Blog Posts - Dole Academy

The Exponential Benefits of Exercise...Getting More than You Bargained For

8/22/2016

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!

We Got The School Supplies – Now What?

8/15/2016

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.

Awake to the Power of Sleep Part II: From A to ZZZ Healthy Sleep Habits for School-Aged Children

8/8/2016

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

“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.

Math Competition Leaderboard

8/8/2016

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..........

Awake to the Power of Sleep Part I: Learning and Sleep Deprivation

8/2/2016

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.

Summer Math Contest Leaderboard

7/31/2016

We're almost halfway through our contest! Just since July 1, our learners have spent 30 hours and 57 minutes on math, racking up 5,169 questions in 156 different skills. Let's see our top 10 learners in each category.

Mastered Most Skills
1. Noah 46
2. Nadia 43
3. Ava 33
4. Lily 29
5. Sai 28
6. Owen 27
7. William 26
8. Chloe 22
9. Ella 15
10. Jackson 9

Answered Most Questions
1. Emma 1602
2. Nadia 1543
3. Lisa 1425
4. Sai 1171
5. Ava 902
6. Ella 818
7. Logan 810
8. Zoey 711
9. Lily 695
10. Owen 684

Congratulations to all our learners!!! Keep it up. Check back next weekend for an update.

FREE Educational Apps for Kids to Support Summer Learning - By Age

7/10/2015

Children lose so much information over the summer when they are out of school. It is important to keep their minds active. Most parents agree their kids spend far too much time on their electronic devices. If you combine learning with their electronic devices, you will have less arguing and still be able to keep their minds sharp.

In order to keep your child engaged and challenged, you have to find an educational app/s that are age appropriate. Listing only a few apps to support summer learning just would not do the trick when there are so many that are available.

Ages 3 and Up

Alien Assignment-Alien Assignment is a problem solving game. Kids help the Gloop family fix their space ship. This App works with IPads and IPhones. Cost=FREE

Endless Alphabet-From the folks at Sesame Street. This App teaches little guys about reading. It is highly rated and is FREE. This App works with IPads and IPhones.

Read Me Stories-This App offers a new book every day. It works with Android devices and IPads.

Ages 5 and Up

Spelling Test FREE- This App makes spelling tests fun! Keep the vocabulary up to par with this great FREE App. This app works with Android devices and ‘I” devices.

Poptropica-Think SIMS for kids with problem solving tests. The children are able to set up characters and help them to solve problems. This FREE app helps children to develop problem solving skills using numbers and words. It works with Android devices, IPads and IPhones.

Ages 6 and Up

Duolingo-Let the kids learn a new language over the summer with this FREE app. This easy to use app uses pictures and words to help children to learn, Spanish, French, German, Italian or Portugese. It is fun way to get them interested in a new language. This app works with IPads, Android based devices and IPhones.

Ages 7 and Up

Sushi Monster- This app is tons of fun and educational. It helps to hone math skills in an entertaining environment. It is FREE and works with Android devices, IPads and IPhones.

NASA App- Kids can view solar systems and constellations first hand with this app. It is a FREE app that works with IPads, IPhones and Android devices.

WWF App-This app is ideal for your little animal lovers. It offers in depth information with graphics about a slew of animals. It’s FREE and works with IPads, IPhones and Android devices.

Ages 8 and Up

BrainPop-This super popular App allows children to watch a new educational movie every day. It’s FREE and works with IPhones, IPads and Android devices.

There are tons of FREE apps out there that can help you keep your kids busy and learning over the summer.

Help Your Child Take Charge of His Homework!

7/8/2015

If you missed it, catch our July 1 webinar!

How to Help Your Children Take Charge of Their HomeworK

6/30/2015

We're excited to offer our 30 minute webinar "How to Help Your Children Take Control of Their Homework".

We'll talk about 7 steps you can take to help your child become accountable for his own homework.

