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College Readiness Checklist for Parents

08 May

It’s safe to say that college life today is drastically different than it was when many of us attended.  Even if we attended less than 10 years ago!  With advancements in technology, students are able to gain and retain information faster than ever.  Though the way students learn and interact may be different, there are still many traditional principles that parents should have a grasp of before sending their children off to school.

 

Today’s post comes to us from edutopia.com and was written by Jeff Livingston.  He has put together a great checklist of items for parents to keep in mind when they are prepping their child to go off to college.  Enjoy!

 

“As May begins, high school seniors are enjoying their final weeks in school before graduation. In just a few months, they will be stepping onto college campuses for the first time and entering a new chapter.

 

Twenty-five percent of college students drop out in their freshman year because they are not academically, emotionally or financially prepared for college life and adulthood. Whether students like it or not, college takes planning and preparation. Fortunately, there are things that parents can do to make sure that their child is ready for what will be one of the biggest transitions of his or her life.

 

Here’s a college readiness checklist to make sure your high school grads are prepared for what’s waiting for them on campus. (Teachers, you may wish to pass this on to your students’ parents.)

 

Arrange for them to speak formally to a recent college grad.

No one can give your child better advice than a family friend who has recently completed college and found a career in their chosen field. Encourage your child to speak with them about what it takes to be successful in college and what, if anything, they may have done differently. Have your child follow up on the meeting by writing a formal thank you note.

 

Teach them the ins-and-outs of their college finances.

Students are more likely to take college seriously if they understand how their college finances work. To show them the importance of making the most out of their education on a day-in, day-out basis, go beyond yearly tuition totals and review the cost breakdown of each individual class. Also show them the benefit that finishing in four years will have on their long-term financial future.

 

Have them start building their network — now.

Some of the most important connections your child can make in college are ones that begin before they even set foot on campus. Encourage them to speak with their future roommate, other high school classmates who are attending the same college, and student officers in the clubs your child may be interested in joining. Sites like Unigo.com will allow your child to connect with future classmates who may share similar interests. And when your child arrives at school, urge them to be aggressive about participating in activities and meeting new people.

 

Give them opportunities to practice critical thinking.

For instance, you could give them the opinion section of a major newspaper and ask them to take an opposing viewpoint to an article, even one they agree with. Doing college-level work requires more than just taking what you read at face value and memorizing a bunch of facts — students should practice thinking critically about what they see, hear and read.

 

Help them learn to manage their time.

Encourage them to use a digital calendar to keep track of appointments and deadlines. Many students arrive at college not knowing how to manage their time effectively. Digital calendars, such as Google Calendar or Apple’s iCal, can be accessed from a smartphone or tablet, allowing students to stay on top of their schedule no matter where they are.

 

Make sure they get to know their faculty advisor.

Making big decisions like picking a major or following a career path can be daunting, causing students to put them off as long as possible. Faculty advisors, provided to students by most colleges, can help take the fear out of the process. Make sure your child develops a relationship with their faculty advisor as early as possible to ensure their choices are well informed.

 

Show them how to use social media beyond photos on Facebook.

College-age students are among the most active users of social media, but how many are aware of the ways it can benefit them academically and professionally? Have your child talk with recent grads who have used social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to help build their academic network and market themselves as professionals. Additionally, sites like Unigo.com can help students get a feel for their school’s culture before stepping foot on campus.

 

Equip them with the right technology.

To succeed in college, students need technology that works with the latest tools and systems being used in the classroom. Only a few years ago, this simply meant buying the latest model laptop. These days, as colleges introduce more technology into the classroom, students are using a combination of devices — such as tablets, smartphones and e-readers — to stay on top of their coursework and connect with classmates. Check the school’s technology guidelines before making any major purchases.”

 

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/college-readiness-checklist-jeff-livingston

 

Jeff Livingston (@livingjeff on Twitter) is Senior Vice President of College and Career Readiness at McGraw-Hill Education. A Harvard graduate, he was co-founder, president and CEO of Achieva.com and a successful entrepreneur specializing in instructional technology and urban school district marketing. He’s passionate about technology and access to high quality education.

