I hope you have an amazing St. Patrick’s Day.

Here are a few interesting bits of information about St. Patrick.

He was not an Irishman!

He was born in western Britain.

His father, Calpurnius, was a Roman official and deacon.

Patrick, while still a boy, was captured and sold as a slave in Ireland.  He escaped to Gaul.

He probably studied in the monastery of Lerina before returning to Britain.

He received a supernatural call to preach to the heathen of Ireland, so he returned to Gaul and was ordained deacon.

Finally, he landed in Wicklow, Ireland (432) and traveled north, converting the people of

Ulster and later those of other parts of Ireland.

He died around 461 and may have been buried at Down in Ulster.

*These tidbits were primarily drawn from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase & Fable.

www.tutoringcentral.com

tutoringcentral@hotmail.com

Teaching ADD / ADHD Students

Whether a student has been labelled with ADD, ADHD, or some other attention or focusing deficit, a lot of the necessary teaching and coaching skills remain the same.
In fact, a lot of the strategies promoted for such students would benefit any student.  It is just more essential for those with some such challenge to have intervention and, sometimes, accommodation.
I know, I know, some will argue that this is not the case.
I still believe it.  I have seen all manner of students improve enough times to know that it is true.  I always tell my students not to use whatever challenges they might have as a crutch.
Why?
Because we all have some weakness or learning challenge.  Sometimes, it isn’t an academic delay.  It can be difficulty in social situations, anxiety, anger, etc.  So, use whatever resources are available to cope with the challenge and work toward minimizing it whenever possible.
Not all the following tips need to be used in every case.  Different students respond differently and require their own combination – and these change over time!

Tips:

• Structure lessons in small stages.
• Organization is very important for anyone with an attention issue
• Have clear expectations & consequences
• Divide tasks into small “chunks”
• Provide seating arrangements that assist focus
• Partnering can sometimes work well
• Draw attention to positive accomplishments including appropriate behaviour
• (Note:  Behaviour IS part of learning!)
• Introduce material before reading assignments (like a preview)
• Help underlining key terms

Computer programs

• can be helpful
• can be a problem!

I love technology, but it is just a tool.  It can be very distracting, particularly to those with limited attention spans.
Learning to use computers, iPads, cellphones – any technology or software has to be done in a thoughtful way.
I have found some students even today who do far better at least starting their written assignment on paper.  Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!
Use video, audio, text, and even kinesthetic methods to reinforce material.
Do not underestimate humour – including ridiculous comparisons and connections to help with memory.

Demystification

Having a learning challenge is not an excuse – do not use it as a crutch.
You CAN…
Yes, you CAN!

www.tutoringcentral.com
e-mail:          tutoringcentral@hotmail.com
Skype:          tutoringcentral

What is Learning?

What is learning?

Well, this question is far too broad to be answered in a short blog – assuming that it can be answered at all.

But, generally, I think the definition of learning needs to be broadened well beyond the memorization of facts and numbers.  Some people believe that is all there is to learning, but there is so much more.

Learning is engagement, comprehension, knowledge networking, and incorporation as well as acquisition.

I don’t believe in throwing the baby out with the bathwater, however.  There is value in what has come before, but there’s always so much to learn – especially about teaching and the methods to help students (of any age) reach their goals.

Helping students with motivation and encouraging them to be inquisitive is so important because these are the qualities necessary for life-long learning.

Young children are naturally curious and inquisitive.  We’ve all experienced the “why…why…why…why” questions!  (Feels a bit like an inquisition at times – lol.)

They want to know about everything.  The problem is that they are so broad and so brief that they have difficulty reigning in all the disparate bits to develop a coherent learning experience.

That, in part, is a teacher’s job (teacher = parent, tutor, coach, & teacher). The trick is to do so without completely squashing enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.

Technology today may be increasing the duration of this “scattered” learning, so as teachers/tutors/parents, our job will be to help bring the pieces together. Technology is an amazing tool, but that’s all it is without the proper use, it fails. (Yes, I dare to use the ‘f’ word!)

So, I’ve returned to my starting point. Yes, we need knowledge acquisition (facts, information) to be part of learning; however, we also need to be able to network and incorporate these pieces of data while retaining curiosity and enthusiasm.

So learners and teachers (we should all be both), stay motivated – look for the treasure inherent in all learning.

I know you can! 

Website:  tutoringcentral.com

YouTube:   tutoringcentral

E-mail:     tutoringcentral@hotmail.com

Just Help!

Just help me get through the course!
I hear this more often than I would like.
It isn’t that I don’t want to help – I do. However, just getting through a course isn’t the true goal of education.
Too often this is the focus of both students and parents.
The grade rules all!
When in reality gaining knowledge should be the ruling factor. (If you know the material well – the grades will come anyway. Staring at the number or letter won’t make one bit of difference!)

