Mark your calendar for the latest test dates.
Best Children's Books of 2018
All the Animals Where I Live by Philip C Stead
The author used to live in the busy city where there were buses and trains, and people waiting for buses and trains.
Now he lives in the country and jubilantly takes us on a tour of his home, pointing out all the animals that share his space. There are stuffed bears and quilted chickens. His dog Wednesday watches cranes, frogs, and dragonflies live their lives. Coyotes and chipmunks come and go, and the world around where he lives is full of life, until winter comes, and there is nothing but snow.
Uniquely structured, All the Animals Where I Liveis a picture book from Philip C. Stead, one of our most innovative author-illustrators, that is a meditation on life and moments big and small that shape our individual worlds.
Do Not Lick This Book by Iran Ben-Barak
Min is a microbe. She is small. Very small.
In fact, so small that you’d need to look through a microscope to see her. Or you can simply open this book and take Min on an adventure to amazing places she’s never seen before―like the icy glaciers of your tooth or the twisted, tangled jungle of your shirt.
Written by Idan Ben-Barak, with illustrations from Julian Frost, Do Not Lick This Bookis perfect for anyone who wants to take a closer look at the world.
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she's not his grandmother--but she is a witch! She needs his help delivering baby dragons to a magical world where they'll be safe. There are two rules when it comes to the dragons: don't let them out of the bag, and don't feed them anything sweet. Before he knows it, Jax and his friends Vikram and Kavita have broken both rules! Will Jax get the baby dragons delivered safe and sound? Or will they be lost in Brooklyn forever?
Drawn Together by Minh Lê
"Drawn Togetheris a poignant and gorgeously illustrated story of a grandfather and grandson who discover a shared love of art and storytelling." - Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens-with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words. With spare, direct text by Minh Lê and luminous illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat, this stirring picturebook about reaching across barriers will be cherished for years to come.
Everything You Need for a Treehouse by Carter Higgins
Graciela "One magical, impossible treehouse after another." —The Wall Street Journal
Treehouses are for wonder.
Treehouses are for snacks.
Treehouses are for whispers and snickers and echoes.
Treehouses are for everyone.
This magical work of art from acclaimed picture book creators Carter Higgins and Emily Hughes celebrates the universal wonder of treehouses and all the adventure that live among branches.
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning. She doesn't remember it, but it changed her life forever. The zap gave her genius-level math skills, and ever since, Lucy has been homeschooled. Now, at 12 years old, she's technically ready for college. She just has to pass 1 more test--middle school!
Lucy's grandma insists: Go to middle school for 1 year. Make 1 friend. Join 1 activity. And read 1 book (that's not a math textbook!). Lucy's not sure what a girl who does calculus homework for fun can possibly learn in 7th grade. She has everything she needs at home, where nobody can make fun of her rigid routines or her superpowered brain. The equation of Lucy's life has already been solved. Unless there's been a miscalculation?
A celebration of friendship, Stacy McAnulty's smart and thoughtful middle-grade debut reminds us all to get out of our comfort zones and embrace what makes us different.
New Shoes by Chris Raschka
Two-time Caldecott Medalist and New York Times–bestselling picture book creator Chris Raschka pays tribute to one of the most quintessential events of childhood—getting new shoes—in this boldly illustrated and inspiring book for the youngest reader.
When a young child discovers a hole in a sneaker, mother and child embark on a big childhood adventure—a trip to the store to pick out new shoes.
From having feet measured and making a selection to finally showing off the new shoes to a friend, this momentous child moment is treated with respect, excitement, and page-turning energy in a wonderfully age-appropriate picture book.
Caldecott Medalist and New York Times–bestselling picture book creator Chris Raschka joyfully captures the event from the child’s point of view. New Shoesis a preschool classic in the making.
They Say Blue by Jillian Tamaki
In captivating paintings full of movement and transformation, Tamaki follows a young girl through a year or a day as she examines the colors in the world around her. Egg yolks are sunny orange as expected, yet water cupped in her hands isn’t blue like they say. But maybe a blue whale is blue. She doesn’t know, she hasn’t seen one. Playful and philosophical, They Say Blueis a book about color as well as perspective, about the things we can see and the things at which we can only wonder.
This first picture book from celebrated illustrator Jillian Tamaki will find equal appreciation among kids and collectors.
