Revitalize Your Academic Journey: Strategies to Improve Grades in the Third Marking Period2/12/2024 As we progress through the third marking period, it's not too late to turn the academic tide in your favor. Whether you're looking to recover from a challenging start or aiming to elevate your performance further, Total Tutoring is here with effective strategies to help you rejuvenate your grades and finish the school year strong.
1. Reflect on Past Performance: Start by reviewing your performance in the first two marking periods. Identify patterns, strengths, and areas that need improvement. Reflecting on your academic journey provides valuable insights for crafting a targeted improvement plan. 2. Set Realistic Goals: Establish clear and achievable academic goals for the third marking period. Break down larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks. Setting realistic goals creates a roadmap for success and boosts motivation. 3. Prioritize Time Management: Effectively managing your time is crucial for academic success. Create a schedule that allocates dedicated time for studying, completing assignments, and participating in extracurricular activities. Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and importance. 4. Seek Additional Support: If certain subjects pose challenges, consider seeking additional support. Whether through a tutoring service, teacher office hours, or study groups, getting extra help can provide clarity on difficult concepts and enhance your understanding. 5. Utilize Resources: Explore all available resources, including textbooks, online materials, and educational apps. Different learning resources can offer diverse perspectives on topics, reinforcing your understanding and improving retention. 6. Develop Effective Study Habits: Review and refine your study habits. Experiment with various techniques such as summarization, active recall, and self-quizzing. Find the method that works best for you and integrate it into your routine. 7. Stay Organized: Maintain an organized system for your notes, assignments, and deadlines. A well-organized approach reduces stress, ensures you stay on top of tasks, and allows for better time management. 8. Communicate with Teachers: Establish open communication with your teachers. Seek clarification on concepts you find challenging, ask for feedback on assignments, and discuss strategies for improvement. Teachers appreciate proactive students committed to their success. 9. Embrace a Growth Mindset: Cultivate a growth mindset that recognizes challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. Understand that setbacks are a natural part of the academic journey, and the focus should be on continuous improvement. 10. Practice Self-Care: Balancing academic demands with self-care is essential. Ensure you're getting adequate sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and incorporating breaks into your study routine. A well-nourished and rested mind is more receptive to learning. The third marking period is a chance to implement positive changes and achieve the academic success you desire. At Total Tutoring, we believe in your potential and are here to support your journey. By incorporating these strategies, you can turn the tide, elevate your grades, and finish the school year on a high note. If you're looking for personalized support or additional resources, reach out to us at 443-604-9358. We're committed to helping you thrive academically!
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In the dynamic landscape of education, students often encounter challenges that go beyond mastering specific subjects. Academic success is not solely about understanding the content; it involves developing essential skills, strategies, and a mindset that propels students toward excellence. This is where academic coaching comes into play – a transformative approach that goes beyond traditional tutoring, focusing on holistic student development.
Understanding Academic Coaching Academic coaching is a personalized and collaborative process aimed at empowering students to navigate their academic journeys with confidence. It involves more than just subject-specific assistance; it delves into cultivating effective study habits, organizational skills, time management, and fostering a growth mindset. The goal is to equip students not only for current academic challenges but also for a lifetime of learning. Key Components of Academic Coaching
Benefits of Academic Coaching
In the pursuit of academic excellence, the role of academic coaching is nothing short of transformative. It goes beyond traditional tutoring, acting as a personalized and empowering force that acknowledges the intricate layers of student success. By focusing on individual needs, fostering essential skills, and nurturing a positive mindset, academic coaching paves the way for a future where learning is not confined to the classroom but becomes an enduring journey of growth and accomplishment. In the ever-evolving landscape of education, finding innovative ways to engage and inspire young minds is crucial. At Total Tutoring, we are constantly exploring new avenues to enhance the learning experience for children. One of those ways is through the use of audiobooks.
