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.
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[/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.
OVERCOMING MOTIVATION CHALLENGS AND BEATING PROCRASTINATION
Keeping up motivation for schoolwork can be a challenge in the best of times. When a student is struggling in school or facing hardships, sparking inspiration and curiosity can be more difficult - and more important - than ever.
Although anyone can feel unmotivated, young people are often still learning the habits, thought processes, and go-to sources of support that will assist them in overcoming motivation challenges and beating procrastination on their own. Here are several tips from teachers and tutors to help students grow as self-motivated, independent learners.
Start with the basics
If there were a free and safe “magic pill” that boosted alertness, mood, and motivation, but took eight hours to work, would you be interested? This magic pill is sleep, and most of us know the benefits, in theory. Sleep, good nutrition, and regular physical activity recharge the chemical processes that boost emotional regulation, focus, and positive moods. To give ourselves the best chance of feeling motivated, it’s a good idea to start with the basics.
Still, as the tradition of breaking New Year’s resolutions shows, many people struggle with putting knowledge into action. “Knowledge is not half the battle,” says Dr. Laurie Santos, psychology professor at Yale, in her popular class, The Science of Well-Being. Dr. Santos describes our mistaken beliefs about what will make us feel better --- say, for example, staying up all night to cram instead of getting eight hours of quality rest --- as “cognitive illusions.” Similar to optical illusions that fool the eye even after we’re shown the trick, cognitive illusions “feel” right to our brains. It takes deliberate practice to counteract these old mental muscle memories.
The good news is there are many ways to start rewiring our brains for new habits. These include practices like goal setting paired with practical planning; actively reflecting on our efforts through discussions or journaling; and taking small steps that build successes over time.
Adults might coach students through strategies to find the combination that works best; model self-care; emphasize healthy priorities; and share relatable struggles. Insisting on regular, planned breaks also helps with recharging willpower and setting proper priorities. Any conversations about grades should include the importance of health and well-being first.
Procrastination isn’t about “laziness”
When procrastination seems to be the problem, a good starting point is to take a problem-solving attitude. Let’s face it: sometimes things don’t go the way we planned, something gets in the way, or there are things we could do better. Feelings of guilt and self-blame can compound the problem. A growth mindset can help students bounce back faster from mistakes. Focusing on treating setbacks as obstacles and troubleshooting through them puts behaviors in perspective and makes them more manageable.
It’s not just about willing oneself to do better, however. The root of chronic procrastination has more to do with emotional regulation than productivity tips, suggest the experts in, "Why You Procrastinate (It Has Nothing to Do With Self-Control).” Students can learn healthy ways to handle negative emotions that may surround a task. Since our brains are wired to do anything to immediately stop stress, avoidance can become a default strategy for dealing with anxiety. Adults may, therefore, coach students through breaking the cycle. Encouraging students to take one small step at a time and notice the good feeling of getting something done, will gradually rewire short-term rewards from avoidance to experiences of success. It can also help to seek some enjoyable part of the task at hand. If you’ve ever had a teacher or a tutor who makes class more fun, you know how important this is in shaping lifelong motivation for learning.
Then again, whether a subject is a favorite or not, if the task is large, vague, or it’s unclear where to start, motivation can plummet! This is especially common for large projects and long-term study plans but can also arise if a new topic is confusing, a teacher’s style doesn’t mesh with the student’s, assignments are in a new format (such as group work or online learning), or a student is hesitant to ask for clarification or accommodations. Adults can support students by providing clarity on the directions and criteria; breaking down a task into manageable steps; providing a starting point; and guiding through templates or preparing scripts for self-advocacy.
Create an upward spiral
Prompting motivation can feel like a daunting task, but remember that each small step makes it easier to take the next step, and the next. Self-care, healthy coping strategies, small successes, and other positive experiences build on one another --- an intuitive idea supported by multiple psychology studies. To get started, you don’t have to do everything. Do one small thing. Make it so small, it would be silly not to do it, like taking three deep breaths or thinking of one good thing that’s happened lately. When it comes to homework, it might be beneficial to simply open the assignment; read for one minute; complete just one problem; or write the first thing that pops into your head for one minute.
Knowing this, adults can coach students toward small wins that build momentum. Dedicate time to talking about what went right rather than just what went wrong. Help students identify and leverage their strengths. And don’t forget snacks, stretching, outside time, energetic music, doodling, and other brain breaks offer positive steps to get back on track.
Connect with the bigger picture
One of the most important lessons students can learn is how to connect today’s schoolwork with their own long-term goals. Dr. Peggy Dawson and Dr. Richard Guare of the Smart But Scattered Kids series provide practical steps based on this philosophy in their resources and books. These have become the gold standard for executive skills coaching. Encourage students to dream, and follow up with opportunities to make meaningful choices, shape plans, and tackle challenges. As students pursue their favorite interests, they develop strategies that help see them through less favored tasks --- and vice versa. Adults play a role in making those connections and applications clear until students can make them on their own.
Sometimes, students don’t feel motivated by grades, so simple incentive systems might bridge the gap. What can help get through today? This week? The end of this semester? Incentive systems are rarely perfect on the first try, advises Dr. Dawson in Homework: Problems and Solutions. Students should be as involved as possible in figuring out what motivates them and take an active role in goal-setting and achievement.
Find support
Motivation and procrastination are big topics, and while this general advice offers a place to start, what works for one person or situation may not work for another. It also might be difficult for a parent or guardian to assist as much as they’d like. An executive skills coach can provide personalized guidance on motivation for learning and accountability in overcoming procrastination. Teachers or counselors who have a strong relationship with a student may be able to fill this role, too. A trusted adult outside of the home is well-situated for helping students develop more independent motivation.
Of course, if motivation problems are seriously affecting health or relationships, be sure to seek the advice of a doctor or professional therapist.For more about executive skills coaching or to be paired with a tutor, contact us for a consultation.
STUDY SKILLS CRASH COURSE
As the first weeks of the school year give way to the first tests (and report cards), students interested in improving their study skills can find many tips and tools online. However, not all study tips are created equally; stressed-out students looking for how to speed-read or cram for a test can run into trouble. Here are several trusted resources for improving study skills recommended and utilized by our learning experts. Brush up on key skills, or chart an independent study course to improve your habits!
6 Habits of Highly Successful Students
"6 Habits of Highly Successful Students" delivers science-based, practical strategies for highly effective studying. Sometimes, we take it for granted that these techniques are absorbed alongside the nuts and bolts of each subject, but they’re not always obvious. Students of all levels can miss out on study skills: high-achievers may glide by until they hit a hard class and then find themselves missing the solid habits they need to succeed, while students who struggle in the first place may feel overwhelmed with the how-to-learn portion of class on top of everything else.
The Learning Scientists are dedicated to working on those foundational skills for all students. Their focus is strongly evidence-based and hands-on, with guides for helping parents as well as students. The overview video gives an excellent index of key skills, while the blog, downloadable materials, and more fill out lessons for many different audiences.
Crash Course: Study Skills
“Crash Course: Study Skills” provides an easy-to-follow series of explainers and useful tips on topics like memory, note-taking, and focus, produced with the humor and lively pace that makes Crash Course so popular in the classroom. These videos introduce techniques that may already be familiar to students through animations and entertaining stories, making them a solid primer for shoring up the basics without being boring. But the videos also go over the science of why each strategy works in an accessible way, making a case for sticking with it now, into college, and beyond. (shout out to Crash Course: Psychology for those learners who want to dig even deeper.)
SMART BUT SCATTERED KIDS
“Smart But Scattered Kids” by Drs. Peg Dawson and Richard Guare is an influential series of books, presentations, and workshops on executive skills coaching. We would be remiss if we didn’t include them. Homework planner templates, coaching tips for parents, and timely tips on stress management and the effects of crisis on skills in the time of COVID-19 are available for free, while the books targeted at different age groups are highly recommended for further reading.
For students not sure where to start or unsure about dedicating time to study skills on their own, our tutors and executive skills coaches can help with personalized guidance to boost confidence and understanding. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact us.