This webinar will be live on Wednesday, July 1 at 7 PM CDT.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

12/29/2014

No, I'm not talking about a Clint Eastwood western. However, I am talking about an honest discussion about schools. Schools of all types. I don't just mean public schools. I mean homeschooling, charter schools, private schools, schools in different countries. Any schools I've missed.

Read to learn the statistics about education in Finland, Private Schools, Public Schools, Homeschooling and Charter Schools. Not one of these schools fails 100% of the time. Not one of these schools succeeds 100% of the time. Instead of listing reasons to attend a certain type of school, let's talk about what really works or needs improvement in each type. Maybe something that works really well in a homeschool can solve a problem in a public school.

From your perspective, a parent, student or teacher, share your school experiences and what you feel works well for you. What do you think needs to change?

10 Tips to Increase Reading Enjoyment

11/15/2014

We want reading to be fun. It's important to instill this love of reading early. Once a child develops a distaste for reading, it becomes much harder (but not impossible) to "retrain" the child to love reading.

Below are 10 tips to give you some ideas of how you can help develop that love of reading at a young age.

Read to your child daily. Have fun. Ham it up. Use different voices for different characters. Be expressive. Be energetic. This is a great time to show your love of reading. Whether pre-school or teens, studies have shown that reading together consistently increases a child's desire to read independently.

Image courtesy of Jomphong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Regularly visit the library. When I was young, the library was almost sacred. I loved being taken to the library and being able to learn about so many different things. Encourage this love of reading and learning by routinely visiting the library at least every few weeks. More if possible. I know I sometimes read all my books immediately and forced my poor mom to make a return trip the same day!

Set aside 20-30 minutes daily as family silent reading time. We all know children imitate what they see. Use this to your advantage. Allow them to see you enjoying reading!

Have enjoyable reading material readily available. Surround your child with all types of reading material. Books, magazines, newspapers, whatever you can find. Make sure the material includes topics your child is interested in. Also include related topics and other subjects for your child to explore. Include material near the television and in the car. Encourage reading while waiting for Dr. appointments or other appointments.

Enjoy a wide variety of reading activities. Point out the print that is all around us. Read street signs, menus, billboards, labels, mail, everything you can.

Use a wide variety of aids to help your child. If your child is a strong reader and enjoys reading books, certainly don't get in the way of that. However, some children struggle with reading and learn to dislike (even despise) it. Continually presenting this child with books often just reinforces a negative feeling. To get that child the needed assistance and to begin equating reading with enjoyment, use games and computer programs for aids.

Allow your child to choose reading material. Children will have plenty of required reading assignments from school. However, when your child is reading for pure enjoyment, allow him/her to choose their own books. It's vitally important that the topic is interesting. Children often go through phases where they only want to know about one topic. Allow them to learn through reading. In fact, often, a child reads at a much higher reading level than they are "supposed to" when they are fascinated by the topic. They will learn new vocabulary words, develop new reading strategies, read voracious amounts of books and all the while learning through reading AND having fun. Should you allow your child to choose a book well below their reading ability or a book they've already read 100 times? Sure!!! If a child is bored, they will do something else. So if they are actually reading these books, they are getting something from them. Maybe they are learning something new or just enjoying themselves. Whatever they are gaining, it's great.

Show enthusiasm for reading. One way of showing your enthusiasm for reading is when your are reading to your children as mentioned in tip number 1. However, you also show your enthusiasm for reading and the importance you place on reading by your reaction to your child's reading. Genuinely praise your child's efforts.

If your child isn't enjoying a book, it's OK to change books! I know we always say, "Don't quit!" However, when reading for enjoyment, it's important that your child is actually enjoying themselves. Otherwise, your child is just building a connection between reading and disinterest. Make sure the connection that is built is between reading and enjoyment.

Repeated reading. When you read to your children, read them their favorite stories. Of course we want our children to be exposed to new things, but they shouldn't have to give up favorites. It's really fun for young children when you read them short rhymes repeatedly until them know them from memory. Then begin having them complete lines. Or you make mistakes and get caught!