Fueling Imagination Audiobooks transport children to magical worlds, opening the doors to imagination and creativity. As they listen to vivid narrations, descriptive language, and captivating stories, their minds are free to wander and envision characters, places, and scenarios. This not only fosters a love for storytelling but also enhances their ability to visualize and comprehend narratives. Building Vocabulary Listening to audiobooks exposes children to a rich and varied vocabulary. They encounter new words, phrases, and expressions in context, which contributes to the expansion of their linguistic repertoire. A strong vocabulary is a fundamental building block for academic success, and audiobooks provide an enjoyable and effective way to bolster language skills. Improving Listening Skills Audiobooks demand focused attention and active listening, crucial skills for academic achievement. By engaging with audio content, children enhance their ability to follow instructions, discern details, and process information auditorily. These skills are not only beneficial in the classroom but also in various aspects of their daily lives. Supporting Multisensory Learning Every child learns differently, and audiobooks offer a multisensory approach to learning. Combining auditory input with visual stimulation from the text can reinforce comprehension and retention. For struggling readers or those with learning differences, audiobooks provide an alternative pathway to understanding and enjoying literature. Enhancing Comprehension Audiobooks facilitate a deeper understanding of complex narratives. The intonation, pacing, and expression in a narrator's voice provide cues for emotional nuances and plot developments. This auditory reinforcement can significantly enhance a child's comprehension skills, making it easier for them to grasp complex concepts and themes. Promoting Screen-Free Learning In a digital age dominated by screens, audiobooks offer a valuable alternative to screen time. By providing a screen-free listening experience, we encourage children to engage with literature without the potential distractions associated with electronic devices. This not only promotes a healthy balance in their media consumption but also cultivates a love for literature beyond screens. From fostering creativity to building language skills and promoting active listening, audiobooks are a valuable tool in our mission to empower young learners on their academic journey. Join us in exploring the wonderful world of audiobooks, where the joy of learning knows no bounds. As the winter chill sets in, students eagerly anticipate the magical time of the year – winter break. This cherished holiday season offers a respite from textbooks and classrooms, providing young learners with the opportunity to create lasting memories with family and friends. Let's explore some delightful ways to make the most of this winter wonderland break for elementary students.
Festive Crafting Fun Encourage creativity by engaging students in festive crafting activities. From making snowflakes and paper snowmen to crafting personalized ornaments, these hands-on projects not only enhance fine motor skills but also add a touch of holiday spirit to their homes. Winter Reading Adventures Winter break is the perfect time to dive into a world of imagination through books. Create a cozy reading corner at home, complete with blankets and pillows, where young readers can explore captivating winter-themed stories. Consider organizing a family book club to discuss favorite reads and foster a love for literature. Outdoor Play in a Winter Wonderland Embrace the winter weather by engaging in outdoor activities. Whether it's building snowmen, having snowball fights, or going sledding, these winter adventures provide a healthy dose of exercise and fresh air. Make sure everyone is bundled up in warm layers to fully enjoy the snowy escapades. Holiday Baking Extravaganza Invite little chefs into the kitchen for a holiday baking extravaganza. From decorating cookies to creating festive treats, this is an excellent opportunity for hands-on learning. Not only does it teach valuable cooking skills, but it also allows for some delicious holiday indulgence. Virtual Winter Celebrations For those spending the holidays apart from extended family or friends, consider organizing virtual celebrations. Plan video calls to share holiday greetings, play virtual games, or even participate in a virtual talent show. Connecting with loved ones digitally can bring warmth and joy during the winter break. Reflect and Set Goals Encourage students to reflect on the past year and set goals for the upcoming one. This reflective practice can be a valuable exercise for personal growth. Whether it's academic achievements, personal development, or acts of kindness, setting positive intentions for the new year can instill a sense of purpose. Winter break is more than just a hiatus from school – it's a time to embrace the magic of the season, foster creativity, and create bonds with loved ones. By incorporating a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, festive traditions, and moments of reflection, families can make this winter break truly memorable for their young learners. As the snow falls and laughter echoes through the winter air, let the joy of the season fill hearts with warmth and delight. In the realm of education, homeschooling has emerged as a powerful and customizable alternative to traditional schooling. This blog post aims to explore the manifold advantages that homeschooling offers, shedding light on how it empowers students and families to chart their unique educational journeys.
1. Tailored Learning Environments: One of the most significant advantages of homeschooling is the ability to create a tailored learning environment. Homeschooling permits families to adapt the physical space, schedule, and resources to suit the individual needs and preferences of each student, fostering an optimal atmosphere for learning. 2. Flexibility in Curriculum Choices: Homeschooling liberates families from the constraints of standardized curricula. Parents can choose or design a curriculum that aligns with the interests, strengths, and learning styles of their children. This flexibility allows for a more comprehensive and engaging educational experience. 3. Individualized Pace of Learning: In a homeschooling setting, the pace of learning is not dictated by a standardized timetable. Students have the freedom to delve deeply into subjects of interest or take additional time to master challenging concepts, ensuring a more thorough understanding before progressing to new material. 4. Stronger Family Bonds: Homeschooling often strengthens family bonds as parents actively participate in their child's educational journey. The shared experience of learning becomes a bonding activity, fostering open communication and a supportive family environment that extends beyond academic pursuits. 5. Nurturing a Love for Learning: Free from the pressures of grades and standardized testing, homeschooling encourages a genuine love for learning. Students have the freedom to explore topics beyond the traditional curriculum, fostering curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for knowledge. 6. Individual Attention and Support: With smaller class sizes (often consisting of one or a few students), homeschooling provides individual attention and targeted support. This personalized approach allows educators to identify and address each student's unique learning style, ensuring a more effective and tailored educational experience. 7. Flexible Scheduling: Homeschooling offers the flexibility to adapt the daily schedule to the needs of the family. This can be particularly beneficial for families with varying commitments, such as travel, extracurricular activities, or unique work schedules. Such adaptability allows for a more balanced and holistic approach to education. 8. Customizing Learning Approaches: Homeschooling recognizes that each student learns differently. Parents can tailor their teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles, whether it's through visual aids, hands-on activities, or interactive experiences. This customization ensures that each student receives an education that resonates with their preferred learning approach. As families increasingly explore educational alternatives, homeschooling emerges as a beacon of individualized learning and empowerment. The advantages it offers, from personalized learning environments to fostering a love for knowledge, exemplify the transformative potential of homeschooling. By embracing the flexibility, customization, and nurturing environment that homeschooling provides, families can redefine education on their terms, unlocking a world of possibilities for students to thrive academically and personally. Winter's arrival brings with it the perfect opportunity for middle school students to embark on literary journeys that transport them to magical realms, mysterious adventures, and heartwarming stories. In this curated winter reading list, we present a selection of books tailored to captivate the imaginations of young readers during the colder months. From snowy landscapes to fantastical escapades, these tales are sure to keep middle schoolers entertained and inspired during the winter season.
1. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: Begin the winter reading adventure with the timeless "Chronicles of Narnia" series. Follow the Pevensie siblings as they step through the wardrobe into the enchanting land of Narnia, where talking animals, mythical creatures, and epic adventures await. 2. Wonder by R.J. Palacio: For a heartwarming and empowering story, "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio is a must-read. Join Auggie Pullman, a fifth-grader with a facial deformity, as he navigates the challenges of middle school, friendship, and self-discovery. 3. Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan: Based on a true story, "Snow Treasure" takes readers to Nazi-occupied Norway during World War II. Follow a group of brave children as they embark on a perilous journey to save their town's gold and escape the enemy. 4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling: Introduce young readers to the magical world of Hogwarts with the first book in the "Harry Potter" series. Join Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they discover the wonders of wizardry and face the challenges that come with it. 5. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill: Winner of the Newbery Medal, this fantasy novel tells the tale of Luna, a girl with a magical destiny. Filled with whimsy and adventure, it's a captivating story that explores themes of magic, sacrifice, and the power of friendship. 6. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart: Embark on a thrilling and mind-bending adventure with "The Mysterious Benedict Society." Follow a group of gifted children as they undertake a mission to save the world from a mysterious villain. 7. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen: For a gripping survival story, "Hatchet" is a compelling choice. Follow thirteen-year-old Brian as he learns to survive alone in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash, relying on his wits and resourcefulness. 8. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle: Take a journey through time and space with Meg Murry in "A Wrinkle in Time." This science fantasy classic combines elements of science fiction with a heartwarming tale of family, friendship, and the battle between good and evil. This winter, let the pages of these captivating books become portals to new worlds, stirring the imagination of middle school readers. From magical realms to heartening coming-of-age stories, this curated reading list is designed to provide young readers with a cozy escape during the winter months. So, grab a blanket, find a comfy spot, and dive into these enchanting tales for a season filled with literary adventures. Happy reading! In today’s fast-paced educational landscape, students often find themselves overwhelmed with a multitude of subjects, assignments, and exams. However, with effective study skills, students can not only manage their workload but also excel academically. In this article, we will explore some practical tips and strategies to help students improve their study skills and maximize their learning potential.
