Making the Most of Parent Teacher Conferences

Asking the right questions during an elementary parent-teacher conference is crucial for understanding your child's progress and how you can support their education. Here are some beneficial questions you might consider asking so that you gather as much information as possible:

How is my child performing in comparison to the class standards?

This question helps you understand where your child stands academically compared to the expected grade-level standards.

Can you show me examples of my child's work?

Asking for specific examples provides a clearer picture of your child's strengths and areas that need improvement.

What are my child's strengths and weaknesses?

Understanding both strengths and weaknesses helps you support your child's learning more effectively.

How does my child interact with classmates and participate in class?

Social interaction and class participation are as important as academic performance in most situations.

Does my child seem engaged and enthusiastic about learning?

A child’s attitude towards learning can impact their academic success.

Are there areas where you think my child could improve?

This question helps identify specific areas for potential growth and development. What are some goals that the teacher has for the student?

How can I support my child's learning at home?

Suggestions from the teacher can guide you in reinforcing learning at home.

Is there anything happening at school that I should be aware of?

Staying informed about school events and any issues can help you provide better support.

How does my child handle stress or challenges in the classroom?

Understanding how your child copes with challenges can help you provide appropriate support at home.

The Liddane team supports students from elementary school to adulthood. If your are concerned about your student’s individual progress, please reach out.

First Quarter Grades Are In!

As the first quarter of the Seattle schools school year comes to an end, the reality of grades can set in for many students and families.  For college bound students, the emphasis on academic performance and course rigor is crucial for admissions, especially  with many colleges no longer requiring SAT and ACT scores. 

Maintaining  high grades can be difficult as the school year progresses. Some students may find themselves falling behind or struggling with challenging classes. That’s why hiring a tutor can be a smart decision. A tutor can help students master the content and skills they need to excel in their classes and can help reduce the stress and pressure that students and their families may feel. 

At Liddane, we are committed to helping students achieve their academic potential. We offer customized tutoring services that match your needs and goals. Our qualified tutors can help you with any subject or assignment and provide you with individualized attention and feedback. Our tutors are experts in their fields and have extensive experience working with students of all levels. 

We know that every student can learn and succeed. Whether a student needs help with writing essays, executive function and time management skills, preparing for tests or improving grades , we are here to support you along the way.  Contact us today to find out more about our services and how we can help you reach your academic aspirations. 

October Rigor

Given that many colleges are no longer accepting SAT and ACT test scores, the focus on class rigor and GPA is even more critical to the admissions process.

And this is the time of year when grades that started out high in September start to slip.  Hiring a tutor to help navigate challenging classes can support students in learning the content as well as performing to the best of their abilities. It is also a way of relieving some of the stress and pressure experienced by students and their families.

At Liddane, we understand that keeping up with schoolwork can be challenging. That’s why we offer personalized tutoring services that are tailored to your needs. Our experienced tutors can help you stay on track with your studies and provide you with the support you need to successfully navigate classes.

Whether you’re struggling with a particular subject or just need some extra help managing homework, our tutors are here to help. We offer one-on-one tutoring sessions that are designed to explain complex content, reinforce academic concepts, and stay on track. Our tutors are experts in their fields and have years of experience working with students of all ages.

We believe that every student has the potential to learn and find success. That’s why we work hard to provide you with the tools and resources you need to achieve your goals. From essay writing to doing your personal best in classes, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your academic goals.

Why Executive Functioning Matters

At Liddane, we want our tutors and our students to develop and share skills that will support the efforts of each. That is why most of our tutors are trained in executive function and why we work with many adults and students on how to make the most of their brains.

Executive function skills are a set of cognitive processes that help individuals plan, monitor, and execute their goals. It is a crucial aspect of our daily lives that enables us to think, act, and solve problems. Foundational skills such as response inhibition, working memory, emotional control, flexibility, sustained attention, and task initiation are essential for developing executive functioning abilities. These skills allow us to focus on relevant sensory information, organize our environment or schedule, inhibit behavior that flouts social expectations and norms, plan for the future, mentally evaluate the possible outcomes of different problem-solving strategies, choose actions based on the likelihood of positive outcomes, estimate time and effort necessary to achieve an outcome, and initiate tasks necessary to carry out decisions.