The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller
When Natalie's science teacher suggests that she enter an egg drop competition, Natalie thinks that this might be the perfect solution to all of her problems. There's prize money, and if she and her friends wins, then she can fly her botanist mother to see the miraculous Cobalt Blue Orchids--flowers that survive against impossible odds. Natalie's mother has been suffering from depression, and Natalie is sure that the flowers' magic will inspire her mom to love life again. Which means it's time for Natalie's friends to step up and show her that talking about a problem is like taking a plant out of a dark cupboard and giving it light. With their help, Natalie begins an uplifting journey to discover the science of hope, love, and miracles.
A vibrant, loving debut about the coming-of-age moment when kids realize that parents are people, too.
Tigers & Tea with Toppy by Barbara Kerley and Rhoda Knight Kalt
Rhoda loves spending time with Toppy. He is not only her beloved grandpa, but also the world-famous wildlife artist Charles R. Knight! Every outing with Toppy -- from visits to the American Museum of Natural History and the Central Park Zoo to tea parties at The Plaza Hotel -- is filled with fun and adventure.
Lovers of animals, art, natural history, and New York City will relish this vivacious and winsomely depicted true story. Presented through Rhoda's eyes, it celebrates the enchantment of scientific inquiry, a tender grandparent-grandchild bond, and the vision of a pioneering artist who opened our eyes to the wonders of the ancient world.
Included in this book are more than a dozen of Charles R. Knight's original paintings and drawings, interspersed with Matte Stephens's winsome illustrations.
Did You Know? Fun Facts about the Month of March
It’s March—Happy New Year! Wait…what?
Welcome to the third month of the year—or, if you were born before 150 B.C., the first! According to the oldest Roman calendars, one year was ten months long, beginning in March and ending in December. It may sound crazy, but you can still see traces of this old system in our modern calendar: because December was the tenth month, it was named for the number ten in Latin (decem), just like September was named for seven (septem). So, what about January and February? They were just two nameless months called “winter.”
March was named for war—and lives up to its title
If so many months were named for their Latin numbers, why wasn’t March called… unumber? March was actually named for the Latin Martius—aka Mars, the Roman God of war and a mythical ancestor of the Roman people via his sons, Romulus and Remus. With the winter frosts melting and the ground becoming fertile for harvest again in the Northern hemisphere, March was historically the perfect month both for farmers to resume farming, and warriors to resume warring.
Incidentally, the Pentagon still seems to agree with this Roman tradition: with the exception of the recent War on Afghanistan, almost all major US-NATO led military operations since the invasion of Vietnam have begun in the month of March.
Beware The Ides of March unless you’re a cat
What does “beware the Ides of March” actually mean? On the Roman calendar, the midpoint of every month was known as the Ides. The Ides of March fell on March 15th. This day was supposed to correlate with the first full moon of the year and was marked by religious ceremonies, but thanks to Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar we know it for another reason. Supposedly, in 44 BC, a seer told Julius Caesar that his downfall would come no later than the Ides of March. Caesar ignored him, and when the fated day rolled around he joked with the seer, “The Ides of March have come.” The seer replied, “aye, Caesar; but not gone.” Caesar continued on to a senate meeting at the Theatre of Pompey, and was summarily murdered by as many as 60 conspirators.
Ironically, the spot where Caesar was assassinated is protected in today’s Rome as a no-kill cat sanctuary.
March 1
As the saying goes, March comes “in like a lion, out like a lamb.” That was certainly true on March 1st, 2007, when a detachment of 170 Swiss infantrymen accidentally invaded neighboring Liechtenstein when they got lost on a training mission.
March 2
NASA astronaut Scott Kelly returned from space after one full year, setting a new record for the longest uninterrupted trip to space.
March 13
Daylight saving time begins. Hooray! More daylight!
March 14
Pi Day celebrates the annual occurrence of 3/14 with math jokes, pi-reciting competitions, and (of course) freshly baked pie.
March 17
Many people will remember to wear green for St. Patrick’s Day.
But even those who consider themselves very knowledgeable about music trivia might not know that on St. Patrick's Day in 1973, Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of The Moon” first hits the Billboard Top 200 chart at number 95. A mere 14 years later (736 chart weeks, to be exact), it finally leaves the top 200 for the first time, setting a still-unbroken world record.
March 20
The sun shines on the equator for the Vernal Equinox, giving us a near 50-50 split of day and night.
These fun facts were culled from Reader’s Digest.
Letter from Betty for February 2019
Hello Friends,
While 2019 still feels new, perhaps now is the ideal time to look back and get caught up on some of the amazing books that have been published over the course of this past year. This month we take a look at 10 of the very best books for teens in our feature article: "Best Young Adult Books of 2018."
