Remember when we were told in math class that we had to learn how to write out problems because we would never have a calculator in our pockets? Now we do, so we can solve math anytime we want to. Do we really need to require children to fret over memorizing their math facts anymore? Stay tuned for this and other educational myths busted. Myth #1: Memorizing math facts is tedious and unnecessary.Children at a young age soak up information like a sponge, so it is a lot easier to learn your math facts early in life. Memorizing information allows for the brain to focus on higher level thinking skills in order to solve more difficult problems in life. Math skills build on each other so if you don’t have the basics down, it makes math much more difficult. Make learning math facts fun and engaging so that your child wants to learn them instead of dreading them. Yes you could use a calculator for all parts of a problem, however, the calculator only answers the question it is program to answer. If you make a mistake entering the numbers and don't realize it, the calculator is going to give you the wrong answer. If you use Siri to find the answer, remember Siri is also only able to answer what it was programed to answer, so it can be wrong too. (Remember, the young people who use the calculators for everything now, will be the ones programming the computers of tomorrow.) Myth #2: High school students who struggle with reading should avoid reading and go to audiobooks.Michael Jordan was kicked off his high school basketball team. One would say he struggled when it came to high school basketball. Michael didn’t quit working on basketball skills. Instead he worked harder so he could get on the Chicago Bulls. If you struggle with reading, you should increase the amount of reading you do instead of decreasing it. If it helps you can use audiobooks as long as you are following along with the book as it is read to you. Don't just let the audiobook do it for you if you struggle. Studies have shown that we don't retain information as well as when we are interacting with the reading. Myth #3: Reading fluency is the most important skill in reading.Decoding words is only part of reading. How fast or slow you decode means nothing if you don’t comprehend what you are reading. Reading is an interactive activity where you ask yourselves questions to gauge how much you understand what you are reading. At first this might come from others who are asking questions as you are reading, but eventually you start to ask questions without being told to. Anyone who can read is able to increase their speed over time with practice. Myth #4: I hate (fill in the subject) so I can’t help my child with it.Have you ever thought “I can only help my child until this point because I don’t get the new math”? This is a myth. Instead it is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and create memories with your child at the same time. Children need to see their parents overcome their struggles, so they can learn that it is ok to struggle, but it is not ok to give up. Instead of throwing in the towel, look up the skill online and work together to figure out the answer. Myth #5: Discovery learning is the best way to learn for children.Discovery learning is not a new topic even though it seems like it to parents of the Common Core generation. Discovery learning happens when teachers assign projects to complete, word problems in math, or science experiments. Parents are at a loss when helping their children learn because spelling lists, math homework, or textbooks are not coming home for them to look at and discuss. If children don’t have background knowledge of a topic, it is hard for them to be able to figure out where to look for information. Instead, when left to their own devices, children who don’t know what to do become behavior problems and fall farther behind their peers. Myth #6: Children learn best when they control what they learn.There is a certain amount of truth in that when a child gets interested in a topic they should follow their interests and learn more about it. However, there is a certain amount of basic knowledge that needs to be learned in order to be successful. Humanity tends to drift towards knowledge that aligns with their interests, passions, and current reality. Leaving a child to have complete control over their learning when they don’t understand all of the ramifications involved is just plain dangerous. Myth #7: Using a colored strip will help my child read.Special education teachers have used colored transparent slips of plastic in order to highlight words or lines of writing to help struggling readers read. This can help at times, but it can also make it worse for struggling readers. There is a disorder called Irlen Syndrome which happens when the eyes take in too much light and distorts the image the eyes see. It has nothing to do with a person’s eyesight. In fact most eye doctors don’t know anything about Irlen Syndrome so they will dissuade parents and patients from pursuing getting checked out. In order to filter out the light, an Irlen Screener/Irlen Diagnostician will try several colored overlays (clear colored plastic sheets of paper) or combination of overlays to help the client restore the distorted image. Special education teachers on the other hand, randomly pick colored strips without understanding how they work. Myth #8: I am not a teacher so I can’t teach.As any parent should know, they are their children’s first teachers. You spend the first year of life teaching your child to walk and talk. Then you are constantly teaching your child how to be competent and productive adults.