 

For help getting your student ready for college life call Arrowhead Tutors today at 815-272-2605.

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10 Changes to Expect from the Library of the Future

25 Apr

As a child, we might remember spending hours in the local public library.  Whether it was finding he latest book to read or simply to find a quiet corner to study in, the library seemed to be the go-to-place for all things educational.  In the digital age, traditional libraries have almost become a relic of past generations, as so much free, rich information is readily available at our finger tips.

 

Today’s post comes to us from the blog over at onlineuniversties.com.  It highlights some of the changes we can expect in the coming years to our libaries.

 

10 Changes to Expect from the Library of the Future

 

“Libraries have acted as community cornerstones for millennia, and every April marks School Library Month, celebrating how they promote education and awareness in an open, nurturing space. What makes them such lasting institutions, though, isn’t the mere act of preserving books and promoting knowledge. Rather, it’s the almost uncanny ability to consistently adapt to the changing demands of the local populace and emerging technology alike. The library system probably won’t disappear anytime soon, but rather, see itself blossoming into something new and exciting in congruence with today’s myriad informational demands.

 

1) More Technology

Probably the most obvious direction libraries will trend involves more seamless integration of technologies at a faster, more sophisticated pace than even now. With so many exciting new gadgets and concepts such as ebook readers, tablet PCs, open source, and more, they have plenty of resources on hand to meet community demands. Books, sadly, do not hold the same collective appeal as the shiny and new gadgets, but enterprising librarians know they can still bring literature to the masses by utilizing its lust for technology.

 

2) Sensory Story Times

As awareness of the needs of autism spectrum and developmentally disabled children swells, more and more libraries are scheduling sensory story times making sure they get to enjoy literature in a manner most comfortable to them. Many libraries who have developed such programming recommend visual schedules so kids know what’s coming up next, carpet tiles or cushions for sitting, and hands-on activities. Even mainstream children can enjoy these events, so all members of the community benefit from creating a more inclusive space.

 

3) Better Outreach to ESOL and ESL Adults and Children

New York’s public library system, in an effort to make sure as many patrons take advantage of their offerings as possible, has put forth the time, money, and energy to improve upon its ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) and ESL (English as a second language) programming. Increasing globalization means more multilingual cities, and because libraries stand as integral pillars of the community, they make for excellent introductions to what new neighbors might come to expect. And greater engagement means greater communication and closer relationships.

 

4) Automation

If the automated system at the Joe and Rika Mansueto Library at University of Chicago catches on, readers might say, “Sayonara!” to stacks. Not only are almost all of its holdings available for online retrieval, visitors can also access them in person without having to navigate the often baffling academic library cataloging system. Instead, they input their desired read and a complicated system of machinery burrows 50 feet underground to fetch and deliver it. No browsing required. Because of the expense however, it will probably be quite a while before full automation catches on in libraries worldwide.

 

5) Emphasizing Community Space

Placing more stock in technologies obviously frees up quite a bit of library space, and leaders at the Anoka County Library in Minneapolis know just how to put it to good use. More room means they can start offering a wider range of programming, serving as a community center focused on learning rather than just literature. Some of their plans include genealogy classes targeting seniors wanting to know more about their family histories and giant letter blocks for children. Libraries probably won’t disappear to digitization, but their shape will likely change over time.

 

6) More Social Media Savvy

As with the latest in literary gadgetry creeping into libraries, social media has already started ingraining itself as integral to the experience. It offers greater community outreach, promoting and answering questions about events, and provides a forum in which to share cool book news. Social media also makes it easier than ever for libraries to receive feedback about what sort of programming the community wants most, suggestions about how to improve offerings, and talks about what books need to make their way to the shelves. Hosting online discussions certainly holds its merits as well!

 

7) Digital Media Labs

In an effort to lure in more teenagers, Chicago Public Library hybridized the traditional system with a digital media lab dubbed YOUmedia. There, they can take advantage of the video recording and editing equipment, computers, recording studio (complete with keyboards and turntables!), and classes on graphic design, podcasting, and photography. YOUmedia also hosts an Internet-based literary magazine. With so many seriously amazing offerings, high school kids can learn even more about the potential career paths that interest them most; seeing as how libraries are all about education, these offerings don’t stray from their core values.