Friendly Friday: Interview with Becky Dole

11/13/2014

We interviewed the founder of Dole Academy, Becky Dole, to learn more about her personal life and her future professional goals. Becky is an instructional tutor at Dole Academy as well as the director.

DOLE ACADEMY (DA): Hi Becky. Thank you for agreeing to talk to us today.

BECKY: Thank you for asking me. I’m excited to be here and talk with you.

DA: What can you tell us about where you were born?

BECKY: I was born in the city of St. Louis, Missouri. I spent my youth in St. Louis County. The county of St. Louis begins at the edge of St. Louis City. The City of St. Louis is on the Mississippi river. As of 2013, the city had a population of 318,416. The county had 1 million residents. Shortly after marrying, I moved to the Illinois side of the Mississippi where I remained for about 20 years. I’m now back in Missouri residing just outside St Louis County limits..

By Daniel Schwen (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

St Louis night sky as seen from Illinois. Pictured: Busch Stadium, Gateway Arch, Old Courthouse and the Mississippi River.

DA: You haven’t moved far from home. What keeps you there?

BECKY: My family is an important part of my life. All my grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, aunt, uncle and most of my cousins also live in the St. Louis area. I have a 22 year-old daughter. Her name is Erica.

She lives on the Illinois side. She lives in Madison County, Illinois. Her area is considered the Metro-East. It's not in St. Louis, but the St. Louis metropolitan area stretches into Illinois.

She’s still less than an hour away from me. She also enjoys working with children. She's considering a career in Early Childhood.

DA: What are your dreams for Erica? Anything you hope she will accomplish?

BECKY: Like any mom, I dream huge for her. I sometimes forget that it’s important for her to want it too. So I would have to say my biggest dream for her is that she’s happy. I want her to feel free to become what she wants in her own time frame and to enjoy the journey at least as much as the destination. Most importantly, I want Erica to love herself and never settle. I want her to be brave enough to always strive for more yet be satisfied with herself when she has done her best.

DA: Do you have any childhood memories that stand out?

BECKY: Most of my memories of my youth revolve around my family. Many of my memories include my older brother, Greg. He’s 16 months older than me. So I was always one grade behind him in school. That was a lot to live up to! Not only was he super smart, he was also outgoing and popular. It seemed to me he was good at everything he did.

When I was young, we didn’t have electronic devices to entertain us. Television channels were limited to three good channels and a few more that would sometimes come in. Our home only had one television set and that was for the adults except for Saturday morning cartoons and a few special occasions. So we had to make our own fun. One of my favorite activities was playing school. I was the teacher and all my dolls were my students. They were very well-behaved students! I also liked to play with trucks in my front yard. I would dig roads for them and pretend we had lots of important jobs to do. Greg and I would sometimes work on a hole we had. We were planning to dig to China. We never made it.

There were no such things as cell phones!

By Ubucle http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode

This is similar to what our television looked like. There was no such thing as cable.

Greg and I used to play war with the neighborhood kids. I’ve always been extremely competitive and hate to lose at anything. So when I played war, I always made sure to be on both sides! Everybody thought I was really on their side and just pretending to be on the other so I could get important information. It was my way to ensure I never got shot and never had to hide.

I also remember a time I was really angry with Greg. We were in elementary school, sometime around first or second grade for me. We lived in a four-room house, so rooms were scarce. My brother and I shared the only bedroom. My parents converted the dining room into their bedroom. Because of the close quarters, Greg and I got on each other’s nerves a lot! One time, Greg was aggravated with me and just wanted to get a rise out me. So he got my favorite doll and hung it by the neck. It worked. He got a huge reaction from me.

I was just as bad. One time I was making myself a bologna sandwich and asked him if he wanted one. When he told me he did, I asked what he wanted on it. Being no more than 6 or 7 years old, I had problems remembering the list of things he asked me to add. So I had to keep going back and ask again. Finally, after the fourth or fifth time, he yelled, “JUST MUSTARD!” So that’s what he got. A mustard sandwich. We still laugh about it. His wife loved to hear the story and now teases him about it.

