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Help Children Learn to Read/Study with Purpose!

I was at the gym earlier today, which might explain why I need to hold onto the bathroom wall and straddle the bowl as I sit down on the toilet, when I met up with a friend who was perplexed.  Always happy to lend a helping hand, I casually asked about her dilemma.  It turns out that her 5th grade daughter is having trouble organizing, getting through and really digesting content driven text (i.e. Science and Social Studies).  It was funny that it came up, because I had just spent about a half hour tackling some homework issues with another friend of mine who is struggling w/her 2nd grader.  The kids are dealing with two entirely different issues, but nonetheless, it made me think that these friends certainly aren’t the only two moms or dads out their experiencing some back to school studying and/or homework drama w/their kids.  So, here is a systematic way for students about 3rd grade and up (before 3rd grade students are more focused on “learning to read” rather than “reading to learn.”) to organize and comprehend material-

SQ3R

Now, I really wish that I had created this fabulous system, but I didn’t.

And, I do have to note that all of my teacher friends know about this too.

In fact, all good teachers, and probably some crummy ones do too.

Summarize

  • Look through the entire chapter.  Find out what it’s about and think about what you might already know about the topic.
  • Review the headings of each section.  Check out photos or illustrations that accompany the text.
  • Turn to the back of the chapter.  If there is a summary, read it before reading the entire chapter.  This will give you brief information about the topic area so you aren’t starting from scratch.
  • If there are terms or vocabulary words, look them up/define them before you read the chapter.  This will help you understand better what you are reading.

Question

  • Look through the chapter and turn every heading (the stuff in bold at the beginning of a new section) and sub-heading into a question.  Now you are reading for a purpose and not just reading.  Your goal is to answer every one of these questions as you read the text.
  • If there are questions at the back of the chapter, divide them out by section.  Make sure you can answer these in addition to the questions you made up yourself.  Chances are you’ll see plenty of overlap.
  • Ask yourself questions?  What type of test will I be given (multiple choice, T/F, essay, etc.)?  Are there other places I can look for information on this topic?  Are there things I want to ask my teacher?

Read

  • Read with a purpose.  Answer the questions you’ve created and the ones at the end of the chapter.
  • Take note of illustrations, graphs, etc.  How do they relate to the text?  Do you understand them?  If not, talk to your parents or the teacher.
  • Apply vocabulary terms you defined earlier.  Use the words in context by either copying a sentence the word appears in throughout the text or create your own sentence using the word in its proper context.  This will help commit the word to memory.

Recite

  • Summarize the chapter in your own words, either verbally or in written form.  This will ensure you really understand what you’ve read.
  • Ask yourself and answer questions out loud.
  • Write down questions and have someone ask you them.  Recite your answers from memory and have the person quizzing you ask follow up questions.
  • If you own the textbook or have made a copy of the chapter (I recommend both for students who are visual learners), highlight important passages and other parts of the chapter you find important.  They will be easier to find later when you are preparing for a test.

Review

  • This is an ongoing process.  My suggestion is to begin reviewing your written notes each night beginning one week before an exam.  Take 10-15 minutes to identify the areas you know well and areas where you need more review.  This will also cut down on your need to “cram” the night before the exam, which, by the way, is never a good game plan.
  • Repeat any of the above steps or get assistance from the teacher if you still do not understand a concept or could not come up with an answer to a question on your own.
  • Create your own practice test.  Ask yourself what you would put on the exam if you were the teacher.  Ask a friend to do the same thing and then exchange practice tests.  This will help you see the information from another point of view.
  • Create a “cheat sheet.”  No, I’m not advocating cheating.  It’s a great study tool for tests.  Think of it this way.  If your teacher told you that you could bring in one index card filled with information (front/back) and use it during the test, what information would you write down?  Do it.  Now you know some of the key points you really believe you need to review before the test.  Carry around the “cheat sheet” with you until the exam.  Throw it away as you walk in to take the test.  You’ll be ready!

This method can actually be taken into much deeper depth, especially as children get older, but this brief synopsis allows you to get the general idea.  I hope these tips are helpful to students and parents in that students can gain some independence and ownership over their study habits, while parents can feel organized and directed in how to help their child study effectively.  I would love to hear any fantastic tips you have too.  Happy studying!!!

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Recipe for Mexican Veggie/Chicken Soup- as promised via Twitter!

