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Say Yes to the Test?

8/29/2016

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Like a lot of us, the # 2 pencil is perhaps a nostalgic school item that many of us remember using for standardized tests that we took in school. We would take a timed test, answer the questions about a paragraph we just read, solve a division problem, all by filling in those little multiple choice circles with that #2 pencil.  ​
The critical thinking skills from these tests have actually been used throughout our lives. So why is there a push to remove or replace these tests, especially if it measures academic achievement?

​One reason may be that many students simply do not perform well under timed and pressured tests like this. They may be smart and understand the content, but for some reason it didn’t come across on the test. Many students also develop ‘test anxiety’ which will cause their focus to go elsewhere. Teachers also have the pressure of getting their students ready for the exams and then end up focusing too much on teaching for the actual test instead of working on a student’s overall learning potential.

On the other hand, the standardized test can help to see if a child is at the appropriate grade level or how he or she is performing compared to other children in their school, their state and even in the country. Without standardized testing, we cannot make the necessary comparisons that impact student achievement. Teachers can also use these tests to make decisions about what happens in their classrooms.

The United States is the only advanced country to rely on these standardized tests. Other nations use performance based assessments to evaluate their students on the basis of their work such as essays, projects and activities.
​

So what is the correct answer for standardized testing? Does the U.S. place too much importance on the test or do you think it can be ‘tweaked’? There should be a clear standard for measuring academic performance but at the same time, there should be a way to encourage excellence.

​So do you say “Yes to the Test”?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. I Don’t Know


​
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Summer Math Contest Update

8/23/2016

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We have some great competitors this year!  As of today, we have just over 2 weeks left.  The contest ends at 11:59 pm Central Time.  Let's take a look at our current leaders:


Number of Mastered Skills*

  1. Sai       (87)
  2. Nadia
  3. Amelia
  4. Ava
  5. Lily
  6. Noah
  7. Chloe
  8. Lucas B
  9. Owen
  10. William

Number of Questions Answered*

  1. Sai        (3629)
  2. Nadia
  3. Ava
  4. Emma
  5. Lisa
  6. Logan
  7. Lily
  8. Ella
  9. Zoey
  10. Mia

*  These numbers are unconfirmed.  Please remember, all questions answered MUST be in your correct grade range.  If in doubt, check the official rules for an explanation to determine your correct grade range.
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The Exponential Benefits of Exercise...Getting More than You Bargained For

8/22/2016

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In recent posts, we discussed the importance of adequate amounts of daily sleep as it relates to improved academic performance for our children. Exercise also plays an important role in their overall well–being. Not only does it promote better sleep; but exercise, like sleep, has a direct link to improved cognitive abilities.
​We all know exercise helps us physically. These are just a few physical benefits of exercise:
  • improved and retained motor skill levels
  • healthy bones and muscles
  • greater muscular strength and endurance
  • stronger immune function
  • lower amount of body fat

​But, can exercise help our brains too?

​According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the answer is a resounding YES!
The CDC recommends that children and adolescents between the ages of 6 – 17 years old should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Those who do benefit the most in the area of improved cognitive performance and brain health. 

​The CDC defines academic performance in terms of the following three primary areas:

  • Cognitive Skills and Attitudes (attention/concentration, memory, verbal ability)
  • Academic Behaviors (conduct, attendance, time on task, homework completion)
  • Academic Achievement (standardized test scores, grades)

​Students who exercise exhibit the following traits, each of which falls into one of the three primary areas of academic performance listed above:
  • improved attention and motivation
  • quicker performance of simple tasks
  • quicker response with greater accuracy to cognitive tasks
  • better performance on standardized tests
  • better working memories and problem-solving skills
  • improved information processing, storage, retrieval, and organization
  • improved planning and scheduling skills
  • stronger reading and math skills

​Although academic performance is dependent on a variety of variables, health is a key aspect of our children's ability to learn. Physical activity and higher aerobic fitness have been proven to augment basic cognitive functions that aid in the learning process, especially functions related to attention and memory. So, a tip for escalating your child's academic performance during the coming and subsequent school years is to incorporate daily exercise, in addition to regular studying and adequate sleep. Make exercise fun by including activities your child enjoys. Invite friends and family to join in and experience the benefits of exercise. You'll positively get more than you bargained for!
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We Got The School Supplies – Now What?