If you are studying a course you don’t particularly like right away – and I know there are compulsory courses in which we have no choice – try to find your way in.
Look for videos, magazines, blogs, diagrams, anything related that might ease the pain.
(Hey! Even a good tutor can help.)
Sometimes, you have to fake it until you make it.

Yes.

It can happen. I have seen it happen multiple times in my years of tutoring. Students sometimes stumble upon either a teacher, book, or method that works for them and that “horrible” course becomes one of their best.
Instead of waiting and hoping to stumble upon something, why not be proactive and seek out materials that can engender interest and more excitement about the course.

The more involved you become, the more you are likely to find those pathways into the course and gain that elusive knowledge.
Gaining knowledge, making connections, developing that network of information – that is education!

So try not to be negative. Instead of saying, “Just help me get through this course,” say, “I have lots to learn, and here’s how I’m going to do it.”
Is that cheesy? Maybe – but, hey, I like cheese!


The more positive you are (or become), the more others will be able to help you. Other students, teachers, coaches, tutors – even the books and articles themselves will be more useful to you if you are engaged and eager to learn.

So, take up the challenge. The next time you hear your inner voice saying, “Just help me….” – help yourself first by turning the negative into the positive.

For more tips and help with your studies, check out the website or contact me (Ron) to set up some sessions:

www.tutoringcentral.com

e-mail:  tutoringcentral@hotmail.com

 Skype:  tutoringcentral

Changing Leaves !

As the days get shorter and frost starts to appear in the morning, those deciduous trees start preparing for winter - giving us some brilliant colour !

What causes this change ?
Without sufficient light and water, photosynthesis shuts down, and trees must live off food stored during the growing season.

As photosynthesis ceases, the leaves lose their chlorophyll, which gives therm their green colour.  Without chlorophyll, other colours emerge - yellows, oranges, and reds.
In sugar Maples, the red happens because glucose remains.
The yellows and oranges are normally in the leaves but the chlorophyll overshadows them until photosynthesis stops.

At any rate the poetry of colour is beautiful to behold!

Well, Back to School !

For many students this is an exciting time.
Time to get new supplies, clothes, etc. and head back to meet up with friends scattered since the summer holiday.
Some students are even eager to get back to learning!

For others, however, it isn't such a great thought.  They aren't looking forward to time in classrooms, teachers' expectations, and ........."work."

For them and for parents (equally inclined), I suggest trying to turn thought patterns into something more positive.  Don't think of it as "work" but more of an opportunity - a chance to expand your knowledge and your understanding not just of history, geography, math, English, etc., but of the whole network of knowledge and how it connects you to the world.
The more you know - the more you can know, and the more opportunities will open up for you time after time.
Turn your thoughts to the idea that school is for you - a tool you use to help yourself.
Once you are in more control, the challenges are acceptable, and you may look forward to proving yourself up to the task.

Being engaged is more than half the battle!

So give it a try.   Turn negative thoughts into positive ones, "work" into challenges, "tests" into games to be conquered.

You can do it !

Brainstorming

Credit photo to: zirconicusso

Don't forget to use brainstorming to help you get started on any writing assignment.

Whether you are writing a book report, speech, essay, or fiction story, brainstorming can help you get started, get organized, and get that final draft quicker!

You should take a few minutes to brainstorm for ideas.
Sit down with a piece of paper and jot down any ideas that come to you when you think about the topic.

For example, if you need to write an essay based on the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, you might brainstorm for ideas you could use to help generate a thesis.  Don't waste time - start scribbling down your thoughts.  Later you will discard those ideas you don't like and narrow down your focus.
              Example:
                      Atticus - just man
                         - willing to sacrifice
                        - too good to be true ?
                        - model parent
             Novel written from child's point of view
                          - flaws in perception ?
                         southern racism and conflict
                    religion vs morals vs law
            Boo - scary character or innocent ?

Your list could be much longer.  Once you have decided on a thesis (or your teacher has given you one) you can brainstorm again to find supports.

You might ask:  "Why do all this chicken-scratching on scrap paper, writing and storming my brain?"

Primarily because "It gets one started."

Looking at a blank page for hours (or days in some cases) waiting for the perfect inspiration to come is the true waste of time!

Also, these thoughts can be used to help you organize your article.  I have read many essays in which the author had a good thesis and some solid supports, but they are written as they come to mind rather than in an organized, planned fashion.  At best, the article seems confused and tricky to read.  At worst, the author's meaning is completely lost in a mish-mash of ideas without unity and coherence.

So don't be afraid of the blank page - use brainstorming to get you started.