As promised via Twitter

Great recipe that even my kids enjoy.

Bon A petit!

Mexican Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 small leek (white/pale green part only- thinly sliced)

1 carrot (peeled and sliced)

1/3 cup jalapeno chilies (add more or less to make it spicier)

1 garlic glove, minced

¼ grated plum tomato (you can also use ½ small can of Muir Glen diced tomatoes)

2 cups chicken broth (can use low sodium)

1 cup water

salt to taste

1 bone- in chicken thigh

1 zucchini (diced)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

4.5 oz. of corn kernels (frozen, fresh or canned in water)

(feel free to add more veggies to the mix.  I often added potatoes, celery, cabbage, etc.)

  • Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add the leek, carrot, child and garlic and sauté until the vegetables become soft (5 minutes).  Add the tomato and sauté about 5 more minutes.  Add broth and water.  Bring to a simmer and season with salt.  (at this point, you may need to transfer contents to a larger pot).
  • Add the chicken, cover partially and simmer until the chicken is cooked (about 20 minutes-add an additional 5 minutes for extra pieces).
  • Transfer chicken to a cutting service and allow to cool.  Add the zucchini and cilantro to the soup and simmer for about 2 minutes.
  • Removed and discard chicken skin.  Remove meat from bone and return to soup.  Adjust seasonings and serve.

Nutritional Information (per serving- the above recipe reflects 1 serving)

Calories 450

Protein 25 g

Carbs- 44 g

Fat- 22 g saturated- 4 g

Cholesterol 57 mg

Sodium- 2114 mg  (using low sodium chicken broth will cut way down on this number)

Fiber 7g

Original recipe from Cooking for Yourself by Williams Sonoma.  Modified by smartypantz.

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Education Reform at the Heart of New Documentaries | Edutopia

Education Reform at the Heart of New Documentaries | Edutopia.

It’s often difficult to read everything that’s out there.  Seeing some interesting documentaries, even you do not agree w/all of their content, is a strong place to start.

Even if your children attend a wonderful public, private, parochial or are home schooled, the education of all children affects you and the future of our great nation.

Watch the trailers to the attached films and make a plan to see them (including The Rubber Room-trailer link near the bottom in the comments section).  I have only seen “Race to Nowhere,” but plan to see the rest of them.

If not now, when?  If not us, who?  We make the difference.  We have the ability and power to influence change.  Some simple tips for you:

  • Participate in your child’s school experience.
  • Read to your child, at any age.
  • Know your child’s teacher.
  • Know your child’s friends and their parents.
  • Make authentic learning a priority in your home.
  • Don’t diss the school, its faculty or the administration in front of your kids.  Take problems to the source and solve them.
  • Be a catalyst for change.
  • Head a committee.  Heck, just join a committee.
  • Attend school board or council meetings.
  • Report teachers that are doing a GREAT job.
  • Report teachers that are doing a CRUMMY job.
  • Be present in your child’s life everyday.

Our children are our future.  Let’s make sure we leave them with a path to success.  I’d love to hear about some wonderful teachers, administrators and/or programs going on at your child’s school.

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Poll: Americans in Favor of Teacher Merit Pay

Poll: Americans in Favor of Teacher Merit Pay.

They ask the question, but they don’t define it’s components.  What does it mean to have Merit Based pay and what do its measures encompass?  It’s kind of like asking if people want world peace.  You may get a lot of “yeses” from individuals who have know idea how to get there.

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Only One Crazy Person in the Room at a Time….Please! And Some Other Crap!

Okay- so I’m going to be a bit all over the place today, but I had so many thoughts popping in and out of my head that it started to get a little crowded…..

One of my fabulous co-authors, Patina, is the mother of three beautiful kids, the oldest of which just left for college.  During one of our weekly brainstorming sessions while researching and writing our book, she coined the phrase, “Only one crazy person in the room at a time.”  Sage advice, if I do say so myself.  Especially if you’re a mom on the doorstep of the asylum.  That was me this morning.  McKenna Kate began Kindergarten this week and as always, she started off the year with a fantastic display of separation anxiety on the first day of school.  Oscar worthy for sure!  She slowly improved from screaming and crying to whimpering and looking slight wounded.  By this morning she wanted to be dropped off in the big kid carpool line.  #1- I should have known better.  #2- I should have known better.  #3- I should have known better.  I’ve also known my precious little sprite of a daughter for almost six years, and she NEVER does well when she feels pushed or backed into a corner.  I did both with spectacular perfection this morning.