You don’t have to have a teaching degree in order to be able to teach. You just have to know more information than the person you are teaching. You also have to have a level of patience to teach because it will take the learner some time to learn the material. The point is you can help your child learn. Most homeschooling families will tell you that they learned right alongside of their children as they taught them the curriculum. These are just a few of the educational myths out there.
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Navigating the Transition from High School to Adulthood: Tips and Strategies for SuccessReady to sail through the storm of high school and emerge as a confident adult? Our treasure chest of tips and strategies holds the map to your success. But here’s the secret: It’s not just about surviving; it’s about thriving in the unknown waters of adulthood. Are you curious to uncover the hidden gems? Let’s embark on this voyage together. Do you have a high school student from curious freshmen to poise seniors, navigating the journey to adulthood? Our tailored strategies await you. And, get ready to unlock a special gift: mastering ACT prep in 30 days or less. Join us on this exciting voyage towards your successful future. The transition from high school to adulthood is a pivotal moment in every students’ life. It’s a time of immense change, growth, and opportunity. However, it can also be a period filled with challenges and uncertainties. Students often find themselves facing important decisions about their education, careers, and personal development. To help you or your child navigate this transition successfully, we’ve compiled a set of valuable tips and strategies. Charting Your Course: The Importance of Clear and Achievable GoalsThe journey to adulthood begins with setting clear and achievable goals. It’s crucial to identify personal interests, strengths, and values to determine the right career and life path. You don’t want your kids to move back into your house after he or she has moved out. Take time to reflect on his or her strengths and weaknesses, interests, passions, and what he or she enjoys doing in his or her free time. Paving the Way to Success: Academic and Career Planning DemystifiedNow that you have determined your child’s strengths, weaknesses, interests, passions, and what he or she enjoys doing in his or her free time, it’s time to plan out the careers that go with it. Your child might be able to take classes while in high school that also correspond with these areas so that he or she can make informed decisions about college or technical school. Researching educational institutions and career options is essential. You don’t want to be spending an enormous amount of money for schooling your child doesn't use! Life Skills 101: Mastering the Fundamentals For AdulthoodIn addition to academics and careers, developing essential life skills is paramount. Budgeting, time management, basic cooking, simple maintenance, yard work, and cleaning are indispensable. Teaching your children these skills not only helps to create competent and independent adults, but also helps you around the house at the same time. Financial Fitness: Navigating the World of Money with ConfidenceFinancial literacy is a critical component of adulthood. Learning about budgeting, saving, and understanding financial responsibilities such as paying bills and investing for the future is essential. Your child should be well-prepared to make informed financial decisions. Higher Education or Alternative Paths: Choosing Your Unique JourneyFor those considering higher education, college readiness is a key aspect. This includes understanding the application process, ACT test prep, scholarships, and financial aid. However, it’s also important to consider alternative pathways like trade schools, apprenticeships, or online education. Striking the Right Balance: Managing Work and Study for Academic SuccessBalancing work and study can be challenging, especially for students who opt to work while pursuing higher education. Effective time management and stress-reduction strategies can help maintain a healthy balance. Navigating the Rapids: Maintaining Mental and Emotional WellnessMental and emotional health should not be overlooked. Managing stress and maintaining a healthy work-life balance are crucial. Seek support when needed, and remember that taking care of your well-being is a sign of strength. The Spiritual Compass: Integrating Faith into Your Journey of Personal GrowthFor those with a strong faith, integrating it into personal and career development can be a source of inspiration and guidance. Resources and strategies are available for incorporating faith into decision-making and personal growth. Charting a Course with Mentors and Allies: Your Network for SuccessDon’t hesitate to seek guidance from counselors, mentors, or life coaches. These experienced individuals can provide valuable advice and support during your transition to adulthood. Finding the right mentor or support system can make a significant difference. In conclusion, the transition from high school to adulthood is an exciting journey filled with opportunities for personal and academic growth. By setting clear goals, planning for your education and career, developing essential life skills, and taking care of your well-being, you can embark on this path with confidence. Remember that seeking guidance and support from mentors and advisors can make the journey smoother. Embark on Your Journey with UsIf you’re seeking additional guidance and support during this important transition, we’re here to help. Ready to take the next step on your path to success? We have a special gift for you: our ACT 30-day calendar, designed to help you master ACT preparation in a month or less. Click the link below to grab your free calendar and kickstart your journey to ACT success!
