Tuesday, November 29, 2011

How Do I Prepare My Student For Testing?

As an educator, it is my focus to teach students valuable skills and not just the knowledge that is assigned on my teaching certificate. If I teach them math, I feel that it is more valuable to show them how to look at things "logically" and "critically" rather than solving a complex equation. The same principles apply when it comes to testing.

Many years ago, I was approached by many parents to help them understand what certain private institutions are looking for as far as a candidate for admission into their Kindergarten program. I noticed that some of these parents have high expectations of their children and believe that their child should be guaranteed a slot into the top notch private schools. Most (if not all parents - mine included) believe that their student has a great chance at acceptance until they fail to realize that, they did not get accepted.

One parent in particular approached me during this same time several years ago with the same problem statement, "How do I prepare my child for testing?". Given the fact that her five year old has never been tested, I spent some time with her child developing her language skills and creating a plan that integrated core knowledge that any young child should know. It turns out that after spending months with this young one, she took the same IQ test exactly one year later and had a 30point increase in her testing. The father had stated that I was the primary source to be credited for this IQ gain! Also, I was quite astonished that my student did well and that she was given acceptance letters to the top four private schools in Atlanta. After creating a plan of action with the parent on different strategies that would be helpful for long-term learning, there was no other path for her to be on but the one of success.

The question that most parents ask me is "Can you prepare a student for testing?". The answer, as some would say, would be no. But similar to how many of us attended college, there are certain things that your child should know prior to even entering kindergarten. Try not to leave this responsibility of learning to the preschool director, your child should be prepared more than they are so that they are placed on the right track to success.


Monday, November 7, 2011

10 Tips For Organization


HELPING STUDENTS WHO ARE DISORGANIZED
 
Many students (and adults) are challenged with being disorganized. We understand that disorganization could cause some strife between you and your student. Here are 10 helpful tips for you if you need assistance with disorganization:


 

  1. Provide the student with a list of the necessary materials that are needed for the day. 
  2. Provide time at the beginning of the day for the student to organize their own materials. 
  3.  Provide time at various points of the day for the student to organize materials (example, after class, before lunch, after recess).
  4.  Act as a model for being organized/prepared for specific activities. 
  5.  Remind the student at the end of the day when materials are required for specific activities for the next day
  6. Have the student establish a routine/procedures for getting prepared for school/homework
  7. Make a "station" or "cubby hole"for each subject area where the student has all of their materials for each subject.
          Math – notebook, pencil, eraser, calculator, book
          Science – notebook, pencil, eraser, book
          ELA – notebook, pencil, pen, journal, book
          Social Studies – notebook, pencil, pen, book

       8. Provide adequate time for completion of the activities scheduled for the day.
       9. Have the student leave necessary materials at specified activity areas (pencils/pens/writing/sticky)
 .                10.    Provide the student with a specific structure for all academic activities and/or a checklist.

       

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