8/15/2016

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It’s an exciting time as the first day of school approaches! For most children it means new supplies, new school clothes and the excitement of meeting their teacher for the first time! You probably even went through your
children’s wardrobes and weeded out everything they have out grown and reduced the clutter in their room. 

But there are other ways that you can help your children get ready for a successful school year.

​Here are a few tips to start off this school year right:


  • Bedtimes –

Let’s face it! During the summer, we get a little negligent on bedtimes and sometimes let our children stay up too late. Proper rest is essential for a healthy school year. Start now with specific bed times so they can get the recommended hours of sleep a night. It is recommended that school age children (6-13 years) get 9 to 11 hours sleep a night.


  • Nutrition –

Good nutrition plays an important part in children’s academic performance. Studies show that children who eat healthy balanced breakfasts and lunches do better in school. Prepare healthy lunches and meals ahead of time so there is less time to develop bad eating habits.

  • Studying –

It’s never too early to set up a special place at home to do homework. Find a place in your home where distractions are minimal. Make it clear that good study habits are top priority in your family and make sure you praise your children on their study and work efforts.


  • Read Together –

Take a pledge to read together with your children every night for 20 minutes.  Your example shows how important reading is and lets you and your child explore fun adventures together.

​
  • Communication –

Get acquainted with the teachers and make a plan on keeping track of subjects, homework and extra-curricular activities. Yes, you want them to be more independent but you should still play an active role of communication during the school year.


As your child goes through school, remember that different concerns and
challenges will probably come up at some point and that’s okay! Qualified tutors can make a difference in the classroom and can help fill in the gaps that teachers sometimes can’t cover during their limited school hours. Be confident in knowing that Dole Academy’s certified teachers are there when your child needs help.
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Awake to the Power of Sleep  Part II:  From A to ZZZ Healthy Sleep Habits for School-Aged Children

8/8/2016

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In Part I of the Awake to the Power of Sleep series, we focused on the benefits of sleep,

specifically the benefits of sleeping the recommended number of hours per 24-hour period.

Read on to discover ways to develop healthy sleep habits.
 Quotes that further emphasize the power of

sleep:


“Sleep is no less important than food, drink, or

safety in the lives of children.”
—Dr. Michael J.

Breus, PhD, Fellow of the American Academy

of Sleep Medicine

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“Sleep problems not only disrupt a child’s nights—they disrupt his days, too, by making him less

developmentally alert, more inattentive, unable to concentrate, and easily distracted. They also

make him more physically impulsive, hyperactive, or lazy.”
—Marc Weissbluth, MD, Author of Healthy

​
Sleep Habits, Healthy Child
It has also been determined that in every age group tested, children with higher IQs slept

longer.


​In order to help our children obtain optimal alertness and enjoy the overall mental and physical

health benefits that come with sleep, implement these tips.


 Teach healthy habits.  We can all follow orders, i.e., “Go to bed.” However, it always helps

motivate us when we understand the importance of the things we do. Explain the importance of

sleep to your child. When he understands that simply getting enough sleep may help improve his

academic and athletic performance, he may be more excited about bedtime.


 Make bedrooms conducive to sleep.  Make your child’s bedroom more conducive to sleep by

ensuring that it is quiet, cool, dark, and free of electronics, such as televisions, computers, tablets,

etc.


 Avoid caffeine in the late afternoons and evenings.  Caffeine is a stimulant. As such, it may

increase alertness and cause insomnia. Keep your child away from caffeine in the late afternoon and

evening hours. A few products containing caffeine are tea, sodas, energy drinks, and chocolate.