Advanced executive functioning skills such as planning, prioritizing, organization, time management goal-directed persistence, and metacognition are necessary for living independently and competently. These skills enable us to learn new information, keep new or recent information in our minds, and use this information to solve problems of everyday life. They also help us improve our abilities to stay focused, plan ahead, regulate our emotions, think flexibly and creatively. In conclusion, executive functioning is a vital aspect of our cognitive abilities that helps us all thrive. 

Proud Partner of Rainier Scholars

Andrea Liddane at Rainier Scholars Luncheon

I was recently delighted to recognize and celebrate the work of Rainier Scholars at their BOLD MOVES Luncheon. This powerful organization continues to do amazing work in the community. We have partnered with Rainier Scholars for many years. Their mission is to “cultivate the academic and leadership potential of underrepresented students of color through rigorous, transformative opportunities that increase college graduation rates and empower new generations of leaders."

I am proud of the work they are doing and glad to be able to use our strengths together to help “envision a more just and inclusive society with equitable representation of people of color at all levels of leadership and influence.” Learn more about our partnerships and how we work in collaboration with organizations to support learning through all ages and communities.

Final Exam Season : Tips for Student Athletes

The demands and realities of student athletes’ schedules and being the best student possible can be a challenging juggling act, especially during finals. Intentionality delivers results. Here are some of our tried-and-true tips for exam season success. The Liddane Tutoring team believes you can navigate these challenges more easily using suggestions below, with support from coaches, teammates and study support people to kick it out of the park! If you need individual support, let us know how we can help. Good luck!

• Plot out a study calendar. Spend 15 minutes writing down the steps for what you need to do and when. Be as specific as possible.

• Consciously map out team practices, extracurriculars, and whatever else you have going on, especially prior to tests. Add to your calendar for visual reminders.

• Set meetings with teachers now. Keep a running list of questions so meetings can be as productive as possible.

• Figure out your study support people. Reach out to a classmate or bring together a group of friends who will truly help you study. Create a team study group of other players who will encourage you to use your time wisely at tournaments or away games. Encourage them back.

• Tutors can really help before tests. If you decide to work with one, set those appointments. Keep a running list of questions going and send it ahead of time if you can so your tutor can be best prepared for you.

• Review the class syllabus to understand what will be asked on the tests. What are the big questions?

• Make flash cards/study cards (Quizlet or paper–whatever works best for you).

• Review and explain the content to someone else.

• Take care of yourself during exam periods. As much as you are able, eat well, drink water, get enough sleep, deep breathe, and move your body.

Seattle United and Liddane Team Up!

The Liddane Tutoring team is proud to be a sponsor of Seattle United, a competitive youth soccer program that inspires players to develop to their highest potential, and experience the rewards of pursuing excellence, teamwork, and sportsmanship. We are confident this partnership will support both of our missions to better serve students and their families.

Update Your Payment Information

We are updating our payment system to GoCardless. We still accept payments via check and credit card. If, however, you would like to pay by ACH, here are the details and updated information:

How To:
1.  If you would like to set up ACH (Direct Debit), please select “Authorize Direct Debit Payments” via your email invite. If you did not receive one, please let us know.

2.  This will take you to our new ACH (Direct Debit) provider, GoCardless.

3.  From here you will be prompted to enter your address, routing number, and account number.

4.  Once your bank details have been entered, GoCardless will securely save these details to your client account.

5.  Congrats!  Now you can pay invoices online with no fee.

What does this mean for you?

- Similar to Plaid (our previous provider), GoCardless allows you to make secure online payments via your bank account from your Liddane Tutoring client account.  

- Paying online is free.

- If your bank details have been previously saved to your client account, these will need to be updated in order to pay via ACH (Direct Debit) for future invoices.

- You will receive an invite from us to authorize ACH (Direct Debit) payments for your account in the next week.  Do let us know if you do not receive an invitation.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you.

STUDYING FOR AP AND IB TESTS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

AP and IB testing season is coming up, and we’re so proud of all of our students who will be taking their tests after putting in a long year of hard work in their AP/IB classes! We know that studying for comprehensive exams like these can be stressful, especially if you plan on taking multiple tests. We would like to encourage you to take a careful look at your study plan and put in the time to prepare. For many students, the rewards can be significant.

As you are likely aware, AP/IB classes and test scores can increase the competitiveness of your college applications and prepare you for college level courses. But they can also mean waiving required courses once getting into college, fulfill college credits, and thus save you real time and money. For example, in 2015, a full IB diploma was worth up to 45 credits at Western Washington University (that is a full year of school).  Therefore, preparation for these exams can often pay off considerably.

 As with any standardized test, much of the work toward earning a satisfying score is to familiarize yourself with the test — its structure, the task, the timing, etc. — and to practice answering the questions in a test-like environment. These tests are designed to be tricky, so be sure to cover both the content, format, and strategies when studying. Try to study at least one exercise or a little bit each day. Start with the units that gave you the most trouble in class. Many individuals find that the AP/IB class is harder than the test (which is the idea!), and this way you start off hard and the process slowly gets easier.

In terms of resources, The College Board has a huge number of prior AP tests in all subjects, and they are great for practicing! Khan Academy also has some great practice material. The more you can practice answering the difficult material in a timed setting, the less stressed you will feel when you take the real test. Other than that, it mostly just comes down to practice, practice, practice.

 With all that said, we know how much pressure can be placed on tests like this and want to caution students against biting off more than they can chew. You don’t want to take on anything that will cause you undue anxiety or stress. Remember, you can fail an AP or IB test, face little to no consequences, and be better off for trying! Our test prep tutors of course work on making sure students feel comfortable with the content of the test, but they also work with them on test taking and stress reduction strategies. Doing well on a test is about more than just knowing the material, being comfortable with the format and confident in your own abilities is also incredibly important. Our tutors prioritize working on all of these things during sessions to make sure the student is as prepared as possible to sit down in the testing environment and do their best. Regardless of the end test result, we think with a solid study plan and some regular practice, you will gain from the experience of trying. 

If you are interested in one-on-one test prep tutoring support, please contact us.

 (Looking for more help? Check out our articles on studying and finals.)

SUMMERTIME DISCOUNT FOR FAMILIES!

We know that summer can be a scheduling challenge between wanting down time for your family, students and self! As parents, you also know the school year comes back sooner than expected and that staying on top of skills matters.  Summer learning can fill in knowledge gaps and build confidence so that students are prepared to re-start school in earnest. Classroom learning is supported by having our amazing tutors continuing to work with your student on practice and gaining skills over break. Whatever your learner's needs are, our family summer sessions just make sense.

This July, August and September we will offer each family 10% off their total monthly bill (not including College Application Workshops) if 5-9 sessions are completed in a month, or 15% off if 10 or more sessions are completed by your family each month. We hope this will make your vacation planning, school year readiness and budget feel good about what comes next. Let us know if you have any questions!

SUMMER ENRICHMENT 2023

Liddane tutors stand out for engaging and empowering learners - a great fit for a summer of ramping back up for school. Whether you’re preparing for a hard math class or looking for a safe summer camp, private tutoring offers flexible and, yes, even fun summer enrichment activities that are still full of high-quality learning.

 [button url="http://www.liddanetutoring.com/events#signup"]Register for summer classes here

[/button]Looking for live support? Contact us for a complimentary consultation.School didn’t exactly go as planned this year. Maybe COVID-era online classes were confusing, complicated, or vague, and the year ended up much harder than you thought. On the other hand, maybe a class was suspiciously easy, and you’re wondering if your student is ready for a return to regular school with full homework, hard deadlines, and no more pass/fails. Either way, summer 2021 is an opportunity to reset and get back on track towards lifelong learning through enrichment opportunities.

Summer learning can fill in knowledge gaps and build confidence so that students are prepared to re-start school in earnest. However, it can also bring up a number of questions. How to stay flexible while the public health restrictions are still in flux? What to study and how much? How to balance getting outside, seeing friends, taking vacations, and a much-needed overall break with the looming worries of catch-up?

 Families are understandably looking into a wide variety of options for summer activities that are also meaningful learning opportunities. On top of the usual challenges of finding direction, structure, and flexibility, there’s still uncertainty about business re-openings and safety measures for group gatherings. If you’re weighing Liddane Tutoring vs. online classes, summer camps, or large tutoring companies, here are some factors to consider in whether we’re the right fit.

FIND A TRUSTED ADVISOR

Most families who choose Liddane Tutoring cite the emphasis on a strong personal relationship as the most important reason for their choice. If students have a hard time engaging in class or are looking to re-engage with their love of learning, Liddane tutors stand out for empowering students and often become trusted advisors, mentors, and coaches over time. This consistency and in-depth personal attention continue to be of benefit when working online. 

WHAT TO STUDY, AND HOW MUCH?

Another factor to weigh is the personalized instruction that a student may need. A teacher may be able to help with identifying gaps in a student’s skill set and providing suggestions for summer studying. If a student is a strong independent learner, they may be able to take a self-assessment through a Khan Academy course. But even advanced learners may be frustrated if they’re spinning their wheels. For others, feeling stuck may be so frequent that they’re tempted to give up. If a student has been missing problems or assignments, it can take some investigation to identify the specific reason, and thus find the right solution. Tutors frequently work with students in math, for example, to identify whether they need to work on reading comprehension for word problems, spotting what formula applies to the situation, or the understanding of an algebra concept itself. It might also be a matter of taking effective notes or setting up efficient homework sessions to absorb the material. 

Assessing the student’s needs and guiding them through a step-by-step plan helps keep summer study realistic and manageable. Getting support from an education expert can help strike a balance between a parent’s fears of “nothing at all” and a student’s fears of “every waking hour” for study on the summer calendar. With direction, families are better able to plan appropriately for next steps. 

STRUCTURE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN GETTING IT DONE

Once you’ve determined that some summer learning is a good idea, it’s important to set up structure to make sure it materializes! Often, a plan that we hope to do “sometime” turns into “never” if it isn’t given a time, a date, and a place. After a year of remote school, it’s even more clear that personal attention can make the difference between students showing up or checking out - physically and mentally.

If it sounds like a battle to negotiate the who, what, when, where, and how of accountability, independent study or large remote classes may also be a challenge. A tutor can step in to help. 

FLEXIBILITY IS KEY

If you’re thinking of signing up for classes but holding out until you know if that long-awaited vacation will happen, engaging a private tutor may offer both the structure and the flexibility you need. Cancellations for private sessions may be made up to 48 hours in advance, and rescheduling may be done with your tutor directly once you are paired. Our tutors are not tied to rigid curricula and can tailor lessons to adjust to personal strengths and needs. Flexibility involves many pieces, from rescheduling to time slots, but can also include the ability to meet online to avoid transportation hassles. By connecting with a local tutor in the Seattle area, the option for face-to-face sessions may be available once COVID restrictions are lifted, as well.

 Flexible, short term classes can be especially appealing if you’re wondering about summer camps for fun enrichment opportunities but you’re unsure about making a long commitment to a rigid schedule. Our tutors offer fun classes in their favorite topics - like chess, music theory, philosophy, journalism, Dungeons & Dragons, movie reviews, horror stories, and more - all summer long. Many of these fun classes allow drop-ins or private sessions to accommodate changes in summer schedules.

[button url="http://www.liddanetutoring.com/events#signup"]Sign up here[/button]Whether it’s studying for a hard math class or summer enrichment, contact us today to find the right tutor for you.

WHAT DOES SUMMER TUTORING LOOK LIKE?

 Many people think that tutoring is defined as help with homework, but that’s not true. So, what are the possibilities of working with a tutor in the summer?

While we appreciate the playful lightness that summer should bring, working with a tutor in the summer can also be a very positive experience. For those who enjoy reading or writing, a tutor can explore genres, encourage creativity, and answer questions that often take a backseat during the hectic pace of the school year. Tutors can teach students how to take notes, to annotate text, and practice the art of thesis statement writing. They can provide feedback on writing that is specifically directed toward students’ needs. With a tutor, students may read short stories and explore the nuances of good writing. They might set reading goals and discuss book topics, run book groups, or work on adding sensory detail to storylines. The possibilities are many and co-creating with students helps with buy-in and engagement.

The beauty of summer tutoring is that sessions can be completely individualized. Times and dates are much more flexible than they are for organized classes or book groups. Vacation weeks can be accommodated, and students can double up during less busy weeks. 

The other advantage of summer tutoring is that it gives students a chance to review or preview content and realize their potential. Especially in the wake of online learning and all that the Covid pandemic has meant for schools, many students have a weak understanding of some part of the curriculum. Issues seem especially prevalent in the area of math. Were you first learning about fractions when school switched to online? Did you learn algebra while distracted by the upheaval and you’re now realizing that your knowledge is shaky? Re-taking an entire third grade math or algebra course isn’t likely necessary. After all, you do understand the basics. But if you were able to review numerators and denominators and x+y=z with a tutor, you could skip over the pieces you absorbed the first time around and fully focus on the parts that you missed. A tutor can encourage you to change mixed numbers into fractions and figure out the slope on a graph as many times as it takes to master it. No shame, no stupid questions, no pressure. It’s summer, so there is time. Tutors work to build confidence so that students return to school feeling empowered and ready for the next steps.

Summer is a time for intellectual exploration and tutoring can be used like a personalized “camp.” Setting up a schedule that fits, tutors can help students learn about percentages and ratios or how to explore topics that they find interesting. Would you like to research a topic like cars, artists, beekeepers, or World War II? Summer allows the freedom to learn for the sake of learning rather than for the sake of school, and tutors can empower students along the way.If you are interested in learning more about what summer tutoring could mean for your student, please reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

GAIN CONFIDENCE IN ENGLISH THIS SUMMER

Liddane’s ESL Coordinator, Alex, used to live and teach English in Paris. The school where she worked wanted her to always use English, her social interactions were largely limited to the American expat community, and so she struggled to gain the fluency in French that would have allowed her to pursue the activities and opportunities she desired. “There were all these things I wanted to get involved with,” she says, “but I wasn’t confident enough in my speaking abilities. I was even nervous to order at my local bakery, because I was worried I’d say the wrong thing or come off as rude.”

Now, with 20 years of experience teaching ESL, Alex helps English learners of all backgrounds reach their language goals. Seattle is home to many communities of non-native English speakers, who are often here as working professionals or family members of working professionals. In Alex’s experience, these individuals often have some English proficiency, but they may not have the confidence, for example, to ask questions to their child’s pediatrician, speak to administrators at a child’s school, or join a new club. Similarly, many single professionals only date and socialize within their own language communities if they feel they can’t express themselves in English. LTLS helps to empower anyone who isn’t as active as they’d like to be because English proficiency holds them back.

Liddane’s ESL approach is 100% tailored to individual needs and desires. If spoken fluency is someone’s main goal, our tutors will design a lesson plan around oral and aural skills, with less emphasis on written grammar and punctuation. Tutors will often start by getting to know a client’s interests and strengths, and then branch out from there. For example, if someone is on a recreational sports team or is interested in attending more sporting events, that can serve as an entry point for a whole range of conversation skills. Then, as tutors get to know their clients, they will target specific areas for improvement, such as pronunciation, vocabulary, or modifying tone.

It’s difficult to express yourself if you’re not confident in the language. Our goal is to empower English learners to advocate for themselves and their families, and to engage as fully as possible with all the opportunities and communities English communities have to offer. For more information or to schedule a session with one of our tutors, please contact us at info@liddanetutoring.com.