For a completely different kind of book experience, our bonus article for February is a brief introduction to the world of Sudoku. Although this is not exactly reading (but does include the activities of penciling and puzzling), it is nonetheless a very worthwhile pastime that will hone reasoning and logic skills. Enjoy the sample puzzle and book tip in: "Fun Stuff To Do: Do You Sudoku?"
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep.
Don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 or send an email to betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
February 2019 Test Schedule
Mark your calendar for the latest test dates.
Best Young Adult Books of 2018
We’re deep into the winter season right now, so it’s a perfect time to settle in with a good book. Don’t know where to turn? Here are some suggested reads for your young adult, a few of the best that were published in 2018.
Children of Blood and Bone by Toni Adeyemi
Tomi Adeyemi’s debut novel is the start of what promises to be an epic, addictive new series. Children of Blood and Boneis influenced by Adeyemi’s West African heritage, and in it she bends religious deities (the Orïsha) and a diverse landscape into a refreshing new take on fantasy. The story is told from multiple points of view, as Inan and Amari, children of the iron-fisted king, and Zélie and Tzain, siblings who have suffered greatly under the king’s regime, find themselves on a dark, magic-filled quest for power. Their journey is accompanied by violence and betrayal, but friendship and even star-crossed love also play a part. Enriched with themes that resonate in today’s social and political landscape, Children of Blood and Bonetakes on injustice, discrimination, and a struggle for change.
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
Elizabeth Lavenza hasn't had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her "caregiver," and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything--except a friend. Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable--and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable. But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth's survival depends on managing Victor's dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness.
Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi
For Penny Lee, high school was a total nonevent. Her friends were okay, her grades were fine, and while she somehow managed to land a boyfriend, he doesn’t actually know anything about her. When Penny heads to college in Austin, Texas, to learn how to become a writer, it’s seventy-nine miles and a zillion light years away from everything she can’t wait to leave behind. Sam’s stuck. Literally, figuratively, emotionally, financially. He works at a café and sleeps there too, on a mattress on the floor of an empty storage room upstairs. He knows that this is the god-awful chapter of his life that will serve as inspiration for when he’s a famous movie director but right this second the seventeen bucks in his checking account and his dying laptop are really testing him. When Sam and Penny cross paths it’s less meet-cute and more a collision of unbearable awkwardness. Still, they swap numbers and stay in touch—via text—and soon become digitally inseparable, sharing their deepest anxieties and secret dreams without the humiliating weirdness of having to see each other.
Give Me Some Truth by Eric Gansworth
Carson Mastick is entering his senior year of high school and desperate to make his mark, on the reservation and off. A rock band -- and winning Battle of the Bands -- is his best shot. But things keep getting in the way. Small matters like the lack of an actual band and his brother getting shot by the racist owner of a local restaurant. Maggi Bokoni has just moved back to the reservation with her family. She's dying to stop making the same traditional artwork her family sells to tourists (conceptual stuff is cooler), stop feeling out of place in her new (old) home, and stop being treated like a child. She might like to fall in love for the first time too. Carson and Maggi -- along with their friend Lewis -- will navigate loud protests, even louder music, and first love in this stirring novel about coming together in a world defined by difference.
Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide by Isabel Quintero
Graciela Iturbide was born in Mexico City in 1942, the oldest of 13 children. When tragedy struck Iturbide as a young mother, she turned to photography for solace and understanding. From then on Iturbide embarked on a photographic journey that has taken her throughout her native Mexico, from the Sonora Desert to Juchitán to Frida Kahlo’s bathroom, to the United States, India, and beyond. Photographicis a symbolic, poetic, and deeply personal graphic biography of this iconic photographer. Iturbide's journey will excite readers of all ages as well as budding photographers, who will be inspired by her resolve, talent, and curiosity.
A Room Away from the Wolves by Nova Ren Suma
Bina has never forgotten the time she and her mother ran away from home. Her mother promised they would hitchhike to the city to escape Bina’s cruel father and start over. But before they could even leave town, Bina had a new stepfather and two new stepsisters, and a humming sense of betrayal pulling apart the bond with her mother—a bond Bina thought was unbreakable.
