Mark your calendar! Here are the latest test dates.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Four Powerful Reasons To Add Poetry To Your Children's Story Time
1. Fun rhymes
Rhyming language can help struggling children read more smoothly. Rhymes also illustrate that words are made up of syllables, which help early readers recognize the same sound in different words. It can also improve spelling. Think Dr Seuss! It’s not so far from “cat” to “hat,” once you have the “at.”
2. Vocabulary development
Poetry often includes words that children don’t usually come across. The poem's short form and friendly nature makes it easy for readers to determine the meaning from the surrounding text.
3. A fun introduction to literary concepts
Even silly nursery rhymes use similes, alliteration, and metaphors. Early introduction to these concepts, in such a fun way, can help kids develop their language knowledge and become better writers.
4. Poetry is fun to memorize
Memorization helps children soak up patterns of sophisticated language. When they recite their poems, they practice how to enunciate unfamiliar words clearly. This leads not only to more flexibility with reading but also better communication skills.
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Below find must-have poetry volumes, recommended by Scholastic Books.
His Shoes Were Far Too Tight, by Edward Lear
Great for kids who love silly nonsense . . . think Lewis Carroll.
If: A Treasury of Poems for Almost Every Possibility, edited by Allie Esiri & Rachel Kelly
Animals? Friendship? Bedtime? A poem for each moment.
Every Thing On It, by Shel Silverstein
New verses from the beloved poet.
Enormous Smallness: The Story of E.E. Cummings, by Matthew Burgess
This illustrated biography features the poet’s verse.
A Children’s Treasury of Poems, by Linda Bleck
Introduce rhythm and rhyme with a collection of classics.
Beastly Verse, by JooHee Yoon
Sixteen wild poems come alive in this romp through the vibrant animal world.
Did You Know? Interesting and Fun Facts about Poetry
What is poetry? Poetry is a form of writing that uses sounds and images to express ideas and feelings. Originally spoken aloud to an audience, its rhythms and sounds affect the meaning of the words.- Poetry is a great way to vent your emotions. Expressing yourself on a piece of paper can make you feel better about yourself, confident, and calmer.
- Among the earliest types of poetry is the epic, a long story that narrates heroic adventures.
- One of the oldest written poems (around 4000 years old, originating from Babylon) is the Epic of Gilgamesh, a story told about King Gilgamesh who was described as half-god, half-man.
- “Mahabharata” is the longest poem ever written. It’s an ancient Indian epic poem, which contains 1.8 million words.
- Haiku is one of the most popular forms of writing short poems. Originating from Japan, this form of writing has only seventeen syllables and three lines, containing 5, 7 and 5 syllables respectively.
- Poems don’t have to rhyme. Sometimes rhyme doesn’t suit the theme or the feeling of the poem, so many poets write in blank verse , poetry that doesn’t rhyme, but has a particular meter (rhythm).
- George MacDonald (1824-1905) wrote a two-word poem called ‘The Shortest and Sweetest of Songs’. It simply reads: ‘Come Home.’
- ‘Metrophobia’ is the fear of poetry.
- E. E. Cummings dedicated his self-published volume of poetry, entitled 'No Thanks' to the fourteen publishers who had turned it down.
Fun Stuff to Do: Make Your Own Book!
The materials that you’ll need for this project:
- blank paper (30-100 sheets, depending how thick you want your book)
- card-board - 2 sheets, for front and back covers
- pretty paper - 2 patterns, for inside and outside of covers. Scrapbooking paper works best but a pretty wrapping paper works well too.
- ribbon - a few feet long, 6 mm (¼“) wide
- hole-punch (or power drill: optional and with parental assistance, of course!)
- glue stick
- scissors
- ruler
- bull clips
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Letter from Betty for June 2016
Hello,
Summer is upon us, and with it a well-deserved break for school-age children. But how do you keep your child's mind expanding and still ensure a summer chock-full of fun? Luckily, opportunities for special summer activities abound.
One thing to consider are camps or summer offerings that involve your child in summertime music and musical training, Find out about the amazing benefits we now understand about the way young minds are uniquely sparked by the pursuit of musical instrument mastery in our feature article for June: "How Musical Training Lights Up your Child's Brain with Mental Fireworks" complete with an animating video that will put a smile on your face, and hopefully, a song in your heart.
And on a related note, have some fun with our "Fun Stuff To Do" bonus feature: "10 Musical Instruments You Can Make." We'll show you simple directions to make everything from a Rubber Band Guitar to a Garden Hose Horn to a Bottle Cap Tambourine. Happy music making!
Summer is the time to relax, unwind and have fun, but continuing academic studies is important to be certain material learned during the school year is not forgotten. It is also a good time for previewing material that will be covered in the first few weeks or months of the upcoming school year. Furthermore, high school seniors can get a jump start on their college applications. Make sure to reach out to your child's tutor to schedule summer sessions to keep learning in motion!
