4 Questions to Ask Your Child About School

4 Questions to Ask Your Child About School Through report cards, parent-teacher conferences, and grades posted online, tracking your childs educational progress is often relatively easy to do. Aside from these mediums, though, one of the best ways parents can assess progress is by having regular conversations with their student. This will help you not only gauge how theyre doing, but also teach them to reflect meaningfully on what theyre working on in school. Questions to ask your child about school include what they find interesting, areas where they encounter confusion, and their favorite activities. Looking to help your student finish the school year on a good note? Keep reading to learn four questions to ask your child about school. Question #1 to ask your child about school: What do you know, what do you want to know, and what have you learned? KWLwhich stands for know, want to know, and learnedis a series of questions that may already be familiar to your child, as some teachers begin units by filling out KWL charts as a class. This technique works at home too, and is best for gauging progress on a specific subject, unit, or concept. Have your child list things that they know about a concept, as well as what they want to know. This is especially helpful to do during a unit to see how theyre progressing through the quarter or semester. At the end of the unit or course, ask them what theyve learned. Is there anything theyve been exposed to, but still dont quite understand? Have they learned everything they wanted to know? A mismatch between the want to know and learned columns could signify one of two things: Theres something that you and your child should focus on and make sure to clarify as the class moves on. Theres an interest of your childs beyond what the course is designed to teach. This could be a place to explore and expand in terms of your childs academic or personal interests. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help Students Setand AchieveAcademic Goals] Question #2 to ask your child about school: What do you find interesting about [a specific subject]? KWL charts can be a wonderful tool, but sometimes students say theyve learned nothing at school when asked. One way to better focus your conversation is to ask about whats interesting about a subject or class instead. When your child talks about the subject, notice the way they speak about it and if they seem to have a strong grasp of the subject. This information can help clue you in on how confident your child feels in the given subject, and whether or not that confidence matches their comprehension of the material. [RELATED: 3 Questions to Ask Your Students Teacher Before The School Year Ends] Question #3 to ask your child about school: What do you find confusing about [a specific subject]? Similarly, asking whats confusing about a subject can help you learn more about how your child experiences school or a specific class. This may be difficult for your child to even put into words, but its a worthwhile endeavor and will often shed light on whats happening in class. Some follow-up questions can include: What do you do when youre confused in class? Does your teacher notice or know when youre confused about something? What does the teacher do when you or your classmates are confused? This might be a great time to offer some in-class or at-home strategies for your child to use when they get stuck. Consider their personality; when a student is shy or simply nervous to express their confusion in front of the whole class, suggest that your child write a note to the teacher or ask to speak to the teacher while other students are working on an assignment. Question #4 to ask your child about school: What are your favorite and least favorite activities? Finally, assessing your students educational progress can include getting a sense of class activitiesincluding what they enjoy and dont enjoy, as well as what activities are most or least helpful. This can help you understand the ways in which your child participates in class, works with other students, and how they best learn material. [RELATED: How to Support Your Stressed Student] The answers to any of these questions about school are great for you to help your child make a plan for how to best use homework time, in addition to coming up with strategies and things to do in class that will help them make the most of class time if theyre confused. This information would also be good to bring up in a conference with a teacher or guidance counselor. Remember that your childs teacher is on the same team as you to help your child succeed, and sharing information can help to best accomplish this. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Getting Math Help in Cardiff

