Tip 6: Use Your Book

On numerous occasions I have been working with students and they have a homework assignment but no textbook. When I ask why they tend to say:

We cannot bring them home (but they have access to electronic versions, which they fail to mention)

My teacher does not use the book

Or simply, I forgot it

So once you've established that you need the test book and you start bring them home or as a parent you get your child to do so then it is imperative to get them to understand that they need to read the books, even their Math books.

Besides reading the book and using it as a resource students must also learn how to figure out what is critical how to read the book, outline and take notes. This requires patience and a lot of practice.

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Tip 5: Take Good Notes

Proper Note Taking is one of the hardest skills to learn. Most students have issues with either the inability of taking enough notes or trying to write so much down that they are unable to get the most important points from the notes.

So the key to taking great notes is to listen actively. Nowadays we have so many distractions, even in the classroom that it is hard to be an active listened but the one thing you should remember is focus on what the teacher is saying at all times. That means put electronic devices away and listen at all times.

Learn a good note taking method that works for you. I like the Cornell Method of note taking which states the following:

Record: During the lecture, use the note taking column to record the lecture using telegraphic sentences.

Questions: As soon after class as possible, formulate questions based on the notes in the right-hand column. Writing questions helps to clarify meanings, reveal relationships, establish continuity, and strengthen memory. Also, the writing of questions sets up a perfect stage for exam-studying later.

Recite: Cover the note taking column with a sheet of paper. Then, looking at the questions or cue-words in the question and cue column only, say aloud, in your own words, the answers to the questions, facts, or ideas indicated by the cue-words.

Reflect: Reflect on the material by asking yourself questions, for example: “What’s the significance of these facts? What principle are they based on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what I already know? What’s beyond them?

Review: Spend at least ten minutes every week reviewing all your previous notes. If you do, you’ll retain a great deal for current use, as well as, for the exam.

Click on this link for a template on Cornell Note Taking: http://www.worksheetworks.com/miscellanea/cornell-note-taking-paper.html

Even if you cannot use the Cornell Method during class rewrite your notes in this format after class.

Happy Note-taking

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Tip 4: Use Time Wisely

Even the most organized person in the world can have issues with managing time so it is necessary to manage your time wisely when trying to obtain good grades.

Some tips for using time wisely:

Attack your hardest work first. You always want to do this because it allows you to tackle what is most difficult while your mind is fresh and you have enough time to complete it, this provides you with a sense of accomplishment.

Break larger projects down into smaller chunks.

Take breaks when necessary. Although you may have a lot to accomplish and a lot of work to do it is necessary to take breaks in order to give your mind a chance to rest.

Do not take on to much at once.

Here's some additional tips from a previous posts:

So you want to help your child learn how to manage their time better. There are some steps that you can take in order to assist them with having better time management skills.

First you need to know how your kids learn so the very first thing you want to do is a simple learning assessment. A learning assessment asks a series of questions that you and/or your child can answer that will lead you to what their learning style is and what steps you can take to assist them in maximizing that learning style. We've included a few links for some learning assessments that you can use. 

http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/836-learning-styles-quiz

http://www.pesdirect.com/lsitest1.html

http://www.homeschoolviews.com/quiz/quiz-child.html

Create a great study space according to their learning style and needs. Remember all students don't require a quiet space to study some need a little white noise to help keep them focused. Make sure it is a clean space that is available to them at all times. Whatever works best for your child and makes sense is what you want to stick with. 

Use agendas or calendars. Most elementary and middle schools have school issued agendas if these are available and meet your child's needs please feel free to use them however, if they don't give you what you want or need make sure you find one that does. They can be purchased from any parent teacher store or office supply store and if those don't meet your needs create your own using a template from online sources. If your kids are younger feel free to allow the teacher to assist with completing agendas and having you sign them but if they are older allow them to have the responsibility of completing the agenda daily. If it's a full calendar have them incorporate study time and homework time. 