DA: What was your favorite class when you were in school?

BECKY: I was one of those kids that liked being in school. I’m not very social so being in class and having everything structured meant I didn’t have to try to talk to anyone. So I really liked all my classes except P.E. I’ve never been athletic and never wanted to be. It was one thing that didn’t come to me easily so I didn’t try too hard.

But there were two activities I enjoyed much more than any of the others. They were: free-reading and Algebra.

I love to read. I could never get into the assigned books though. I enjoy reading because of the imagery and being able to get lost in the story. It always seemed to me that the assigned books weren’t interesting enough. I had problems creating mind-pictures about the story so I never could get involved. However, I was reading before I was in Kindergarten. I brought my book to school and read during recess. It was another way to keep from interacting with people. My teacher actually had to write home and tell Mom that I needed to leave my books at home because I was reading TOO MUCH!

I’m also a very logical thinker. I enjoy things that follow rules. So when I was introduced to Algebra, my brain was completely engaged. I had a chalkboard at home and it wasn’t uncommon for me to come home, finish my homework, then sit with my chalkboard the rest of the evening making up more Algebra problems to solve. It was so much fun for me.

DA: What did you think you would be when you grew up?

BECKY: When I was very young, I decided I would become a veterinarian. I’ve always loved animals and seemed to have a natural affinity with them. Of course at this time, I didn’t know all about biology and chemistry and that I would need to take a lot of it. These were two subjects I didn’t especially enjoy. So I had to rethink my career path before entering college. I still didn’t get it right but at least I was finally thinking about the requirements for my chosen field.

DA: What were your biggest professional influences?

BECKY: I would definitely say my fourth grade teacher and my first part-time job.

Mrs. Gerken, my fourth grade teacher, was one of those teachers everyone remembers. She had holiday parties at her house (back when this wouldn’t cause lawsuits), treated every student fairly, never raised her voice, maintained a well-behaved and curious class without seemingly trying and was always adapting the environment to students’ needs.

She even sent a graduation card to each of her former students a month after graduation. She became my picture of “Teaching at Its Best.” I still compare myself to her and continue to strive to emulate her.

However, in fourth grade I wasn’t considering becoming a teacher. In fact, I wasn’t even considering becoming a teacher when I entered college. While I was in my first year of college and studying pre-law, I took my first part-time job as a lifeguard and swim instructor at my local YMCA. I quickly discovered the joys of teaching. I continued to labor away at pre-law for another year but I eventually came to the realization that teaching was in my blood and I wouldn’t be happy doing anything else. I changed my major and entered the world of education. I enjoyed that part-time job so much I continued working at the YMCA for a full 18 months after graduating from college and taking a full-time teaching position. Only moving to a different state convinced me to give it up.

DA: What does the future hold for you?

BECKY: My plans for the immediate future are focused on Dole Academy. We are planning to continue growing and reaching out to new students. As we grow, we will add additional instructional tutors. Beyond that, we are researching the idea of becoming a brick and mortar business. My vision for Dole Academy includes servicing over 200 students, hiring full and part-time instructional tutors and offering multiple choices of delivery.

As for myself, I want to return to school to earn a doctorate degree. I’m still researching different degrees but have considered eLearning, reading literacy and adult education.

DA: Do you plan to retire?

BECKY: I suppose at some point I’ll have to, but right now I’m having too much fun to even think about it.

Wednesday Word of the Day

11/12/2014

Great way to improve your child's vocabulary. Make a point to use the new word throughout the day in different contexts. Allow your child to determine the meaning from hearing you use it. You can also turn it into a game! Create a Hidden Word Puzzle, Play Hangman, Matching Game or use Vocabulary Flashcards. Ways to use the new words are restricted only by your imagination!!

4th-6th Grade: chap
Definition: 1. to crack, roughen, and redden the skin. 2. to cause the ground, wood, etc to split or crack. 3. An informal way of saying guy
Example: The wind always chaps my face.

