Tips for Taking the Test: Part Five

The Morning Of Edition

• Wake up early enough that you're not late for school.
• Eat a healthy breakfast. 
• Go through your normal morning routine. Brush your teeth, comb your hair, wash your face, etc. 
• Try to keep the morning as stress-free as possible. If that means waking up five minutes early to avoid rushing around trying to get ready, do it. 
• When you get to school, try to avoid panicking. Take deep breaths and do some chair exercises. 
• Eat your snack before the test if your teacher lets you. 
• Stay hydrated with a water bottle if your teacher lets you.
• During the test, stay focused. 
• Try to do your best. No matter what anyone else tells you, your best is all you can do. 
• Don't panic if you find yourself coming across a question you have no idea how to answer. Go back to the passage and try to find the answer, but try not to spend too much time on one question. Skip the question if you need to, and remember to leave a space on your answer document for it. Go back to it at the end, and if you need to, eliminate one or two answer choices then make an educated guess. 
• Don't worry; you'll do fine. :) 

Tips for Taking the Test: Part Four

The Night Before Edition

• Get a good night's sleep. 
• Eat a healthy dinner.
• Relax with your favorite book or TV show. 
• Don't overexert yourself.
• Don't study. You might feel compelled to do one last practice test, but it won't help. All of your education thus far has been preparing you to take this test. There is nothing new you can learn to help you take the test tomorrow. There is nothing that you don't already know that will help you. 
• Don't strain your eyes. Don't spend too much time at the computer or playing video games or watching TV. Don't read a book with very small print font. Don't squint at things. You want your eyes to be fresh for tomorrow. 
• Try not to strain your muscles. Skip the exercise routine for today. 
• Prepare everything the night before. Prepare your pencils and snacks. Get your bookbag ready for tomorrow morning. 
• Relax. You're going to do fine. Check out these tips for relaxation if you start freaking out: http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/blissing-out-10-relaxation-techniques-reduce-stress-spot
• If you're one of our students, feel free to call us for some last-minute tips and motivation. :) 
• Check out the next post for what to do the morning of the test. 

Tips for Taking the Test: Part Three

This post is going to be all about test-taking vocabulary.

Go to this site and watch the video. Pay attention to the words in white, then scroll down for the lyrics. Click on each word in blue to learn more about it: http://www.flocabulary.com/test-taking-vocabulary/

Describe: Give specific details that paint a verbal picture of what you are trying to write about

Identify: To find, to point out

Explain: Tell why something is the way it is

Infer: Make an educated guess based on the details in the text

Develop: To create and expand upon

Evaluate: Examine all the parts of a whole and make a judgement based on those parts

Justify: Provide facts, details, and evidence from the text to support your stance or your answer

Analysis: To break something down into parts and explain each one in detail

Tips for Taking the Test: Part Two

The last post focused on general tips for taking the test. This one will focus on tips for the writing section.

• Use as many details as possible. Test-graders love details. 
• Pre-write for 5 minutes. Outline, brainstorm, organize your ideas, etc. Don't just start writing. If you have an outline, your final piece will be more organized and coherent. 
• Edit once you're done for 5 minutes if you have the time. Check for spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. 
• Check out this rubric to find out exactly what the test takers are looking for: http://www.syracusecityschools.com/tfiles/folder717/Unit%20One%20Reading%20Rubric%20-%20Q3.pdf
• Your goal is a 3 or a 4. You need to be clear and coherent to achieve this grade. You need to use lots of details and prove that your stance is the correct one. You need to never deviate from the prompt or go off on a tangent. Your grammar and punctation need to be on target. You need to be logical and have great analysis. 
• Here is another rubric. It's from Georgia, but test-takers are looking for the same thing all over the nation: http://jortegablog.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/8th-grade-writing-rubric.pdf
• Make sure you answer the question being asked. You could write the best essay ever written about dogs, but if the question is asking about cats, you're going to get a zero. 
• Don't make anything up. Only use details from the text. 
• Go back to the text and underline details you want to use in your response. 
• In your conclusion, make a big connection if possible. Make a text-to-text or text-to-world connection or say something profound that sums up your entire essay. 

Tips For Taking the Test: Part One

• Read the questions first. 
• Write a few key words describing what you are looking for. For example, if the question asks for the main idea of the passage, write main idea. 
• Remember what you are looking for as you read the passage. 
• Mark up the questions - underline, circle, box, you name it. Write all over the test. 
• Read the directions. Sometimes there will be clues in the directions that tell you vital information about the passage like what time period it was written in or what genre it is. 
• Mark up the passage - write 3 words next to every paragraph that summarizes the paragraph. This will help you find what you're looking for when you go back to the passage to answer the questions. 
• Go back to the passage for every question. You need to have a justification for you answer. 
• Wear a watch.
• Wear a rubber band too. If you feel yourself getting distracted, pluck it gently. 
• Concentrate on the test. Nothing matters but the test. 
• Pretend that the entire world is contained within the test. There exists nothing outside of or beyond the world of the test. Everything you know or ever knew is in the test. 
• You can find the answer to every question in the passage, if you look hard enough. 
• If you feel you miss important details when you read, read the passage twice. This is especially important for my ESL students and my students who get extra time. 
• Don't guess!!! Everything you need to know is in the passage. 
• Take a small snack to eat before-hand so you don't get hungry during the test.
• Eat a good breakfast of protein and carbs. That means no sugary snacks or Lucky Charms. 
• Read every choice before answering the question. B might seem like a great answer, but D might be the perfect - and the right - answer. 
• Use context clues when dealing with unfamiliar words. 
• Find the main idea and themes of every passage. 
• Take your time. Don't rush. 
• Do some chair stretches before the test. Roll your shoulders. Lift your legs. Do arm circles. Sit up straight and stretch your back. It doesn't matter if you look silly; it'll help you loosen up and relax. 
• Visualize yourself getting you goal grade. Picture a 3 in your mind, and work towards that goal. 
• Remember that I believe in you. You're going to do great! 

