10 Tips to Delivering Out of This World Presentations

10 Tips to Delivering Out of This World Presentations!

For Students of ALL Ages 

No matter what grade or subject you are taking, more than likely, there will be moments where you will have to get up and present to the class.  Being prepared and well-educated about the topic is key, but being able to deliver the presentation with excellence is also very important!

 

Here are ten great tips to delivering an awesome presentation for upper elementary grades through college (and above!)

 

1.  Create a one page handout – Giving your audience something to take home and something to remember your tips by.  Check out some tips for creating a handout here. Usually, one page is sufficient, but if you have extensive information that your peers may be tested on, you can create one using your Powerpoint slides.  Learn how here.

 

2.  Analyze your audience – Know who your audience is and what they might know or want to know.  Don’t bore them by repeating what you know they have learned in class.  Try giving them new and fresh information in a new and fresh way.

 

3.  Use audience participation – Everyone enjoys a presentation more when they can take part.  Build into your presentation a short verbal quiz about the topic or take a survey asking them to raise their hands in response.  Make it interactive.

 

4.  Stick to one idea for each slide – Don’t overwhelm the slides with lots of information or several key points.  Keep to one key point per slide. 

 

5.  Use graphics on slides – When using Powerpoint, be sure to use the graphics and even video clips to make your point.  Video clips should not be more than 3-5 minutes in length and should support your point or add to it.  The video may also be used as a foundation for asking questions or support a scenario.  For example, if you are talking about dinosaurs, show the video and ask the audience to look for different types dinosaurs in the video.

 

6.  Group Participation – To really solidify a concept for an audience, have them turn to a neighbor and answer a question you pose to them.  For example, if you are doing a presentation on the history of flight, ask them to discuss the major benefits flight has had on the world.  Then they can share one with the class.  This should only take 2-3 minutes and have a timer that goes off to end conversation.

 

7.  Ask thinking questions – The goal of any presentation is to get the audience to think at the end.  Maybe asking them to consider what the world would be like now if dinosaurs lived would be a good ending thought or quick discussion.  Be sure to help your audience consider the main point of your presentation.

 

8.  Leave them with a final thought – Sum up your presentation on one slide with 1-2 sentences (preferably 1) and then leave them with that thought.

 

9.  Take (and ask!) questions at the end– Be sure to ask if anyone has questions at the end.  Often, you can only hear crickets (not really!), but the silence can be deafening.  If no one asks any, ask a few of your own!  Ask them what one thing is they have learned or will take away from this conversation.  Ask them if this has made them more interested in the topic.    

10.  Dress for the topic and bring props – If you are doing the presentation on dinosaurs and have a cool shirt that is appropriate, wear it!  If you are doing a presentation on flight, bring in small miniature airplanes and pass them around.  Anything that is visual and hands on helps a presentation.  Even if the instructor has suggested you wear dress clothes, ask if you could wear the beekeeper outfit you have when doing your bee presentation.  If the instructor says no, no worries, just bring in the outfit on a friend!  There are always ways to make a presentation more interesting by having hands on visuals.

 

BONUS – This is something many students of all ages forget…READ THE DIRECTIONS.  Be sure that you understand the directions, read them ALL and follow them.  Also, if there is a rubric to grade from, read it CAREFULLY.  You may have an awesome presentation, but if you don’t follow the directions, it doesn’t matter!

 

Do you have an awesome presentation tip?  Leave it (and your URL!) below to share!

 

Need help with a presentation?  Tutor Doctor can help!  We provide in-home, private tutoring to Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Durham, and the surrounding areas.  Read more about our process here.

   

Jen Benoit, MEd, remembers her first presentation in elementary school.  She also remembers not having the great use of Powerpoint (or a computer even!) to do it! 

Tricks to Get Out of the Homework Pits

Part 7 of Homework Help Series

Tricks to Get Out of the Homework Pits

And Treats That Got You There

 There are many reasons that you get into the Homework Pits.  We're going to cover a few of the most popular ones and some potential solutions for your family.  Pits come and go in homework and often show up at the beginning of the year or semester and at the end of the year or semester.  Sometimes when a student thinks she's got her grade "in the bag," homework can tend to slide.  See the treats that lead to the pits below.

• PIT #1:  Student “forgets” to bring homework home either on purpose...or not

  • Communicate what you expect from your child

  • Continue to keep contact with the teacher.  Ask the teacher to check the homework folder and backpack each day.  This may be a stretch for the teacher, but it is possible in very difficult situations

  • Set the homework time early every day and return to school if you have forgotten it before school closes.

  • Check the backpack with the child as soon as they get in the car or get off the bus.  This bottomless pit can be an empy pit at times!

  • Provide positive reinforcements when a child improves.  Keep a Success Calendar that keeps track of homework brought home and give a small reward when one week, two weeks, three weeks, have been reached.  This could be as small as staying up 15 extra minutes at night or watching a favorite movie on the weekend.

