Did you know that college scholarship winning does not end when a student graduates from high school?
When you search for college scholarships, the first thing to look for is the level of the student who may apply for the scholarship. Most parents and students assume that scholarships are geared towards high school students only. They could not be more wrong!
As a student progresses through his or her college experience, more scholarships are available depending on college major, level of community service, and grade point average. Pick up any scholarship listing book and you will see scholarships offered by thousands of organizations and companies who ONLY allow students who are in college to apply. Scholarships for college students are also found on the website of the college the student is attending, often times under the link, “Scholarships for Current Students.”
What does this mean for college students and their parents?
Scholarship searching and applying does not end until the student has graduated from COLLEGE. Each year they can apply for scholarships and increase their own financial aid. My son is a senior in college and has applied for scholarships each year, starting from his senior year in high school until now. The result? He has won over $100,000 in college scholarships! The money is out there and parents can play an important role in helping their students find it. College scholarships are an amazing way to help students get through college without incurring a huge amount of debt. Who doesn’t want free money?
Monica Matthews is the author of “How to Win College Scholarships,” guides for both parents and students. She is the Scholarship Expert at College Expert Panel and is passionate about helping parents help their students find and win college scholarships. Mrs. Matthews developed a unique method of applying for college scholarships that gives students the edge they need to win money for college. You can learn more about this method at http://how2winscholarships.com.
Parents often struggle to understand the changes in the American educational system. These parents often grew up with letter grades. They understand what each letter means and believe that letter grades make good sense. Imagine the distress of these parents when they hear that the education system might be moving to something different. The mention of standards-based grading can be scary for these parents. This new standard makes a lot of sense, though. Parents might find that standards-based grading provides a better picture of where students are and where they need to be. Though it might be difficult in the beginning, standards-based grading can bring about positive results for students, teachers and parents. Breaking down the difficult formula
One of the positives of the traditional letter grade system is in its simplicity. Parents know where their students stand. They can use their own experiences to gain a better understanding of what the students have actually done in their classes. Standards-based grading models require parents to dig a little bit deeper. There is no longer a simple letter grade to digest. Parents have to look at the detailed information given to them by the teacher. This might seem daunting or even unnecessary to some parents. The truth about this information is that it can allow parents to take a more active role in the education of their child.
The detailed information provides a better picture of what the child is struggling with and what she has done well. This type of feedback often leads to better education going forward. Students and parents will know the areas where the child fell short. With this information in hand, parents have the ability to help their children meet their goals. This is preferable to the letter grade system. Under that system, students can be left to wonder where they went wrong in earning a certain grade. Clearly explaining the data
In order for parents to properly utilize the data, they need to have a firm understanding of it. They need to know what each metric means and what the standard indicates. The key is to have solid communication between the teacher and the student. This will unlock a better understanding for the parent and will alleviate any concerns that the parent may have. This can be accomplished in a number of different ways. First, parents and teachers need to take advantage of the opportunities offered in the conference setting. This can be a good time to explain what the standards-based grading means and how it impacts a certain student. Teachers and parents can also link up through regular e-mail communication. A solution that benefits everyone
The proponents of standards-based grading will tell parents that they need to show a little bit of patience. It might seem difficult to understand the system at first. It might also be difficult to understand the need for a system shift. After all, if the letter grades were good enough for parents, they should be good enough for today’s children. The new standards allow for the possibility that all students can succeed. Rather than using a bell curve system where the B earners are compared to the A learners, the new standard compares all students to a target level of proficiency. In this way, those students are competing against themselves. They understand what is expected of them. They also have the chance to improve in order to meet that standard. With the patience of parents, these things can happen.
Byline
Karl Stockton writes for kendall.edu. Education is of paramount importance for the health of society; contact Kendall for information on their teacher certification programs and degrees.
The Positive Coaching Alliance is a foundation that is working to “change the landscape of youth sports in America.” They have an impressive library of books that might be useful to parents, coaches, and athletes.
Often parents assume the role of youth coach with little training or experience. These books can be a great starting point as you develop your coaching philosophy. These books a great resources for coaches of all levels.