Make sure they have a bed time. A lot of times we get a little relaxed on bed times as kids get older however they still require a specific amount of sleep. Children in elementary and middle school need between 10-11 hours of sleep per night and high school students require about 9 hours of sleep.

So take the steps above and help your children meet the goal of better time management in 2015. 

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Tip 3: Get and Stay Organized

One of the many problems that keeps students from maintaining academic success is their inability to stay organized. Most students think they are organized however, we often find that when we request something of them they are not capable of producing what we need. So in working with our students on academic resolutions we like to help them get organized and will provide you with some ways to do so as well.

Have you ever sat in a meeting with a teacher or read an email from a teacher that said something similar to any of these?

......Mary is a joy to have in class and has a great personality however she is not submitting her assignments on time.

....... It is such a pleasure to have Jacob in my class this year. He is always willing to help his classmates out and volunteers consistently but he has several missing assignments.

........ I just wanted you to know that Ashley has 10 assignments that she has not turned in.

Well usually these types of students are really good students and they mean well however they are unorganized and can never seem to get assignments turned in on time or at all even when they have completed the assignments.

If you get a message like any of the ones above it is best to do the following:

1. remain calm
2. ask the student for their backpack - usually you will find a complete mess so be prepared (and you may find those missing assignments)
3. if the backpack is not the issue go to the school and check the locker or for younger students check their desks again this is where you will probably find a big mess and some if not all of their assignments.
4. develop a plan to help get and them organized

There are many occasions in which the teacher may ask that the student maintain a separate folder or binder for their individual classes for some students this works but for students who have organization issues this is the worse thing that we can ask them to do. For unorganized students it is easier for them to have a main binder with all subjects in that binder that way everything stays in one place. If you know that your child has an issue with staying organized talk to the teacher and let them know that it is necessary for your child to have the one binder and if they need to submit something to the teacher they have a binder that they can transfer notes or assignments to in their locker or desk for that particular reason. If the individual binders are unavoidable just make sure they are clearly labeled on the spine and cover so that the student can grab and go.

Make sure that the binders have tabs. If they are using one binder for each subject use the tabs to label which subjects they have in the order in which they attend the courses. Also include a section for notes and assignments behind each tab. Here's an example:

One binder for all subjects!

Multiple binders with one subject per binder or a method to label tabs behind each subject tab if using one binder

Once you get the book bag, binders, desks and lockers organized then you will have to help remind them to stay that way. If they have been accustom to having things all over the place they will not be capable of getting and staying organized overnight so make sure that you support them during this process reminding them to stick with their schedule, utilize their agendas, and to clean out their backpacks, lockers, desks, and binders weekly storing old assignments and tests in a file at home until the end of the term.

If you can assist with getting them organized this will lead to better results ultimately leading to better grades.

Now Let's Get Organized!!!!

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Tip 2: Get to Know Your Teachers

Every teacher is different so it is imperative that you get to know who your teacher is and how they operate. Learn what your teacher wants and understand the class and the requirements of the class this includes how you will be graded, when assignments are due, etc.

If your teacher gives you a syllabus for the class make sure that you read it. One of the biggest mistakes students make is not reading the syllabus. Study the syllabus because it is your road map for the course, a contract of sorts between you and the teacher.

If you are struggling with the course let the teacher know. In order to be successful in any class the key is communication. You really want to make sure you are communicating if you are struggling with a concept or the course as a whole.

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Tip 1: Attend All Classes

Although this may seem like an obvious tip but believe it or not some students just do not attend classes on a regular basis.

I remember when I was in college and I was mentoring a young lady who attended one of the local high schools. When we met we went through a series of "getting to know you questions"an interview of sorts and one thing that came up was that she did not attend class regularly. Since I always attended class unless something was wrong like I was ill or had to miss due to an emergency I really didn't understand this. After asking more questions she informed me that she was in school she was just not in class instead she spent several hours a day in the gym, on the football field, on the track field, everywhere but class. So as obvious as it seems to most to some just being in school is enough.