  • Give consequences if it is intentional.  This is a parent’s call.  Often a child needs to have something taken away or a privilege denied if she is refusing to bring homework home, but before any consequences, be sure you talk with the teacher and your child about trying to solve the problem first.  Maybe your child can’t get it together fast enough to remember everything.  Maybe he doesn’t like homework because he thinks he’s stupid.  Many of these behaviors have a root issue.

  • Have a strategy meeting with teacher (and student).  This can happen at any level…and should ALWAYS involve the child for most if not all of the meeting.  Teachers want students to succeed too and will often work their hardest to help make a plan that works…even if it is more work for them.

  • Get a weekly progress report from the teacher.  No matter what level, if a student knows the parent is going to check up on them, it does inspire some action.

 

• PIT #2:  Student Refuses to Do Homework

  • Discuss why with your student.  Maybe it doesn’t make sense.  Maybe it isn’t relevant in the student’s mind.  Maybe they just don’t want to bother.  Most of the time, though, in my experience, it is one of three things for older students.

1. The student is not confident in the material or she has a failing or close to failing grade and has given up.

2. The student does not understand the relevance of the homework and will “never use it.”  It is hard to deal with this logic, but helping your student recognize that grade point averages matter may help.

3. The student is angry and rebelling for some reason and is showing it this way.  Many times if a student feels stupid or is angry about other issues, homework goes undone as they try and handle the stresses.  Talking with the teacher and guidance counselor may uncover some stresses parents don’t know about.

• Strategy Meeting with Teacher – Always strategize with the teacher at any age when homework is undone.

 

• PIT #3:  Student does sloppy homework

  • Make your expectations high.  Don’t accept sloppy work from your child.  I had students redo until it looked respectable.  This will follow in life.

  • Suggest using technology.  Sometimes handwriting is a real issue with children so typing assignments are better ideas.  Talk with your child’s teacher about this.

  • Provide positive support and encouragement, but also consequences.  Not being able to watch their show until it is acceptable can work well.

 

• PIT #4:  Student consistently demands help in order to complete homework

  • Tell your student you know she can work on it alone.

  • Be conveniently “busy” in another room with a task that you can’t interrupt.

  • Reward good, honest effort with help.  Once she shows you she has tried it, help her.

  • Break the assignment into manageable tasks.  Sometimes students don’t know HOW to get started on assignments.  Be sure you break it down with them and review the directions if you need it.

  • Don’t give in.  I know it is sometimes easier said than done, but it will only get worse if you keep helping them every time they ask.

 

Do you have a suggestion for getting out of the homework pits?  Share it with us below.

 

Is homework time the pits at your house?  Let Tutor Doctor share some of the burden and help you manage the time better.  Our personal tutors will work with your student to help inspire good work habits and a solid knowledge base for the subject matter.  See how we help families in Raleigh, Apex, Durham, Cary and the surrounding areas here.

 

Jen Benoit, MEd, has been in the homework pits herself and knows the importance of good habits early.

Choosing the Best Time for Homework

Choosing the Best Time to Do Homework

Part 6 of the Homework Help Series

What Works For Each Level

 

Scheduling a homework time is tricky in this day and age with so much happening and long commutes.  Here are some quick tips to help you choose the best time to do homework.

 

Elementary School

• Choose a time when a responsible adult is available to help if needed.  This can be a nanny, grandparent, older sibling (note the responsible part!) or an after care teacher.

• Write down the homework time – even if your schedule changes during the week, decide on the homework time in advance

• Schedule test dates then move backwards from the test dates to schedule study sessions.  This is incredibly important for those children who are new to taking tests and studying.  They need the structure of regular studying with an adult to learn the skill.

• Choose the best time of day for your child.  Many children younger than third grade (and even all elementary grades) do not know what is best for them in terms of time of day to do homework.  Maybe your child needs some playtime and after dinner is the best time.  Maybe getting the homework done right after coming home works best for your child and even your entire family.  Usually, though, the closer you are to bedtime, the more of a struggle homework is.  Everyone is tired, grumpy and just wants to relax.  So try and schedule it earlier.

 

Middle School

• Allow child to choose his homework hours – then reassess one week in to see how things are going – or reassess when activities change.  Remember, you are trying to help achieve more independent skills at this age.  You can start doing this with third grade and up if you think your student is able to do so. 

For example, when I taught third grade, I had one particular boy who never seemed to get his homework done.  It turns out he had long hockey practices every night.  We had a class discussion about homework and what might work for you.  He said he thought getting up at 5:30 am would be a good way for him to get his work done.  I definitely had my doubts about that plan, but wouldn’t you know…it worked for him!  His mother reported him faithfully getting up each morning (without prompting) to do his homework.  It was a terrific lesson for both the student and myself that younger children can set goals and achieve them in terms of homework.

• Post the study hours and test/project dates in main location such as the kitchen or on a family calendar or electronic/computer device so everyone is aware of the homework times as well as major assignments that are due.

 

High School

• This is where homework should be a child’s full responsibility.  Obviously, there are times when this does not happen as nicely as it should.  If you have a student who is struggling, talk it through and decide what options are the best.