Finally, please remember that whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is 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
Summer is upon us, and with it a well-deserved break for school-age children. But how do you keep your child's mind expanding and still ensure a summer chock-full of fun? Luckily, opportunities for special summer activities abound.
One thing to consider are camps or summer offerings that involve your child in summertime music and musical training, Find out about the amazing benefits we now understand about the way young minds are uniquely sparked by the pursuit of musical instrument mastery in our feature article for June: "How Musical Training Lights Up your Child's Brain with Mental Fireworks" complete with an animating video that will put a smile on your face, and hopefully, a song in your heart.
And on a related note, have some fun with our "Fun Stuff To Do" bonus feature: "10 Musical Instruments You Can Make." We'll show you simple directions to make everything from a Rubber Band Guitar to a Garden Hose Horn to a Bottle Cap Tambourine. Happy music making!
Summer is the time to relax, unwind and have fun, but continuing academic studies is important to be certain material learned during the school year is not forgotten. It is also a good time for previewing material that will be covered in the first few weeks or months of the upcoming school year. Furthermore, high school seniors can get a jump start on their college applications. Make sure to reach out to your child's tutor to schedule summer sessions to keep learning in motion!
Finally, please remember that whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is 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
New: Sign up now for Chess and Math Clubs
UPDATE: 6/1/16, 8:30 pm - Dates corrected.
We have established a dual-focus, Chess and Math Scholastic Club at Foundation for Learning!
Chess Club: Sundays 11:00-12:00
Learn theory lessons, work over problems, and play chess!
Math Club: Sundays 12:00-1:00
Discuss and solve fun, interesting and challenging math problems!
1st Session June 19, 2016 – July 17, 2016
(no session July 3)
2nd Session July 24, 2016 – August 14, 2016
Cost: $90/per club, or $160 if signed up for both clubs
Students entering 3rd - 8th grade are welcome to attend. Please contact Betty at (973) 425-1774 or Betty@foundationforlearning.com to learn more about the clubs and to sign up!
How Musical Training Lights Up your Child's Brain with Mental Fireworks
The benefits of music education have been researched for decades and there’s quite a lot of consensus that music and music education have a lot of benefits, even beyond the pure enjoyment of it all. Most recently, neuroscientists have been excited about the significant differences they have seen between the brain functions of musicians, when compared with non-musicians.
It has become clear that music education before the age of 7 has the greatest benefits to brain development. Furthermore it has been found that it only takes, at the very least, an hour a week of structured, formal music education to make permanent and positive changes to the brain functions of every child. Does this mean that there are no benefits for older children? No indeed! Music has significant benefits for older children and teens as well.
So how does music make a difference?
Dr Nina Kraus led a research project at Northwestern University that reported that musically-trained children were found to be better at processing sounds and language. This research was presented to the American Psychological Association. Additionally, they found that musical training can alter the nervous system to create a better learner. Learning music improves the concentration, memory and focus of children in the classroom by improving their neural functions. Dr Kraus also said that music appears to remodel the brain allowing for improvement in the connections between sounds and meaning, the very process by which babies learn to speak. "Music automatically sharpens the nervous system's response to sounds," Dr Kraus explains.
Additionally, moving in time to a steady beat is closely linked to better language skills, a study suggests by researchers at McMasters University. People who performed better on rhythmic tests during this study also showed enhanced neural responses to speech sounds. The researchers suggest that practicing music could improve other skills, particularly reading. They also found that the musical group that they studied performed better on memory tests, literacy and math abilities. The authors argue that rhythm is an integral part of language and music exercises that ability. This study was reported in the Journal of Neurosciences and the journal Brain.
Is there a difference between listening to music and actually playing a musical instrument?
When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout. Educator Anita Collins explains that fireworks go off in musicians’ brains when they play, and there are long-term positive effects of this mental workout. Practice strengthens those functions and allows the musician to apply that strength to other activities as well. Music enhances memory functions and strengthens the important ability to multi-task. Just 1 hour a week of musical training: singing, playing instruments, learning how to read music, learning to understand musical concepts, that’s enough to see a change in test scores, classroom performance, behavior, and even the structure of the brain itself over time.
Here is a fabulous animated TED-ED video by Anita Collins that will convince you to include music in your day.
Think that music is a waste of time because it’s too unlikely that your child will turn it into a career? Well, not only is that wrong thinking but that’s not the point. Music is the gift you give to your child for their life.
It has become clear that music education before the age of 7 has the greatest benefits to brain development. Furthermore it has been found that it only takes, at the very least, an hour a week of structured, formal music education to make permanent and positive changes to the brain functions of every child. Does this mean that there are no benefits for older children? No indeed! Music has significant benefits for older children and teens as well.
