Sylvan Learning Center Sponsors Donation Drive Benefitting Local Animal Shelter

The Clinton and Flemington Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, has been collecting donations for Common Sense for Animals, a no-kill shelter in Broadway, New Jersey since November. Sylvan Learning offers a variety of educational programs and personalized learning plans that help children reach their full potential and help families reach their academic goals, but the Directors have also encouraged students to reach beyond the classroom.


With the help of the parents and students at Sylvan as well as Sylvan teachers and friends, Directors Stefanie Hickman, Lisa Hubright, Lauren Baker and Erin Merritt collected nearly 200 pounds of dog and cat food, nearly a 100 rolls of paper towels, plus multiple cleaners and treats for the animals. “We are so thankful to everyone who has helped to make this so successful. It is our hope that our students can take away from this drive the spirit of giving at this time of year in addition to the supplemental education that we are already providing for them,” says Stefanie of the Clinton Center.

The donations collected at both centers were delivered to Common Sense for Animals on December 16, 2010 using a pick-up truck. Common Sense for Animals was chosen by directors for its mission “to promote animal welfare through education and community service. [They] strive to educate all people, particularly children, as to what constitutes proper care and the importance of protecting our environment, wildlife, habitat and endangered species.” For more information about Common Sense for Animals, to donate or to adopt please visit www.commonsenseforanimals.org.

Stefanie Hickman, Center Director of the Clinton Sylvan Learning, explains, “Our goal is to assist local students in developing the skills, habits and attitudes needed for lifelong success. Only Sylvan offers a proven process that sets us apart from tutors and other educational services. At our centers, we aim to aid students in developing these skills but also to be a role model for community service.”


Outside the Shelter


Common Sense for Animals


The Donations we brought


One of the Kitties playing with a toy that we brought

Regular Practice Creates Better Writers

With winter break just around the corner, children are enjoying the cold weather, the fun activities with friends and family and some vacation time. But winter break can also be an enjoyable learning experience. The winter break provides many memorable moments, and writing about them is a good way to record those memories and practice writing skills at the same time.

Parents tend to focus on their children's reading and math skills, overlooking that writing is an education fundamental. It's fast becoming the forgotten ‘R’, This is unfortunate, as writing is an important part of every facet of education, not just in English class. Writing proficiency can have a major impact on other subject areas too.

Winter Break provides an excellent opportunity for children to explore their creative writing skills. Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring at home to students of all ages and skill levels, has developed the following tips to help parents encourage their children to write over the holidays:

Pick an Engaging Topic
Persuading your child to write over the winter break may be easier if you help them identify fun and engaging topics. Suggest timely subjects.


• For example, Christmas Day or New Year's Day are good opportunities for your children to explore their own feelings about family and to reflect upon the year that was as well as to plan for the year ahead.

• Ask them if they would like to write about a New Year's Resolution for the start of 2011 and help them come up with short, measurable goals to attain this Resolution. Mom and Dad, you can be a great example by setting one for yourself!

Give Story Starters
Sometimes the most difficult part of writing can be getting started. Help your children write their essays by giving them topic ideas, such as:

• I am proud to be part of this family because….
• On Christmas (or Hannukah or Kwanzaa), my family and I usually…
• If someone asked me what the holidays mean to me, I would say…

Sylvan Tips on Writing
• Good writing takes time. Spend time organizing your ideas and thinking about what you really want to say in your essay.
• Use the Internet or library to research your topic.
• Prepare an outline before you begin to write.
• Use transition words – such as “after,” “although,” “before,” “however” and “therefore” to help your ideas flow together.
• Be willing to revise. Change your sentences and paragraphs around, add material that lends to your writing and delete material that doesn’t work.
• Avoid clichés and jargon.
• Always keep a dictionary handy to help with spelling.
• Use a thesaurus to help you think of a new way to say something.
• Ask someone else to edit your work.
• Proofread everything. Make sure grammar, spelling and punctuation are perfect before you declare anything “finished.”
• Don’t rely on a computer’s spellchecker to ensure proper spelling.

Sylvan Learning can help students improve their writing skills before the beginning of the new school year. The Sylvan Academic Writing program is designed to help students understand many writing formats and styles, including illustrative and descriptive essays, comparative passages, persuasive writing, expository writing, summaries and outlines. Students in the program also complete exercises in grammar, spelling, vocabulary, paragraph structure and essay development. In addition, Sylvan can help juniors and seniors in high school prepare for college and the workplace with its new College Prep Writing program. College Prep Writing is a 36-hour program providing a solid foundation in upper-level writing, including “how-to” help with college applications and essays, targeting efforts on SAT* and ACT® writing sections, refining research skills and understanding source documentation.

The Power of Free Play

Everybody needs a little playtime – even turtles – according to new research from the University of Tennessee. They say that playtime, may, in fact, make for a life worth living. So what about kids, who with academics and sports and dance and theater are too-often often-scheduled and over stressed? Some experts have a solution...to schedule in free time. Tessa, for example, spends five days a week, four hours a day after school at gymnastics class. “By the time I get home, it’s like eight [o’clock] or so,” she says, “and I eat and do my homework and take a shower and talk to my parents about how the day’s gone - and then I go to bed.”

Experts have come up with a solution for kids like Tessa: Schedule in free time. “Almost by definition a ‘schedule of free time’ sounds kind of paradoxical to all of us,” says psychologist Nadine Kaslow, “but I do think planning for free time or for down time is very, very important for
children.” She says along with creative play and spending time with family and friends, free time provides moments away from competition. “With all these activities and schoolwork, there’s tremendous pressure to perform - often to compete, to excel,” says Kaslow, “and that leisure time and free time doesn’t have those demands.”

On the other hand, she says, some kids don’t handle free time very well. That’s something Tessa discovered last year, when she decided to take a break. “I didn’t like it as much as being in gymnastics, even though I had time,” she remembers.

Experts say let your children choose their after school activities, choose how busy they want to be, but watch for signs of burnout. “They will tell you, whether it’s through words or tears - or they’ll say, ‘when are we going again,’ or they’ll start screaming when you say it’s time to go,” says Kaslow.

What We Need To Know
Organized activities outside of a child’s school day certainly have their benefits: social skills, self-discipline, physical exercise and sportsmanship, exploration and enjoyment, to name a few. For some families, however, an over-scheduled existence may be fueled by a desire not to be left out or to build the resume of extracurricular activities that students and parents view as necessary for college admissions.

According to experts at Kids Health, even those parents who try to help their children cut back on some activities can run up against coaches who won’t tolerate absences and kids who want to keep up with their friends. The key is to schedule things in moderation and choose activities with a child’s age, temperament, interests, and abilities in mind. Here are some
simple suggestions:

Agree on ground rules ahead of time:
For instance, plan on kids playing one sport per season or limit activities to two afternoons or evenings during the school week.

Know how much time is required:
For example, will there be time to practice between lessons? Does your child realize that soccer practice is twice a week, right after school until dinnertime? Then there’s the weekly game, too. Will homework suffer?

Keep a calendar to stay organized:
Display it on the refrigerator or other prominent spot so that everybody can stay up-to-date. And if you find an empty space on the calendar, leave it alone!

Try to balance activities for all of your kids — and yourself:
It hardly seems fair to expend time and energy carting one kid to activities, leaving little time for another. And take time for yourself, to do the things you enjoy, and to spend time together as a family.

Create family time:
If you’re eating pizza on the run every night, plan a few dinners when everyone can be home at the same time — even if it means eating a little later. Schedule a family fun time, too, whether it’s playing a board game or going on bike ride or hike.

Know when to say no:
If your child is already doing a lot but really wants to take on another activity, discuss what other activity or activities need to be dropped to make room for the new one.

Prioritize:
If your child's grades are beginning to slip, would it be wise to sacrifice extra help for school for soccer, football or basketball? Getting them the help they need for school is critical to helping them to foster their independence, and tutoring may only be for one of the sports seasons for the year.

Remember the importance of downtime:
Everyone needs a chance to relax, reflect on the day, or just do
nothing.

Signs that your family and your child are overscheduled include always eating meals on the go, the kids are always tired, there’s a drop in grades, and constant complaints about going to practice or games. Make sure, despite their busy schedule, to keep lines of communication open with
your children. Use time in the car to listen - and to talk about their lives.

Seven Days of Holiday Fun and Learning For the Last Seven Days of the Year

Like many parents, we spent this past weekend gorging on turkey in preparation for that second great American holiday ritual, shopping on Black Friday! With the coming and going of this past weekend, it also means that December is just around the corner. This December, schools across our region will be closed for the last week for the holidays, and so will your local Sylvan. So, Mom and Dad, what are you to do with your kids during the last seven days of 2010?

