We have been waiting for the good weather to come to Maine. It finally arrived yesterday although next week's forecast is not that great. I have been gathering together ideas for summer learning activities over the past few months primarily by using Google Alerts which sends me links to articles and blogs about summer learning.I have reviewed them all and selected the best to share with you.
Summer Doesn't Mean It's Time to Stop Learning
It is necessary to mention that students are in school approximately 180 days a year. That leaves 185 days that they aren't in school. Research shows that students can loose 2.6 months of progress in math and one month in reading over the summer. the decline of reading skills over the summer can add up to two years by the time the child reaches middle school. (see blog post titled, "Stopping the Summer Backslide"). The notion that students need a break from learning over the summer doesn't serve the child well although it may be easier on the parents. A 1978 study, "Summer Learning and the Effects of Schooling" found that students' participation in library summer reading programs were key to getting children to read over the summer. Summer reading programs were found to be more predictive of vocabulary gains than attending summer school. (Lindhal, 2001)http://ideas.repec.org/p/iza/izadps/dp262.html
Reading and Writing Activities
Parents, encourage our children to read. Your encouragement is essential and more effective than any prize that you could give them. Check your local library for their summer reading program.You can work with your child to build a family tree. They will learn important research skills at the library and on the internet. Genealogy makes history lessons come alive in a very relevant way. Write a travel journal, real or imaginary. Research interesting places to visit. Schedule time to read aloud to family members. Take turns reading a book that everyone in the family will enjoy. Play word games in the car or at home. Scrabble, Boggle, and Quiddler are popular word games.
Check out the National PTA reading resources pages at www.pta.org. Read, Write and Think, http://www.readwritethink.org/beyondtheclassroom/summer/ has booklists, podcasts, videos and activities organized by age for reading and writing activities for summer vacation. Join the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge,read books, play games and earn points. http://www.scholastic.com/summerreading/
Math Activities
Playing math games is a great way to keep your child involved in math over the summer. Cooking with your kids teaches them understand and work with measurements and fractions. They can cut a recipe in half or double a recipe to get a real live look at how proportions work. When your in the car make a game out of practicing math facts. Add and subtract numbers on license plates, figure change by counting back, estimate tax and tips, exchange currency, compute batting averages are fun and practical activities. Play Sudoku.
Science Activities
For science activities visit the NASA website, http://www.nasa.gov/home/, Boston Museum of Science, http://www.mos.org/. Museums, zoos, aquariums have summer programs and learning opportunities for children.
Learn a New Language While Having Fun
Sign your child up for music, art, dance, cooking classes taught in another language. This gives them the opportunity to learn another language while doing something that they enjoy.
Gifted and Talented
Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth has openings in their summer programs.
http://cty.jhu.edu/
MIT Summer Programs
If you'd rather study the human genome or build a robot than master the finer points of archery or memorize this year's summer TV reruns, we've got the programs for you:
MIT's residential summer programs offer a great way to keep your brain fizzing happily, get a feel for what it might be like to attend MIT for real, and meet a lot of other young people who also get a kick out of using their heads.http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/before/summer_programs/
Camp Mom, Projects to Do at Home
http://www.blisstree.com/playlibrary/5-fun-summer-projects-for-kids/
Summer Bridge and Rainbow Bridge resources will help parents keep PK–8 children active and learning during the summer and all year long. Workbooks, activity books, and games will enrich children’s learning experiences and keep them interested and motivated.
http://www.summerbridgeactivities.com/index.htm
Camp Mom,Weekly Activities Planned by a Mom of Six
http://www.lifeasmom.com/2009/05/camp-wannalaffalotta-stay-tuned-for.html
Enjoy the summer, learn something new and exciting, read and practice math, get outside, enjoy with weather and be active.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Asking for College Recommendations
There is no better time then now to ask for college recommendations.
Class of 2010; now is the time to approach teachers to write your college recommendations. By asking for recommendations before school lets out for the summer you are giving your teachers the time to write your recommendation when they don't have the pressure of school. I can assure you they will appreciate your consideration and will give your recommendation extra time and thoughtful consideration. In the fall they will be asked by the majority of students who are waiting until the last minute. You don't want to be in this group if you want a thoughtful thorough recommendation.
Who Should You Ask?