So how does music make a difference?
Dr Nina Kraus led a research project at Northwestern University that reported that musically-trained children were found to be better at processing sounds and language. This research was presented to the American Psychological Association. Additionally, they found that musical training can alter the nervous system to create a better learner. Learning music improves the concentration, memory and focus of children in the classroom by improving their neural functions. Dr Kraus also said that music appears to remodel the brain allowing for improvement in the connections between sounds and meaning, the very process by which babies learn to speak. "Music automatically sharpens the nervous system's response to sounds," Dr Kraus explains.
Additionally, moving in time to a steady beat is closely linked to better language skills, a study suggests by researchers at McMasters University. People who performed better on rhythmic tests during this study also showed enhanced neural responses to speech sounds. The researchers suggest that practicing music could improve other skills, particularly reading. They also found that the musical group that they studied performed better on memory tests, literacy and math abilities. The authors argue that rhythm is an integral part of language and music exercises that ability. This study was reported in the Journal of Neurosciences and the journal Brain.
Is there a difference between listening to music and actually playing a musical instrument?
When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout. Educator Anita Collins explains that fireworks go off in musicians’ brains when they play, and there are long-term positive effects of this mental workout. Practice strengthens those functions and allows the musician to apply that strength to other activities as well. Music enhances memory functions and strengthens the important ability to multi-task. Just 1 hour a week of musical training: singing, playing instruments, learning how to read music, learning to understand musical concepts, that’s enough to see a change in test scores, classroom performance, behavior, and even the structure of the brain itself over time.
Here is a fabulous animated TED-ED video by Anita Collins that will convince you to include music in your day.
Think that music is a waste of time because it’s too unlikely that your child will turn it into a career? Well, not only is that wrong thinking but that’s not the point. Music is the gift you give to your child for their life.
Fun Stuff To Do: 10 Musical Instruments You Can Make
Rubber Band GuitarMaterials:
- A small, sturdy cardboard box
- An assortment of rubber bands that are large enough to stretch around the box. Choose a variety of lengths and thicknesses.
- A paper towel tube
- A pencil
- Duct tape
Directions:
Cut a hole about 4 inches in diameter in the top of the box. Stretch 4-6 rubber bands around the box and situate them over the hole. Slice a pencil in under the rubber bands on one side of the hole. Tape one end of the paper towel tube on the box, opposite end of the pencil. This is the “neck” of your guitar. Pluck or strum the rubber bands. Notice how the thinner and tighter bands make higher-pitched sounds, while the thicker and looser bands make lower pitched sounds.
Bottle fluteCut a hole about 4 inches in diameter in the top of the box. Stretch 4-6 rubber bands around the box and situate them over the hole. Slice a pencil in under the rubber bands on one side of the hole. Tape one end of the paper towel tube on the box, opposite end of the pencil. This is the “neck” of your guitar. Pluck or strum the rubber bands. Notice how the thinner and tighter bands make higher-pitched sounds, while the thicker and looser bands make lower pitched sounds.
Materials:
- Glass bottles (narrow neck) of various sizes
Directions:
Blow across the top of each bottle until you get a “hooty” sound. Notice how the sound changes as the size of the bottles change. Put some water in the bottles and notice how the sound changes with different amounts of water. This is how flutes and piccolos make sound.
Comb clarinet
Materials:
Blow across the top of each bottle until you get a “hooty” sound. Notice how the sound changes as the size of the bottles change. Put some water in the bottles and notice how the sound changes with different amounts of water. This is how flutes and piccolos make sound.
Comb clarinet
Materials:
- A small hair comb
- Squares of thin paper cut into 2”x2” sizes
Directions:
Hold the comb so that the teeth point towards you. Use your thumbs to hold a small piece of paper loosely on the comb. Put your lips lightly on the comb and the paper. Blow air across the paper and hear the sound it makes as it vibrates. This is how clarinets, oboes, English horns and bassoons make sound.
Straw oboe
Materials:
Hold the comb so that the teeth point towards you. Use your thumbs to hold a small piece of paper loosely on the comb. Put your lips lightly on the comb and the paper. Blow air across the paper and hear the sound it makes as it vibrates. This is how clarinets, oboes, English horns and bassoons make sound.
Straw oboe
Materials:
- Paper drinking straws
Directions:
Flatten one end of a straw by pinching ½-1 inch between your fingers. Clip the corners off the flattened end so that it ends in two points. Insert the trimmed end of the straw into your mouth with the flaps just inside your lips. Apply very light pressure with your lips as you blow through the straw. The two flaps will vibrate against each other and produce a tone. Try this with straws of different sizes and note how the tone changes.