Once the presents have been unwrapped and the initial excitement of new toys and games has faded, how do you keep your children busy for the rest of their holiday vacation? While children are out of school for the holidays, parents can keep children learning with fun and engaging projects throughout the last seven days of the year – from December 25 through December 31.

“Holiday vacation is an ideal time for parents to help instill a joy for learning in their children and show that they enjoy learning themselves,” said (Insert name, title) for Sylvan Learning. “Sharing fun, learning activities can help children improve their attitude toward learning and provides a great opportunity for busy families to spend quality time together during the holidays.”

Seven Days of Activities for Family Learning Fun is a free, activity booklet available online from Sylvan Learning Center at http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/learning-activities/brochure.cfm, and includes seven days of fun learning activities that the whole family can enjoy. Interactive, educational projects detailed in the booklet help nurture reading, writing, research and math skills. Activities for the final seven days of the year include:

December 25 - Start a memory book. Create a memory book of your family’s favorite holiday memories. Purchase a photo album and decorate it together.

December 26 - Family reading. Spend at least 10 to 15 minutes a day reading to your children. For help selecting great family books, visit Book Adventure - a free, reading motivation program created by Sylvan Learning - at www.bookadventure.com.

December 27 - Family history. Create a family tree and incorporate pictures of aunts, uncles and grandparents. Ask family members about what they were like when they were children.

December 28 - Make your own play dough (try this website: http://fun.familyeducation.com/sculpting/recipes/37040.html ). Use the play dough to make letters, shapes, numbers or figures. Create games using the figures you have created.

December 29 - Dress up as your favorite book character. Choose your favorite book character and play dress-up, re-enacting your favorite parts in the book.

December 30 - Have a book-inspired feast. Bring ideas from literature to life by experimenting with foods from classic books. For instance, make your morning breakfast memorable with Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Seuss.

December 31 - Explore nature. Take a walk with the whole family to explore nature. Use the Internet to learn more about this time of year and the plants and animals in your area. Or, check out books about nature and local foliage from your public library.

For more information on fun learning activities from the experts at Sylvan Learning , or to download Sylvan's free activity booklet, Seven Days of Activities for Family Learning Fun, log onto http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/learning-activities/brochure.cfm or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.

Why Word Problems are Worrisome to Children

Why are mathematical word problems worrisome for children?


Word problems take math concepts, such as arithmetic, geometry and algebra, and relate them back to the real world. But somehow, in the conversion from numbers and symbols to the written word, even students adept at math can become confused and discouraged. In fact, children often find it easier to solve a problem that explicitly asks them to multiply two numbers rather than tackle a word problem that requires the same mathematical skills.

In addition to knowledge of core math concepts, word problems also require strong reading comprehension skills. Before a child can solve a word problem, he needs to be able to translate the problem into a math equation.

Once a child deciphers a word problem and is able to convert it into a simple equation, most students can easily calculate the answer. Unfortunately, determining the right equation is often the most challenging part of problem-solving. By applying reading comprehension skills to their math homework, students are better able to solve word problems correctly.

What Parents Need to Know
A child's ability to understand the language in word problems influences his or her ability to solve them. One of the best ways to help children learn math and make it more enjoyable is to demonstrate how everyday activities incorporate core math skills.

Parents can make it easier for their children to understand word problems by making math a part of their child’s daily life. By showing how math skills and concepts are involved in real-life situations, you can help children learn to use math in practical ways.

Students must first have a good understanding of the basic math principles that each word problem utilizes. For example, if a child struggles with basic division, then a word problem that involves division will also be difficult to solve. Get to the root of the problem first, and then work on a solution.

What Parents Can Do
Parents can help their children approach word problems with more confidence by offering tips and suggestions for tackling them. Encourage children to draw pictures and look for key words that indicate certain mathematical operations. For example, “and” indicates addition, while “less than” is a sign of subtraction.

Parents should urge their children to do more than the assigned problems, particularly those that are more challenging to them. The extra practice will help children learn the mathematical formulas and techniques they need to know while helping to improve their problem-solving skills. In turn, this will lead to greater confidence in their abilities to tackle the more difficult problems.

To help children boost their critical thinking and word problem-solving skills, the math experts at Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, offer parents the following tips to help their children decode word problems, gather key information, solve equations and check their answers:

1. Read the question carefully. Ask your child to read and reread the question to make sure that he understands what he is being asked to solve. Encourage him to read the question aloud and pay close attention to the final question of the word problem.

2. Understand the problem. Encourage her to simplify the word problem by highlighting the main words and important ideas. Have the student ask herself the following questions: What am I being asked to do? What are the important facts? Do I have enough information to solve the problem? What operation will I use?

3. Convert the verbal statement into a mathematical equation. Help him break the word problem into manageable, ordered steps. It's a good idea to do the work step-by-step, particularly if it’s a complicated problem with several parts. It's easier to keep the pieces of the problem in order if he works this way and easier to avoid mistakes. Have him begin by identifying key words such as “add,” “less,” and “product of” that indicate certain mathematical operations.

4. Generate the result. Encourage her to solve the mathematical problem using a technique such as drawing or mentally acting out the problem. After she finishes, make sure the results make sense and that she writes the answer in the appropriate units (e.g., hours, meters, kilometers, etc.). As a final step, have her translate the answer back into English. For example, “The son is 13 years old.”

We hope that these tips make solving word problems just a little easier for your son or daughter. If they continue to struggle with word problems, their reading comprehension may also be the cause of these struggles. It is important to have your child's reading level evaluated to determine the cause of this frustration.

Sylvan offers parents a variety of tools and fun activities to help encourage math learning and discovery outside the classroom, including a free online math activity booklet. The booklet is available in the “Parent Resources” area of www.SylvanLearning.com and contains 30 days of math writing topics, trivia, question and puzzles. For additional information on how you can help your child play the game of math, visit the “Math” area of www.SylvanLearning.com

Why We Read

Throughout our lives, we read directions or instructions to perform a task, we read newspapers, magazines, and other publications to be informed and we read stories, poetry, and plays for the literary experience. Students are now required on state exams to have solid reading skills and children who do not master “reading for different purposes” may have difficulty completing job-related tasks or reading for enjoyment as an adult.

As students become more sophisticated readers, their reading behaviors become more analytical and their thinking more abstract. Children in elementary and middle school begin to dissect words and word parts for meaning and continue to expand their vocabularies. Also, the older students become, the more they read for enjoyment in areas of personal interest.

The more students read, the more enjoyable reading becomes and the more those skills are used in real-life situations. Additionally, these skills transfer to classroom learning and, ultimately, lead to higher standardized test scores.

To help parents nurture their children’s reading behaviors, the experts at Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, recommends that parents spend at least one hour per week – 10 to 15 minutes a day – engaged in a language arts activity with their children. Sylvan offers these tips and ideas for encouraging “reading for different purposes” and increasing comprehension:

• Encourage children to read a variety of texts, including books, poems, magazine and newspaper articles, instructional manuals, cookbooks, and comic books.
• Look at every reading opportunity as a chance to strengthen reading and comprehension skills.
• Identify a purpose for reading anything that includes text, ranging from a menu, to an advertisement, to a recipe, to a science textbook, to a full-length novel. Is the purpose to entertain, inform, describe, or persuade?
• Actively engage your child in the reading process. Ask open-ended questions that require students to be active readers. For example, if your child is reading a short story, ask him or her to tell you about the main characters, plot, conflict, setting, or lesson. If your child is reading a magazine, point out an advertisement, ask him or her to explain what the ad is trying to accomplish. If you're setting up a computer or television, ask your child to take part by reading the instructional manual and summarizing the steps for you.
• Ask your child to summarize or paraphrase what they learn from everything they read.

The Internet also provides opportunities for children of all ages who are looking for new reading materials. Book Adventure is a free, Sylvan-created interactive, reading motivation program that can be found at www.BookAdventure.com. Parents can help children choose books from more than 7,500 titles, take short comprehension quizzes, and redeem accumulated points for small prizes. Book Adventure also offers teacher and parent resources and tips to help children develop a lifelong love of reading.

GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Inspire Your Child by Choosing Toys and Games That are Fun and Educational

With toy store shelves overflowing and catalogues filled with the latest gadgets, the search for the perfect toys and games can be a daunting task for parents. If you're anything like me, you are probably already starting your holiday shopping with all of the great deals already hitting the stores. Luckily, the holiday season comes only once a year and it provides a great opportunity for parents to give the gift of learning that will last throughout the year. Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, encourages parents to make the most of toys and games to inspire their children to learn through play this holiday season.

