Starting The School Year With a Party

How we, as teachers present the educational experience to our students is so vitally important. It can greatly affect how they view learning as a whole. We can create a vibrant, engaging, fun learning environment with a little effort and a lot of creativity. Read on to learn a couple neat ideas brought to you by our friends at Edutopia.


Source: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/starting-school-year-party-ben-johnson


My daughter Sadie-Belle just had her birthday, and as tradition demands in our family, we must decorate her door with crepe paper, balloons, and candy before she wakes up that day. The difficulty this year was that we were visiting her sister in Missouri, and the birthday girl was sleeping on an air mattress in the front room.


One of my other creative daughters found a way around this. She found a foam presentation board, drew a door on it, and wrote, "Happy Birthday Sadie!" We put all the candy on this and laid it beside her air mattress. We then decorated the archway into the kitchen with strands of crepe paper and balloons to satisfy the tradition.


The power of this tradition is that every time anyone, especially the birthday child, goes through the decorated door into the room, they have to remember that this is a special day.

Putting a Fun Spin on Pre-Testing

Imagine something similar at school. Start the school year with a party -- a celebration of learning, as teacher and education writer Harry Wong suggests. As every elementary teacher can tell you, enticing student participation often depends on what kind of spin you put on the learning activity.


Envision students that are enthusiastically engaged in discovering how much they know as they take a


diagnostic of some sort -- on paper or via computers or tablets. Rather than a "testing day," students realize that it's a special occasion because the room is decorated with crepe paper and balloons, and they are given party hats. Some unimaginative folk might call this assessment a simple pre-test, but in fact it's a great opportunity to bolster and build a child's academic future.

Why Diagnostic Testing Matters

Blended learning tools can make this an easy and enjoyable experience for the student and the teacher, rather than a nonessential chore that is often skipped in the course of learning. If the students have tablets, the teacher can possibly send each student a knowledge and skills test that will preview what the students will be learning this semester. Most textbook companies include diagnostic testing with their textbooks and curriculum resources. Teachers can also utilize the commercial diagnostic tools to which many school districts already subscribe.


Having a pre-test party is only part of the celebration. The most important element of the fiesta is providing individual feedback by taking the time to show each student what he or she has already learned and mastered, and then giving the student a preview of the learning during the coming semester or course.


It's so incredibly important to establish a baseline for each student at the beginning of the year. How can we expect to be successful in inspiring learning if we don't know what our students already know and where the gaps in their learning might be? How do we know if they have learned anything from all our effort in creating engaging learning environments and activities unless we determine what they know to begin with?


A teacher must find the answers to these questions, and this has to happen the first days of school. And as Harry Wong convincingly suggests, it should be a celebration.

Pep Talk Follow Up

It seems obvious, but when a teacher takes the time to give a pep talk, explains why the students should try



their best, and shows confidence in their ability to overcome difficulty, students are more apt to be resilient and persistent when learning gets more difficult. The conversation that follows the pre-test is a perfect time to give those one-on-one pep talks. As education expert Carol Dweck reminds us, learning is hard work, and even gifted students need encouragement.


Not only can we prep students for success with pep talks, but with the information gathered from each student, we can design custom learning plans to help them accelerate their own learning -- and fill in gaps where incomplete learning has occurred.


In what ways do you assess, encourage, and prepare students at the start of the year for their upcoming learning? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.

Athena Learning Center of College Station

Tutoring and Learning Center for K-12th grade kids in math, reading, writing and science

3505 Longmire Drive
College Station TEXAS (TX) 77845
United States

(979) 314-9132
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 8pm

Precious Video of Girl's First Day of School Goes Viral

Watching our little one climb on board that bus for the first day of school can be stressful and worrying. We try to calm their fears and put on our happy face while on the inside we are just as anxious as they are. These parents, the Dad works for the school district, decided to strap a GoPro to their little girl and give us an inside glimpse into how the first day looks to a kindergartner. An experience parents rarely get to see. The results will warm your heart. No wonder the video is going viral!


 

Athena Learning Center of College Station

Tutoring and Learning Center for K-12th grade kids in math, reading, writing and science

3505 Longmire Drive
College Station TEXAS (TX) 77845
United States

Phone: (979) 314-9132 Hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 8pm

U.S. Schools Still Start Too Early, CDC Reports

Unless you were born with that “early morning riser” gene, most parents, and kids, would prefer to hit the snooze and get an extra hour or so sleep in the morning. I usually moan and groan when the alarm goes off but after a hot cup of joe and getting the blood flowing in my toes again, I’m normally bright-eyed and bushy tailed, ready to tackle whatever life throws my way. What about you? Do you agree with the findings in this article? Let us know in the comments section. We’d love to hear your take or how you react to the blaring of the alarm clock.