If you are a struggling learner, If you are feeling lost and forgotten by your teachers, If you are needing help and have tried Googling the answers to your questions, Then this article is for you. Are you taking the April 15th ACT and need help with studying? Stay tuned for a special offer. Perfection. It seems like an impossible task. Especially if you are a struggling learner. Is it possible to get closer to perfection if you are a struggling learner? Even if your teachers aren’t helping you find the answers that you need? Of course! But where to start? Love. Wait what? LOVE. How does love help me learn something I have struggled for years to learn? What Quick Learners Do that Struggling Learners Don'tFirst you must answer some questions to get a better understanding of what struggling learners do that quick learners don’t.
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are struggling with love. Hear me out. If you had love, you wouldn’t beat yourself up about a mistake. Edison didn’t complain that it took him 10,000 times to make a light bulb. He just kept trying until he got it right. Mistakes can sometimes actually work out in your favor because you learn something that you didn’t know before. Most inventions happen by accident. The power of love: 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
Learning is a journey. For some, learning comes naturally. For others, not so much. When you are stressed about learning something, it seems to take twice as long to learn it. Think about it. Think about a time that you were running late for an appointment. Didn’t it seem to take you twice as long to get everything done that you wanted to get done? You seemed to lose all of your stuff which just made matters worse. However, if you are patient and calm, learning comes much more naturally. Now think of a time in which you had plenty of time to get to an appointment. Things went so much smoother that you even hit every green light on the way there. Learning is much the same as getting ready for an appointment. The more time you waste worrying about the results, the less time you have to get yourself ready to learn. I Bet You Didn't Know This!The hardest part about struggling to learn isn’t overcoming it. It’s not?
Multiple Ways to Learn
If you have tried learning a skill one way and it doesn’t work, then try a different way. If you must try as many ways as you can to learn a skill. One or several may actually work and you have learned the skill better than most. Don't Listen to Satan
As you see others learning easily don’t be irritable about it. Don’t hope that something bad happens to someone because they are getting something that you aren’t yet. Be happy for them and pray for them. Satan likes to fill our heads with sinful thoughts and words because he doesn’t like it when something goes well for God’s people. Don’t listen to Satan. Learning is Fun NOT Shameful
If you cheat to find the answers, you have only learned to cheat instead of learning to love learning. Cheating is taking credit for someone else’s hard work. Satan loves to tell us to take the easy way out and not struggle our way through life. That way when you do cheat, you have to hide it for fear of being caught. Satan loves to separate us from people so that we can’t rejoice in the truth. The truth is that God’s way of learning is best and more enjoyable. Instead rejoice when you overcome your learning struggles by finding a strategy that works for you so that you can now teach someone else what you have learned. God brings you together with others to rejoice in your new found learning strategy. Love the Game, Don't Hurt the Player
The burden of learning struggles can be difficult, but the journey to overcome those learning struggles can be the most exciting. As you learn to work through your struggles with love, ultimate love, you become stronger, hope for the future more and believe in yourself. God is Love
No one can take your learning away from you. Once you learn it, it is yours for life. Loving yourself and God helps with the process. Perfection. God is the only one that we know is perfect. By knowing love and loving Him, we can overcome things we never thought were possible. I challenge you, this lent, to reflect on how you love yourself and God. Lent is a time of renewal and reflection. If you are not loving enough, you are longing for something that you can’t reach. God is waiting to help you on your journey. He can’t wait to show you what you CAN DO!
Do you ever wonder where Valentine’s Day comes from? It comes from a man named Valentine. He was a bishop of the church.