Eight years later, after too many lies and with trouble on her heels, Bina finds herself on the side of the road again, the city of her dreams calling for her. She has an old suitcase, a fresh black eye, and a room waiting for her at Catherine House, a young women’s residence in Greenwich Village with a tragic history, a vow of confidentiality, and dark, magical secrets. There, Bina is drawn to her enigmatic downstairs neighbor Monet, a girl who is equal parts intriguing and dangerous. As Bina’s lease begins to run out, and nightmare and memory get tangled, she will be forced to face the terrible truth of why she’s come to Catherine House and what it will cost for her to leave. In A Room Away from the Wolves, critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author Nova Ren Suma weaves a spellbinding ghost story about who deserves a second chance, how we lie to those around us and ourselves, and to what lengths girls will go in order to save each other.
Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman
In the medieval kingdom of Goredd, women are expected to be ladies, men are their protectors, and dragons can be whomever they choose. Tess is none of these things. Tess is. . . different. She speaks out of turn, has wild ideas, and can't seem to keep out of trouble. Then Tess goes too far. What she's done is so disgraceful, she can't even allow herself to think of it. Unfortunately, the past cannot be ignored. So Tess's family decide the only path for her is a nunnery. But on the day she is to join the nuns, Tess chooses a different path for herself. She cuts her hair, pulls on her boots, and sets out on a journey. She's not running away, she's running towards something. What that something is, she doesn't know. Tess just knows that the open road is a map to somewhere else--a life where she might belong.
To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin
Savannah is dreading being home alone with her overbearing mother after her big sister―and best friend―goes off to college. But if she can just get through senior year, she'll be able to escape to college, too. What she doesn't count on is that her mother's obsession with weight has only grown deeper since her appearance on an extreme weight-loss show, and now Savvy's mom is pressuring her even harder to be constantly mindful of what she eats.
Between her mom's diet-helicoptering, missing her sister, and worrying about her collegiate future, Savvy has enough to worry about. And then she meets George, the cute new kid at school who has insecurities of his own. As Savvy and George grow closer, they help each other discover how to live in the moment and enjoy the here and now before it disappears.
To Be Honestis another sharp, witty novel from Maggie Ann Martin, about a spunky heroine who is dealing with very real issues―body image, parental pressure, loneliness, first love, and finding your way―with heart and humor.
Unclaimed Baggageby Jen Doll
In Jen Doll's young adult debut novel, Unclaimed Baggage, Doris―a lone liberal in a conservative small town―has mostly kept to herself since the terrible waterslide incident a few years ago. Nell had to leave behind her best friends, perfect life, and too-good-to-be-true boyfriend in Chicago to move to Alabama. Grant was the star quarterback and epitome of "Mr. Popular" whose drinking problem has all but destroyed his life. What do these three have in common? A summer job working in a store called Unclaimed Baggage cataloging and selling other people's lost luggage. Together they find that through friendship, they can unpack some of their own emotional baggage and move on into the future.
The Way You Make Me Feelby Maurene Goo
From the author of I Believe in a Thing Called Love, a laugh-out-loud story of love, new friendships, and one unique food truck.
Clara Shin lives for pranks and disruption. When she takes one joke too far, her dad sentences her to a summer working on his food truck, the KoBra, alongside her uptight classmate Rose Carver. Not the carefree summer Clara had imagined. But maybe Rose isn't so bad. Maybe the boy named Hamlet (yes, Hamlet) crushing on her is pretty cute. Maybe Clara actually feels invested in her dad’s business. What if taking this summer seriously means that Clara has to leave her old self behind? With Maurene Goo's signature warmth and humor, The Way You Make Me Feel is a relatable story of falling in love and finding yourself in the places you’d never thought to look.
Fun Stuff To Do: Do You Sudoku?
Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square. Does it sound complicated? Each Sudoku grid comes with a few spaces already filled in; the more spaces filled in, the easier the game – the more difficult Sudoku puzzles have very few spaces that are already filled in. By seeing which numbers are missing from each square, row, or column, we can use process of elimination and deductive reasoning to decide which numbers need to go in each blank space.
Sudoku is a game of logic and reasoning, so you shouldn’t have to guess. If you don’t know what number to put in a certain space, keep scanning the other areas of the grid until you seen an opportunity to place a number. But don’t try to “force” anything – Sudoku rewards patience, insights, and recognition of patterns, not blind luck or guessing.
One way to figure out which numbers can go in each space is to use “process of elimination” by checking to see which other numbers are already included within each square – since there can be no duplication of numbers 1-9 within each square (or row or column).
This is how the process of elimination works in Sudoku – you find out which spaces are available, which numbers are missing – and then deduce, based on the position of those numbers within the grid, which numbers fit into each space.