• Check in with them.  This is critical.  Don’t check behind their back (unless you have a reason to) but be sure to check in and see how homework is going.  Keep the lines of communication open.

• Use grade reports and test/quiz grades to check time spent on homework/studying.  If you are seeing grades that are falling or lacking, maybe a sport needs to be dropped or an activity needs to be suspended for a time.  Make sure your student is not too overloaded to get his work done.

 

What is your best time to do homework and how do you schedule it? Leave your answer below.

 

Do you feel that homework could be a more focused time with a private tutor?  Tutor Doctor can provide customized, private, in-home tutors for your student.  We send knowledgeable and caring tutors to your kitchen table.  Click here for more information.

 

Jen Benoit MEd, knows that although homework does end in the scholastic sense, it doesn’t in the work sense.  Training these habits in children helps them gain skills for adulthood and future careers.

 

Just Because You Have a Test Doesn't Mean You Don't Have Homework

Just Because You Have a Test Doesn’t Mean You Don’t Have Homework

Studying Tips for Students and Parents

Homework Help Series - Part 5

 

Part 1 – The History of Homework

Part 2 – Why Your Student May Not Like Homework

Part 3 - Homework Meets Learning Styles

Part 4 - How to Help Your Child Do Homework Independently

 

Studying for a test is not necessarily intuitive.  Many students struggle over being able to study not only the appropriate material, but appropriately study the material needed.  Here are some helpful hints about studying for tests.

  

How Parents Can Help

 

• Depending on the information given (and many teachers give specific ideas about what will be on the test), help your student decide WHAT material is appropriate to study. 

• Show your child how to organize the study material.  If it is history, go in chronological order or put important information on flashcards (either real or virtual).  See our tech post for virtual flashcard links.

• Develop a study schedule with your child.  As soon as the test is announced, work backwards two weeks (at least) and determine when to study.

• Discuss what may be the best study option for your child WITH your child.  Will your student do better in a study group with others?  Will your child work better with his/her tutor?  Will a sibling be able to help?

• Help your child discover what tests are usually like in a particular class.  This is about understanding how the teacher tests.  Some teachers want all the work shown and some don’t.  Some are sticklers for grammar and spelling and some aren’t.  By looking at quizzes and homework from the class, together determine what the “hot buttons” the teacher has and how this particular teacher likes to test and grade.  For example, does this teacher give partial credit or not?

• Look at old quizzes and homework together and focus on the questions/problems that were incorrect and why. 

 

Tips for Students

 

Tests Are Not Equal, Therefore Studying For Tests Is NOT Equal

 

Here are the questions you need to answer BEFORE you even start studying:

1. When is the test and is there a retake?  Don’t let the answer to this question help you to decide to study or not.

2. What is the point value?

3. Is there an essay section?

4. What type of test is it?  Essay, multiple choice, true/false, combination?

5. How long will you have to take the test?

6. What chapters or information will it cover?

7. Will there be a test guide? Often for major tests, teachers give a list of what will be covered on it with study tips.

8. Is there extra credit?

9. Is it open book?  Occasionally instructors let you bring in a sheet of information or let you use the text.

10. Are there practice tests?  Usually only for finals or End of Grade tests, but many times teachers may tell you what quiz to practice from that you have already taken.

 

Now, based on the answers to those 10 questions, gather what you need to study.

1. Calendar (to mark off days to study)

2. Flash cards/Index Cards

3. ALL quizzes and homework done in the class that will be covered by the test.

4. Text and notes taken

5. Information about what is on the test specifically

6. Any practice tests or practice questions your teacher gave you.

 

Next, think about how you learn best and plan.

• Section off the days you will study and divide the information among the days so you can study chunks of information at a time.

• During those days create your flashcards and go over them at the beginning of every study session.

• If you know you work better in a group, put together a serious study group of people who want to do well on the test. 

• Arrange any after school help from the teacher for any concepts you still do not understand.  Take ownership for this. 

• Know how you study and use our Learning Style Post to help you determine the best way to study.

 

Tips for the Test Itself

 

• Before you start the test, use your scrap paper to right down anything you don’t want to forget, but that you know you might.  Don’t even look at the test, but write down formulas, facts, etc that you might need and can look at as you take the test.  That way you won’t have to wait and be nervous you will forget a particular thing

 

• True-False or Yes-No Questions

• These are essentially the easiest questions to answer.  You have a 50% chance of being right…or wrong.

• Look for the key words such as always and never.  Many times these are false because they are such broad statements, but they can be tricky, so don’t assume.

• If the words “rarely, often, usually, or sometimes” are used, this may indicate a true answer in most cases, but not always.

• More likely to be true if it is a long statement

 

• Multiple Choice Questions

• Read the answers FIRST, then read the question.  That way you don’t have a bias towards an answer after reading the question.

• Eliminate obvious incorrect answers (there is usually one that does not make sense at all)

• Look for answer that sounds right, but also completes the question well grammatically.

 

• Short Answer

• The trickiest thing with these is usually how much space you have.  If you need to go on the back, put arrows and make sure it is clear where the answer is.

