Wonder-Space Tutoring

This morning I read over an article about the importance and value of testing. Considering high school and college were not that long ago for me, I suddenly remembered all of the factors that caused me to mark incorrect answers on test. Was it because I didn’t know the material? no. Was it because I didn’t pay attention in class? no. Could it be that I simply was not as smart as other students? absolutely not. Usually, it was because I read too fast or I bubbled the wrong option by mistake. Maybe I skipped a number. Hey, could have even been too tired. Not to mention many times the directions were unclear. We must also take into account that MANY students aren’t strong test takers. I recall a large number of my peers struggling with anxiety prior to exams. That anxiety is enough to make it appear as though you are slacking and falling behind in class. When reality, a large number of students with test taking anxiety probably know enough about the subject to teach a class of their own.

We are told that test are simply a measure of our understanding. They are more than that. In college, 50%-60% of your grade is based off test. The other 20%-40% rides on a final, and “homework” (if given any) is usually busy work and  worth about 5%-10% of your grade. Lets say a student has severe test anxiety and bombs all of their test. They could be extremely knowledgeable but they have now failed the class.  Test are more than a measure of your knowledge, test are a matter of pass or fail.. What about the students who don’t pay attention and just have a great memory? They have the ability to memorize what they need to do well on the test and the moment the exam is over, everything has suddenly evaporated from their minds? This is now the A student, who couldn’t recite any important material to you the next day if you paid them.

I am not making excuses for students because there are some who do not prepare and lack the focus required to succeed in courses. However, it is important that educators give students chances out side of test to prove their understanding of the material. Especially in High School and College settings. The stress of multiple test, in MULTIPLE classes around the SAME time…is enough to make any student feel exhausted and overwhelmed.

What is your take?

-Kari

The holidays can be a busy time for any family, but it is important to remember that breaks from school work can really benefit your children’s emotional health as well.

The older kids get, the more school work becomes a full time job – homework, science fair, book reports, etc.  School all day long, homework and sports practice or music lessons in the evening,  it starts to take its toll.

Studies show that school holidays often provide kids more time to reconnect with their families and recharge their mental and emotional batteries. It is a great time to encourage them to rest, (their growing bodies need more sleep) give your kids the boost they need to do their best when they are back in class.

However, the change in routine can sometimes be rough so you might want to consider setting a loose  schedule. There are lots of activities for families over the holidays that can be relaxing, fun and an opportunity to learn!

The entire staff at Wonder-Space wishes your family peace and safety this holiday season.

This week at Wonder-Space, we are wrapping up our examination of the habits of highly effective lifelong learners and we would love some feedback from you. How are you and your kids learning something new everyday? Kids are learning to play musical instruments and foreign languages, but what about parents?

Many studies have shown that brain teasers like crossword puzzles and sudoku can improve cognitive skills in adults. (It’s long been my goal to get through the NY Times crossword puzzle! How about you?) In addition to keeping your mind sharp and improving memory, taking the time to challenge your brain by learning something new can be a reward in itself.

Our kids are influenced by our actions, so our efforts at lifelong learning will make an impact on them. To set them up for future success, we can all model lifelong learning. So, whether you take a swing dance class or watch a YouTube video about changing your own oil, you can be a role model for your kids.

Besides, you can also share what you’ve learned with your family over dinner!

Here at Wonder-Space Tutoring, we’re examining methods that can promote lifelong learning in the everyday life of the average parent. In our fast-paced world, it is difficult to find the time to learn new things – things that we don’t consider essential. However, learning new things is not a frivolous pursuit.

As parents, we want to teach our kids that learning is more than schoolwork. Modeling lifelong learning will teach them the value of curiosity and discovery. There are many ways to instill this while having fun as a family. An idea we’ve heard about lately is to decide on a family project: Parents and kids deciding on something they want to learn as a group. Consider starting a family garden and grow your family’s favorite vegetables. You’ll  learn what to plant depending on the season. Numismatics, the act of coin collecting, can be a great way for adults and kids alike to learn history and geography by starting a coin collection. Its also a great way to share a hobby across generations by getting the grandparents involved. Another terrific suggestion is geocaching. Kids love hunting treasure via mobile devices using GPS coordinates. They also enjoy setting up their own caches in tricky places.

But be advised, if you start a family project it could lead to 1.) more fun time to interact with your kids, 2.) time spent enjoying the fresh air together outdoors, 3.) the delight of discovery and 4.) memories to last a lifetime!

At Wonder-Space, our entire staff is comprised of lifelong-learners. We want to learn new things everyday, but we also want to share our knowledge with others and help them achieve their academic goals.

Do you have any hobbies or projects that you can tell us about?