In order to make good grades you want to attend class daily for several reasons:

To make your presence known - you want your teachers to know that you are in class and actively engaged in what is going on during class. This also gives you an opportunity to earn participation and/or attendance points when available which in turn can boost your grades.

Being in class also provides you with the opportunity to absorb classroom lectures and information. Some teachers actually give lecture tests so if you are not in class to gain that knowledge the likelihood that you will be successful on that particular test is slim.

Last but most certainly not least grab a seat in the front of the classroom. Students who sit in the front traditionally make better grades.

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7 Tips to Make Better Grades!

Over the next several days we will be discussing ways in which you can make better grades. Connect with us daily for tips on how to increase your grades.

Character Education

What is character education?

Character education is an umbrella term loosely used to describe the teaching of children in a manner that will help them develop variously as moral, civic, good, mannered, behaved, non-bullying, healthy, critical, successful, traditional, compliant or socially acceptable beings.

Teaching children about basic human values, including honesty, kindness, generosity, courage, freedom, equality, and respect. The goal is to raise children to become morally responsible, self-disciplined citizens. Problem solving, decision making, and conflict resolution are important parts of developing moral character. Through role playing and discussions, students are helped to see that their decisions affect other people and things. Service learning is frequently a part of a comprehensive character education program.

Although school has a central role in developing students' character, the most profound impact on students' development comes from their families, notably their parents—whether we look at social, moral, behavioral, or academic development. Schools readily admit this truth. National, state, and local documents on character education, for example, routinely begin by acknowledging that parents have the greatest influence on children's character development.

Trustworthiness - Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, and country

Respect - Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

Responsibility - Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set a good example for others

Fairness - Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly • Treat all people fairly

Caring - Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

Citizenship - Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment • Volunteer

- See more at: http://charactercounts.org/sixpillars.html#sthash.k1DZvLoj.dpuf

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Multiple Intelligences

The theory of multiple intelligence developed by Howard Gardner suggest that there are 8 different types of intelligence and we all possess one or a combination of a few. The theory helps educators to think differently about IQ and thinking.

Linguistic - likes to read, good with words, word smart

Spatial - good with pictures, drawing, building, and puzzles, art smart

Bodily/Kinesthetic - athletic, great gross and fine motor skills, body smart

 

Musical - likes music, rhymes, playing instruments, and singing, music smart

Naturalist - loves animals, loves being outdoors, camping, nature smart

Logical/Mathematical - enjoys thinking and problem solving activities, puzzles, computers, math smart

Interpersonal - social butterfly, likes being around people and in social settings, people smart

Intrapersonal -  content with working and playing alone, self smart

There are numerous MI tests online that you can administer to your children or take yourself to find out which way you learn best.  Take this information and help your child to use it to study.

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21st Century Classroom

The term “21st century” has become an integral part of educational thinking and planning for the future. Educators and administrators are actively searching for ways to prepare students for the future, and the educational system has been evolving faster than ever before.

What is the role of education in the 21st century?

The role of education is to prepare students to become active, successful, and contributing members of society. The essence of education’s role has not changed. However, there has been an important change that must be considered.

The following are four ideas that we should focus on when developing a 21st century classroom:

1. Instruction should be centered around the student - meaning the dynamics of the classroom will change and the teacher will not be the focus (gone are the days of lessons based on lectures). Instead the students will have to utilize their ability to learn and use the new information that they receive and connect it with prior knowledge to solve new problems that arise. The teacher will become the facilitator for the students as they gather information on their own. The 21st century classroom is a more hands-on classroom than classrooms of the past.
2. Collaboration - in the 21st century classroom students must learn to collaborate with one another including people of other cultures and who have different values within their own classrooms. They will work together to discover information, put it together and solve problems.
3. Contextual Learning - this is basically teaching transferable skills and how they can be used in every day life. Students must know that what they are learning in the classroom can and will be used outside of the classroom.
4. Schools should be integrated with the community and society - in the 21st century classroom students must not only learn how to interact with one another in the classroom but also outside of the classroom. So we need to teach students how to take part in a global society and become productive, responsible citizens.