• If you are answering number 1, but a number 1 next to your answer to number 1.  It sounds crazy, but when you don’t put down what answer goes with what number, it can be a very confusing grading process.

• Be sure you are answering the complete question.  Often WHY is added to the question.  That is a MAJOR part of the question and you should always take at least 2 sentences to answer it.

 

• Essay Questions

• Make an outline and then write down quickly what you know about the topic on scrap paper

• Read and reread to the directions.  Read before, during, and after the essay to be sure you have given all the information asked for in the way it was asked for.

• Be very clear in your writing and your formatting.  Unless it is a creative writing test, be sure to be analytical.  Give full and complete paragraphs, and be sure to start a new paragraph when answering a new part of the question.

 

• Are You Done?

• When you are done reread EVERYTHING!  Don’t assume you answered all the questions or answered them completely.  Reread the questions AND the answers to be sure.

• If you need more time, ask if you can finish up after class. 

 

So, there you have it!  A short and sweet list of tips for test prep and test taking. 

 

Do you have a test prep or test taking tip that has worked for you?  Leave a comment below to share with the rest of us!

 

Read more about our test taking tutoring with Tutor Doctor here.  Serving Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Durham, and surrounding areas.

 

Jen Benoit, MEd, has taken and graded more tests than she would care to admit.  Her palms still get sweaty before a test!

How to Help Your Child Do Homework Independently

How to Help Your Child Do Homework Independently - Part 4 of Homework Help Series

Questions Parents Can Ask and Things They Can Do

Did you miss another part of our series?  Click on the links below.

Part 1 – The History of Homework

Part 2 – Why Your Student May Not Like Homework

Part 3 - Homework Meets Learning Styles

Elementary Grades

Ah, the beginning of homework as we know it!  Keep an eye on the tips below to help you through the beginning stages of homework where it can be new to parents and students.

 

• Ask your child to explain his homework assignments in his own words.  Nothing tells you they understand better than having them retell their work.

• Be sure to know where assignments are written (online, in notebook, etc).

• Be sure that your child gets all her necessary resources BEFORE starting.  So, if she needs a dictionary, a text book, etc.  This should be put in the work area before all the work is started.  The same thing for pencils, pens, markers, erasers, etc.  Many students use that as an “excuse” to get away from the homework.

• Make sure your student understands directions and can explain in own words.  Explaining what assignments and explaining how to do a particular assignment are two different things.  This is especially true if there is a project or writing assignment.  These are generally the most confusing assignments because they are more in depth and are multi-step.

• Work on the first problem together if there is confusion.  This is especially true in math and spelling, but can be true in other subjects as well.  More than once parents find themselves “helping” their child to the end of the assignment and find they helped with the whole thing!  This was not their intent, but if this happens where you find yourself working through the entire sheet together, your child either

  • A) Does not understand the concept

  • B) Wants your attention

  • C) Is trying to get the help from you rather than thinking on his own (most of the time it is C)

Try asking your child to work on 3 or 4 problems without asking for help and tell them you will check it.

• Ask your child, “What is the first step?”  This is essential to independent success for students who are slow starters.  Make a list of the assignments together (eventually she will do this independently) and then put them in order of doing them.  Some want to do the easiest first.  Some (like vegetable eating) want to get the worst out of the way.  Do whichever one works best. 

• Read directions together.  Sometimes for the younger children, this is very important.  Reading it together is helpful when they are struggling readers or young and may not understand directions yet.  (This is usually K-1)

• Set a timer for a break.  Nobody wants to work hours and hours on homework (and that may be what it feels like at the beginning for your child).  Set a timer for a snack break, a water break, an outside shooting hoops break, a running around the house break, or whatever is a good idea break for your student.  Set it at 30 minutes for older students and 20 for younger students.  Then they can go back to homework after the breaks.  If the breaks get too long, by the way, time the breaks.  Not a bad idea!

• Be available, but not TOO available.  Many times with children who are clingier during homework time, I have said I need to get this done or run upstairs for that so they can’t rely on me to work with them continuously.  Be available for “real” issues, but not available for “I just want someone with me” issues.

• Same time and place every day – set a routine.  Sounds easy, but if you have a busy schedule and multiple children, this actually can be difficult.  Map out at the beginning of the week when homework time is every night and make sure that you remind them of the time each morning.  Many parents forget that their children don’t always remember what is happening during a particular day.  Make it easy for them and talk through when homework time is different because of dentist appointments, school/sports functions, or other unexpected results.

• Know yourself as a parent.  This is probably the most important piece of advice.  If you NEED (and I say this strongly) for your child to go into school having homework be perfect, you are not doing anyone any favors.  The teacher needs to know where your child struggles and your child needs to learn how to correct errors and learn from his teacher.  Know WHY you are needing to help your child.  There may be many factors, but the most common I’ve seen is that parents just cannot let their child fail or get things wrong.  It’s OK.  It’s better at this level for children to learn this and how to cope with it so they can deal with it successfully later in life.