The following was taken exactly from the Positive Coaching Alliance website. “Elevating Your Game: Becoming A Triple-Impact Competitor®. The latest book by PCA Founder Jim Thompson gives high school athletes easy-to-read information and inspiration to improve their performance in sports and beyond. Insights and exercises guide student-athletes to the ideal of a Triple-Impact Competitor, committed to improving oneself, teammates, and the game as a whole. Foreword by PCA National Advisory Board Member Shane Battier. Purchase Elevating Your Game and download the free Elevating Your Game Coach’s Guide here. The Power of Double-Goal Coaching: Developing Winners in Sports and Life. With the right approach, coaches can make a lifetime difference for their athletes. This book is packed with practical ideas and tools to help coaches—from pee-wees to varsity—succeed in achieving two goals: to prepare their team to win, and to use competition to teach life lessons.” Purchase The Power of Double-Goal Coaching. The High School Sports Parent: Developing Triple-Impact Competitors. Learning to compete in high school sports is a big transition for youth athletes and is often perplexing for parents. This book provides guidance and practical tools to show parents how to support their teens’ growing self-reliance and help them become a “Triple-Impact Competitor,” dedicated to improving oneself, teammates and the game as a whole. Purchase The High School Sports Parent. Positive Sports Parenting: How Second-Goal Parents Raise Winners in Life Through Sports. This book provides 60 concise pages of insightful and sensible advice on how parents can help children get the most from sports. In a clear, inviting voice, PCA Founder Jim Thompson reminds parents to worry less about winning and focus on the “Second-Goal” of using sports to teach life lessons. Purchase Positive Sports Parenting.
Positive Coaching in a Nutshell. The wisdom and inspiration of PCA Founder Jim Thompson’s original “Positive Coaching” are accessible to new generations of coaches and sports parents. In 86 pages it provides bite-size tips, tools and techniques to help coaches help youth athletes gain the most from sports. Anyone concerned with youth sports, education and character-development can learn how to be a positive coach in two hours or less. Purchase Positive Coaching In A Nutshell. The Double-Goal Coach®. Provides a framework for coaches and parents to help youth athletes benefit from competition, reach their athletic potential and learning the valuable life lessons inherent in sports. Foreword by PCA National Spokesperson Phil Jackson. Purchase The Double-Goal Coach. Positive Coaching; Building Character and Self-Esteem Through Sports. PCA Founder Jim Thompson’s first book, which launched the PCA Movement, explains Positive Coaching’s underpinnings in research-based sports and educational psychology. Purchase Positive Coaching. Shooting In The Dark: Tales of Coaching and Leadership. Spend a season with PCA Founder Jim Thompson as he gives a philosophical and emotional account of his experience coaching a high school girls basketball team in Northern California. The book also contains practical tips for coaches of all sports. Foreword by PCA National Spokesperson Phil Jackson. Purchase Shooting In The Dark. Request information from a PCA representative about partnering your school or youth sports organization with PCA.“
Please Share! Tweet Caldecott Award Books are great for early readers. Check out the winners dating back to 1939 & 365 Great Books for Kids!
The goal of every teacher is to keep students engaged and learning from bell to bell. These three books have been very useful to me over the years helping to fill some moments during the year when teaching the curriculum is not the most beneficial use of time.
I have found these three books to be very helpful during the following situations that happen a few times a school year:
Special Occasions - Every teacher knows there are times when members of the class are not present for various reasons. In some cases, those missing might make up the majority of the class. Students might not be present because of a play or performance, field trip, special activity, AP exam, pep rally, etc.
Early Completion of a Test / Lesson - There are times when a lesson or assessment is completed with time still remaining in a period. There are many reasons this may happen; guest speaker, unexpected disruptions, or completing a lesson for the first time. Whatever the reason, the questions in the book are very engaging.
I have used this books for several years. I highlight the questions and write comments in my copy of the book. I also have created worksheets that allow the students to respond to the questions in writing.
As always, preview the questions before sharing them with the class because there are some that are not school appropriate.
1. The Book of Questions by Dr. Gregory Stock
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There are 217 questions in this book. I have selected the ones I like to use. Some of the questions are extremely thought-provoking. A class could spend an entire period discussing the various opinions relating to that one question.
#2 Do you believe in ghosts or evil spirits? Would you be willing to spend a night alone in a remote house that is supposedly haunted? (p. 12)
#3 If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet? (page 12)
#7 Do you that the world would be a better or worse place 100 years from now (page 16)?