Shopping List: Essential Educational Books

1100 Words You Need to Know is an essential resource for all students. It helps improve vocabulary for standardized testing, including the SAT and state tests. Every student should own or borrow a copy and work on it every week: http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/1438001665?tag=pctwix-20

Perplexors are a fun way to improve logic skills.

Standard Perplexors: http://www.mindware.com/p/Perplexors-Basic-Level-%28Ages-8-to-9%29/90445

Math Perplexors: http://www.mindware.com/p/Math-Perplexors-Level-A-%28Ages-8-to-9%29/36026

Venn Perplexors: http://www.mindware.com/p/Venn-Perplexors-Level-A/17001

Grid Perplexors: http://www.mindware.com/p/Grid-Perplexors-Level-A-%28Ages-8-to-9%29/26118

Learning About Culture: Native Americans and First Nation Peoples

It is important to learn about Native Americans and First Nation Peoples because they were living in North America before European settlers ever set eyes on North America. They taught the first settlers of the Americans everything they knew about farming and surviving in the North American winters.

Native peoples took from the land but never abused the land. Native peoples worshipped the land, the stars, and the Earth. They gave thanks for their food and everything they took from the land. Native Americans originally lived all over North America, but now unfortunately live mainly on reservations and in the northern parts of Canada due to the many injustices done unto them by earlier generations.

Native American culture is fascinating. My grandmother loves Native American culture because she "woke up one day and went to a Pow Wow. I went there and I saw the dancing, I saw the paintings. I listened to the stories and I began to love the culture. I began to read up on their culture, traditions, and customs and made friends in the Pow Wow circuit, including Johnny Tiger Jr. and Ken Rainbow Cougar Edwards."

Here are some links so you can learn more about the beautiful cultures of Native peoples:

History.com: http://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/native-american-cultures

Native American Heritage Month official site: http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/

First Nations people in Canada: https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1307460755710/1307460872523

First Peoples of Canada site: http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_groups/fp_groups_overview.html

First Nations Development Institute: http://www.firstnations.org/

Learning about the Enviornment

Learning about the environment is essential to becoming an informed citizen of any nation. The environment concerns all of us and everyone around us. We must protect the environment for generations to come, and preserve existing resources for the future. Check out some of the links below to help you learn more about the environment.

United States Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/

Recycle Bank Live Green : https://livegreen.recyclebank.com/

Natural Resources Defense Council: http://www.nrdc.org/

EPA It's Our Environment Blog: http://blog.epa.gov/blog/

EPA Science Blog: http://blog.epa.gov/science/

EPA Blog for Students: http://blog.epa.gov/students/

National Geographic Environment Facts and News: http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/

My SAT Experience

I took my SAT's for the first time in 9th grade and got a 2120. I'd studied for a week in 7th grade, and I felt like I was ready for the Big Day.

I'd never taken a practice test, so the format of the test was a little bit of a shock to me. The length of the test was also brutal. After three and a half hours of nothing but the hardest math, reading, and writing questions I'd ever encountered, I was more than ready for the double order of cheeseburgers I had at McDonalds right after. I still remember them, because by the time I was done, I was so hungry those two cheeseburgers were better than the best caviar and brie dinner I could wish for.

The test starts off with a writing section, or at least it did back in my SAT-taking days. That'll change soon, so disregard this paragraph if you'll be taking your SAT's more than two years from now. The best advice I got before the test was the fill up the writing section. I got a 740 in writing the first time I took the SATs because of that advice, but the next time I made the mistake of following my English teacher's advice, which will not be repeated here since it earned me a 700. :(

I can't remember which section came next, but I remember that I got a 740 on the critical reading the first time and a perfect score the next time, thanks in part to the mandatory SAT prep required by my school and the fact that I was a year older and had read a great deal more in that year. I got a 640 on the math the first time and a 670 the next time, mostly because I hadn't taken all the required math courses to do well and therefore was not familiar with all the math. My advice: Don't take your SAT's until you are done with Algebra II. Trust me, that class will help you tremendously. I'd probably get a 700 or better if I took my math SAT's today after having taken that course, Trig, and Calc.

I didn't finish the math section either time. There were just too many difficult questions. Don't expect to finish every section; the test is designed so that most people don't.

I ended up getting a 2210 Superscore the second time around, due in part to Friday SAT prep at my school that was instituted mainly because the teachers had little else to do with us.

The day I took my SAT, something else happened to me besides finding the best two cheeseburgers on Earth. I got lost in an airport. For an hour. Anyone who has ever been lost anywhere will feel some of my pain, but getting lost in an airport is just about the worse place to get lost. You could theoretically end up anywhere, and finding someone to help you is like finding the Higgs Boson: difficult and awe-inducing. I eventually found an adult, and got back to my mom and the wayward traveller we were there to find. Everything turned out fine in the end.

I guess what I'm really trying to say is try not to worry too much about your first time taking the SAT's. You will have plenty of other chances to improve your scores, and if all goes well, you too will find your cheeseburger heaven afterwards.

The SAT's

The SAT's

Yes, the dreaded test. First of all, relax. This is a test that there is a way to do well, if you are willing to put in some work. Like many tests, practice is a good thing so you get used to the type of questions asked, and the manner in which they are asked.

The very first thing that must be understood is that this is not a test that can be studied for the week of the test. You are being tested upon knowledge accumulated over the course of your school career. This is not a test that you can begin studying for the month of the test either.

You will be taking a practice SAT in 10th grade. That is called a PSAT and it is often a very good indication of the grade you will receive on the actual test. As the vast majority of schools ask for SAT scores during the college application process, you don't want to wait until senior year to take your SAT's. Ideally, you should plan to take your SAT at the earliest possible time in 11th grade. Why so early? Well, if you do poorly, or not as well as you'd like, you have time for study and practice to retake the test later in the year. You can take this test as many times as you like. Be aware that there are fees associated with the SAT as well as with the SAT subject tests.