The end of the school year is rapidly approaching! If you are like me, now is the time to be pulling out shorts and t-shirts, getting end of the school year events in your calendar, and planning your summer vacation. However, before the summer hits and your kids get out of a learning routine, it's a good idea to take a few minutes and begin to think about ways that you can reduce the effects of the "summer slide" by making plans for educational opportunities over the summer.
The summer slide is what happens when kids are out of school for the summer and not participating in any educational opportunities. Without consistent educational activity, reading and math skills decrease. Research shows that children lose up to 20-30% of their academic progress from the prior year if they don’t engage in some type of regular academic activity throughout the summer. The summer slide is a real thing; but the good news is that with a little planning it can be prevented and summer tutoring can be the perfect solution. Our summer sessions are one-on-one and individually tailored to help your child close any academic gaps or learn new skills to get ahead. Summer doesn’t have to be a time of complete learning loss! All it takes is a little support from the right people to help keep you on track. Whether your student is taking the SAT/ACT in a few months, planning on tackling challenging classes in the fall, or trying to better learn phonics on the path to a lifetime of reading, our tutors can provide the kind of individualized plan for success that your student deserves. Facilitating distance learning is a new reality for families, and one that doesn’t come with a guidebook. While staying healthy and safe to help curb the spread of COVID-19 is necessary, it doesn’t make this new chapter of school easy. Our kids are used to a physical school, a classroom with a trained educator leading the way, and peers to engage and collaborate with. Switching over to distance-based lessons where families are now tasked with keeping their children engaged when they’re surrounded by the distractions of home is hard! Teaching your own children is not easy, power struggles are sure to arise, and it feels impossible to motivate a kiddo to work on math surrounded by the distractions of home. As parents, how are we supposed to make this work? We have a few resources that can help support the learning that’s happening at home by providing hands on manipulatives and structured breaks similar to those provided in the classroom. Brain Breaks Adding in some movement and exercise throughout the day can help your child burn off energy, as well as light up their brain! Go Noodle is a free website created by child development experts. There are short and fun interactive videos that help teachers and parents to get kids up and moving through brain breaks. Desk-side movement helps kids achieve more by keeping them engaged and motivated throughout the day. Cosmic Yoga is another free resource to promote mindfulness and relaxation for kids. There are interactive adventures which build strength, balance and confidence - and get kids into yoga and mindfulness early. Manipulatives In the typical classroom, you child is likely used to having hands-on manipulatives and visual aids to help them understand and engage with their daily lessons. It can be hard for kids to be expected to engage in the same content without the same materials! Many items that you have around your house can double as great math manipulatives. For example, coins, blocks, silverware (or any item you have an excess of!) can be great counters. Lima beans can be painted different colors on each side and used as double-sided counters. An egg carton can be trimmed down to become a 10 frame. Get creative, household trash could become a learning treasure! Including Choice When there’s endless distractions in the home, adding choice into your child’s day can help to lessen the inevitable power struggle about getting school work completed. Allowing your child to determine what subject they work on first, what writing utensil they get to use, and where in the house they can do schoolwork can be a small win for everyone. Creating a choice board can also be an easy way to put decisions about learning into your child’s hands. It doesn’t have to be pretty – but a structured board can help eliminate the endless negotiating that may occur because the choices are already pre-determined. Distance learning is a tricky new territory for both schools and families to navigate. Having some intentional, meaningful tools in your home can really help bridge the gap so this reality doesn’t feel quite as overwhelming. If you need some extra help during this time, please reach out, we would be happy to chat and discuss how we can help your family! Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, nearly all colleges are currently closed to students and visitors. This is a frustrating situation for high school seniors and their families who would like to tour the schools they have been admitted to, as well as juniors and sophomores who would typically visit various college campuses to get a sense of student life at the schools they are thinking of applying to. But not this year. Since you cannot visit colleges and universities in person, here is a list of virtual tours so that you can 'visit' from the safety of your own home. YouTube.com Many colleges have their own YouTube channel. Just search for the school you are interested in. YouVisit.com Virtual walking tours of 600+ colleges with a tour guide in the lower right corner narrating your virtual visit. YouniversityTV.com The largest producer of professional college video tours. “Go Beyond the Brochure” YouTube channel 15.000+ walking tours and videos of campus and dorm life recorded by students from the school. As we are currently deep in the middle of the Coronavirus Pandemic, students across the country are either learning remotely or sitting idle while their schools are closed. Total Tutoring Services has some great suggestions for how to use this time productively and turn this crisis into an opportunity for personal growth. Our recommendations are as follows -
