Studies show that the average teenager requires 9 to 9.5 hours of sleep per night, but she typically only gets 7. It’s becoming more and more common for the normal life of the average American high schooler to interfere with sleep. In a recent poll of 2,000 parents, 1 in 6 said their teen experiences frequent sleep problems, here defined as “having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep 3 or more nights per week.” More…
Ron Ferguson, an economist at Harvard, has made a career out of studying the achievement gap, which is the well-documented learning gap that exists between kids of different races and socioeconomic statuses. He was surprised to discover that this gap is visible with stark differences by just age 2, meaning kids who aren’t even halfway to kindergarten are already well behind their peers. And yet, there’s a whole body of research on how caregivers can encourage…
Are you willing to spread the holiday cheer this year? You can make a difference for young children in need by brightening their holiday season. Many children who are less fortunate are not lucky enough to receive gifts for the holidays. There are plenty of fantastic organizations that give all of us the chance to give back. Please consider donating to the following worthy causes. Toys for Tots is one of the highest-rated charitable organizations.…
Studies have shown LGBTQ students are more likely to be bullied at school, which can lead to missed classes and a higher risk of suicide. For those kids, a teacher who knows how to be inclusive can make a big difference, but many teachers aren’t sure how to do that. Over the years, gender and sexual identity have evolved, and not everyone has kept up. A Queer Endeavor helps teachers navigate questions like how to…
Looking for winter break activities to keep your kids busy and having fun? Check out our list for some great ideas. Happy holidays! Boston Pops Christmas Concert When: Sun 12/16/18 Where: 50 East Merrimack Street, Lowell Time: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM Age: any Cost: $49-$129 per person Join the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and for their annual Holiday Pops concert! Capturing the magic of the Christmas season and the winter charms of New England,…
The use of multiple choice questions has been derided by educators for decades as incapable of truly measuring understanding. While performance on such exams can be noticeably improved simply by learning a few tricks, the multiple choice question may have a larger, less obvious flaw that disrupts the tone of learning itself. This is a tone that is becoming increasingly important in the 21st century as access to information increases, as the updating of information…
The next SSAT test date is fast approaching; Saturday, December 8th will be here before we know it. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the locations for the December SSAT test. Note: this list applies to the Middle/Upper Level Standard SSAT test only. Applewild School 120 Prospect Street Fitchburg, MA 01420 Bancroft School 110 Shore Drive Worcester, MA 01605 Beacon Academy Simmons College Main Campus Building 300 The Fenway Boston, MA 02215…
When classroom tasks get a little too difficult, it’s common for teachers to hear “I can’t do this” from their students. Most at-risk kids have some self-defeating behaviors, including those that result in personal failure, and even students who don’t face extra challenges in the classroom get frustrated. Helping students push past their self-perceived limitations results in the beginnings of success. This leads into a success building upon success behavioral cycle. In order to get…
A four-year-old asks about 400 questions per day, and an adult hardly asks any. Our school system is structured around rewards for regurgitating the right answer, and not asking smart questions, and as we grow older, we stop asking questions. Yet asking smart questions is essential to find and develop solutions, and an important skill in innovation, strategy, and leadership. So why do we stop asking questions – and more importantly, why don’t we train…
We work with schools to provide services for students with a variety of needs. If you’re looking for academic support, either for short-term or long-term contracts, we have tutors with experience working with students: With behavioral difficulties (including students out on suspension) With emotional difficulties (including anxiety and PTSD) On medical leave/treatment Special Education Certified teachers are available to work with students with: ADD/ADHD Executive Functioning Delays Non-Verbal Learning Disorders Autism Spectrum/Asperger Syndrome Speech/Language/Cognitive Delays…
