Year Archive - 2005
Successful Parent-Teacher Interviews - Step Two: The Interview
December 19, 2005 Successful Parent-Teacher Interviews: Part One Part Two Part Three The Parent-Teacher Interview. Those four words can raise anxiety levels among both students and parents. However this interview can be highly beneficial to your child's school year success. By following our key steps to success, parents can make the interview a ... more
Successful Parent-Teacher Interviews - Step One: Preparation
December 16, 2005 Successful Parent-Teacher Interviews: Part One Part Two Part Three The Parent-Teacher Interview. Those four words can raise anxiety levels among both students and parents. However this interview can be highly beneficial to your child's school year success. By following our key steps to success, parents can make the interview a ... more
Deciphering Your Child's Report Card - Part Two
December 13, 2005 In case you missed it, read part 1 Deciphering Your Child's Report Card Part One Oxford Learning recommends that parents and children examine report cards together. This can help open lines of communication about the child's achievements and needs for improvement. Be positive and avoid arguments. This is the time ... more
Deciphering Your Child's Report Card - Part One
December 9, 2005 "What did my teacher say about me? How did I do in science? Am I failing math? What will my parents say? Students' stress levels often rise as the first report cards of the year arrive at home for parents to review, analyze and decipher. The report card can be ... more
Holiday Tips
December 6, 2005 It is important for parents to allow students a chance to breathe, to relax, to unwind over the holidays. We are entering that time of year where tests, final exams and report cards loom large and many students are beginning to accumulate a certain level of anxiety. Therefore, make sure ... more
Tips for Parent-Teacher Interviews Part Two
November 28, 2005 In case you missed it, read Tips for Parent-Teacher Interviews Part One Sample Parent/Teacher interview questions: Does my child hand in complete assignments on time, and at an acceptable level? What work areas does my child like best? What areas are more difficult for my child? Are there things I ... more
Top 10 Toys Announced by Testing Council
November 24, 2005 Toys that combine technology and tradition are among the top playthings rated for 2006 by the Canadian Toy Testing Council, a non-profit group that, for more than 50 years, has assessed toys on the basis of design, function, durability and play value. The toys are tested by children who play ... more
Tips for Parent-Teacher Interviews Part One
November 21, 2005 Sample Parent/Teacher interview questions: Do you have any concerns about my child's skill level? Does my child read with comprehension? Does my child have difficulty: listening to and/or following instructions? staying on task? organizing notes, work, stories, etc.? completing assignments? How well does my child read and understand new words? ... more
Don't Freak Out at Your Freshman
November 15, 2005 If you've got a college/university freshman in your family, fitting them back into your family with its old rules and expectations can upset everyone involved when kids come home for a weekend. Your student may have new friends, new freedoms, maybe even a new look. And while you might expect ... more
Freezing on Exams - 5 Tips
October 20, 2005 "I freeze up when I write exams! I study hard and think I know my stuff, but I freeze up and get low marks!" Hundreds of high school students have shared this concern with us over the years When students "freeze," their low grades do not reflect their true potential. ... more
The Curriculum
October 17, 2005 Webster defines 'curriculum' as 'a regular course of study; an accepted schedule; a routine.' This definition implies that schools must teach their students according to these principles. If we apply this definition to the teaching practices of the average elementary school, we would find that every class indeed has a ... more
Supplemental Education - Why?
