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......

Magical 7

 

We have all heard of the magical, mystical powers associated with the number 7. From the seven wonders of the ancient world, Snow White and her 7, 007, seven hills of Rome,  seven layer dip, 

7 Habits of Highly Effective People, 7 year itch, 7-11, 7 deadly sins.......

Allow me to introduce you to the new 7 -- The Seven Keys to College Readiness from Montgomery Public Schools in MD. 

You may know that college and career readiness are the new buzz words in education. What does it mean? According to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), College and Career Ready means that an individual has the  knowledge, skills and experiences necessary for success in postsecondary education and economically viable career pathways in a 21st century economy.  Sounds great, not so sure??? Read these Seven Keys.

Key One: Advanced Reading in grades K-2 and give them the foundation upon which higher level skills will be built.

Key Two: Advanced reading skills in grades 3 - 8. Watch the MCAS results and read the item analysis. Advanced readers will stay on the college path-way and have better problem solving and thinking skills. Good readers read!!

Key Three: Advanced math in grade 5. Stay ahead in math and develop conceptual thinking skills. Go from 2 dimensional to 3 dimensional shapes, use manipulatives and have some fun with math! If you're not at that level, seek remediation from after school programs or  a tutor.

Key Four: Algebra I in grade 8. Pass with a C. This is a benchmark for better scores on SAT's and is a great predictor of college success.

Key Five: Algebra II with a C or above. Students who complete Algebra II are TWICE as likely to graduate college in a timely manner.

Key Six: Take AP Classes. AP classes are college level classes and entail more thinking, reading, writing and discussing. Encourage your child to take at least one in high school.

Key Seven:  1650 on the SAT's or 24 on the ACT. These scores allow the student to be competitive with others for top colleges and / or get the edge for any career choice or community college and you won’t have to take remedial classes in college.

For more info http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/keys/

Think about these figures.........

• In the next 10 years, 1/2 of all jobs will demand some college.
• 1/3 of freshmen entering college need remedial classes.
• 30% of students enrolled in a four year school earn that degree within 4 years!
• $1,200,000 -- average lifetime earnings for a high school graduate.
• $2,100,000 -- average lifetime earnings for a college graduate. (Almost TWICE)

Half-Way Through the School Year

OK... Into the winter doldrums we go... Maybe not!! If you're depressed, stress-out, or tired of school try to remember why you are in school....What are YOU going to get for getting good grades??? What is school for???

Take stock and look at your grades. Are you happy with them? Chances are the best predictor of future grades is past grades...  Poor grades or grades that drop  is a certain sign that someone is heading for trouble. Don't ignore this! Future grades and assignments are often predicated on what has been learned....   Extra attention is needed. Call us for some remediation!

Attitude can be our best ally or our worst nemesis. How's yours? Our attitude impacts our focus, our homework, our study skills, our motivation, our life! Is the homework schedule still in place? Is it working? Remember you can start your day off anytime... If you seem to be having a bad day, take a moment to quiet yourself, and change your attitude.

Finally, talk to your child. What goals did they set? Are they achieving them? Do they need support or extra resources to reach their goals? Ask them.

Finally, remember to praise your child, listen to them, and find their hobbies and interests. Are there  better ways to demonstrate their importance and build their self-esteem!

Flu Attack! To Vaccinate or Not???

I am not paranoid....... More people I know have the flu -- even some -- like my husband -- who had a flu shot. The flu has reached epidemic levels in the United States and has spread to 10 other countries. So we ask... To vaccinate or not?  My primary care physician, whom I just love and respect, answered, "Absolutely." So why did I?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, serious side effects or complications from vaccines are exceedingly rare; most vaccines cause only mild side effects like soreness at the injection site.

Community immunity concept. Vaccinating large numbers of people against diseases keeps the number of infections in a community low, reducing the risk of infection for others, like young babies who are not yet old enough to receive certain vaccines. Catching a vaccine-preventable disease not only makes you likely to spread it throughout the community, but there is also the risk of developing rare and serious complications.

I had the MMR series, the polio vaccine, booster shot. I would also have the  HPV vaccine if it were suggested.  Why are outbreaks of measles and the whooping cough seem to be rising? Public health authorities say one possible reason is a growing number of people refusing vaccines.