 

8) Electronic Outposts

Similar to the satellite system already in place for county libraries in larger towns and cities, futurist Thomas Frey thinks that – over time, of course – they might start the same thing with a more digital bent. Rather than acting as an extension of a central library’s physical holdings, they would work as almost a “cyber cafe” where patrons go to access digital archives. Many of the holdings would revolve around preserving the history of the surrounding communities, adding a more personalized dimension to the experience.

 

9) Crowdsourcing

New Jersey’s Madison Public Library is one of many libraries who understand that their survival depends on how well they interface with the neighborhoods that support them. So they’ve turned towards crowdsourcing their future, hosting focus groups and opening up to suggestions from professionals, patrons, and professional patrons alike. Much of what the people had to say of course involved technology, like training reference librarians in resources like YouTube, Wikipedia, Google, and more. They also wanted to see more programming aimed at engaging the growing Latin American community. All these responses help MPL better provide exactly what their visitors needs for a well-rounded educational experience.

 

10) More Active Librarians

Once again, the precedent has already been set here, with most libraries around the world asking their staff to pull double duty as event planners and class leaders. Seth Godin thinks the librarians of the future will almost universally be tasked with tutoring students on their homework, teaching patrons computer basics, and other responsibilities putting them at the front lines. But this transition is a positive one, as it nurtures a heightened sense of community and destigmatizes the librarian profession, painting them as neighborly mentors instead of silencing book police.”

 

Source: http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2012/04/10-changes-to-expect-from-the-library-of-the-future/

 

For more information, study tips, and upcoming events, please visit www.arrowheadtutors.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter!

 

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Joliet, IL 60435

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Student Wellness

29 Feb

The following post comes to us from Dr. Mark Giacomi of Plainfield Family Medicine (www.plainfieldfamilymedicine.com).  His practices specializes in Student Wellness ranging from school/sports physicals to early detection of behavioral issues and learning disorders.  Visit their website for more information!

 

 

 

 In the state of Illinois, all children entering pre-school, kindergarten, 6th and 9th grade are required to have a Child Health Examination performed within one year of the start of the school year.  These examinations include a vaccination history, basic health history screening questions to be answered by the parent/guardian and a physical exam to be performed by a physician.   Furthermore, all schools are required to provide screening hearing exams at Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade as and vision exams at some point over the age of 3 years old.  These examinations are mandated for the benefit of the student.  Early detection and treatment of hearing and vision impairment or other medical issues can greatly improved quality of life, academic achievement and the overall happiness of a student.

The Child Health Examinations are very effective at detecting major issues with health, vision and hearing but more extensive screening is recommended.  Yearly physicals should be completed by a student’s physician every year.  While not mandated by the state, these physicals are vital to a child or young adult’s health.  At a yearly physical, there should be discussion about overall health, social issues, parental and student concerns as well as any topics of concern that may arise during the patient-parent-physician conversation.

 

Every year, children are exposed to new social and scholastic challenges and these should be addressed at least once per year.  Conditions such as vision problems, ADD/ADHD, test anxiety, depression, fatigue, food allergies and dozens (if not hundreds!) more may be detected and addressed at a yearly physical.  Be sure your student is current on their exam!

-Dr. Mark Giacomi

Arrowhead Tutors is committed to assisting students of all ages find the right path in and out of the classroom.  Whether is is a learning disorder diagnosed by a doctor or simply help with their homework, we can help get your student back on target!  Call 815-272-2605 or visit www.ar

 
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College Readiness Standards

14 Nov

The 2011-2012 academic first semester is quickly moving along as teachers work hard to promote a high culture of learning within their classes. For most schools, a common educational goal is to improve scores on standardized tests that all students will take in the spring.  Whether teachers are preparing their students to take the EXPLORE (grades 8-9), The Plan (Grade 10), or the ACT (Grade 11), the number one objective is to increase a student’s ability to be ready for college.

