This is such a true and important quotation. It is unfortunate that some students receive the message – either directly or indirectly – that they cannot learn. We are all different people and we don’t do most things in exactly the same way. Why should learning be any different? Not every child is ready for the next step in reading or math or maturity at the same age. Yes, there are guidelines, but that’s all they are. 

Does this bring an old adage or story to mind? These two things popped into my mind: “Don’t count your chickens until they’re hatched” and the Aesop story “The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs.” The Aesop story has a more direct relationship to this week’s quotation.

What do you think about this quotation? I think this quotation is very relevant to education. To truly learn, the student must take some responsibility, and teachers (read “teachers, parents, & tutors” here) must allow the students to do so. 

Time to register for summer learning. Taking a couple of hours per week to refresh the brain and engage it in new learning, too, can make all the difference when going back to school in September. Avoiding the summer slide is not difficult, painful, or time-consuming.

Create a safe and pleasant practice space This space should include the essentials required for completing homework tasks. In this way, no time is wasted searching for pencils, rulers, math sets, etc. A well-lit, quiet area with a good working surface is best. It does not need to be a whole room or anything fancy, the corner of a room will do.

Understand the assignment I can’t stress enough the importance of knowing the specifics of the assignment. Read any directions. Also pay attention to the teacher’s guidance. Be aware of the topic if one is provided. If you are to choose your own, check with the teacher to ensure that it is suitable. Be aware of the expected length and formatting of the task. Of course, not the deadline – but also plan for your research, rough draft, and editing times.

Some people feel that going to a tutor is admitting defeat or at least an admission that things are not going well. In a world where independence and self-sufficiency are celebrated, there is a misconception that seeking help is a sign of weakness. Nothing could be further from the truth when talking about education! Hiring a tutor is a bold declaration of strength and a commitment to personal growth.

There are several literary devices sometimes called poetic devices or figurative language that can add colour and vibrancy to your writing. Generally, they are more useful for fiction writing than for academic writing; however, some of the frequently used literary devices aren’t even recognized as such within academic writing because they have entered into everyday speech and understanding. That is, at least for native English speakers. Figurative language can be a challenge when English isn...

I get a lot of questions from my students and on social media about how to make the most of homework time and how to reduce the pain! Some students are interested in getting better grades and are willing to do almost anything to get them. Others are interested in reducing the pain and want something easy to make that happen. These two goals are not as disparate as they might seem at first glance.

First Things First Before I get into the tools you can use to help interpret or analyze poetry, I want to stress the importance of reading for enjoyment. Relax. Let the words, phrasing, rhyme scheme, and rhythm flow through you. An essential part of understanding poetry is ‘feeling’ it. Read the poem first for overall concept and fun. Do a second reading to start a more thorough interpretation. Poems should be read multiple times. The following blog invites you to ask questions an...