Garden Hose Horn
Materials:
Flatten one end of a straw by pinching ½-1 inch between your fingers. Clip the corners off the flattened end so that it ends in two points. Insert the trimmed end of the straw into your mouth with the flaps just inside your lips. Apply very light pressure with your lips as you blow through the straw. The two flaps will vibrate against each other and produce a tone. Try this with straws of different sizes and note how the tone changes.
Garden Hose HornMaterials:
- A small funnel
- An 18:-24” length of garden hose
- A plastic snap-on hose connector
- Duct tape
Directions:
Insert the funnel into one end of the garden hose. Wrap duct tape around it to secure. This is the bell of your trumpet. Insert the smaller end of the hose connector into the other end of the hose and secure with duct tape. This is the mouthpiece of your instrument. Coil the hose so you can hold both ends as you play. Put your lips into the mouthpiece end and “buzz” them together. The hose length determines how high or low your instrument sounds.
Maracas
Materials:
Insert the funnel into one end of the garden hose. Wrap duct tape around it to secure. This is the bell of your trumpet. Insert the smaller end of the hose connector into the other end of the hose and secure with duct tape. This is the mouthpiece of your instrument. Coil the hose so you can hold both ends as you play. Put your lips into the mouthpiece end and “buzz” them together. The hose length determines how high or low your instrument sounds.
Maracas
Materials:
- Small lidded container such as yogurt containers, baking-powder cans, coffee tines, butter containers, drink bottles
- Dried beans, seeds, uncooked rice or nuts
- Duct tape
Directions:
Partially fill the container with the small dried items. Secure the lid with duct tape. Notice the different sounds produced by the different containers as you hand shake your maraca.
Drum
Materials:
Partially fill the container with the small dried items. Secure the lid with duct tape. Notice the different sounds produced by the different containers as you hand shake your maraca.
Drum
Materials:
- An empty oatmeal or coffee can
- A sheet of heavy plastic (like a garbage bag) or a large balloon
- Ruler
- Marker
- Scissors
- Large rubber band
- Spoon, stick or pencil
Directions:
Measure the diameter of the can. Mark a circle 2-3 inches larger in diameter on the sheet of plastic and cut it out. Stretch the plastic tightly over the opening of the can and secure it with the rubber band. Use the stick, spoon, pencil or your hand to hit the drum.
Cymbals
Materials:
Measure the diameter of the can. Mark a circle 2-3 inches larger in diameter on the sheet of plastic and cut it out. Stretch the plastic tightly over the opening of the can and secure it with the rubber band. Use the stick, spoon, pencil or your hand to hit the drum.
Cymbals
Materials:
- 2 similar-sized pot covers
- Yarn or ribbon
Directions:
Tie the ribbon or yarn around the handles of the pot covers. Loop the ribbon or yarn around your wrists. Play by striking the two covers together.
Copper-Pipe Glockenspiel
Materials:
Tie the ribbon or yarn around the handles of the pot covers. Loop the ribbon or yarn around your wrists. Play by striking the two covers together.
Copper-Pipe Glockenspiel
Materials:
- A 10-foot length of ½ inch copper pipe
- Yardstick
- Pipe or tubing cutter
- 2 strips of foam rubber, each about 20 inches long
Directions:
Get an adult to help you with this project
Measure and cut the pipe to the following lengths, starting with the longest first: 11, 10 ¼, 9 ¾, 8 7/8, 8 ½, 7 7/8, 7 5/8
Lay the strips of foam rubber parallel to each other on a flat surface. Arrange the pipes in order from the shortest to the longest. Lay them across the strips of foam rubber like railroad ties. Experiment with various types of strikers to get the best sound.
Bottle-Cap Tambourine
Materials:
Get an adult to help you with this project
Measure and cut the pipe to the following lengths, starting with the longest first: 11, 10 ¼, 9 ¾, 8 7/8, 8 ½, 7 7/8, 7 5/8
Lay the strips of foam rubber parallel to each other on a flat surface. Arrange the pipes in order from the shortest to the longest. Lay them across the strips of foam rubber like railroad ties. Experiment with various types of strikers to get the best sound.
Bottle-Cap TambourineMaterials:
- A strong Y-shaped tree branch (hand-sized)
- 10-15 metal bottle caps
- Strong wire
- Hammer and a nail
Directions:
Get an adult to help you with this project. Remove the rubber liners from the bottle caps. Flatten the caps with a hammer. Use a nail to punch a small hole in the center of each cap. Thread the caps onto the wire and string tightly between the arms of the “Y”.
Get an adult to help you with this project. Remove the rubber liners from the bottle caps. Flatten the caps with a hammer. Use a nail to punch a small hole in the center of each cap. Thread the caps onto the wire and string tightly between the arms of the “Y”.
Friday, April 29, 2016
Letter from Betty for May 2016
Hello,
May flowers are in bloom outside my window, and it's a great time of year to be in the great outdoors. Luckily, nothing could be better for your young children. Read our feature article for May, "How to Super-Charge Your Child's Brain with a Hop, a Skip, and a Jump" and you'll see exactly what I mean. Enjoy!