• Know where to get help when you feel your student is having a great deal of trouble.  When your student is struggling with homework, be sure to get help from the school or a private tutor. 

 

Middle School

Many people (parents and teachers, actually) think that when a child enters sixth grade, she should be on her own in the homework department and suddenly there is a hands off policy. 

If you have been working to help your child be fairly independent in elementary school, this may not be a difficult transition, but honestly, most students need more help during middle school than almost any other time.  Why?  Because hormones are creeping in (you have probably already noticed!) and their brains/bodies are changing and growing.  Teachers are also expecting more of them and there is less hand-holding in school.  There is a new set of peer pressure and a new way of learning and teaching in middle school.  In other words, LOTS of changes! 

So, this is where you need to look and help them using some of the tactics in the elementary tips above, but also these new ones below.

• Is child doing the homework at and in the proper time?  Is your child still up at 10 pm because now there are after schools sports that cause more stress on their homework time?  Is homework taking a much longer time than there may be some issues in concepts, directions, or other stress.  The general rule is 10 minutes per grade level), so a sixth grader should be having roughly 60 minutes of homework/night and a seventh grader should have roughly 70 minutes of homework.  This is on average.  If you see your middle school taking hours and hours to work on homework…something is WRONG.  Talk to the teacher, the guidance counselor, and definitely your child to see what may be the problem and try to pinpoint the problem rather than a person.

• If your child needs help, call a friend, ask for more clarification by the teacher or, look online at assignments.  Thankfully, many schools are now putting assignments online, but students should take the initiative (not the parents!) and call a peer for more information if needed or look online.  This is not a job for the parents, although knowing how to access assignments and grades is very important for parents to know.

• Make sure effort is made before trying to help. Again, children love to play up that they don’t understand something to get help or attention. Make sure that your child is making an effort before helping him or her.

• Have child set timer.  Make a time goal for an assignment (ex. 20 minutes to complete math assignment), have your child set the timer and then she tries to meet her goal.  A great way to motivate and you can also use apps for this.

• Help brainstorm ideas for projects.  As I said in the elementary tips, projects and writing assignments are often nebulous.  Help your child brainstorm the steps and the resources needed to complete each of these.  See our middle school project help blog post for more ideas.

• Know where to get help when you feel your student is having a great deal of trouble.  When your student is struggling with homework, be sure to get help from the school or a private tutor. 

 

High School

The biggest issue during the high school years with homework is that often parents cannot help their child because the content is too complicated...or because the student learns better from someone else.  Prior to this, parents could be a go-to person for understanding, but that is often lost during these years.

• Be aware of amount of time spent on homework.  See first tip under middle school.  High school may go significantly up in time spent, but it should not be taking 5-6 hours/night on average.

• Help set goals for class and homework.  As they look at their future in college, have them set up their own goals for classes to take, how well they need to do in classes, and homework goals.  It is important to help them see that homework counts for a great deal in high school (often more than the lower grades) and how much it may count. 

• Check up on grades, quizzes, tests, by asking how it went and looking online.  Again, many schools have online grading and assignments.  Keep up with your student’s grades to make sure you know how she is doing.

• Talk with student about amounts of time spent on homework and types of assignments.  Be sure you know if your student is feeling stressed about a subject, homework, or project.  Be sure to listen and suggest, but be careful of helping too much.

• Know where to get help when you feel your student is having a great deal of trouble.  When your student is struggling with a subject matter that is not your strength (or even if it is) be sure to get help from the school or a private tutor. 

 

Do you have a homework strategy for helping your child work on homework independently?  Leave it in the comment section below.

 

Is homework getting unbearable in your house?  See how Tutor Doctor can help with our private, customized, in-home tutoring serving Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Durham, and surrounding areas.

 

Jen Benoit, MEd, has taught Preschool-Grade 8 in her 20+ career as an educator.  Homework was one of the most talked about subjects with parents and students alike.

Homework Meets Learning Styles

Homework Meets Learning Styles - Part 3 of Homework Help Series

How to Bring Out the ME in Homework

 

Part 1 – The History of Homework

Part 2 – Why Your Student May Not Like Homework

 

Many of us have heard of the different styles of learning, but have we ever applied those to homework?  Talking about learning styles in the context of homework really brings the application part of homework to the forefront.  Understanding the need to gather, assess, and apply concepts and ideas is essential for the success of any student.  Here, you’ll find more tips about how to help your student develop homework skills that are beneficial for THEM, not the entire classroom.

 

As a refresher, these are the three basic ways that people can learn or take in information.  More than likely you are a combination of two or more, but you usually have a primary type.

 

Visual – This is taking information in visually to learn such as watching a problem being done on the Smartboard or seeing the effects or erosion in a classroom demonstration.  These students do better “taking it all in” and can understand a concept visually rather quickly.

 

Auditory – Seeing may be believing, but hearing is how this group learns.  When faced with a test, these learners can remember hearing the information given and how it was phrased.  Watching is helpful, but hearing is how the brain gives back the information.

