Cognitive scientists argue that testing improves learning. They call it “practice retrieval” or “test-enhanced learning.” In layman’s language, that means that the brain learns new information and skills by being forced to recall them periodically. Remembering consolidates information and helps the brain form long-term memories. Of course, practice quizzes are not the only way to accomplish this, but it’s easy and efficient in a classroom. Several meta-analyses, which summarize the evidence from many studies, have…
The school day is already long, and many children are not getting enough sleep. Add in extra after-school activities, and it’s easy to understand why shutting off their brain is often their number one priority. Some children find it more difficult than others to crack a book open when they get home; even children who find the time to sit down and study may struggle with using this time well. Watching your child struggle with…
Figuring out what extracurricular activities to do or join in school isn’t easy. Everyone knows that extracurricular activities look good on a college application; however, you don’t want to spread yourself thin by doing too many at once. In fact, colleges value being able to see commitment and excitement for a few activities that you are passionate about; they want to see passion and commitment to activities that you find meaningful. By joining clubs that…
Every year brings us a plethora of incredible new books for kids, and 2023 was no exception. Here are some wonderful books for kids from the past year you shouldn’t hesitate to check out. 1. Big by Vashti Harrison. A young girl transcends opinions of her to hold space for herself and own the person she is both inside and out. Powerful, full-page illustrations and striking use of color push the limits of the picture…
It’s an ominous phrase that is top of mind for many school district officials: the “education funding cliff.” This refers to the imminent end of billions of dollars in federal COVID relief money that schools have been relying on during the pandemic. “The feds pushed a lot of money into the K-12 system,” said Lori Taylor, an education finance researcher at Texas A&M University. “Now the districts are being weaned off of that funding —…
Kids around the country are still suffering academically from the pandemic, but more than three years after schools shut down, it’s hard to understand exactly how much ground students have lost and which children now need the most attention. Some new reports offer some insights. All three were produced by for-profit companies that sell assessments to schools. Unlike annual state tests, these interim assessments are administered at least twice a year and help track student…
Whether you’re getting on a plane to visit extended family for Christmas or planning a New Year’s Eve party at home, you may be preparing to gather with the people you love during the holiday season. Unfortunately the holiday months are prime time for respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV. Even in this vision of a “new normal,” it’s clear that COVID-19, flu, and RSV will be circulating over the holidays, with travel and…
Engaging in technology extracurricular activities offers practical, hands-on experiences that enhance your problem-solving abilities, foster creativity, and provide opportunities for collaboration. These activities go beyond the confines of a classroom and allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios. By actively participating in extracurriculars, you not only gain technical expertise but also develop critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills. Here are some ideas for technology extracurricular activities. 1. Computer science clubs and organizations. These…
Schools across the U.S. will soon be able to order free rapid COVID tests from the federal government. The administration’s initiative will make available millions of tests for school districts as they enter the winter months — a time when COVID activity is expected to peak. Already, emergency department visits and wastewater data indicate that cases are climbing in the U.S. Schools can begin ordering tests in early December, the administration said. While there have…
Are you willing to spread the holiday cheer this year? Boston Tutoring Services is happy to promote organizations who help people in need. There are plenty of fantastic organizations that give all of us the chance to give back, and the holidays are always a time of year in which people need some extra help. If you are able to help those less fortunate, please consider the following organizations to give back this holiday season.…
