"This is exasperating!" - this video is hilarious!

Kids truly do say the funniest things!  This video is trending this morning and we have a link to it below.  It is very amusing!  One of the funniest things about it is this kid uses the word "exasperating" in the proper context!  He's in a car seat and using a big word in the right way!  Unbelievable!

http://fox8.com/2014/08/28/this-is-exasperating-adorable-boy-has-priceless-reaction-to-mommys-big-secret/

After you get a chuckle, we also want to give this mom some credit for teaching her child some great vocabulary at such a young age.  He also shows some math skills by talking about currently having 2 and adding one more, and he is a critical thinker, anticipating the need for earplugs to address a crying problem.  We love this - he is expressive and articulate for such a small boy!

Have a fabulous Thursday! 

Safety for our Kids - at the bus stop and beyond

We weren't planning to blog about this topic today, but breaking news just came across social media, so we wanted to highlight this issue in case it's not top of mind!

Our world can be a dangerous place and it's up to all of us to help protect our children.  Read this article via the link below (the picture is NOT associated with the article):

http://www.news4jax.com/news/suspicious-white-van-spotted-3-times-near-school-bus-stops/27739812?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Please be diligent, and watch out for ALL children!  Teach kids to be aware of their surroundings.  Make sure they travel in groups, not alone.  Tell them how to communicate with someone if they sense there is a problem.  They need to be safe from all kinds of harmful and dangerous situations, and this situation is unfortunately only one of many they may face.

Don't be afraid or embarrassed to have frank discussions with your kids.  They need our guidance!

The Power of Active Learning

There are numerous ways for us to learn.

Many studies have been conducted that prove this, but unfortunately, not all learning environments can incorporate the methodology in which perhaps your child learns most effectively.  That's where you come in!

http://changingminds.org/explanations/learning/active_learning.htm

The above link takes you to one such study that shows a variety of ways we retain information.  As you help your child study, or review homework, help reinforce the principles with DOING - active learning!  Figure out a way to let them have some hands-on experience.  Practice multiplication and division with a roll of pennies.  Have them look up an unknown word in a physical dictionary then write it in a sentence using it appropriately.  Talk about condensation when you boil water and droplets collect on the lid of the pot.  Visit museums or zoos - anywhere that has something pertinent to the subjects they are studying!

Let them learn that all these things go on in their lives every day and help them recognize them and apply them.

Being a Parent Volunteer at School

There are a variety of ways to volunteer at your child's school.  There are opportunities for parents/grandparents who do not work AND opportunities for those who do work outside the home.  You can volunteer to help in the classroom, plan to chaperone field trips, and help with special events like Play Day or Orientation.  You simply need to ask the teacher what you can do to help!

However, in preparation for these opportunities, parents definitely need to get clearance through the school system in advance.  For Duval County, the link to the process is here:

http://www.duvalschools.org/Page/7416

Just know that your child will remember your participation in their school events.  It really does mean something to have you around!

Reading WITH your child has big benefits!

It has been a GREAT week at the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville so far!  Our students have come in so excited about starting school!  They are beautiful with their smiling faces and excellent attitudes! It is very rewarding to see their studying efforts they practiced all summer really pay off in terms of confidence and preparedness these first few days of school!  We thank you again parents, for bringing them to tutoring and letting us help them get ready.

One easy tip you can begin doing with your child TODAY is reading with them.  This applies to kids of all ages and grades.  Read to your child for 10 minutes then ask them 3 questions about what you read.  This will help them listen for details and pay attention to what you are reading.  Then have your child read to you for 10 minutes and ask  you 3 questions about what they read to you.  This will help them read for comprehension, remembering details and practicing their critical thinking when formulating their questions.

In addition to practicing their skills, it will give you incredible bonding time with your child, again, no matter what age.  You can read their favorite book, read from your tablet or device, or use their history textbook - just read! You can do this in almost any setting...your child can read to you in the car, you can read while you are preparing dinner, and before bedtime is a great way to end the evening.  Anytime is a great time to create this reading habit and create sweet memories!

Creative Learning anytime, anywhere!

Learning truly is a lifelong process and much of it happens outside of the classroom.  That is where we get to apply our knowledge to real life situations.  Let me illustrate an example of how you can help your child apply some of their skills they learn at the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville:

We can all agree that it's HOT outside.  So in the 7 day forecast above, examine how many topics you can cover with your child -

How many days are in a week?  Name those days.  What day comes after Thursday?  What day comes before Tuesday?

What is the temperature today?  What is the difference between the high temp and the low temp of the day (uses subtraction skills)? What is the hottest day this week?

You can see the pattern!  Life is full of lessons - and our children learn so much from us!  Take time to teach them in your every day interactions!

Daily Deal offer on Jacksonville.com

The Tutoring Club of Jacksonville is running a GREAT deal on Jacksonville.com - Daily Deals!  Click the link for full details:

http://dailydeals.jacksonville.com/engine/Splash.aspx?contestid=36330&GroupMode=711456

To summarize, by purchasing this deal for $99, you receive registration, a diagnostic reading or math assessment, and four hours of tutoring with an individualized curriculum (a $272 value).  The deal is open until August 29th so log on today and take advantage of this fabulous offer!

A Personal Reflection on Starting School

As this weekend approaches and the first day of school for DCPS is right around the corner, my heart is full of pride and hope for the students at the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville.  This summer, these students have attended regularly, worked hard, and have had the best attitudes!  They have made new friends, shared vacation experiences (some have been very educational), and have sharpened their skills to be ready for the new school year!

Parents, you have been great!  Thank you for investing in your child and helping them be all they can be! 

I am thinking of each of them this weekend and envisioning them starting their day on Monday with a smile on their face and with the confidence and assurance that they are ready for the new school year!

