prek12
Texting, tweeting lingo creeping into schoolwork
Students are finding it harder to separate proper English from text and tweet language in school.
School lunch fuels success for spring sports
Springtime packs a punch for students. Between tests, papers, school trips, extracurricular performances and jobs, finding the energy for spring's after-school sports is often a challenge. Time and energy are at a premium. Eating well can help ease the crush. While breakfast is often tapped …
Molding academic success, social responsibility, starts early
Developing a good student, and a socially responsible individual, is a process that begins early. For some northwest Indiana educators that means as young as age 1. It also means providing structure and getting parents and grandparents involved in the process.
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, oh my! Talking to your child about social networking
In the olden days, children and teens communicated with friends primarily by talking on the telephone, writing a note or speaking face-to-face. My, how things have changed. Today, students can send text messages on their cell phones and communicate online with their BFF (best friends …
How to help kids find the right extracurricular activity
Today’s kids are busier than ever before. Be it the increasingly competitive nature of scholastic life or the increase of two-income households where kids need something to do other than come directly home after school, children today are much busier than their school-aged counterparts of …
TV show sparks renewed interest in show choir
Students who love to sing and perform are discovering the benefits of choir and chorus programs at school after a popular television show has proven inspirational. Viewers really haven’t been treated to a show about performing students since Fame aired for five seasons, beginning in …
Healthy, quick breakfasts for busy school mornings
Breakfast has long been referred to as the most important meal of the day. It is beneficial for students heading off to school to enjoy a meal before they catch the bus. Studies have found that children who eat a healthy breakfast have higher energy …
Pros and cons to learning in a digital age
The world has quickly become digital, and the younger generations are leading the pack with technology that just may make some other items obsolete. As pre-teens and teenagers routinely turn to digital devices for entertainment and schoolwork, the face of education may change as well. …
Key high school lesson: Learn to balance activities
When he attended Oak Park River Forest High School, Michael Jacobs planned his time around college applications, studying for one of his AP level courses, serving his school community through the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Program and playing a couple hours of competitive tennis. When …
Ease back to school stress with these six tips
Going back to school doesn’t have to be stressful. Three Chicagoland educators offer their advice on how to recalibrate your kid for the classroom. 1. Keep playing. Cathy Kurtz, co-director at The Barbereux School in Evanston that welcomes 2- to 6-year-olds, said games and puzzles …
Schools promote safe behavior
Students heading into the new school year should be equipped with the skills to face any situation involving peer pressure, gangs, bullying or drugs and alcohol. The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program is a way schools help students make informed decisions. “What started out …
Inward journey. Outward bound. Tips for incoming high school freshman and seniors
Launch Pad: Incoming Freshman Freshman year is a crucial transition in a student’s life. According to Keith Anzelmo of Sylvan Learning Center, students can expect at least an extra hour of work per night as well as some drastic changes in their lifestyle. Meet these …
How to encourage summer reading
“No more teachers, no more books.” Kids may heave a sigh of relief when school is out for the summer, but parents and caregivers need to make sure that kids don’t fall victim to brain drain. According to the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA), all …
Students can enjoy summers while still staying sharp
As children say goodbye to the classroom for a few months, many parents fear the growing reality of learning loss during summer vacation. With thoughtful planning, however, students can enjoy their time off while still staying sharp for the next academic year. “It’s a use …