Another factor to consider whether to have  a flu shot are travelers. We are a mobile people. Travelers to and from other countries may be exposed to and bring the disease home.  Many vaccine-preventable diseases are rare in the United States.

What about  the argument that vaccines cause autism? That argument was retracted after its author, whose medical license was revoked, was found to have altered patient data.

Although my husband did get  the flu and was bed ridden for a weekend, I did not.. His primary care physician stated  that he would have had a more severe case of the flu  had he not been vaccinated. I have been lucky... I credit receiving  the flu shot,  constant hand washing,  and walks outside with my German Sheppard, Shila. Have a flu-free New Year!

For more info....
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/health/flu-widespread-leading-a-range-of-winters-ills.html?_r=0

IQ: Just a Starting Point for Learning Math

Think you have to be born with an innate ability to do Math? "No," says Laura Blue in Time Health and Family section. One does not have be born with math skills. Instead  study habits and motivation are more important than IQ.

In a study conducted in Germany by Kou Murayama, IQ determines a starting point for math achievement but does NOT predict any growth in math achievement.  Children who improved in math agreed or strongly agreed with statements like, "When doing math, the harder I try, the better I perform, " or "I invest a lot of time in math, because I am interested in the subject." Students who made connections between mathematical ideas typically improved faster than students who employed more cursory rote techniques.

It makes sense that motivated students would perform better and it is confirmed that  academic success is not governed by a student's cognitive ability alone.  Students who want to learn math and work at it find they make faster gains and learn better than students who are bright but less motivated.

This is encouraging for students and for schools. Motivation is not innate, but largely learned. Murayama is intrigued with these results and intends to study instructional styles that teachers and parents can use to inspire children to learn.

For more info;  http://healthland.time.com/2012/12/26/motivation-not-iq-matters-most-for-learning-new-math-skills/

Pay Attention to Your Attention

Lessons have a way a re-appearing when I haven't learned them.... Sometimes once but more often several times!

Case in point... It's Christmas season... I know that. I know what it involves: advent, shopping, malls, lists, recipes, parties, eating, expectations, more lists, wrapping, traffic, Rudolph, scheduling, work deadlines,  eating, rushing, church, lights, cold weather, candles, cards, stamps, shipping packages, reconnecting, scent of pine, tress, Chanukah, vacation, cookies, more eating, excitement, another list, children, joy, Santa,  Grinch, etc.....

So in the midst of this holiday season, I struggle with my meditation, exercise, and quiet time.My  motivator is my 100 lb German Shepherd, Shila, who needs exercise daily. I love her for that!

Anyway... my attention....and  back to Christmas... I was frantically booking our "After the Holidays" Party on line  during my busy time and  I misplaced my business credit card and my business debit card. I realized this a day after I used them. I searched work, my desk, my home , my clothes, my jackets, my car, my briefcase, closet floors, trash, and anything and every other place I  could search. I had staff, friends, clients, and my husband helping me. No luck...

During this chaos, I realized the stress I was feeling... No quiet time, no meditating, only credit cards..... Which brings me to "My Attention."  While on a retreat 12 years ago, I heard, "Pay attention to your attention." I thought this was so foolish and mimicked it when I came home. My arrogance had the better of me.. The great I am that I  always pay attention to what I am doing...

Now especially at this time, I relearned this lesson and am paying attention to my attention... I want to slow down a bit, breathe, focus on  one task at a  time, stay where my feet are, and yes, pay attention to my attention! Of course, too, I shall continue to make my lists!

No. I did not find my credit cards and as my best friend, Judy, said, "At least that is a problem you can solve." And I did... It was on my list! So slow down, pay attention to your attention, and have a fun-filled season!

De-stress the Dr. Brene Brown Way

Dr. Brown considers herself a "pretty calm parent." She has learned the value of bringing perspective and quiet to difficult situations by watching her husband and by practice!

Parents can  model calmness --- and practice it --- so our children can learn it, too. Practice deep breathing, stillness, meditating, and praying.  Spend time alone - even 10 minutes - to quiet your mind.  Walk around the block!

So the next time you want to yell, "Sit down!" or "Calm down!" try modelling the behavior of calm and quiet. Reduce the stress!

As Harriet Lerner says, "Anxiety is extremely contagious, but so is calm." Great teachers  model behaviors what they want and so do great parents!