And have some fun with our "Did You Know?" bonus feature. This month is "All About the Month of May." Find out about May in history, a list of dates that includes presidents, tall buildings, early settlements, river-spanning bridges, and your Mom! Also, learn a neat trick for a hand-made Mother's Day gift.
Summer is the time to relax, unwind and have fun, but continuing academic studies is important to be certain material learned during the school year is not forgotten. It is also a good time for previewing material that will be covered in the first few weeks or months of the upcoming school year. Furthermore, high school seniors can get a jump start on their college applications. Make sure to reach out to your child's tutor to schedule summer sessions to keep learning in motion!
Finally, please remember that whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is 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
May flowers are in bloom outside my window, and it's a great time of year to be in the great outdoors. Luckily, nothing could be better for your young children. Read our feature article for May, "How to Super-Charge Your Child's Brain with a Hop, a Skip, and a Jump" and you'll see exactly what I mean. Enjoy!
And have some fun with our "Did You Know?" bonus feature. This month is "All About the Month of May." Find out about May in history, a list of dates that includes presidents, tall buildings, early settlements, river-spanning bridges, and your Mom! Also, learn a neat trick for a hand-made Mother's Day gift.
Summer is the time to relax, unwind and have fun, but continuing academic studies is important to be certain material learned during the school year is not forgotten. It is also a good time for previewing material that will be covered in the first few weeks or months of the upcoming school year. Furthermore, high school seniors can get a jump start on their college applications. Make sure to reach out to your child's tutor to schedule summer sessions to keep learning in motion!
Finally, please remember that whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is 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
May 2016 Dates Announced: Choose SAT or ACT with our Free Diagnostic
Currently many high school juniors take both the SAT and ACT to determine which test is better for them. We usually feel it is beneficial for the students to focus on only one test. In order to accomplish this, we administer a complimentary SAT/ACT diagnostic test to help students determine which test is better suited to their abilities.Upcoming test date:
May 21, 2016
Our diagnostic test incorporates the new SAT which was introduced in March 2016.
Please call Donna at (973) 425-1774 for more details. You can also email Betty at Betty@foundationforlearning.com. SPACE IS LIMITED.
How to Super-Charge Your Child's Brain with a Hop, a Skip, and a Jump
Do you want to help your children boost their brain-power? Get them moving!
By encouraging your children to run, jump, hop, hike, and chase a ball, you are greatly improving their ability to think, to focus, and to successfully multi-task. As parents, you’ve heard that exercise is important for good physical health and now a study published by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign confirms that physical activity greatly helps to improve thinking skills and academic performance in our children.
This is hardly new though. It’s already been proven that children’s test scores in reading and math rise if there is some physical activity beforehand. Other studies have determined that aerobic activity, which children come by naturally if left to their own devices, actually affects brain structure, increasing the size of the part of the brain devoted to learning and thinking. The ability to maintain concentration, to order mental and situational stimuli, and to control inappropriate responses is greatly enhanced. Conversely, children whose executive functions are inhibited tend to have academic problems in school.
So not only does wild, childish play improve mental function, it also improves aerobic endurance, basic motor skills, and overall well-being. Parents also have known all along that playtime, whether it’s in the form of organized team play, free recess at school or after-school romping, helps children let off steam, making for happier children, teachers, and parents too. Let me emphasize free play here. To allow children to self-direct their activities and to make their own choices also helps to build self-confidence, it also gives them room to breathe after a school day full of rules and restrictions, and furthermore, it gives them space to develop their creative thinking abilities. Of course, that means you need to make sure that they’re up and moving, and not sitting behind a screen (TV, laptop, tablet, etc). Get those children moving!
As an additional note, school districts nationwide are moving towards shortening physical education classes and in some cases, even considering eliminating them altogether. Many schools have already eliminated recess for younger children, opting to put more focus on required testing subjects like reading and math. This practice is shortsighted. If we want our young students to do well in reading, math, and school in general, we need to make sure they have physical activity built into their schedule. If your school is facing these changes due to budgetary or other reasons, let them know that you feel that physical education and recess are an important part of the school day. Your children and their teachers will thank you!
By encouraging your children to run, jump, hop, hike, and chase a ball, you are greatly improving their ability to think, to focus, and to successfully multi-task. As parents, you’ve heard that exercise is important for good physical health and now a study published by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign confirms that physical activity greatly helps to improve thinking skills and academic performance in our children.