Sudoku rules are relatively uncomplicated – but the game is infinitely varied, with millions of possible number combinations and a wide range of levels of difficulty. But it’s all based on the simple principles of using numbers 1-9, filling in the blank spaces based on deductive reasoning, and never repeating any numbers within each square, row or column.
Sudoku games can be found all over the internet, but if you’re interested in cutting out the amount of screen-time that you and your family spends each day, go to your local bookstore and check out the “Puzzle” section. We recommend the Sudoku series by Will Shortz. He has put together a whole line of books of varying levels of complexity, from very easy to extra hard. They are relatively inexpensive and have big grids for comfortable solving. For a fun Valentine's Day gift idea, you might consider Sudoku Foreverby Will Shortz, as shown below.
Enjoy!
Letter from Betty for January 2019
Hello Friends,
Happy New Year and welcome to 2019!
As we make New Year's resolutions and consider fresh possibilities for the upcoming 12 months, sometimes, during these coldest months and shortest days, a temporary slump can affect us. In our feature article for January we offer rays of sunshine to combat these seasonal blues in "Coping with Grey Gloomy Winter Days." Read on and let the sun shine in!
To cure those winter blahs, consider participating in fun activities with your entire family. We have a brief and bright list of suggestions for you in our bonus article: "Fun Winter Activities for Your Family." Go ahead and have some fun!
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep.
Don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 or send an email to betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
January 2019 Test Schedule
Mark your calendar for the latest test dates.
Coping with Gloomy Grey Winter Days
The excitement of the holidays has passed, but the shorter days, and the cold, gloomy grey weather is going to stick around for a while. Unfortunately, the lack of sunshine can significantly affect some people, causing an unusual lack of energy, fatigue, mild depression, and it can negatively impact their ability to concentrate and get a good night's sleep. Adults as well as children can be impacted by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and although it does not affect everyone, if you or someone in your family is facing SAD challenges, it can be difficult for other family members as well. It is important to work together to try to combat some of these feelings.
Below you’ll find a list of activities that the whole family can enjoy this winter, but more generally, professionals suggest a few activities that can help. Socialization with friends and family members offers the opportunity for distraction and to talk about the blues, which can help to heal. Throw open the curtains, go outside, find sun whenever possible. Become active and move to increase the endorphins and boost the mood. Make an upbeat playlist, turn on that music, and get creative with a new project or try out something new. Try to embrace the low-key days with immersion into extreme comfort. Turn on a favorite movie, enjoy a mug of hot chocolate, cuddle up under a warm blanket, and enjoy some planned cozy time.
Key during these low periods, is exposure to the sun and to bright lights. If indoors, move the chair closer to the windows as any increase in sunlight will help. Also invest in a light box, which will simulate daylight and help to boost your mood. Thirty minutes a day should do the trick! If it’s a sunny day though, get outside!
Watch what you’re eating as well. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limit carbs like cookies or white bread, which can make you feel momentarily better but will make you feel more sluggish with the inevitable blood sugar crashes. The good news here though is that dark chocolate has been shown to improve moods and help relieve anxiety, so go ahead and enjoy a bit of the dark stuff.
As mentioned above, you need to get moving! Best plan would be to exercise for 30 minutes, but even a 10-minute walk or dance around the living room will help.
Volunteering also has a direct impact on improved mental health and the feeling of satisfaction that helps self-esteem: help out a local group, clean out a closet and donate unused clothing, go to a shelter and help to walk the dogs. Also, consider helping out an elderly neighbor or a family member who has a project that needs to be completed. There are endless ways to generously donate your time and energies to the benefit of others.
Regardless of who is struggling with the winter-time blues, there are small things that can be done to help ease the discomfort.
Be strong – Spring is on it’s way!
Fun Winter Activities for Your Family
Rent snowshoes and go snowshoeing at a local park
Go ice skating
Take your dog for a walk, or offer to walk an elderly neighbor’s dog
Go cross-country or down-hill skiing, snow tubing, snow boarding
Go sledding
Build a snow fort and have a snowball fight with family members and friends
Bundle up, grab a warm blanket, a cup of hot cocoa, and sit outside on your porch swing
Feed the birds, make special bird treats from pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed
Go on a photo expedition
Explore a local museum
Make snow paint with food coloring and water, pour into a spray bottle and go paint your yard
Take a winter hike
Shovel snow for someone in need
Learn a new craft
Cook a meal as a family, trying out a new receipe
Read a new book a week
Attend a yoga class
Plan your summer vacation, including your family in the discussion
Go to the YMCA and enjoy the indoor pool
Take an art class
Attend a local play or musical performance
Hold a board game tournament
Host a movie marathon and include your friends
Host a slumber party
Build a bonfire and make s’mores
Letter from Betty for December 2018
Hello Friends,
Happy holidays to you and your family!
