Whats' the big deal with the times tables? I can use a calculator....
As an educator, I hear this often. Is learning the multiplication tables critical? Short answer is YES!!
Learning the tables by 3rd grade is crucial. Basic multiplication facts are foundational for further advancement in math. A lack of automaticity causes struggles in math with fractions, division, and more advance concepts. If they are not acquired by 3rd grade, it is unlikely they will be practiced in middle or high school. Without fluency and the ability to recall facts, students focus on the basic skills and not on the task at hand. As a result, higher order processing in problem solving is impeded.
I use the multiplication tables when shopping, planning parties, car repairs (well my husband does), paying and calculating bills, traveling, money, and cooking. Teachers depend on parents to help their children with basic facts. This is difficult with our busy schedules... so let's have a Facts Party after Thanksgiving!!! We can all be grateful for this innovative and helpful idea!
Call us today 508-821-7770 for party info!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Why Hire a Tutor?
Many students benefit from a tutor at some point in their eduction. Why hire one?
- Some children are not academically challenged in class and are bored. As a result, their grades tend to slip. A tutor will provide additional challenges and coursework.
- Some children absorb materiel better in a one-on-one environment. Tutoring support will give your child the assistance he/she needs to thrive in the classroom.
- Some children are not comfortable is a traditional classroom. It is not an appropriate setting for them. Tutoring creates a different environment -- one that is flexible and open.
- Some children struggle in the classroom and the teacher is unable to slow down instruction. As a result, students fall behind. Tutors provide additional instruction to catch up and help them pass the class.
- Most children need some help with their homework. Some parents are unable to teach their children the material or don't have the knowledge to teach them. Some children think the parents are "not qualified" to teach them. A tutor is more knowledgeable.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Important Issues Facing Children?
What do you see as the most important concern facing children in America? Poverty? Unemployment? Health? Full Day Kindergarten? Literacy? Election day is tomorrow. Do you know how your candidate stands on these and other crucial issues? The Worcester Telegraph has an insightful and pithy article.Read on.
Election Day is fast approaching, and we want to make sure that candidates put young children and families on their agendas. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, so let's ask candidates to be part of the village and commit to supporting high-quality early education and literacy.
1. A high-return investment
Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman calls high-quality early education an essential high-return investment. Heckman says, “The United States invests relatively little at the starting point – in early childhood development – and as a consequence pays dearly for this neglect at every point thereafter. Our country will be unable to compete in the global economy if it does not address the increasing numbers of children who are not prepared for success in school, career and life.” Yet despite overwhelming evidence that high-quality early education works, far too many families lack access to high-quality, affordable early education and care for their children.
Question: How will you answer Heckman's call to invest in young children? What will it take to act on this evidence?
2. Third grade reading
Third grade reading is a critical educational benchmark that strongly predicts a child's chances of success in school and beyond. Yet 39% of Massachusetts third graders scored below proficient in reading on the 2012 MCAS. Research tells us that the path to reading success begins at birth and continues through the primary grades and beyond.
Question: What is your plan to ensure that children become proficient readers by the end of third grade?
3. Full-day kindergarten
Research shows that children who attend full-day kindergarten programs make greater gains in early reading and math than children in half-day programs. They also exhibit more independent learning, classroom involvement, productivity in work with peers and reflectiveness than half-day kindergarteners.
Question: What will you do to support high-quality full-day kindergarten and to ensure that all children have access to full-day kindergarten?
4. Affordability for families
A new report from Child Care Aware finds that in 35 states and the District of Columbia the annual cost for center-based care exceeds a year's in-state tuition and fees at a four-year public college. Once again, Massachusetts has the highest annual costs in the nation for both 4-year-olds and infants in full-time center-based care.
Question: What will you do to make early education and care more affordable for families?
5. Trained, professional early educators
Just as young children need effective teachers in their first years in our public schools, they also need effective teachers in their early learning settings. Research finds that young children learn best in classrooms led by early educators with bachelor's degrees and specialized training.