FILL IN KNOWLEDGE GAPS: In normal circumstances, there is a lot of pressure to complete assignments and study for tests. Normal life is busy and does not leave much time to work on crucial knowledge gaps. In a subject like math, which builds on itself, learning higher level topics can be exceedingly difficult when more fundamental topics are not well-understood. Students can use this idle time to dive into areas of weakness and make themselves into a stronger student and better learner. Our tutors are experts at identifying where your child needs the most work and helping you drill through exercises that will improve their knowledge and ability in any subject. STAY SHARP: When students don’t see academic material for a prolonged period, they can suffer from “brain drain”. This happens to many students during summer break. Meeting with a tutor a couple of days per week is a great way to keep your child’s brain sharp while school is closed. Our tutors can help to keep your child on track, both keeping up with online schooling as well as to provide enrichment. SAT/ACT PREP: This is a perfect opportunity to study for the SAT or ACT if your child is a sophomore or junior. While the tests have been cancelled this month and next month, they are currently scheduled to resume in June. Use this time to work through some SAT/ACT concepts and strategies to help boost your child’s score on the test. Our tutors can help students master essential concepts and testing strategies. It is much easier to study for these tests when no other homework or classwork is due. Give us a call today to learn more about our program. We are here to help you with anything you need. Just give us a call to discuss how we can help! It's that time of year again! We are halfway through the third marking period and interims are out. Many schools send out interims, which are mid-marking period progress reports, to communicate with parents and keep them updated on their child's current performance. Interims can be a helpful tool in providing parents with the information on their child's progress and pinpointing any difficulties that a student might be having so that he or she can make the necessary changes to be successful. My Child's Interim Report Wasn't Good, Now What? First, it's important not to overreact. An interim report is not a report card, and because they are issued half-way through a grading period they give you and your student a chance to bring his grades up before report cards are issued. If your child's interim report is not what you hoped, take a moment to discuss it with your child and see if they can share what the problem might be. Is he having trouble tackling his homework? Does the teacher move over material quickly in class? Is he having trouble staying organized and turning in work? Are his fellow students distracting him during class? Develop a Plan Once you've heard your child's concerns, it's time to move forward to address the problems and make a plan for success. That might involve a more regimented study routine, a conference with the teacher, or bringing a tutor into the mix. Whether it filling in any gaps that a student might have, reteaching current material to improve understanding and grades, or helping to develop better organizational skills and study habits, our tutors can help. Our extraordinary team of 75+ tutors are specialized in any academic area needed. We connect you with a tutor who fits your needs, personality and approach to learning. Give us a call today if we can help your student to bring up their grades, improve their confidence and have a successful rest of the school year! For many people, a new year means that it’s time to look back on the last 12 months and resolve to do better in certain areas. Whether it’s exercise, diet or getting up earlier, there are lots of ways everyone can benefit from making resolutions. Our children especially can learn a lot about self-discipline and start to see the value in setting resolutions and goals. Not only can it be a valuable teaching moment about setting goals and sticking to them, but the practice of choosing an achievable resolution for the new year can be a fun way for kids to develop their communication and decision-making skills. Here’s some ways you can help your children make their New Year’s resolutions for 2019 - Focus on the positives Instead of focusing on the negatives from last year, try and keep resolution setting positive. Encourage your kids to focus on goal setting and positive outcomes. Replace “I could have studied harder” with “I am going to study for 30 minutes everyday.” Putting a positive spin on things will help your kids be more excited about their resolutions and will stick to them better. Make suggestions, but let your kids choose Even though you know your child best and the areas which could use a little improvement, it’s important to offer a few suggestions but ultimately let them decide. New Year’s resolutions should be your child’s own personal commitment – if they don’t feel as though they’re the ones setting the goal, chances are they won’t feel a strong desire to stick to it. Make it a tradition The easiest way to teach your children the importance of setting New Year’s resolutions is to make it a family tradition. Discuss accomplishments and goals individually but also as a family. Everyone will have a lot more fun this way, and it’s an added bonus having some accountability partners. You never know when some encouragement will be needed. Keep the list small It’s important for your kids to only choose one or two New Year’s resolutions at a time. If your child starts making a super long list, it will only make them feel overwhelmed and hesitant to start working on anything. Keep the list small and achievable so your children can succeed! Remember that when it comes to resolutions, it's important for parents to lead by example. Your child is more likely to accomplish her resolution if she sees you sticking to your own goal (which can be tough!). And don't be afraid to adjust your goals along the way if they're becoming stale or if you actually accomplish them. There's value in teaching kids to follow through on a goal long-term, even if they need to tweak it along the way. Best of luck with the resolutions, and Happy New Years! Preparing for the beginning of school takes weeks! There are new school clothes, shoes, uniforms, supplies, back to school events, orientation and school sports to name a few. Amidst the craziness of the start of the school year, we can sometimes forget the most important part of school “learning”.
