How To Prevent Students From Failing Part II

12 Ways To Prevent Students From Failing Part II

(A Guide for Parents and Students)
By: Aquarius Cain

            1.      Communicate With Teachers Regularly

It’s important to build a good relationship with teachers.  Communicate with them weekly to make sure that homework assignments were turned in on time, classwork is being completed, etc.  Ask for make-up work ahead of time when you know absences will occur.  Get an advanced notice on major assignments and upcoming projects.  Let them know that you are not a threat; you just want to stay informed and are willing to assist in any way to ensure a fair grade.

Schedule a conference with the teacher monthly to receive feedback on student performance.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL GRADE REPORTS ARE SENT HOME.  By the time grade reports are sent home, the damage may have already been done and you may not be able to reverse the damage.

            2.      Get Organized

·         Organization is the key to success! To be organized, first de-clutter lockers, back packs, and notebooks; sort through the papers and separate them by subject.  DON’T THROW ANYTHING AWAY…YOU MAY NEED IT LATER!

·         Try to keep the notebook in a particular order so that it’s easier to find things

·         Have a system to communicate between parents, students, and teachers by having a: Home/School Communication Folder

·         Students remember more if they do homework in the same place and same time each day! So, it’s important to have a workstation and a study schedule.

Read this article to find out more about how to stay organized: How To Be Successful in School

            3.      Understand How You Learn

Students learn differently! However, many teachers do not teach differently (that is, according to the way each student learns).  Teaching to the multiple modes of learning is called differentiated learning. The modes of learning are visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. 

Students should take a Learning Styles Assessment to determine exactly how they learn:

·         Visual learners learn by reading and seeing things written down or drawn into pictures.

·         Auditory learners learn by hearing and discussing information.

·         Kinesthetic learners learn by practicing and doing things over and over until they understand it.

After taking a Learning Styles Assessment, use study techniques that will help you learn new information based on your learning style.

Learning Styles Assessment

            4.      Know When To Ask For Help

One of the easiest ways to prevent failure is to know when to ask for help and to actually ask for help. Students should always raise their hand in class and ask questions when they do not understand.  It is important to understand that no question is a stupid question and that there is probably someone else who doesn’t understand and is waiting for someone to ask for an explanation.  If not you, then who?

If students are afraid to ask questions in class then they should ask the teacher after or in-between classes or schedule an appointment to get further help.  This is also where extra tutoring with the teacher may be needed.

            5.      Stay Positive/Be Encouraged

To prevent failure, it is imperative to keep a positive attitude.  “If you believe, you can achieve.”  Even when things get tough, students should continue to encourage themselves by using compliments and positive mantras.  Being surrounded by friends who are encouraging and positive is a helpful way to stay positive and encouraged as well.

Students should know and understand that they may not be successful at everything and with every assignment, and that’s ok.  Everyone fails eventually but it is important to keep trying and to always do your best.

            6.      Reward Progress

As small goals are met, such as turning in all homework assignments this week, celebrate those accomplishments.  Go and grab ice cream or rent a favorite movie.  Rewards also help to keep students motivated and encouraged.  It is imperative to reward small things just as much as major accomplishments.  Some students may make all C’s and rewarding them for consistency is good while making the next incentive greater if they can make a B, for example.

Figure out what works but don’t overdo it to the point where it backfires and students begin to expect rewards for performance.

How To Prevent Students From Failing Part I

12 Steps To Prevent Students From Failing Part I

Tips for Students and Parents

By: Aquarius Cain

             1.      Get a Tutor

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” (Benjamin Franklin). Waiting until a student fails is the biggest mistake most people make. Most times the excuse is, “I don’t want to waste money if they don’t need it and can get it on their own.” If a student struggled, failed, or barely passed first semester, chances are they will also struggle, fail or barely pass second semester.  The reason being is that the material may not get easier but more difficult.  Additionally, most of the concepts will build upon what was learned first semester and if there wasn’t a full understanding of it then, it will be difficult to understand the new material now.

We suggest having a personal tutor once a week to reinforce what was learned in class and answer any questions that may not have been answered to the student’s understanding from class.  Going to tutoring before or after school with the teacher is also a good way to prevent from failing. Group tutoring or forming study groups are other ways to master learning and to get better grades in school. Students studying together is always an effective way to share information and learn from one another.

Figure out which options work best but do not skimp on getting tutoring even if things seem to be going ok initially.  Tutoring is a good investment with the ultimate return being SUCCESS!

Find A Tutor

             2.      Monitor homework

·         Write down homework assignments and due dates on a homework checklist or in an agenda.  A homework checklist prevents you from forgetting about all of the assignments and helps to keep track of what assignments are left to finish.

·         Make sure the instructions are understood as well.  Ask questions about the assignment before leaving class for clarity.  There’s nothing worse than getting home to start working on homework only to realize you have no clue what to do. 

·         Get started on the homework assignments immediately and do not wait until the last minute to get them done.  If it will take several days to complete, break the assignment up into chunks or sections and complete a few sections each day until complete.

·         Check homework for completion and accuracy and make necessary changes. 

·         Check off the assignment on the homework checklist as soon as it is completed. 

·         Have a homework folder to place completed assignments in so that you do not lose your work.

·         TURN THE ASSIGNMENT IN ON TIME!  I cannot stress this enough.  If you’re going to take the time to do the work, why not get the full credit?

Most school systems have an online grading system where grades can be tracked simply by logging in.  Check grades regularly (weekly) to monitor and make sure credit is given to assignments that have been completed and turned in.  Ask questions about grades that are low or missing.

HomeworkChecklist

              3.      Set a Reasonable Schedule

Study time and homework time is necessary, especially for establishing study habits.  Assess student energy levels and find a time to study and do homework when they are the most functional.  If students need a break or nap right after school or class then do not schedule homework/study time until later.  For those who are very energetic when they get home, they should begin studying immediately after school. Don’t forget to schedule breaks.  Take a 10-15 minute break every 45 minutes to an hour. Use a calendar or study schedule template to set up the schedule.

Studying should be done daily for at least 15 minutes per subject.  Do not confuse studying with homework time.  Studying is reviewing material and making sure that you understand it by assessing student knowledge through quizzes, question/answer sessions, etc.  Homework is reinforcement of skills and knowledge.

StudySchedule Template

             4.      Limit Video Games/TV Time

Of course, students will choose to play video games, watch television, and/or be on the internet over studying and doing homework. It’s more fun!  Television, video games, and the internet pose a huge distraction and may contribute to a student failing (unless it is related to academics).  This is because, if given the option, students will spend more time gaming, watching TV, browsing the web, and being on social networking sites than they will studying.  Students also tend to lose focus more easily and are unable to concentrate.

It is suggested to limit technology time to about an hour a day during the school week and extend the time on the weekends.  For students who are highly addicted and struggle significantly at school, try to limit this technology time to weekends only (Friday through Sunday).  Educational games, shows, and websites are highly encouraged.  Go to our website www.acceleratedlearningservices.com for a list of recommended websites.

One thing to caution about limiting technology time is using it as a reward for finishing homework.  This sends a message that homework is not very important and that video games, etc. are more fun. 

              5.      Encourage Reading

·         If failure is to be prevented, reading must be implemented into the daily schedule.  Reading more will improve comprehension and understanding of information.  The more students read, the more it becomes a habit, and the more they will enjoy it!

·         Students should read approximately 10-30 minutes a day depending on their age. 

·         Choose different things to read, such as magazines, comic books, literature, cereal box, recipes, novels, video game instructions, etc. 

·         Set weekly reading goals and discuss small rewards for reaching those goals.

             6.      Check Grades Weekly

To prevent failure, it is important to check and track grades weekly.  Ask to see quizzes, tests, and homework once it has been graded and keep your own record of those grades for accuracy. Use a simple spreadsheet like the one below.

Ask to redo assignments, tests, and quizzes (even if you will not get a better grade by doing so). It shows the teacher that you are interested in learning the information that you did not answer correctly.  They may see your effort and be willing to give you partial credit.

GradeTracking Sheet

'Twas The Night Before Finals

‘Twas The Night Before Finals

By: Aquarius Cain

Accelerated Learning Educational Services

‘Twas the night before finals and all through the house,

College students on the computer click, click, clicking the mouse;

Suitcases were packed at the dorms by the door,

In hopes that tomorrow they would suffer no more;

The students were nestled at their cozy little desks,

With notes, books, and papers, it looked such a mess;

Mamma sent a care package with things to make me think,

But I don’t want that stuff, I need a 5-hour energy drink;

When out on the yard I heard a loud cheer,

It’s all of my friends partying with beer;

I flew away from the window and went back to my desk,

I can’t party with them, I’ve got to study for this test!

I’ll pull an all-nighter although my professor doesn’t suggest, 

On the night before an exam you need a good night’s rest;

Looking at the study guide with no clue where to begin,

I need a life line, it’s time to “phone a friend!”

I called 855-3-TUTOR-ME from my phone,

In no time at all, the Accelerated Learning tutor was at my home;

We discussed my strengths and weaknesses and came up with a plan,

“Think positive,” the tutor said, “say, I think I can, I think I can!”

Now, study guides! Now, text books! Now, workbooks and notes!

On, sticky notes! on flashcards! on graphic organizers, we wrote!

Eat breakfast and drink little, these tips I did take,

I would only get to go to the bathroom during the test break;

In the morn, I grabbed 2 pencils, a calculator, and jacket too,

I raced out the door and headed to school;

I grabbed my scantron and test and took a seat, 

I remembered what my tutor taught me, “do not accept defeat.”

I controlled my nervousness by saying, “You’re going to do fine,”

I moved from question to question without wasting time;

I read the questions first, then after, the passage I did read,

She said pick a letter of the day to guess when I don’t know—it’s “D.”

I did the easy questions first and skipped all around,

Man, it’s so quiet in here, you can’t hear a sound;

Now it’s time to go back to the difficult questions and make an educated guess,

Using process of elimination I can find the choice that is best;

I used context clues for words I didn’t understand,

I’m going to pass this test, yes I can!

With lots of confidence I went back to double check my answers,

As I finished up the test I heard a little whisper;

You’re going to do great so please don’t you stress,

Happy testing to all from A-L-E-S!

 What's going through your mind the night before finals? Share your funny thoughts, moments, or experiences with us.

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About the author:

Aquarius Cain is the CEO of Accelerated Learning Educational Services. She is a full-time tutor with more than ten years of combined teaching and tutoring experience.  As an educator, Mrs. Cain is a lover of learning and any opportunity she gets to spread knowledge, she does, in her own unique way!

Connect with Aquarius Cain on LinkedIn
Follow Accelerated Learning on Twitter
Like Accelerated Learning on Facebook 

The Twelve Days of Christmas (as told by students)

The Twelve Days of Christmas (as told by students)

By: Aquarius Cain

Accelerated Learning Educational Services

You will enjoy our version of The 12 Days of Christmas (as told by students).  It's a funny parody that touches on some of the pitfalls that students run into with their teachers.

Here are the lyrics. Enjoy! Merry Christmas!

On the first day of Christmas, 

my teacher gave to me 

A Kindle Fire with e-books to read.

On the second day of Christmas, 

my teacher gave to me 

Two pop quizzes, 

And A Kindle Fire with e-books to read. 

On the third day of Christmas, 

my teacher gave to me 

Three Boring lectures, 

Two pop quizzes, 

And A Kindle Fire with e-books to read. 

On the fourth day of Christmas, 

my teacher gave to me 

Four calls to Mom, 

Three Boring lectures, 

Two pop quizzes, 

And A Kindle Fire with e-books to read. 

On the fifth day of Christmas, 

my teacher gave to me 

Five failing grades, 

Four calls to Mom, 

Three Boring lectures, 

Two pop quizzes, 

And A Kindle Fire with e-books to read. 

On the sixth day of Christmas, 

my  teacher gave  to me 

Six take home tests, 

Five failing grades, 

Four calls to Mom, 

Three Boring lectures, 

Two pop quizzes, 

And A Kindle Fire with e-books to read. 

On the seventh day of Christmas, 

my  teacher gave  to me 

Seven Science projects, 

Six take home tests, 

Five failing grades, 

Four calls to Mom, 

Three Boring lectures, 

Two pop quizzes, 

And A Kindle Fire with e-books to read. 

On the eighth day of Christmas, 

my  teacher gave  to me 

Eight cell phones taken, 

Seven Science projects, 

Six take home tests, 

Five failing grades, 

Four calls to Mom, 

Three Boring lectures, 

Two pop quizzes, 

And A Kindle Fire with e-books to read. 

On the ninth day of Christmas, 

my  teacher gave  to me 

Nine days detention, 

Eight cell phones taken, 

Seven Science projects, 

Six take home tests, 

Five failing grades, 

Four calls to Mom, 

Three Boring lectures, 

Two pop quizzes, 

And A Kindle Fire with e-books to read. 

On the tenth day of Christmas, 

my  teacher gave  to me 

Ten days suspension, 

Nine days detention, 

Eight cell phones taken, 

Seven Science projects, 

Six take home tests, 

Five failing grades, 

Four calls to Mom, 

Three Boring lectures, 

Two pop quizzes, 

And A Kindle Fire with e-books to read. 

On the eleventh day of Christmas, 

my  teacher gave  to me 

Eleven students begging, 

Ten days suspension, 

Nine days detention, 

Eight cell phones taken, 

Seven Science projects, 

Six take home tests, 

Five failing grades, 

Four calls to Mom, 

Three Boring lectures, 

Two pop quizzes, 

And A Kindle Fire with e-books to read. 

On the twelfth day of Christmas, 

my  teacher gave  to me 

Twelve days of homework, 

Eleven students begging, 

Ten days suspension, 

Nine days detention, 

Eight cell phones taken, 

Seven Science projects, 

Six take home tests, 

Five failing grades, 

Four calls to Mom, 

Three Boring lectures, 

Two pop quizzes, 

And A Kindle Fire with e-books to read! 

10 Best and Worst Christmas Gifts to Give to Teachers

10 Best and Worst Christmas Gifts to Give to Teachers

By: Aquarius Cain

Best Christmas Gifts for Teachers 

1. Gift Card/Certificate                      
2. Teacher Supplies                  
3. Handmade Cards or Custom made gifts                
4. Scented candles                                
5. Lotion or gift set from Bath & Body Works (or somewhere similar)
6. Chocolate, candy, sweets    
7. Gift Baskets                         
8. Teacher Appreciation Gadgets        
9. Teacher’s favorite book, movie, or CD                      
10. Jewelry                                             

 Not So Great Christmas Gifts for Teachers

1. Coffee Mug
2. Ornaments
3. Fruit cake, baked food, or Fruit for that matter (oranges, apples)
4. Stationary
5. Perfume
6. Scarves, gloves, ear muffs
7. Figurines (crystalline, porcelain)
8. Apple-themed Paraphernalia
9. Clothing (sweaters, vests, anything knitted)
10. Framed photo or large items with your child’s picture

What’s the best gift you've ever received and what’s the worst gift you've ever received?  What did you do with the worst gift? How would you tell the person who gave you the worst gift that you didn't like it? Share your comments below and ask your friends to share as well.

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About the author:

Aquarius Cain is the CEO of Accelerated Learning Educational Services. She is a full-time tutor with more than ten years of combined teaching and tutoring experience.  As an educator, Mrs. Cain is a lover of learning and any opportunity she gets to spread knowledge, she does, in her own unique way!

Connect with Aquarius Cain on LinkedIn
Follow Accelerated Learning on Twitter
Like Accelerated Learning on Facebook 

Is Your True Love Worth $107,000 For Christmas?

Exactly How Much Does the “12 Days of Christmas” Cost?

By: Aquarius Cain

 

We sing the Christmas carol, The 12 Days of Christmas, every year for the holidays.  Many people make their own funny renditions of it about their job, friends, family, etc.  We even created one in my family that we sang on Christmas Eve that included 12 rolls of tissue and a Strawberry Daiquiri.  There have been red-neck versions and even ghetto versions. QuadCity DJ’s even created a radio hit with their version titled WhatYou Want For Christmas. The 12 Days of Christmas is a fun song to sing, even if you can’t sing.  And who doesn't love a great Christmas Carol for the holidays?

But have you ever stopped to think about how much it would cost for your “true love” to buy these things for you? According to an article in the USA TODAY, it would cost $107,300 for your sweetheart to purchase the Twelve Days of Christmas. He/she must REALLY love you because that’s a hefty price tag!

Here is the breakdown, item, by item according to PNC Wealth Management: 

— Partridge, $15

— Pear tree, $189.99

— Two turtle doves, $125

— Three French hens, $165

— Four calling birds (canaries), $519.96

— Five gold rings, $750

— Six geese a-laying, $210

— Seven swans a-swimming, $7,000  

— Eight maids a-milking, $58

— Nine ladies dancing (per performance), $6,294

— 10 lords a-leaping (per performance), $4,767

— 11 pipers piping (per performance), $2,562

— 12 drummers drumming (per performance), $2,776

I know some of you are checking the math list twice…this only adds up to $25,431.95. How then did they come up with $107,300? The analysts calculated based on what the “true love” gave EACH DAY.  Check out the article, “Cost of '12 Days of Christmas' tops $107,000,” for a deeper economic explanation to The 12 Days of Christmas, on USAToday.com: http://usat.ly/SozsEc

“Is your true love worth the hefty price tag of $107,300 for the 12 days of Christmas?" We would love to hear your comments. Please respond and thanks for sharing this story with others.

How To Be Successful in School: Part I

Part I: GET ORGANIZED

By Aquarius Cain

(CEO of Accelerated Learning Educational Services)

 

Do you spend a lot of time looking for homework and assignments?

Is your locker or book bag packed with crumpled pieces of paper?

Do you feel stressed because you constantly lose things?

Are your grades slipping because of missing/lost assignments or incomplete assignments?

Do you find yourself making excuses about why you don’t have your work?

If you can’t answer these questions with a solid “NO”,  

IT IS TIME TO ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE!!!! 

 

In order to organize your life, you need to:

Ø  Organize your papers/notebook

Ø  Organize your backpack

Ø  Organize your locker

Ø  Organize your workspace

Ø  Organize your schedule

 

To be organized, you must first de-clutter your locker, back pack, and notebook; sort through the papers and separate them by subject.  DON’T THROW ANYTHING AWAY…YOU MAY NEED IT LATER!

 

Organize Your Notebook

 

Notebook Contents 

·         3-ring binder: 2” rings or larger w/pockets in the covers

·         5-6 colored tab subject dividers (colored construction paper works)

·         Zipper pouch to store supplies (hole punched zip-lock bags work)

·         2+ pens & pencils

·         Filler paper

·         Assignment Calendar for EACH CLASS

·         Divider pouches (for papers with no holes)

·         Highlighters

·         Ruler/hole puncher

·         Calculator

Color code your notebooks to make it easier to stay organized    

·         Assign every subject a color

·         Match your notebook/binder tab color to the folder color

·         Use colored tabs

·         On journals & workbooks, use a marker to stripe the pages with the color for that subject

 

Try to keep your notebook in a particular order so that it’s easier to find things

·         Put a front cover on your binder

·         For Each section/subject

o   Divider (preferably with pockets)

o   Completed assignments that need to be turned in (front pocket)

o   Calendar/assignment log

o   Notes

o   Handouts

o   Returned assignments/tests

o   Blank paper

Home/School Communication Folder 

Another way to get organized is to have a system to communicate between parents and students by having a: Home/School Communication Folder

How This Works 

1.      At school - put papers for parents in your Home/School Folder

2.      When you get home - put papers in your School Zone (designated area to put papers)

3.      Have parents check School Zone

4.      Put signed papers back in Home/School Communication Folder

5.      Take Home/School Folder back to school & turn in necessary papers

School Zone

·         Special place where you put parent papers, a place your parents check every day

·         Could be a basket or a bulletin board

·         Great place for notes for teacher, field trip permission slips etc.

·         Leave yourself reminder notes in your School Zone

 

Student Work Area

·         What does your current work area look like?

·         How should it look?

o   It should be neat & clean

o   It should be in a well lit area

o   It should be in a place with no distractions

o   Make sure it is equipped with Necessary supplies

·         You remember more if you do your homework in the same place and same time each night!

Visit www.acceleratedlearningservices.com for resources to help you stay organized.

If you would like for a representative to speak about organization skills at your school, church, or organization, please contact 404-933-2235.