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9 Tips To Keep Your Child Reading This Summer

6/10/2020

For most children, summer vacation is a time for staying up late, sleeping in, playing video games for hours each day, and doing as much of “nothing” as is humanly possible!

Students often put off reading for too long and end up trying to read everything within two weeks before the first day of the new school year. Parents should be sure their children are not falling into the depths of summer vacation and experiencing “summer slide”. Extensive research has been done, and the results conclude that children who read on a regular basis during the summer can improve their reading level and fluency. Lack of or no reading during the summer can make a student’s transition to the next grade level somewhat difficult. So, why not find creative ways to get your child engaged in reading during summer vacation? It can only help!

Here are some tips regarding how to help your child become committed to reading during the summer and school year as well.

Schedule weekly trips to the library (virtually at the moment)
Let your child select reading material that interests them (some may already have required summer reading, so free choice is a good thing..they will be more receptive to reading if they feel they have control over what they read)
Read to/with your child (if they are a beginning reader). You can also let beginning readers experience print media on their own sometimes (e.g them looking at and flipping pages). Early exposure is important
For young/emerging readers attend story hour at the local library (these are currently being done virtually). For older readers, attend virtual readings.
Virtually attend “meet the author events” (often times the author will stay for a Q&A session).
Encourage your child to read in bed (let them stay up late sometimes if they agree to read in bed).
Use reading as a bedtime routine. For younger readers, use a predetermined number of pages or a chapter each night.
Have your child do a creative book report on a book or books they read during the summer. There are many formats that are creative and fun without the use of a computer. Click here for ideas to get you started or think of your own original idea for presenting a book report
Most of all, be a model reader. Always read in front of your child and encourage them to read any/everything.

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Benefits Of Positive Parent-Teacher Relationships

9/3/2019

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For schools that started shortly after the beginning of August, Parent-Teacher conferences are just around the corner, and schools that started a bit later will have conferences shortly after. Sometimes conferences can be stressful for parents and teachers alike if a positive relationship and/or consistent communication has not been established regarding a student's learning experience. Everyone benefits from positive Parent-Teacher relationships. Below is a graphic that illustrates how these relationships allow for a more pleasant school year for each individual involved.

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Back To School Tips For Students

7/22/2019

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Every new school year brings about excitement and anxiety for students and their parents. Parents become preoccupied with making sure their child is ready for the next step in their educational adventure. Simultaneously, their child can become overwhelmed with thoughts of meeting new classmates, having a new teacher, and studying new concepts. Here are some tips to make the transition from summer vacation back to school as smooth as possible.

1. Get back into your bedtime routine- Going to bed late and waking up late was fun during the summer. However, when the alarm sounds the morning of the first day of school most likely you will not burst out of bed eager to get to school. Start going to bed at your normal bedtime about 1 to 2 weeks before the first day of school. This will help you wake up well rested and ready for school.

2. Shop for school supplies early- Many stores start their Back-to-School sales around the middle of July. Staples, Walmart, Target, Office Max, Office Depot, etc. have great sales on all of the essential school supplies. You may be able to get enough supplies to last for most of the school year.

3. Promote good study habits immediately- Teaching good study habits, rewarding results instead of effort, and teaching about quality work will provide a solid foundation for success for your child. Develop an organizational plan that you can implement starting day one. Decide where you will place notes, homework assignments, handouts etc in your binder/folder. Also think about what the best type of daily planner to use. Some teachers order them for the entire class, but many do not. Always good to be prepared.

4. Equip your child with social skills for the classroom- Most children are nervous about the start of each school year. Even if they will have most of the same classmates, they will will be nervous about having a new teacher. Practicing proper greetings/introductions is a good way to help ease their mind.

5. Discuss bus safety - If applicable, discuss bus safety with your child. For example, boarding the bus one person at a time, quickly finding a seat, remaining seated during the bus ride, etc.

6. If you haven’t completed any required summer assignment, start now- It is nice to have a long summer break, but studies have shown that it is beneficial to continue doing educational related activities during the summer to avoid learning loss. It is good to start the year strong and feel comfortable with the lessons being taught. In addition, procrastinating to do any required work only adds unnecessary stress and can result in beginning the year on a bad note. So if you have work to complete, be responsible, and get it done.

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6 Benefits Of Summer Tutoring

4/1/2018

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Spring has officially arrived, and summer is just around the corner! It goes without saying that from now until the last day of school, students’ thoughts will be consumed with visions of sleeping in, staying up late, swimming, no nightly homework, and just hanging out with friends. There is one thing that is definitely not on their minds...SCHOOL. However, working with a tutor during the summer can and should be a part of every student’s summertime fun. Here are six ways a student can benefit from tutoring during their summer vacation:

Reviewing material from the previous year will help students retain what was learned as well as reinforce basic skills.
Learning new material to be covered during the next school year results in familiarity and comfort leading into the new school year.
If a student(s) had a difficult year, having a tutor during the summer is an excellent way to be proactive about building confidence and allowing for a smooth transition to start the next school year (e.g. elementary school to middle school & middle school to high school).
Students have the opportunity to learn valuable problem solving skills.
Working with a tutor during the school year as well as during the summer can provide continuity and help students maintain newly acquired skills.
Working with a tutor on a regular basis over the summer can provide structure to help keep your a students focused on academics in a low stress environment.

Don't let "Brain Drain"/"Learning Loss" take hold of you. Put in the work during the summer, and you will successfully avoid any anxiety, frustration, or stress when the start of school arrives.

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9 Tips To Keep Your Child Reading This Summer

Benefits Of Positive Parent-Teacher Relationships

Back To School Tips For Students

6 Benefits Of Summer Tutoring

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