Making sure your child is not only prepared academically for school but also succeeds throughout the school year is the goal for all parents and educators. Don’t wait for the first report card to assess your child’s progress, be proactive. Seek a tutor if you see the following:
Words have power. Our words have the ability to deeply hurt another human being or hinder progress, or to encourage and uplift a person's spirits. As a parent, our words have tremendous potential in shaping how our children view themselves and the world. Here are 15 phrases that we can tell our children to help them become more confident individuals. Don't just say these phrases, truly believe them and repeat them over and over to your children. In time, they will really hear those words and slowly they will begin to believe them as well.
Homework overload. This is an all too common occurrence in many homes. Exhausted kids spending too much time on homework – or doing everything but homework. And stressed out parents who just want it done. There are many debates over homework (how much is too much, how long should it take, is it even necessary), but the harsh reality is that it’s still assigned in 99% of schools and needs to be done.
The following tips can help to create a positive atmosphere around homework and encourage your child to stay focused during homework time.
A positive aspect of homework is that it keeps parents connected to what their children are learning in school. Take advantage of the opportunity of getting a sneak peak into your child's school day and help your child to make real life connections to whatever topics they are learning about. Learning about measuring? Get out your measuring spoons and let them help make dinner. Learning about stars? Take a few moments before bedtime to look into the sky and discuss the constellations. More connections to real life = deeper learning. SAT vs. ACT: which test is a better fit for your student?
The SAT and ACT generally test the same types of content. Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions and merit-based scholarships. The biggest differences between the tests are that the ACT has a Science Test, and there’s one SAT Math Section for which you cannot use a calculator. Some students find that the ACT caters to their strengths more so than the SAT, and vice versa. Need a quick side-by-side comparison of the tests? Check out our SAT vs. ACT Comparison Chart. What is the ISEE?
The ISEE is the Independent School Entrance Exam. It is a test required as part of the application to many independent schools and is administered by the ERB (Educational Records Bureau). How much does it “count?” The test is one factor in the school’s admissions process, but some schools will weigh it more heavily than others. Improving one’s performance on the ISEE can only help a student. In fact, quality preparation for the test can help not only with school admissions, but also with a student’s overall academic progress. How do students take the test? Students must register to take the test on the ERB website. The test is offered at schools across the country, and there are numerous options in the Baltimore area, especially during the most common testing months of October-January. An electronic version is offered at Prometric Testing Centers, which offers greater flexibility with date and time and allows all testers to type the essay. The electronic test costs $185, compared to $105 for the paper version (with on-time mail or online registration and no extra services). The ISEE may be taken once per testing window: Fall (Aug.-Nov.), Winter (Dec.-March), and Spring/Summer (April-July). If a student wants to have the option of taking the test more than once but still have time to prepare, the best month to take it is November, with the option of a retake in December or early January. The November test dates fill fast, so it’s important to register early! Since most schools require the test to be completed by January for the normal admissions cycle, most students do not take it during the Spring/Summer season. What is the format of the ISEE test? The ISEE offers four different tests: Primary (Grades 2-4), Lower (Grades 5-6), Middle (Grades 7-8) and Upper (Grades 9-12). Students taking the Primary exam will be tested on Auditory Comprehension (grade 2 only), Reading, Math and a Writing Sample (untimed). Students taking the Lower, Middle and Upper exams will be tested on Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Mathematics Achievement, Reading Comprehension and a 30-minute essay. What makes the ISEE challenging? Many students (and their parents) find that they score lower on the ISEE than they score on their school’s grade-level tests. Here are the main reasons:
How can a student prepare for the ISEE? The Educational Records Bureau and many schools say that ISEE preparation is not necessary, and the ERB releases only one practice test for each level (available in the “What to Expect Guides“). In reality, however, most students do practice and prepare for the test. ISEE tutoring can be useful for several reasons:
Total Tutoring Services has many highly qualified tutors who are experienced in teaching the ISEE and can help students prepare for the test. Through practice and preparation, the challenge of the ISEE can be turned into a valuable learning opportunity. Summers are meant for sticky, drippy popsicles, running through sprinklers, camping in the woods, and lazy afternoons of reading on the lawn. But they’re also a perfect time for learning.