Subscribe to the SAT question of the day. Buy an SAT practice test. Ask friends who have already taken the test if they have older copies. Go to the library and take out one of their SAT books. Take practice tests online. Set timers so you know your speed and work to increase that speed. What are you problem areas? Focus upon those areas. Scour the internet for vocabulary lists and learn those words. Get 1100 Words You Need To Know by Barron's, and work the exercises in the book. Having a good vocabulary is one of the keys to doing well on the test.

Soon, the essay writing part of the test will no longer be required. Those of you who fall under the new rules are lucky. But, that won't make the test any easier to get through. Start this process in 8th grade to be as prepared as possible. Don't think you've got nothing but time. Your PSAT will come around a lot sooner than you think.

When looking at colleges, see what sort of SAT scores they require for you to get into their school. For instance, Brooklyn College requires a minimum of 1550. Some schools require much higher grades. See if they have a base line for math for instance. Some schools won't even consider your application if you get under a 600 in one of the subjects. Scoring as it stands now is 800 points for three sections. The highest score is 2400. The national average score is 1500. If, when you take your PSAT's you are below that number, you have some work that must be done. Spend 10 minutes a day on SAT work during school. Spend 30 minutes to one hour during breaks and vacation. If you do this, the pressure your teachers will be putting on you will lessen dramatically.

If you want and are feeling confident, take your actual SAT's in 9th or 10th grade. It's a win-win for you. You will understand the nerve wracking process of test day, and it will allow you to know what areas you must focus upon. he test is given in High Schools across NYC and chances are good that you won't know anyone in your testing room. You certainly won't know the proctors. Parents are not allowed in the school, so you are on your own. If you tank the test, those grades never need to be reported.

Should you need more tips, please ask in the comment section, and we will be happy to answer all your questions.

Remember, this is NOT about putting pressure on you. The better prepared you are, the more confident you will be, and the better you will do on the test!

Oh the Places You'll Go - Focusing on College

High school students should start looking at their choices for college as early as possible. Students should attend college webcasts and schedule college tours with local colleges to get a general sense of what college life and the college application process is like in their freshman year. Freshman year should also be spent preparing for the SAT and ACT tests, taking courses that will look fantastic on a college transcript, and engaging in extracurricular activities that will enhance college applications.

Sophomore year should be spent researching different colleges, continuing to take all the steps mentioned for freshmen, and starting to decide on a college. Don't worry; this will not be your final decision! People change a lot between 10th and 12th grade, and you might change your mind, but having an idea of what college you want to go to early in the game will make things easier for you when everyone else is panicking about what college they want to go to. Sophomore year is also when you take your PSAT's for the first time, which is a good indicator of what you will get on your actual SATs and which will allow you to pinpoint what topics you need to focus on when studying.

Junior year is when the college search gets serious, and also when you'll be taking your SATs. In junior year, you should make a list of the colleges you're thinking about, and research each one carefully. Consider the following things:

• Cost. How much can you afford to spend on college? Are you expecting to get a scholarship based on need or based on your awesome grades? Are you expecting financial aid from FASFA or another organization? How much are you expecting your parents or guardian to contribute to your tuition? Do you have a job, or money saved up for college? 
• Distance. Do you want to go away for college, or stay close to home? Are you considering going abroad for college? Remember that tuition for out-of-state students is a lot higher than tuition for in-state students. 
• School community and atmosphere. If possible, talk to a current student or look up reviews online. Research things to do in your college town. See if it is a place you'd be willing and eager to spend the next four years. 
• Academics. How strong is the college's academic program? How strong is the program you're looking to go into in a particular school? Even if a school is great overall, if you want to go into economics and the school's economics program is weak, you may want to reconsider. 
• Majors offered. You don't have to decide what you want to do with your life at the age of sixteen or seventeen, but it may be a good idea to start thinking of what career you want to go into when you graduate. A major will prepare you for that career, so if a college doesn't offer the major you're looking for, you'll definitely want to reconsider. 
• Future prospects. What percent of people graduate from the college you're looking at? How many of them have job offers in the first few months after graduating? These are all things to consider when looking at potential colleges. 

Senior year is when you start applying to college. I would personally recommend applying early decision or early action. Ask you college counselor more about these terms. Generally, you will get a decision earlier and have a better chance of getting into your chosen college, both of which are clear benefits. Waiting for a decision can be stressful, so the earlier you get one, the better. Even if you don't apply early action, apply as early as possible. Don't wait until the night before the deadline, and don't end up like me. I spent my entire Christmas break, Christmas Eve included, finishing my applications. Trust me, it wasn't fun. 

When you've applied to all of your colleges, all that is left is to wait for a decision, something that is a lot harder than it seems, as I've been finding out as of late. While you are waiting, focus on your school work and don't fall into the trap of senioritis - something that is, as I've been told, is a real disease, though not one I am suffering from. 

When your decision finally comes, you'll have a lot of tough choices to make. Where will you go? Hopefully, you've been accepted into more than one college. Look back on your notes from junior year when you did all that research about potential colleges. Hopefully you'll have looked at each college carefully and ordered your list. Maybe you've even fallen in love with one particular college, as I did. My advice to you is to visit every potential college, especially if they are close to home or in your home state. College visits aren't an option for me, as I applied to schools out of the country and across the my home nation, which is rather large, but they might be an option for you. 

And afterwards, when you've made your choice, you are off to start a brand new life! Congratulations! 

Resources from Derry Village School

Derry Village School is the entity responsible for creating the amazing resource provided in the last post. They have a ton of other great resources for their students and for the students of the world, ranging from a Letter Creator to a variety of math challenges to a couple of awesome art resources.

Check it out: http://dvs.sau10.org/students

150 Essential Math Questions

Below is a link to a document that lists 150 plus essential math questions all mathematics students should be able to answer. The questions are primarily for elementary school students, but older students can benefit from discussing questions like "How can I use fractions in real life?"