While toys and games are fun for children, they also help kids develop valuable skills including imagination, creativity, problem solving and confidence. When selecting educational toys and games, parents are encouraged to consider gifts that are appropriate for their children’s ages and skill levels as well as their specific interests. In our center, we allow students to take short "Brain Breaks" to play these same types of games. Not only are they continuing to learn through play, it also allows them time to bond with their teachers and the directors at the center as well.

Children who regularly engage in play are more likely to be emotionally, mentally and physically fit. From a very early age, infants use play to develop motor skills, recognize shapes and colors and improve hand-eye coordination. As children grow, they become more interested in formal games with rules, opponents and explicit instructions.

Children are encouraged to engage in a variety of play activities to foster learning, but parents have an important role in play, too. Sylvan recommends that families make regular time for play. For example, a weekly game night teaches that playing is a part of everyone’s routine, and instills the basic rules of fair play and teamwork.

Because each child is unique, with different learning styles and academic needs, it is important to personalize the learning process. Children of all ages learn in different manners, so parents should be aware of their children’s learning needs and how it relates to play. Sylvan Learning offers the following suggestions to help parents identify toys that encourage active learning and make the most of play this holiday season:

Pre-School Students

+ Consider puzzles to help build critical thinking and reasoning skills.
+ Pre-school students are beginning to recognize colors, letters, textures and sound. To encourage these skills, look for magnetic letters and numbers, flash cards or games like See ‘n Say™ or A to Z Puzzles™.
+ To develop motor skills, try activity mats, building blocks and Tinker Toys™. As infants become more advanced, parents should find more challenging games and activities and recognize when it’s time to retire certain toys.
+ For games that help children learn to match pictures/shapes and practice counting, look for Big Deal® Slapdragon™ Card Game or Imperial™ Kids - Go Fish! Card Game.
+ To spark creativity and imagination, consider arts and crafts kits and toy musical instruments. With a Kids’ Play Workshop® Itty Bitty Puppet Show™ children can have fun creating, decorating and playing with finger puppets.
+ Make time for independent play to help children develop personality, foster motor skills and stimulate creativity.
+ Younger children are easily overwhelmed, so parents should consider rotating toys regularly, and limiting the number of toys at playtime.

Elementary School Students

- Elementary school-aged students are beginning to understand and use strategy and probability skills. To foster these developments, look for board games and computer games, including Connect Four®, Scrabble, Monopoly™ and The Game of Life™.
- Science kits, chemistry sets and telescopes help develop critical thinking skills.
- Games like Talkin’ Tango®, Blurt!™ and Petcha Didn’t Know® encourage children to pay close attention and practice listening and concentration skills.
- Parents need to recognize their child’s personal learning style, strengths and weaknesses. If children struggle with math, parents can encourage math games and activities to further develop their math skills. If science is a challenge, make science fun with a chemistry set.
- To build, boost and bolster self-esteem, play The Self-Esteem Game™.
- Consider project-based toys such as model airplanes, ships or jewelry kits to help improve fine motor skills. Not only do these projects reinforce motor skills, children also learn to follow instructions and have a project they can work on for days.
- Make playtime a regular part of a child’s routine – at school and at home. Teachers make time for playtime at recess, and parents should make sure playtime is incorporated into their child’s day.

Middle and High School Students
* Teenagers don’t like to think of it as playtime, but even older children are still learning through play as they enter their high school years.
* Science kits become more advanced for older children – and provide an opportunity for children to experiment, be creative and follow directions.
* Encourage a combination of group and individual play – team sports like a baseball or soccer team and individual activities like reading, scrapbooking or journal writing.
* Help children improve vocabulary skills with board games such as Apples to Apples® and Buzzword®.
* At this age, students may be set in their ways, so if parents want to encourage learning through play, pay close attention to their habits and hobbies. Whether it is music, reading, or painting, match toys to your children’s interests.

Ask the Directors of the Sylvan where your students may attend for suggestions on the games or activities that your children enjoy while they are learning.

How is Sylvan Different?

Test Stress: A Parents Real Guide to Test Prep - Part 1

How Parents Can Help Build Their Child’s Self-Esteem

Approximately 20 to 45 percent of school-aged children do not reach their full potential because they suffer from low self-esteem. Self-esteem refers to how you feel about yourself. It includes self-confidence, self-respect, pride in oneself, independence and self-reliance. Success builds self-esteem. Because underachieving students do not experience as much success in the classroom, low self-esteem is often the result. Many parents assume that their underachiever may have a lower IQ. In fact, most underachievers have high or average IQs, but their low self-esteem prevents them from succeeding in the classroom.

A school-aged child’s self-esteem is cultivated primarily at home. It is important that parents have a complete understanding of what self-esteem is and how to help build positive self-confidence in their child. It is the way a child feels about himself/herself regardless of how others view him/her. A secure home environment that establishes confidence, respect and an open exchange of ideas, thoughts and feelings is crucial to building self-esteem. The more positive a child’s self-esteem, the more successful he or she will be at dealing with life. Confident children will try harder, be happier and have greater self-respect. At Sylvan, students work with one teacher and no more than two other students and are able to build their confidence.

For the first 5-6 years, parents are the most important influences in a child’s life. When children begin school, teachers and friends begin to play a role. When a child reaches adolescence, peer groups begin playing a more significant role in guiding a child’s self-esteem. The more positive a child’s self-esteem is before adolescence, the easier it will be for him or her to resist negative peer group pressures. Children who constantly put themselves down have low self-esteem. Children who face new experiences with confidence and positive expectations, and shrug off disappointments with an “it will be better next time” attitude, have high self-esteem.

Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, offers the following communication tips to help build or restore your children’s self-esteem:

• Have easy-going conversations on topics that are of interest to your children.
• Ask questions that require in-depth responses.
• Be optimistic.
• Encourage children to express their true feelings.
• Listen to how your children fees without making judgments about those feelings.
• Be patient.

Positive self-esteem not only helps students in the classroom, but also contributes to success later in life. Self-esteem must be established at an early age and strengthened throughout every child’s life.

To build positive self-esteem, parents must strive to:

• Help their children to set goals.
• Assist their children in identifying obstacles to success and developing ways to overcome them.
• Remind their children to think positive thoughts.
• Praise their children everyday.
• Everyday, say “I love you” and mean it.
• Allow their children to be free to succeed and to make mistakes.
• Compliment their children and don’t compare them to other siblings.
• Make time to talk to their children every day.

In today’s society, there is a definite demand on students to succeed, and positive self-esteem is crucial. It may be beneficial to send your child to a supplemental education provider that reinforces positive self-esteem. Sylvan Learning has helped more than two million students develop the skills, habits and attitudes needed for lifelong success. Sylvan also helps bolster self-esteem by focusing on strategies for success and providing consistent positive reinforcement to demonstrate that learning is its own reward.

Are You College-Bound?

Top 5 Tips to Help You Prepare For College Life During Application Season


Obtaining a college education requires a lot of time, effort and careful planning by parents and students working together. But, preparing for college is much more than the flurry of activity during those last few months of a student's senior year. In many cases, college preparation actually begins before high school, and it is never too early to start thinking about what kind of college experience you or your parent is looking for and how the college preparation process works.

Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, offers simple tips to help students prepare for their college entrance exams and develop the skills needed for lifelong success.

1. Start Early – Consider taking summer enrichment classes for key subjects like math, reading and creative writing. Nothing shows that you're serious about academic work like dedicating the last few weeks of your summer to intellectual and academic pursuits. Also, during your Junior and Senior years, take courses that relate to the major that you would like to pursue in college.

2. Prepare for Tests - November provides the perfect opportunity to take a prep course or obtain academic assistance to prepare for the SAT and ACT winter exams. If you have not already taken the SAT or ACT, it is important to spend plenty of time preparing for these standardized tests. Spend at least a few minutes each day reviewing vocabulary or practicing math problems.

At Sylvan, our college prep experts will tailor a personalized plan that builds the skills, habits and attitudes to your needs in order to score higher on test day and apply to college with confidence. Our highly personalized and targeted approach focuses on the exact skills needed to successfully answer test questions. For many students, skills can be mastered to raise test scores in as little as five to twelve weeks.

3. Don't Miss Opportunities - It's important that students take charge of their education. Seek out opportunities proactively rather than reactively. As you prepare for college and admission tests, look for classes and other resources like free, SAT/ACT improvement sessions and practice tests provided by Sylvan Learning, SchoolMathPrep.com and SylvanMathPrep.com.

Such resources are excellent opportunities to practice and assess your skills while preparing for college. There are many great resources that you can utilize for your benefit. Fully engage in the resources of the library, guidance counseling center, teachers' office hours, tutors, after-school programs and fellow students. Make sure to get the best education possible by using all of your school and personal resources.

