Letter from Betty for March 2015

Hello,

It's hard to say when spring will come, but eventually and surely the warmer weather will arrive!

Have you ever wondered how to speak in a calm and effective manner with a teacher, and develop a strong relationship with one of the most important people in child's life? That is the subject of our feature article for March: "Build a Strong Parent-Teacher Relationship."

Saint Patrick's Day is coming here on our own planet, in our own solar system, in our own Milky Way galaxy. But what about elsewhere? Check out our imaginative Puzzler for March set in a galaxy far, far away: "Lucky Clover of Clovoid." See if you can solve the alien-themed word problem.

At Foundation for Learning, we are ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, SAT/ACT test prep, and educational evaluations. Please don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 for a free consultation.


Best regards,

Betty

Betty Bodenweiser
Director
Foundation for Learning

March 2015 Date: Focus on One, SAT or ACT

Free Diagnostic test offered at FFL

Currently many high school juniors take both the SAT and ACT to determine which test is best for them. We feel it is beneficial for the students to focus on only one test. In order to accomplish this, we can administer a complimentary SAT/ACT diagnostic test to help students determine which test is better suited to their abilities. The next test will be given Saturday, March 14th. Please call (973) 425-1774 or email betty@foundationforlearning.com by Monday, March 9th to reserve a spot.

March 2015 Test Schedule

Mark your calendars! Here are the latest test dates.

NOTE about ISEE - Independent School Entrance Exam: For test locations and to learn more go to erblearn.org.
 

Building a Strong Parent-Teacher Relationship

Your child’s school sends out multiple calls for volunteers during the year. Do you respond? Are you active in the classroom or in behind-the-scene activities? Studies show that students whose parents are involved in their school and have a good relationship with the teachers, staff, and principal will usually perform better and have a better school experience. So how do you go about building that great one-on-one relationship with your child’s teacher? The clear way to start is by meeting with the teacher to introduce yourself. After the initial face-to-face encounter, find out whether she prefers e-mail contact or phone calls so that you can be respectful of her time. A teacher’s workday does not end when the final bell rings and there are many people needing a moment of her time, so be considerate in that regard.

Say something nice! That seems obvious, but with the amount of effort that the teacher makes to create a relaxing and positive classroom environment, a nice comment or compliment will be much appreciated. If the teacher has gone the extra mile for your child when a little extra help was needed, then most definitely say thank you and maybe even send a card or small gift. Then spread the word to the principal and let him know that you appreciate the teacher’s effort.

And show up whenever possible! Parent/teacher nights, field trips, and other events are important times for parents to show up, help out, and show support for their child’s school and educational experience.

So you’ve set up a meeting with your child’s teacher or you’re going to meet with her about a particular issue. You might be a little nervous, so think ahead about what you’d like to talk about and the information that you’re seeking.

Here are some tips for having a fruitful conversation with your child's teacher:

• USE "I" STATEMENTS INSTEAD OF "YOU" STATEMENTS so you don’t come across as confrontational or blaming. “I’m wondering about…” for example.
• BE CONSTRUCTIVE, EVEN WHEN YOU DISAGREE. Be kind and helpful in your language, be clear in what you want to get across, and above all, listen to what the teacher has to say. “Help me understand…” will go over much more smoothly than “Explain to me why…”

• MAKE SURE YOU ARE WORKING TOWARDS THE SAME END. Clarify with your child's teacher what the goals or final results should look like. It’s important that you’re both on the same page and that you understand what the teacher is looking for. Also make sure that the teacher knows that you’re both on the same team. Teamwork is everything when it comes to your child’s educational experience. “What is the goal…” is a good way to start your question.
• TWO DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES CAN BOTH BE VALID. Teachers and parents obviously see the student from different viewpoints and in different settings. You probably have information that you want to share about strengths, weaknesses, interests, or behaviors that you’ve observed. “I’ve noticed that…” is a great way to kick off that conversation and will allow you to share what you’ve seen while acknowledging your differing perspectives. Following that, “Have you considered…” is a respectful way to insert your thoughts into the conversation without making the teacher feel defensive.
• TRY NOT TO SPEAK IN ABSOLUTES when you’re talking about observations you’ve made or when you’re making interpretations of a situation. “It seems as if…” or “It appears that…” allow for you to state your point of view while leaving the door open for the teacher to share her observations or thoughts as well. Again, listen to what the teacher has to say, because it may clear up some misconceptions, misunderstandings, or even allow the teacher to hear other options or avenues not yet considered without making her feel defensive.

• IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND SOMETHING, ASK, particularly if your child has and Individualized Education Program (IEP). Don’t make assumptions, and remember that you are part of a team that is working to help your child. Understand and be clear about what your child’s IEP provides and ask how it translates in his classroom experience. “How does (this) work in the classroom…” or “How does (this) work into the daily routine?” Be a willing listener.
• INQUIRE "HOW CAN I HELP?" Those words are music to a teacher’s ears. Let the teacher know that you are willing and desire to be a support, to be a part of the team.

A positive, willing, listening, and respectful relationship with your child’s teacher is absolutely key to ensuring that your child has the very best classroom experience. You are your child’s best advocate, and the extra effort that you make will pay dividends and benefit everyone who is a part of your child’s education team.

The Puzzler for March 2015: Lucky Clover of Clovoid

In a galaxy far, far away, on the tiny lush planet of Clovoid, the land masses are entirely covered by clover, from east to west and pole to pole. By sheer coincidence, the local intelligent lifeforms—called Clovoidians—consider a four-leaf clover a sign of good luck, just like a tradition we have here on Earth!

However, on Clovoid, clover comes in three varieties: Common Green Clover, Red Heart Clover, and Hopeful Blue Clover. Each of these three-leaved clover varieties has a rare version with more than three leaves, each of which are highly prized as lucky for the finder, each in their own way. Common Green Clover sometimes has 4 leaves, and than means good luck. Red Heart Clover sometimes has 5 leaves, portending true love. Hopeful Blue Clover sometimes has 56 leaves, foretelling all of one’s hopes coming true.

Once, during the Clovidian holiday of Saint Clover’s Day, with the big and little suns riding high in an orange sky, little Zindi Loo Cloo was out walking in the rolling fields near her home collecting various clovers into 3 baskets. Zindi Loo found 4 Common Green Clovers and—crossing her six fingers for good luck—put them in the first basket. She found 4 Red Heart Clovers and placed them lovingly in the second basket. She found 4 Hopeful Blue Clovers and laid them hopefully in the third basket. "Ah, exactly twelve clovers in all," thought Zindy Loo with satisfaction. "Such a nice round number, and one for each of my fingers!"



As the smaller sun set, little Zindi Loo Cloo returned home to a tantalizing aroma filling the whole house. She found her father preparing the Saint Clover’s Day feast. Papa Cloo looked at the baskets of clovers and exclaimed: “Oh my, each of your baskets contains one lucky clover. This is a wondrous omen indeed of good fortune for the entire family this year! Quick, pluck all the leaves off the stems and toss them all into my Saint Clover’s Day soup!”

Question: How many individual leaves of clover did Zindi Loo pluck and toss into the Saint Clover’s Day soup?

Bonus question: We humans have a base 10 number system. We can connect the invention of this number system to our own anatomy. What is the most likely base of the Clovoidian number system?

The answer will be revealed next month. 

ANSWER to The Puzzler for February 2015: Message of Love

Did you spot the one grammatically correct phrase among the candy heart messages?

Answer:

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Answer: "LOVE WILL BLESS YOU AND ME."

Oh, and by the way, here is why "CUPID HIT YOU AND I" is incorrect: The proper use of "I" versus "me" does not depend on who else is included in your sentence. It is easy to prove this to yourself by removing that other person from the sentence and listening to the result. Clearly, "Cupid hit I" sounds wrong to the ear, whereas "Cupid hit me" sounds right and is right. Therefore "CUPID HIT YOU AND ME" would have been correct.