The series of standardized tests given to students is based off of College Readiness Standards (CRS). College Readiness Standards are “research-based descriptions of the skills and knowledge associated with students’ knowledge and abilities as they progress through school.” (http://www.act.org/explore/research.html). College readiness standards are provided for six score ranges (bands) along a common scale for English, math, reading and science. Teachers are working to increase the band ratio to higher levels within their classes so that all students are considered to be “college ready.”

In order to increase student scores, teachers are working hard to incorporate learning objectives based off of college readiness standards that will facilitate higher level scores in the spring. Many teachers are giving students practice tests so that they are familiar with the format that they will see when they actually take the test. Other teachers are creating bell-work (short 5 minute “mini” lessons prior to the class lesson), which includes skills that students need to practice in order to adequately ready for college. Lastly, many teachers are meeting before, during, or after school with content-related teachers and specialists so that together they can create key lesson plan components that will enhance student scores.

While teachers are working very hard to help student’s become college ready, Arrowhead Tutors is an excellent place where students can receive extra help preparing for standardized tests. Contact Arrowhead Tutors at 815-272-2605 to be matched qualified tutor to assist you on your student back on target!

www.arrowheadtutors.com

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Test Anxiety Causes

29 Sep

Now that the school year has kicked in full gear, students’ progress reports, midterms, and report cards are vast approaching. As parents, we rely on the majority of these reports and grades to tell us how our child is doing in school. Parents sometimes assume that their child has low grades because he/she is not studying enough or being “lazy,” but in fact the child might have test anxiety.

What are the main causes test anxiety?  

  • Cramming all the information in the night before
  • Lack of managing time
  • Inability to organize information  
  • Poor study habits

 

Other causes include worrying about past performance on tests/quizzes, how other students are doing, and the negative connotation that can come with performing poorly.

 Parents, if you notice any of these causes with your child, Arrowhead Tutors can help! Your student will work one-on-one with a certified tutor to assist with organization of test information and improve their study habits through the use of outlines, charts, note cards, highlighting.  Another great strategy is to break down the information into smaller sections along with studying it over a longer period of time. No more CRAMMING the night before can assist with lowering the child’s test anxiety. Also, implementing relaxation and calming techniques to reduce added stress, such as taking long deep breaths and rolling the shoulders and neck in circles.  All of these tips will reassure your student that they are the one in control and not the test!

 Arrowhead Tutors now offers a study skills assessment test to find out what specific areas are in need of improvement.  Contact us today for more details.

www.arrowheadtutors.com

815-272-2605

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Back to School Tips!

30 Aug

With fall in the air, we are gearing up for the start of school at Arrowhead Tutors.  Here are a few tips to get your student back into school mode!

  • Get plenty of rest
  • Eat a healthy breakfast
  • Be prepared with school supplies 
  • Pack a healthy lunch
  • Organize desk/locker
  • Use a planner/assignment notebook-especially if the school provides one
  • Introduce yourself to the teacher
  • If the student has a question or concern ask the teacher “early on” and don’t wait
  • Parent/Student provide a multiple ways for the teacher to get into contact with you if needed (home, cell, and/or work number, email address(s), etc.)
  • Get involved in extra-curricular activities if school provides them-its a great way to meet new friends

 

If your student is struggling in class, don’t forget to call Arrowhead Tutors for some additional help at 815-272-2605.  We are conveniently located on Larkin Avenue in Joliet and will go out of our way to get you and your student back on target!

 
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Best of Back to School Apps 2011

23 Aug

The following post was taken from http://andtwinsmake5.blogspot.com/.  It was written by Stephanie Wagner who was selected as one of the 2011 nominees for Most Valuable Chicago Blogger by CBS Chicago.  Follow her on Facebook & Twitter!

Since so many households have an iPhone or iPad that will be utilized this year in some part of their back to school routine, I thought I’d share a list of some of my current favorite back to school apps.

