Middle school is complicated—just ask any tween. For kids who learn and think differently, the changes in routine and growing school demands can be even more stressful. Here are some things you can do ahead of time to help ease those first-day jitters for middle schoolers. 1. Talk about what’s scary. At this age, it can seem like kids think about themselves all the time, but that doesn’t mean they’re self-aware. They might not know…
Summertime is often a much-needed break for kids from the demands and stresses of school. So when elementary schoolers have to head back to school, they may be especially nervous. You may not be able to remove all the anxiety, but here are some ways you can help calm your child’s first-day nerves. 1. Focus on feelings. Young kids don’t always have the words to express their emotions, and certain learning and thinking differences can…
In recent weeks, many parents have realized the truth about school this fall: if it happens in person, it might not feel safe; if it happens remotely, it will be inadequate, isolating, and won’t provide the child care working parents need. Desperate for a better solution, parents around the country have started organizing homeschooling pods for the fall, in which groups of three to ten students would learn together in homes under the tutelage of…
With September fast approaching, we thought it was a good time for an update on the plan for schools reopening in Massachusetts. After a push from teachers unions, Massachusetts is allowing schools to start 10 days later so districts can have more time to prepare for the school year amid the coronavirus pandemic. Teachers unions and state officials signed a memorandum of understanding Monday that shortens the upcoming school year by 10 days, from 180…
As school districts in Massachusetts submit their fall proposals to the state, many parents are coming up with their own contingency plans. Normally, students would be wrapping up their summers and preparing to return to school at the end of the month. But these aren’t normal times, and we’ve never seen a back-to-school season like this. Homeschooling pods are being discussed as a viable alternative to returning to schools or enrolling in online education. This…
Boston Tutoring Services is excited to share the Open House dates of local schools. Take the time to research these schools and find out which ones seem like a good fit for your family. This week we are featuring Tremont School located in Concord, MA. The Tremont School Virtual Open House date is as follows: Saturday August 15, 2020 at 9:00 AM Tremont School is currently accepting applications for grades 5-12, as well as their…
It’s common practice for teachers to use deadlines and late penalties as deterrents for students who request extensions or turn in late work. One teacher, however, provides a peek at how and why she morphed from a rigid to a more flexible deadline/late penalty policy and what she observed as a result. When Brenda Thomas began teaching online in 2015, her policy was to deduct 10% of the grade for each day an assignment was…
We’re used to summers filled with barbecues with friends, pool parties, and sightseeing vacations, but the coronavirus pandemic changes things. Despite the disappointment of canceled concerts, events, cruises, and camps, it is still possible to have a fun summer as a family–and more importantly, stay safe while doing so. Here are some at-home activities to replace those that might be taking a hiatus this summer. Swimming Alternatives 1. Use a lawn sprinkler. Provided you have yard…
Are you ready to make a truly inclusive classroom? To do so means challenging the status quo, removing curriculum barriers, and presenting educational goals in interesting ways to engage all learners and serve all students equally. Inclusive learning provides all students with access to flexible learning choices and effective paths for achieving educational goals in spaces where they experience a sense of belonging. In an inclusive education environment, all children, regardless of ability or disability,…
Let’s face facts: reading textbooks and e-books that cover academic information is not enjoyable. Effective textbook reading is a key study skill for student success, however, as nearly every class requires you read them. Reading textbooks is very different from other kinds of reading, which is why certain specialized strategies may really come in handy. Here are 3 hacks for reading textbooks that can help make studying more doable. SQ3R Method The SQ3R Method is…
