Book Review- Ungifted by Scott Barry Kaufman-- Great Book for All Parents with Students with Learning Differences!

I just recently finished reading Ungifted, by cognitive psychologist, Scott Barry Kaufman, and would highly recommend it for parents of any student with learning differences. As a Special Education Teacher, I really appreciated how Kaufman recognizes the many different types of intelligence and talents that children with learning differences can have.

Told from first person point of view, Kaufman tells how he felt as a child and teen labeled with learning disabilities in addition to interspersing his experience with research. He describes the misguided way we interpret traditional measures of intelligence.  In addition, he explores the latest research in genetics and neuroscience, as well as evolutionary, developmental, social, positive, and cognitive psychology, to challenge the conventional wisdom about the childhood predictors of adult success.

He reveals that there are many paths to greatness, and argues for a more holistic approach to achievement that takes into account each young person’s personal goals, individual psychology, and developmental trajectory. In so doing, he increases our appreciation for the intelligence and diverse strengths of prodigies, savants, and late bloomers, as well as those with dyslexia, autism, schizophrenia, and ADHD.

Ungifted will inspire you to rethink and recognize that even those without readily observable gifts can achieve and contribute to society in unbelievable ways.

Common Core Standards Shift and What it Means for Your Child/Teen

Although for the last 10 years teachers have stressed the CA State Standards and worked hard to prepare students for the CSTs (California Star Test), beginning informally since last year and formally in 2014-2015 there will be a shift in education. If you guessed the introduction to the Common Core Standards for English and Math, you guessed correctly.  Although new standards have not been released for science and social studies, teachers of these subjects will incorporate more CCSS literary and writing standards into their curriculum. As a result students will increasing reflect on their reading. In addition, science and social studies’ teachers will include more primary sources, such as historical and scientific documents, into the curriculum to replace or supplement textbook and project based learning.

How do the CCS (Common Core Standards) differ from the CA State Standards? First, they align what students across the country learn at each grade level, but more importantly they shift the role of the teacher to the facilitator thereby making the student responsible for his/her own learning. Standardized testing will also change by incorporating critical thinking questions, in which students need to problem solve, show their work, and explain how they arrived at their answer. These assessment tools are called BCRs, which stand for Brief Constructed Responses.  Students will no longer be expected to regurgitate their knowledge in the form of multiple-choice questions.

CCS standards emphasize the shift to nonfiction, incorporation of technology and students’ supporting their arguments with research based evidence.  You should expect your child or teen to participate in more collaborative lessons that emphasize speaking and listening skills rather than independent work.

In my opinion, there are many positive aspects of the new standards. Teachers will be allowed to be more creative and students will get to interact more in the classroom. They will be able to determine their own learning, and be forced to think, research and explain why they believe certain things to be true. This shift will hopefully create more active learners.

As a Special Education teacher, I believe the CCS could help students because there will not be only one correct answer as there has been with multiple-choice assessments. However, for students who have a hard time working in groups and expressing their thoughts in writing and speaking, the CCS could present more challenges. I think teachers will have to teach guided lessons on outlining, underlining, and note taking that help students to analyze literature and expository writing. In addition, teachers will have to teach social skills through role-playing and prepare students for group work by possibly giving each students a specific job in the group and clearly outlining the each student’s responsibility.  In settings with many special education students, the teacher will have to constantly circulate the classroom during collaborative groups to ensure that members are equally participating. She may have to facilitate the small groups if she observes some members not participating.  I do not believe this will be a fast and easy process, but hopefully it will make classroom learning a lot more fun, creative and interactive.

Please visit our website at http://www.beachcitiestutoring.com for more informative articles.

So Many Advantages of Summer Tutoring!!!!

Whether your child struggled during the year, needs to maintain the skills they learned, or wants to get a head start for next year, summer tutoring may be for you!

Since private tutoring is one on one, lessons focus on your child or teen’s needs. A summer tutor pays more attention to the child’s learning process and can attend to the child’s weaknesses. Aside from that, summer tutoring address the child’s learning style and matches it to the pacing of the lessons. In addition, tutors closely monitor progress and can apply interventions much more easily than a teacher who has 30 students in the classroom.

In the classroom set-up, the teacher attends to an average of twenty to thirty students. Naturally, students learn at different levels and speed, and using different styles. Some students need lengthy discussions and more time to digest the lesson, while others read the materials and study on their own.

If the majority of the students understand the lesson, then the teacher moves forward, leaving behind one or two students in the process. Private tutors help these children catch up with the rest of the class.

A summer tutor also makes it easier to diagnose learning problems. Although tutors are not expected to diagnose and correct these problems, they may give advice or refer the child to the proper professional.

For parents who work, summer tutors can ensure that students do not loose the skills they learned over the school year, especially in math, reading and writing. Tutors can work on specific math concepts as well as reinforce reading comprehension strategies. In addition, they can work on essay writing, paragraph structure, organization, and grammar.

Summer tutoring can also be used to preview skills that will be taught in the upcoming year. Tutors can provide modeling, guided practice, and independent practice as well as detailed notes. Now that you know all the benefits of summer tutoring, don’t wait so you can get your preferred days and times!

Visit us at http://www.beachcitiestutoring.com

Developing Critical Reading Skills at a Young Age and Why It is so Important at the Secondary Level

            There are different types of reading, including skimming and critical reading. In the first type of reading students just to find specific details or facts without necessarily understanding the bigger picture. In skimming , students may get the main idea but not understand the entire concept. In critical reading, however, students read for deeper meaning. This involves many strategies that students must learn and develop over time. While reading students must ask questions, make connections to their prior knowledge, generate new ideas, and interact with the text. They may need to use context clues to figure out word meanings as well as understand point of view, context, figurative language and symbolism. 