6th-9th Grade: ravage
Definition: to do ruinous damage
Example: The soldiers in the last war ravaged the ancient town.

9th-12th: germane
Definition: Appropriate, fitting, relevant
Example: While Victoria's paper flowed well, it lacked sufficient supporting evidence germane to her thesis.

(SuperKids.com)

Adult: Mata Hari
Definition: Was a Dutch dancer executed as a German spy in World War I. Is now used to refer to any seductive woman who works as a spy.
Example: Sophia joins the war effort and embarks upon improbable espionage escapades, hoping to come off as a Mata Hari.

(Wordsmith.com)

Veteran's Day

11/11/2014

Remember our Veterans.

Get the Most Out of Parent-Teacher Conferences: Part 2

10/8/2014

Parent involvement is seen as one of the most important factors to student success. You can help by being co-operative and organized so as to get the most out of your parent-teacher conferences. Remember that communication need not only take place at these events, but they are a great place to start!

5 Must-ask questions

1. What will my child learn this year?

Be prepared to reinforce student learning at home
Secure a tutor if needed
DO NOT assume all learning will take place within the classroom

2. How can I help?

Getting involved in school life helps to create a great community atmosphere and makes the school a better place for all the students.

3. How will my student be evaluated?
Know all upcoming assignments, tests and projects

Help your child create a study schedule
Make sure tests are administered in best way for your child

4. What additional preparation can my child do?

Be more active
Help them excel at sports
How to help them become well-rounded individuals through extramural activities, music or volunteering.

5. When can we have our next meeting?

Check in with each other periodically
Keep communication open
Reward your child when he/she achieves set goals

Get the Most Out of Parent-Teacher Conferences: Part I

10/6/2014

It is critical that you work closely with your child's teacher to make sure they get the most out of their education. You both have information to add to the discussion. It's only when you work together that you can be sure to get the best experience for your child.

Listen as well as talk.

Prepare for the meeting by writing down questions and comments you want to be sure to make during the meeting
During the meeting, listen to the teacher and take notes. If you don't understand something the teacher says, be sure to ask clarifying questions!
Ask the teacher for things that could be improved and suggestions for ways you can help at home
Denying a problem is not in the best interest of your child

Let's talk specifics

Be sure to get specific details regarding ways your child is tested and graded.
Discuss ways your chiild can improve grades
Include information about your child's private life. Many things like illness, deaths, moves and family changes can impact a student's performance

Take action

Set realistic goals and discuss what the teacher will do in the classroom and what you will do at home to help your student reach their new goals
Keep an open mind
Check in often with the teacher to ensure that your student is on track and to discuss any new difficulties or issues that have arisen

If you and the teacher undermine each other's authority or ideas, your student will not be getting the support they need. Of course there are going to be differences of opinion, but handle these professionally for best results.

Merry Christmas!

12/25/2012

Tomorrow is Christmas! Whether you will be staying at home, traveling, or not celebrating, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very safe and happy Christmas!

Homework Helps - Part 2 Maximizing the Benefits of Homework Guest Blogger: Debra B. Hamilton

12/10/2012

Welcome back to our Homework Helps series. As stated in Part 1, homework is one of the most beneficial aspects of learning. However, parents must make appropriate preparations beforehand to maximize the benefits children receive from their homework/study time. In this segment of Homework Helps, we focus on a variety of tips to help parents prepare.

Tip #1: Location! Location! Location!

You have probably heard this popular phrase as it relates to real estate. It emphasizes the importance of a property’s location in determining its value or worth. This concept should be considered when selecting a location for your child to study, complete homework assignments, and review concepts learned during the school day. After all, a child’s education is extremely valuable. Some would even say it’s priceless.

What are the best aspects for a child’s homework location? What increases its value?

A Quiet Place

Provide a quiet place for your child to study. It should be free from distractions such as people going in and out and sounds from televisions, video games, and cell phones. Eliminating distractions improves a child’s ability to focus on homework.