150+ Essential Math Questions: http://www.rowan.edu/open/mcsiip/files/150%20Essential%20Questions.docx

History.com Learning Resources

History.com offers a ton of cool and fun learning resources. Check some out below.

Lists of awesome historical facts: http://www.history.com/news/history-lists

Food history: http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history

Today in history: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

Resources by Topic: http://www.history.com/topics

Historical Speeches Archive: http://www.history.com/speeches

History blog: http://www.history.com/news/history-blog

Bill Nye the Science Guy

Bill Nye the Science Guy is well-known for his love of science and for spreading that love to adoring children around the world.

Check out his site for cool articles and science facts about things ranging from asteroids to zooplankton: http://www.billnye.com/

Check out his home demos as well: http://www.billnye.com/for-kids-teachers/home-demos/

Glencoe Learning Resource

Glencoe offers a wide variety of free online textbooks in many subjects. The textbooks are accompanied by fun quizzes, projects, tests, and other activities that enhance and facilitate learning.

Just enter your state and choose a subject from the drop-down menu on the site.

http://www.glencoe.com/

Scholarship Resources

Paying for college can be difficult at the best of times. Scholarships can go a long way to funding your college education. It's never too early or too late to start searching for scholarships, so check out the links below.

Moolah Spot: http://www.moolahspot.com/

Zinch: http://www.zinch.com/

Niche: http://colleges.niche.com/scholarships/

Cappex: https://www.cappex.com/

Fastweb: http://www.fastweb.com/

Big Future: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search

If you know of any other scholarship resources, post them in the comments!

Lesson Plans for Teachers - Metropolitan Museum of Art

Lesson plans by subject: http://www.metmuseum.org/learn/for-educators/lesson-plans

Lesson plans by region: http://www.metmuseum.org/learn/for-educators/publications-for-educators

Lesson plans by time period: http://www.metmuseum.org/learn/for-educators/timeline

Smithsonian Learning Resources

Q?rius, where you can explore a wide range of different scientific activities and topics: http://qrius.si.edu/

Forces of Change, where you can explore the Arctic, the atmosphere, El Nino, and current conditions: http://forces.si.edu/index.html

Lesson plans for teachers: http://www.mnh.si.edu/education/lessonplans.html

Ocean Portal, where you can explore the deep blue sea: http://ocean.si.edu/

Exhibition Explorer, where you can explore the Smithsonian's exhbitions online: http://www.mnh.si.edu/education/exhibitions/index.html

The Evolving Earth: http://www.mnh.si.edu/explore/earth.htm

Diversity of Life: http://www.mnh.si.edu/explore/diversity.htm

The Human Connection: http://www.mnh.si.edu/explore/human.htm

Our Connected Planet: http://www.mnh.si.edu/explore/connected.htm

The Why Files: http://whyfiles.org/

Other Resources: http://www.mnh.si.edu/education/teachersandclassrooms.html

Even More Resources, sorted by topic: http://www.ssec.si.edu/ms-teaching-resources

Procrastination

We've all been there. Your teacher assigns you a term paper that's due in six weeks. You tell yourself you'll do it tomorrow. You even make a plan. Suddenly, it's due tomorrow morning and it's already ten o'clock the night before.

Here are some tips to help you stop procrastinating and get right to work:

• Post reminders everywhere. Post them on your bedroom door, all over your study space, right by your bed, and even on the refrigerator. No one likes being reminded of what they need to do for school when it's snack-time. Eventually, you'll get tired to seeing your reminders and (hopefully) get down to business. 
• If you have a tablet or a computer, set e-reminders at a given interval. Try setting the alert to go off every five minutes. You will soon get tired of an annoying electronic voice begging you to do your homework. 
• Make a to-do list, and break an assignment up into little pieces. Cross off each item as you complete it. This will give you a sense of accomplishment that will keep you going through everything you have to do. Here is an example:

To-Do List:

Algebra Page 118, problems 3-7. 

1. Problem 3
2. Problem 4
3. Problem 5
4. Problem 6
5. Problem 7

English Paper

1. Introduction
2. Body Paragraph 1
3. Body Paragraph 2
4. Body Paragraph 3
5. Conclusion

Social Studies Vocabulary Review Assignment

1. American Revolution
2. Boston Tea-Party
3. Suffrage
4. Prohibition

• Get rid of distractions. Power off your cell phone, iPad, game console, or other distracting electronic devices. Put your dog downstairs. Enlist your parents to take care of your younger siblings. 
• Set a timer. Promise yourself you will do nothing but work for thirty minutes. Then take a break, and repeat. 
• Reward yourself by doing something fun after you are completely done with all of your work. 
• Buy a day planner or calendar to write down what you need to do so you don't lose track of your assignments. Some schools give pupils free planners in the first week. Use them wisely. 
• Don't get overwhelmed if you have a million assignments all due in the next week. Pick a place to start, and dig yourself out one assignment at a time. 
• Once you've stopped procrastinating, don't start again! It's all too easy to get caught in that rut again, but don't fall for the all-too alluring promise of the "I'll do it tomorrow" or the "This can wait until later" spiel. 
• Keep using these tips and tricks throughout your entire school career. They will help you get things done on time, and save you a lot of pain and frustration. 

Leave your anti-procrastination tips in the comments! 

Studying

Studying can be difficult at the best of times. It's always hard to find the time, and sometimes life just gets in the way. However, studying is a vital skill that everyone should at least know how to do. Studying can lead to better grades, higher self-esteem, parental pride, and, most importantly, the knowledge that you, as a learner, have bettered yourself through the pursuit of knowledge.