Repeating a grade level in school

In our constant research on education trends, we came across this statistic:

6% of kids age 6-11 repeat at least one grade in school; 11% of kids aged 12-17 repeat at least one grade of school  (http://www.surfnetkids.com/backtoschool/222/back-to-school-fun-facts/).  

There are a number of things that contribute to this such as regular attendance, maturity, and study habits.  But one huge contributing factor to this statistic is these kids tend to miss some early foundational skills but advance anyway, then get to a point in subsequent years that they cannot move on without that skill.  At the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville, our diagnostic evaluation picks up on these skill gaps right away.  We are able to customize a learning plan for your student that addresses missing skills and catches them up to the desired grade level!  

If you notice that your child is struggling, we encourage you to call us right away at 268-8556 and let us help so your child does not end up getting held back a grade in school!

Awesome things to do in Jacksonville!

The Tutoring Club of Jacksonville loves to learn about the great offerings in our community!  Did you know about this offer from the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens?

What a great deal!  We have a beautiful zoo full of educational and fun experiences for kids of all ages!  For more information, check out the zoo's link: 

http://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/index.php/events/event_details/92_at_the_zoo_-_special_admission_offer

Have you prepared for the first day of school?

School starts in less than a week!  At the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville, we are so excited for our students as they enter their new grades, complete with their new set of challenges!  We are intently determined to partner with you, parents, to make this a fabulous school year for you and for your kids!

Have you bought school supplies?  Has your child finished their summer reading or math packets?  Have you been to orientation?  Have you started that new sleep schedule?  Have you gotten that sports physical or immunizations?

Well, if you haven't, don't panic.  But do at least try to get some of these things done and crossed off your list!  In the end, what matters is that your child is excited about the new school year, excited about seeing friends and taking new classes, and most of all, excited about taking that next step of independence and learning in the process.

Do all you can to help them be prepared.  And give them encouragement!  This really is an exciting time, no matter how chaotic the first week may end up being.  Help them be safe and secure.  Pay attention to school zones and buses, and walkers and bikers.  Be involved in their learning and help structure an environment conducive for homework.

And please, let us help.  Enroll  your child for curriculum that will enable their success in school  Whether it's tutoring for reading, math, study skills, SAT prep, or tutor-up for more advanced studies, we are there for you and your child!

We are looking forward to all the buzz in our center this week and next!  Keep smiling!

The huge benefits of SAT Prep

Today, Ms. Dana, the owner of the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville, was on News 4 Jax to talk about the huge benefits of taking the SAT Prep course offered at the Tutoring Club.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/boosting-sat-scores/27407228

Students who have taken this class have seen a remarkable improvement in their scores.  The prep class enables the tutor to target the specific questions missed on the student's practice test and teach to the skills and strategies necessary to improve scores in the separate sections of the SAT.  This intense preparation requires a strong commitment of time and effort on the student's part, but the payoff of a better score is significant for students competing for a place in the college of their choice!

We offer classes ongoing, so be sure to contact us as soon as possible to reserve your spot in this course!  We plan weeks ahead of the test dates, so call us now to discuss your plans at 904-268-8556.

Jacksonville Jaguars Gameday!

The Tutoring Club Jacksonville is full of sports fans, especially fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars!  We are so excited to be part of this NFL community and can't wait to see our team play tonight against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!  Our students will benefit from Jaguars games as we will tie contests to scores and events of the games to learning in our center!  So be sure to watch and/or attend games and be involved in what's happening!  It's going to be a GREAT season!

Check out all the information about the Jacksonville Jaguars at www.jaguars.com

"Apparently..."

This has to be the cutest news story presented this week!  "Apparently" is a pretty big word for a child this young to use, and apparently he uses it a lot in his day to day vocabulary!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz5TGN7eUcM

We have kids this hilarious at The Tutoring Club of Jacksonville too, we just don't film the funny things they say and do!  Clips like this are a reminder of how precious children are, and how they repeat what they hear! Take time to appreciate the sense of humor in your child today!

Be a Parent who is involved in your child's education

Research overwhelmingly shows that parent involvement in their children's learning is directly and positively related to achievement. Unquestionably.  At the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville we also are involved in your child's learning, and we are your partner in their education achievements!

The Duval County Public Schools website has excellent resources for parents.  It also reinforces the premise above with words and tools.  Read the excerpt below from www.duvalschools.org:

There is nothing more important than your child and contributing to their achievements. Become a player.

Make time each day to be a part of your child's educational and social activities. Help your child study. Make sure they complete and understand their homework. Review the work they are doing. Play a game, watch television or read a book together. Know your child's friends. Learn what motivates your child, in and out of school. Help your child set goals and measure their progress. Praise achievement. Talk with your child every day. Talk to your child's teachers about any teacher conference concerns before they become a problem.

Mandarin High School Marching Band

The Tutoring Club of Jacksonville is delighted to give a community shout-out of support to the Mandarin High School Marching Band.  Many of the Marching Mustangs have been students of ours for Tutor Up learning (for advanced subjects) and SAT Prep.  We admire this talented bunch of students!

If you live in the area or are out and about and near Mandarin High School, you can hear the Band playing in the Courtyard from 8:30-9:00 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday night this week, practicing the music they are learning for the amazing halftime show for this season!

At the Tutoring Club, we say "Hail to the Band"!!

Rewarding hard work and achievement

At The Tutoring Club of Jacksonville, we reward all our students for hard work and achievement.  We reward good attitudes.  We reward manners.  We try to find any positive aspect during our precious time with our students to make this a place they come to learn, feel accomplished, and look forward to returning!
We are launching some creative ways to incent our students even more by enabling them to earn extra tokens!  Be on the lookout for those announcements and always encourage their efforts here at the Tutoring Club.