He lived during the third century. It was illegal to talk about Jesus and be a Christian at that time. St. Valentine loved talking about Jesus which got him arrested. While in jail, the judge started discussing Jesus with St. Valentine. He wanted proof that Jesus was real. The judge had a daughter who was blind and dared Valentine to prove Jesus was real by healing his daughter of her blindness. Valentine put his hands over the daughter’s eyes and prayed to Jesus to heal her. Jesus did it. The judge was so happy that he fasted and was baptized a Christian along with 44 members of his family. The judge let all of the Christians go. Lies You Have Been Told
Are you like the judge that didn't believe St. Valentine? Do you believe the lies that people tell you about life? When you hear that there is another way to look at life, do you want proof that it works?
Of course you do. We all have listened to the lies of others. We may have even told a few because we didn’t know any better. For example, you may struggle with learning. You may believe that since you struggle, you will always struggle with learning. That is not true. How do I know?
I struggled. I struggled in math and I was supposed to be one of the smart kids.
I also believed the lies that I was never going to be good in math. I even told my Algebra 2 teacher that I was never going to need this class, because I was going to be an elementary teacher. They don’t teach Algebra 2. Boy, did I have to eat those words!!! Have you ever heard of the phrase: “You make plans and God laughs!”?
Yeah.
Well, I made plans to be an elementary teacher. But God had other plans. He helped me be determined to learn math well. He also gave me the passion of teaching other high students how to love math more than I do. What should you do?Remember that today is Valentine’s Day. Today we are supposed to love. Love one another. And love ourselves. In the bible it says in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” To me this verse says that you may struggle now. But you can find a way to succeed, especially in learning. You just haven’t found the right way yet. Steps to Take to Succeed
The first thing you need to do is believe you can use your brain to learn new skills regardless of what it is.
Then set a goal for what you want to learn. Next find a strategy that works to teach you the skill. And finally, practice. Think about something that you are good at. How much did you practice? No, really. You probably practiced it quite a bit before you became good at it. Do the same amount of practice for something you struggle with, and in time, you will be good at that too. As you practice, be patient. It is going to take time to learn something difficult. If it helps do what Valentine did when he needed help. Pray to God for help. Ask Him to open your mind for new strategies to grow. Valentine lived during the third century which was when Romans still controlled the land. Today it’s the 21st century. A lot has changed since Valentine lived. We have more access to information than Valentine did, making it easier to learn new strategies. As you beat your struggles you will see the truth about what you CAN do versus what you CAN’T do. Next week we will take a closer look at 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 to forgive yourself and give yourself grace. Warning: Here’s what every high school parent needs to know about going back to school covid style!Quarantine brings lots of emotions. Fear. Anxiety. Worry Frustration. Doubt. Loneliness Now we watch restaurants, offices, stores, and other businesses open up. But then they close down again or require more safety measures. The current news doesn't help lower our fear because the numbers of new cases keep rising. In less than a month, schools are opening up. We, as a nation--no world-- are scared. Emotions can hurt our ability to think clearly and make good decisions. God’s Guide To UncertaintyIt all boils down to this-- We don’t know what the future is going to bring. But don’t forget, we don’t have to… Because God does know. He tells us so in this verse. I don’t know about you, but this verse gives me peace that I didn’t have before. So what’s the answer? Administrators, teachers, and school staff members have been working hard to figure out how to make school a safe place for EVERYONE to be. You can prepare for school and be ready for anything that comes your way. In this post I am going to share our current reality and how to prepare your high schooler for school no matter where it is this year. Why Covid-19 is Your FriendI know this is hard to swallow…. But hear me out. One thing God showed me about COVID-19 is that I need to slow down and pay attention. My husband and I have been foster parents for three years now. Foster parenting is hard. Our current case has probably been the most eye opening for me because of COVID. I think it has been the best case yet. You see … We got our teenage foster child at the beginning of March, which was around spring break. She barely had time to meet friends before COVID hit. Normally we are constantly rushing around to appointments, family visits, court visits, school activities, and school. But with COVID-19, everything was closed. I believe God knew we needed some time with our new family, so he made us slow down. We were able to get to know each other better by talking, cooking, playing games and watching movies. Since I am a teacher, I was able to learn a little bit about her learning needs also. This is when I created my 31 Day ACT Prep Calendar and we worked through it together. However, it is 5 months later and we’re ready for something normal. As much as homeschooling "seems" to be the best option right now,I am not allowed by DHS. (I work with homeschooling families, and I have learned IT'S NOT FOR EVERYONE) The truth is.. I don’t want to either. Having kids in school gives us a little break. So the thought of online “school at home,” AGAIN, overwhelms me. Maybe it overwhelms you as well? Other people can’t homeschool either, so going back to school is the only option for them. They feel torn between protecting their family and having a house to live in and food to eat. Foster parenting has constant ups and downs. So it has prepared me to make the most of our time together as positive as possible which means I can remember the good times instead of the bad. You can too! Not only that but schools are great places for children to learn. At school, students learn skills that can't be duplicated at home such as group work, speeches, reader's theater, age appropriate games, art, gym time, etc. Please show others grace when they decide to send their children to school. They are just as worried as you are. I do have 4 stress free solutions to prepare for back to school. Here they are! Finally 4 Stress Free Solutions to Back to School Covid Style1. Bring some normalcy, so you can create lasting memories which means there’s hope life will return to normal, eventually.