Here are some study tips:

• Set aside at least 30 minutes a day to study. Spend 10 minutes on your weakest subject or subjects, and divide the remaining time amongst the rest of your subjects. 
• When people are in the process of losing weight, they sometimes post pictures of what they want to look like on their refrigerators. You can do something similar by going to this site: http://www.reportcard.ncca.ie/ and creating the report card you want to have and posting it somewhere prominent near your study space. It'll give you something to work to, and when you finally achieve your goal - and I'm confident that you will - you can replace the model report card with the actual one. 
• Write down important information on index cards or on an online document or graphic organizer tool. Organize information into groups or in order of most to least important. Sometimes seeing the material in a different format can help cement it in your mind.
• Read your notes aloud. If you are an auditory learner, hearing something twice can help keep it in your long-term memory. 
• Re-write the most important bits of information somewhere safe. Writing has been proven to help cement knowledge in your memory. 
• With your parent's permission, create a study wall. Dedicate a space in your room to your study wall, and look at it every night before you go to sleep and every morning when you wake up. Post index cards or post-its containing vital information you need to know on the study wall. 
• Keep your notes organized. If your notes are always in disarray, how can you study? 
• Take good notes in class. If your notes are bad, it'll be hard to study from them. Make sure your notes are legible. If you can't read them, you can't study from them. 
• Make studying into a game. Take the index card idea to the next level by quizzing yourself on the knowledge you've written down. Play with a study buddy or by yourself. Either way, you'll be learning and having fun at the same time. 
• Use online resources. There are a ton of online resources on every subject imaginable. A small fraction of them can be found of this blog, millions more can be found with a search engine like Google or Bing. 
• Use your teacher. Ask them your questions after class or during their office hours. Most teachers are happy to help students who are respectful and willing to learn. Write down a list of questions before you go to them, and ask them for assistance at the first convenient moment. 
• Motivate yourself! If you're struggling to sit down and start, promise yourself that you'll do something fun, rewarding, and healthy after you finish studying. Say to yourself that you will play outside after you are done, or enjoy your favorite salad. (We all know you'll be eating ice cream, though.) Get your parents on board with the reward system too. If they are willing, exchange a few extra minutes of TV time for your promise to study 30 minutes every night. 
• Study with your friends or siblings. 
• Set up a space dedicated only to studying and homework. Don't use your bed or the kitchen table. You'll get hungry, sleepy, bored, or all three at once, and none of those moods are conducive to studying. 
• Use a variety of studying skills. Mix it up, or you risk getting bored and studying less. 

If you follow these tips, you'll be sure to see your grades steadily rise. If you're still struggling, consider hiring a tutor or asking a teacher for help. 

Leave your studying tips in the comments! 

Algebra Equations Practice - 8th Grade

One-step integer equations: http://www.math-aids.com/Algebra/Algebra_1/Equations/One_Step_Integers.html

One-step integer, decimal, and fraction equations: http://www.math-aids.com/Algebra/Algebra_1/Equations/One_Step_All.html

One-step word problems: http://www.math-aids.com/Algebra/Algebra_1/Equations/One_Step_Word_Problems.html

Two-step integer equations: http://www.math-aids.com/Algebra/Algebra_1/Equations/Two_Step_Integers.html

Two-step word problems: http://www.math-aids.com/Algebra/Algebra_1/Equations/Two_Step_Word_Problems.html

Multiple-step integer equations: http://www.math-aids.com/Algebra/Algebra_1/Equations/Multiple_Step_Integers.html

Solving proportions: http://www.math-aids.com/Algebra/Algebra_1/Equations/Solving_Proportions.html

Distance, rate, and time equations: http://www.math-aids.com/Algebra/Algebra_1/Equations/DRT_Problems.html

A mixture of all of the above: http://www.math-aids.com/Algebra/Algebra_1/Equations/Mixture.html

The great thing about math-aids.com is that you can choose whether you want your numbers to be represented as words, numbers, or a mixture of both, that you can generate an unlimited number of worksheets for any given topic, and that you have the option of generating an answer key as well.

Equations review from another source, with answer key at bottom: https://www.kutasoftware.com/FreeWorksheets/GeoWorksheets/1-Review%20of%20Equations.pdf

BBC Learning Resources

The BBC is a great resource for learning a variety of subjects. Check out some of the links below. Some of the content may not be available unless you are in the UK, but a lot of it is. 

BBC History: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/0/

BBC Science: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/0/

BBC iWonder: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iwonder

BBC Arts and Culture: http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/0/

BBC Nature: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/

BBC Math: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths/

More BBC learning resources: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/

Finally, cool, free learning resources for teachers: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/teachers/teacherspacks/

Learning About Culture Spotlight: Western Europe

Western Europe has the distinction of being one of the most influential, if not the most influential, political body in the recent history of humanity. From the Roman Empire, to the British Empire, to the region's involvement in some of the most devastating wars ever to be waged across the surface of our planet, Western Europe is a region undoubtedly rich in both historical heritage and future potential.

Here are some sites where you can learn more about this intriguing part of the world:

(Please note that definitions of what is 'Western Europe' vary widely. The narrowest include only the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Belgium, while the most inclusive count eastern nations like Greece and Turkey.)

Germany: https://www.deutschland.de/en

United Kingdom: http://www.bbc.com/

France: http://www.france.fr/en.html

Belgium: http://www.belgium.be/en/

Ireland: http://www.ireland.com/en-us and http://www.discoverireland.ie/

The Netherlands/Holland: http://www.government.nl/ and http://www.holland.com/us/tourism.htm

Austria: http://www.austria.info/uk and http://www.bka.gv.at/site/3327/Default.aspx

Switzerland: http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/home.html and http://www.admin.ch/index.html?lang=en&

Italy: http://www.italia.it/en/home.html

Portugal: http://www.portugal.gov.pt/en.aspx and http://www.visitportugal.com/en

The Thesaurus

Using a thesaurus is a great way to learn new vocabulary and take your essays and projects to the next level. Try substituting boring, familiar words with new, exciting words while you're writing. Sprinkling in a few million-dollar words in any essay can mean the difference between an A and a B.

Check out the online thesaurus. It's free and easy to use: http://thesaurus.com/

In addition to synonyms, http://thesaurus.com/ gives you antonyms and related words. Check it out!