Getting Math Help in Cardiff Cardiff’s Best In-Person and Online Math Help ChaptersHow to Find the Right Maths InstructorIn-Person Tutor by School Math LevelOnline Maths HelpFree Math Tutoring ServicesWhile you may think you’ve learned everything about Wales’ capital, Cardiff is still home to many of the country’s surprising tales. Cardiff is actually the green space capital of the United Kingdom, containing more parks per person than any other city in the nation. At the same time, it also holds the title for being the smallest capital in Europe.Having been settled since the Neolithic Period, Cardiff was populated by members of a Celtic tribe before the invasion of the Romans. Since then, Cardiff has developed into the commercial and cultural hub of Wales, where about 10% of the population speak Welsh.Filled with a long and riveting history, there’s no better place to start honing in your math skills than Cardiff. Long hailed as a one of the UK's most sociable cities, you're bound to find a helping hand. Whether you’re stuck on math homework probl ems at the undergrad or elementary school level, finding the right math help can be key to achieving your academic and professional goals. Here’s how to pick the right kind of math tutor and math courses for your needs!A good math tutor or online site can be resources for teachers and students! MyriamMaths Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £200/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KamalMaths Teacher 5.00 (9) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PetarMaths Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GowsikaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RubenMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorMaths Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow to Find the Right Maths InstructorGetting a private tutor to supplement your mathematics courses can be a difficult choice to make, especially with all the different kinds of options available today. If you find yourself struggling in maths and have already sought out help from your math teacher, consider getting help through a one-on-one experience with a professional in the field.The first step you should take in your journey to find the perfect math lessons in Cardiff is to identify why you or your child want to start getting tutored for math. In other words, define what you’d like to get out of a tutoring experience. Whether that be attaining your GCSE or scoring a higher grade on an elementary school level math program.The second thing you should identify is what kinds of math concepts you’re prepared to learn. For example, high school math students probably won’t need a tutor for basic arithmetic operations but, rather, for subjects like pre-algebra, precalculus or trigonometry. Identifying your skill level will help you determine what qualities you want in a maths tutor.The final aspect you should take into account when trying to select the right tutor and program, regardless of whether you’re looking for an English literature or science tutor, are these essential characteristics:PriceFlexibilityQualificationsYour mathematics teacher, on top of matching your needs in the previous characteristics, should also always deliver a professional and safe environment for learning.For more advice, check out maths tutoring in Glasgow!In-Person Tutor by School Math LevelAfter you’ve identified the areas you’re struggling with the most, whether it be particular math problems or understanding difficult concepts during math class, you’ll have to decide what type of classes to take based on what your personal preferences and budget. The most common routes you can take include taking one-on-one tutoring courses, getting an online tutor for maths or simply learning through free, online maths guides and lessons.Here, we’ll discuss options for those looking to get maths tuition in person, either at a tutoring centre or through a tutoring service. Private tuition courses tend to be the more expensive option but can be ideal for those who learn best from having personalized guidance and getting their questions answered in real-time. From primary school to test prep, here are some of the best resources to check out for various math level courses.Find more maths tutors with our guide on Belfast's math centres!Elementary Math TutoringAt the elementary level, the majority of students struggle the most with math and science. After asking their math teacher for extra help, if your child is still having trouble with doing their homework or understanding the mathematical concepts taught in class, consider checking out a tutoring math lab or centre like Explore Learning. Located in Thornhill, they offer support for elementary grade math through personalized math classes and guides.Exploring and reviewing topics such as basic arithm etic operations, multiplication and more, the centre’s membership will give you access to their facilities up to 9 times a month. If you’re hesitating or want to find out more about pricing schemes, they offer a free trial session as well as scholarships and financial aid for families looking for help at lower prices.Here are more maths tuition options in Birmingham! Personalised learning can sometimes be found outside the classroomFind a Tutor Middle School MathWhether your child needs help getting a passing grade on a placement test or simply needs help with more complex math topics, such as inequalities and measuring volume, finding a tutor can be a great solution. If you’ve already spoken to the math department at your child’s school, make sure to check out the options at the Kumon tutoring centre.Kumon, a tutoring centre invented by a Japanese mathematician in 1985, uses their original approach to teaching subjects like English literature and maths. Having around 10 locations spread throughout the greater Cardiff area, you will have to pay a one-time registration fee of 50 pounds. Their monthly plan, which will cost you 62 pounds, will allow your child access to use their facilities two days a week and includes practice sets to be completed at home.Check out this guide on maths learning in Manchester for more info!High School and College Level MathFrome GCSE maths to struggling to find past papers of college math courses, the