Meaningful learning doesn’t necessarily mean your child needs to attend summer school or spend all day hunched over a book. There are all sorts of fun and creative ways that you can keep your child’s mind active. Many of these methods make learning fun so that your child won’t even realize that he or she is learning! Take Advantage of Teachable Moments Keeping your children engaged in learning doesn’t have to be forced, nor does it have to take up a lot of their time or yours. If you’ve got a trip to a baseball game planned, spend some time with your child calculating batting averages or slugging percentages to keep mathematics on their mind. Cook with your child at home to learn to follow directions and measure fractions, adjust recipes for portions, etc. Take a trip to the zoo and have your child read the animal descriptions aloud to you to keep their reading skills fresh. Encourage your child to create a journal about their summer adventures. Draw pictures or add photographs and then write a few sentences together about each one. Bind the book together and you have a treasure that you can read together over and over again. Headed out to dinner? Have your child calculate the tip. Ask him or her to assist in making a budget for grocery shopping. Any little bit makes a difference, and each of these activities will help in maintaining your child’s current skill level in math and reading. What’s more, demonstrating that the skills they learn in school have actual applicability to real life will make their learning that much more valuable and meaningful. With a little bit of effort, your child can enjoy the leisure and pace of summer and still uphold a summer learning routine. There are opportunities to learn something new and fuel curiosities all around you. With the fourth quarter beginning and spring getting into full swing, many students and families begin to think about the end of the school year. High school seniors aren't the only ones who experience "senioritis". Elementary school students can also begin to shut down and dial back their efforts towards the end of the school year. Here are a few tips to help your student finish the school year strong.
Get Organized It’s time to take stock of end-of-the year assignments and to see what is due and when. Help your student make a schedule to stay on top of term papers, tests and reading assignments. At this time of year, binders can become full and cumbersome. Desks and lockers can be cluttered with old projects and notes, creating an organizational nightmare. Help your student go through his or her workspace, binders, and notebooks, clearing out information that is no longer needed. Organize current files and projects and then create an end-of-the-year timetable and set milestones for class work and commitments. This de-cluttering effort will help your child stay focused and more productive. Continue Reinforcing Routines This is an important time of year to hold strong with family routines including time for studying, recreation, family meals and sleep. Children thrive on consistency and definitive boundaries and they find comfort in knowing the expectations and routines of the family. Incorporate Play into Your Day Even as adults, sunny days make it tempting to take a little longer lunch break or cut out of work just a little early. However, as a kid, staring out the window or daydreaming about recess won’t get them anywhere. Make sure your students get the outdoor time they need after the bell rings. Ensuring they get their daily dose of fun in the sun after school means that they won't feel like they're missing out as much between 9 to 3. Keep a Family Calendar Springtime can be a very busy time of year with testing, sports and extracurricular activities, not to mention the distractions of the warmer weather. Kids, as well as adults, have a hard time remembering everything that they have to do. A family calendar can be a great way to keep everyone on the same page with schedules, practices and upcoming assignments. Find Excitement in Every Day Rather than viewing this phase as the "final countdown," continue to encourage enthusiasm in each and every day. Whether it's anticipation over a field trip, a surprise note in their lunchbox, or a classmate's birthday, make sure that they have something to look forward to every day as they head off to school. |