Have any favorites I missed?  Let me know and maybe I’ll follow up with a second part, but for now here’s my list:
 
Todo for iPad:  Mommy or the older Student will love the ability to make multiple to do style lists complete with due date reminders.
 
ReaddleDocs:  You’ll need a good document viewer and organizer to make your iPad work for you and this is currently the best one I have used.
 
Merriam-Webster Dictionary:  Even in the modern world of technology one still needs a good dictionary.
 
Roget’s II: The New Thesaurus:  Admit it, you knew this would be next on my list.  The need for a good thesaurus and good dictionary go together like peanut butter and jelly.
 
Calculator:  It has all the basics as well as the advanced mathematical and scientific buttons too.  Having the little ones check that math homework when they are done is twice as fun on the iPad.
 
Flash Cards:  Create your own flash cards to study with on your iPad or iPhone.  Flashcardlet lets you add images and star cards as you go for further studying.
 
Spelling Test:  Type in a list, name the list, record your voice saying each word … Use this app to study and even email results to a parent at work. 
 
ShowMe Interactive Whiteboard:  The uses for this app are bountiful.  Use it as scratch paper, demonstrate a concept, show the basketball team a play, or doodle a few minutes before digging into that term paper.
 
Evernote:  Create text, photo, and audio rich notes.  Multiple ways to organize and search for items later.  You can use this as your starting point to work on papers or in my case blog posts.  Once you sink your teeth into it, you’ll fall in love.
 
For more useful back-to-school tips, conact Arrowhead Tutors!
 
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Hate Studying for a Test? Beat that fear!

07 Mar

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“Class, we are going to have a test this Friday on chapters 1-5. The test will be multiple choice, short answer, and essay.  Study hard, as this is worth a lot of your final grade!”  Students hear this type of quote at least every two weeks, and most of the time, many of them feel sudden anxiety and fear.

Kids of all ages know that the dreaded word “test” means that they are going to have to give up their time playing Nintendo, going to the mall, or watching their favorite shows on TV to spend countless hours in the library studying for this exam.  Student’s also become nervous knowing that their score on this exam is a huge part of their final grade, and become extremely fearful as they bust of their class notes, flashcards, and books.  Almost all students can come to the conclusion that studying is not fun and can be scary.  At Arrowhead Tutors, we sympathize with you!  We have created the following study guide tips that will hopefully make you less nervous for an upcoming test as well as increase your chances of acing it!

1. Study in Advance: Coming home each night after school to read a chapter or study class notes from that day’s lesson does not sound fun.  However, studies have shown that students who take the time to review what was learned in class each night have a higher chance of success on their exams.  Students who study a bit of what is going to be covered on a test each day reduce the chances that they will have to “cram” the night before, which ultimately means less sleep and less brain retention of what is studied.  To avoid a night of cramming and crying, study a little each day; you will feel so much better when you hear those dreaded words “Test Time.”

2. Have a Study Partner: Everyone has heard the saying “Two brains are better than one.” It is perfectly acceptable to apply this quote when studying for a test.  When your teacher gives you a study guide that is so long it can be a book, don’t fret! Instead, find a reliable friend and work on the study guide together.  The two of you will be able to bounce ideas off of one another and find the correct answer to questions.  When the study guide is finished, the two of you can even take the time to quiz each other!

3. Get Plenty of Rest and Eat Healthy: While many students are busy with extracurricular activities or sports and will still have to find time to study for a test, it is still extremely important to get plenty of sleep and eat healthy before an exam.  It is amazing how much of a difference physical factors can affect the nature of student’s ability to ace a test. Thus, go to bed at a reasonable time and make sure you wake up and eat a healthy and nutritious breakfast.  You certainly don’t want your stomach to start growling when you begin the first question on your exam.  To all of those students who have a sweet tooth, you are in luck: studies have shown that eating a mint before a test increases memorization!

 4.     Feel Confident: No matter how well you are prepared, you still need to go to class and feel confident that you can ace the test. You can do it- just have faith in yourself.  Take a deep breath and count to ten, and then walk into that classroom and show that test who is boss!