Ask teachers you had in junior year who know your character and academic abilities and potential. Pick a teacher whose class energized you, where you made thoughtful contributions to class discussions and met with the teacher outside of class time. Ask teachers where you did something outstanding in their class that makes you stand out favorably in their mind over and above your classmates. A class were you did your best work. You want teachers who will write you favorable recommendations, meaning that they will state that you are highly qualified to attend the colleges that you seriously want to attend.
How To Ask?
You should ask your referrers directly in person. Ask them if they feel comfortable writing a honest recommendation with sufficient detail that explains your character and academic potential. A recommendation that favorably sets you apart from the crowd applying to attend _____________ college. Do not ask over the phone, by text, email, Facebook message, ask in person. You want to see the teachers body language and be comfortable that they will write you the recommendation that will put you in the best possible light.
If They Say No, What's Next?
You are better off knowing that they won't write a recommendation saying that they support your admissions to the school(s) of your choice. Ask until to find a teacher who will support your candidacy for admissions to the schools of your choice.
Help Your Teacher Write Your Recommendation
Tell your teacher why you want to go to college and why the colleges that you have chosen to apply to are the right fit for you. This will show that you have thought through your applications and will give your teacher valuable information to help them make a case for you. You will want to help your teacher and guidance counselor with their recommendations by providing them with a resume. Include in your resume your academic, sports, arts, awards, and recognitions. Work experience and accomplishments, responsibilities and promotions. Leadership positions and roles. Eg. National Honors Society, team captain, student government, school leadership positions, committees. Extra curricular activities; sports, arts, community service, hobbies, and interests.
Follow up your verbal request with a hand written thank you letter confirming their agreement to write you a letter of recommendation. Follow up on any commitments that you made to the teacher. These actions on your part demonstrates that you are responsible and follow up on your commitments.
Good Luck!
Class of 2010; now is the time to approach teachers to write your college recommendations. By asking for recommendations before school lets out for the summer you are giving your teachers the time to write your recommendation when they don't have the pressure of school. I can assure you they will appreciate your consideration and will give your recommendation extra time and thoughtful consideration. In the fall they will be asked by the majority of students who are waiting until the last minute. You don't want to be in this group if you want a thoughtful thorough recommendation.
Who Should You Ask?
Ask teachers you had in junior year who know your character and academic abilities and potential. Pick a teacher whose class energized you, where you made thoughtful contributions to class discussions and met with the teacher outside of class time. Ask teachers where you did something outstanding in their class that makes you stand out favorably in their mind over and above your classmates. A class were you did your best work. You want teachers who will write you favorable recommendations, meaning that they will state that you are highly qualified to attend the colleges that you seriously want to attend.
How To Ask?
You should ask your referrers directly in person. Ask them if they feel comfortable writing a honest recommendation with sufficient detail that explains your character and academic potential. A recommendation that favorably sets you apart from the crowd applying to attend _____________ college. Do not ask over the phone, by text, email, Facebook message, ask in person. You want to see the teachers body language and be comfortable that they will write you the recommendation that will put you in the best possible light.
If They Say No, What's Next?
You are better off knowing that they won't write a recommendation saying that they support your admissions to the school(s) of your choice. Ask until to find a teacher who will support your candidacy for admissions to the schools of your choice.
Help Your Teacher Write Your Recommendation
Tell your teacher why you want to go to college and why the colleges that you have chosen to apply to are the right fit for you. This will show that you have thought through your applications and will give your teacher valuable information to help them make a case for you. You will want to help your teacher and guidance counselor with their recommendations by providing them with a resume. Include in your resume your academic, sports, arts, awards, and recognitions. Work experience and accomplishments, responsibilities and promotions. Leadership positions and roles. Eg. National Honors Society, team captain, student government, school leadership positions, committees. Extra curricular activities; sports, arts, community service, hobbies, and interests.
Follow up your verbal request with a hand written thank you letter confirming their agreement to write you a letter of recommendation. Follow up on any commitments that you made to the teacher. These actions on your part demonstrates that you are responsible and follow up on your commitments.
Good Luck!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Studying for Exams
Exams are coming up quickly. Start preparing one week in advance. Knowing what to expect is more than half of the battle. You don't want to waste your time reviewing/learning material that isn't going to be covered on the exam. Speak to your teacher. Find out what is going to be covered on the exam. Will it cover the material all the way back to the beginning of the school year? or the semester? or since the last exam? What type of test questions can you expect? Multiple choice, short answer, essay, problems, all of the above or some of the above?