Source: http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2015/08/us-schools-start-too-early-cdc-reports.html

As any teenager will mumble from beneath the covers on Monday mornings, it's too early.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees.

In a new report, the CDC says that middle and high schools in the country start too early. Five out of every six U.S. middle and high schools start before 8:30 a.m., possibly leading to insufficient time slept and academic struggles, and increases in health risks and safety concerns.

"Getting enough sleep is important for students' health, safety, and academic performance," said Anne Wheaton, PhD., lead author and epidemiologist of the CDC's Population Health division, in a press release. "Early school start times, however, are preventing many adolescents from getting the sleep they need."

This isn't new territory. Previous research found teenagers need about 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep a night. According to the 2013Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance report, two out of three high schoolstudents who have long commutes.)

students don't get that recommended amount, a statistic that's been steady since 2007. As puberty sets in, adolescents experience a later release of melatonin and an altered sleep drive that indicates "the average teenager in today's society has difficulty falling asleep before 11:00 p.m. and is best suited to wake at 8:00 a.m. or later." But with such early start times, schools are making those precious eight to nine hours all the more elusive. (Especially problematic for

Only two states—Alaska and North Dakota—start after the recommended 8:30 a.m. start time, LiveScience found. Iowa, Minnesota, and Florida all have the next latest starting times sometime after 8:15 a.m. Louisiana has the earliest average start time (7:40 a.m.) followed by Delaware, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Mississippi. Approximately 43 percent of the more than 18,000 public high schools in the U.S. start before 8 a.m., according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Schools in suburban areas tend to start the earliest, at 7:51 a.m. on average, the 2012 Schools and Staffing Survey found, while schools within cities start an average of 14 minutes later. Some schools have even seen start times moved earlier in recent years.

Too little sleep has been proven in studies to lead to an increased prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders, use of stimulants (coffee, for example), drowsy driving-related crashes, and subsequent risk of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic dysfunction. By starting later, studies have shown students' academic achievement improving, less absences, and better end-of-year test scores.

But changing the beginning of the school day can affect other aspects of life. School athletics, student jobs, and family schedules all top the list of barriers that would need to be adjusted for later school times, according to a 2011 Brookings Institution report. But the same report suggests that the positive effects of later start times on students' health could lead to improved achievement, and thus, future economic gains.

Related article:

So what do you think? Are kids getting enough sleep these days? Are parents? How do you react to the dream shattering tones of an early morning alarm clock? Let us know! Keep up with us on Facebook

Athena Learning Center of College Station

Tutoring and Learning Center for K-12th grade kids in math, reading, writing and science

3505 Longmire Drive
College Station TEXAS (TX) 77845
United States

Phone: (979) 314-9132 Hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 8pm

Seeing Struggling Math Learners as ‘Sense Makers,’ Not ‘Mistake Makers’

In seeing a lot of kids that “hate” math, we need to realize that it’s not really that they hate math so much as they don’t understand it or find it difficult to grasp key concepts. As a teacher and tutor, I see many children who “give up on math” when it could be something as simple as going back to the basics and making sure they have a firm foundation in core understandings. In my teaching years, I’d frequently get kids into my class who had no idea of basic fundamentals they should have learned in two, maybe three or four years prior. Getting these students caught up in after school help or recommending them to tutors is critical for them to move forward and actually enjoy learning again. This is a great article on some other areas that could be holding a student back from performing well in math.

Source: http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/08/04/seeing-struggling-math-learners-as-sense-makers-not-mistake-makers/

In discussions of progressive and constructivist teaching practices, math is often the odd subject out. Teachers and schools that are capable of creating real-world, contextualized, project-based learning activities in every other area of school often struggle to do the same for mathematics, even as prospective employers and universities put more emphasis on its importance.

This struggle may come from a fundamental misunderstanding about the discipline and how it should be taught.

That’s the stance David Wees has arrived at after more than 20 years of teaching at many different kinds of schools all over the world. It has taken a long time, but Wees has stopped labeling student work with the word “mistake” and has started paying attention to what he can learn about how students are thinking, based on the work (right or wrong) they produce.

“I want to know the ways that they are thinking rather than the ways they are making mistakes,” said Wees,

who now works as a formative assessment specialist in mathematics for New Visions for Public Schools, an organization supporting public school teachers in New York City. “My interpretation that they’re making a mistake is a judgment and usually ends my thinking about what they are doing.”

In that situation, it’s extremely tempting to tell the student where he or she went “wrong” and move on. But what does the student learn in that scenario? Not much, beyond how to memorize computational formulas, said Wees.

