Take Advantage of Summer in the South Bay!

Summer has just begun in Manhattan Beach and its time to take advantage. Of course squeezing some time for learning and tutoring is important but I hope you will also take time to enjoy the awesome local events that we are so lucky to have here in Manhattan Beach and the rest of the South Bay.

http://www.southbayevents.com/  -This site is great for all those of you tht want to make the most of your summer in the South Bay. It has a detailed list of weekly events, ranging from art exhibitions, summer festivals, midnight fishing, outdoor concerts, and volleyball tournaments.

http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela-los-angeles-restaurant-week

Includes some gret restaurants in the South Bay. Save the dates of July 14-27^th, 2014.

http://www.ci.manhattan-beach.ca.us/city-officials/parks-and-recreation/cultural-arts/concerts-in-the-park-2013

Here is the summer schedule and more information about Weekly summer concerts held at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach. So much fun for the whole family!

http://www.northmb.info/ For those of you that live in North Manhattan Beach, check out these events and businesses

http://www.mbgp.com/ Manhattan Beach Grand Prix will be held on July 6, 2014. This was founded in 1962 by  local racing legend Ted Ernst. It is one of the counry’s longest running bike races. Contestants from all over the world compete in this.

http://www.surffestival.org/  This annual festival will be held from July 30-August 3^rd. It includes bodysurfing, 6 man Volleyball Tournament, Lifeguard championships, surfing competitions, and swim/paddle competitions. This website includes a list of events for each day.

http://www.avp.com/event/mbo-14/  The Manhattan Beach Open held from August 14-17^th features many players that have won the Olympics.  This website gives more details about the players, ticket sales, location, and stats.

What Else Can My Kids Do Over the Summer to Keep their Brains Strong?

 Just when you thought it was time to relax, the kids are complaining “I’m bored…..” If you haven’t tried Lumosity yet, it is definitely worth the time. Lumosity is a series of brain training games that work on improving  mental flexibility, memory, problem solving, speed and attention. Lumosity is a perfect tool for students with ADHD or those who just want to improve their memory. It was designed by neuroscientists, and in addition to the game like format it incorporates social networking. Users create a profile that helps them to track their progress.

 Lumosity is based on neuroplasticity, which treats the brain like a muscle that will adapt when it encounters new challenges. In the past, neuroplasticity was believed to only benefit children whose brains were still developing, but current research shows that teens and adults can also strengthen their brains.

 In order to benefit from Lumosity, players must use the program regularly. In addition, users should try try a variety of different games and increase their difficulty level over time to increase the challenges. When users create their profile they can identify their strengths and weaknesses.

 There is much evidence that supports the effectiveness of Lumosity and other brain training games but no one knows for sure. In any case, it certainly can’t hurt.

 

Check out the free app for the ipad and iphone at:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lumosity-mobile/id577232024?mt=8

 Also please visit our website at http://www.beachcitiestutoring.com for more educational blogs.

Typing Classes- An Anachronism or a Valuable Tool for Children and Teens???

I know that when I was in high school my dad told me the most valuable class that I would take was typing. I will forever be thankful to him for encouraging me to take the class as it’s a life skill that continues to save me a tremendous amount of time in my daily life as a teacher, business owner and writer.  Unfortunately, typing classes are no longer offered in most elementary, middle nor high schools so students are forced to use the “hunt and peck” method.

With the advent of the Common Core Standards and most school districts switching to ipads and chromebooks, typing will become an even more valuable skill. It is also something great for students of all ages to learn during the summer.

I would highly recommend Google Chrome’s free typing app that makes learning to type fun by using a game like format. It will teach students the proper technique and specific fingers to use so they can learn to type very quickly. Many students that use the app can increase their speed to between 30-90 words per minute.  Although typing is a simple skill, it’s value should not be underestimated and can save your child tons of time in school, college and life.

Happy Typing. Please check out the free app link below to get started!

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/typingclub/obdbgibnhfcjmmpfijkpcihjieedpfah?hl=en

For more informational blogs on educational topics, please visit our website at http://www.beachcitiestutoring.com, your premier source for private in-home tutoring, run and operated by teachers!

Common Core Apps—Lifesaver for Students and Parents!