Question: What will you do support the professional development of early educators returning to school and the training of people entering the field?
6. Compensation
The early education field suffers from low pay and high turnover. And as early educators, particularly those in community-based settings, increase their education and training, their pay is not keeping up.
Question: What will you do to link increased compensation for early educators with increased training?
7. Educational continuity
Education is a continuum that runs from birth to college and career. For young children that means aligning early childhood settings with the primary grades.
Question: What will you do to support high-quality education for young children, from early childhood to third grade?
8. A research-backed positive impact
High-quality early education is one of the few educational strategies with a demonstrated positive impact on children's learning and life outcomes. Its many benefits, particularly for children from low-income families, include improved early literacy and numeracy skills and social-emotional development, as well as reduced special education and grade retention, increased high school graduation and college attendance. Its longer-term benefits include higher earnings, reduced need for public assistance and better health. Yet too many children do not have access to high-quality early education.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20121002/NEWS/121009835/0
Eight questions about young children to ask candidates
Election Day is fast approaching, and we want to make sure that candidates put young children and families on their agendas. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, so let's ask candidates to be part of the village and commit to supporting high-quality early education and literacy.
1. A high-return investment
Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman calls high-quality early education an essential high-return investment. Heckman says, “The United States invests relatively little at the starting point – in early childhood development – and as a consequence pays dearly for this neglect at every point thereafter. Our country will be unable to compete in the global economy if it does not address the increasing numbers of children who are not prepared for success in school, career and life.” Yet despite overwhelming evidence that high-quality early education works, far too many families lack access to high-quality, affordable early education and care for their children.
Question: How will you answer Heckman's call to invest in young children? What will it take to act on this evidence?
2. Third grade reading
Third grade reading is a critical educational benchmark that strongly predicts a child's chances of success in school and beyond. Yet 39% of Massachusetts third graders scored below proficient in reading on the 2012 MCAS. Research tells us that the path to reading success begins at birth and continues through the primary grades and beyond.
Question: What is your plan to ensure that children become proficient readers by the end of third grade?
3. Full-day kindergarten
Research shows that children who attend full-day kindergarten programs make greater gains in early reading and math than children in half-day programs. They also exhibit more independent learning, classroom involvement, productivity in work with peers and reflectiveness than half-day kindergarteners.
Question: What will you do to support high-quality full-day kindergarten and to ensure that all children have access to full-day kindergarten?
4. Affordability for families
A new report from Child Care Aware finds that in 35 states and the District of Columbia the annual cost for center-based care exceeds a year's in-state tuition and fees at a four-year public college. Once again, Massachusetts has the highest annual costs in the nation for both 4-year-olds and infants in full-time center-based care.
Question: What will you do to make early education and care more affordable for families?
5. Trained, professional early educators
Just as young children need effective teachers in their first years in our public schools, they also need effective teachers in their early learning settings. Research finds that young children learn best in classrooms led by early educators with bachelor's degrees and specialized training.
Question: What will you do support the professional development of early educators returning to school and the training of people entering the field?
6. Compensation
The early education field suffers from low pay and high turnover. And as early educators, particularly those in community-based settings, increase their education and training, their pay is not keeping up.
Question: What will you do to link increased compensation for early educators with increased training?
7. Educational continuity
Education is a continuum that runs from birth to college and career. For young children that means aligning early childhood settings with the primary grades.
Question: What will you do to support high-quality education for young children, from early childhood to third grade?
8. A research-backed positive impact
High-quality early education is one of the few educational strategies with a demonstrated positive impact on children's learning and life outcomes. Its many benefits, particularly for children from low-income families, include improved early literacy and numeracy skills and social-emotional development, as well as reduced special education and grade retention, increased high school graduation and college attendance. Its longer-term benefits include higher earnings, reduced need for public assistance and better health. Yet too many children do not have access to high-quality early education.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20121002/NEWS/121009835/0
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Why preview a textbook???
