Last summer, my family had one of my cousins come visit with her 2 sons
from Korea. It was the first time that Ryan and Lauren got to
experience how to interact and play with their native-Korean
relatives. And since they were about the same age as our kids, well,
let’s just say that it was fun, exhilarating, and utterly exhausting
all at once (I don’t know how you folks with more than 2 kids do it!).
Now don’t get me wrong, the kids had a fabulous time, one big summer
party. In fact, knowing a bit about the tough education system in
Korea that my cousin’s kids were facing, I really tried to go easy on
the “let’s clean this mess up!” department. And believe me; the
concept of education is taken to a whole new level of seriousness
there, almost to a religious level. Just to give you an example, the
overall best-selling book in Korea last summer was “Siwon School Basic
English”, a reference book on (you guessed it) learning English. In
fact, this book was the overall #1 best seller for 3 weeks in a row
last summer!...read more
Is It Ever Too Soon to Begin a Second Language Journey?
by Beth Butler
We all recognize the necessity of being bilingual or even
trilingual in this very global economy. Now let us explore when the
best age is to begin the introduction of more than a native language.
Having command of more than one language provides sure entry into a
higher paying job, the ticket to some pretty amazing opportunities and
perhaps even the ability to forge friendships with millions of other
people you may never have connected with should you remain
monolingual. Being able to speak in more than your native language
most often makes you aware of other cultures, other people and other
places.
Embracing this introduction of a new language should happen as soon as
possible experts advise. Inside of the womb is truly an optimal start
time. I am not pulling your leg! That myth of babies being able to
recognize sounds and voices from inside the womb once released into the
outside world is not a myth. Many of us have witnessed our own infants
turning towards a familiar voice or reacting to a familiar cadence or
rhythm he heard in utero. ....read more
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Financial Literacy for Teens: Lesson 1
by Jill Suskind
We all want our children to be prepared to meet the
financial realities of adulthood with confidence and competence.We know that our quality of life is
largely determined by our ability to think about and organize our money so it
works and grows.As a financial
educator, I am committed to supporting families to succeed in this
mission.While we all know the
importance of good money management skills, we don’t always know what is
appropriate and important for teens to know.The fact is, we carry the habits and attitudes toward
money that we develop in our youth into adulthood, so it’s important to start
out in life with an excellent foundation.In this article, I offer a basic lesson for teens and a basic list for
educators.
Lesson 1:Keeping track of your money.
Core Concepts:Our habits and attitudes toward money determine our net worth.One habit that people who are masterful
with money have is that they keep track of their money....read more
The Magnificent, Messy Human Brain Part Two: Working with Your Brain
by Jay Lambert, MSW, LCSW, NHAC
Last month I wrote about the overall structure of the human brain, and
explained in very basic detail the three layers that make up our brain
- namely the reptilian, mammalian, and primate layers. Each of these
layers has different strengths and weaknesses, and each is designed to
fulfill a specific purpose. Knowing how these different parts fit
together - and how that doesn’t always work out so well - is key to
understanding so much of our own behavior.
OUR “INNER REPTILE”
We’ve all heard of the “inner child,” that part of us that remembers
our youth, and can “go back” to that time and place in our minds and
hearts. Even though we are all grown up, we sometimes find ourselves
thinking and feeling like we used to as a child, especially when we are
in surroundings or situations that remind us of those times. For
example, when I go home and visit family, it is amazing how all of us
revert back to our old roles. The same pecking order between the kids
plays out, and my parents will use our pet names, forgetting we are in
our 30’s. I think most of you can relate to some extent...read more
On the surface, it would appear
to be the easiest of any art projects—using items found in your home to create
a composition.However, this type
of art has intrigued artists for centuries and the technique has produced some
of the greatest and most recognizable works of art in history.
What is a still life?A still life is a composition using
inanimate objects found either in nature or made by man or machine.For instance, a grouping of seashells
may be used or tools in a toolbox. In some cases, the artist adds a touch of ‘life’ to the
painting by adding an insect, flower, or bird.This is particularly true in traditional Chinese art.