With 2014-15 being the first official year of the implementation of the Common Core Standards, these apps could make the transition easier. In addition, with all students with having access to ipads and Google Chromebooks through their schools, this technology will be easily accessible to students. The best thing about apps are that they can help all types of learners, especially visual learners and those with any kind of learning disability.

Please check them out and leave your thoughts on our Facebook at beachcitiestutoring.

1)   EDUCREATIONS- This app allows students to create easy to understand instructional videos to review, remember and analyze information. This app allows students to be creative and works well with students with learning disabilities.  http://www.educreations.com

2)   COMICLIFE- This app allows students to create comic strips on any topic. This is a great learning tool for special education students as well and is lot of fun. It can be used with science, social studies, English, etc. It can be purchased from the Apple Store for $4.99 plasq.com

3)   CS CORE- This app is a quick and easy reference guide for the California Common Core State Standards. Parents can search by content area, grade level, domain/strand, cluster or standard.   bit.ly/1nBxzpK

4)   SCOOTPAD- This app provides standard based practice for K-5 students in math, reading, spelling, vocabulary and writing. This is great for summer too to keep students engaged and retain their skills. Bit.ly/1gwVizX

5)   COMMON CORE READING PRACTICE AND ASSESMENT- Here you will find a collection of grade specific apps for K-6 graders. The activities reinforce skills such as phonics, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. They help with test taking strategies.     Bit.ly/SVOKrf

6)   SUBTEXT- This app can be used with Edmodo or a google account. Students can analyze and discuss text, look up words, and highlight text. In addition, students can download articles and e-books from any source.   http://www.renaissance.com/products/subtext

Source: California Educator Magazine – May 2014

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More Common Core Resources (Not Apps!)

Here are some more Common Core Standard Resources to help teens! I will continue to update this list and provide more information.

English Language Arts Resources:

http://www.commoncoreconversation.com/ela-resources.html#sthash.0GptM73w.dpbs

http://www.collaborizeclassroom.com/resources/student-success-resources

http://achievethecore.org/

Math Resources:

http://www.commoncoreconversation.com/math-resources.html#sthash.BNqHEV3z.dpbs

http://www.algebra1teachers.com/common-core-assessment-examples-for-high-school-math/

http://mathbits.com/caching/MathCacheDirectionsOpen.html

http://achievethecore.org/

http://www.kosjourney.com/

Please visit our website at http://www.beachcitiestutoringcom for more up to date educational blogs!

Great Free App for Foreign Language Basic Skills

Duolingo is a great free app that teaches Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Portuguese. It makes learning fun as it is in the form of a game, but also includes a lot of repetition in order to help children, teens, and adults learn a new language.  The lessons are designed in short blocks and you can only reach the next level by beating the present level.  The goal of Duolingo is not designed to drill you in , but it’s meant to help you develop  conversational skills over the course of months. By the end of the B2 level you have become an upper intermediate user. You will understand the spoken language well, be able to read books and watch movies, but you won’t sound like a native with perfect grammar. Duolingo could supplement more formal tutoring and is great app to motivate younger children to learn and practice a foreign language.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/duolingo-learn-languages-for/id570060128?mt=8

Ready or Not: Check out the Changes to The “New” SAT

As of 2016, the College Board will be making changes to the current SAT in an effort to make it more reflective of students’ ability to succeed in college. Students will no longer be required to take the essay portion of the exam so the top possible score will once again be 1600 as it was for many decades.

            In addition, some of the other changes to the test include making the math problems less theoretical and more closely related to real life. Students will no longer be allowed to use calculators so that the SAT will also test their math fluency and calculation skills.

            For the English portion, there will be less obscure vocabulary and more commonly used vocabulary that students will see in their everyday lives.  The optional essay will be more closely linked to the texts presented to students to test their analyzation skills include less personal opinion.

            Other changes will include a change in the scoring. Students will no longer loose points for incorrect answers. They will only be given points for correct  answers. In addition the new SAT will be connected to the new Common Core teaching standards so they will have to apply their knowledge to problem solve. Finally, the SAT will start offering an online form as well as traditional paper form.

The changes to the SAT were brought about due to the criticism that the SATs did not accurately predict performance in college as well as the assertion that students from privileged backgrounds have an advantage in that they can take expensive prep courses. As a result the Khan Academy will offer a free series of practice exams and videos about good test-taking practices. 

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