Messy Backpacks - How to get more Organized!

Oh no, we are seeing it again!  We have got to talk about the phenomenon of the trash-filled backpacks that have been coming through the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville lately!

While it is kind of funny on the outside, and we do get a little chuckle when students open up these seemingly bottomless pits of wadded up papers and food wrappers, it really is something that needs to be addressed!


Parents, please make it a habit to go through your child's backpack with them at least once a week.  Papers should be organized in a binder or folder according to subject, and then by date.  You may be surprised to find assignments they haven't turned in, because they couldn't find them!  You may also find assignments that will be coming due, like a project, that your child hasn't started yet because the paper was lost in the great abyss!  Organization is part of good study skills and habits.


It would also be a great idea to go over the planner to make sure your child is writing assignments in their planner.  You can show them the correlation between planned work (from the planner) to completed work (in their binders) to grades (online grade portal). 


Unfortunately, messy and unorganized backpacks aren't unique to any particular age group.  Many of our worst offenders are our High School students!  This is just one more way to plug into your child's success in school.  Make it a weekend tradition!

The Answer for Teens who are Struggling!

Many of our high school students here at the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville struggle with at least one or two of the issues highlighted in this article!  Let's face it, there is a lot of pressure in middle school and high school and our teens can carry a pretty heavy load when we account for their school, homework, friends, church, athletics, performing arts, and all their extra curricular activities!


We have great news for you!  We can  help with most of these issues!  Consider enrolling your student in our Study Skills and Homework Help programs.  If your student is on grade level but is having a hard time keeping up with everything, these are excellent solutions for them.  It also frees you up to be the parent.  No more having to struggle with keeping them organized and trying to help them with homework you probably don't remember how to do! 


Our high school students are rewarded by us quarterly for good grades and we monitor them weekly to try and keep them on track.  We teach organization and good study habits; we instill confidence and personal accountability; and we encourage them to strive for excellence. 


If this sounds great to you, give us a call at 268-8556!











http://parentingteens.about.com/od/highschool/ss/teen_issues.htm

Is your child's backpack a container of chaos?

We have got to talk about the phenomenon of the trash-filled backpacks that have been coming through the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville lately!

While it is kind of funny on the outside, and we do get a little chuckle when students open up these seemingly bottomless pits of wadded up papers and food wrappers, it really is something that needs to be addressed!


Parents, please make it a habit to go through your child's backpack with them at least once a week.  Papers should be organized in a binder or folder according to subject, and then by date.  You may be surprised to find assignments they haven't turned in, because they couldn't find them!  You may also find assignments that will be coming due, like a project, that your child hasn't started yet because the paper was lost in the great abyss!  Organization is part of good study skills and habits.


It would also be a great idea to go over the planner to make sure your child is writing assignments in their planner.  You can show them the correlation between planned work (from the planner) to completed work (in their binders) to grades (online grade portal). 


Unfortunately, messy and unorganized backpacks aren't unique to any particular age group.  Many of our worst offenders are our High School students!  This is just one more way to plug into your child's success in school.  Make it a weekend tradition!

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!