 

Kinesthetic – This is known as “hands-on” learning.  By doing the math problem or testing the magnet to see if something “sticks,” students who excel kinesthetically typically learn and remember by doing.

 

So, how does this translate to homework?  First, you have to know yourself.  Take this free Learning Style Inventory or this Inventory from NC State to discover your learning style.  The inventories are even more specific than the three types, but they are definitely worth taking as they give you more information.

 

Once you have taken an inventory, you can see which of these three you may be most like.  Now, the application to homework:

 

Ways to work on homework as defined by your learning style:

 

Visual

• A white board or paper is your friend.  Drawing things out to understand them or put them in a “process” is helpful so you can draw arrows and make designs. 

• Highlighting the text will help draw out the words so you can remember them visually better

• Take notes on what you read – just the highlights so you can remember what you read

• Find a way to draw what you are studying to remember it visually.

• Close your eyes to visualize the process after you have drawn it (ex: the water cycle can be visualized)

• Can find a video on YouTube or another resource explaining the process you are studying so you can visualize it better.  This is especially helpful for math concepts

• When studying vocabulary or spelling, put words in a visual way.  Ex: hare can be a rabbit jumping while hair is spelled vertically like this to remind you of straight hair.

 

Auditory

 

• Talk through the problems or concept aloud or with someone else.

• Read aloud the passage and explain the drawing, graph or diagram.

• Put concepts, words, spellings, or definitions to music or in a rhyme to help remember them.

• Close your eyes and repeat concepts, words, etc when studying.  Explain it to someone or record it.

• Record class lectures if possible to listen to various concepts explained again. 

• Find a video on YouTube or another site explaining the concept or event you are studying.

Kinesthetic

• Build, draw, or move body to act out concepts or events that you are studying.

• Use flashcards (not virtual flashcards) that you can touch and move around when exploring vocabulary, concepts, or events.  Add an action that is associated with each flashcard.

• Use large pads of paper to draw out concepts, write words, or explain processes using color and actions so you can get as much movement as possible.

• Role play with another person how the event went or how the concept/action works.

• Make spelling/vocabulary words in glitter glue.  Let dry and then touch them as you spell them or define them.  You can also do this for math facts, etc.

• Another idea is to use modeling clay or play dough to create the object studied.

• Take field trips to museums that show the concepts in a different format such as live action, hands-on, and reenactments.

 

These are just a small sample of ideas you can use to understand your learning style.  The most important thing to learn is what works for you.  If it isn’t working after two weeks, try another idea.  Find what works consistently for that subject. 

Be aware that one way to study for one subject may be different for another.  Just keep working at the goal of finding what works and researching new ideas.  As you move in your academic career and mature, you may also find that there are different ways you learn better.  Not everyone studies and approaches homework the same way.

 

Do you have a way you learn best while doing homework?  Tell us your method below.

     

Check out how Tutor Doctor can help you have success with homework by learning about our in-home tutoring here.

   

Jen Benoit, MEd, learns best socially and has the auditory learning style as her main learning style.  She looks forward to bringing information to students to help them succeed using their best learning style.

How to Find a Book at the Library

Part 2: How to Find a Book at the Library

 Get to Know Your Library Series

Libraries might seem like they are things of the past at this point with the Nook and Kindle coming onto the scene, but some very important skills necessary for academic success involve the library and research.  In our short series, Learning the Library, we will explore some fundamentals about the library and potential resources your library may provide to help your student learn.  Read more…

 

How to Find a Book - How to Search the Library System

Your library no longer holds the outdated card catalog (how many of us remember those) and we generally don’t need Microfiche, so how do you look something up online at your library or on your library website (they are usually the same program).

You can usually look them up using the following:

GENERAL KEYWORD

Author Keyword

Title Keyword (s)

Subject Keyword

 

Once you find them online you can simply order the book, but if you are in the library, you will need to know how to navigate the Dewey Decimal System. 

Books are split up into Fiction and NonFiction Sections.

The fiction sections are housed by Junior Fiction and Easy Readers.  Adult Fiction is sorted by the last name of the author. 

NonFiction is arranged using the Dewey Decimal Numbers in both the children’s and adult sections.  So if you are looking for a certain topic, you can generally find them in the listed areas so you don’t need to start at the online catalog.

Dewey Decimal System

000 – 099        Generalities

100 – 199        Philosophy & Psychology

200 – 299        Religion & Mythology

300 – 399        Social Issues & Folklore

400 – 499        Language

500 – 599        Pure Sciences

600 - 699         Applied Sciences

700 – 799        Arts & Recreation

800 – 899        Literature

900 – 999        History and Geography

920                              Collective Biography

921                              Individual biography

So now you are all set to find the great resources available at your public (and college and school!) library.  The only library you will find a different system at is the Library of Congress in Washington DC.  Let me know if you're going!

Do you have a question about how to find items at the library or a good tip?  Leave your tip or question in the comment section below.

Does your student need help navigating resources and paper writing?  Go here for more information on our in-home tutoring serving Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Durham, and surrounding areas.