What a fabulous picture.  Me pulled over to the side in front of the entire carpool line.  Me dragging my kicking, screaming daughter out of the car.  Me telling her sternly (because I’m just not a yeller) that she made a choice to go in the carpool line and therefore had to walk to class alone.  I was going to win this battle.  Forget the friggin’ war!  Really?  What was I thinking?  I wasn’t.  I had become the second crazy person in the room and led us both straight to the asylum!

At the end of it all, I ended up leaving child #2 in a running car while I hurried her to class and left her crying on the doorstep.  What a wonderful and courteous good morning to the Kindergarten teacher during the first week of school  The kicker- McKenna Kate attends the school where I used to be the principal.  Awesome!  What a stellar day for a woman who teaches parenting and classroom management classes.

You need to excuse me now while I visit the restroom to practice “I’m sorry,” and wipe the egg off my face!

Thought #2 today is very different from thought #1….that was more of a confession.  This is more a display of my bewilderment at certain athletes.  My subject today- Reggie Bush.  Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I only go to football games to enjoy copious amounts of beer and friend food.  I don’t understand the game.  I don’t want to understand the game, and I really do not know too much about the Heisman, why guys win it or why Reggie lost it.  I do, however, despite my awesome display of stupidity above, know a little something about parenting and values building.

Yesterday Reggie Bush decided to give back his Heisman Trophy.  While speaking to the press, he said the following:

“You have universities who are making millions of dollars off of these kids, and they don’t get paid,” he said. “The majority of college athletes who are on scholarships come from nothing, so that’s where you have a problem, because you make all this money off of kids and you give them crumbs. And then you are surrounding these kids with money and tell them not to touch it.”

Okay- so he makes a couple of points.  #1-College athletes do add to a successful team’s bottom line, and #2- the kids who come from disadvantaged backgrounds are often exposed to opportunities and perks they would not have access to if they were not attending a university on an athletic scholarship.  The part of the quote I take issue with is when he says these kids get “crumbs.”  WHAT?  I had NO idea that a full ride to USC (or Standford, UCLA, Nortre Dame, etc.) could be considered crumbs.  In fact, I bet that my friends reading this blog who attended any of these top universities and had to pay or had to take out student loans would have LOVED to have had the crumbs of a full scholarship that includes room/board, books, food, access to tutors, conditioning, coaching, etc. Yes, these athletes work very hard to be the best at what they do.  However, the sense of entitlement he appeared to display today was unsettling.  I’m not here to judge Reggie Bush, what he did or didn’t do.  What he accepted or didn’t accept.  I’m just here to remind him that hoards of young men and women would wait patiently by the table for a bit of the “crumbs” he’s referring to.

Alrighty then..it’s off to date night w/my husband.  Ciao!

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Social and Emotional Learning and the Start of School | Edutopia

Social and Emotional Learning and the Start of School | Edutopia.

Some good tidbits for my teacher friends at the beginning of a school year.  Enjoy!

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Helium Hand

It’s that crazy time of year….the kids go back to school (okay, maybe that’s a bit of a relief after a long summer), meetings piggyback practices, which, in turn, piggyback that “family dinner” we’re told we need to have every night if we want our children to stand any chance of developing into normal adults.  Talking heads are telling us to banish TV, but how else are we expected to shower, prepare a gourmet feast and look evening fresh when our husbands arrive home from work?  Personally, I am beginning to understand why people self-medicate.

All kidding aside, August-December can often seem like a marathon of homework, practice, games, work, philanthropic endeavors and recitals.  You would think the prize at the end of this race would consist of something more than the two week vacation our kids get from school.  However, the fab-u-lous (note my sarcasm) prize we’re often awarded for going that extra mile is…MORE COMMITMENT!

If you’re like me, you are somewhat ashamed to admit you have this affliction I affectionately (more sarcasm) refer to as Helium Hand. Picture it.  You’re sitting in a meeting- work, charity, PTA or otherwise and someone floats the ask. “Can someone please step up to the plate and bake more cookies?”  “We need one more driver for the field trip.”  I start to get a bit nervous just typing about it.  Your head is down- avoiding eye contact is always good.  You heart is pounding as you begin to repeat, “please don’t ask me.  I’ll give up funnel cake and reality TV if you don’t ask me!”  However, before you can even muster a syllable of the phrase you’ve practiced time and time again in the mirror….you know the one, “I’m sorry, but I’m just too committed right now,” it happens.  Your arm begins to rise slowly into the air, as if it were completely detached from your body.  Soon, and although you have avoided eye contact and repeated your back out phrase over and over again, you have once again volunteered to build the life-size class mascot, a rhino, out of papier-mache!

