TO MEMORIZE OR NOT TO MEMORIZE --THAT'S THE QUESTION!

With all the emphasis on Common Core and higher-order thinking skills, what's happened to good, old-fashioned memorization?  Many frown upon it while other researchers promote it.  They say that rote learning:

• challenges and trains the brain
• helps the brain work more quickly and become more active
• helps to free up the brain to learn higher-order thinking skills
• exercises the memory and helps students focus
• develops the brain's short-term memory
• strengthens the memory and helps students become more creative
• often improves a student's capacity to focus later on in school and in life

Our opinion?  Memorization plays an important role early on in learning a subject.  For example, learning multiplication facts can be accomplished in a variety of ways, depending upon a student's learning style and preferences, but memorization is a key component of mastery so the student can go on to comprehend the important concepts that utilize multiplication.

This guy below prefers a calculator to exercising his mind and memory, but just pat him on the head, and he'll be fine.  His biggest plans for the future include only meals, naps, and harassing his brother.

YOUR BRAIN IS YELLING, "FEED ME!"

Our brains need nutrition -- especially at breakfast before everyone heads out. When people are in a rush, they often grab a drink and something sweet to eat.  If this is what you feed your brain, it's going to be screaming, "Feed me!"  To keep your blood sugar steady, keep hunger at bay, and ensure your brain is operating at full capacity, try one of these instead to avoid the inevitable sugar crash you can expect if you indulge in sweets....and remember that many of these can be made ahead of time:

• eggs  
• a little breakfast meat 
• banana with almond butter 
• baked apples with walnuts and cinnamon 
• oatmeal 
• a bowl of fruit along with walnuts
• whole grain toast (if you must have bread) with almond butter 

In spite of his low-carb Science Diet feast, this guy below is sleeping, anyway.  His brain is satisfied, but what can we say?  He's a cat....

P.S.  Don't forget to keep yourself hydrated through the day - - our brains need water.  

UNINSPIRED? GET FIRED UP!

Has your student been lounging around, unable to motivate himself to do his school work?  We wish we had magic for you, but we don't.  We do have a few suggestions for your student, though....

• Picture the positive results of choosing to do school work.
• Think of short-term goals:  passing a test, attaining a good grade, and feeling proud.
• Think of long-term goals:  passing a course, being admitted to college, starting a career, or obtaining a sports scholarship.  Brainstorm what can be done to attain this goal....
• Consider the tangible and intangible rewards of doing well:  self-respect; praise, admiration and respect from others; possible gifts, money or a "special" day (WonderWorks, the mall....)
• Set specific goals.  ("I'm going to study one hour each day to prepare for Friday's test.")
• Rewards when goals are accomplished:  a bike ride, a tennis game, playing a video game, a special snack...

Don't be like Couldn't-Care-Less Kitty below....motivation isn't even in his vocabulary!

                                                                             

CAT NAPS

There you are, sitting in class, and your eyes are closing.  You have a test tomorrow, and the teacher's reviewing; your eyes have glazed over, and you're a millimeter away from a nap.  Here are a few tips to wake yourself up when you're in danger of snoozing like our lazy guy below:

• Pop a peppermint in your mouth.  If you're allowed to chew gum, get some peppermint gum!
• Pinch your ear lobe 'til it's really uncomfortable.  That'll wake you up!
• Wrap your arms around your shoulders and give yourself a hug... OR
• Cross your feet at your ankles, or cross your legs.  (Crossing the vertical median line of your body helps to wake up the brain!)
• Drink water.  Your brain will love you and wake up.

The cat-napper suggests that you call Top Flight Tutor for additional tips. He's too sleepy to do anything.

HAVING A HARD TIME WITH MATH? IS IT IN YOUR DNA?

Controversy over whether educational abilities are hereditary has existed for years.  Although researchers say that we must recognize and respect students' differences that are inherited, recent studies show that  genes don't necessarily determine our performance.  Here's what we know:

• people can't always control a genetic trait, but steps can be taken to help all students come up to par 
• the belief that "I had a problem with Math, so my child has a problem with it" is outdated and limiting to the child
• although students differ in how they learn, alternative learning approaches and extra practice assist the student to become competent even in a difficult class

Your child should know his or her learning style so that teachers, tutors, and parents can help in the most effective manner.  (Our cat thinks osmosis is a great learning style.... it's not!)  See "Tutoring Services" here on our website for details on how we can help.

IS THE HONEYMOON OVER?

Progress Report time is here!  Here are a couple of things you should know:

• Progress Reports often have higher grades than what's seen on the Report Card at the end of the quarter.  The reason:  
• Reviewing last year's work is easier than new work
• teachers sometimes give points for simple homework and/or grade more leniently so students can adjust to their grading method
• Once the "honeymoon" is over, students' grades may plummet for a few reasons - students see these high grades and think "Piece of cake - this is easy," parents are pleased with the grades and let down their guard, and/or teachers are well into the new, challenging curriculum

Our advice:

• keep an eye on your child's work habits
• be sure you know your child's score on any school, county, or state assessment that s/he may have been given in the first weeks of school
• check the online grading system to see homework and graded assessments
• don't wait to communicate with the teacher if your child's grades are slipping

THINKING ABOUT INSTAGRAM WHEN YOU SHOULD BE STUDYING??

Focus...it's important, but so elusive when we most need it -- when we're in class, studying, or taking a test.  During tutoring, we share brain-based learning strategies, study skills and test-taking skills, but here's a sneak peek:

• Shut your phone!
• Stay hydrated! Your brain loves and needs water.
• Study in a spacious area with sunlight or daylight lighting.
• Know yourself.  Your environment should suit your learning style.