-Children can sense your fear. -You are the example. Be the example. 2. By showing flexibility and understanding, you teach your child(ren) how to adapt which means they will grow to be competent adults. You may begin the year in the schools and unexpectedly end up at home because someone is “exposed!!!” If we go back to quarantine:
-work it out with other parents or relatives that could help
Wanna Spend Precious Last Moments With Your High Schooler? Learn ACT Prep!3. ACT prep is perfect for high school students because they create lifelong learning habits which means they will succeed at college level courses later.
-Here is my 31 day ACT Prep Calendar for your use. You only have to study for ½ hour per subject.
It’s easier than you think when you have access to the internet. 4. Tutoring helps fill in learning gaps so you can watch your child succeed finally which means you don't have to see them suffer anymore. Quarantine disrupted your child's education in lots of ways. Hiring a tutor can help them succeed in more than one way. Research states that students who don't do any learning over the summer would lose about 6 weeks of education. However we were gone for about 5 1/2- 6 months, which means students will lose at least 6 weeks of education if not more. So what? Isn't everyone behind? Maybe. Some parents might have hired a tutor earlier to prevent the slide. When you start off the year behind, it takes you longer to catch up as new skills are introduced. By hiring a tutor you are giving your child the necessary support to keep on top of their studies and get them ahead. If you would like to hire a tutor, please email me at [email protected] Could these steps work for you?
Just remember the first step is the hardest. Let go and let God take over. God will show you the way, but the steps above will get you started. Sign up for the 31 Day ACT Calendar to get your child ready. How are you preparing for back to school? Leave a comment below. Absolutely Everything You Need to Hire an ACT Tutor
You’re afraid…
Admit it You’re too afraid to tell your friends that you hired a tutor for ACT help. Do you want to know how the professionals get to where they are now? They hire help. First they have an idea. Then they hire help to make the idea a reality. Henry Ford is a prime example. Did you know Henry Ford couldn’t answer basic high school level questions?
He came up with the idea to create a motorized coach that didn’t need horses, but had ‘horsepower’.
However, most people thought he was a uneducated person. His response was, “What I didn’t know, I hired someone to help me figure it out.” Here’s my promise to you by the end of this post you will want to hire a tutor. But first If you don’t ask yourself these questions during high school, you’re doing ACT prep all wrong!
And the list goes on And on. So what’s the secret? Don’t do it alone. Hire an ACT tutor to help you!
Here’s how an ACT tutor can help. A tutor will:
The point is if Henry Ford can hire experts for help, so can you. Save yourself thousands of dollars by doing this one thing.
Can you afford not to?
You have scholarships, grants etc at stake to help you pay for college or trade school. Either that or student loans to pay off. Ask your parents or friend’s parents if those are easy or fun to pay off. Believe me. There are not. Give yourself a chance to get better at the ACT and gain confidence in the process. What’s stopping you from trying this out? Instead of thinking about the negative, think positively. What good could happen if you hire a tutor? The first step is the hardest so fill out this form for a free consultation now. Build Your ACT Prep Skills While Planning a Vacation
The ACT underestimation...ACT skills don’t have to end with the test and here’s how to use them…
The ACT study guide tragedy...Why study guides haven’t helped your child succeed Exclusive access to the ACT daily skill calendar stay tuned for An ACT study calendar that will blow your mind. If you think the ACT is a waste of your time…, If you think there are better options out there, If you want to create lifelong learning habits then this article is for you. What never to do with the ACT? (Unless you want to waste time)
You don’t want to waste all of the time you spent studying and preparing for the ACT to leave it at the test. Take the skills with you wherever you go.