4. Seek Support and Help from Your Family - The college preparation process can be stressful for you – and for your parents. Your parents want to help you reach your goals and act as a resource during this critical time. To help navigate the college prep process, encourage your family to attend a free, college prep workshop for parents.

Sylvan Learning will be offering "Test Stress: A Parent's Real Guide to College Test Prep," dedicated to helping families navigate through the SAT/ACT and the complex college admissions process. The free, interactive parent seminar on November 9th will feature advice from Sylvan educators and leading college admission experts, college coaches and guidance counselors to help parents understand how to create a successful plan for the test-taking season. The seminar will be hosted by the PNC Bank at 101 Walter E. Foran Blvd in Flemington and will also feature advice from their financial advisors on how to tackle the money issues that college brings to a family. Families can then use Sylvan's free, customized College Planner, Parent Resource Guide and High School Tracking Program to ensure their teenagers are college admission ready.

5. Enjoy the Journey – Have fun and enjoy the rest of your summer, but make sure that you keep yourself active. Take an extra-curricular class, get a job or consider volunteering at a variety of community-based organizations or charities. These initiatives can allow you to learn more about potential careers and areas of interest. The last weeks of the summer months can be an excellent time to help you prepare for college while providing compelling experiences to use on your college applications.

Make the most of the remainder of your High School career. Take the challenge. Use these simple tips to prepare for the next phase in your academic life and enjoy the years of discovery ahead!

For more information and back-to-school resources, visit www.SylvanLearning.com. To learn more about Sylvan's school fundraisers, free parent seminars and Sylvan's SAT/ACT Prep program, email sylvan4127@verizon.net .

Educators interested in securing the free math resource for their schools are encouraged to visit www.SchoolMathPrep.com.

Happy Halloween!

From all of us at the Flemington and Clinton Sylvans, we would like to wish all of the little monsters a delightful Halloween haunting!

It's almost time for the First Report Card of the Year!

The first report card of the year can create feelings of pride, happiness and excitement for many parents. It can also produce feelings of anxiety and frustration for those who are surprised by their child’s grades. However, effective and continuous communication among teachers, parents and students can help minimize the “report card surprise.”

Report cards are part of every child’s academic experience, and don’t need to be a surprise to parents. If a parent is surprised by a “poor” report card, it often means that they haven’t been effectively communicating with their child or their child’s teacher throughout the school year. Maintaining open and continuous lines of communication with children and teachers throughout the school year, and not just when report cards are issued, will help parents stay informed about their child’s progress and help them avoid the report card surprise.

Students who are surprised by their own report cards also need to improve their communication and organization patterns. A student who surprisingly receives a “D” or a failing grade on his report card learns the hard way that he needs to regularly talk with his teachers and stay on top of school work, homework and test results. Students should never be surprised by their report card grades.

Organization is an essential part of a student’s education. By tracking test scores and all other assignments throughout the year and speaking regularly with teachers and parents, students are prepared for their grades come report card time, and can work to improve their performance prior to report cards.

It shouldn’t take a surprise report card for parents and teachers to communicate effectively. Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, offers the following advice to help parents maintain clear communications with their children and teachers:

Tips for Talking To Children
• Talk about school every day. Make it a regular part of the family’s routine.
• Don’t wait until report cards are issued to talk about school and grades. Frequently discuss with her how she is doing in each subject and what grade she anticipates receiving.
• Encourage your child to tell you about his day. Find out what he learned and what are his favorite activities.
• Teach your child that education is important to your family.
• Discuss goals and objectives for the school year. This may be a great way to learn about difficulties your child is having in specific subject areas.
• If your child is having trouble in school, talk about a method to help organize her schedule, subjects and activities. A calendar can be a great way to track tests, homework, activities and study plans.
• Talk with your child about his extracurricular activities, such as team sports or after-school jobs. Being overscheduled may affect his grades.
• Set improvement goals for your child. This will help her work towards an attainable grade for each class.
• Talk with your child about his study habits and develop a study plan. Set aside specific time for studying, projects and activities each evening and make sure that he has a properly equipped and well-lit area to work.
• Communicate with your child about her school experiences. Know what she is thinking and feeling. Also, openly talk with her about her worries and concerns as well as her joys and achievements.

Tips for Talking to Teachers
• Develop a parent/teacher relationship with your child’s teacher and talk with this teacher at least once a month throughout the year. Remember that your child’s teacher has direct contact with your child every school day and can offer invaluable insight into your child’s day.
• Your child’s teacher can benefit from background information about him – talk about activities he likes, special needs, close friends, motivation and things going on at home.
• Find out what the teacher’s expectations are for the year and what type of curriculum he or she has set for the students. Have this insight at the start of school and keep track of it throughout the year.
• Talk to the teacher about any major programs or activities that are set for the year. Is there an annual science fair? A field trip schedule? Major papers? Tests?
• Remember – teachers are busy people, too. Find out the easiest way to communicate – by email, phone or in-person. Finding the right communication method will make it easier to speak on a regular basis.

College Competition Means New Stress for Today’s Teens

To compete in today’s global economy, which includes international students attending North American colleges in record numbers, U.S. teenagers must obtain collegiate degrees now more than ever. According to the latest research of the U.S. Department of Education, college enrollment grew 16 percent between 1985 and 1995. Between 1995 and 2005, enrollment increased at a faster rate (23 percent), from 14.3 million to 17.5 million. The number of graduating high school seniors is expected to peak in 2011, with 67% trying to gain admission to an institution of higher learning.

What does this mean for students with college aspirations? Acing the college entrance exam is critical. Most students applying to competitive colleges now take the SAT*/ACT® more than once, and as early as sophomore year.

Our growing global economy has made it necessary for more students to attend college in order to obtain good paying jobs. New tools, such as the common application, encourage students to apply to more schools - which increases the competition. Thus, making it more difficult for students to gain acceptance into the top institutions and colleges that were once seen as “safeties.”

More students and parents today are learning the secret that top colleges have known for years - systematically preparing for the SAT/ACT gives students more confidence and more confidence can lead to higher SAT/ACT scores.

New college admissions rules now allow students to score their best by taking the SAT/ACT as many times as they like, but educators suggest taking the tests no more than two or three times. Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring, offers the following advice to ensure students properly prepare for their college entrance exams – Sylvan’s 10 STRESSFREE Steps to Reduce the Stress and Ace The Test!

Studying for the SAT*/ACT® takes weeks, even months,
of review. Don’t try to cram overnight.
Trust yourself. Rely on your instincts. Never leave an
easy question blank.
Read the questions and answers critically.
Easy questions have easy answers.
Stop and check. Every few questions, ensure the
question number on the answer sheet
corresponds with the booklet.
Save time. Make sure you have enough time to
answer as many questions as possible, in order to
rack up as many points as possible.
Focus on what the question is really asking. If you
don’t fully understand the question, finding
the correct answer is going to be tough.
Rushing only hurts you. Keep track of the time
remaining for each section.
Eliminate answers. If you can eliminate at least two
incorrect answers, make an educated guess.
End each section by reviewing. If time permits, revisit
the questions you didn’t answer.

For more information about College Test Stress, please join us on Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 for a FREE Seminar about the SAT/ACT tests as well as financing a college education. Both parents and students are invited to attend this workshop.

When: November 9, 2010
Where: PNC Bank- 301 Walter E. Foran Blvd. Flemington, NJ
RSVP: By November 6 to sylvan4127@verizon.net or sylvan4123@gmail.com

Tips For Effective Parent/Teacher Conferences

Education is a shared responsibility. To help students learn the skills, habits and attitudes needed for lifelong success, teachers need your assistance and input. Working together, you and your child’s educator can ensure your child reaches his full potential this school year. As educators, we know that this communication is vital to seeing this success flourish this school year. This time also gives you the opportunity to develop a relationship with your child's teacher in a positive environment and in an open forum early in the year to address any concerns you may have now. It is better to air them early in the year than to wait until there is an issue later.


To celebrate National Education Association’s (NEA) American Education Week a little early (November 15-19, 2010), the educational experts at your Sylvan Learning are proud to provide resources that assist educators and parents in working together to complement the learning process.

Getting Ready:
• Ask your child if there are topics he or she would like discussed with the teacher.
• Write notes to yourself about your child’s personality, learning difficulties and study habits – aspects that you feel the teacher should know. Take these notes with you to the meeting.

Helpful Questions To Ask At The Meeting:
• What is your classroom homework policy? Is homework graded?
• What are the skills that you expect my child to master this year?
• How do you accommodate for learning styles?
• How can I stay involved in my child’s learning?