Make a list of what you expect to be covered on the exam based on the information that you got by asking your teacher or by reviewing what was emphasized on in class, on previous tests.
Manage Your Time
Begin studying for your exams about one (1) week in advance. Plan your time. Pull out a daily calendar. Block out the time that you have available to study. Plan all your available time. Exams are your priority. Don't be tempted to do anything other than studying with your free time. Divide the time equally among your subjects. Plan all of the time the night before an exam studying for the next days exam. If you have two exams on the same day divide your study time between the two exams.
Now is not the time to re-read all of the material that is going to be covered. Pull out your old homework, quizzes and tests. Be sure that you know what you knew when you took the quiz or test. Learn what you didn't know? Look up the answers to the questions that you missed. Pull out your notes for the material that will be covered on the exam, rewrite them. The act of re-writing your notes is the best way of studying them. Just re-reading will not help. If you find that there are gaps in your notes fill them in by asking your teacher, refer to your text, ask a friend. Find the answer. Redo the homework assignments that will be covered on the exam. Active studying (actions described below) will help your performance on exams. Passive studying (reading alone) will not allow you to retain the information.
Be an Active Studier
Write a crib sheet
Take all of the most important information from your text, notes, homework, quizzes and tests and write it down in outline (abbreviated) form on one or two sheets of paper and then do all of your studying from these sheets.
Write Sample Essays
Anticipate the essay questions that the teacher is going to ask and write essays to answer those questions.
Solve Problems
For the exams that will ask you to solve problems. Solve as many problems as time allows from prior tests, homework and the text book.
Make sample tests. Take 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper and fold them in half vertically. On the left write questions, problems, terms, formulas, theorems. On the right put the answer to the questions, solutions to the problems, the proofs of the theorems, and solve the formulas. This makes a great study guide.
Memorize the questions and the answers. Cover the questions of the left side and write out the answers on blank paper over and over until you have memorized them. Reading the questions and reciting the answers will not cut it.
Study Until Your are Confident
Good Luck!
Source: How to Study, A Brief Guidewww.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.html
Learning Built to Last, Study Strategies Every Student Should Know Club Z! In-Home Tutoring
Make a list of what you expect to be covered on the exam based on the information that you got by asking your teacher or by reviewing what was emphasized on in class, on previous tests.
Manage Your Time
Begin studying for your exams about one (1) week in advance. Plan your time. Pull out a daily calendar. Block out the time that you have available to study. Plan all your available time. Exams are your priority. Don't be tempted to do anything other than studying with your free time. Divide the time equally among your subjects. Plan all of the time the night before an exam studying for the next days exam. If you have two exams on the same day divide your study time between the two exams.
Now is not the time to re-read all of the material that is going to be covered. Pull out your old homework, quizzes and tests. Be sure that you know what you knew when you took the quiz or test. Learn what you didn't know? Look up the answers to the questions that you missed. Pull out your notes for the material that will be covered on the exam, rewrite them. The act of re-writing your notes is the best way of studying them. Just re-reading will not help. If you find that there are gaps in your notes fill them in by asking your teacher, refer to your text, ask a friend. Find the answer. Redo the homework assignments that will be covered on the exam. Active studying (actions described below) will help your performance on exams. Passive studying (reading alone) will not allow you to retain the information.
Be an Active Studier
Write a crib sheet
Take all of the most important information from your text, notes, homework, quizzes and tests and write it down in outline (abbreviated) form on one or two sheets of paper and then do all of your studying from these sheets.
Write Sample Essays
Anticipate the essay questions that the teacher is going to ask and write essays to answer those questions.
Solve Problems
For the exams that will ask you to solve problems. Solve as many problems as time allows from prior tests, homework and the text book.
Make sample tests. Take 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper and fold them in half vertically. On the left write questions, problems, terms, formulas, theorems. On the right put the answer to the questions, solutions to the problems, the proofs of the theorems, and solve the formulas. This makes a great study guide.
Memorize the questions and the answers. Cover the questions of the left side and write out the answers on blank paper over and over until you have memorized them. Reading the questions and reciting the answers will not cut it.
Study Until Your are Confident
Good Luck!
Source: How to Study, A Brief Guidewww.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.html
Learning Built to Last, Study Strategies Every Student Should Know Club Z! In-Home Tutoring
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