‘It was clear to me that the mistakes in some cases were a function of the mathematics and the way kids think about the math rather than whether the kid is rich or poor.’David Wees, Formative Assessment Specialist, New Visions for Public Schools

 

“My goal is for them to become the truthmakers,” Wees said. “I’m trying to build a mathematical community where something is true when everyone agrees it’s true.” To do that, he asks students to talk through

mathematical ideas, struggle with them and give one another feedback. “A major goal of math classrooms should be to develop people who look for evidence and try to prove that things are true or not true,” Wees said. “You can do that at any age”

Fundamentally, Wees wants to increase the amount of thinking “at the edge of their knowledge” that students do. “There’s lots of evidence that what we think about is what we know later,” he said. “I want to increase the amount of thinking going on in math class.”

Wees points out that while practice is important, students are repeating an action with which they are at least a little familiar.

He wants students to struggle in the zone of proximal development, where they don’t quite understand yet but aren’t frustrated. When working in New York public schools, Wees found if he gave students problems to solve that allowed for different points of entry, all students could struggle together. One student might be more advanced than another, but if each could access some element of the problem, they discussed it together and either relearned core concepts or were exposed to more advanced ones.

Read full article here: http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/08/04/seeing-struggling-math-learners-as-sense-makers-not-mistake-makers/

Learning will be a struggle for kids no matter what and some more than others. We don’t want them to get discouraged and “learn” to hate learning, so to speak. Falling behind is the quickest way for a child to start down that slope of discouragement. The fastest way to get them back to where they need to be is with one-on-one or small group tutoring. That’s where we come in and excel at getting a child back into the habit of loving to learn! Once they gain confidence and see that they can handle it, they’ll discover the joy of tutoring programs or call us at (979) 314-9132. We are located at 3505 Longmire Drive College Station, TX 77845. Our Facebook page is very active and we frequently post learning tips, tricks, discounts and coupons.

learning again. Find out more about Athena Learning Center of College Station’s

The School Supplies That Won’t Be On the List

It’s that time again. You can’t help but notice, what with all the TV commercials, radio ads, store fronts shouting in your face….it's back to school time! Walmart has rearranged their entire store just to cater to this big yearly event. If you have kids it is important to plan ahead and having a school supply list is a must. These are easy to find but here are a few things you won’t find on those lists but can definitely help out during your child’s school year. 

Source: Athena Learning Center blog 

Terracycle takes those millions of juice pouches and upcycles them into backpacks, pencil boxes, folders, and other school organizational items. Stuff like this is all over Etsy. Get creative!

School supplies have been on display in local stores for weeks now. It gets earlier every year. Pretty soon, the schools will start posting their supply lists with all the items that make sense. But that list isn’t complete. Here are some things you might want to pick up that your child will be glad to have when the time comes.

Laminating sheets

For the older kids, laminate things that they need to keep in good condition. Schedules and important phone numbers fall into this category. It can also give certain projects a more professional look. For the younger kids, laminate their best art work throughout the year.

Fancy sketchbook

You don’t have to be an artist to find sketching and doodling relaxing. Investing in a good one gives

the book a better chance at survival. Who knows? You might spark a serious artist.

Fancy journal

Self-reflection is a big 21st century skill. There are plenty of online journaling options, but nothing beats having the ability to sit down with a pen and jot down your thoughts. Again, investing in a good one is an investment in survival.

Lap desk

Where is all this drawing and writing supposed to happen? Teachers are starting to use a more free-form design in their classrooms. It spurs collaboration and creativity. A lap desk gives your child the opportunity to work anywhere, including the floor.

App store gift card

School means using a lot of devices and a lot of different apps. Most tools a school uses are either free or through their subscription, but that’s not always the case. Other times, your child will want to use something specialized for a project. Buying a gift card now and setting it aside for these purchases is a great way to budget.

Multi-port charger cable

By now, your child is carrying around chargers and cables for their primary device. But what if they want to charge the school’s digital camera or a strange laptop? This adapter cable goes from USB to either Lightning (newer iDevices), 30-pin (older iDevices), as well as mini and micro USB (most Android phones and other small electronics).

Cool organizational stuff

Boring folders are 1,000 for 99 cents. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make your child stand out. For

example, Terracycle takes those millions of juice pouches and upcycles them into backpacks, pencil boxes, folders, and other school organizational items. Stuff like this is all over Etsy. Get creative!

I hope you found a couple ideas you can use or at least started those creative juices to “think outside the list”. Having the necessary supplies is important for your child’s education but if they are having a hard time with concepts or struggling in an area or two, that’s where we come in. If they need a refresher course, homework help or a deeper interactive study lesson to bring them up to where they need to be, we can help.

