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Summer is a time for family and fun.

It is a time for swimming, beaches, vacations, family visits, and of course, ice cream!

However, summer can be an ideal time for learning while having fun. Here are some ideas you can use to learn this summer:

1 – Field Trips – Visit the Children’s Museum. Got exploring on the beach and try to identify the sea life. Visit the Rosenberg or Gatlinburg Train Museums.

2 – Research different fun physical activities to exercise. Read about the benefits of cycling, swimming and playing sports.

3 – Have your children shop with you. Ask them to help you make a list and a budget.

4 – Make a Family Tree – Use time visiting family to ask relatives about your ancestry.

5 – Have your children help make an itinerary for a trip you are taking this summer.

Summer can be a great time for fun. But, it can also be a wonderful time to show how we can learn in any situation: at home, at school, or on vacation.

I will admit that so many times my mood or outlook has painted the picture of the atmosphere in my home. As parents, our emotions and stress affect our children so much. It affects them so much more than we realize it.

I have to remind myself that I can create a place of peace even when there is chaos outside my doors, in the world beyond our home.

Find ways to make a peaceful morning. Prepare the night before. Have school outfits ready to go. Have lunches done and in the fridge. Take an extra 15 minutes each morning to have some time for yourself. Prepare to hit the chaos and fight for a positive, affirming space for your student each morning on the way to school and in the afternoon as they come back home.

I have to remind myself all the time (even though I might run from it), that I am the adult. I am the one who helps direct my children through life.

I have failed over and over again. However, I thankfully keep getting back up, dusting off the failure, apologize to my husband and sons, and move forward. Let’s make it a priority to help our children have the most positive experience in these last few weeks of school.

Help them make great memories.

Motivating students can be a challenge for both teachers and parents. As a parent, it is important to understand that your role in motivating your child is just as important as the teacher’s. In this blog post, we will explore some effective strategies that parents can use to motivate their students at home.

Set Goals.

One important step in motivating your child is to set goals. Use your child’s academic records and make a plan for what goals for what they want to achieve.

“A goal without a plan is nothing more than wishful thinking.” – Ivan Milner

Have a positive environment.

A positive environment is crucial to motivating students.

Imagine this….You are in class. The teacher is constantly having to discipline other students. The class environment is very negative.

Are you going to be able to focus and do your best in that class? No way!

The same goes for the home environment. Life is tough. There is often tension and conflict in the home. However, children need a point of resolve and peace so they can focus on their studies. Make sure your student has a quiet and organized study area, with access to all necessary resources. Eliminate distractions like TV, video games, electronics and social media when studying and taking classes.

Celebrate achievements and successes.

We all like praise and compliments. It is no different for our students. Compliments and encourage can inspire and motivate them to persevere. Use small rewards and privileges when a student achieves a goal.

Practice Growth Mindset

Use growth mindset to help motivate your child. Have a quote of the day. Use affirmations each day while getting ready for school. Read inspiring stories in the evening together.

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) is a standardized test given to students in Texas schools that measures their understanding of the main subjects in school: reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Parents are genuinely concerned about their children’s performances on standardized tests. Here are some tips to help children succeed with these tests:

1. Communicate with your child’s teacher: Ask the teacher for feedback on their progress. See if the teacher has supplemental material that can help review what is being covered in class.
2. Revise your child’s study schedule. Block out a little time each day to practice STAAR content.
3. Encourage your child to read everyday. Ask them about what they read.
4. Practice with sample STAAR questions. The TEA website has free sample questions for each grade and subject.
5. Stay calm and help your child handle anxiety. Assure your child that you will help them do the best they can on these assessments.
6. Encourage your child to take responsibility for their own success.

Here is the website for the STAAR practice tests I use with my students: https://tea.texas.gov/student-assessment/testing/staar/staar-released-test-questions

We ARE a team – parents, teachers and tutors!

The springtime is full of new beginnings. Flowers are blooming, the weather is warmer, and everything feels “new”.

But there is a season that brings stress to many parents and students. That season is “STAAR” season. Each spring, students in Texas schools take assessments that help give educators an idea of the progress of students.

What is the STAAR test? It is the Texas state testing program. STAAR is based on state curriculum standards in the core subjects.

Who takes the STAAR test? All public school students in grades 3 to 12 take this test.

When? The end of course assessments are throughout the year. The test for grade 3 to 8 are in the spring (middle of April until the middle of May)

Why does my student have to take this test? This test is designed to measure what students are learning in every grade. It help determine if a student is ready to move into the next grade.

How can you help your student be ready for the STAAR test? Start NOW! Make a team who can help you and your student.

Who should be on my “team”? A student’s team should have parents, teacher, school staff, and maybe tutors.

We can all start working now to help students feel confident when they take the STAAR test. Let me know how I can help!

Many parents and teachers will say that this may be one of the most stressful times of the year.

There are Christmas programs, exams, shopping, cooking, traveling and more. Many teachers have to get the semester grades in. Parents may be rushing to find that “ugly sweater” that was requested at the last minute. Students may be stressed about having to take their first semester exam ever.

Make sure you help your student stay ahead of what is coming up this week. Take time each night (maybe at dinner) to check the week’s schedule. This helps you stay up to date and prevents you from running around town like a crazy person for last minute items and supplies.

I hope to have my Christmas mini courses posted this week. I will be offering a review course for grades 2 to 3 and grades 4 to 5 during the holidays. I will be posting a link soon.

Each time you are with your time, you can create a great line of communication.

I know life is crazy and chaotic. However, it is crucial to your child’s success to communicate and help them through their educational journey.

Here are some great questions to encourage active communication:

1 – What was your favorite part of today?

2 – How did you help someone at school?

3 – What was challenging for you today?

4 – How can you improve and prepare for tomorrow?

5 – How can I help you be better in the future?

It is summer! Kids are excited about summer camps, swimming, playing sports, and vacations.

I do know that this summer is different for many of us. Families are canceling vacations due to the recession and high gas prices. Parents are struggling post-pandemic and there seems to be no end to the chaos.

Here are some tips to help the kids to continue learning this summer.

• Try tutoring this summer to keep your student on level or catch up before the fall session starts. Contact me for a strategy session at 281-202-9303.

• Try Outschool.com. This site has many one-time and ongoing classes that cost less than private tutoring. https://outschool.com/?signup=true&usid=81KyBM5P&utm_campaign=share_invite_link

• Try AllSchool. com. This would be the same type of site as Outschool. Hey, I am currently teaching on Allschool! They are offering $20 OFF for new learners and I have a bunch of very interesting classes you might want to try out with your learner! Wanna take class together with me? Make sure to use this link for the coupon 🙂 https://www.allschool.com/market/sharelanding?fu=uv2miswu&ch_i=c093cb7be401482b9e799c5cdd507f5f

Contact me if you need any guidance this summer!

It is time again to review for the STAAR testing! Teachers have already started reviewing in class. Parents are hoping they did enough during the year to help their children “catch back up”. Students are stressing over what this year’s test will be like. Tutors are practicing with students in both reading and math.

I know that standardized tests are needed to assess children’s progress. I am constantly looking for ways to help ease the tension that comes with preparing for these tests.

Here are some tips to help your student prepare with less stress.

1 – Search for sample STAAR practice tests online.

2 – Get some STAAR practice books from Amazon.

Here are the ones I suggest to use.

3 – Encourage your child and help them not to stress too much. We all want them to do their best. However, we do not want our child’s mental health to suffer for a test.

Please let me know if I can help!