A Well-lit Place

Provide a well-lit place for your child to study. Eliminate eyestrain and headaches and decrease the occurrence of errors due to misreading by selecting a homework location with sufficient lighting. A window for natural lighting or a lamp or ceiling fixture with ample wattage should suffice. Be sure the light shines in front of your child where it will illuminate the homework. Lights shining over the back are less effective because they cast shadows and decrease the amount of light that reaches the books and notes.

A Clean Place

Provide a clean place for your child to study. Clutter is a distraction and minimizes a child’s ability to focus. Stains from food, makeup, and pet paws look terrible on homework assignments, as well as on book pages. Teach your child to take pride in the appearance of his or her homework assignments. Be sure the homework location is clean and clutter-free.

Thanks again for visiting our Homework Helps series. Come again soon for more amazing homework tips for parents. Until next time, Happy Homework!

Homework Helps- Part 1 Guest Blogger: Debra B. Hamilton

12/9/2012

HOMEWORK!!!!!!!    No school-related task is dreaded more by both parents and students; yet it is one of the most beneficial aspects of learning. According to the U.S. Department of Education, benefits of doing homework include the following:

Benefits for Students

·        Improving memory and understanding of schoolwork
·        Developing valuable study skills
·        Realizing that learning can occur both inside and
         outside the classroom
·        Fostering independence and responsibility
·        Learning time management skills

Benefits for Parents

·        Improved communication between the school and the
         family
·        Increased clarity of what is expected of students
·        Consistent awareness of what students are learning
·        Accurate knowledge of how well their child is doing in
         school

Maximize the benefits of homework by knowing its purpose. There are four general types of homework. It is easy to remember them by the acronym, PIPE.

·        Practice—reinforces learning; helps the students master
         specific skills
·        Integration—requires the student to apply a variety of
         different skills to a single task
·        Preparation—introduces material to be taught in future
         lessons
·        Extension—asks students to apply their skills to a new
         situation

Knowing these purposes of homework can help in choosing the best study and homework completion strategies.

Another way parents can help with homework is by knowing how to help. Increase your involvement if your child is having difficulty in school. Support your child’s approach to completing homework if your child is doing well in school.

Be sure to stay tuned for the next part of this Homework Helps series to learn some amazing homework tips for parents.

I'm So Proud of My Student!

12/8/2012

I recently had a father come to me and ask me to work with his seventh grade son. His son was failing in all except two classes. Of the two classes he was passing, one was P.E. and he was receiving a D in the other. The father wanted me to work with his son to raise his grades and help him become better organized.

The first thing I did was speak to the child's teacher. She gave me information about his performance in school and told me specific areas in which he struggled.

According to the teacher, although he did struggle in academics, one of his major difficulties was turning-in homework. We devised a method to help him keep track of his homework and to get it turned in everyday. The teacher and I began communicating daily through his agenda. All his grades rose at least one full letter grade.

I sat with him every night as he did his homework. Some nights we only worked for an hour, other nights we worked over two hours. However, he did all the work and he learned to do the work correctly. He was soon doing much of his homework at school before coming home.

When it came time for tests, I studied with him. I helped him
learn more efficient ways to study and helped him learn new ways to study. For the first time ever, he earned an A on a major science test.

I taught him how to efficiently and effectively read textbooks. We worked together and improved his reading comprehension. I showed him how to be prepared to learn during classtime. According to his teachers, he began to participate in class. He was answering questions AND asking appropriate questions.

After working together for three months, he raised his grades to mostly A's and B's with just one C.

Why Teaching?

12/8/2012

When I first went into college, I wanted to become a lawyer. That all changed after just a few months on the job at my local YMCA. You see, I was a swimming instructor.

I enjoyed helping others overcome their fears and helping others learn something new. I came to look forward to the excited looks on my students' faces when they first went underwater, swam across the pool by themselves, or became a certified lifeguard. It didn't matter the age of the student or the task, I got great pleasure from helping others accomplish something new.