This is hardly new though. It’s already been proven that children’s test scores in reading and math rise if there is some physical activity beforehand. Other studies have determined that aerobic activity, which children come by naturally if left to their own devices, actually affects brain structure, increasing the size of the part of the brain devoted to learning and thinking. The ability to maintain concentration, to order mental and situational stimuli, and to control inappropriate responses is greatly enhanced. Conversely, children whose executive functions are inhibited tend to have academic problems in school.So not only does wild, childish play improve mental function, it also improves aerobic endurance, basic motor skills, and overall well-being. Parents also have known all along that playtime, whether it’s in the form of organized team play, free recess at school or after-school romping, helps children let off steam, making for happier children, teachers, and parents too. Let me emphasize free play here. To allow children to self-direct their activities and to make their own choices also helps to build self-confidence, it also gives them room to breathe after a school day full of rules and restrictions, and furthermore, it gives them space to develop their creative thinking abilities. Of course, that means you need to make sure that they’re up and moving, and not sitting behind a screen (TV, laptop, tablet, etc). Get those children moving!As an additional note, school districts nationwide are moving towards shortening physical education classes and in some cases, even considering eliminating them altogether. Many schools have already eliminated recess for younger children, opting to put more focus on required testing subjects like reading and math. This practice is shortsighted. If we want our young students to do well in reading, math, and school in general, we need to make sure they have physical activity built into their schedule. If your school is facing these changes due to budgetary or other reasons, let them know that you feel that physical education and recess are an important part of the school day. Your children and their teachers will thank you! Did You Know? All About the Month of May
Mother’s Day was first observed in 1908. It was designated by a presidential proclamation and was recognized officially by Congress and President Woodrow Wilson in 1914. It is celebrated in honor of Mothers on the second Sunday of May.The Empire State Building opened on May 1, 1931.
Harry S Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, was born in Lamar, MO on May 8, 1884.
Sir James Barrie, the author and creator of Peter Pan, was born in Scotland on May 9, 1860.
Amelia Earhart began the first solo flight by a woman across the Atlantic Ocean on May 20, 1932.
Charles Lindbergh completed the first transatlantic solo flight on May 21, 1927.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the British author who created Sherlock Holmes, was born on May 22, 1859.
The first permanent English settlement in America was established in Jamestown, VA on May 24, 1607.
The Brooklyn Bridge opened to traffic on May 24, 1883.
The Golden Gate Bridge opened to traffic in San Francisco on May 27, 1937.
John F Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, born in Brookline, MA, on May 29, 1917.
Fun stuff to do… Need a gift idea for Mom for Mother’s Day? Think hand-made! How about an iron-on bag with her child’s drawing?
You can decorate a canvas bag with hand-drawn masterpieces quickly and easily with iron-on transfer paper (readily available at craft stores). Print a special drawing onto the transfer paper with any ink-jet printer, trim out the design, and then use a dry iron to transfer the image to clean canvas. She’ll love it!
Monday, April 4, 2016
Letter from Betty for April 2016
Hello,
The calendar has brought us once again to the spring season with its budding trees and early flowers. Beautiful weather is on the way! In fact in only a few short months the school year will end. Time flies when you're having fun!
Family time together with your children is so important for happy and healthy young lives. If you are wondering how to find exciting activities the whole family can enjoy, and at the same time keep your children's' minds expanding, check out our feature article for this month, "Boredom-busting Family Games That Sharpen Your Children's' Math Skills."
And have some fun with our "Did You Know?" bonus feature. This month is "All About Earth Day." April 22 is coming up and you'll want to be ready and well informed when the big green day arrives!
Finally, please remember that whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is 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
The calendar has brought us once again to the spring season with its budding trees and early flowers. Beautiful weather is on the way! In fact in only a few short months the school year will end. Time flies when you're having fun!
Family time together with your children is so important for happy and healthy young lives. If you are wondering how to find exciting activities the whole family can enjoy, and at the same time keep your children's' minds expanding, check out our feature article for this month, "Boredom-busting Family Games That Sharpen Your Children's' Math Skills."
And have some fun with our "Did You Know?" bonus feature. This month is "All About Earth Day." April 22 is coming up and you'll want to be ready and well informed when the big green day arrives!
Finally, please remember that whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is 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
April 2016 Dates Announced: Choose SAT or ACT with our Free Diagnostic
Currently many high school juniors take both the SAT and ACT to determine which test is better for them. We usually feel it is beneficial for the students to focus on only one test. In order to accomplish this, we administer a complimentary SAT/ACT diagnostic test to help students determine which test is better suited to their abilities.
Upcoming test dates:
April 16, 2016 and May 21, 2016
Our diagnostic test incorporates the new SAT which was introduced in March 2016.
Please call Donna at (973) 425-1774 for more details. You can also email Betty at Betty@foundationforlearning.com. SPACE IS LIMITED.
Upcoming test dates:
April 16, 2016 and May 21, 2016
Our diagnostic test incorporates the new SAT which was introduced in March 2016.
Please call Donna at (973) 425-1774 for more details. You can also email Betty at Betty@foundationforlearning.com. SPACE IS LIMITED.