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21st Century Classrooms

The term “21st century” has become an integral part of educational thinking and planning for the future. Educators and administrators are actively searching for ways to prepare students for the future, and the educational system has been evolving faster than ever before.

What is the role of education in the 21st century?

The role of education is to prepare students to become active, successful, and contributing members of society. The essence of education’s role has not changed. However, there has been an important change that must be considered.

The following are four ideas that we should focus on when developing a 21st century classroom:

1. Instruction should be centered around the student - meaning the dynamics of the classroom will change and the teacher will not be the focus (gone are the days of lessons based on lectures). Instead the students will have to utilize their ability to learn and use the new information that they receive and connect it with prior knowledge to solve new problems that arise. The teacher will become the facilitator for the students as they gather information on their own. The 21st century classroom is a more hands-on classroom than classrooms of the past.
2. Collaboration - in the 21st century classroom students must learn to collaborate with one another including people of other cultures and who have different values within their own classrooms. They will work together to discover information, put it together and solve problems.
3. Contextual Learning - this is basically teaching transferable skills and how they can be used in every day life. Students must know that what they are learning in the classroom can and will be used outside of the classroom.
4. Schools should be integrated with the community and society - in the 21st century classroom students must not only learn how to interact with one another in the classroom but also outside of the classroom. So we need to teach students how to take part in a global society and become productive, responsible citizens.

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Should Elementary and Middle School Students Learn Higher Level Math?

Have you noticed that the homework your child is bring home looks a little difficult for their grade level? 

While assisting your child with homework have you ever thought to yourself "I think I learned this in middle or high school not elementary school?"

A lot of parents feel the same way as you and the answer to those questions are yes and yes. What started out as those who were academically advanced taking high school courses like Algebra in 7th or 8th grade or high school students taking AP courses to earn college credit has turned into Elementary school students being introduced to Algebra and Geometry at early stages.

Any student can learn algebra, but the timing is critical. For example if you ask,"What number plus 5 is 9?" the child in elementary school should be able to tell you that the answer is 4. Problems like these are simple and easy skills for an elementary student to learn however we do not want to push them into learning all of Algebra at that age.

 Politicians like the idea of offering algebra in middle school. They argue that the world has sped up over the past generation; technology has gotten more complicated, ideas more complex. Why not introduce harder concepts at younger ages? In 2008, California lawmakers began a campaign to make algebra mandatory for eighth-graders, a shift that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger compared to President John F. Kennedy's pledge to put a man on the moon.  Meanwhile, many researchers believe that middle school students aren’t ready for algebra. In a 2008 letter to the editor of The Ventura County Star, Professor of Education Dr. Bruce Mitchell argued against California’s proposal. His letter referenced the studies of Dr. Herman Epstein, who believed that the human brain has rapid growth periods and plateau periods where no growth seems to take place. For most students, the middle school years occur during a plateau stage, and Epstein argued that "the plateau stages were not optimal times for the introduction of new higher-level thought processes, particularly algebra, which eighth-grade students fail more than any other subject. Historically, algebra has been most often offered in grades 10 though 12. That occurs during the age 14-17 growth-spurt stage, when it's OK to teach abstract reasoning concepts.”

I personally believe that it is acceptable to introduce elementary school students to Algebra and that it is also acceptable to allow students in middle school to take Algebra. I am the product of a magnet school and I took Algebra in the 7th grade by high school (9th grade) I had taken Algebra and Geometry and was moving on to Algebra 2. I am not sure if the students in my school (who all went down this same path) were an exception to the research or if it is truly acceptable.

As parents you know your children so get all of the facts and take the time to make the best decision for your child.

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What's happening with the grading scale?