I also discovered I have an ability to break difficult tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. To a child, going underwater can be extremely frightening. To also have to breathe out while underwater just serves to make the whole process more difficult. However, the process can be broken down into steps such as: getting in the water and becoming accustomed to just being in the water, holding on the edge of the pool and dipping the chin in the water, holding on the edge and letting the water cover the mouth, blowing bubbles in the water, and so on.

After working at the YMCA several months, I changed my college major to education.

We're Back!

11/30/2012

I didn't realize how much I relied on this website until it went down! Sorry for the inconvenience everyone. But we're back now!

Now What's New? Tutoring On-Demand!

11/29/2012

Dole Academy is thrilled to announce that we're now offering Tutoring On-Demand. Our main methods of delivery continue to be in-person and online, however we recognize that sometimes you can't find time for tutoring in your busy schedules and just want to study alone. But who has the resources to know what to study? Even if you knew the topics to study, where are you going to get the material? Ask Dole Academy for help!

Dole Academy will work with you individually to determine exactly what you want to accomplish. After gathering the needed information from you, we'll help you define your topics and we'll prepare your materials. What could be simpler?

Ask Dole Academy about Tutoring On-Demand pricing!

Choosing a Tutor...Decisions, Decisions! Part Five - Hiring Your New Tutor

11/28/2012

You've found the perfect tutor! Did you ever think this day would come?

While it's impossible to prepare for every possibility, there's much you can do to prevent misunderstandings in the future. Before that first lesson and before you say, "You're Hired" take the time to talk about a few things. You'll be glad you did.

Of course you'll want to talk about the location, time, and frequency of the lessons. But here are a few very important topics that often get overlooked.

Rate: Yes, the tutor probably has a listed rate (and if not, you might be able to negotiate the rate). Be sure to ask about discounts. Many tutors will offer discounts for things such as: Military, pre-payment, lessons scheduled during off-peak hours, and multiple hours at once. Even if the discounts aren't advertised, it can't hurt to ask!

Cancellation Policy: What happens if you need to cancel a scheduled lesson? How much advance notice is required? If you are charged for a lesson, can that charge be applied to future lessons? What happens if the tutor cancels a scheduled lesson? Does the tutor respond with a free lesson?

Payment Policy: What methods of payment are accepted? You might be surprised. More tutors are now accepting methods of payment besides cash. Some even offer PayPal. If checks are accepted, what is the policy if a check bounces? When is payment accepted? Most tutors expect to be paid at the time of the lesson. However, if you schedule frequent lessons, you might be able to arrange to make payments less often. I have many students that pay once weekly.

Happy Learning!

Choosing a Tutor...Decisions, Decisions! Part Four - Interviewing Prospective Tutors

11/28/2012

You've narrowed your field of prospective tutors down to just two or three. It's time to meet! A meeting will give you information about the tutor that can't be determined from e-mails alone. Plan to meet in a public location for safety.

Things to look for:

Your tutor should dress professionally. You want a tutor that takes this job seriously and promotes themselves as a professional.

Your tutor should be friendly as well as professional. You don't want someone who shows no personality. The learner will respond better to someone who is friendly and caring. On the other hand, you don't want someone so friendly and relaxed they are like another child. The tutor needs to demonstrate an ability to take charge when needed.

Your tutor needs to ask questions. Is the tutor curious about the learner? Does the tutor want information about the learner's needs before beginning lessons? Questions asked by the tutor will demonstrate how interested the tutor is in being prepared to teach and tutor and how well the tutor knows what information would be needed (would demonstrate application of experience and education).

On-the-spot responses. While it's great that the tutor can answer questions in an e-mail, can this tutor answer questions on-the-go? A good tutor needs to be able to immediately respond appropriately during lessons. Tutoring happens now! Not tonight, after the tutor e-mails you.

Join us tomorrow as we conclude the series Choosing A Tutor...Decisions, Decisions! when we talk about Hiring Your New Tutor.

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