October 11, 2005 Today, more and parents consider a supplemental education program to be an absolute necessity to ensure a complete education for their children. "Given the way school budgets are being slashed these days, I just don't think an average education is sufficient," says David Drum, a Toronto parent. "The real purpose ... more
The Myth of Learning Styles Part 2
October 6, 2005 Today's thinking about learning styles reverses a logical process and tries to influence change in the student's learning behaviour from outside the student. But, changes must be from within and that is the major flaw in these new theories. We are trying to give children self-esteem as if it were ... more
The Myth of Learning Styles
October 3, 2005 The concept of a 'learning style' is used to describe the preferred way, or process, that a student uses to identify and integrate information. In other words, the way a student seems to learn most often or most effectively is often called his or her learning style. For example, you ... more
Whole Language versus Phonics Part 2
September 30, 2005 Viewed from a holistic perspective Whole Language versus Phonics Part 1 When we throw away phonics as the first and primary method of decoding and switch to whole word (whole language) method, we are telling our kids something that isn't true. We are saying that there is no code — ... more
Whole Language versus Phonics
September 28, 2005 Viewed from a holistic perspective Whole Language versus Phonics Part 2 Whole Language versus Phonics is a subject engendering much discussion these days. Parents are demanding a return to the teaching of reading by phonics while school board trustees and administrators are claiming their whole language reading programs are effective. ... more
7 rules for effective study
September 24, 2005 1. Use the Power Listening process in class for listening. 2. Enter all homework, assignments and exams in your planning calendar as soon as your teacher assigns the work. 3. Begin each study or homework session by making a plan. 4. When reading, use SQRCRC to make sure that you ... more
Study Tips - Cramming and Homework
September 22, 2005 Cramming It is not possible to become an effective and organized student at the last minute. If study is left to the last minute all that is really left is cramming. Too Much Homework is Bad for You It is possible to hear, listen, integrate and learn material in class. ... more
Mini-Study Program Part 4 - Arrange Your Study Environment
September 15, 2005 Step 1 Make yourself comfortable. Use a table or desk and a comfortable chair. Hold yourself erect. Slouching in the body is mirrored in the mind. Do not lie down or sprawl on the bed. Make sure that you have sufficient light to read comfortably. Step 2 Try to arrange ... more
Mini-Study Program Part 3 - Take Breaks
September 12, 2005 This should not be a problem for you. Work for 20 minutes then take a five-minute break. You are working only 45-minute hours. That is plenty of time to focus and plenty of time to refresh. When you take your break, don't stay sitting at your desk. Run downstairs and ... more
Mini-Study Program Part 2 - Planning
September 9, 2005 It is essential to develop a plan for homework, assignments and exams. Each presents a different set of requirements and each requires its own study plan. Planning for Homework Take your assignment planner to class and write down assignments. Before you leave school, read your planner and make sure that ... more
Mini-Study Program Part 1
September 8, 2005 Our objectives are to learn how to — Set study goals Arrange a study environment Plan study breaks Avoid interruptions Learn how to study. Study Analysis Where do you study? What distractions are there (visual - noise)? How do you avoid or minimize these distractions? Where do you keep your ... more
Dad, How Do You Do Fractions?
September 7, 2005 I am relaxing, watching something about space on The Learning Channel, when my 10-year-old son strikes. "How do you do fractions?" he asks. I hate that question because it means I am about to fly right into the teeth of his beloved classroom teacher who does it a different way. ... more
The Oxford Learning Beat Writing Program Part 3
September 4, 2005 Using Beat Writing Beat Writing is designed to teach both grammar and writing skills. It is not to be used as a singular program. You must use it with other Oxford Learning materials as per the Program Manual. Beat Writing teaches — how to recognize complete sentences how to punctuate ... more
The Oxford Learning Beat Writing Program Part 2
September 3, 2005 Why Can't It Be Easier? We commonly receive requests to make Beat Writing easier! While we sympathize with this wish — to help kids learn to write in an easy manner — it is just impossible. Clear thought requires the clean use and understanding of language: its syntax and its ... more
The Oxford Learning Beat Writing Program
September 2, 2005 "You don't write because you want to say something, you write because you've got something to say."F. Scott Fitzgerald "Thought flies and words go on foot. Therein lies all the drama of a writer."Julien Green "The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean."Robert Louis ... more
Make Goal Setting a Family Affair
August 29, 2005 Setting goals helps motivate students, give purpose to their work, and better plan their time. Oxford Learning recommends that parents and children set goals for success together because "we decisions" are better than "me decisions". By collaborating during goal setting, parents and kids can open the lines of communication. To ... more