Growing up we had a 7-point grading scale so grades were determined using the following scale:
100 - 93 A
92 - 84 B
83 - 75 C
74 - 66 D
65 and below F

However upon entering college I was made aware of a 10-point grading scale:
100 - 90 A
89 - 80 B
79 - 70 C
69 - 60 D
59 and below F

Both of these scales make it pretty easy to figure out your grade and where you stand. These days the problem is not the calculation of the grades but how the grades are generated.

There was a time when you would receive grades for homework, quizzes, tests, exams, classwork, and projects. However, living in this society of ASSESSMENT, ASSESSMENT, ASSESSMENT the grades are comprised of mostly test scores known as knowledge grades. In knowledge based assessment grades:

• Students who complete all their practice work (homework) can retest
• Students whose quarter percentages fall below a 50% will be adjusted to a 50% to give struggling students a better chance at passing a class
• Students are not awarded extra credit 
• Students’ tests, quizzes and projects make up 90% of their knowledge grade, while practice work comprises only 10%

So what can you do as a parent?

Make certain that you are in constant communication with the teacher seeking knowledge on what is being covered in the class and where your child stands with the skills they have been tested on.

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The Homework Debate

Do you think your kids are receiving enough homework or that they are receiving to much homework?

These are questions that parents ask themselves on a regular basis.

Let's start by defining homework. Homework is defined as out of class assignments given to students to reinforce what was taught/learned in class.

Research shows that homework actually increases students' academic achievement, many teachers and parents agree that homework develops students' initiative and responsibility and fulfills the expectations of students, parents, and the public. Studies generally have found homework assignments to be most helpful if they are carefully planned by the teachers and have direct meaning to students. In other words schools should stop giving homework that is not meaningful.

According to statements by the National PTA and the National Education Association (NEA), the following amounts of homework are recommended:

• From kindergarten to third grade, no more than 20 minutes per day.
• From fourth to sixth grade, 20 to 40 minutes per day.
• From seventh to twelfth grade, the recommended amount of time varies according to the type and number of subjects a student is taking. In general, college-bound students receive lengthier and more involved homework than students preparing to enter the workforce immediately after graduation.

So what is our take?

We believe that homework is necessary because it does reinforce what is being learned in the classroom but it also prepares students for what to expect if they choose to further their education because as they progress on to college they will find that the amount of homework will increase.

If you or your child needs help with homework give us a call!

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Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Our Top 10 Educational Board Games for Kids

When we here the word "games" we think about fun and play but not necessarily learning however there are a lot of games that are educational and that will challenge the child's mind and be fun and exciting.

Below is a list of 10 Educational Board Games that you can introduce to your kids and play with them.