During The Conference:
• Be respectful of the teacher’s time and arrive promptly. Also be respectful of other parents. Often schools will have an open door conference night where you simply show up at the time most convenient for you and sign in. Other parents are waiting to have an equal amount of time with the teacher and they want to share equally about their child. If the teacher has a timer in the room, please do not be offended, set up another day and time that is mutually convenient to discuss major concerns.
• Discuss your notes concerning your child’s learning habits.
• Ask your most important questions first – in case time runs out.
• Ask the teacher for specific suggestions on ways to help your child reach his potential. This is the most important part of the meeting.
• Take notes so you can discuss the meeting with your child.
• End the meeting by reiterating the actions that will be taken by the teacher or you.
• If needed, schedule a time to meet again.

After the Conference:
• Begin your action plan and work with your child to make learning fun.
• Stay in contact with the teacher and continue to discuss your child’s progress.

Sylvan Learning would like to ensure EVERY parent in North America understands the importance of supplementing her child’s learning at home
and attending parent/teacher conferences. By working with local families to develop plans to efficiently prepare for educator meetings, parents and educators will see higher grades, fewer homework headaches and more confident students as a result.

Help your child discover a lifelong love of learning. Visit the “Resources for Parents” area on www.SylvanLearning.com or www.Nea.org/parents/parent-guides.html for free family activities.

Helping your Kids Prepare for Tests and School Success

More than three million college admissions tests are administered each year, making the SAT and the ACT two of the most important exams that a high school student will ever take. In order to perform at their best, students should become familiar with the style and types of questions on the tests. In addition, students should boost their reading and vocabulary skills and learn specific process of elimination strategies. Above all, students need to work through as many practice questions
and tests as possible in the weeks and months leading up to the actual exam.

It is essential for high schoolers to willingly choose to make “studying and test taking” major academic goals this year. Here are some simple tips for parents of middle and high school students to help their kids study for tests in school and to achieve success.

• Adolescents and teens look to adults for guidance, even though they’re often reluctant to admit it. So, let them know you’re monitoring their progress, that you’re aware of due dates for major reports and projects, and that you know when report cards are coming out. Be omniscient – or at least let them believe you are.

• Keep track of their homework, their reading assignments, and their preparation for tests. For most kids, you don’t need to look at every page of every assignment, but you do want them to know you’ll be checking in with them every evening at a specific time. This sets deadlines and a routine.

• Set goals for the short term and long term. Keep the pressure low but steady. Determine what rewards would be fair and reasonable.

• Insist, especially on days before major tests, performances, or projects, that your teenager gets plenty of restful sleep. Also, insist that he eats a good breakfast and avoids foods that could lead to grogginess just before a test.

• Regular conversations about school and school activities let students know not only that you’re interested in their daily lives but that you’re up-to-date on projects, tests, and report cards. This avoids anguished comments from you like, “Report cards are tomorrow? Why didn’t you tell me?”

• You went over all the assignments before your children turned them in. Now, go over tests, book reports, projects, and the like after they’ve been graded. Review any mistakes they made, areas where they could have been stronger, and all the red-ink comments the teacher made. Talk about how they can improve next time. We all make mistakes, but only the wisest of us learn from them.

• It’s difficult sometimes, but keep your spirits up. Kids pick up on our moods and emotions, so stay encouraging and supportive. Share stories of times in your life when you’ve made mistakes or errors of judgment and what you’ve learned from those times. Teens want independence, they want to take control of their lives, but they surely need our guidance, perhaps at this time of life more than ever. Be there for them, show them the way, lead them, and give them increasing amounts of independence along the way when they show they’re ready for it. They’ll rise to our expectations.

How to Handle a Poor Report Card

Tips for Helping Your Children When They are Struggling to get Good Grades


It will soon be that time of the school year again – report card time. While many students will come home with good grades, others would rather stuff their report cards deep into their backpacks than show them to their parents. As parents, you want your child to do well in school, so what do you do when your child’s report card isn’t as good as it could be?

Children get frustrated and upset when their report cards show they are doing poorly. Understanding your child’s personal ability and determining if your expectations are too high will allow both you and your child to set appropriate goals for each class before report cards are distributed. It will also help establish an environment in which your child is not apprehensive about sharing his report card with you.

Sylvan Learning Center, would like to offer the following tips for parents on how to deal with a poor report card:

1. Set expectations. Not every child will earn all A’s, but that doesn’t mean your child should strive for less. Talk with your child before the school year starts and explain that you won’t be upset if he doesn’t bring home all A’s -- but that you will be upset if he doesn’t try his hardest and doesn’t ask for help.

2. Communicate with your child. Don’t wait until report cards are issued to talk with your child about school and grades. Talk with her every night and every week about homework. Ask how she is doing in school and what subjects she finds challenging.

3. Discuss your child’s performance with his teacher and/or guidance counselor. Your child’s teacher and/or guidance counselor is the best source for information about your child’s scholastic performance. Your child’s teacher can recommend ways to help your child or point out difficulties he is having. His guidance counselor can provide progress reports between reports cards or help set up additional parent-teacher conferences when necessary.

4. Set goals for improvement with your child. If your child is currently a C student -- then setting a goal of getting all A’s may not be reasonable. However, creating an improvement goal for each subject will help her work toward an attainable level for each class.

5. Establish a personalized study plan with your child. Your child should keep a schedule of all classes, assignments and key dates (e.g., project deadlines, big exams, etc). As part of that schedule, she should include specific time for studying, projects and extracurricular activities. The more comprehensive the schedule, the more efficient your child will be in completing her homework and the better she’ll do in school.

6. Seek outside help. Some children may need additional attention that can’t be provided in school. Speak with your child’s teacher about tutoring or supplemental education providers to help your child work towards better grades in school.

7. Praise your child’s successes. Praise your child for what he is doing well, whether it’s a specific academic subject or an extracurricular activity. If your child is not doing well in English, but loves to read the latest Harry Potter book, show him the connection between the two.


Remember, report card and progress report time does not have to be a stressful time! The first Marking Period is a great benchmark for your child's progress for the rest of the school year. If your child needs help in school, this is the perfect time to start getting help so that they can keep up with the rest of the class rather than slip behind!

Success Begins with the Homework Environment

Sensible Tips for Helping Children With Their Homework



Parents want their children to get good grades in school. Unfortunately, not every parent knows how best to help his or her children meet academic challenges, including completion of homework assignments. So, how do parents maximize their child’s chances for success in school? Start by creating a home environment that is conducive to homework and learning.

Sometimes, parents think helping their child complete their homework, or even doing their child’s homework for him, will help him achieve better grades in school. Often, it’s just the opposite, creating a situation where children have not learned the concepts they are later tested on in the classroom.

A simple way to help your child with homework is by creating an atmosphere that works with your child to efficiently tackle school tasks. Really get to know your child’s homework style and develop a personalized plan for school success.

Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, offers parents the following tips and advice to develop a homework plan for school success:

1. Set Goals. Help your child set personal and attainable goals for each class and help her identify what will need to be done to reach each goal. For example, to get an A in American History, she will need to turn in all of her homework, participate in class, etc.

2. Know Your Child. Because each child is unique, with different learning styles and academic needs, it is important to personalize the learning process. People learn in at least eight different ways, according to the Multiple Intelligences Theory: visually, verbally, physically, mathematically, musically, naturalistically, through group activity or through quiet thinking time. If you help your child work within his personal style, he will work more effectively.

3. Create a Homework Zone. Set up an area in your home for studying, complete with a dictionary, paper and pens. Make sure the area is free from potential distractions and that study tools are at your child’s fingertips to keep him focused on homework.

4. Develop Class Files. Develop a color-coded file for each of your child’s classes. Make separate tabs for homework assignments, exams and projects, so your child can refer back to class materials when studying for comprehensive tests.

5. Set Weekly Milestones. For big projects or exams, get a large calendar for your child’s homework area and help him set short timelines to ensure projects and studying aren’t left until the night before. Celebrate your child’s success when each milestone is met.

By working with your child to develop a personalized plan to efficiently complete homework tasks, you will find higher grades, fewer homework headaches and a more confident child as a result.

Math Proves to be a Critical Skill

Math Proves to be a Critical Skill, No Matter What Career Children Choose
Free Online Math Activity Booklet, Available at
www.SylvanLearning.com Makes Learning Math Fun

As they ponder their future careers, children may be surprised to learn that mathematical skills and concepts are a part of almost every career opportunity that exists today. Somewhere on the job – whatever that job might be – children are going to use the math skills they learned as early as first or second grade.

I cannot count the number of times a child has asked, ‘When will I ever use this stuff?’ The answer is everyday and in almost every profession.A child who wants to become a fireman, pilot or veterinarian may be surprised to know how important math is for that profession. Generating excitement for math by relating basic to advanced math skills to real-life uses will help children become more engaged in the subject and develop the confidence and understanding of math that they will need throughout their lives.