April 2016 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.
Boredom-busting Family Games That Sharpen Your Children's Math Skills
Summer break is quickly approaching and you’re probably looking for more ideas to keep your children occupied. How about some boredom-busting games? Here are some recommendations that will help to reinforce your child’s math skills and they’re super fun too!
Match‘Em
Match'Em is a fast and furious card game that has players testing their reflexes and mental calculators at lightning speed. Players each get five game cards and play them on the special mat that's included. Players must try to match the point value of the last player's card with one or more cards from their own hands. If a player can't match the last play, he or she draws two more cards from the deck, and play continues. The first player to get rid of all of his or her cards wins the hand; win three hands and you've won the match. The rules are simple; the cards and play mat are colorful and well designed; and the frenzy of flipping cards in this clever game is addictive. For 2-4 players, ages 7 and up.
Over and Out
Over and Out is an exciting numbers game. Roll the dice, and then take out the matching chip point total. But don't get stuck with too many points left over, because the player with the lowest point total wins! Keep track of the total in the discard pile, by adding or subtracting as the cards are played. Once the total is at the "Tip Top" number, watch out! The person whose card makes that discard pile go OVER is OUT. It’s fast and it’s fun! For 2-8 players, ages 7 and up.
The Game of Chips
A fun strategy game for the whole family and a great adding game for kids! Roll the dice and then take out any chip combination that matches the total roll of the dice. Chips left over at the end of your turn, count as points against you. The player with the lowest point total at the end of the game is the winner. For 2-8 players, ages 7 and up.
Polygon
This fun-to-play game is a great way for kids to practice addition and multiplication facts. It requires strategizing to decide how to play each turn. Polygon uses numbered tiles that are placed on the game board in ways that achieve a score for each turn. You can play tiles in several ways so you have to add (and sometimes multiply, too) on each turn, as well as at the end of the game. Polygon is a subtle way to painlessly practice math facts. For 4-6 players, ages 7 and up.
Sequence Numbers
Sequence + Numbers = FUN! The cards each have an addition or subtraction equation and the game board has the answer. Match a card to its correct answer on the board, then place your chip there. Groups of numbers are color-coded to help with number recognition. When you have 5 of your chips in a row, you've got a SEQUENCE! For 4-6 players, ages 7 and up.
Spending time with your child is important and something that all parents need to make a priority during their busy days. It gives parents the opportunity to have a conversation, and to really listen to what their children have on their minds, and it bolsters their self-esteem to know that they want to spend unhurried time together. Playing board games makes it easy and fun to do just that.
Board games also have additional benefits beyond the sheer fun. They satisfy your child’s competitive urges, allow them to master new skills and concepts, and teaches important social skills such as communicating verbally, sharing, taking turns, and enjoying the company of others. They help your child to focus, develop a longer attention span, work on organization skills, and to work within boundaries by following rules and taking turns. Games can also help a child to see the benefit of never giving up. Just when they think they’re going to lose the game, they just may hit the jack-pot!
Match‘Em
Match'Em is a fast and furious card game that has players testing their reflexes and mental calculators at lightning speed. Players each get five game cards and play them on the special mat that's included. Players must try to match the point value of the last player's card with one or more cards from their own hands. If a player can't match the last play, he or she draws two more cards from the deck, and play continues. The first player to get rid of all of his or her cards wins the hand; win three hands and you've won the match. The rules are simple; the cards and play mat are colorful and well designed; and the frenzy of flipping cards in this clever game is addictive. For 2-4 players, ages 7 and up.
Over and Out
Over and Out is an exciting numbers game. Roll the dice, and then take out the matching chip point total. But don't get stuck with too many points left over, because the player with the lowest point total wins! Keep track of the total in the discard pile, by adding or subtracting as the cards are played. Once the total is at the "Tip Top" number, watch out! The person whose card makes that discard pile go OVER is OUT. It’s fast and it’s fun! For 2-8 players, ages 7 and up.
The Game of Chips
A fun strategy game for the whole family and a great adding game for kids! Roll the dice and then take out any chip combination that matches the total roll of the dice. Chips left over at the end of your turn, count as points against you. The player with the lowest point total at the end of the game is the winner. For 2-8 players, ages 7 and up.
Polygon
This fun-to-play game is a great way for kids to practice addition and multiplication facts. It requires strategizing to decide how to play each turn. Polygon uses numbered tiles that are placed on the game board in ways that achieve a score for each turn. You can play tiles in several ways so you have to add (and sometimes multiply, too) on each turn, as well as at the end of the game. Polygon is a subtle way to painlessly practice math facts. For 4-6 players, ages 7 and up.
Sequence Numbers
Sequence + Numbers = FUN! The cards each have an addition or subtraction equation and the game board has the answer. Match a card to its correct answer on the board, then place your chip there. Groups of numbers are color-coded to help with number recognition. When you have 5 of your chips in a row, you've got a SEQUENCE! For 4-6 players, ages 7 and up.
Spending time with your child is important and something that all parents need to make a priority during their busy days. It gives parents the opportunity to have a conversation, and to really listen to what their children have on their minds, and it bolsters their self-esteem to know that they want to spend unhurried time together. Playing board games makes it easy and fun to do just that.
Board games also have additional benefits beyond the sheer fun. They satisfy your child’s competitive urges, allow them to master new skills and concepts, and teaches important social skills such as communicating verbally, sharing, taking turns, and enjoying the company of others. They help your child to focus, develop a longer attention span, work on organization skills, and to work within boundaries by following rules and taking turns. Games can also help a child to see the benefit of never giving up. Just when they think they’re going to lose the game, they just may hit the jack-pot!
Did You Know? --- All About Earth Day
- Every April 22nd we observe Earth Day.
- The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 and was originated in the US.
- It was created to honor the planet's environment and to raise public awareness about pollution.
- Since then, other issues were included: the overuse of resources, oil spills, toxic dumping, chemical pesticide use, roadway creation, loss of wilderness and extinction of wildlife, among other concerns effecting the environment and the people and animals that live here on our planet.
- In 1990, Earth Day went global and 200 million people in 141 countries participated in the event.
- Every year on April 22, men, women, and children collect garbage, plant trees, clean up waterways, show movies, sign petitions, take hikes and participate in many other earth-friendly activities.
- On Earth Day 2012, more than 100,000 people rode bikes in China to reduce CO2 emissions and save fuel.
- In an Earth Day celebration in 2011, 28 million trees were planted in Afghanistan.
- One year in Panama, 100 endangered species of orchids were planted and maintained to prevent their extinction in honor of Earth Day.
- Food Recovery is the theme for Earth Day 2016, with a focus on reducing food loss and waste.
More facts:
- The average American produces more than four pounds of garbage per day.
- Almost half of the food in the U.S. goes to waste.
- It takes about 450 years for plastic beverage bottles to break down in a landfill.
- The energy saved by recycling one plastic bottle can power a computer for 25 minutes.
- It takes approximately 1 million years for a glass bottle to break down in a landfill.
- The energy saved from recycling one glass bottle will operate a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.
- Almost 97% of the world's water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers. Only 1% is usable for agriculture, manufacturing, and personal needs.
- The average American uses about 100 gallons of water per day.
- About 8 million metric tons of plastic goes into the ocean each year.
Fun and helpful thing to do on Earth Day…
Make a peanut butter and seed bird feeder: Take a walk and gather up a couple of nice-sized pine cones. Back in the kitchen, mix peanut butter with a bit of oat bran in a bowl. (The oat bran helps to break up the sticky peanut butter and helps with digestion.) Spread birdseed on a tray or in a larger bowl. Wrap a piece of twine around and inside the pine cone. Using a blunt knife (butter or spreader), coat each pine cone with the PB mixture. Roll the sticky cone in the birdseed until it is evenly and complete covered. Repeat this process for each pine cone. Hang the completed cones in a tree outside your window.Check out a regional bird identification book from the library (if you don’t already own one) and enjoy time watching, recognizing and learning about the birds in your own backyard.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Letter from Betty for March 2016
Hello,
Every year the winter weather seems to take its sweet time making way for springtime, but the warmer days will surely arrive before long.
In the meantime, you might be wondering how to deal with children stuck indoors. Check out our feature article, "Wintertime Learning Activities" for inspiration.
Just for fun, have a look at our new "Did You Know All About..." bonus feature. This month is "Did You Know All About...Snow?" Also, we have the goofy answers to the February Puzzler, "Wait! Why Did We Use That?" which continues our theme of explaining old tech to young people. Enjoy!
Finally, please remember that whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is 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
Every year the winter weather seems to take its sweet time making way for springtime, but the warmer days will surely arrive before long.
In the meantime, you might be wondering how to deal with children stuck indoors. Check out our feature article, "Wintertime Learning Activities" for inspiration.
Just for fun, have a look at our new "Did You Know All About..." bonus feature. This month is "Did You Know All About...Snow?" Also, we have the goofy answers to the February Puzzler, "Wait! Why Did We Use That?" which continues our theme of explaining old tech to young people. Enjoy!
Finally, please remember that whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is 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, April 2016 Dates Announced: Choose SAT or ACT with our Free Diagnostic
Upcoming test dates:
March 12, 2016 and April 16, 2016
Our diagnostic test incorporates the new SAT which will be administered beginning in March 2016. Please call Donna at (973) 425-1774 for more details. You can also email Betty at Betty@foundationforlearning.com. SPACE IS LIMITED.
March 2016 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
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