Jen Benoit, MEd, has fond memories of the library from when she first saw The Red Balloon there in her home town.  Back then they showed movies with reel to reel projectors!

Why Your Student May Not Like Homework

Why Your Student May Not Like Homework

Part 2 of Homework Help Series

 

Part 1 – The History of Homework

 

Homework can be a burden to many students.  Helping them to understand the motivation behind homework and their motivations are helpful.  However, homework can also be a chore or cause stress for other reasons.  Read below about how homework can be a motivating or demotivating.

 

1.  Confusion – many students may be missing holes in their learning because of illness, comprehension issues, a stressful time in their lives, or even poor teaching.  Because of this, they are confused by the current homework and the current concepts.  Getting help both in school by teachers and out of school by a tutor can be the best solution to this issue.  Another good reason for confusion is that the homework does not match the concepts covered in class.  In this case, the teacher is assigning homework without teaching it ahead of time.  Therefore, students are generally right to be confused.  This should seldom happen and the teacher should be notified (preferably by the student) if this happens.

 

2.  Wrong Level – This happens more in the upper grades than the lower grades, but many students are on an aggressive track when the speed of the course may be too aggressive.  This happens often with honors students because there is the mis-assumption that students who are capable in one honors class should go in an honors “track.”  That is ­not necessarily true.  If you or your student feels he should move to a different level, do so after trying tutoring, getting extra help, and talking with the school.  Many times, the math classes are setting students up for college so be sure that you are not giving up opportunities that your student can use in the future.

 

3.  New school and/or New teachers – When school first starts in any grade, students have a tough time with the new “level” of homework.  This can be de-motivating and stressful for everyone, but eventually things calm down and students and parents adjust to the new homework.  There are a few levels where students no longer are able to just quickly go through their homework.  Usually this is around 3^rd or 4^th grade, the beginning of middle school, and the beginning of high school.  The elementary grade reason is because students now have more writing assignments at night.  In middle school, they have more assignments from different teachers, and in high school, they have multiple teachers and unfamiliar subject areas.  Something to keep in mind at the start of the school year.

 

4.  Worry or Inviting Failure – An outlook on homework can be very negative when there is a personality trait more inclined towards worry or failure.  Sometimes the attitude of the student is the biggest boulder in the way of success.  In this case, discussing the attitude and worry by addressing some solutions or even talking to a guidance counselor may help.  Although it is natural to worry and feel like there are moments of failure, if you see your child worrying or has a bleak outlook often, talk to your pediatrician or guidance counselor.

 

5.  Lack of Goals – Again, this is with older students often.  When they are unsure what their future holds, or what they “want to do when they grow up,” they can see no reason for homework.  Discussing the future and the fact that this homework/class can open doors of opportunity to them is critical, but let them have some say in the final decision of certain classes.  For example, after taking Latin for three years, I was facing a fourth year of complete translation.  As a future teacher, I did not see how this fourth year would help, so I talked with the guidance counselor and eventually the principal to discuss using the time to take a business and typing course.  The interesting end to the story is that both subjects served me well.  Typing is critical to anyone’s success these days and I was hired for my first full time teaching job because I knew Latin and could teach it.  You never know what subjects you may use in the future, but talk with your child about goals and if they are very opposed to a class or subject, discuss why and consider exchanging the class for a different one is possible.

 

6.  Outside Influence – We can’t always pick our children’s friends, but from the very beginning, we can help our children understand that friends can influence behavior.  If you have a student who doesn’t do homework because her friends don’t, rethink those friendships with your child and how they are determining your child’s future.  Friends should not have that much power.  Talk to your child about starting a study group or finding a way to enjoy friends, but not letting them influence their future in a negative way.

 

7.  Lack of Parent/School Communication – Parents want the best for their children and sometimes things can get very busy.  When parents assume that children are “set” for homework and the grades are looking OK for the time, they become a little more relaxed and sometimes homework time gets pushed to the bottom of the pile.  As a parent, you don’t have to sit with your child every night, but you do have to know a few things and be on top of their grades.  Know what their homework is if you see some grades slipping and know how to see their grades online if that is possible.  Communicate with teachers promptly when there is an issue and be sure to let the teacher know how he or she can communicate with you promptly.  Creating a closed circle where no communication is lost is critical.  Also, knowing the homework policies and how grades are calculated (late assignments, class participation, etc), is essential to being able to communicate with the teacher.  Be as informed as you can be in case there is an issue.

Do you have a reason that students may not like doing homework?  Give your reason and possible solution below.

 

Do you think your student needs help with homework.  Read how Tutor Doctor can help.  We serve Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Apex and surrounding areas.

 

 

Irresistable Library Resources

Part 1: Irresistible Resources

Get to Know Your Library Series

 

Libraries might seem like they are things of the past at this point with the Nook and Kindle coming onto the scene, but some very important skills necessary for academic success involve the library and research.  In our short series, Learning the Library, we will explore some fundamentals about the library and potential resources your library may provide to help your student learn.  Read more…

 

Below, you will find some of the recommended resources available at your local library.

