How You Can Support Your Kindergartener! More Important Than You Think......

Kindergarten is an exciting time for everyone – little kids are entering the big kid school world while parents are having their first taste of freedom. However, even kindergarteners need support to keep them engaged as they begin their educational lives.

Here are some tips that can help you support your kindergartener to ensure a successful future.

1)   Meet their teacher and learn about classroom procedures. Also, find out what they are learning in class as well as future assignments so that you can do things at home to reinforce what they are learning at school.

2)   Find out early if your child is struggling in Kindergarten compared to the rest of the class so that you can get them extra tutoring to make sure they can keep up with the class.  Self-esteem at this age is very important and delicate.

3)   Establish habits and patterns such as reading a book at night or doing homework for 30 min after school at a specific time and place so students learn good routines and study habits at a young age.

4)   Make sure they know that homework/reading/discussion time isn’t something “extra” that they have to sit through each day but it is part of the learning process at home.

5)   Try to keep a friendly open line of communication with your child’s teacher and with your child so you can find out easily if they are struggling with certain concepts.

6)   Before your child enters kindergarten try to develop oral language, listening skills and social skills as well as fine motor skills (writing and drawing). Read to them and ask them comprehension questions. These are skills that are expected early on in kindergarten.

7)   Nurture your child’s natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning outside the classroom to show that education is fun, rewarding and exciting. Take them to children’s museums, the Science Center, zoos, aquariums, cultural events and festivals, and classes that interest them (i.e. music, art, etc). Watch educational programs for children.

8)   Teach by example. Try to have a library in the home and make sure your children see you reading.

Finally, encourage your child to take responsibility for his behavior and explore, ask questions and talk about new ideas. This will help improve vocabulary and also build curiosity and determination.

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We'd love your comments and questions.

Study Tips for Finals-Easier Than You Thought!

Tip 1: Start early
Yes, that means now. You should begin to gather you materials a few weeks in advance as well as start preparing study guides at least 2 weeks before exams.

Tip 2: Organize
Design a study plan based on the dates of each final so you can decide which material to cover each day. Schedule in your agenda the times you will study for each final so you are less likely to skip or not have enough time in your day.

Tip 3: Outline

Creating outlines is a great way to not only review material but to decipher which material is most important. If you already have outlines, highlighting the most important materials or creating cornell style notes could be another option.

Tip 4: Make flashcards
Flashcards are similar to outlining but you can quiz yourself more easily and take them with you. By copying the material onto the flashcard you are also studying without even knowing it.

Tip 5: Get help
Here is where your tutor or teacher comes in. After you have reviewed the material a few times, you can see which concepts you need to get help on. Ask your teacher or tutor about these specific items.

Tip 6: Sleep
Sleep is often underrated but without it you can set yourself up for failure even if you have put in the proper study time.

Tip 7:Stay calm
This tip is very important as well as even students who are prepared may feel overwhelmed or panic during the test. Use techniques such as doing the easiest questions first, crossing out answers that you know are wrong, taking deep breathes, pacing yourself with the clock so you know where you should be about 1/4 and 1/2 way through the test.

Tip 8: Don’t rush

You have spent at least two weeks studying.Work through the exam slowly and read all the questions before answering them. Make sure to check your work if at all possible whether it is an essay, math problems, or multiple choice.

Good luck Mustangs!!! Hope these tips help.

For more articles on educational topics, please visit our website at http://www.beachcitiestutoring.com

Computer Science Education Week- Dec 8-14!

Get ready for Computer Science Week! A special focus on this week is go get students to participate in Hour of Code. This is a one hour introduction to computer science and programming meant to teach students the basics. Many of our Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach students already have access to computer programming classes as electives but the Hour of Code is a basic introduction that students of many different ages can enjoy.

http://www.hourofcode.org  features online tutorials, videos and curriculum for classrooms. STEM education nurtures problem solving skills and creativity which the Common Core Curriculum highly encourages. Hour of Code is meant for K-12. Hope you will take advantage of it and visit their site for more info.

On a personal note, for many of my students last year at RUHS their favorite period of the day was computer programming. It offered a creative outlet and taught them skills they will use in their future jobs. They actually felt a real world connection to their learning which unfortunately not all students do feel in many of their academic core classes.

The Good News about Smarter Balanced Assessments

Last Spring, 4.2 million students in California participated in the Smarter Balanced Assessment field test. The purpose of the test was to give students an opportunity to try the online computer assessment as well as collect information from the scientific sampling from every state for use in developing cut off achievement levels. 

Ultimately, the panels of educators decided on four achievement levels or cut off scores for math and English for grades 3-8 and grade 11. Level three is proficient while level 4 is the highest level. Classroom teachers had a lot of input in creating the four achievement levels, which they based on achievement level descriptors. 

The good news about smarter balanced assessments was that although students experience high anxiety prior to the test, the actual test experience was positive. Additionally, the field test served as preparation for the computer based testing. Technology at many schools has been upgraded. The testing experience gave us information about the need to improve the accommodations for students with IEPs. Finally, the best news is that the SBAC are untimed. Students are encouraged to take as much time as they need.

How to Set Up Your Teen for Financial Success

Although we focus on tutoring and helping students achieve academic success. I am always reading articles from different sources about topics that involve children and teens. Since so many college graduates are taking longer to find their dream job, it is important to help them establish good financial habits early on. Yes, even as early as high school and college. Here are some ideas to jump-start your teen on the road to financial freedom.

1)   Help him/her list their expenses and create a budget- If they have part time job, discuss what their paycheck will cover and how you will supplement it. Be careful about just giving your teen money without knowing what it’s for.

2)   Encourage saving- Have him open a savings account where he can save money for an apt, car or other goals. Also talk to him/her about having an emergency fund and if you can match a portion of his savings that may also help provide an incentive for savings.

3)   Teach money management and investing skills- If they are earning some money, consider helping them open a brokerage account and/or Roth IRA to start investing.

4)   Promote joining professional organizations/clubs in college-This can provide networking opportunities to increase his/her chance of obtaining a job after college.

5)   Create goals-Help your teen develop career and financial goals and brainstorm the steps to achieve these goals.

Although there are many different paths to financial success, the above suggestions can help your teen develop habits that will teach responsibility and independence.

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