I often hear students whine and ask, "Why do I have to look at the chapter first? My teacher will go over this."
Textbook previewing strategies allow us to gain a content overview and provide us a purpose for reading, generate background knowledge, connect this information to what we already know, focus on what's important, and, most importantly, gain new information. LDonline has a plethora of information. Visit them /http://www.ldonline.org/article/39881/39881/.
Textbook previewing strategies allow us to gain a content overview and provide us a purpose for reading, generate background knowledge, connect this information to what we already know, focus on what's important, and, most importantly, gain new information. LDonline has a plethora of information. Visit them /http://www.ldonline.org/article/39881/39881/.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Get Organized!
Organization is more than half the battle when it comes to the college admissions process. The number of assignments, deadlines, and forms you need to remember can be overwhelming! Here are some hints on juggling everything!
Make sure you know exactly what's expected of you, and WHY it's expected of you.
There are plenty of websites out there with suggested time tables, check lists, and step by step guides to help you through the process! Big Future is one great place to start! In fact, we "borrowed" this list of tricks from them!
1.) Know the process!
Make sure you know exactly what's expected of you, and WHY it's expected of you.
2.) Keep Track of Deadlines
Have all your deadlines organized on a calendar, and keep all your forms organized in a folder. Have a checklist of everything that needs to be done, and when!
3.) Narrow Down Your College List
Keep the list of colleges that you're applying to manageable. You want to focus on quality over quantity. If you try to send out over a hundred applications, chances are, they won't be done that well. So prioritize your list!
4.) Meet With Your Guidance Counselor
Guidance counselors are there for a reason. They know what they're doing! When you meet with your counselor, bring your folder of applications with you, and a list of questions for him/her.
5.) Use Your Resources!
There are plenty of websites out there with suggested time tables, check lists, and step by step guides to help you through the process! Big Future is one great place to start! In fact, we "borrowed" this list of tricks from them!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
College Apps
OK, seniors, crunch time is here! Senior year is the busiest year with academics, activities, work, car, friends, and now college applications!
Get organized and follow these five steps:
1. Know the process.
2. Create a checklist.
3. Narrow down your choices.
4. Meet with your school couselor.
5. Make a plan.
Let's cover one step at a time. Know the process. This includes:
Get organized and follow these five steps:
1. Know the process.
2. Create a checklist.
3. Narrow down your choices.
4. Meet with your school couselor.
5. Make a plan.
Let's cover one step at a time. Know the process. This includes:
- requesting the application (s)
- applying online (Common App.)
- sending application fee
- deciding on early or regular admission
- sending transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendations
- writing and proofing your essay. Ask two people to read it.
- interviewing and / or school tour
- completing Financial Aid Forms
- noting deadlines
Saturday, March 31, 2012
A GREAT Article!