As children look forward to the winter recess, parents can keep a step ahead and begin to plan invigorating family activities in wintry weather. Embrace the season! We have a snow flurry of excellent ideas in this month's feature article, "Keeping Your Family Active During Winter Recess."
Speaking of outdoor activities, December is a special month for sky watchers in our area because of an amazing meteor shower that needs only a clear night, a warm coat, and maybe a wool hat and mittens to enjoy. Find out how you can experience this marvel of the night sky in our bonus article for December: "You Can Do It! Geminid Meteor Shower." Enjoy nature's light show!
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep.
Don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 or send an email to betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
December 2018 Test Schedule
Mark your calendar for the latest test dates.
Keeping Your Family Active During Winter Recess
With the winter recess looming at the end of the month, it’s best to make plans ahead of time to keep your children, tweens, and teens active during this downtime. The last thing you want is for them to spend their break lazing on the couch in front of screens. Below find fun ideas for you to consider.
1. Ice Bubbles
If you have leftover bubbles liquid from summer. make ice bubbles! Bear in mind, the temperature outside needs to be below freezing, but this is well worth the effort, so bundle everyone up for some magic. Just blow bubbles as usual and watch them instantly turn to ice balls in midair!
If you don’t have leftover bubble liquid, use the following recipe to make your own!
Measure 3 cups of water into a container.
Pour 1/2 cup of dish soap into the water and slowly stir until the soap is mixed in.
Stir slowly so foam or bubbles do not form
Measure 1 1/2 teaspoons of glycerin or 1/8 cup of corn syrup and add it to the container.
Stir the solution until it is mixed together.
2. Snowman Contest
Have a snowman contest! You’ve probably built these snow beings before, but this time, up your game by using pumpkin carving tools and other kitchen utensils to really spur on creativity. For added fun, add a peppermint swirl candy to your snowman’s checks and as the snow melts those checks will turn rosy pink.
3. Snow Lantern
Build a beautiful snow lantern using faux tea lights and candles that are crowding the store shelves right now. Once you have a few lights,stack snowballs into a pile or some kind of enclosed shape, then at twilight, put one or more of those battery-operated LED lights into the center of your structure. You’ve created a glowing beauty for your family and your neighborhood to enjoy on a dark winter’s night.
4. Snow Tug-of-War
Tug of War, Winter style! Grab a rope, divide into two teams dig in ankle-deep, and pull! You’ll be surprised how much the snow works to your advantage compared to playing this game in the summertime.
5. Frozen Great Falls
Take the family to visit the winter wonderland that is the Great Falls in Paterson. This gorgeous spot on the Passaic River is one of New Jersey’s National Historic Parks. Most people don’t think to visit in the winter, but the falls are glistening with ice this time of year and is a true treasure. Directions to the falls as well as ideas for other stops in the area can be found here: https://www.nps.gov/pagr/index.htm
6. Horseback Riding at Seaton Hackney
Go horseback riding at Seaton Hackney Stables in Morristown. What could be more iconic than a ride through a snowy landscape? Book your ride ahead of time and enjoy the beautiful Loantaka Trails. Riders of all skill levels will be led by an instructor. Call 973-633-3355 to book rides.
Keeping your children active during the holiday break is not only good for them, but you’ll be creating memories that they will cherish for years to come!
You Can Do It! Geminid Meteor Shower
View an interactive meteor shower sky map here: https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/geminids.html
Beginning on the evening of December 13th and ending at twilight on December 14th, the fabulous Geminid Meteor Shower will be visible in this part of the country. Head outside between 9-10 pm and you’ll be able to view up to 120 meteors per hour, shooting across the sky and giving us a fabulous show!
Meteor Shower Viewing Tips
Weather conditions and light pollution are the only reasons it could be difficult to se the showers. The sky needs to be dark and clear, away from all the city lights.
Where to look? The best place to start is between the radiant and the zenith (straight above you). The radiant is the point in the sky where the meteors appear to originate.
Starting around midnight, our location on the globe spins around to the forward-facing half of Earth (in relation to the direction of orbit). At dawn, our location on the globe directly faces the direction in which Earth is traveling along its orbit. So between midnight and dawn, you’ll be viewing the meteors head-on, for a more frequent display.
