Back to School Basics with Sylvan

Study Skills at Sylvan

Math Anxiety and Sylvan

Courtice boy has school success plans

Sep 03, 2009 - 04:30 AM

By Crystal Crimi

DURHAM -- When 11-year-old Chase St. Aubin heads back to school this Tuesday, he's doing so with plans for success. Even before his school supplies have been purchased, Chase is ready to get good grades this school year by using an agenda to keep track of study time and activities, asking the teacher questions and getting help with his homework.

"I'm going to study a lot more than I did in past years and I'm going to invite friends over to study," said Chase, who's going into Grade 6 at Dr. G. J. MacGillivray Public School in Courtice.

A pencil and notebook in front of him, Chase was busy working on his math and study skills at Sylvan Learning Centre in Courtice just a week before school's Sept. 8 start date.

With a school success plan in place, he was feeling more confident about the upcoming academic year.

"I feel I'm going to do better," Chase said. "I'm going to ask questions and answer questions. If I get it wrong, I'm going to learn from my mistakes."

Rita Cruickshank, director of Sylvan's Courtice location, has numerous tips to help students get off to a good start this school year. The centre provides tutoring and programs for gifted students.

"Be organized, be well rested and have a good lunch," said Ms. Cruickshank, who added that doing so helps students be attentive and happy at school.

Before kids actually start back to school, she recommended they get into the school routine -- going to bed earlier, getting up earlier, practicing a breakfast routine and establishing a homework time.

When school starts, parents should establish communication with the teacher and work out a routine for homework, encouraging learning at home through simple things such as visiting the grocery store where kids can read labels or add prices, she said.

At the Courtice Sylvan Centre, comprehension and understanding are the biggest common challenges Ms. Cruickshank sees.

Reading with kids every day can be helpful, but parents can take it further by asking questions about the story and what they think will happen next, she said. Doing so helps develop critical thinking skills, which aids in comprehension, she added.

Writing helps too, through a daily journal or an e-mail to relatives about how the day went, she said. Such activities teach kids to summarize, take notes, type, write and communicate, she added.

At school, set short-term goals such as having homework done and ready in their backpack by the door in the morning, she said.

Children feel the same stress adults do when they're not prepared, Ms. Cruickshank added. Having a routine in place at school and home can help kids feel more confident.

Sometimes fixing a challenge can be as easy as changing your attitude from 'I can't', to 'I'll try', she added.

More tips on preparing for back to school are available at www.educate.com.

To View complete article visit http://newsdurhamregion.com/news/education/article/134555

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