1. Monopoly - an American-originated board game originally published by Parker Brothers. Subtitled "The Fast-Dealing Property Trading Game", the game is named after the economic concept of monopoly—the domination of a market by a single entity. It is produced by the United States game and toy company Hasbro. Players move around the gameboard buying or trading properties, developing their properties with houses and hotels, and collecting rent from their opponents, with the goal being to drive them into bankruptcy.
2. Scrabble Junior - What a great way for kids to play America’s favorite word game! Kid-sized words and colorful pictures make it fun to match letter tiles to words on the grid. Players collect scoring chips for completing words. When all of the tiles have been placed on the board, the player with the most chips wins! It’s letter-matching fun for your little one! Flip over the gameboard for an advanced game where players create their own words—the game grows with the kids! Includes 2-sided gameboard, 101 cardboard letter tiles, 44 scoring chips and beginner and advanced rules. 
3. Operation - Operation is a battery-operated game of physical skill that tests players' hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. 
4. Memory - Learn while you play in the endlessly popular Memory game! Classic Memory game challenges you to find matches.
5. Shape by Shape - Shape By Shape is an advanced Tangram-style game, made more difficult because you also fill in the frame around each shape you make. With 60 challenges, Shape By Shape is a great exercise in conceptual thinking and spatial relationships.
6. Pictureka! - Play four great card games that’ll get your creative juices flowing! First, can you find a picture of something beginning with the letter “A”? Point out that Apple before the other players spot it! In the second game, race to get rid of your cards by finding “mission” pics. Third, test your matching skills and pick out pairs before your peers do! And finally, get creative and combine cards to complete missions. All four ways provide PICTUREKA fun in a play-anywhere card game!
7. Boggle - is a word game distributed by Parker Brothers. The game is played using a plastic grid of lettered dice, in which players attempt to find words in sequences of adjacent letters.
8. Guess Who - is a two-player guessing game in which each player starts the game with a board that includes cartoon images of 24 people and their first names with all the images standing up. The game starts with each player selecting a card of their choice from a separate pile of cards containing the same 24 images. The object of the game is to be the first to determine which card one's opponent has selected. Players alternate asking various yes or no questions to eliminate candidates, such as "Does this person wear glasses?" The player will then eliminate candidates by flipping those images down until all but one is left. Well-crafted questions allow players to eliminate one or more possible cards.
9. Connect Four - Connect Four is a two-player connection game in which the players first choose a color and then take turns dropping colored discs from the top into a seven-column, six-row vertically suspended grid. The pieces fall straight down, occupying the next available space within the column. The object of the game is to connect four of one's own discs of the same color next to each other vertically, horizontally, or diagonally before your opponent. 
10. Rush Hour - Set up the traffic challenge and battle the gridlock as you slide the blocking vehicles out of your way to find a path for your red car to exit! This game features four levels of difficulty, allowing players to progress at their own pace. With 40 all-new challenges, it’s even more bumper-to-bumper fun for all ages!

STEM: What's It All About?

The acronym STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This program was started by Judith A. Ramaley, the former director of the National Science Foundation’s education and human-resources division. This approach to education is designed to revolutionize the teaching of subject areas such as mathematics and science by incorporating technology and engineering into regular curriculum by creating a “meta-discipline.”

There is more; STEM Education attempts to transform the typical teacher-centered classroom by encouraging a curriculum that is driven by problem-solving, discovery, exploratory learning, and require students to actively engage a situation in order to find its solution.

The ultimate goal of STEM education is to encourage students to take an interest in STEM subjects at an early age. This should be beneficial to them when they enter the jobs market, and in turn it should benefit the greater economy. It is a simple definition with a straight forward goal.

In the past the four parts of STEM have been taught separately and some of the parts were not even focused on at all but now through STEM programs they are all being taught together. STEM programs are being pushed as a method of allowing US students to compete with other students from other countries.

Some of the benefits of STEM is the ability to teach students how to think critically. Students in STEM programs have also been found to perform better on standardized tests and the exposure they receive can impact the colleges they attend or the career paths that they choose.

There are many degrees that utilize STEM education are:

• Animal Science
• Engineering
• Plant Science
• HVAC
• Mining
• Drafting
• Botany
• Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Mathematics 
• .......and the list goes on and on

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10 TV Shows That Are Actually Educational

We all know that television is one of those things as children that we felt we just could not live without and kids today feel the same way, they have to watch television. So we want to give you all a list of 10 television shows that you don't have to feel bad about your children watching. Now we recommend television in moderation and not just sitting your child in front of it and leaving them for hours at a time.