#10 Which sex do you think has it easier in our culture? Have you ever wished you were of the opposite sex? (page 18)
#15 Whom do you admire most? In what way does the person inspire you? (page 22)
#18 If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one ability or quality, what would it be? (page 24)
#19 What is your most treasured memory? (page 33)
#33 What is the greatest accomplishment of your life? Is there anything you hope to do that is even better? (page 37)
#41 Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire; after saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save one item. What would it be? (page 43)
#43 When was your last fight? What caused it and who won? (page 44)
#51 Do you have any specific long-term goals? What is one and how do you plan on reaching it? (page 51)
#52 For what in your life do you feel most grateful? (page 52)
#55 Would you like your spouse to be both smarter and more attractive than you? (page 54)
#70 When did you last yell at someone? Why? Did you later regret it? (page 65)
2. If (Questions for the Game of Life)by Evelyn McFarane & James Saywell
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For the memory and thought unit in my Psychology class, I have created a list of 55 selected questions from this book's 500 provocative questions. (If any teacher would like a copy of this worksheet, please send me an email mark@mytowntutors.com). You can adapt the questions to serve as writing prompts at the start of a class or adapt the questions to fit your curriculum. I have also simply read the questions orally to start class discussion. I often include some of my answers in the class discussion.
These questions can serve as writing prompts in English classes too.
Below are a few selected questions from the book.
1. If you were to be granted one wish, what would it be? (it can’t be more wishes) (page 5)
2. If you had to identically repeat any single year of your life to date, without changing a thing, which year would you relive? (page 10)
3. If you were to be stranded on a desert island and could only have one book to read, what would it be? (page 11) One CD?
4. If you had to choose the color that most accurately describes you, which color would it be? (page 16)
5. If you had to name the most terrifying moment of your life so far, what would it be? (page 17)
6. If you had to choose the most valuable thing you ever learned, what would it be? (page 26)
7. If you could ensure that your child has one experience that you have had yourself, what would it be? (page 56)
8. If you were to be reincarnated as an animal, what kind would you want to be? (page 80)
9. If you had to choose the best television show (AND reality TV show) ever made, which one would you pick? (page 85)
10. If you had to choose the best song ever composed, which one would it be? (page 97)
3. Life's Little Instruction Book: 511 Suggestions, Observations, and Reminders on How to Live a Happy and Rewarding Life by H. Jackson Brown Jr.
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The book contains many great pieces of advice. It was written from a father to his son. I would like to share some that I feel are especially useful. There are 511 pieces of advice.
1 Compliment 3 people each day.
7 Look people in the eye.
21 Learn 3 clean jokes.
25 Ask for a raise when you feel you’ve earned it.
43 Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen every day.
56 Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
63 Admit your mistakes.
64 Use your wit to amuse, not abuse.
92 Choose your life’s mate carefully. From this one decision comes 90 % of all your happiness or misery.
96 Attend class reunions.
156 Strive for excellence, not perfection.
171 Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.
172 Be kinder than necessary.
186 Be the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
190 Don’t worry you can’t give your kids the best of everything. Give them your very best.
197 Don’t forget a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.
202 Show respect for all living things.
204 Choose work that is in harmony with your values.
207 Commit yourself to constant self-improvement.
212 Don’t waste time grieving over past mistakes. Learn from them and move on.
232 Keep your promises
239 Watch the movie It’s a Wonderful Life every Christmas.
I hope this are helpful and I would love feedback! Have a great day!
My Town Tutors is a website that connects parents with teachers who tutor. We are completing a 50 States in 50 Days Teacher Challenge to recruit teachers who tutor. If you are a teacher who tutors, we are always looking for qualified teachers from all 50 states who tutorto join our national directory of teachers who tutor. It is FREE for parents to search for a teacher in their area.
My Town Tutors wants to make it easy for parents to connect with local teachers who tutor. We have two simple beliefs.
1. Teachers are great tutors!
2. Parents want great tutors for their children.
The idea was conceived in August of 2008 when I was walking the grounds of the Marshfield Fair the week before school started. A friend, another teacher, was working fourteen straight, 18-hour days for $10 an hour as a security guard. Many other security guards were teachers who needed extra money and working the Marshfield Fair was the best, and for some, only, part-time job available.
I suddenly realized that creating My Town Tutors could solve two major problems for teachers, students, and parents:
1. Teachers can use their education, experience, knowledge, and training to do what they do best, helping students achieve academically. At the same time, these teachers can have the flexibility to select their own hours and own rate of pay (definitely more than $10 an hour).
2. Parents and students can find qualified professional teachers, with unique skills to work with their child. Parents can have complete confidence that the each tutor we list has experience teaching students with variety of learning abilities and styles.