Students should be encouraged to highlight words they do not know, box sentences that seem central to the theme, and take notes in the margins. While watching a movie or reading a book with a young child, a parent can ask them what connections they see to other books or movies. This can help them make connections at a young age. Parents should also discuss bias and point of view to help students evaluate information. They can discuss types of bias such as religious, political, economic and cultural. Talking about the author’s purpose with young children can also get students thinking at a young age about author’s intent. It is not too early to discuss symbols in books or movies as well. To help your child use context clues have your child underline the word they do not know and circle keywords in the sentences that give “clues” to the word meaning. 

Finally, when your child reaches middle as well as high school, I believe it is crucial to buy the books that they are require to read because when it comes time for the essay if they have spent the time using critical reading strategies, the essay will be so much easier. From many years of tutoring, once a child finishes a book that they have not underlined and taken notes while reading they have to go back to find important quotes and passages which can be very time consuming and overwhelming for any child.

Please visit us at http://www.beachcitiestutoring.com for more informative articles and information on reading tutoring.

What are AP Classes and Why Should your Child Take them?

            AP classes otherwise known as Advanced Placement classes are offered at most high schools and provide a college curriculum at the high school level. At the end of the course, usually in May, students will take the AP exam for whichever subject they took the course in and based on their score they will receive credits equivalent to one college level course. AP exam scores range from a 1 to a 5 and most colleges consider 3 and above a passing score, although some universities require a 4 or 5 to earn the college credit. Statistics show that 1/3 or high school students receive a passing grade on their AP exams.

           In addition to challenging high school students, AP classes can save high school graduates money and time in college. Currently, there are 34 different AP classes/exams offered by the college-board, but you will need to check with your school to see how many they have available. AP classes are making American students more competitive, but you want to make sure that your child can handle the academic rigor as they do require a large amount of reading and writing. It is important to consider extracurricular activities and other time constraints, especially if you are considering taking multiple AP classes.

Beach Cities Tutoring offers many tutors who specialize in tutoring for AP Exams. Please visit our website at http://www.beachcitiesutoring.com for more informative articles and information regarding our tutoring services.

What Qualities Should You Look for in a Tutor?

 

                 I know you are thinking how hard can it be to find a tutor? There are advertisements all over and tutoring companies left and right, but finding a tutor is the easy part! Finding a good tutor is a bit more difficult! Hopefully these guidelines will help you! Beach Cities Tutors embody these qualities!

1)   Patient- A good tutor must have patience in regards to explaining concepts and also allowing time for students to grasp concepts and learn from errors. A good tutor will never rush a student and will let the student know that they are happy to help while allowing the student to work independently for a portion of the time after receiving guided instruction and modeling.

2)   Structured- A good tutor will go through step-by-step instructions. He/she will write down the steps with simple wording and examples. A good tutor paces the tutoring session so that the student will not be bored, but also not feel stressed. A good tutor will set the expectations for the session. They will spend a little time to talk to the student and make them feel comfortable, but make sure to stick to the subject matter and redirect the student if they start discussing off-topic subjects.

3)   Inspiring- A good tutor will build the students’ confidence by showing them they are competent and can succeed with effort and practice. A good tutor will also serve as a positive role model for the student.

4)   Animated- Good tutors should not use a monotone voice. They should vary their voice and facial expressions to keep the student engaged. Humor but not sarcasm can also help the session to be more enjoyable for the student and increase his/her comfort level. A good tutor wants the student to feel comfortable asking questions.

5)   Individualizes instruction- A good tutor will tailor their instruction to the student’s learning style (visual, auditory, AND/OR kinesthetic). The tutor can give a test to determine this, use a questionnaire, observation, or parent/teacher interview.

6)   Checks for Understanding- A good tutor will make sure that the student can demonstrate their understanding of the subject by either orally quizzing them or having them solve problems (math). This should take place after going over the subject matter, doing examples, giving written step-by-step directions, practicing together. A good tutor will not allow a student to just say they understand without proving it.

Please visit http://www.beachcitiestutoring.com for more informative articles about tutoring and other educational issues.

How Can You Inspire a Love for Reading in Your Child?

           I am a lifelong reader, and I owe it to my mom. First, she always set a good example by reading herself. Next, she would read one book of our choice to my brother and I every night before bed. She also took us to the library often and enrolled us in summer reading programs.

        As parents, you can greatly influence your child's love of reading. In fact, as a teacher and tutor, I have noticed that many of my students who love reading have parents that read and have books around the house. I know this because I am in their homes for tutoring. Here are some ways that you can share the joy of reading with your child, especially in the age of technology.

1) Provide Children with Choices
When children and teens have the independence to select a book of their own choice, they will be more motivated to read. Take your child to the library or book store as a family outing.

2) Be a Reading Role Model
Students who see their parents reading and discussing books will understand that it is a fun activity that is worth talking about.

3) Create a Book Club
Have your children pick a book and create a book club party where they can invite their friends to talk about the book. You can have the children dress up as the characters or create game show or interview format for your book club.

4) Buy or Rent Books from the library for the Ipad
Even though I prefer paper or hardcover books, having your child read on the ipad is also a valuable way to get them to enjoy reading using technology.

5) Summer Reading Programs with Rewards
Summer reading programs are a great way to make reading exciting. Students are often able to compete to see who reads the most and also earn prizes and rewards after they read a certain amount of books.

As a parent, it is never too early to inspire the love of reading in your child!

Please visit our blog at http://www.beachcitiestutoring.com for more informational articles and tutoring information.