From Sizzle to Fizzle
August 23, 2005 Every school year begins with students, parents and teachers who are full of optimism and committed to making this the best year ever. Unfortunately, for some, it doesn't take long for the sizzle to fizzle and for students to fall behind, leading to anxiety, stress and frustration for students, their ... more
The Trouble With Words
August 17, 2005 Your son's report card is sitting on the table and you are not happy. Math is lower than it should be, his teacher noted that he did not hand in all his assignments, and he got a "Needs Improvement" for effort. What do we do? If you are like most ... more
Homework Wars
August 13, 2005 Even if your child thinks homework is useless or stupid, it still has to be done. Fortunately, there are ways to help kids complete homework assignments and give parents peace of mind. First, don't try to change your child's opinion about the value of homework. Instead, acknowledge that its very ... more
Phonics = Reading
August 8, 2005 Just the other day I heard a teacher exclaim, "No one seems to know how to teach reading these days!" Parents are demanding a return to the teaching of reading by phonics, while school board trustees and administrators claim their whole language reading programs are effective. Teachers are often confused ... more
Help Your Children Set Goals for Success - Top Ten Tips
August 8, 2005 The new school year is an exhilarating time for both parents and children. Everyone is filled with high hopes and big expectations for academic success and achievement. But how do you ensure this feeling remains throughout the entire year, and doesn't just fall flat after the first few weeks? How ... more
The First Six Weeks of School - Grades 7 to 8
August 6, 2005 Getting off to a good start - What to Watch For Weak self-esteem or confidence. Lack of organization. Not setting goals. Weak basic skills. Tips for the First Three Weeks Social issues emerge large as children mature. This transition often triggers problems with self-esteem as school challenges are compounded with ... more
The First Six Weeks of School - Grades 4 to 6
August 5, 2005 Getting off to a good start - What to Watch For The workload increases dramatically and students must learn new organization skills. Basic skills, such as reading, writing, spelling and math should be mastered by now. If your child is struggling to read fluently, it is time to take action. ... more
The First Six Weeks of School - Grades 1 to 3
August 4, 2005 Getting off to a good start - What to Watch For Young children often have difficulty concentrating, paying attention and getting settled. They may have trouble learning to read, write or do math. Organization may be a challenge. Tips for the First Three Weeks It often takes time for young ... more
A New Attitude for School This Year
July 26, 2005 It's back to school time again! Certainly, we have enjoyed the company of our children for the summer. We have enjoyed our progeny for 9 1/2 weeks or 63 days or 1,512 hours or 90,720 minutes or 'if you are really a masochist' 5,443,200 seconds! As happy as we may ... more
Discover Your Family
July 25, 2005 We all want to be involved in our kid's lives. We just don't know how. By involved I mean by being able to talk with our kids and not just providing a taxi service. Unfortunately, habit and insecurity often prevent us from establishing those bonds. Here are a few suggestions ... more
Staying Sharp All Summer
July 21, 2005 Every year the cycle gets repeated After a summer spent chasing butterflies, swimming, working or just plain lazing about, hundreds of thousands of students file back into their schools after Labour Day — ready for a new school year. Or are they? "We have to allow at least a month ... more
Attention Deficit Disorder or Simply Poor Concentration Skills? Part 2
July 19, 2005 You may be interested to know that the decisions to limit vocabulary and to end phonics were a result of ideas that originated in the 1890s. In the 1890s, one group of educators disagreed with an earlier group of educators. They wrote books and lectured and more than 100 years ... more
Attention Deficit Disorder or Simply Poor Concentration Skills? Part 1
July 12, 2005 I recently reviewed the results of a series of tests and something kept bothering me. Why did so many seemingly normal kids appear to have an attention deficit? Are we just getting better at identifying this problem or is something else going on? In addition to measuring and testing kids ... more
Turn On Your Brain
July 7, 2005 Recently a young man described the method he used when he was reading. "Well, I just read," he said. "You know, I open the page and I look at the words." In other words, he was just waiting for the words to create an impression on him. But words by ... more
How To Study: Part 2
June 10, 2005 Here is part two of How To Study — tips to help get you started, how to study more effectively and efficiently: Homework Carry a homework planner with you at all times - that means to every class. Enter homework, projects, tests and assignments as soon as you are given ... more
How To Study: Part 1
June 3, 2005 Every day counts. Do a little review and studying each day. Schedule time for your homework and study. Have a plan and work your plan. No homework? Work on assignments; review and correct mistakes from class or tests; plan your study schedule for next week; memorize the "tough" stuff. Here ... more