mathematics at this level can vary widely. From differential equations and linear algebra to actuarial math, there are as diverse topics as there are options to get tutored in them.With a community of almost 150,000 maths tutors worldwide, you can tap into Superprof’s tutor database to explore the 160 tutors in the Cardiff area available to walk you through math problems and theories. From math teachers to PhD students, you’ll also be able to choose the qualifications of your tutor based on your personal interests and preferences. The average price for a lesson is 15 pounds per hour, with the majority of tutors offering their first lesson for free.Test PrepLooking for a tuition centre with math teachers and courses geared towards the A-levels? Teaching sixteen different subjects, from English and maths to Welsh and psychology, the Cardiff and Vale Tutoring Centre offers different services for students through to the graduate level. Striving to provide students with the proper study skills and content knowledge necessary to succeed, they also offer support for those with dyslexia and dyscalculia.If you’re looking for help on the part of mathematicians for the A-levels, Cardiff and Vale tutors has a range of local tutors to help with everything from reviewing negative numbers to completing practice tests. The price for A-level support comes at the fixed rate of 27 pounds per hour.Check out our guide on GSCE maths help in the UK!Online Maths HelpWhether you’re in upper division maths courses or at the elementary school level, getting a tutor online for support in your mathematics courses can be cheaper than an in-person tutor. An online tutor can be found in all subjects in math for many of the tutoring services and centres already mentioned, from number theory to binomials.If you’re interested in getting an online tutor for either you or your child but you aren†™t sure, some advantages to taking this route is the lower cost of transportation as well as more flexibility in scheduling. If you’re someone who has a busy schedule and simply can’t make it or drive during standard working hours, online tutoring can be a great solution.Besides the tutoring platforms already mentioned, one great online tutoring service dedicated to math is Matr. With a weekly price of about 10 pounds, you’ll get a weekly, one-on-one session with a maths tutor with personalized assessments and guides. For free, you can also access countless guides and worksheets just by creating an account. At the moment Matr only supplies support for those aged 6 to 12.Look for more online maths support with this guide on Edinburgh! If you're looking to gain study skills for improving your grade, a tutor can help!Free Math Tutoring ServicesIf you’re worried about your child not learning enough at the key stage of elementary school or are struggling with complex mathematical theory yourself, turning to free math help can also be a great option for those with a limited budget. Check out your school or local library to find out if they have a maths tuition program or math support that they offer for free.Another option is to turn to the web, where you’ll be able to browse through a number of math games, lessons and tutorials. Add maths tutorials to your watchlist with Khan Academy’s popular range of mathematics tutoring. Turn to Math Tutor UK, a site created by mathematicians at the University of Leeds, Loughborough and Coventry, for lessons and practice questions on seven different subjects ranging from arithmetic to integration.Learn more about maths tutoring throughout the UK!

Perfecting the GRE Quantitative Become an Exponents Expert

Perfecting the GRE Quantitative Become an Exponents Expert GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog Like the thousands of other humanities people getting ready to take the GRE, you may not have thought about exponents since high school. You probably spent your undergraduate years thinking a lot more about existentialism than exponents, and now need to feel confident enough about that tiny superscript number to work with it over and over again on the GRE. The good news is that, like with so much high school math you find yourself needing to review for this graduate school entrance exam, there are a lot of great resources online for review and practice. This article will quickly explain the ways you may see exponents appear on the test, the basics you will need to learn, and good places to look for practice. Exponents Are All Over The Quantitative Section of the Exam If you have already taken one of the free GRE practice tests offered by ETS, you are likely familiar with the fact that every subsection includes questions about exponents. You will see some situations where you simply have to calculate an exponential number and some where you have to solve an algebraic equation. The good news is that once you review and know your exponent rules inside out, none of these questions will be particularly difficult. These are the major concepts involving exponents that you will see on the test: Combining like terms, such as in the expression 3x2 + 4x â€" 7x2 â€" 1 Calculating the value of an exponential number such as 1251/2 43 Simplifying a multivariable expression like (x4y2z)7 / x2y3 Factoring a quadratic expression such as x2 â€" 64 What Should I Review? First things first, know the exponent rules like the back of your hand. These include: Multiplying two exponential numbers with the same base, such as a6 a11 Dividing two exponential numbers with the same base, such as