Assorted 8th Grade Math Review Links

Here are some links for reviewing for the 8th grade state test in New York in late April for all of my 8th grade students:

http://www.analyzemath.com/middle_school_math/grade_8/problems.html

http://www.gvsd.org/cms/lib02/PA01001045/Centricity/Domain/404/11.12_Algebra_1_Midterm_Multiple_Choice_Review_ANSWERS.pdf

http://www.somersetacademy.com/ourpages/auto/2013/12/9/38514055/Mid-Term%20Intensive%20Math%208th%20Grade%20STUDY%20GUIDE.pdf

http://southwoodmiddleschool.org/ourpages/auto/2012/10/16/43062830/8th%20Grade%20Intensive%20-%20Topic%201.pdf

http://www.azed.gov/standards-development-assessment/files/2011/06/aims8mathematicssampletestsandthinkthroughs1.pdf

Comprehensive 7th Grade Math Review

Below is a link to a comprehensive 7th grade math review with answers.

Link: http://www.aea267.k12.ia.us/system/assets/uploads/files/992/daily_may_review_-_7th_grade.pdf

Learning about Culture Spotlight: The Nordic Nations

The five Nordic nations consist of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Finland and all of their corresponding territories and land holdings. The Nordic countries lead the world charts in categories like education and gender equality. The world has a lot to learn from these five spectacular nations.

Here are links to their official sites, where you can learn more about each:

Denmark: http://denmark.dk/

Sweden: http://sweden.se/

Norway: http://www.norway.org/

Iceland: http://www.iceland.is/

Finland: http://finland.fi/Public/default.aspx?

Writing Resources from NanoWriMo

The good folks at NanoWriMo have created a series of noveling notebooks that help you create an awesome plot and amazing characters.

Elementary School: http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/files/ywp/Elementary_School_Workbook_Customizable_V2.pdf

Middle School: http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/files/ywp/Middle_School_Workbook_Customizable_V2.pdf

High School: http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/files/ywp/High_School_Workbook_Customizable_V2.pdf


They also have great lessons plans for educators: http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/lesson-plans

Camp NanoWriMo

Camp NanoWriMo runs in April and July. It's a writing program that challenges young writers to choose their own writing art form and a word goal, and to reach that word goal by the end of the month. The Camp allows young writers to choose their 'cabin mates' and describes itself as "an idyllic writer's retreat smack dab in the middle of your crazy life."

Come check it out at: http://campnanowrimo.org/

April Script-Writing Month

April used to be script-writing month. Unfortunately, that tradition has ended in the larger world. However, it is still celebrated here at Infinite Potential Tutoring. We encourage all of our students to write a screenplay or other script during the month of April, and attempt to do so ourselves.

Script Frenzy's 2012 homepage can be found here: http://2012.scriptfrenzy.org/index.html

And a ton of writing resources can be found here: http://2012.scriptfrenzy.org/eng/howtoguides

Learn German Online Free

DW offers free online German courses. Check it out: http://www.dw.de/learn-german/s-2469

SAT Prep Resource

The SAT's are one of the most difficult and most important tests you will take in your lifetime. The earlier you begin to prepare, the better your score will be, and the better your chances of getting into a good college and getting a fancy scholarship will be. Here are some SAT prep resources right from the source.

College Board SAT Question of the Day: https://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-question-of-the-day

SAT Practice Test: https://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-practice-test

SAT Answers Imagined: https://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/answers-imagined

SAT Skills Insight: https://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-skills-insight

Get your study plan: https://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-study-plan

Online Museum Tours and Exhibitions

Online museum tours are a great way to access the knowledge held within a museum without leaving the comfort of your home. Check out some of links below to visit some of the world's finest museums without leaving your living room.

Smithsonian: https://www.mnh.si.edu/panoramas/

Louvre: http://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne

Boston Museum of Fine Arts: https://www.mfa.org/explore/interactive-tours

The Frick Collection: http://www.frick.org/visit/virtual_tour

British Museum: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/online_tours.aspx

National Women's History Museum: https://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/

Holocaust Memorial Museum: http://www.ushmm.org/information/exhibitions/online-features/online-exhibitions

Canadian Museum of History: http://www.historymuseum.ca/exhibitions/online-exhibitions/online-exhibitions

American Museum of Photography: http://www.photographymuseum.com/guide.html

Tour an ancient Roman villa: http://www.villa-rustica.de/tour/toure.html

Colonial Williamsburg eMuseum: http://emuseum.history.org/

Today's Lesson - Renewable Resources and World Water Day

Yesterday, March 22nd, was World Water Day. It's a day dedicated to raising awareness about water shortages around the globe and to trying to get people who do have access to this life-giving resource to reduce their usage.

World Water Day Website: http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/home/en/

Today, my student and I will be exploring the reasons WWD was started and looking at some facts and figures about water usage around the world.

We will also be learning more about other natural resources and reviewing what a renewable resource is.

We will be using this site: http://nationalatlas.gov/articles/people/a_energy.html

What is Brainstorming?

Brainstorming is airing idea out loud. Each person within a group builds upon ideas thrown onto the table. Brainstorming can elicit some amazing ideas. You can brainstorm with anyone, including your family and friends. You can even brainstorm alone.

Brainstorming is a great way to get started on a project, paper, or other assignment. It can be useful when writing or making connections while reading. We even brainstormed about this post!

Let's Get Organized!

Organized people work more efficiently than disorganized people. The key is to work smart, not hard. While every person will develop their own organizational style, here are some tips to get you started.

• Color code your different subjects in your binder.

• Create a different bookmark and document folder for each subject on your computer.

• Clean out your binders once per month, making sure to keep your old notes for reference. 

• You should be re-reading notes of the day at least once a week, if not daily, as this will help keep needed information in your long-term memory and make it easier to study for tests. 

• Make sure your book-bag is cleaned out weekly. 

• Keep to-do lists. 