When students come to me for ACT prep, they have already taken the test. Some have studied while others have not. Those students who have studied have used a study guide. However, they struggle to get a high score. Yes, a good score will get you into college and get you scholarships to pay for college, but there are so many more things you can do with ACT skills. Like, plan a vacation. What? Like, plan a vacation.
Research and budgeting, right?
Research is reading critically, and budgeting is math. Two subjects down. Many vacations are related to science. Now all you need to do is figure out how to put English and writing in, and you have the skills of the ACT. Let’s dig deeper. You don’t want to end up in a roach motel, so you must look at the area around the motel/hotel and check out the reviews. Meals take up much of the vacation budget. Most restaurants have online menus with prices and reviews. Transportation is expensive too. But you can save money by booking early. When driving, you can use smartphone apps to compare gas prices. These are just a few of the ways to use ACT skills to plan a vacation. Here are 26 more.
Reading Strategies
ACT English skills see if you can correct grammar, punctuation, and editing of a paper. You can look critically at the website you are studying to check for mistakes. If there are a lot of mistakes, you might want to go somewhere else.
Math You want to make sure that you are on budget during a vacation. Math is the only way to budget.
Science
The ACT science test is all about the scientific method and experiments. As you research your vacation destination, think about why your destination is special and how it was discovered or created.
These are just a few of the ideas that correlate with the ACT test while planning a vacation at the same time. Do you have to learn about the ACT to apply its skills? No, of course not. Applying ACT skills help you create lifelong learning habits.
I would love some feedback from you about how ACT skills could help plan a vacation. Leave a comment below.I would love some feedback from you about how ACT skills could help plan a vacation. Leave a comment below.
Here’s a way to help homeschooling parents teach ACT prep.
REVEALED ON THIS PAGE…
The Crucial ACT test Misconception: ACT test prep doesn’t take away from ‘regular learning’ The system meltdown...Why ACT test prep has been unable to be useful for families until now… Yours free: Exclusive Access to a ACT test prep calendar… I worked with 3 different ACT study guides to create a study calendar that takes 30 minutes per subject per day. If the ACT seems like a chore, If ACT means you have to stop your regular teaching/learning, If ACT brings fear and dread to you, If you desire being with your child for the last few moments before college, then this article is for you.
In addition to tutoring ACT prep, I also work with homeschool families. I was talking with a mom one day about teaching an ACT prep class at the high school. The mom said that ACT prep was a chore because they had to stop learning their current material to learn about the ACT.
I was bothered by this comment since I know homeschooling is not an easy task. Why do parents decide to homeschool their children?
Parents decide to homeschool for a variety of reasons.
These are some great reasons to homeschool, but there are also some difficulties to homeschooling.
Parents work very hard when homeschooling their children. ACT prep should be a part of their teaching repertoire. But not in the way they think! ACT test prep has to use a study guide and take forever, right? WRONG!!!! I’ll explain why you can teach ACT prep skills in your everyday learning and teaching.
As I started teaching the ACT, I used a study guide. I used the Kaplan ACT Study guide, and it worked great for a while.
When I bought my study guide, it was four inches thick and very intimidating. So I tore it apart and separated it according to the subject matter. As I studied it, I found several things useful, but to a regular person, I had one thought. Boring. All of the information is important, but I found one sentence very interesting. It said: “You will create study habits that are successful for college.” Ahhhh! Habits! After seeing that sentence, I changed the way I looked at the study guide. I looked for the main points of the subject matter. Then I taught students how to apply them to their current habits.
Here are a few ways I’ve tested this theory.