a11 / a6 Applying a second exponent to an exponential number, such as (a2)10 Simplifying a number with a fraction in the exponent, such as 161/3 Simplifying a number with 0 in the exponent, such as a0 If any of those rules look at all unfamiliar to you, or if you don’t know how to complete those operations by instinct, review and student your exponent rules using this great worksheet on Math-Aids.com. You should also go ahead and review factoring quadratics if that’s not familiar to you. Purple Math has a great post on the topic. How Should I Practice? First, learn these concepts inside and out. There are two main sources for quality practice. The first is Math-Aids.com, which has tons of practice problems for exponents and radicals. That site automatically generates worksheets of drills that you can use to practice not just your exponent rules, but any math fundamental that you feel could use some more attention. The free OpenStax textbooks provided by Rice University are also a trove of practice problems. They are, admittedly, a little annoying to navigate, but they are full of quality practice problems. Of course, these are ‘real deal’ text books, so they also include the actual lessons about math concepts. This makes the OpenStax books fantastic review resources. Also, visit MathBlog.com for helpful articles on tons of mathematical concepts. Next, practice some GRE questions. The best way to learn how to apply exponents to the GRE is to actually do it! ETS’s PowerPrep software includes a total of three practice tests, and this will give you a great sense of what you need to strengthen when it comes to your skills with exponent rules. If you want extra GRE problems, just go to your local library or book store and leaf through some GRE prep books to choose the one that has the most practice problems. Additionally, consider working with a tutor. A quality tutor will not just teach the concepts you need to relearn, but focus on the specific points you’re struggling with and make you plenty confident about the math for test day. That tutor will also have plenty of wisdom about the Quantitative section, and can offer you test-taking strategies to reduce the amount of calculation and brain work you need to succeed on the GRE. About the Author Mike S. is one of our most experienced GRE tutors. For more information on our GRE prep packages, click here.

Huntington Learning Center Offers College Application Tips

Huntington Learning Center Offers College Application Tips Fall is an important time for high school seniors applying to colleges, and Huntington Learning Center is proud to be a part of the college journey for so many students across the nation. Huntington encourages all students to reach for their goals and pursue higher education, which will equip them with skills and knowledge that will last a lifetime. Co-Founder and CEO, Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center reminds parents of high school seniors that fall is not only prime season for finalizing those college application packages, its the best time to retake the SAT and ACT. Teens who took the SAT or ACT in September and October have gotten their scores back now, and if they feel like they could have done better, theres still time to try again before college applications are due, Huntington says. Many colleges consider students superscore, which is the combined highest individual section scores across any test dates (check with individual colleges/universities to confirm their SAT or ACT score-use practice and whether they consider highest section scores across test dates, single highest test date scores, or something else). So, even students who performed well on one section of the SAT or ACT but not on others should consider a retake in December. Huntington also encourages students who need individualized SAT or ACT prep help to contact Huntington about its highly successful test prep programs. Every year, we work with thousands of students to help them raise their college entrance exam scores and get into the colleges of their dreams, she says. In a study of Huntington students graduating high school in 2018, the average increase for students after completing a prep program was 226 points on the SAT (a 22% increase) and 5.3 points on the ACT (a 24% increase). Of the Huntington students surveyed the average scholarship offered was $57,200, and the total scholarships awarded to Huntington students surveyed was $140 million (results are based on a survey of 4,157 Huntington students graduating in 2018). Huntington offers a few tips for teens getting their college applications ready this fall: Review financial aid information. Seniors should have submitted their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after October 1 as possible and should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) within three days to three weeks (depending on whether submitted online and how it was signed). Make sure this information is correct, as it is what colleges use to calculate your financial aid offer. Finalize the college essay. If the college to which your teen is applying requires an essay, now is the time to make it shine (and ask at least one person to review/edit it). Remind your teen that a first attempt should not be considered the final draft that he or she submits with an application. Complete applications if applying early decision/early action. Many schools have November deadlines for early decision/early action applicants, so if this is your teens plan, he or she should get those