1. Sesame Street - Sesame Street is a long-running American children's television series created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett. The program is known for its educational content, and images communicated through the use of Jim Henson's Muppets, animation, short films, humor, and cultural references.
2. Super Why - the animated television series and interactive website, helps children ages 3-6 learn key reading skills, including alphabet, rhyming, spelling and reading.
3. Jake and the Never Land Pirates - Jake and the Never Land Pirates is an Annie Award-winning musical and interactive animated television series based on Disney's Peter Pan franchise.
4. Doc McStufiins - Doc McStuffins is an animated children's television series about a girl who can "fix" toys, with help from her stuffed animal friends
5. Dora the Explorer - Dora the Explorer is an animated children's television series starring a 7-year-old Latina girl and her friends. The show is designed to actively engage preschoolers in a play-along, computer-style adventure. In each episode, Dora invites young viewers to join her on an adventure or an exploration with a clearly defined goal at the end. Using Map to point out the stops on the way, Dora and the viewer must solve problems and overcome obstacles along the way to their goal. At the end of each episode, Dora, the viewer, and Dora's friends, celebrate with Dora's signature "We Did It" dance. She also introduces children to Spanish vocabulary, encourages movement, and gives viewers the skills and the confidence needed to overcome challenges.
6. Go Diego Go - Diego is an 8-year-old Latino action-adventure hero with a heart. His goal is to save and protect the animals and their environment. Athletic and fearless, he is always at the ready no matter what the situation. Diego loves learning new things. He takes a scientific approach to problem solving and also uses a variety of high-tech gadgets and gizmos to save the day.
7. Kipper - Optimistic and curious, Kipper is the quintessential child with an active imagination. Kipper's charm captivates and delights children the world over. His touching and imaginative adventures are based on the best-selling books by Mick Inkpen.
8. Little Einsteins - Leo, Annie, Quincy and June are the Little Einsteins. This preschool series is full of adventures that introduce kids to nature and world cultures.
9. Dinosaur Train - The series features a curious young Tyrannosaurus Rex named Buddy who, together with his adopted Pteranodon family, takes the Dinosaur Train to explore his time period, and have adventures with all kinds of dinosaurs.
10. Backyardigans - The Backyardigans is an animated musical-adventure series for children ages 2 to 5. In each episode, the show's five high-spirited preschool friends--Uniqua, Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, and Austin--rely on their vivid imaginations to transform their backyard into a fantastical 3-D landscape, and together they embark on amazing epic journeys. 
    
    These lovable characters will inspire children to sing and dance along, and to stretch their imaginations as they climb up mountains, slide down glaciers, and sail across oceans. Each episode is driven by an exciting, age-appropriate story and enlivened by original music--including big band, reggae, rockabilly, bossa nova, and hip-hop--and by professionally choreographed dance numbers.

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Education and Technology

Most parents are unaware of what occurs in the classroom on a daily basis outside of what their children tell them and when there's an issue that arises. Technology is being used more and more each day for many different reasons and we wanted to discuss some ways in which technology is improving education. According to a research study by Common Sense Media published in October 2011, “computer use is pervasive among very young children, with half (53%) of all 2 to 4 year olds having ever used a computer, and nine out of 10 (90%) 5 to 8 year olds having done so."

So below is a list of ways in which technology is being used in the classrooms today:

Teacher's websites: Gone are the days of classroom newsletters (for most teachers) instead teachers are utilizing the internet and their own private websites to communicate with students and parents. Those who are still using newsletters as a way to communicate are now sending them via email versus printing them and sending them home.

Online Gradebooks: These are being used by school districts to allow students and parents to stay abreast of grades, assignments, and attendance as well as a method to communicate with individual teachers.

Video Sites: There are several video sites that students use like YouTube, Khan Academy, and Teacher Tube, these are sites that students can use to find out a wealth of information on any topic.

Assessment Tests: Part of the reason that Common Core was implemented was to provide students with a method of being assessed via computer so that teachers would know where their students were academically at any given time and could adjust what they are teaching based on those results.

Textbooks:  Believe it or not a lot of schools are no longer using textbooks instead they have shifted to using Ipads that are loaded with textbooks, the schools online gradebooks, and other school resources so students are no longer carry around several textbooks they now only carry their iPad which contains all of the information that they need for all of their classes.

STEM: The acronym STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This program was started by Judith A. Ramaley, the former director of the National Science Foundation's education and human-resources division. This approach to education is designed to revolutionize the teaching of Mathematics and Science by incorporating technology and engineering into regular curriculum by creating a "meta-discipline." 

STEM requires students to be actively engaged in problem solving within the classroom.

Want to learn more? Ask your child's teacher how technology is being used in their classrooms?