With COVID-19, I have my 10th-grade foster daughter, G, at home with me. I had her take the test and write the paper at the end. Then I taught her ACT English skills. After she learned them, we took a look at her writing. I was shocked at what I found! She was making the same errors in her writing, as was covered in the study guide. This revelation reminded me of a grammar course I had to take in college, where I learned the parts of grammar. Instead of learning how to correct my writing, I had to complete several exercises of picking out what was wrong in a sentence. Now I could teach my daughter the same skill I dreamed of in college. By correcting your writing, you can get faster on the test because you already look for those rules in your papers. The same rule applies to the rest of the tests on the ACT too. Homeschooling parents--avoiding the ACT is no longer a thing.
Instead, you can adjust your teaching methods to apply the ACT skills to your routine.
If you do take time to learn the format of the ACT, it might equal about two days. You can use one day to learn about the structure of the test and another to take a practice ACT. Creating daily habits in learning helps make the ACT much easier. When you get to the test, instinct kicks in, and you can get a good score for college. Homeschool students know how to work hard and stay focused, so they should be doing the ACT to show colleges what they can do and get the scholarships that they deserve. There are other tests that you can take like the Accuplacer to get into community colleges if you want, but the ACT allows for scholarships. If you want a skill breakdown of the ACT in a shorter format, please sign up for my FREE ACT skill calendar. P.S. Stay tuned for my next blog post that will talk about how to use ACT skills to plan your next vacation. Eliminate ACT test anxiety in 31 days!
The TRUTH REVEALED about TEST ANXIETY…
TEST ANXIETY doesn’t have to stop you in your tracks. The METHODOLOGY FAILURE.. Why you child hasn’t learned to get rid of test anxiety… FREE ACCESS TO A SIMPLE, QUICK ACT TEST PREP CALENDAR...that will squash test anxiety for good. I worked with several study guides to create this calendar to help students for the ACT in quick and easy steps. If you have test anxiety, If you want to get better and resolve test anxiety, If you want to create instinct and build great study techniques, then this article is for you.
When I was first starting my business and working with a mentor, my mentor asked me about how I dealt with students with test anxiety. Her daughter had severe test anxiety and freezes anytime she takes a test.
That mother is not alone. Many students don't want to take the ACT because of test anxiety. Instead, students would take the community college route, which doesn't require it. Community colleges use an easier test called the Accuplacer in place of the ACT. Students can pick the time they take the Accuplacer and retake the parts they didn't do well on. What is ACT test anxiety?
Test anxiety is a combination of physiological over-arousal, tension, and somatic symptoms along with worry, dread, fear of failure, and catastrophizing that occur before or during test situations.
Students have anxiety when they don't know what to expect. When students take a test, fear of failure slips in paralyzing the student to move further. Since they are afraid of failure and freeze on the test, they don't finish it, which failure is inevitable. However, when a student prepares for a test, instinct takes over, thus resulting in a good grade. Think about it… The simple fact of test anxiety is… everybody gets it. Even myself
After a few years of ACT tutoring, I was reading a book about another ACT tutor. He said that he takes an ACT practice test every year to know what other students go through.
Since I haven't taken the ACT since high school, I decided to take a practice ACT as well. To make the test as realistic as possible, I set the same testing parameters of the real ACT, so I set time limits and took breaks at the right times. As I started the test, I moved along just great. I knew the answers to the test and felt excellent. However, as I moved deeper into the test, I started to fear that I was making the wrong choice. I still finished the test even though I had test anxiety. I wanted to figure out my score to see if I had done better or worse than my high school score. I was shocked. My score was better than my high school ACT! I felt stupid because I was afraid of nothing. My conclusion is that everyone gets test anxiety, but you don't have to let it stop you from succeeding. How to rid yourself of the sweat drenching, nervous twitch that comes with test anxiety
Here is a practical example of ACT reading skills and how to study.
Do you interact with your reading in this way?
One of my students, Trevor Singh, used this technique and received a $10,000 scholarship after working with me. COVID-19 and Social Proof
If you want proof that it works in a situation that we are in, let me tell you a story about my daughter, G, and me.