application packages in order. Register to retake the SAT/ACT if needed. Registration for the December 1, 2018 SAT is November 2. Registration for the December 8, 2018, ACT is November 2. Contact Huntington about an SAT/ACT prep program. Huntington offers customized premier, 32-hour and 14-hour programs, perfect for teens who need to brush up on one exam section or are seeking a comprehensive prep program. Make sure all materials are ready to go for each college. This includes the completed application itself, transcripts (sent directly from the guidance counselor to each college), letters of recommendation from teachers and mentors, SAT/ACT/Subject Test scores, the essay and any other supporting information required. Allow for sufficient review time. Applying to colleges requires a lot of effort. Make sure your teen takes the time to carefully review his or her entire application package to make sure nothing has been overlooked: signatures, supplemental material, fees paid, etc. For more information about Huntington Learning Centers SAT/ACT prep courses and one-to-one tutoring programs for high school students planning to go to college, contact Huntington Learning Center at 1-800-CAN-LEARN or visit www.huntingtonhelps.com to find a location near you. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2018 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

Kumon Program Completer Earns Perfect SAT Math Score as a 7th Grader

Kumon Program Completer Earns Perfect SAT Math Score as a 7th Grader Kumon Program Completer Earns Perfect SAT Math Score as a 7th Grader Harita, 14, a Math and Reading Program Completer, hiking the Skagway Glacier in Alaska At 14 years old, Harita loves to be challenged. Whether she’s on adventurous vacations with her family, practicing the violin or playing volleyball, she loves to be tested both mentally and physically. That’s a big reason why she decided to take the SAT as a 7th grader. It’s also why she’s currently studying the elective Level X after completing the standard Kumon Math Program. Harita tells us how she discovered a love for learning new topics with Kumon and how that positively impacted her SAT scores. What does it mean to be a Kumon Program Completer, and what was your biggest obstacle? To me, being a Kumon Program Completer shows that all of my hard work and dedication paid off. The biggest obstacle that I overcame was remembering all of the different math formulas. I personally decided to create a book of formulas that I could consistently review and study. Why did you decide to complete Level X of the Kumon Math Program? I have a burning passion for math, so it was a natural tendency for me to want to continue learning. Not only this, but Level X enabled me to go beyond my boundaries into a world of math that I had never imagined. What was your initial reaction when you saw the perfect 800 SAT math score? When I saw that I received a perfect 800 on the math portion of the SAT as a 7th grader, I was both amazed and astonished. I knew that this success was only possible because of Kumon and my family’s support. Why did you decide to take the SAT as a 7th grader? The main reason why I decided to take the SAT as a 7th grader was because I wanted to experience what it was like to take the real SAT before I would need to take it again as a junior. I wanted to feel comfortable and prepared with the format. I also love to be challenged, and I knew that the test would push me out of my comfort zone. How has Kumon impacted your academics? Kumon has helped me develop a better understanding of topics learned at school, but because of Kumon, I have also developed better study habits, resulting in better grades. Kumon has taught me that you can achieve anything if you put your heart and mind into it. What advice would you give to kids just starting Kumon? The biggest piece of advice that I have for students is to trust in the process of Kumon. Anyone can become successful and pursue their dreams if they are willing to work hard and put their heart into the process. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Kumon Program Completer Conquers Tennis on the National Stage This Kumon Math Program Completer Wants to Save Lives This Math Program Completer is Driven by Perseverance Inspired by a Kumon Program Completer, This Student Became One Himself Kumon Program Completer Earns Perfect SAT Math Score as a 7th Grader Kumon Program Completer Earns Perfect SAT Math Score as a 7th Grader Harita, 14, a Math and Reading Program Completer, hiking the Skagway Glacier in Alaska At 14 years old, Harita loves to be challenged. Whether she’s on adventurous vacations with her family, practicing the violin or playing volleyball, she loves to be tested both mentally and physically. That’s a big reason why she decided to take the SAT as a 7th grader. It’s also why she’s currently studying the elective Level X after completing the standard Kumon Math Program. Harita tells us how she discovered a love for learning new topics with Kumon and how that positively impacted her SAT scores. What does it mean to be a Kumon Program Completer, and what was your biggest obstacle? To me, being a Kumon Program Completer shows that all of my hard work and dedication paid off. The biggest obstacle that I overcame was remembering all of the different math formulas. I personally decided to create a book of formulas that I could consistently review and study. Why did you decide to complete Level X of the Kumon Math Program? I have a burning passion for math, so it was