Teachers who tutor are a much better alternative for parents than the national tutoring franchises. Many of these companies rarely employ teachers, and if they do, the teachers are grossly underpaid. The national franchise tutors are usually college students who have no training or experience working with students. Additionally their fees are insanely high.
Teachers know the curriculum, content, and state standards. More importantly, teachers know children. They understand the learning process and the challenges faced by many students. They speak regularly with other teachers and have been trained to use strategies to reach many different learning styles.
The goal of My Town Tutors is really simple – to make it easy for students and parents to connect with a qualified, local teacher.
What every parent wants for their child is to give them the tools to become mature adults who know how to make good decisions for themselves.
So, how can we help our kids learn how to make good decisions for themselves? When they leave the house at 18 years old, and we are nowhere around, if they are faced with a problem, they can look into their bag of tools and make a decision that is in their best interest.
The way I see it is if you want to get good a something, you have to practice. So, we have to give our kids practice with making decisions. Every time an issue arises, whether it be theirs or someone else’s, is an opportunity to let them practice. When something comes up where a decision needs to be made, instead of saying, “This is the way it is because I’m your parent,” try sitting with them and discussing the problem. Right down the pros and cons and ask them what decision would they make and why. Don’t get emotionally involved; in other words, try to keep your fears out of it.
Here’s an example: Your daughter says something about a girl at school who is smoking cigarettes at 12 years old. Instead of freaking out and saying, “ Are you kidding? She is way too young to smoke. Do her parents know about this?” This is an opportunity to communicate with your teen. By the way, the definition of communication is, “the exchange of information between individuals, not the opinion of one person.” Ask your teen what she thinks about smoking, what are the things that are cool about it, and what are the things that are not good about it. You may be saying, “COOL ABOUT IT? Are you crazy? There is nothing cool about it.” Again, your opinion is not communication. I guarantee there are kids that think smoking is cool. What are the pros and cons? Ask how they feel about smoking, and what they think about this teen smoking at 12, and if they think it is a good decision or not. I’m not suggesting if they come up with more reasons to smoke then not that you buy them a pack of cigarettes.
Teens are pretty smart. Give them the opportunity to show you they have a good head on their shoulders. Again, the goal is to help them practice making good decisions. Don’t make the decisions for them through your opinions. What we want is for our teens to feel free to come to us with anything, If they feel judgments from us, which most of the time our opinions will feel like, they will not want to communicate with us.
So, here are the tips, plain and simple:
Start communicating with your teen; leave your opinions out of the conversation.
Every time something comes up that appears to be a good topic, eg. smoking, drinking, body image, sex, drugs, friendships, careers, schools, style, any topic will do, practice, practice, practice!
Practice by asking them questions about how they feel about it, go over the pros and cons, and ask them what they would do and why.
The pressure is strong for students to go to college, succeed, graduate and then begin a career to pay off the debt. With the state of the current economy it’s a tremendous challenge for someone in their early twenties, unless they’ve chosen the right major.
There is no right or wrong major to study, but it is widely understood that certain majors are presented with better career opportunities than others after graduation. The good news is that there is some flexibility year to year for college majors, although there are a core set that will provide a greater chance of success. These majors tend to be in the sciences, technology and mathematics range.
What does this mean for the artists, the creative thinkers that refuse math or can’t stand the sight of blood? Are they doomed to struggle because their major doesn’t fit into the ‘professional’ set that the economy is demanding of them? Absolutely not, the choice of major is up to the student. Here are some tips to keep in mind when deciding your path of study:
1. Talk to your friends and family. Ask them what they majored in, or what they plan to major in. Then ask them what they assume you will major in and why. Getting those you care about and trust’s opinion might help you see what you want to do with your future.
2. Study what you’re passionate about. If you choose your major on a subject you love, chances are you’re never going to get bored of it.
3. Make sure there’s a challenge. Breezing through college won’t help when you enter the real world. By picking a subject you love, but that also challenges your thinking will prepare you for any careers challenges. Example: A student good at art but is studying architecture.
4. Chose a subject that’s practical – This doesn’t have to mean ‘business’ or ‘computer science’ because it may be where the jobs are, it just is a suggestion not to spend four years and over $60,000+ on Egyptian hieroglyphics unless you’re planning and are able to move to Egypt to search for mummies. It might not be too helpful if you plan on living in Texas.