Still life as an art form has
been around since artists began placing paint on a surface.Still life compositions can be found as
early as ancient Egypt.In
Egyptian tombs, it is believed these compositions would help the deceased in
the afterlife. The use of still life compositions flourished under the masters
of sixteenth and seventh century who used the form as an allegory of the
frailty of human life and the passage of time from youth to old age.Italian and Spanish painters of this
period explored the use of still life not only in its own right, but as studies
for their paintings of historic and religious motifs.Works of the Italian artist Caravaggio and the Spanish
artist Cotan provide excellent examples for a student.
....read more
We left off in Part 2 of this series (see the August newsletter) with
the story of the Athenian democracy, whose flaws were punctuated by the
infamous trial of Socrates. By the state-sanctioned murder of this one
individual, the oppressive potential of an unrestricted governing
majority becomes tragically clear to all who study history.
It is appropriate that it is in the violation of the rights of a single
individual--the smallest possible minority--that we see the flaw in
unlimited majority rule. As one of history greatest oppressors once
put it "One death is a tragedy" whereas "one million is a statistic."
The dramatic story of Socrates has precisely the kind of indelibly
tragic aura to it that vast numbers sometimes cause us to lose sight
of. The dramatic injustice of the moment is rendered even more vivid,
if one has made a careful study of the dialogs of Plato and the famous
painting of Socrates's death by Jacques-Louis David.
Sadly, the equally dramatic triumph of Roman governance represented by
the protection of the rights of individuals--rather than the violation
of them--cannot offer the same type of signal moment upon which to
anchor our understanding and appreciation of the concept "republic."
Evidently, it's just not as stirring when someone merely continues to
live and pursue their happiness because he was protected by a good
government instead of having his life snuffed out by a terrible
injustice perpetrated by it! ..read more
Art for kids doesn’t need to involve crayons and paper. Helping children connect to their own sense of style can be loads of fun in so many daily activities that we may take for granted. We all appreciate an artfully presented dinner plate. Meal time can offer your child an opportunity for creative expression. You can engage your child in creating the menu and presentation of your next family meal. Perhaps you are planning to have chicken as a main course. You could ask your child what side dishes would add color, flavor and good health. How might this rainbow of colorful vegetables, fruits and grains be served on your plate in a visually appealing way? It would be very helpful to keep clean fruits and veggies in easily accessible containers, which you can pull out and offer as choices for setting a plate of scrumptious looking and tasting food. Maybe your child imagines a scoop of rice with fish and salsa stacked over top and garnished with green beans in a circular pattern. By encouraging your child to tap his or her imagination at meal time, you are fostering wonderful family connections, healthful habits, as well as encouraging your child’s inner artist.....read more
Effectiveness of Online Learning – USDOE report
by Bruce Friend
Lets’ be honest – diving into evidence based research
reports issued by the US Department of Education was not likely to be on the
summer reading lists for many of us over the past few months.One such report that did catch my eye
however was a research publication that was released in May, 2009.“Evaluation
of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning” is a study that
looks at the effectiveness of online learning.Specifically, this research study set out to answer the
following questions:
How does the effectiveness of online
learning compare with that of face-to-face instruction?
Does supplementing face-to-face instruction
with online instruction enhance learning?
What practices are associated with more
effective online learning?
What conditions influence the effective of
online learning? ...read more
LearningRx
is a brain training franchise that specializes in cognitive skills
testing and one-on-one training to improve cognitive skill function.
Our methods have been proven, over and over again, to bring about
effective and life-long change for struggling learners. Unlike others, LearningRx’s
patented program focuses on the “how” of learning, not just on
retaining facts and figures. Our idea of success is not what our
students learn, but how effectively they learn. LearningRx goes
beyond tutoring and gets to the root of the problem by strengthening
the brain’s essential learning and thinking skills. The result is a
student who is ready to confidently tackle any problem in any subject.
In short, a graduate of LearningRx is ready, not only for school, but
for life.
You Know Something is Missing
We’ve realized what parents of struggling learners already know: a
struggling learner is simply a bright, capable child who is being held
back by something. Our two main goals have always been to figure out
what that “something” is, and then to remove the barrier so that these
children are free to meet their full potential. With LearningRx,
meeting these goals it is not only possible, but probable. In fact,
these goals are being met every day in our learning centers nationwide.