a natural tendency for me to want to continue learning. Not only this, but Level X enabled me to go beyond my boundaries into a world of math that I had never imagined. What was your initial reaction when you saw the perfect 800 SAT math score? When I saw that I received a perfect 800 on the math portion of the SAT as a 7th grader, I was both amazed and astonished. I knew that this success was only possible because of Kumon and my family’s support. Why did you decide to take the SAT as a 7th grader? The main reason why I decided to take the SAT as a 7th grader was because I wanted to experience what it was like to take the real SAT before I would need to take it again as a junior. I wanted to feel comfortable and prepared with the format. I also love to be challenged, and I knew that the test would push me out of my comfort zone. How has Kumon impacted your academics? Kumon has helped me develop a better understanding of topics learned at school, but because of Kumon, I have also developed better study habits, resulting in better grades. Kumon has taught me that you can achieve anything if you put your heart and mind into it. What advice would you give to kids just starting Kumon? The biggest piece of advice that I have for students is to trust in the process of Kumon. Anyone can become successful and pursue their dreams if they are willing to work hard and put their heart into the process. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Kumon Program Completer Conquers Tennis on the National Stage This Kumon Math Program Completer Wants to Save Lives This Math Program Completer is Driven by Perseverance Inspired by a Kumon Program Completer, This Student Became One Himself

March Lesson Plans and Supplemental Education Activities

March Lesson Plans and Supplemental Education Activities March Lesson Plans and Supplemental Education Activities Teachers and parents often look for themed activities that concentrate on the current month. March introduces California to spring and includes St. Patricks Day celebrations. There are many ways that teachers and parents can add fun and productive educational activities into their students’ lives this month. 1. St. Patricks Day Art Projects for Young Students Materials needed: Green crepe paper, masking tape, scissors, white glue, and washable markers. Elementary school teachers or parents can work on this fun and low-supervision art project with their kids this month. Students will cut out long ovals using scissors and green crepe paper. They can then tape them together (creating a stem) to make a garden of four-leaf clovers. Once the students have enough clovers or shamrocks to fill out a sheet of paper they can tape or glue them on and create their own shamrock garden. This is a great activity for teachers to do in the month of March if they are on a strict budget or a great thing for parents to do with their kids to help extend their imagination and creativity (READ: 5 Fun Projects to Get Your Kid Interested in Math). Students who want to celebrate spring can also make crêpe paper daises or roses using white, yellow, or pink crêpe paper, or they can draw the flowers on the base paper with washable markers. 2. Fun activities around town Parents who want to take their kids out for a little bit of green fun this March can visit some of the enjoyable local events to celebrate St. Patricks Day. There are several parades and festivals that encourage young children to socialize and celebrate this lively holiday. For example, there are St. Patricks Day parades and festivals in San Diego County as well as a St. Patricks Day 10K run (with shorter distances for kids), which is a good way to introduce physical education two young children. For more information: Your Lucky Guide to SoCal’s St. Patrick’s Day Events 3. Irish folklore Parents and teachers alike are constantly trying to get their kids to read more often; young kids are more likely to read for fun if they can be immersed in a world of imagination and fun. There are many Irish tales that are appropriate for young kids, which provide a great opportunity for them to increase their reading skills while learning about another culture. Examples here: Celtic Fairy Tales 4. The Irish language Another great way to celebrate March is to learn about the Irish culture and integrate foreign language learning. Although not spoken as much as it used to be, Ireland has its own language called Gaelic. Young students are encouraged to learn about different languages as a way of learning about different cultures and their history. Although most students will simply think that theyre having fun, learning something as simple as how to ask somebodys name or how to say ‘good morning’ is a great way to broaden cultural horizons. Students who enjoy arts and crafts projects can draw the beautiful Gaelic alphabet with a calligraphy pen or paint brush or simply write their name or a kind greeting while mom or dad is making dinner. More information here: Irish (Gaeilge) Many teachers start to run out of new ideas as the end of the school year approaches, and looking to different themes for each month is a great way to keep classroom projects interesting for young kids. Parents can also sneak in important skills and educational elements including cultural diversity, foreign language learning, arts and crafts, and general socialization. March is a great month to celebrate Irish culture and everything green. Happy Spring, Southern California! All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about.