Ask a child to stop for a moment and think of the careers that interest him. They don’t use math, right? Wrong! Math plays a role in many different professions – from a sportscaster to a politician, from a marine captain to a magician.

Sylvan math experts spoke with professionals around the country who described how math plays an important role in their job. For example, math is important in the daily routine of an anesthesiologist as he cares for a patient prior to, during and after surgery. “Before dispensing any medication, I need to calculate my patient’s weight, height and body mass to prevent over or under medicating,” said Jeff Coston, D.O., anesthesiologist at Park Memorial Hospital in Asheville, TN. “Once the patient is medicated, I am constantly monitoring his blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and level of consciousness – I see numbers everyday on the job.”

See below for additional highlights from those interviews.

To encourage math learning and discovery outside of the classroom, Sylvan Learning is offering a Free Online Math Activity Book available at http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/learning-activities/math-booklet.cfm. The book provides 30 days of math writing topics, trivia, questions and puzzles.


Math Careers
Sylvan Learning’s math experts interviewed professionals from around the country, asking them how math plays a role in their job. Following are some highlights from those interviews.

Computer Game Programmer: “I recently used my math skills to figure out how a camera should be placed in the new Law & Order game. The game has several 3D rendered scenes that the player explores to find evidence for their case. I used math to determine how to rig the camera in the middle of the scenes and to control its movement when a player interacts with the game,” said Stephen Hodnicki, lead programmer, Legacy Interactive.

Nurse: “I knew I wanted a career helping people, but I never thought math would fit into that equation because I thought only accountants and analysts used math on the job. Well, that’s not true!” said Jennifer Wilson, nurse practitioner, Johns Hopkins Hospital. “I use math every day to evaluate a safe dosage of medication for each of my patients. It’s crucial that my calculations are precise to provide safe care to my patients.”

Sportscaster: The role of a sportscaster isn’t just commentating on the game. Much of what he does involves tracking players’ performances from game to game during the year and throughout careers. A sportscaster calculates batting averages, earned run averages and other statistics that are basic mathematical foundations learned in elementary school.

Politician: Math plays a key role in helping elected officials manage the budgets necessary to run our Federal, State, and local governments. Politicians determine the taxes that individuals must pay and in turn how these funds will be allocated to support the services and programs that are important to our communities. Another part of his job is using surveys and formulas to understand the issues that are important to his constituents.

Marine Captain: “Math is extremely important to the Army and Marine Corps. As an infantry officer, I use maps, compasses and mathematics to help select the best route for my troops, the distance to our next destination and how long it will take to reach a specific location,” said Captain Peter Pace, United States Marine Corps. “An error in route selection can get you lost, late or worse!”

Magician: A magician needs math for a variety of tricks and responsibilities on the job. Many tricks involve understanding probability and counting cards. As well, if a magician wants to entertain a room full of people, he needs to calculate how much time he can spend with each person.

Architect: An architect uses math to draw his designs for a house, a building or a bridge. His drawings need to be 100 percent accurate because a crew of builders and engineers will follow his plans to construct his designs. He will draw the beams and rafters used to support the foundation and everything he draws is drawn to scale.

Pastry Chef: Professional baking often relies on a variety of weights and measurements. Sometimes recipes are given using the metric system that may require the chef to convert a specific number of grams to ounces. Or perhaps a chef is making desserts for 200 people by following a recipe that serves 12, so multiplication will definitely be needed.

Pilot: To safely fly people between destinations, airline pilots must be able to quickly calculate various levels of math problems to determine flight paths, fuel requirements and the maximum weight requirements for a safe flight. Almost every button in a cockpit represents a different calculation that a pilot must understand. One wrong calculation can cause serious trouble for other pilots.

Teacher: “As a former classroom teacher, math was important in every lesson I taught, but also, as the head of the class,” said Richard E. Bavaria, Ph.D., senior vice president for education outreach for Sylvan Learning. “In addition to marking papers, calculating test scores and class averages, problem solving was a part of my every day routine. Whether it was calculating the total cost to take my students on a field trip, or simply ensuring enough individual time for all of my students, I used many of the basic math skills I learned back in school.”

Policeman: To reconstruct traffic accidents, law enforcement officials use mathematical formulas to calculate vehicle speed, time and distance. Policemen must be very precise in their calculations because their findings are often presented in courtrooms to prove driver negligence, award property damages, to help accident victims and to improve highway safety.

Reading, Writing & Harry Potter: Motivating Children by Celebrating Their Interests

How can parents and homework compete with Harry Potter and PlayStation? The simple answer is that they can’t compete. However, parents can use these hot trends to motivate children to learn more and, in the process, teach their children skills that will transfer to their classroom learning.

Because studies show that the average child spends three to five hours a day watching television, it may seem there is not much extra time for educational activities at home. Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring at home to students of all ages and skill levels, has developed several techniques to turn the things children enjoy into opportunities to promote additional learning.

The first step for you, as a parent, is to identify what gets your child excited and to learn about it yourself. Read the hot children’s books, play your child’s favorite video games and listen to music together. In short, learn about the toys, games and activities that dominate your child’s world. Then, look for creative ways to add an educational component to your child’s favorite activities.

For example, if your child can’t get enough of Harry Potter, ask her to identify locations from the books on a map – do they exist or are they fictional? Or, encourage him to find a pen pal in England to compare his or her life and everyday activities with one of Harry’s country mates. Since magic spells are a big part of the series, ask your child to create with her own spells to see if they really work.

Games can also reinforce school lessons. When children play with dominoes, have them calculate the total value of the points. They may not even notice they are putting math lessons to work. Games can also help sharpen a child’s categorization skills.

Science is just as easy to incorporate into everyday activities. Ask your child to calculate the distance of a scooter ride. Compare the speed of a downhill ride versus an uphill ride. Research other methods of transportation and the scientific explanation of balance and speed. Search the Internet with your child for science-related Web sites that might help to uncover the science behind a favorite sport. Find out how the speed of a baseball pitch affects the hitter’s ability to hit a home run, or why a football is shaped differently than a soccer ball.

Yes, even Jordin Sparks and The Cheetah Girls have lessons to teach. Your child’s favorite music stars can be avenues for self-expression. By memorizing lyrics or even writing their own, children can learn the importance of the written and spoken word. They can research the artists’ background and find out what it takes to make a CD.

Parents can combine these enjoyable activities with the basics of motivating a child – goal-setting, rewards and reinforcement. Plan out activities and assignments with your child. Determine together the steps of the process and when the assignment will be finished. Provide the tools to complete the task. For larger projects, Sylvan recommends that you offer mini-rewards throughout the process to keep your child motivated to see it through. Rewards can be as simple as a pat on the back or an ice cream cone. When the project is complete, review it together and congratulate your child on a job well done. You can even present your child with a handmade certificate of achievement. Share your child’s success with other family members – nothing makes your child feel better than to “overhear” you singing his or her praises to someone.

All of the skills learned through these activities will translate into the classroom by reinforcing geography, analytical, comprehension, reading and research skills. By joining in your child’s fun, you’ll also demonstrate that learning takes place everywhere and that it is enjoyable. As an added benefit, you might even learn something along the way!

Understanding the Learning Styles Allows Parents & Educators to Help Children

Back-to-school season is here, which means it’s time to pick out new clothes, shoes, backpacks and school supplies. As you outfit your child with the latest fashion styles, be sure that you prepare for a successful school year by understanding your child’s personalized “learning style.”

Just as there are many different fashions, there are also many different ways a child learns. Understanding a child’s individual learning style can help parents and teachers personalize the instruction or homework to ensure peak performance in school and build a child’s self confidence.

People learn in at least eight different ways, according to the Multiple Intelligences Theory: visually, verbally, physically, mathematically, musically, naturalistically, through group activity or through quiet thinking time.

When reading the following tips, keep in mind that a child may exhibit more than one of the following learning styles.

How does your child learn?

Visual/Spatial learners enjoy photography, visual metaphors, puzzles, illustrations and story maps. Seeing a bar graph on the cost of different cars, for instance, would be a better learning tool than hearing a list of prices read aloud.

Verbal/Linguistic learners shine in activities such as storytelling, public speaking, drama and journal writing. Give children journals to keep for one month. Encourage them to write detailed descriptions of what they see, taste, feel and hear.

Bodily/Kinesthetic learners thrive on hands-on experiments, field trips, body language, crafts and sports. Take a field trip to a local factory, then make a visual display of what was learned.

Logical/Mathematical learners tend to be better at problem-solving, coding, data collecting, money management and scientific models. Help your child create a budget sheet that itemizes every cent spent during a one-month period. Determine what category drew the biggest expenses.