| How Retaking the SAT Changed Test Prep Tutor's View |
This was written by Isabela Guimaraes, a top tutor at Applerouth Tutoring Services in Bethesda, Maryland. She retook the SAT last week and here is her report on how it went - and what she learned to pass on to her clients. By Isabela Guimaraes During the week before each SAT test date, I meet with each of my students to go over last minute pointers. We review content and strategy, we discuss their expectations, and we visualize the upcoming test date. We discuss all of the things 17 year olds rarely think to plan for: what they'll have for breakfast, who will drive them to the test, which radio station they'll listen to as they pull into the school parking lot. And it works. Students walk into the SAT calmer and more ready to succeed if they know what to expect, and their scores are often higher as a result. After coaching dozens of students through their visualization of various SATs, I began to feel like a fraud. I have always been confident in my ability to solve any SAT problem, but I began to wonder whether I could do it quickly and accurately enough to max out the test. So I spent a recent Saturday morning reliving one of a long list of unpleasant high school experiences: I took the SAT. And I even managed to follow most of my own advice. As it turns out, all the world's practice and preparation didn't mitigate the undeniable stress of the testing situation. Unpleasant and exhausting as it was, this experience taught me more about my students' reality than any other could have. 1. Get a good night's sleep I tell my students to get a good night's sleep before the test, and it is with the best of intentions that I decide to spend Friday night with TiVo and takeout. And when I wake up on the couch six hours later with a crick in my neck and an imprint of the remote on my arm, I get the sense of foreboding that only comes when I realize I have set myself up for failure. 2. Eat a healthy breakfast I peruse my pantry for no less than eight minutes before selecting a slice of white toast with Nutella. Do I make an egg white omelet? No. But it isn't a Red Bull and half a Kit Kat bar, either. 3. Arrive at the test center early with your registration ticket and photo ID Confession: I know in advance that I will fall short on this front. I have never been early for anything in my life. As I stand in line with the other late arrivals, a girl in a red sweatshirt speeds out the door while desperately screaming expletives. She walks back inside three minutes later clutching a learner's permit and looking relieved. Crisis averted. 4. Listen carefully to the proctor's instructions When the proctor asks the young man in front of me to remove his hat, he is visibly annoyed and possibly also somewhat panic-stricken. "But it's my lucky hat!" he says, and the other students chuckle. He finally tosses it into the pile of bags and coats at the front of the room, and we move on. 5. Brainstorm essay topics before the test The essay question is fairly mundane, and I have a list of topics ready. The prompt is open-ended and predictable - nothing like last March's reality TV question - and I am ready to go with three foolproof pieces of evidence. But when I reach my third body paragraph with eight minutes to spare, I begin to panic. Why can't I think of anything to say about Gandhi? The moment passes and I remind myself that facts are irrelevant; all I need to do is support my thesis. So I make up something about Gandhi and move on. 6. Use your calculator, even for basic arithmetic The first section after the essay is a math section, and I realize as I work my way through the first several problems that I am nervous. It is a completely illogical anxiety, as my motivations for taking the test are equal parts research and ego. I check and recheck even the easiest problems, and it's a good thing I do. I catch a basic arithmetic error on the second question, and I remind myself that I simply cannot be trusted with mental math at 8 a.m. From this point on, I stick with the calculator. As we near the end of the section, I feel fairly confident about my performance. I look up at the time and realize that I have exactly 18 seconds to solve the final problem. I finish reading the question as the proctor calls time, and I feel a tinge of disappointment at the knowledge that I will not be getting a 2400. 7. Keep your cool The next section is a writing one, and I spend an inordinate amount of time debating the difference between "its" and "it's," a mistake I have never made in my life. I realize after two minutes that the question I am staring at is meant to test my understanding of parallel structure, and that my internal debate is useless. 8. Skip questions you can't answer This is the most important piece of advice I give my students. The SAT deducts ¼ of a point for each incorrect answer, so I make strict rules about when to guess and when to skip. But my pride simply will not let me skip a single critical reading question. I break my rules more than once: I choose among three possible answers on a vocabulary question, and I speed through the last three questions of a particularly long and boring reading comprehension passage. 9. Don't be careless After this weekend, I will never again offer this advice to anyone. By the time the final math section rolls around, I am exhausted. And it shows. It takes me three attempts to find the sum of 2 and 11 (with a calculator), and another 15 seconds to realize the question absolutely does not require that. I catch at least three careless errors as I work my way through the section, and I start to wonder with some trepidation how many I let slip by. 10. Prepare yourself for mental fatigue My students sit for mock tests roughly once a month, and when they complain I tell them that nothing else will prepare them for the exhaustion of this test. And I am absolutely right. By the time I reach the final section, I am in borderline zombie mode, and am fighting what seems to be a preference for grammatical impossibilities. I start to drift off and wonder why I bother with "I" vs. "me" when the royal "we" seems so much more fun. And just as I'm beginning my descent into insanity, time is called. |
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