What gives people?  I mean, if Oprah can say it, why can’t we do the same?  I repeat my back out phrase in the mirror, I practice using “no” generously with my children.  Somehow, though, I cannot stand up like an adult woman and set appropriate boundaries.  You know I’m not the only one.

Do you wish you could say no more often and with more gusto?  Do you feel left out if you don’t participate in everything? Do you feel put out by activities that are supposed to actually be fun?  Are you stressed on Sunday evening when contemplating the week ahead?  If you answered yes to any or all of these queries, you are not alone!  There are plenty of us out there with our arm in the air, our tail between our legs and all the confidence Title 9 was supposed to give us down the drain.

If you’re looking to me now to offer some amazing solution, some golden nugget of wisdom, you’re sure to be disappointed.  I’m one of the afflicted, remember?  I have trouble setting boundaries.  I hate that desperate, wanting look many committee chairs get when they can’t staff the cotton candy booth at the church carnival.  My husband has rolled his eyes in exasperation more than once as I have ticked off everything I have (even more sarcasm) to do finger by finger, looking for empathy when I am completely responsible for the mess I’m in.

What I can offer you is a place to share, to ask how others say no (please enlighten me) and to relax.  Know that someone else really does understand the Helium Hand affliction and all the chaos, stress and sometimes utterly beautiful results that come from the commitments you make to your family, your place of worship, your child’s school, your job and to your community.  We are the glue that holds everything together, the worker bees that get things done.  We are the strength and heart behind organizations.  We are women behind it all.  And, you know what, the more I think about it, I AM proud to hold my hand in the air!

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A Little Something for Dad

Hey all you smartydadz out there!

 

 

Let’s get a couple of things straight….

You matter.

You count.

You belong.

Your children need you…. a lot!

 

 

Be a strong, proud dad & don’t back down for a second.

Society is sending you guys some nutty messages-

the worst of which is that you don’t matter as much as mom.

WRONG!

 

 

A few smartywordz from a gal w/a rockin’ dad, a rockin’ husband,

two rockin’ brothers, a rockin’ brother in law AND a rockin’ father in law.

Tough & strong are good.

Teach your children to be both.

 

 

Be a man.

Do not be overly concerned if you’re not in touch with your feminine side.

That’s why girls have girlfriends.

 

 

Be physical w/your kids.

My personal belief is that many kids act out (especially boys)

because they are asked to sit too long,

are told they can’t make a gun out of their finger & don’t get recess anymore.

Physical expression helps relieve stress too.

Enjoy a tumble w/your kids!

 

 

Attend events.

Even when they enter middle school & high school.

They still look over their shoulders to see if you’re there.

They still care & so should you.

 

 

It’s okay that you do things differently than your wife.

She’s not perfect either.

 

 

Coach a team.

Drive carpool.

Sing at the top of your lungs to the Wiggles.

Discipline your kids when they screw up…and they will.

Admit when you screw up, because you will.

Listen without looking at your Blackberry.

Do what you say you’re going to do.

Lead by example.

Give a lot of hugs.

Say “I love You” until it rolls off your tongue with no effort.

 

 

Be there.

Sometimes just being there is enough.

 

 

Judge & counsel when appropriate.

 

 

Tell your daughters they are more than just pretty.

Tell them they can be anything.

Let your sons know that you’ll still love them even if they don’t make the team.

Tell them they can do anything.

 

 

Remember that your job doesn’t end when your youngest leaves for college.

In many ways, your role as a strong dad has just begun.

 

 

Raising kids isn’t rocket science- it’s much more difficult.

Children are an amazing gift & an awesome responsibility.

They can impress & infuriate you at the same time.

That is the wonder & splendor of being a dad.

 

 

Enjoy it.

Soak it up.

Time is marching by & I bet you don’t want to miss a minute!

 

 

Thank you for being the dad your kids deserve!

Any favorite memories?  Share them in the comments section.

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