5. Take an assessment test. Totally stuck on major subject to even think about? Take one of the assessment tests. The career center or guidance counselor should have either paper assessment forms or pamphlets with online resources. They’re meant to be helpful and often surface a major perhaps you’ve never thought of considering before.
It’s a big decision choosing a major and fortunately during undergraduate degrees there’s up to two years before making it official. It can be difficult; however, if a particular major requires a lot of prerequisite courses. Draft up possible major routes, what classes you’d like to take and if they’d work with the major you want to declare. If still at a loss pay a visit to the admissions team, they’re trained to help students find their path. Four years goes by quickly and you don’t want to miss any opportunities that only college can provide! Ashley Murrell – Originally from Seattle, WA, Ashley is a writer for Hotcouses Ltd, based in London, England covering topics about studying abroad in the USA as well as current higher education issues for www.hotcoursesusa.com. She loves a good cuppa and is looking forward to the 2012 Olympic craziness.
My Town Tutors is honored to have so many experienced educators and parents share their experience and expertise with our followers. We are so proud of our guest blogs and hope you have found them as enlightening as we have.
As we are enjoying the summer, we wanted to look back on the year and share with you our most popular guest blogs for the school year. If you have a chance, take a read and post a comment. We would love your feedback.
Mayra Aixa Villar is a freelance instructional designer and researcher who is passionate about educational technology. She is currently finishing a thesis to obtain an MA in Applied Linguistics. Her dissertation is about linguistic modeling and computer-based applications. This project has allowed her to intern at UN HQ, participate in international meetings and collaborate in several research activities. You can also follow Mayra on Twitter @MayraAixaVillar or on http://ar.linkedin.com/in/mayraaixavillar
Tami is an Application Developer by day, Family Nurturer by night. She is married with 2 small kids and lives in Colorado. She loves reading and the great outdoors, and has a blog chronicling some of her fun adventures. It features storytelling about family, humor, outdoors fun, wild toddlers, baking, naughty dogs, travel, kid’s perspectives, good reads, a giveaway every now and then, and all things Disney! You can find her at The Colorado Mountain Mom.
Marc Hoberman is the Owner / Director of Grade SuccessTutoring and Educational Consulting. His One Minute Educator Videos help students, parents, and teachers reach their full potential. Marc is available for Private or Group Educational Consulting via webcam or phone. Visit www.gradesuccessinc.com for more information.
Bill Burkheadis the Assistant Principal at Plymouth North High School. He is an 18 year veteran educator, who served as Plymouth North’s Adjustment Counselor before becoming Athletic Director and Head Football Coach for 10 years. He was the Coordinator of Wellness for the Canton public schools and has taught elementary health and high school physical education. He is also a volunteer football coach for Plymouth Pop Warner. Connect with him on twitter @northeagles.
Lorrie Servatiis a mom, substitute teacher and autism advocate for her nine year old son. Lorrie shares her son’s progress on his autism journey since he was diagnosed four years ago. Visit her blog, Nathan’s Voice, for online Resources for Families. http://nathansvoice.blogspot.com/p/resources-for-autism.html My Town Tutors is a website that connects parents with teachers who tutor. We currently list over 250 teachers from Massachusetts. We are always looking for qualified teachers from all 50 states who tutor to join our national directory of teachers who tutor. It is FREE for parents to search for a teacher in their area.
3. @PARENTandCHILD – “Tweets from Scholastic Parent & Child magazine’s Digital Editor Megan Hess (@mhess4); Senior Editor Samantha Brody; and Digital Manager Tom Booth. New York City · http://www.scholastic.com/parentandchild” (11,600+ followers) 4. @NationalPTA – “As the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation, Parent Teacher Association (PTA). contact us, info@pta.org. RT does not = Endorsement Nationwide · http://www.pta.org” (4,800+ followers) 5. @CO_MtnMom – “Pixie Dusted Application Developer, mama, wilderness nut, blogger, bookworm, sweets baker, NDM #430 – love travel, playing outside, & all things Disney! Colorado · http://coloradomountainmom.com” (3,550+ followers)
Tami wrote one of our most popular guest blogs: Should Kids Miss School for a Disney Trip?
Please check back in a few weeks as we add to our list of great parent twitter accounts.
My Town Tutors is a website that connects parents with teachers who tutor. We currently list over 260 teachers from Massachusetts. We are always looking for qualified teachers from all 50 states who tutor to join our national directory of teachers who tutor. It is FREE for parents to search for a teacher in their area.