What Is It?
What is going on when a seemingly intelligent child is struggling to
learn, read, do math or remember things, or to focus on assignments?
Why is homework taking hours? Why do they seem so lost during
conversations? Why can’t they follow the plot of a movie? What is it?
The answer is often weak cognitive skills. The connections in the brain
are just not functioning the way they should. This lack of connectivity
is not uncommon – and can be caused by many things, from developmental
disorders to illness or accident. No matter what the cause, however, LearningRx can help.
Many Problems, One Solution
The LearningRx program has helped children get off of medication.
“I want to thank you for the LearningRx program. I have been working
with my son in the Partner Program to help improve his cognitive skills
–especially processing speed – to help with his ADHD symptoms. Our
goals were to help make schoolwork and homework easier, faster and less
stressful, to help him succeed, and to get him off the Adderral.” – A
Parent from Colorado Springs, CO
We’ve given developmentally challenged kids the joy of reading.
“17-yr. old Josh has many physical and developmental challenges (from
prenatal brain swelling): his parents insisted that he read 3 pages
every evening and he always resisted. Around 4 or 5 weeks into the
program his dad told me that the evening before Jacob read 38 pages of
Boxcar Kids and he had to make him stop and go to bed!” – Josh’s
trainer from Fayetteville, AR
We’ve helped raise both grades and self-confidence.
“I have seen Jessica’s self-image improve a great deal. She is more
relaxed around other people and even strikes up conversations. Her
schoolwork has improved a great deal. She has gone from Ds and Fs to As
and Bs.” –Kathy from Mauldin, SC
As you can see from these true stories, LearningRx really works!
How Does It Work?
Our flagship program,ThinkRx,
is a fully integrated system of drills and training exercises that are
delivered in an intense, one-on-one environment. These exercises are
designed to attack and rapidly correct weak or underdeveloped cognitive
learning skills. Using a professional battery of cognitive skills
tests, we can pinpoint the source of a child’s problem, and then apply
training to improve:
• Memory (the ability to remember the sound-symbol relationship)
• Sound Segmenting (the ability to separate or unglue sounds)
• Sound Blending (the ability to put together sounds to form words)
• Auditory Analysis (the ability to manipulate or analyze small changes in groups of sounds)
• Processing Speed and Working Memory (the ability to retain incoming information and properly process it quickly)
• Attention (the ability to stay on the given task in spite of distraction)
• Visualization (the ability to create and use mental images)
ReadRx
is a revolutionary 'sound-to-code' accelerated reading program modeled
after the process by which spoken language is first learned. ReadRx has been designed to remedy problem areas associated with reading. Our other programs, MathRx
(which is geared towards students struggling with Math) and LiftOff (a
pre-school program), are similar in their structure and purpose. All
four programs are designed to be easily integrated with one another.
Conclusion
LearningRx is a real solution for struggling learners of all ages. If
you or your child has a learning need, please do not hesitate to
contact us at (719) 264-8808 or go to our website www.learningrx.com to find a LearningRx center in your local area.
Have you thought about the importance of teaching your child about money?
Did you know that more and more young adults are having to move back home to mom and dad’s because
they have made bad money choices?
And did you know that the largest group of people filing for bankruptcies today are under the age of
30?
Couples are getting divorced in drastic numbers and the number one reason is 'money stress'.
The first step in teaching your child about money is to teach them age-specific, individual money lessons that
will give your child a really solid understanding of the money fundamentals.
Amanda van der Gulik, from TeachingChildrenaboutMoney.com has put together a complete resource guide for parents showing us step-by-step, age-specific money lessons for our children.
Amanda has spent over three years compiling all of the resources that she has kindly placed at our finger tips in her ebook. It would take us years to find these on our own. Amanda has made it really easy for us.
Better still she has even created a special 7 day Course for our children with over “50 Money Making Ideas for Kids” to help us get our children started earning their own money so that they will have the money needed to learn how to successfully manage it.