 

Librarians – Your librarian is your first point of contact and the one who could get you  started on your library adventure.  The children’s librarian is a good start for elementary and middle school students and the front desk librarians or research librarians are the stop for the high school students.  If you have younger children or homeschool, your librarian may give a complimentary tour.  Simply ask if you are interested.  You may need to make an appointment at a slower time.

 

Classes – Did you know your library offers children’s course…particularly during track out and the summer?  Check your local library for schedules.  Many also include study skills, guest speakers, historical talks, and many other events ideal for your child from preschool through high school.

 

Collections – Every library has a different collection, and some have ones that are more to your child’s taste.  Teach your child how to order books online through your system and then pick up at your local library.  See what other collections your library may have, too.  Videos, puzzles, hand-on activities, and even computer games may be available…or not.  Every library, though, has a special archive collection that is specifically set up for local historical artifacts.  These are not generally open to the public, but if your child has a project, keep that in mind.  Be sure to check and see what your library system has and ask for the various collections. 

 

Periodicals come out every week, month or bimonthly.  Your library will have these in both the adult and children’s section:

• Magazines – there are more pop culture magazines, but also ones that are appropriate  for children and can often be taken out.

• Newspapers – your child may need this for current events

• Journals – these are more serious academic magazines that have research-based articles.  These are generally found in university libraries.

 

Reference Area – every library and children’s section has a reference area labeled REF in the front.  These are items that cannot be checked out, but can be used freely by students.  Depending on the need and age, you can use the adult versions of the kid-friendly versions of the following items:

• Encyclopedias – yes libraries still have these!  A great way to look up specific information in a small amount.  Also helps with learning alphabetical order.

• Dictionaries ­- If your child does homework in the library, there is a good change he or she will use the dictionaries onsite.  There are often picture dictionaries, picture and definition, along with definition only dictionaries.

• Thesaurus – If your child wants to know another word for the chosen word, the thesaurus is there for them.

• Atlases – Many libraries have books of maps you can take out as well as ones in the reference section.  These are best used for history homework and projects.

• Almanacs – Not as much used these days, but almanacs tell many interesting facts about the world.

           

Online – One of the richest resources (and most underutilized) are the online resources from your public library.  You will need a library card to access most of these but they are very helpful in finding research documents and journal article along with special programs like ancestry.com that help you look up your ancestors for school projects.  Much of your library research can be done at home and online, but again, you will need a library card.

Do you have a library resource?  Leave a comment below with your favorite and why.

Check out our organization series here if you want more helpful hints!

The History of Homework

The History of Homework

Part 1 of Homework Help Series

 

Believe it or not, the issue of homework has been a political and personal family/school issue for hundreds of years.  See the timeline below for some interesting ideas.

 

1700’s – Was homework good for family?  It was decided that homework should be completed at school.

 

Turn of the 19^th century in England, US and Germany – Was homework harmful mentally and physically for student?  Argument was made that homework left no time for children’s family time and building relationships with parents.

 

1913 – Article in Ladies Home Journal - Common viewpoint that homework had negative impact on students and was a misuse of time.  Parents were called to tell schools to get rid of homework.

 

1930’s – White House Report on Child Health and Protection suggested the following:

• No homework given before seventh grade

• Homework when not supervised by a teacher may reinforce incorrect learning.

• Elementary school students do as well when they don’t have homework as when they do

• Students who need homework do not do it or benefit by it.

 

1957 - Sputnik was launched by Russia – concern that students were behind in the area of science led to a national crisis in education.  Homework was seen as a necessity.

 

1960’s -1970’s – many projects, research, studies, and experiments conducted regarding homework.  Indications that homework helped capable students some, but helped below average students greatly and they showed marked improvement.

 

Mid 70’s Back to the Basics movement – Homework was not in question, but the skills needed to complete homework were examine.  Studies focused on four components of homework and reasons behind it: preparation, practice, extension, and creativity.

 

1983 Publication of A Nation at Risk – homework continues to be a focus of states and national governments.  Studies center around homework and home environment, types of homework, and home and grades

 

Current Research:

• Homework does have a positive influence on achievement, but how much depends on the grade level and the level of influence can be dramatic.

• The best amount of homework varies depending on the grade level.

According to the Center for Public Education the following is unclear about homework:

• Parent involvement and its effects on homework is unclear.

• Because of lack of research, the link between types of homework and student success is unclear

• The connection between homework and achievement is still not solid

• There are also many other factors that may make homework more effective such as the culture of the student’s families, socioeconomic factors, age of student, and students with learning disabilities.

So, where does this leave us in the 21^st century?  Well, it seems we will continue to explore the ideas around homework (and probably argue about the effects), but until then, we will have homework and plenty of it!  This series is designed to help make homework easier and help your family de-stress the homework time.

What do you think of the history of homework?  Do you think we are in a new era or are we repeating an earlier era?  Leave your comments below.

If your child needs help with homework, don't hesitate to click here and see how we can help at Tutor Doctor serving Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Durham, and surrounding areas.