8 Ways a Tutor Can Make Teaching Easy

8 Ways a Tutor Can Make Teaching Easy 1.         Tailored lessons Check out this awesome  article from our good  friend Bella Williams: Even the best tutors find it difficult to keep their students engaged for long. Teaching the same thing year after year could prove to be banal and boring. This is why, a bit of variety and flavor is required while teaching the same thing over and over again to different sets of students. Even the greatest curriculum needs to be twisted at times, in order to make learning fun. This blog gives an insight into 8 ways that a tutor can adopt to make teaching easy: 1.         Tailored lessons It is important for tutors to understand that no two students are the same. Children have varied interests, learning abilities and attention spans. Therefore, instead of following the same pedagogy for all students, effective tutors tailor their lessons such that each student understands them better. Tutors must take into consideration the age of their students to get an estimate of their attention spans. For instance, a six year old finds it difficult to pay attention to a subject for more than 20 minutes whereas a student aged ten can hold his attention for more than 40 minutes. Therefore, tutors must divide lessons and keep sufficient time for rejuvenation between lessons to enhance grasping power of students. 2.         Fun Learning At times, it is important to break the monotony. Students get tired of attending one lesson after the other. Adding breaks and organizing games that help them understand the concepts of the lesson better is a great idea. Tutors can make students take part in memory games to enhance their concentration and memory. The rubric cube could be used to trigger analytical skills and sharpness. Instead of making students cram poems, making them sing would be interesting as well as energizing. Tutors can also teach values of team bonding and care by organizing games that involve students participating in teams. This will ensure the holistic development of the child. 3.         Students’ Personal Interests One student could be a painter and the other could be a mathematician. Just like no two fingers of ours are identical, no two children are either, as far as their interests are concerned. Tutors must make an earnest attempt to find out what interests their student the most. In order to do that, tutors must first ensure that students shed all inhibitions. The more formal they are with their tutors, the more they will hide their interests. Tutors should conduct informal sessions to get to know their students better. Getting to know of their hobbies and interests could be pivotal in helping them learn better. 4.         Practical after Theory It is unfortunate that in a lot of schools and colleges, great focus is laid on theoretical classes. It is important for tutors to note that demonstrating real world applications go a long way in helping students retain information. It is highly likely for a student to forget a lesson that he learnt yesterday unless he has attended a practical session on the same. 5.         Proofreading A simple way for tutors to make life easy for themselves as well as students is by incorporating technology into learning. Proofreading content is important before sending an important email, submitting a term assignment and even filling forms. By teaching their students to proofread, tutors can help improve their overall performance, especially in writing assignments. In today’s world of technology, the internet is the solution to all problems. There are several online tools that proofread content with just one click of a button. Check out this ultimate guide on proofreading to find out more about proofreading content. 6.         Academic Blogging A lot of times, students are expected to work on individual or group assignments. Academic blogging is the kind of writing that aids a student ace assignments and other class-work. Tutors can introduce their students to the world of academic blogging and contribute tremendously to their bright futures. If you are a tutor looking for a comprehensive guide on academic blogging, this should be of good help. This will help you understand academic blogging in great detail so that you can then teach your students the same. 7.         Review Games Reviewing how much students have learnt in a given span of time is important. However, it is not necessary for examinations to always be serious. When testing the knowledge of students is the primary aim, remember that it can be accomplished through fun means as well. Instead of having written tests, tutors could organize competitions among students to test how well they have understood the lessons. They could even conduct fun quizzes and give out prizes to those who fare well in them. It is all about encouraging students to learn through techniques that are not so traditional, yet impactful. 8.         Field Trips Students get utterly bored of getting to learn only in the classroom. If a tutor gets an opportunity to take his students to a field trip, he must grab it. Tutors must take their students to a place where they could learn more about the lesson that they are being taught. For example, before a history class, taking the students to a museum would be a wise idea. If it is a lesson on the government that they are studying, they could be taken to the local city hall. In a nutshell, changing the environment can contribute tremendously to the learning capabilities of a student. Author Bio: As an academic researcher private tutor, Bella guides the new age professionals and students with their career. A graduate from Monash University, Bella organizes free coaching workshops  and promotes free sharing of knowledge. You can also find her on LinkedIn.