What are your tips for keeping organized? Let us know in the comments! 

Open Courseware

Some people are born with a hunger for knowledge burning deep within them. If you are one of those people, you know the feeling of wanting - no, needing - to learn more about everything and anything around you. Even if you're not, it is never a bad idea to learn about any given topic or to better yourself through the pursuit of knowledge. Below are some links to open courseware from some of the world's top universities. Everything is free, and easy to use. The only challenge will be deciding which of the many interesting courses to choose!

Coursera: https://www.coursera.org/

MIT open courseware: http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

Open Yale: http://oyc.yale.edu/

edX: https://www.edx.org/

High School Math Resource

Jmap is a great resource for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II/Trigonometry. You can find old regents exams, answer keys, worksheets, and lessons for all high school math topics. The interface may take a while to get used to, but the site is great for anyone preparing for a test, studying for class, or trying to get a deeper understanding of a math topic.

Link: http://www.jmap.org/

Test Prep Resources

Ohio, Grades 3-8: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Testing/Testing-Materials/Released-Test-Materials-for-Ohio-s-Grade-3-8-Achie

California, Grades 3-12: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/css05rtq.asp

New York, Elementary: http://www.nysedregents.org/elementary.html

New York, Intermediate: http://www.nysedregents.org/intermediate.html

New York, High School: http://www.nysedregents.org/

Alaska, Grades 3-9: https://www.eed.state.ak.us/tls/assessment/SBA_PracticeTests.html

Arizona, Grades 3-12: http://www.azed.gov/standards-development-assessment/aims/sample-for-students/

A comprehensive list of released testing materials from all 50 US states can be found here: https://www.schoolquest.org/state-education-resources/result/all-states/31/P25/

Educational Videos

Sometimes it's fun just to kick back and watch TV. That doesn't mean you can't learn and have fun at the same time, though. Here are links to two shows done by the guys that do Top Gear about science. Watch as Jeremy Clarkson takes you through the history of the five inventions that shaped the world into what we know it as today, and view as Richard Hammond takes you into three 'invisible worlds.' Fans of Top Gear will realize that I forgot James May, but he does in fact have his own science series, Things you Need to Know, just like his co-hosts. However, as that show is only for mature students, it will not be linked.


Inventions that Changed the World:

Computers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E56QitzsoU

Jets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8D_UzMhjH8

Telephones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8Cb1q2BwBc&list=UUUc6nl6726mbwhIEEPnRUJA

Guns: (For older children only) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JLfWnpkA9g&list=UUUc6nl6726mbwhIEEPnRUJA

Televisions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeW-IZNKTd8


Invisible Worlds: 

Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKA97VWmwtU

Episode 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihewOunI1X4

Episode 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VdthV6sLFA

Let's Talk About....

Current events. Past events. Space. The universe. Politics. Books. Newspaper articles, etc, etc, etc. 

In order to develop critical thinking skills, children must be able to make deeper connections to whatever materials they are exposed to. No subject should be off bounds. Discussions should take place in the form of a debate. Ask your child deep and probing questions until they begin to see the connections for themselves. Discussions should be child-led, if at all possible. 

8th Grade Science Resources

Here are some great resources for 8th graders taking the NY State Science Exam this year:

Physical Science Review Packet: http://web.archive.org/web/20061004044940/http://sym.sbo.hampton.k12.va.us/solresources/8science.pdf

Physical Science Vocabulary: http://web.archive.org/web/20061004044945/http://sym.sbo.hampton.k12.va.us/solresources/8sciencevoc.pdf

A list of other great sources complied by the wonderful folks at internet4classrooms.com: http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_8th_science.htm#physical

Time Management

One of the best ways to manage your time and to learn time-management skills is to use daily, weekly, and monthly to-do lists. Put all of your assignments, tests, quizzes, projects, and other events onto a calendar and post it in a central location within your home. This is especially important for children that have ADHD or who are forgetful. These skills should be started well before high school in order to get you used to the many and varied projects that you will have in high school.

When you have projects that are due in several week's time, manage them in small chunks so as not to become overwhelmed. Time management is learned behavior, but can be mastered with practice.

For those who struggle with time management, there are a number of good and inexpensive apps on the Itunes app store that can help you.

Math Video Resources

Sometimes you need a little extra help with that tricky concept in algebra, or maybe your calculus teacher just couldn't explain today's lesson in a way you could understand. We've all been there. Luckily, these video resources are here to help explain math concepts to you in a variety of different ways so that you can learn the way you choose.

WOWmath: http://wowmath.org/index.html

WOWmath focuses mainly on Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Calculus. I highly recommend it.

Professor Rob Bob: https://www.youtube.com/user/profrobbob

Prof. Rob Bob is great. He explains things in an easy to understand format, and his videos are the length of full lessons. His videos are the kind of stuff you'd see and hear in an actual classroom, which is great if you've missed a day of school or are being home-schooled. His videos focus mainly on Calculus, Pre-Calculus, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry, and AP Statistics.

PatrickJMT: https://www.youtube.com/user/patrickJMT

PatrickJMT's channel is wildly popular amongst math aficionados. I personally rarely use it, but I have heard great things about it. His channel covers all of high school math.

And finally, Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/

No list of math resources would be complete without Khan Academy. This site covers topics from 1+1 to multi-variate calculus. It's great for little ones and for not-so-little ones.

With all of these at your disposal, math will start to seem a whole lot easier!

Research Resources

Finding a reliable resource when doing research can be difficult at the best of times. Thankfully, the CIA World Fact Book, the Library of Congress archives, and the National Archives Digital Vault are here to help.

The CIA World Fact Book gives you an amazing array of information about every country and region in the world.

The Library of Congress and the National Archives Digital Vault both give students access to a huge variety of historical documents and photographs that will prove useful to any researcher, and the interface is assessable to almost any grade level.