No special equipment is needed. In fact, binoculars do not work for meteor showers. The naked eye is best.
Gather your family, bundle up warmly, collect your blankets or quilts, fill up a thermos of coffee or cocoa, and enjoy looking up into the dark night sky.
Letter from Betty for November 2018
Hello Friends,
This month's weather forecast for parents of teens: Occasional storms, with a chance of drama! But don't despair — we have some practical advice for weathering the teen years. Find out what your teen needs that only you can give him in our feature article for November, "Navigating the (Sometimes Stormy) Teen Years."
The holiday season that we all experience from Thanksgiving through to New Year's Day can be a hectic time, so now, with several weeks until the hustle and bustle is upon us, why not spend moments of zen in a calming act of preparation? We've got just the thing in our bonus article, "You Can Do It: Amaryllis In Time for the Holidays." Enjoy!
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep.
Don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 or send an email to betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
November 2018 Test Schedule
Mark your calendar for the latest test dates.
Navigating the (Sometimes Stormy) Teen Years
What Your Teen Needs from You
The teen years are definitely not a time for parents to shy away from their child. It’s important to stay tuned in and connected. I know, it’s mystifying. Your once care-free, adorable child has now become a bit scatter-brained, he's having wild mood swings, he's taking risks and behaving in such a way as it seems he no longer needs or wants you around. It’s puzzling and sometimes it’s quite hard to figure out the right thing to say or do. Don't get discouraged, hang in there, because although his behavior is sometimes mysterious, he really does need you.
Ages 11 to 12
At this age, your child’s hormones are beginning to kick in and believe it or not, there might be a backslide in basic skills such as spatial learning, memory, and reasoning. Helping him with organizational skills, building and recognizing memory cues, and keeping daily routines are what you can be focusing on at this stage. Remain supportive and show outward affection, even during disagreements. Help your child learn sound decision-making skills by helping him to consider and recognize differing viewpoints, and help him to develop the ability to think through situational pros and cons. Your tween’s brain is rapidly developing at this age and if he builds a strong ability to make sound decisions now, he will have less of a tendency towards anxiety, will get into fewer conflicts with his peers, and will likely be less argumentative.
Ages 13 to 14
These years are often described as wildly emotional, so brace yourself but know that you are not alone.
Your young teen is likely becoming very sensitive to his classmates' opinions, reacting strongly, probably overly so. His response to stress has run amok, while at the same time, that developing brain is still years away from maturity. At this stage, parents' best move is to help their child figure out social cues such as facial expressions and body language, and to teach the coping strategies such as self-soothing, exercising, listening to music, and meditating. Be sure to model those skills yourself. Your teen learns from watching you! Any coping strategies your teen learns at this stage of his life can become ingrained and develop into lifelong habits. Guide your teen and encourage him to choose friends with whom there are common interests and to walk away from those “friends” who are unkind. It is also important to talk to him about repairing friendships, making amends, and compromising after a spat with their peers.
Studies also find that positive, unconditional family support is a vital stress buffer, and that teens whose families provide strong emotional support are less likely to become depressed during times of severe stress, so keep planning family activities and stay in daily touch with your teen.
Ages 15 to 16
The young brain is still developing and during this developmental stage, thrill-seeking and risk taking are what it’s all about. Thanks to an increased sensitivity to the dopamine that is released, your teen's reward receptors are fully engaged, giving him the associated feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Take more risks and more dopamine is released.
So what’s a parent to do? Studies show that the ability to make and keep good friends during this stage is important. This is because having friends that he an trust, that he can count on for support, and who make good decisions themselves makes teens less likely to engage in risky behaviors themselves. Keep working on helping your child with his social skills. Teens who feel that their parents are warm and supportive, and who feel close to their parents are more likely to take fewer chances. Make sure to spend time with your teen, show respect and help him talk through problems, while doing your best to avoid arguing or yelling.
Ages 17 to 18
You’re probably seeing even greater changes in your teen at this stage. He suddenly has more of an ability to change and develop and may achieve gains in his capacity to learn at higher levels of complexity than before. Areas of the prefrontal cortex are now more fully developed and this area of the brain is not only responsible for judgement, but also problem solving, planning, and strategizing. Social skills are still maturing as well, and although he is now developing a stronger sense of empathy, he is probably still having some trouble with more complex social situations such as figuring out people’s motives and attitudes.
Again, be present, be available, plan family time, encourage conversation, and relax and be as non-judgmental as you can during these years. Also important though, is to allow your young adult more freedom, and more leeway to make decisions and work through problem-solving on his own. He is preparing to launch out into the world. Be there for him and give him the skills for success that he's going to need.