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Children and Internet Usage

On average 76% of students use the internet three to four times per week. Children use the Internet in several different ways and for several different reasons according to their ages so it is imperative as parents that we monitor their internet usage at all times. Nowadays children as young as three are utilizing computers but usually they are around eight before they start to navigate the computer independently. Parents must however know why they are surfing the internet because unlike adults who usually surf the internet for work or when researching how to do something kids usually surf the internet for entertainment purposes.

Parents typically know how their kids are surfing the internet but it is necessary to remember that kids can surf the internet in places outside of home. They surf at school, at the library, friend's homes, and after school programs so you need to know who allows them to access the internet and what their rules are.

We always hear of people discussing the ways that the internet usage can have negative effects on children but we wanted to discuss some of  the positive effects as well.

Childhood is all about getting use to and getting to know the world around us and in this technological society we live in that exploration occurs on the internet as well. The internet if used properly can enhance a child's cognitive - memory, spatial and logical problem solving, critical thinking, concentration, and comprehension; social - via social interaction; and physical skills - hand, eye coordination and fine motor skills. It allow them to socialize, communicate, learn, work, and play.

So when you think about internet usage and children just know that it is a great thing as long as you monitor the usage at all times.

Happy Surfing

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10 Scholarship Tips for Parents

1. Devote one day per week to working on scholarship applications – Applying for Scholarships can be just as stressful as preparing for graduation or sitting for College Entrance Exams so it is best to devote one day per to completing applications, writing essays, and requesting recommendations.
2.  Stay connected to the process – Stay in tune to what scholarships your child is applying for and where they are in the process. Reading over their applications and essay checking for spelling and grammar issues, if you don’t feel comfortable doing so there are several companies who you can hire to do so. 
3. Be honest with your child about the costs of education as it relates to the family’s finances – It is important to let your child know the costs of education and not a blanketed statement but the actual cost of attendance even if they have already received or plan to receive a scholarship. Also let them in on the family’s finances and what the family can afford to contribute to their education. This information will provide them details on where they are and what they need in order to attend their choice school.
4.  Assist with the scholarship search - Searching for scholarships and completing applications can be overwhelming so make sure you take the time out to assist your child with the scholarship search. Utilize the guidance counselor from their high school, the financial aid office from the school(s) in which they plan to attend, and the internet to assist with your search.
5.  Make it easy to apply – There are some things that you can have on hand in order to make the process very easy and seamless. Make sure you have the following on hand: standard, generic letters of recommendation from teachers and guidance counselors, transcripts, and a strong personal statement. 
6. Pay attention to deadlines – Most scholarships have deadlines and it is necessary to apply before those dates arrive if you want an opportunity to receive the scholarship. Make sure you find a filing and organization method that works best for you and your child.
7. Start early and get organized – It is never too early to start searching for scholarships, my mom actually started looking for me when I was in the 7^th grade. Yes, there are scholarships that you can receive for college as early as the 7^th grade possibly even earlier so you want to make sure that you get started early so you can meet all deadlines. It is also imperative to be organized. It is best that students learn as much as they can about scholarships as early as a year ahead of time so they are prepared once they are eligible to apply.
8. Encourage your child to apply and continuing encouraging them –Always encourage your kids to apply even when they think they cannot meet the all of the requirements push them to apply. There are so many students who don’t apply for scholarships for various reasons therefore there are several scholarships that are let untouched so make sure your child completes the application prior to the deadline because the committee just might make an exception for your child.
9. Use several sources to apply for scholarships – Ask the guidance counselor and teachers about where to apply for scholarships, also seek assistance from the financial aid office of the school in which they plan to attend. You can also check with organizations that you belong to and finally try online scholarship sites that can provide you with a list of places in which to apply for certain types of scholarships. i.e. fastweb.com, scholarships.com, studentscholarshipsearch.com.
10. Check with your employers – A lot of times your employers will have scholarship programs available not only for you but your dependents so make sure you check with your employer to see if they have any options available.