fall of their senior year.

The SAT score predicts how students will do academically as a college freshman and is a means to compare. The SAT assists college administrators to make acceptance decisions. Administrators also look at your academic record, your involvement in a school activities, your essay, and your letters of recommendation.

The SAT  tests in three areas: Critical Reading, Math,  and Writing. The SAT has eight types of questions in sections on Critical Reading, writing, and math. You have 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the SAT. You should plan to spend 4 ½ - 5 hours in the testing room.

The Math section includes multiple choice and grid-ins and totals 70 minutes (two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section). The math section totals 54 questions.

The Critical Reading sections include sentence completions and passage based reading and totals 70 minutes (two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section). Total Critical Reading questions total 67.

The Writing section includes identifying sentence errors, improving sentences, improving paragraphs and an essay. This section totals 60 minutes (one 25-minute essay, one 25-multiple choice sections, and one 10-minute multiple-choice section). The writing section totals 49 questions and 1 essay.

Your SAT scores are based on nine sections although the test contains 10 sections. One section is used for future tests and is in the same format as other sections so you have no way of knowing which section is the experimental one so you must do your best on all sections. 

Why are they important? Students have difference experiences, come from a wide variety of schools with different requirements, different grading systems,  and different academic standards. The SAT's are one of the tools college administrators use to predict your chances of success in the college classes you take.

Call us today at 508-821-7770 to learn the strategies and tips to improve your chances of admission to your first choice! Visit  our website for current SAT Prep classes at learningmagic.net.

SENIORS....SAT Prep for March 2013

We're offering an accelerated SAT prep class during Feb. school vacation. Tues. - Fri., 9-1PM for $395. Text included! Limited class size.
Call now  508-821-7770 and visit us at http://www.learningmagic.net/sat.htm. 

What Matters?

While reading educational articles on various websites, I came across this beautifully written poem by Michael Josephson about what really matters.... read it if you dare...

http://whatwillmatter.com/2011/10/what-will-matter-745-3/

This matters......