Back-to-School

     Probably very few of us are willing to admit it, but the summer is coming to a close.  The stores are already displaying fall and Halloween decorations (way to early!) and soon everything, from coffee to candles, will be pumpkin spice scented or flavored.  This also means that it is back-to-school season.  It is very common for students to feel those beginning of the school year jitters.  So how can you cope?  Here are some suggestions:  

*Know that these feelings are very normal.  Students of all ages and abilities, parents, and even teachers experience new school year nervousness.  Such emotions are prevalent during times of change.  

*Prep yourself early.  Start getting your materials ready now versus later.  Purchasing a new backpack, notebooks, binders, etc. before school starts will help you feel prepared – and more confident as well.  

*Develop a routine and consider sleep training.  Going back to a highly structured routine can be overwhelming, especially after the lazy days of summer.  Sleep training involves prepping your body for the sleeping and waking cycle that going to school requires.  Practicing your schedule a few days or weeks ahead of time makes the morning rush feel like less of a shock.   

*There’s lots to look forward to! Seeing your friends again, making new friends, field trips, and the list goes on!

*Remember that there are so many resources out there to help you in any capacity.  If something is not working out, reach out to your parents, teachers, tutors, or any other individuals that you trust.  We are all here to help you succeed!

Good luck to everyone in the 2017-2018 school year!

Summer Learning Loss

       It's finally summer and most schools have now dismissed for the year.  
While students are enjoying their well deserved break from their busy 
schedules, many parents may be concerned that their children could lose
some of their learned skills and knowledge.
    Although this is a common and justified concern, summer vacation does  
not have to mean that students will experience a loss of learning.
        *One solution - Sign up for tutoring services!
           -Summer is a great time to master material covered during the previous 
            school year, or get ahead for the upcoming year.
           -Tutoring is a one-on-one relationship, meaning that the tutor can 
           better identify the child's strengths and weaknesses while also reducing 
           the stress of a larger classroom environment (this is true during 
           anytime of the year)!
        *Next, incorporate an educational experience into your vacation
           -Heading to fun destination?  Why not check out some local museums, 
           visit an important historical site, or hike through a national/state 
           park?  Take advantage of any guided tours that are offered.
        *Also try volunteer work
           -Most children today have to complete volunteer work during their 
           academic careers whether it is for school, church, or to satisfy some 
           other requirement.
          -Accumulating volunteer hours will be greatly beneficial for older 
          students as it will look great on scholarship and college applications.
          -Consider a nearby library, your local chapter of the American Red 
           Cross, hospitals, etc.
        -In short, volunteering = intellectual stimulation
Thanks and have a great summer!

Finishing the School Year Strong

Finishing the School Year Strong

It is now the first week in May and before you know it, the daily countdown to summer vacation will begin.  Winter storm "Stella" may have affected schedules for the public schools in our area, causing the countdown to have extra make-up days. 

            Teachers, parents, and students alike can feel worn out by spring, but it is essential for all to finish the school year strong.  These last weeks and days are still important.

Student Tips:

Organize 

Why does spring always seem to be the busiest part of the school year?  Fill in a calendar for all final due dates of assignments, tests/exams, and your extra-curriculars like games, recitals, art shows, and other competitions.  Writing all of this down instead of trying to remember everything is a great stress reliever - give it a try!

Run Through the Finish Line 

Whether you'll be entering a new grade in the fall, transferring schools, or going off to college, finish well and strong.  The consequences for poor grades or bad behavior can and will carry over into the next school year – or even lead to summer school.   

Stay positive

            Remind yourself that all of your work will be finished soon.  A negative attitude will only make your obligations more laborious.  You've worked hard all year long, don't give up now! 

Parent Tips:

Help the kids stay on task

This time of year, students of all ages can become disengaged and lose any interest in school work.  Set some final goals for yourself and your students to keep them involved and hopefully well-behaved throughout those final days. 

Reflection

            Ask your children to reflect on their performance over the past year.  Have them answer questions like: What did you most enjoy about the class?  What would you change?  Did you overcome any academic hurdles?  Is there anything you wish you did differently?  Such constructive feedback will be beneficial for teachers and help students realize any weakness and better prepare for future challenges. 

And finally, you're certainly allowed to make plans for your summertime.  It will help keep you motivated while working through those final tasks.  What a wonderful reward for working so hard!

Spring Fever!

On March 20^th the northern hemisphere recognized the spring equinox, signaling the start of longer days and warmer temperatures.  This time of year often sparks an affliction for children and adults alike – Spring Fever!  For those of us in Northeast Pennsylvania, this is a welcomed change.  The several feet of snow from the March blizzard have finally melted and now signs of life are popping up everywhere.  Despite the beautiful conditions that beckon us outside, work still needs to be completed.  So, how exactly can we stay focused on academic, professional, and personal tasks despite Mother Nature influencing us otherwise?  Let’s explore!

•         Rather than fight the season, why not take some of your work outside?  Students who have been inside all day would likely benefit from a change of scenery.  If you can, take your homework al fresco and soak up some of that sunshine.  Adults should take advantage of this opportunity as well.  
•        Can’t go outside?  Open a window in your work area to let in some of that sweet spring air!  Schedule a short break every so often to recharge and destress. 
•        Try a different mode of transportation.  During the winter, most of us want to stay out of the cold and wind.  If possible, try walking or riding a bike to your destination in the spring.  Not only will you satisfy your spring fever, you’ll be getting some healthy exercise as well. 

Do you have any methods you use to beat spring fever?  Please share!

Happy Pi Day!

Today is a very special holiday of sorts for math enthusiasts around the world - It's Pi Day!  Every year on March 14, we celebrate pi.  What a wonderful excuse to share some fun facts about everyone’s favorite mathematical constant!

So for those who don’t already know, what exactly is pi?  Pi is an irrational number whose digits continue to infinity – which is why we round it to its shorter version, 3.14.  It is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter and represented by the Greek letter, π.  It is a staple in geometry (shapes, hooray!) and other mathematic disciplines. 

Ready for some fun facts? 

*Pi has been studied for roughly 4,000 years by many different civilizations.  In 1650 B.C., an Egyptian scribe approximated and recorded the value for pi.  Amazingly, his estimation was only off by ~1% compared to today’s value.  Pretty impressive!

*Albert Einstein shared his birthday with pi day!

*Although pi is an infinite number, many individuals have tried to calculate its full value.  The most recent records show that pi has been computed to 12.1 trillion digits!¹  Imagine how long that must have taken!

How do you plan to celebrate Pi Day? 

References

¹Lehnardt, K. (2016). “50 Interesting Facts about Pi.” Fact Retriever. https://www.factretriever.com/pi-facts

Greetings everyone!

            We at Academy Tutoring (AT) are happy to start a new leg of our journey – blogging!  AT has proudly served the students of Northeast Pennsylvania for the past 9 years, helping over 2,500 students. Our primary goal is to help students find success with the guidance of our talented and highly qualified tutors.  

            This blog has been designed to reach anyone and everyone, from students to tutors to parents.  Future posts will include topics like study tips, stress management, the latest news in education, etc.   

Any ideas or suggestions?  Let us know (we’re on Facebook and Twitter!) and stay tuned for future posts!  Thank you for joining us as we grow!