Volume 177 SEPTEMBER 2010
ERICKSON LEARNING CENTER
MISSION STATEMENT
“Helping students reach their full potential through knowledge, caring and a positive learning environment”
Even youngest pupils should focus on study skills
BY VICKY KATZ WHITAKER
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
Teaching young children good homework habits may be the best lesson they’ll ever learn. In addition to giving them a chance to fortify and expand upon what they’ve absorbed in the classroom, homework sharpens organizational techniques and self-discipline needed to work independently, education experts say. Students need these skills to tackle the tougher homework load they’ll face in middle school, high school and college. What’s the best way to make sure your children are on the right track?
Give them the tools and support they need, say professionals like Heidi Liss Radunovich, University of Florida assistant professor of human development and author of a popular online manual for parents, “Helping Children With Homework.” Homework is not an issue confined to older children. Today, assignments can start as early as kindergarten, says the National Education Association, the nation’s largest organization of professional educators. From kindergarten through second grade, children may spend anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes a day on homework. Third to sixth graders can expect 30 to 60 minutes a day and a significant amount more by the time they reach junior and senior high. Though the amount varies by subject, middle and high school students may be assigned research projects and oral reports with extended deadlines in addition to regular homework. “They may need help organizing assignments and planning work times to make sure homework is ready to turn in on time,” the NEA says. That’s why it’s important to create the right climate in which your child can do his/her homework, Radunovich says, a view endorsed by other educators. She recommends creating a daily “quiet time” each afternoon or evening in which the whole family participates. During this time, turn off the television and put other distractions on hold, recommends the U.S. Department of Education in its guide, “Let’s Do Homework,” now archived online, that offers parents advice on dealing with homework issues. Among its other recommendations:
· Pick a place to study that’s fairly quiet and has lots of light.
· If you live in a small or noisy household, you may need to take a toddler outside to play or into another room during family quiet time.
· Make sure your children have supplies they need. Radunovich says parents should help their children get access to the information they need, taking them to a library or letting them use a computer. But, she warns, you may need to monitor their use of latter. You can help your child follow homework directions and work through a few problems together, the NEA says, but let your child do the rest. Afterward, check the work, praise right answers and show your child how to correct mistakes. To do other wise sends a signal that you think that they can’t do the work and that homework is really unimportant. Keep a special folder with their outstanding work or post it on the refrigerator. “When a child shows you something he or she has done well, share his or her pride and make positive comments about it.
Food to Make Kids Smart
By Joy Bauer
Kids who want to ace their next exams may need to do more than cram before class. Studies show that what a child eats has a direct effect on test performance. Children who routinely consume sweets and junk food may suffer from brain fog at crunch time. But there are solutions. The following food tutorial won’t guarantee all A’s but it will help you keep your kids’ memories sharp.
POWER UP BEFORE EXAMS
Whether it’s a morning or afternoon exam, pre-test meals should consist of high-fiber carbohydrates plus some lean protein. This winning combination leads to an awake and alert student. High-quality carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are rich in fiber and prevent blood sugar from soaring and then crashing like it does with sugary carbs. They also provide the brain with glucose, its preferred form of fuel. Adding in a bit of protein like turkey, chicken, eggs, or beans further stabilizes blood sugar and help stop distracting hunger pangs. For mornings before exams, cereal is the easiest breakfast to prepare. But choose wisely, because so many types are chock-full of sugar. Your best bet is oatmeal topped with berries or sliced banana or a cold cereal that contains three or more grams of fiber and no more than six grams of sugar per serving. Try to use skim milk, or at least low-fat. Other breakfast options are an egg sandwich (one or two scrambled eggs on a whole-wheat English muffin), a breakfast burrito (a whole-grain tortilla stuffed with scrambled egg, shredded low-fat cheese, one-half cup black beans, and optional salsa), or waffles with peanut butter and banana. For afternoon exams, a turkey sandwich on whole-grain bread with a side of baby carrots makes for simple and healthy lunch. Cold whole-wheat pasta mixed with chunk light tuna is another good choice. Chicken stir-fry from last night’s dinner or a bowl of lentil soup with whole grain crackers are two more tasty options. Water or seltzer to drink and fruit for dessert will have your little Einsteins raring to go.