Musical/Rhythmic students may play an instrument, sing, hum or tap during work or require background music while they study. Turn memorization exercises into rhythmic word play and set it to any musical style.

Intrapersonal learners work better alone, doing individual study, personal goal-setting and self-esteem activities. This type of student can write down one objective and record the steps to achieving it.

Interpersonal learners work better in group activities, such as clubs, peer teaching, conflict mediation and active discussions. They would enjoy volunteering at a nursing home, women’s shelter or charity and documenting the experience in a journal.

Naturalist learners tend to better understand ideas when it is related to a natural occurrence. These learners prefer outdoor activities (e.g., camping, gardening, hiking, bird-watching, etc).

As parents prepare their children for the new school year, it’s important to remember that they will be better prepared for classes if parents and the school teacher both understand their learning styles and use this knowledge to help them excel in school and on homework. Parents should also share their observations about their children’s learning style with their child’s teachers.

Is it Homework Time?

Tips and Routines for a Successful Academic Year

It’s the beginning of the school year and just a few weeks until the first report cards start showing up! Now is the perfect time to start focusing on your grades – beginning with a homework routine that you can follow throughout the school year.

By concentrating on three important life skills – Organizing, Taking Action, and Communicating, students can simplify their life and develop habits that will help them later in college, at work, and in life. Learn to master these skills early in life, and you’ll be all set for success for years to come!

Organize
Have your own personal routine for homework. Are you the type of student who comes home from school and needs to get homework done right away so you
can have the evening free? Or, do you need a rest first, some time to expend some energy, a chance to put school on hold for a while? These aren’t trick questions; there’s no “right” answer. Either is okay. Know which describes you. Your needs may be different from your sister’s, your parents’, your friends’. Set up a routine that follows your preference.

Have a time that’s just for homework. Routines are important, and the routines that help you succeed in school are the most important routines.

Have a place for your homework.
You don’t need to have your own room, just a regular place that’s yours for the time it takes to complete your homework. It should be quiet and conducive to your work.

Have your supplies.
Keep your supplies – pens, calculator, highlighters, and papers – in a convenient place. Don’t waste your precious time looking for stuff. If you have your own desk, organize it. If you don’t have your own desk, that’s okay. Keep your supplies in a plastic organizer with a handle, so everything will be at your fingertips each evening. The last step in your homework routine is to make sure everything is ready for the next day.

Keep a planner. A planner doesn’t have to be an expensive electronic gizmo. A simple notebook will do. The important thing is to get in the habit of writing down your assignments and their duedates, and then working to get them done. If you don’t write them down, you’ll forget some of them.

Take ActionSet goals. It’s your life, take control of it. At the beginning of the school year, set goals about what you’d like to accomplish. Improve that algebra grade? Take a challenging literature course? Then at the beginning of each month, review those goals to see if you’re on track.

Pace yourself. You’ll have lots of longrange assignments as you move up the grades: book reports, term papers, and science projects—even extracurricular tasks like an article for the school newspaper or a project for student council. Start early, and break up the maxi-job into mini-jobs. This will seem much less overwhelming. Plus, it’ll eliminate the awful feeling you get when you know something’s due and you haven’t even started it yet.

Eliminate distractions. Yes, you need music. You need your phone or your Blackberry. You need to have the TV on, “just for background noise.” It is important to “focus” without any distractions. Multi-tasking is not required at least during homework time.

Communicate Speak up. Participate in class. Ask questions when you’re puzzled. From your homework, make a list of questions to ask tomorrow in class. In class, make comments when you see connections to other things you’ve learned in this class or, better yet, in other classes. Learning how and when to speak up is a skill you’ll value and will take you far. If you need help, ask for it. Get it early.

Review. Go over your assignments on a regular basis with a “study buddy,” a friend who’s as motivated as you are. Keep each other on track by clarifying assignments, studying together, supporting one another’s goals. Keep track of your grades, so you’ll know how you’re doing. Success in school is as much a team effort as success on the athletic field.

Organizing, taking action and communicating will simplify your school
life. Have a successful school year ahead!

School Involvement...All Year Long

When 16-year-old Drew is at school, his mom may be just a couple of classrooms away. “At first it’s kind of weird, and my friends will be like ‘Oh yesterday I saw your mom at school.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, OK.’ But eventually I get used to it,” he says.
She volunteers at the school, which makes it easy to check in with her children’s teachers. “When one of my children has a problem in one of his classes, they’ll say we got his test grade and it’s this,” says Stacy, Drew’s mom. But many parents never get that kind of quick feedback.
According to a survey by the Michigan Education Association, a quarter of parents said they almost never talk to teachers. The same number said they never attend parent-teacher conferences. “Sadly, I think those numbers are probably very accurate,” says academic advisor Cathie Banks.
Banks says that can send kids a subtle, but damaging message: My parents don’t care about my education, so why should I? The result is that “they’re less involved in activities. ... They have lower self-esteem; they have lower classroom attendance,” she says.
In fact, earlier studies by the U.S. Department of Education found that when parents are involved – by monitoring homework, talking to teachers or volunteering at the school – children’s grades were dramatically higher and discipline problems dramatically lower.
“She’s always around at school a lot. So if I was to do something bad, she would know about it pretty quickly,” says Drew.
Experts say meeting your child’s teachers and spending time at their school is invaluable. “Find a link, whether it’s a teacher you can talk to (or) a guidance counselor that you can go (to),” says Banks. “I would encourage any parent who wants to become involved to do so, no matter what the cost.”

What Parents Need To Know
A study funded by education groups in Michigan found a pronounced rift between parents and teachers. Although parents and teachers should be partners in education, they are often adversaries. Parents can ensure a child is on time to school and then welcome them home at night, but they often leave the hours in between solely to professional educators.
Consider the following:
• Only one-in-nine working parents is active in a child’s school.
• Overall, one-in-four parents participate in a child’s school.
• Nearly a quarter of parents never ensure teachers know essential information about their child.
• Teachers are more forthcoming about academic problems than they are with behavior problems.
• Parents who communicate with the schools have a higher level of success and satisfaction, as well as a greater sense of belonging to the school community.
• Nine states have passed legislation offering unpaid family leave for school activities, with varying requirements for eligibility.
Working moms and dads might be desperate for a connection but need flexible volunteer opportunities and events timed around the workday. Conversely, stay-at-home parents want to preserve family evenings and consider daytime school involvement one benefit of staying home.
Parent involvement increases positive results. Show your child with actions, not just words, that you really care about education. Involvement extends beyond simply getting your child to school on time. If parents don’t care enough to drop
by the school and talk to a teacher, to make sure homework gets done and books get read, the child likely won’t care either. Parents of low-achievers, the students who could most benefit from parent involvement, are the least likely to visit schools.
Eventually, a parent might need to deal with the school on his or her child’s behalf. A parent is in a much better position if that’s not the first time the school has seen him or her. Children of parents who are engaged with the school receive a better education. However, most schools and educators do little to welcome reluctant parents. To combat this dilemma, parents can:
• Make regular visits to their child’s classroom.
• Share pertinent, helpful information about their child with his or her teachers.
• Ask teachers specific questions regarding their child’s performance and behavior.
• Encourage teachers to be honest with them.
• Be careful not to behave as their child’s defense attorneys. They shouldn’t automatically side with their child and go after an educator.
• Act as allies of the educator because a teacher who knows he or she has the backing of the parents is more likely to go out on a limb for that child.

Kickoff a Stress-Free School Year

For many children, the first day of school doesn’t only mean new teachers and new friends – it can also be a source of anxiety with homework assignments and tests just around the corner. Starting the school year off on the right foot can help minimize a child’s stress level throughout the year.

The experts at Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, suggest parents help their children prepare for the transition to the next grade level and the return to school by encouraging a structured routine from day-one and staying actively involved in their child’s education.

To help children get ready for the new school year and to minimize academic stress, Sylvan Learning offers these tips and ideas to make the transition from summer to school easier. Tips include back–to-school suggestions and specific hints for the transitional years:

Back-to-School Tips (for each new school year):• Get back in the routine. Ease transition from lazy summer days to the structure of the school year by re-establishing bedtime, mealtime, reading and homework routines. Talk with your child about the importance of these routines and how they help ensure that he is not overtired or overly anxious about schoolwork or the next day of school.
• Set education goals. Help your child set goals at the very beginning of the year. Whether it is striving for an A in reading, handing in all homework on time or preparing for tests well in advance, setting goals can help set the routine for the new year.
• Develop a relationship with your child’s teacher. Take the time to meet your child’s teachers at the beginning of the school year. Teachers can be the best source for information about your child’s scholastic performance and they can recommend ways to help your child or resolve any difficulties he or she is having.
• Homework routine and place. Designate a specific time and place for homework time and help your child discover a regular, quiet place where he can study. Make sure that the area is free from potential distractions and that study tools are at your child’s fingertips to keep him focused on homework and studying.
• Stay on schedule. Your child should keep a schedule of all classes, assignments and key dates, such as project deadlines and test dates. As part of that schedule, she should include specific times for studying, projects and extracurricular activities. The more thorough the schedule, the more efficient your child will be. Organization minimizes late nights completing homework assignments, cramming for tests at the last minute and can ultimately reduce student anxiety about school.
• Emphasize organization. For some students, having color-coded binders for each subject helps them stay on track throughout the school year. Keeping notes organized helps test preparation later in the year, so work with your child to determine the best method for him.
• Encourage learning at home. Promoting learning outside of the classroom helps children perform better in school. To nurture reading skills spend at least one hour per week – 10 to 15 minutes a day – reading with your child. To enhance math proficiency, try allowing your child to help plan the next family trip and encourage him to compute miles, cost of gas, expenses for food, hotel and entertainment.

Transition Year Back-to-School Tips (Children Starting Kindergarten, First Grade, Middle School or High School):• Visit the school. If your child is changing schools with the new year, make a special trip together to visit the school before the first day of classes. Checking out the new classroom and the new teacher before school starts will help ease feelings of anxiety and help get your child into his or academic routine. If it’s available, review the class schedule with your child and prepare him for the new grade.
• Discuss changes in routine. Talk with your child about how the routine for her new school may differ from the previous year. It can be difficult for children to adjust to changes in schedules and workloads. Explain how her schedule may differ from last year. Will there be more homework assignments? Does she have to wake up earlier? Will she have more than one teacher this year?
• Provide extra support. When starting the new school year, especially if it’s a transition year, a little extra support can’t hurt. Talk with your child about her fears regarding school and maintain an open dialogue throughout the year. Discuss what subjects she’s anticipating and any areas she finds particularly challenging. Don’t forget to talk about homework and tests.
• Transition into Kindergarten. Kindergarten is your child’s introduction to elementary school and a first opportunity to learn basic math and reading skills, not to mention a first look at routines and expectations of group learning. As a parent, you are your child's first teacher. The skills that he learns from you – how to get along with others, follow directions and listen to directions – will help him start the year off right.
• Transition into middle school and high school. Transitioning from elementary to middle school and from middle school to high school brings many questions and concerns. Organization becomes even more important in middle school and high school when your child must keep track of multiple subjects, homework, teachers, classrooms and books. You can help him to reduce stress by giving him a calendar/planner to help him organize these new items and encouraging him to build good study habits.

PLZ PRACTICE UR WRTIN

Millions of children and adults use language like this to make weekend plans nad chat with friends via email, Twitter, and Instant Messaging (IM). It is important that this informal writing style of shortened words, improper grammar, lack of punctuation, and use of emoticons, such as smiley faces and other keyboard-created graphics, does not follow them into the classroom.

To help children boost their effective writing skills, we offer the following tips to avoid email-style language making its way into schoolwork:

1. Talk to children about using different writing styles to communicate with different audiences. Describe the importance of personalizing messages and why it's important that students know their audience. While it's okay to close a letter with "C ya" to a friend in an IM, it is not okay to include this slang in homework assignments. Remind them that formality is required in school.

2. Have fun with writing. Provide children with enjoyable ways to practice their writing. Involve your child in writing grocery lists, thank you notes, dates on calendars, and messages. Or, play games like Blurt!, TriBond, and MadGab that help build language and vocabulary skills.

3. Review schoolwork for IM and email-style language. Encourage your children to write properly and take the time to carefully review assignments several times before submitted them to the teacher. Review your child's homework to ensure he or she is not using shortcuts or slang.

4. Talk with teens to establish ground rules for using texting, Twitter, and email. Work with your child to develop a plan for using IM and email to make sure other responsibilities, such as completing homework and chores, are met before going online to chat with friends. Discuss time limits with your children and ensure they are kept.

5. Create a writing zone. Whether writing on a computer or with a notebook and pencil, it is important that your child has a well-organized place to write. Set up an area in your home for writing - a desk to table with a flat surface and good lighting. Ensure the area is free from potential distractions and that writing tools, including a dictionary, paper and pens, are at your child's fingertips.

Sylvan offers parents a variety of tools and activities to help students practice and have fun with writing, including tips for boosting effective writing skills and free online writing journal. Parents can download the free writing journal, complete with suggested writing topics and decorative pages, from the "Family Learning Activities" section in the "Parent Resources" area of www.SylvanLearning.com.

Countdown to College

The pressure is on. To compete in today's global economy, teenagers must obtain collegiate degrees now more than ever.

"Our growing global economy has made it necessary for more students to attend college in order to obtain good paying jobs. New tools, such as the common application, encourage students to apply to more schools - which increased the competition," says Rust Greigg, vice president of Sylvan Learning College Prep.

With students reaching for their "dream" schools, many realize increasing their scores on thier college entrance exams is only part of the planning process. More students and parents today are learning the secret that top colleges have known for years - systematically preparing for university-level classes gives students more confidence and more confidence can lead to higher SAT/ACT scores, early admission to the college of your choice, and a smoother transition into higher education.

With the fall season rapidly approaching, we have developed a list of what high school students can do during the Fall/Winter season to ensure they are adequately prepared for the college process.

Freshman Year
*Meet with your guidance counselors to ensure you are enrolled in college prep courses.
*Focus on doing well in your classes and seek extra help from peers, teachers, and supplemental education providers when needed.
*Join a sports team or club to become involved in school.
*Volunteer for local activities to become a part of your community.

Sophomore Year
*Take the PSAT in October for practice.
*Attend college fairs and open houses in your area.
*Talk to friends and relatives attending college and ask them about their experiences.

Junior Year(This is a critical time for college prep)
*Take a leadership role within your sports teams, clubs, or volunteer organizations.
*Register to take the PSAT/PLAN offered in October.
*Attend college fairs and open houses in your area. Question school representatives and recruiters about thier academic programs, majors offered, application fees, and admission deadlines.
*Analyze what you want in an institution of higher learning:
- Small, medium, or large school?
- Urban, suburban, or rural campus?
- Distance from home?
- Rigorous admissions requirements (SAT/ACT scores, GPA, class rank, etc.)?
- Intended major offered?
*Create a first list of schools that meet your personal requirements.
*Begin to research national and regional scholarships. Note the requirements and deadlines.


Senior Year
*Take the SAT/ACT again. Prepare by using prep books or enrolling in a SAT/ACT prep program.
*Create a master calendar that includes:
- Collegiate application due dates
- SAT/SAT Subject Tests/ACT/AP dates, frees and registration deadlines
- Financial aid form deadlines
- Recommendations and transcript due dates
- High school deadlines for information requests
*Narrow down your list of universities to 5-10 and review your choices with your parents and teacehrs.
*Complete and mail your scholarship applications.
* Ask your teachers to write letters of recommendation. Give each person your resume, any requred forms, and a stamp and addressed envelope.
*Write your admissions essays. Ask your teachers and families to proofread.

The college process is involved, but Sylvan Learning Center can help you navigate. We offer free diagnostic SAT/ACT practice tests for students and free parent seminars and resources including college planning guides. Interested in how Sylvan can help you and your child? Call (908)638-6788 or (908)806-4010. It's never too early - or too late - to begin preparing for college and lifelonge economic success.

In The First Person

Books written in the first person-stories told by an "I" narrator about him or herself-expose readers to the concept of a unique voice, as well as to story lines in which the narrator is one of the characters.

A story changes when only one person's subjective point of view can be shown. First-person narration "sounds" different from the more typical omniscient third-person narration, where an all-knowing, all-seeing narrator is not part of the story.

Suggested books for students at all levels:

Elementary Level
Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Little House on the Prairie series
John D. Fitzgerald, the Great Brain series
These books, set at the turn of the 20th century, combine fascinating historical details wiht engaging characters and humorous and poignant situations.

Middle School Level
Mary Rodgers, Freaky Friday
Anne Frank, The Diary of Anne Frank
These books are opposites in many ways: funny and serious; contemporary and historical; absolute fantasy and all-too-real reality. Yet both have universal messages about establishing one's own identity as well as timeless observations about family relationships.

Secondary School Level
J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye
Alex Haley, The Autobiography of Malcom X
While one is more fictional than the other, both focus on introspection and striving for growth, giving young people a great deal to think about.

Exposing your child to a variety of literature will help to foster that love of reading. By hearing someone else's voice, it may inspire your child to find his or her own.