All of these study guide tips are great but if you still are feeling uneasy about an upcoming test, please schedule a session at Arrowhead Tutors with one of our qualified and certified teachers.  We are dedicating to helping you learn and review test material and will make sure that you are well prepared and confident for your exam.  Contact us at 815-272-2605.  We look forward to hearing from you!

 
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Grades: Where Do They Come From?

04 Oct

According to a recent article in the Herald News, many local schools are creating standards of grading by which a student’s final grade is derived 30% from homework and projects and 70% is determined by their score on their final exam. Proponents of this policy believe that homework and projects are positive in that they allow for practice and mastery of a certain skill, but do not actually measure the total knowledge that one is gaining from the lesson. Also, many feel that students may receive help on homework and projects, thus not showing their own individual success. Based on these premises, some schools are raising their standards claiming that final exam scores more accurately show that a student mastered all the lessons on their own with absolutely no outside help.

While some people advocate for having a final exam determine the bulk of a student’s grade, others believe that the student’s official grade should be an equal mix of all homework, quizzes, tests, and projects from the entire semester. These educators and parents often base this opinion through observation of their own students and children. They maintain that one score on an exam does not always accurately show a student’s mastery of all the lessons taught and argue that many external and internal factors such as test anxiety, feeling sick or lack of sleep can have a negative effect on the score of a test. For example, students who are bad at taking tests may have difficulty answering questions correctly on an exam, but if given the chance to present their knowledge through another means, may accurately do so.

These educators and parents believe that teachers should create multiple methods of assessment that meet the various learning styles of the students and weigh these scores equally. Teachers can find out what drives student learning in their class, and create multisensory approaches to both teaching and assessing the students through a mix of auditory, tactile, oral, kinesthetic, and visual means. This type of teaching and evaluation guarantees that students are taught the lesson in a variety of ways, and are given the opportunity to show what they have learned through multiple venues, one of which meets their preferred method of learning and thus showing accurate mastery.

Arrowhead Tutors is dedicated to helping your child meet mastery, no matter how their official grade is determined! Call Arrowhead Tutors at 815-272-2605 or visit http://www.arrowheadtutors.com to schedule an appointment with our certified and highly qualified teachers. Whether it is receiving help on homework, a project, or preparing for a tedious final exam, our tutors are dedicated to helping you meet academic success!

 
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Back to School Bliss

18 Aug

        

It’s that time of year again – time to go back to school! It feels as though it was just yesterday that kids of all ages patiently awaited the final bell at school to ring so they could run out of the halls chanting and singing the infamous Alice cooper song, “Schools out for summer!.” Time flies by so fast and students of all ages know the dreary, most dreaded, typical routine of exchanging  their water guns,  goggles, and bathing suits, for books, pencils, and folders. While nothing can compare to the freedom and fun of summer, why does going back to school always have to be such a gloomy, dreaded process? Well, keep the following things in mind and it is sure that you will trade in your blues for back-to-school bliss!

1. School is a great way to make new friends: Everyone has heard the saying “Make new friends and keep the old ones, one is silver and the other’s gold!” Well, being in school with so many different types of people gives everyone the opportunity to become extremely rich in the amount of friends they have. Whether it is through staying up late to study for the horrible science test with someone, or hanging out at lunch while you talk about the latest, hip CD that hit the stores over the weekend, you are sure to have a blast getting to know your classmates!

2. School is a perfect time to find out your hidden talents: While some people are mathematic wizards and others the latest Shakespeare of 2010, everyone finds that they enjoy and are good at different things from their peers. School will expose you to SO many different subjects and you will get the opportunity to discover just how talented you are!

3. Going back to school means getting back in the game: Whether it be through joining the baseball team, making “NFL star” throws on the football team, or exciting the crowd through cheerleading, being on a team is such a fun way to distract you from the stress of homework! Not athletic? Don’t worry! Join a foreign language club, or even run for student council! Do whatever you can to get involved, and you will have school smiles guaranteed!

See? Going back to school does not always have to be so bad!!!

If you or your student is struggling in class, get back on target by contacting Arrowhead Tutors.

 
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