Our tutors are all certified, licensed teachers or former teachers who are experienced with training young minds and know what to look for to help them the best way possible. Want to know where your child stands and what possible weaknesses they might have? Schedule a free assessment with us. In just a short evaluation, you can see where little Johnny might need help in one area or where they are really strong in another. Give us a call at (979) 314-9132, we’d love to talk with you! We’re located at 3505 Longmire Drive College Station, TX 77845. Or visit our website. Be sure to visit our previous post about what to do the first day of school.

What to Do the First Day of School (and Why)

Being a teacher for many years, I can’t think of a more terrifying day for students than that first day of school. Of course fear of the unknown is natural but for a young child, knowing that you’ll be faced with other kids your own age is especially scarey. Peer pressure is very prominent in the younger years and the need to be liked and accepted is hugely important. Not to mention the pressure of not knowing exactly where to go or what time to be there!

Teachers have their own anxiety to deal with as well on that first day of the new school year. Knowing that a class full of young students will all be focused on you can cause inexperienced teachers to feel quite a bit of pressure. You want to be liked as well but also be respected by your students. And there’s the added pressure of wanting to be the best at your job that you can be.

Here are three great tips for teachers on that first exciting day of the new school year:

Source: http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2015/08/07/what-to-do-the-first-day-of.html

1. Focus on the kids.

That sounds obvious, but it’s hard to do.

Believe it or not, my biggest problem that year was not my appalling fashion sense. It wasn’t the gruesome tie, baggy olive slacks, or uncoordinated dress shoes.

My fatal flaw was that I thought teaching was all about me. The passion I would bring. The brilliant, inspiring things I would say. (In my defense, there’s a long line of Hollywood movies that spreads this myth. Also, I was 22.)

It took me a few months to flip that perspective and think about each day in my classroom from the point of view of the kids. What brilliant things did they say? How much time did they get to spend talking, rather than listening to me talk? How much did they get to move around, instead of sitting still at the confines of a desk? What did they get the chance to build, think, write, read, and create?

When you plan your first day, think through each hour and transition from the perspective of a child in your class. Make sure the kids are going to get enough time to talk, draw, make choices, and move around.

Make sure, too, that you’ve built enough “down time” into the day—some extended blocks when the students are working on an art project, exploring the math manipulatives, or browsing the books in the classroom library. This workshop time will free you up to talk one-on-one with the students so you can get to know them as individuals.

What do they like to do after school? How many brothers or sisters do they have? What kinds of books do they like to read, what kinds of pictures do they like to draw? What is their favorite animal?

These things matter. Each child you talk to will go home remembering that you took an interest in her as a human being. Continuing to build that trust and rapport will do more than any behavior chart or treasure box to ensure mutual respect and order in your classroom throughout the year.

2. Don't talk too much.

Every year on the first day of school, I talk more than I meant to. I just have so much to tell them—how excited I am to be their teacher, what my class rules are, how they check out books from the class library, how to have a “Peace Talk” when they have a conflict with another student ... it’s a long list.

It’s easy to have your first day end up as one long, grueling filibuster. Brutal on you, even worse for the kids. We need to remember that we can spread out the routines over the course of the week—we don’t need to tell them everything that first day.

I still remember how devastated my parents were when my little sister came home from her first day of kindergarten. They eagerly asked her how her day went, and their shoulders slumped when she answered in a sad little voice, “All we did is learn about the rules.”

On the first day of school, I only have two priorities. First off, I want the kids to feel excited about school. Secondly, I want to set the right tone for the year. I want the students to know their teacher is kind but firm. I want them to know that they will have a lot of fun and freedom in our class, but they will also be kind to one another and respectful toward adults. 

As long as those two messages are clearly conveyed, we’re off to the right start. If they don’t learn the pencil sharpening policy or class library procedures until Thursday, it’s not a big deal. We have time.

3. Have the kids make something you can put up on the wall right away.

When I was in 2nd grade, I thought someone in some factory office somewhere must need all these worksheets completed. I didn’t get that the worksheets were supposed to help us learn things, and I never got the sense that our work was interesting or original enough for adults to care about.

We need to send the message that kids’ work matters. When they take the time to write a story, solve a math problem, or paint a picture, they need to know that we’re going to take the time to look it over and respond. We’re going to honor their work. 

Final thoughts – Be sure to have your second day planned out. Day one might have gone fantastic but then you get home and realize you haven’t prepared anything for the next day. Panic can turn that good feeling around quickly. Getting back into the groove of things will come easily and it’s important to remember why we became teachers in the first place. Seeing all those excited, anxious young faces always invigorates me and reminds me how important my job is!  

Michelle Lee is the owner and center director of Athena Learning Center of College Station. You can find them at 3505 Longmire Drive College Station, TX 77845. Call them at (979) 314-9132.

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