You Can Do It! Amaryllis In Time for the Holidays
There are certain plants that are iconic when it comes to the winter holidays: mistletoe, poinsettia, holly, evergreens of all kinds, to name a few. Perhaps the most showy of them all, and one that we usually only see during this time of year, is the glorious amaryllis. From the Farmer’s Almanac comes easy growing instructions so that you too can cultivate these beautiful blooms in your own home.
Amaryllises are beautiful Christmas bulbs that are easy to care for. Find out how to buy the best amaryllis bulbs, how to plant them, care for them, and how to make sure they bloom again next winter!
No one gets more excited about amaryllis than a first-time grower. These big bulbs are easy to bring into bloom, and even a novice can expect success.
Buying Amaryllis: Types of Bulbs
When shopping for amaryllis bulbs, you can buy the boxed kits which contain not only a fat bulb but a pot and some soil. These make a nice gift, but there are not a lot of color choices—generally they offer red, pink, and white. Some garden centers offer large-size, bare bulbs which give you more variety, and each one usually produces 2 or more flower spikes. Each spike will produce 2 to 4 large trumpet-shaped blossoms.
Amaryllis bulbs are classified by size, which is determined by measuring around the outside of the bulb at its widest point.
Another good reason for choosing a bare bulb is that you can see the condition of the bulb without having to rummage around in a box. Make sure it is heavy and firm, not moldy or squishy. It should have some fairly long fleshy roots attached.
How to Plant Amaryllis Bulbs
If you can’t pot it up right away, store it in a cool, dry, dark place.
Before planting, soak the roots in lukewarm water for a few hours to re-hydrate them. Amaryllis like to be slightly pot-bound. The pot needs to be only 2 inches wider than the bulb so that when it is planted there is only an inch of soil between the bulb and the edge of the pot. Put a layer of soil in the bottom of the pot and position the bulb so the top sticks up above the rim of the pot. Firm the soil around the edge, leaving the top third of the bulb exposed. If planted too deeply it will rot. Water sparingly at first, allowing the soil to dry out between watering.
How to Care for Amaryllis
Place in a warm spot until the first green shoot appears, then it can be moved to a bright sunny location. Rotate the pot a quarter turn each time you water to keep the spike from leaning toward the light. Stake it if necessary to keep it from snapping—these plants tend to be top heavy. Putting the pot into a larger, heavier cache pot will not only keep it from toppling, but will also balance the look of the large flowers. Once your amaryllis is blooming, you can move it to a cooler location out of direct sunlight to make the blossoms last longer.
How to Care for Amaryllis After Flowering
One of the most frequently asked questions after the holidays is, “Now that my amaryllis has finished flowering, how can I get it to bloom again?” Those big bulbs can take center stage again next Christmas if given proper care.
After blossoming, the bulb needs to grow and store food for next season’s bloom. Often the bulbs actually shrink in size from the stress of blooming and need to recover lost nutrients.
Once the blossoms have faded, cut off the flower stalk, but keep the leaves growing by placing the pot in a warm, sunny spot. Water regularly and fertilize weekly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. This allows next year’s buds to form within the bulb.
It takes a minimum of four leaves to produce one flower stalk, because the buds form in the axils of every fourth bulb scale. Keep the plant growing all summer long; you can even move it outside for the summer. Bring it in at the end of August and let it dry out to induce a period of dormancy. Put the pot in a cool (around 50 degrees) dark place. Pull off any dried up leaves.
To induce flowering in time for Christmas, bring the plant into a warm, sunny location and resume watering around November 1st. If you wish to rejuvenate the soil around your bulb, repot it at this time or just scrape off the top 2 inches or so of loose soil and replace it with fresh soil. In about 4-6 weeks it should be in full bloom.
Letter from Betty for October 2018
Hello Friends,
How do we make sure our children feel safe and secure in the world that seems to be overflowing with stressful and upsetting events? That's a great question, and we have some reassuring answers in our feature article for October, "Talking to Your Child About Events in the News."
Speaking of scary things, but on a lighter note, October is here and that means Halloween is only a few weeks away. What better way to step up your spooky skills than to make a very different Jack-o-Lantern this year. You've carved pumpkins before—but this is different. Check our our crafty bonus article in celebration of Halloween, "You Can Do It: Shadow Box Jack-o-Lantern. Boo! And enjoy!
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep.
Don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 or send an email to betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty