Category Archives: School

Goals For Students

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I haven’t yet read the book, Goal Setting For Students, but found their website that offers free information for parents to work with their children in school and in homeschool settings. Although the site is a promotion for the book, there are valuable resources included.

SMART stands for:

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely

This is related to making goals with students and can be used for parents and teachers. With my children, getting school work, projects, homework and studying for tests was and is always easier when I was able to assist them to recognize what they were trying to accomplish first. Then break it down into steps. Check off what is done and complete the goal.

This Goal Setting Form can get you and your child on the right track. Find more tools for free from Goal Setting For Students. Don’t forget to check out their blog and resources.

SpellQuizzer Review And Giveaway

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*CONTEST ENDED. WINNER ANNOUNCED.*

We’ve been seeing the Back To School sales already and got my daughter’s school supply list at the store the other day. It won’t be long until school is back in session and that means weekly Spelling Tests. I work diligently with my daughter’s schoolwork so studying for Spelling is something we do together frequently. She’ll be going into fifth grade and I’m trying to get her to work on her own more. I’m also trying to help her lessen test anxiety.

spellquizzer-logo

SpellQuizzer is a spelling program that helps children master their spelling and vocabulary. I’ve taught my daughter to use it already with her spelling words from fourth grade. Then I spoke the words using a silly voice into our computer microphone. When my daughter listened to them, she not only had a laugh, but she actually did some homework during the summer!

SpellQuizzer is spelling software not just for students that need help learning their spelling and vocabulary words, it is for students who want to work independently, parents who need or want a break from the spelling nightmare practice and students who want to improve their spelling too.

For those that need help, they can practice as often as you see fit on their own. Then you can test them once or twice a week. For children who like to work on their own, they can set up their lists and even record the words by themselves.

If you don’t have the time to review spelling with your child all the time, this does the trick. And for children who want to go beyond what is taught in their class, there are pre-made spelling lists you can download and use from the SpellQuizzer website. There’s even college and beyond level words.

Some points to know about SpellQuizzer:

  • The software has a built-in spellchecker that recognizes both US and UK English spellings.  The spellchecker warns the user when creating a spelling list if they enter a word that appears to be spelled incorrectly.  Because of this safeguard it’s reasonably safe to let children create their own spelling lists guided by the curriculum they are working on.
  • If your computer doesn’t have a built in microphone, you can purchase an inexpensive one for under $10 that works well with this program.
  • If you have problems with hearing the words after they are recorded, check the Help Section of SpellQuizzer. It is most likely that the Microphone Boost isn’t turned on by default. This actually happened with us but was easy to fix.
  • There is a free trial offered and video demonstration available.

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My Review:  The program was quick and simple to download. Once my daughter and I began to use it, it was easy to learn and we got the hang of it right away. Since my daughter likes using the computer for anything, I know that she will study her spelling using SpellQuizzer without any complaints. Once the program was up and running, she ran to get her old spelling words and worked with them for over an hour at one sitting. I’m looking forward to her using SpellQuizzer this coming school year. I know this will lessen her test anxiety because while working on her own, she is able to see that she is capable of getting her spelling words correctly.

To Purchase: Visit the SpellQuizzer and download it for $29.95.

Giveaway: Win a download of SpellQuizzer.

The Rules:

1. Contest starts now and ends Wed., August 5th at midnight EST.
2. Open worldwide. (Reminder, the program recognizes words in English and UK spellings)
3. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
4. Winner has 2 days to claim prize.
5. Have fun and tell your friends.

How To Enter:
Mandatory Entry: Visit SpellQuizer and leave a comment about one thing I didn’t mention in my review. Please don’t copy the comment above you. If this is not done, all other entries will not count.

For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

  1. Sign up for this blogs RSS feed. (Only new followers)
  2. Leave a comment about one school subject your child has trouble learning or retaining.
  3. Write a blog post about this contest. (let me know the link to your post)
  4. Leave a comment on my blog Brain Foggles (let me know which blog post please)
  5. Leave a comment on another post on this blog. (let me know the post please)
  6. Tweet this and leave your Twitter ID please:

    Win SpellQuizzer @ConnieFoggles to help your child excel in school or homeschool http://tinyurl.com/mx8bzq PL RT

This review and giveaway sponsored by SpellQuizzer.

Teacher Gifts

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We always show our appreciation for a job well done by purchasing a teacher gift. Even though times are hard, we do something special for our daughter’s teacher. I’ve learned that these are the most wanted gifts in order of preference:

  1. Handmade Gifts
  2. Particular collectibles (but only if the teacher requests or is a true collector)
  3. Teaching Supplies
  4. Gift Cards

How do I know this? I’ve been through preschool all the way to college with my older daughter and have always been involved with her teachers. Of course, not in college! I didn’t want to just buy things that would end up in a closet or be re-gifted so I asked.

Handmade Gifts – For preschool up to about fifth grade, teachers appreciate seeing what their students have learned or a talent they are proud of, be it writing the alphabet or their name,  a story about their year in school, a thank you letter for the extra help their teacher gave them, or for how they helped them learn about a skill they didn’t know they had. If a child is proud of their art work, a drawing or painting or any other craft item is always welcomed, especially if it can be portrayed or used such as a pencil holder. Be sure that your child puts their full name and the year on their work. Older children can give greeting card with a special message or a letter. Again, if they are gifted in a certain are, let them make something  just for their teacher.

Collectibles - Some teachers cover their classrooms with coffee mugs, Tinker Bell items or posters of dogs. If they keep adding to their collection or talking about their love of these items, it’s a safe guess that they’d be happy to receive another addition. To be on the safe side, you can mention it to them, such as, “Are you looking for more unique mugs?”

Teaching Supplies – We all know that budget cuts have caused many teachers to purchase paper, pencils and even books. Ask if supplies are needed and what in particular. Sometimes a magazine subscription is perfect. National Geographic Little Kids is good for preschool – kindergarten.

Gift Cards – Sometimes you may get a teacher that will say they don’t want or expect anything, or they are happy with a handmade gift. Either way, gift cards are a wonderful way to say thank you. Since my daughter makes either a card or a drawing, I add a gift card as our thank you. This year we chose to use our grocery store cards. Her teacher has been so grateful. He can get just what he wants and it saves him money on a necessity.

What do you do for your childrens’ teachers? I’m sure it’s much harder if you have more than one child in school at the same time.

The Green Teen – Book Review

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The Green Teen: The Eco-Friendly Teen’s Guide to Saving the Planet by Jenn Savedge is a book on a mission: teach teenagers how to positively impact the environment easily and quickly. The method used to reach this goal is to:

  • Provide tips that teens and tweens care about (clothing, shopping, school, cars)
  • Profile green teens who share what they are doing to inspire them
  • Include facts to back up the tips and the current environmental problems
  • List websites for information

green-teen-bookEasy read:  This can be picked up and read between classes. There’s tons of tips, but since it is written in chapters that are broken up into distinct categories, like “Green Your Lunch” and “Green Giving” your interest is piqued so you can grasp it easily.

Humor: This is a fun book! I loved the phrases the author uses like, “American Idles” for cars that take a long time to warm up before they start and “Trim Your Wasteline” for recycling.

Put It To Work: There are a number of events and programs that are outlined in detail so that the reader, a group of friends, a class or even an entire school can start one. For example, you can learn how to begin a school recycling program or “organize a green event”.

Who Should Read This: Although this book is aimed towards teens, some younger children who read well or who are interested in the environment will learn a great deal from this book. Parents and teachers can take advantage of the information too and inspire their children and students to go green.

About The Author: Jenn Savedge is a mother and former Park Ranger. She truly cares about the environment and writes a blog focusing about this.

Buy The Book:  You can purchase The Green Teen from New Society Publishers directly, from Amazon.com or from Barnes&Noble.com for $14.95.

For more information on the book, the author and to read an excerpt visit The Green Teen online.

This review courtesy of the author and publisher.

Report Card Rewards

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I don’t reward my daughter for her good grades on her report card. Call me a mean Mom. To me, that’s a compliment. Her reward for good grades are just that, her grades.

Library report card--5th grade
Image by rochelle, et. al. via Flickr

You see, my daughter understands that she has to go to school. She enjoys learning because it is something that we’ve instilled in her since she was a baby. I read to her as an infant, we surrounded her with educational and fun toys, we took her everywhere with us. She had a library of books before she was born and a library card before she could read or write. She’s been to story time, parties, children’s festivals, parks, plays, etc.

When she began school, it was a huge deal for all of us and we let her know that this was her “job”. We are involved in her school work and her school. Her homework and studying comes first before TV, telephone calls, playing games.

Believe me she has fun! She loves being on the computer, playing video games, reading and playing with her friends. She gets to enjoy all those things in moderation. And many of the rewards she gets for good behavior at home include these things.

We also don’t push her to get good grades, but to try her best and to enjoy the process of learning. If she has a problem with something in school, for example, math, we find some games to help her with it. I let her teacher and the school reward her for her grades. I love her for her effort and for her curiosity.

I do understand that there are circumstances when rewards for grades are necessary so this is not a post to judge anyone who uses them for their children. This is what I have done with my daughter is now 22 and in graduate school and will continue to do with my 10 year old daughter because it’s what I believe is best for us.

What do you do with your children when they get they good grades?

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Helping Children With Homework

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Teachers know which parents are involved with their children’s school work. It is easily apparent to them. In order for your children to be successful in school, your involvement is necessary. You can assist them with their school work, with studying and by volunteering at the school. Today’s post will focus on homework and studying with your children.

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  • Prepare a healthy snack for your child when they return home from school. This gives your child some energy to get her tasks done. It is also a good way to transition from school to home as well as allows you as a parent to talk a bit with your child.
  • Provide a quiet place for homework and studying. Do not allow music or TV even if your child says it helps. It doesn’t. (There are always exceptions to the rules. Parents and teachers will know if this is the case. Follow your instincts.)
  • Help your child stay organized. Provide a planner, notepad, or some other way of keeping track of what homework is due, what tests and reports are coming up, etc.
  • When assisting your child, be patient, speak quietly and be positive.
  • Find what works best with your child. Is it better for him to use flash cards or re-write their notes? What is their learning style? If you need assistance with this, the teacher can be helpful with this. You can also learn by observing your child. Then use what works.
  • Praise your child on their efforts, not only on the results.
  • If you require special study materials, speak to your child’s teacher. He may be able to provide these for you or suggest where to purchase them at a discount. You may also be able to find these at the library, thrift store or by borrowing from other parents.
  • Don’t do for your child, assist.
  • If the school work is too difficult for you, swallow your pride and talk to the teacher. You may be surprised to know that this is a common problem. You may be provided with a textbook, or personal help from the teacher for your child.
  • Attend all parent/teacher meetings. Call or write to your child’s teacher if your child is still having a problem with a subject even with your help.

When you begin helping your child with their studies early in her school life, it makes it easy later when school gets more difficult. There is a routine, a setting for studying and open lines of communication between you, your child and your child’s teachers.

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