When school let out because of COVID-19, the teachers hadn't figured out how to teach online, yet. Children across the state had nothing to do, including my daughter G. I didn't want her to worry about the crisis we are in, so I decided to teach her about the ACT. She is in the 10th grade, so she should study for the ACT. We spent 30 minutes on each subject every day. I taught her the reading technique. Even though she is not learning ACT prep anymore, she continues to summarize and asks herself questions as she reads. I asked her if it helps, and she said it helps her remember what she is reading much better. I know that times are tough right now, so I wanted to create something that would be easy to implement during this time. I realize that high school students have a busy life that includes sports, activities, homework, friends, and jobs, among other things. I wanted to create a study calendar that fits the lifestyle of a high school student. I thought about charging $5 for the calendar, but I want to give it away for FREE. Please click here for the calendar. Sign up today! Thank you, and enjoy it! P.S. Stay tuned for next week’s blog post. I am going to talk about incorporating ACT skills into your homeschool.
I know it’s only halfway through your 8th-grade year, but is your child ready for high school? What if you could start setting goals at this moment that would help you succeed throughout your whole high school career and life after high school. Would you start now?
Imagine sitting at the graduation of your child. They have worked hard during high school to prepare for the next stage of their life. There were no surprises because you asked valuable questions and created goals ahead of time. You know this because you prepared in 8th grade for high school and life after high school.
By the end of this post, you will create goals that will help your child succeed in high school. First, you will learn about how to create a high school course plan to prepare your child for college or a career path. Then you will learn how to assess your child’s study habits and fundamental skills in the areas of math, science, English/writing, and reading to ensure success throughout high school. Finally, you will learn how to choose extracurricular activities that will help your child learn valuable cooperative learning/networking skills.
Goal 1: Plan out your high school courses now!
Now is the best time to start thinking about what your child might want to do after high school. If they already know what they want to do great, you can start planning what courses they should take right now. I knew I always wanted to teach, so I planned my high school course to meet the requirements for college.
You can also start looking at colleges as well, especially if you want to apply to college only scholarships. By looking at the requirements, you can plan courses needed to take for the specific major, but also for the extracurricular activities that are required as well. My child’s career path doesn’t require college: now what?
You can still plan out their high school courses with the graduation requirements and then go from there. Talk with the school counselors about more courses for success after high school. What courses do they need to be successful outside of high school? Do they need a financial literacy class? Do they need a cooking and cleaning class? Are they mechanically inclined to take a mechanics or building and trade class?
What if my kid doesn’t know what they want to do?
No worries. There are many courses in high school courses that deal with career exploration to help with this. You can also think about after school jobs that could help with this as well.
Goal 2: Staying out of trouble in high school
Middle school students have less freedom than in high school. Students who are involved in activities have a better chance of staying out of trouble. Talk about a typical day at the high school with the counselors. Colleges and hiring managers love to hear about involvement. Find a club or organization for your child to join.
Goal 3: Does my child need to take the ACT?
Most people believe that the ACT is for college admission only. But the ACT can be so much more than that. Yes, the ACT helps with getting into college and paying for it, but it also assesses valuable life skills. It tests problem-solving skills in the areas of math, reading, English, science, and writing.
You need most, if not all, of those skills to succeed in life. I suggest your child takes the ACT twice. Have your child take the test at the beginning of ninth grade. The score will tell you if you need additional classes throughout high school to help. Then take the test in his/her junior year for college applications. You can take the ACT as young as 13, however, you cannot register for it online. You must register using a paper packet that you can get from the www.act.org website or the high school counselor. High school can be a tough time for a student that doesn’t know what is going on. However, you can prepare your child to succeed by asking these questions and creating goals to focus your child on the right path. Here are some related articles https://saintstrainingandtutoring.weebly.com/act-blog/how-to-prepare-smart-goals-for-act-test-prephttps://saintstrainingandtutoring.weebly.com/act-blog/top-7-ways-to-engage-in-nonfiction-reading https://saintstrainingandtutoring.weebly.com/act-blog/5-easy-ways-to-test-your-act-prep-skills Please sign up for a list of questions I gathered from parents, high school teachers, and counselors as a guide to help you.
What questions do you have regarding your 8th grader getting into high school? Please comment below. Sneak peak: Next week I will show you how you can actually study for the ACT with 6 different proficiencies.
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