 Only use the bed for sleeping.  Have your child only use her bed for sleeping. Do not send a

child to her room as a punishment. Doing so may associate the bedroom with negative feelings. The

idea is to associate the bedroom with positive feelings, like good night hugs and kisses.


 Avoid napping in the late afternoon and evening hours.  Late naps often interfere with or

delay the onset of regular sleepiness.


 Avoid large meals before bedtime.  Heavy meals before bedtime often cause insomnia.


 Dim household lights at night.  Light and dark regulate our circadian rhythms or our sleep-

wake cycle. Dimming the lights tells our bodies that it is time for sleep. This is also why the next tip is

important.


 Turn off computers, televisions, video games, and cell phones at least 30 minutes before

bedtime
. Studies show that the blue light emitted by these devices inhibits the

production of melatonin, a hormone that controls the circadian rhythms. Reductions in

melatonin make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.


 Develop a relaxing bedtime routine.  Routines simplify tasks by making them automatic. Help

your child develop a bedtime routine consisting of things that help him relax. Ideas include taking a

warm bath or shower, brushing teeth, eating a light snack, listening to relaxing music, or reading.


 Go to bed at (or near) the same time each night, even on weekends and during holidays.

Keeping this routine minimizes disruptions in the sleep pattern.


 Develop your own healthy sleep habits.  Sleep is important for adults, not just for children.

Adults between the ages of 26 to 64 need 7 to 9 hours of sleep nightly. Take care of yourself so you

can take care of your child. Children are more likely to do what they see us do.
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Math Competition Leaderboard

8/8/2016

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Very close race!  We have several students neck and neck in both categories.  Don't stop now!

​Mastered Most Skills

Nadia      54
Sai          53
Amelia    50
Noah      46
Ava         44
Lucas B  39
Lily      29
Owen    27
William     26
Chloe   22


Answered Most Questions

Sai    2238
Nadia   1845
Emma      1602
Lisa    1425
Ava    1187
Logan    902
​Ella     818
Zoey    715
Owen 702
Lily    695

The countdown continues..........
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​Awake to the Power of Sleep    Part I: Learning and Sleep Deprivation

8/2/2016

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Sleep deprivation may be undermining our

children’s education.  Evidence suggests that

it 
reduces their ability to learn.


While most people associate sleeplessness with

​fatigue and moodiness, some are unaware that its

negative effects have even greater significance.
Studies indicate a strong link between sleep and memory.


​

​Learning and memory may be described in terms of three functions:

 Acquisition—introduction of new information into the brain

 Consolidation—processes by which a memory becomes stable

 Recall—ability to access the information after it has been store

​While acquisition and recall occur during wakefulness, consolidation is thought to occur during

sleep. Consequently, sleep deprivation is detrimental to all three functions of learning and

memory. According to the National Institutes of Health, it causes inability to concentrate the

next day, impaired memory and physical performance, and reduced ability to perform math

calculations. Hallucinations may also develop with extended sleep deprivation. The impact

appears quickly, after only four nights of one fewer hour of sleep per night.  The Journal of Clinical
Sleep Medicine states, “Sleep is essential for optimal health in children and adolescents...Sleeping

the number of recommended hours on a regular basis is associated 
with better health outcomes

including: improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, 
emotional regulation, quality of life, and

​mental and physical health.

​The National Sleep Foundation recommends the following number of hours of sleep  per 24-hour

​period:


 Toddlers (1-2 years): 11 to 14 hours

 Preschoolers (3-5 years): 10 to 13 hours

 School-aged children (6-13 years): 9 to 11 hours

 Teenagers (14-17 years): 8 to 10 hours

 Young Adults (18-25 years): 7 to 9 hours

 Adults (26-64 years): 7 to 9 hours

 Older Adults (65 years and older): 7 to 8 hour
Visit sleepfoundation.org for an extended table of sleep duration recommendations.


Stay tuned for Part II of the Awake to the Power of Sleep Series: From A to ZZZ—Healthy Sleep

Habits for School-Aged Children.
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