CIA World Fact Book: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html

Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/

National Archives: http://digitalvaults.org/

Language Tool

For students learning a foreign language, it can sometimes be hard to find reliable, affordable resources to gain the vocabulary and skills needed to succeed in language learning. Thankfully, the good folks at the BBC offer completely free language courses in French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and 33 other languages.

I personally used the BBC's French tools to learn to read and write in the French language, so I can attest to both their quality and effectiveness.

Check it out here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/

Word Dynamo - Vocabulary Resource

My co-partner and I are are both firm believers that vocabulary is essential to both reading and writing. Word Dynamo is a powerful tool that allows students to quiz themselves on vocabulary words and groups. It offers a fun alternative to cut and dry memorization, with the added benefit of allowing students, teachers, and tutors to track a pupil's progress.

Word Dynamo: http://dynamo.dictionary.com/

Shmoop vs Sparknotes

Shmoop and Sparknotes both have their strong points when it comes to helping students with difficult assignments. I personally prefer Shmoop, as I believe it is more assessable, particularly to lower-performing students and students looking for a quick-fix, but my co-partner prefers Sparknotes. Sparknotes definitely covers subjects in more depth and offers a more detailed analysis, but it's a little dry for my taste. Shmoop has the perfect combination of fun and learning and uses that dynamic to its advantage.

Here are links to both:

http://www.shmoop.com/

http://www.sparknotes.com/

Personification

I find that students sometimes have trouble with personification. If you are looking for a way to creatively introduce personification into your learning environment, try the following:

• Personify war. What is it like during times of peace? What was it like during the World Wars? What is it like right now? 
• Personify peace, using the same criteria as above.
• Personify a nation, taking into consideration history and current affairs.
• Personify a planet, taking into consideration that planet's defining features. 
• Personify love.
• Personify hatred.
• Personify grief. 
• Personify happiness.
• Personify time. 

Descriptive Writing Exercise for Elementary School

This is a descriptive writing exercise I did with one of my fourth grade students. It really got her thinking about details and descriptive language.

Describe a bed. 

What kind of bed it is? What is the headboard like? What color/material is the headboard? What kind of mattress does the bed has? Is the bed soft or hard? Are there any pillows? If so, how many? What kind of pattern is on the pillow-cases? Are there any stuffed animals on the bed? What about people or beds? What kind of blanket is on the bed? What color is the blanket? What pattern does it have? What kind of fabric are the sheets? What color are the sheets? How high is the bed? Please write a paragraph using descriptive language. 

This kind of assignment really helps students focus in on one thing or object in order to describe it in the vivid detail it deserves. Pick any room or object and ask very specific questions about every aspect of that place or thing, and see the amazing things your student will come up with.

Vocabulary Resource

Flocabulary is a great resource I use with all of my students. It has word lists for every grade from 2nd through 8th. These words are essential for every student.

2nd grade: https://www.flocabulary.com/2nd-grade-vocabulary-word-list/

3rd grade: https://www.flocabulary.com/3rd-grade-vocabulary-word-list/

4th grade: https://www.flocabulary.com/4th-grade-vocabulary-word-list/

5th grade: http://www.flocabulary.com/5th-grade-vocabulary-word-list/

6th grade: http://www.flocabulary.com/6th-grade-vocabulary-word-list/

7th grade: http://www.flocabulary.com/7th-grade-vocabulary-word-list/

8th grade: http://www.flocabulary.com/8th-grade-vocabulary-word-list/

Guest Blogger: Student G.C.

I enjoy coming here all the time; it is a great atmosphere. Every time I come here school becomes easier and easier. They are great and very well-educated tutors. They help me in every subject and the work becomes a whole lot easier. They help me with my homework and my projects. They also help me study for my test which i have been doing better on when I study with them. My grades have went up drastically.

Today's Lesson and RegentsPrep Resource

Today's lesson was all about algebra! My 13-year-old male student and I explored linear and literal equations. We also explored biased and unbiased data, univariate and bivariate data, and qualitative vs quantitative data. He had some trouble with literal equations, but he got it in the end. I think he finds learning difficult at times, but rewarding nonetheless.

http://regentsprep.org/ is a great resource for all students. We used the algebra section of the site today, but we've also been using the Living Environment section to prepare for the 8th grade state examination in science coming up in just a few short weeks.

It is my firm belief that this student will do well in all of his exams this year. He had made wonderful progress in all of his subject areas. I fully anticipate him to get a 3 out of 4 on the NYS grading system in all of his tests.

And don't worry - we got his permission to post on his behalf!

Guest Blogger: Student S.M.

Ever since I have had Marah and Caitlin as tutors, school has been a lot easier. I really enjoy coming to tutoring sessions. I'm not sure what my favorite lesson has been, but I know that I generally enjoy my lessons. Marah and Caitlin are very fun tutors!

Potential

I'd like to talk a little about potential. It's my belief that every child has potential, whether they or their teachers see it or not. Many children don't do well in school and are called lazy. But, are they? Or, have they perhaps given up after years of failure? Think about it.

I believe that children must be exposed to many things in order to find what they love. What have you exposed your children to, and what do they love? As parents and teachers, all we can do is plant seeds and hope that some of them take root and grow. Make sure that you are planting seeds every day, and carefully tending them.

NOVA Interactives

Hello, and welcome to our first post!

NOVA interactives are a great way to spice up any lesson plan. They are free and they come with a wealth of information that you and you students can use to make any topic more interesting.

NOVA interactives can be found at this link: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/hotscience/

My personal favorite is the fractal explorer: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/fractal-detail.html

Introduction

Hello! I'm Caitlin and I'm a 12th grader who tutors math, science, English, social studies, and Spanish. The co-owner of this blog is also a tutor. She is a certified teacher who specializes in teaching children to read, science education, and elementary school learning.

Together, we will take you on an incredible journey. We will post resources and lesson plans for you to use. If one of your lesson plans or resources ends up on our site and you want it taken down, just shoot us and e-mail and we'll do so as soon as possible.

Our goal is to teach the world that learning can be fun. Let's go!