MAKE HEALTHY MUNCHIES
Because it’s not just exams that require focus, kids also should snack wisely in order to breeze through their homework. Healthy and tasty snacks that don’t create a mess but will fuel the mind include apple slices with peanut butter; soy crisps; baby carrots, celery, or pepper sticks dipped in hummus or salsa; string cheese; low-fat yogurt; edamame (lightly salted soybeans); raw almonds, walnuts, or cashews; low-fat popcorn; and any kind of fruit---try frozen grapes!
KEEP KIDS ACTIVE
When it comes to overall brain health, encourage kids to exercise, eat berries and increase their intake of foods rich in omega-3 fats and folic acid. Exercise is important because it improves circulation, which increases oxygen flow to the brain. Blueberries and other berries are powerhouses for young noggins. They’re among the best sources of anthocyanins and flavanols---chemicals that have been shown to increase connections between brain cells, enhancing learning ability and memory. Blueberries also are rich in antioxidants.
Joy Bauer is a registered dietitian and the author of several best-selling books, including “Joy Bauer’s Food Cures” and “Cooking With Joy.”
LDA Book Review
Anne Ford’s New Book
Once again Anne Ford has assembled basic information for families with children with learning disabilities and related disorders, along with a list of resources, and presented it in an understandable and useful format. In addition to specific information on understanding these disabilities, seeking a diagnosis and interpreting the evaluation result, understanding the social side of LD, perceiving the difference between advocacy and job session, and pursuing special and appropriate services, Ms. Ford brings her own personal touch, reflecting on her own struggle as the parent of a child (now adult) with learning disabilities.
Anne Ford has generously shared her time and expertise over the last several years as a strong advocate for children and adults with learning challenges. Anne served as Chairman of the Board of the National Center for Learning Disabilities from 1989 to 2001. Her first book, Laughing Allegra, describes her struggle as a young mother in spite of the many resources available to her, to help her daughter. Her next book, On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for your Adult Child with Learning Disabilities and ADHD, details her daughter’s transition into adulthood, with challenges and successes.
Now, in this latest offering, she acknowledges the role of parents in seeking services for their children and provides a virtual roadmap. Hats off to Anne Ford and John Richard Thompson for their contribution to the field of learning disabilities.
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS NEEDED
The Erickson Learning Foundation, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation with 501(c)3 status with the IRS. The Foundation is governed by a twelve-member Board of Directors and is administered by an Executive Director with a Scholarship Committee of three members. One member of the Scholarship Committee is from our Board. All members of the Foundation volunteer their time, including the CPA.
The goal of the Foundation is to grant at least 95% of funds received directly to needy individuals for scholarship purposes. Currently the Foundation is granting over 99% of funds received from donors.
This has been a very difficult year for the Foundation. We continue to contact people and companies for funding scholarships for our students in financial need. Please let us know of any sources of scholarship funds for our Foundation. Thank you for your support!
It’s in Your Hands
It’s in your hands- “the knowledge key” that must unlock curious minds. Young minds that love to seek and learn bright minds that yearn to strive.
It’s in you hands- “the knowledge key”
That builds up self-esteem. Encouraging, motivating, giving of your time so that a child may dare to dream.
It’s in your hands-and with that key be determined to give them your best
With leadership..inspiration and fortitude, yes, qualities that will withstand the test.
It’s in your hands to mold and shape your program of success…
For teaching is still a noble cause one notch above the rest.
It’s in your hands....empowerment to change the child who has lost his way.
Offering insight, wisdom, guidance and love for future brighter days.
To all of you from all of us at Erickson Learning Center
Have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend
MISSION STATEMENT
“AT ERICKSON, LEARNING IS POWERFUL, OUR STRENGTH IS
IN OUR TEACHERS, AND OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH”