September 2, 2010

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PEAK Points

(Helpful information you will find on the website this month)

P.A.R.E.N.T.S.

PARTICIPATE

Participate in your child's learning activities. Studies have shown that parent participation and influence have long-term positive effects on student performance.

ASSIST

Assist the educational process by discussing with your child the importance of being actively engaged with learning activities and working to his or her highest possible potential.

REASSURE

Reassure your child that this assessment measures learning and will be used by teachers to better improve instruction.

ENCOURAGE

Encourage your child to get a good night's rest, not just before the assessment, but daily, in order to receive optimum benefits from educational opportunities.

NOURISH

Provide opportunities for your child to grow physically, mentally and emotionally.

TEACH

Teach your child to do his or her best in all settings, not just assessment situations.

SUPPORT

Support your child's continued educational progress by modeling the discipline needed to maintain good work habits.

Succeeding at Standardized Tests

From the Family Education Network

Parents: Do Your Homework
Standardized testing -- two simple words that often strike fear for children, teachers, and parents alike. Many states use proficiency testing as a way to assess children and evaluate teachers. In some states, a low score on a proficiency exam is grounds for holding your child back. Whatever the policies are in your state, your job is to prepare your young learner for the testing challenge.

Know as much about the test as possible. Most tests are organized around curriculum areas. In the lower grades, these areas are math, language arts, and reading; in the upper grades, they are science, math, language arts, reading, and, occasionally, social studies, or American and/or state history. To find out the content of the tests, contact your child's teacher, your district office, or your state department of education.

Ask your school for resources. Find out if "practice tests" or other exercises are available either through your school or your state department of education. There are many books available that can help, but make sure that they cover what your child will be tested on. The best books are also "hands-on." They contain actual practice tests that simulate the test itself (even going so far as filling in circles or boxes with #2 lead pencils!).

Know what the test means. Find out how the test is scored and what will happen if your child does not receive an appropriate score in one or more areas. Will your child qualify for special tutoring? Will your child be retained? If your child does particularly well, will she be provided with gifted services?

Find out if your child qualifies for special test-taking accommodations. If your child has been identified for special services or has a learning disability, he may be exempt from the test or may need to take it under special conditions. Children who are identified with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), for instance, are often allowed to take the test in a special room, away from distractions. Your child's teacher, your school psychologist, or special services coordinator is your best resource.

Incorporate "test taking" behavior into homework activities. Most standardized tests are timed. They also encourage children to skip items they don't know and come back to them later. When you oversee your child's homework, encourage him to do the same thing--to skip items he doesn't know and come back to them. When appropriate, time certain activities (math worksheets, for example). Standardized tests require students to follow directions. Encourage your child to read the directions on the homework and repeat them to you to make sure he or she understands them.

Practice Skills at Home
There are a number of skills that you can easily incorporate into your home routine.

· Reading
When reading a book or watching a television show or a movie, ask your child to repeat the plot, the story's characters (including the main character), and the setting. Ask him to retell what happens in the beginning, middle, and end. After you read a book together, ask him questions about what happened.

· Language Arts
Work on increasing your child's vocabulary by using and defining more difficult words in everyday speech. Use a dictionary to check meaning. Practice using antonyms and synonyms. Have your child become proficient at alphabetical order by organizing materials that way--books, kitchen supplies, videos, etc.

· Writing
The writing portion of standardized tests usually asks children to respond to a writing "prompt." This prompt is meant to structure their ideas. (For suggestions about incorporating writing prompts into family writing activities, see this issue's "Live and Learn" section.) You may also want to review basic punctuation and capitalization.

· Math
Rather than concentrating solely on computation, standardized math tests usually involve spatial skills, patterns, and sequencing. Encourage your child to learn to count by twos, threes, and fives. Create graphs based on family activities and practice reading graphs together. Practice time and money concepts.

Put the Test in Context
Remind your young learner that these kinds of tests are part of the educational routine. You took them when you were in school and your child, no doubt, will face them a number of times throughout his or her school--and post-school career. Filling in those little boxes or circles with #2 lead pencils is something they'll have to do for years to come!

Make Sure Your Child is Ready

Your child needs to be well-rested and well-fed when test time arrives. She also needs to be mentally prepared. Be sensitive to your child's anxiety. Talking about the test may cause her stress which will negatively affect her results. Instead, think of ways to diffuse the anxiety. Take a brisk walk, plan a game of tag football, draw her a long, hot bath. And, because standardized testing can sometimes go on for as long as a week, build in physical activity and downtime throughout the test-taking

Study Tips & Study Skills Help

From TestTakingTips.com

Students with better study methods and strategies score higher on their exams. Everyone is different, different methods work for different people the following are only suggestions on improving upon your current studying techniques.

· It is best to review the material right after class when it's still fresh in your memory.

· Don't try to do all your studying the night before the test. Instead space out your studying, review class materials at least several times a week, focusing on one topic at a time.

· Have all of your study material in front of you: lecture notes, course textbooks, study guides and any other relevant material.

· Find a comfortable and quiet place to study with good lighting and little distractions (try avoiding your own bed, it is very tempting to just lie down and take a nap).

· Start out by studying the most important information.

· Learn the general concepts first, don't worry about learning the details until you have learned the main ideas.

· Take notes and write down a summary of the important ideas as you read through your study material.

· Take short breaks frequently. Your memory retains the information that you study at the beginning and the end better than what you study in the middle.

· Space out your studying, you'll learn more by studying a little every day instead of waiting to cram at the last minute. By studying every day, the material will stay in your long-term memory but if you try to study at the last moment, the material will only reside in your short-term memory that you'll easily forget.

· Make sure that you understand the material well, don't just read through the material and try to memorize everything.

· If you choose to study in a group, only study with others who are serious about the test.

· Test yourself or have someone test you on the material to find out what your weak and strong areas are. You can use the review questions at the end of each chapter or practice tests the teacher may give out as well as other materials.

· Listening to relaxing music such as classical or jazz on a low volume can relieve some of the boredom of studying.

· Don't study later than the time you usually go to sleep, you may fall asleep or be tempted to go to sleep, instead try studying in the afternoon or early evening. If you are a morning person try studying in the morning.

Reducing Test Taking Anxiety

Test anxiety is when a student excessively worries about doing well on a test. This can become a major hindrance on test performance and cause extreme nervousness and memory lapses among other symptoms. The following are tips on reducing test-taking anxiety.

· Being well prepared for the test is the best way to reduce test-taking anxiety.

· Space out your studying over a few days or weeks and continually review class material. Don't try to learn everything the night before.

· Try to maintain a positive attitude while preparing for the test and during the test.

· Exercising for a few days before the test will help reduce stress.

· Get a good night's sleep before the test.

· Show up to class early so you won't have to worry about being late.

· Stay relaxed, if you begin to get nervous take a few deep breaths slowly to relax yourself and then get back to work.

· Read the directions slowly and carefully.

· If you don't understand the directions on the test, ask the teacher to explain it to you.

· Skim through the test so that you have a good idea how to pace yourself.

· Write down important formulas, facts, definitions and/or keywords in the margin first so you won't worry about forgetting them.

· Do the simple questions first to help build up your confidence for the harder questions.

· Don't worry about how fast other people finish their test; just concentrate on your own test.

· If you don't know a question skip it for the time being (come back to it later if you have time), and remember that you don't have to always get every question right to do well on the test.

· Focus on the question at hand. Don't let your mind wander on other things.

· If you're still experiencing extreme test anxiety after following these tips, seek help from your school counselor.

PEAK Points

Article 1: Tips for Exciting Summer Reading

Article 2: Summer Learning with Your Family

Article 3: Creative Summer Fun Projects for Parents and Kids

Article 4: Denver Summer Fun for Kids

Testimonials from Parents

Exciting Family Events

Community College

Article 1

Tips for Exciting Summer Reading

What comes to mind when you think about summer with your children? Swimming? Summer camp? Barbecues? Music in the park? This year, why not make sharing books part of your family's summer fun?

Teachers and literacy experts agree that children of all ages need to be read to or to read by themselves and to talk about books over the summer. When you read or talk to your young child about books, she develops important language skills, understandings about books and print, and knowledge about how stories are constructed that will help her to become a strong reader and writer. Your school-aged child's summer reading and book discussions will help him maintain his reading skills, improve his reading fluency, and learn new vocabulary and concepts. Most importantly, when parents and children enjoy summer reading together, children develop a love of books and reading that lasts a lifetime.

In this article, you will learn tips for weaving language and literacy activities into your child's summer days and for helping your school-aged child tackle her school summer reading list. In addition, you can explore links to summer reading lists and more.

Source: www.pbs.org

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Article 2

Summer Learning with Your Family

Summer is here and your child can hardly wait for all of the fun that goes with it. You want him to have plenty of learning opportunities, as well enjoy what summer has to offer. Learning may seem to be the furthest thing from his mind at this time. If only there was a way for you both to get your way. Learning while enjoying all of summer's fun activities?

There is a way! Children love to learn new things, especially when the activities are fun and they don't know that they're learning. Parents can take time to do a few of these activities with their children and summer learning will be under way! As with any activity you do with your child, make sure to adjust for age appropriateness.

These summer learning ideas for young children have been adapted from the National Education Association and the US Department of Education:

This and That - if your child likes to help around the house, have him sort the silverware or dishes. He will learn to group items similar to shapes and patterns. You can make a game out of counting all of the forks that are the same, or matching all of the plates with the same pattern.
Phone A Friend - if your child is old enough, let him find numbers on the phone. Write down numbers of friends or family and help him find them on the phone. He will learn number recognition and the phone numbers of some of his favorite people. Grandmas and grandpas always love a call from the grandkid!
Deli Delight - maybe your child is bored with the old fashioned picnic lunches. Spice them up by cutting sandwiches and other foods into shapes. You can also try this activity with letters and numbers. Lunch can be educational and fun.
Closet Capers - while dressing for your day in the summer sun, have your child name the pieces of clothing he sees. As he's getting dressed, he can tell you what he's putting on. In addition, teach him names of parts of the body.
Hide and Seek - while you're out and about on your summer adventures, have your child locate different letters and numbers that you see. When your child starts writing his numbers and letters, you can practice by keeping track of all of the different items you see. You can also talk about the letters you see and different things that start with that letter.
Sidewalk Art - sidewalk chalk is always fun. Allow your child to practice his letters, numbers, and shapes in your driveway. Let your child be creative and display his art on your sidewalk. The neighbors may enjoy some bright and sunny art. Another fun activity is painting on the sidewalk with water. Your child can be creative day after day.
Funny Funnies - to help your child learn sequencing and order, cut up some comics from the paper and help your child put them in order to tell the story taking place in the comic strip. Another fun activity is letting your child tells his own story based on the pictures he's just put in order.

These are just a few activity ideas you can share with your little one. You will enjoy the time together. He'll enjoy the fun new games and you'll appreciate the knowledge and skills he learns from the activities. Source: www.childcareaware.org

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Article 3

Creative Summer Fun Projects for Parents and Kids

Summer time is a time to get outside. But being outside doesn't have to just be swimming and barbecues. Here are some great outdoor project ideas that families and kids will really enjoy. They involve things that move, learning about the world, or building things. There is something suitable for every kind of family!

Making Things that Go!

Model Rockets - This is a relatively inexpensive hobby and you can usually get a complete start up set for around thirty five dollars. The hobby is composed of spending a few hours making rockets out of cardboard and plastic tubes then taking them outside and launching them. Kits are readily available that have everything needed and the dual aspects of making something then firing it off will appeal to every type of dad and every type of child.

Kites - If something less involved (and less expensive) is desired kite making and flying is a great alternative. There are plenty of websites that will show you how to make a kit from scratch. Or you can spend a few dollars and purchase one. Once it is assembled it will provide many hours of outdoor fun - until it gets stuck in a tree!

Remote Control Toys - A more complex build and use project would be something in the remote control genre. Just about everything imaginable is now available as a remote control project. You can build boats, airplanes, helicopters, or cars and then race them on the lake, driveway, or airways in the neighborhood. This pursuit has some flexibility in that you can purchase the items completely assembled and ready to use or you can buy kits and plans that will give you many hours of fun just building them before you actually use them.

If you want to pull out all the stops you might want to consider making a go-kart. It could be either motorized or not. Now this would be a project that is remembered for life.

Learning and Science Projects

Summer time is a great time to get outdoors but how often do we think about getting outside at night? Astronomy and telescopes are an often overlooked pursuit that is quite rewarding. And you really don't need a telescope. A pair of binoculars and a star chart will be more than sufficient. If you are looking for something spectacular to watch in the night sky you might want to plan your adventure around August twelfth this is the peak night for the Perseid meteor showers which will often come down at a rate of 90 per hour.

Nature Walks that are something more

We are all familiar with the concept of a nature walk but you can take it to another level by picking a specific theme and making your own guide as you take your walk. You make a guide by creating a book out of your experience. You can take notes, draw pictures, and collect items for your book. Think of it as something like Darwin did on his adventures. Here are some specific subjects you could focus on during your nature walk:

Rocks and Minerals - Bring a field manual with you and look for various types of mineral and rock formations. Chip off samples for your collection.
Bird watching - You can draw pictures of bird or even record their sounds
Archaeology - Maybe there are some old sites not far from where you live that you could dig.
Animal Watching - Even in cities you will be surprised by the wildlife you find. Make notes of what types of animals you see and where you see them.
Cartography - Make maps of parks and walking paths much like a modern day Lewis and Clark
Treasure Hunting - Panning for gold is a fun adventure even if you don't find any
Eco Systems - You can get a field manual and visit a particular type of eco- system like a beach, wetland, forest, marsh or desert.
Eco Awareness Projects - You can use a nature walk as a means of raising environmental issues. Volunteering with a local clean up group is also a great idea.

Building Things

What Dad doesn't like to build things? Here are some ideas ranging from easy to spectacular.

Some easy indoor/outdoor projects include bird houses, bat houses, and whirligigs. Something a little more challenging might be a lemonade stand, small greenhouse, or a small windmill. If you are looking for something spectacular you might want to think about building a fort, dollhouse, or tree house! What Dad, or kid, wouldn't love a tree house!

Summertime is the time to get outdoors and it is also a great time for parents and kids to do things together. These ideas are ways to turn an average Sunday of sitting around the barbecue into something extraordinary and memorable. Source: www.amazines.com (note: article slightly altered to include all parents)

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Article 4

Denver Summer Fun for Kids

School's out! For parents, however, this doesn't mean three months of rest and relaxation. Rather, it means three months of trying to keep your kids occupied and entertained - no easy feat! Here are some summer activities that your kids will love.

Water Parks

Denver is home to two world-class water parks, each on perfect for cooling your kids off on a hot summer day. Every summer, thousands of Colorado residents flock to Water World, looking to beat the heat, relax in the park's beautifully landscaped 64 acres - and ride some wet and wild waterslides. Family-friendly rides include Captain Jack's Wave Pool, featuring gentle waves in a 500,000-gallon pool; The Fun House, with hundreds of water gags and activities; and Wally World, which offers that special fun that only a 4-year-old can enjoy, with tot-sized water slides, geysers, waterfalls, and tire swings, all in a setting of very shallow water.

Island Kingdom, meanwhile, is part of the famed Elitch Gardens Amusement Park, located in downtown Denver. One admission price will get you into the Elitch's, where you can ride dozens of wild roller coasters, and then cool off by going for a swim. Family-friendly rides at Island Kingdom include Castaway Creek, a relaxing lazy river with a floating current, geysers, water bubbles and waterfalls; Commotion Ocean, a giant wave pool perfect for body surfing or just relaxing; and Hook's Lagoon, a five-story water tree house that offers 150 water gadgets, lagoon playgrounds and a giant barrel overhead that drenches everyone below.

Wild Denver

Lions, tigers, bears - and so much more! Set aside several hours for exploration in the Denver Zoo, an eye-opening experience for all ages. The fourth most popular zoo in the nation has 4,000 animals representing more than 750 species. Kids will love the Pioneer Train, (the first natural gas zoo train in America), which will take them on a relaxing trip around Pachyderm Park, passing by elephants, rhinos and more.

Located in nearby Parker, The Wildlife Experience is an interactive and ever-changing institution that connects visitors with wildlife and habitats in a fun and educational environment. It's a perfect place for families, with immersive exhibits such as Discovery Den and Cubs Corner where kids can make their own wildlife masterpieces.

One of the most unique "wild Denver" spots can be found just a few miles from downtown Denver at the 30,000-square-foot Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster. This amazing attraction combines science education with hands-on fun to teach visitors about invertebrates, science and conservation. The interactive exhibits are geared primarily towards families with kids ages 2 to 12 years old, but people of all ages will embrace the beauty and wonder of the tropical conservatory filled with 1,200 free-flying butterflies imported from around the globe.

The Downtown Aquarium features fascinating sea creatures, sharks and more. All in all there are more than 15,000 fish, mammals and plants, including an exhibit of Sumatran tigers who love to swim. This family friendly attraction has a restaurant where you can dine next to sharks and schools of colorful tropical fish. Also stroll the grounds around the aquarium for kid-focused activities, like petting zoos and educational programs.

Kids love dinosaurs -- it's a fact. At Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison (near Red Rocks Amphitheatre) you can touch the bones of Allosaurus and Stegosaurus at the site where important dinosaur discoveries were made in the late 1800s. See how Iguanadons walked by viewing real dinosaur footprints forever preserved in the sandstone. Meanwhile, over the Denver Museum of Nature & Science you and your family can stand in awe at the priceless collection of dinosaur skeletons, including those of T-Rex and Stegosaurus.

Museums

The world-renowned Denver Art Museum offers a Just for Fun Family Center complete with games, creative, make-it-yourself craft areas and dress-up costumes. On weekends, kids can pick up a family backpack, a portable bag brimming with all sorts of artsy, educational activities. Penny pinchers take note: The Denver Art Museum is always free for children age six and younger, and free for all Colorado residents the first Saturday of each month.

At the intriguing Children's Museum of Denver, infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers can spend hours roaming through educational playscapes, including a miniature "Community Market," which allows kids to take on the roles of shopper, cashier and shopkeeper. Families will find several more thematic play areas that run the gamut from woodworking and scientific laboratories to animal exhibits and a fire station (pictured right) that teaches safety precautions. On the first Tuesday of every month, the Children's Museum hosts complimentary guided story hours and playtimes, from 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science, a spectacular interactive museum that explores fossils and dinosaurs, the mysteries of space at Gates Planetarium (it's out of this world!), Egyptian mummies, the riddles of the human body, and a slew of other hands-on exhibits.

Sports

The Mile High City is a pro sports paradise, with no less than eight pro teams calling Denver home - and during the summer, your family's options for athletic action are plentiful. Check out the Colorado Rockies at the magnificent Coors Field in LoDo (lower downtown). Get an unbeatable deal with ROCKPILE seats, which cost just $4 for adults and $1 for kids age 12 and under. Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids have a new home - the sprawling, high-tech Dick's Sporting Goods Park, which opened its doors in 2007. Kid will love the fast-paced Rapids games. Also don't miss the increasingly popular Denver Outlaws, the Mile High City's own Major League Lacrosse team, who play at Invesco Field at Mile High.

More kid-related features and itineraries

Ten Great Places to Take Kids

Two Kids, Two Day, Too Much Fun

Kid-Friendly Denver

Ten Great Restaurants for Kids

Source: www.denver.org