World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments
by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
"This book allows you to stop and think about how closely related we are to nature." - Betty
From beloved, award-winning poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil comes a debut work of nonfiction—a collection of essays about the natural world, and the way its inhabitants can teach, support, and inspire us.
As a child, Nezhukumatathil called many places home: the grounds of a Kansas mental institution, where her Filipina mother was a doctor; the open skies and tall mountains of Arizona, where she hiked with her Indian father; and the chillier climes of western New York and Ohio. But no matter where she was transplanted—no matter how awkward the fit or forbidding the landscape—she was able to turn to our world’s fierce and funny creatures for guidance.
“What the peacock can do,” she tells us, “is remind you of a home you will run away from and run back to all your life.” The axolotl teaches us to smile, even in the face of unkindness; the touch-me-not plant shows us how to shake off unwanted advances; the narwhal demonstrates how to survive in hostile environments. Even in the strange and the unlovely, Nezhukumatathil finds beauty and kinship. For it is this way with wonder: it requires that we are curious enough to look past the distractions in order to fully appreciate the world’s gifts.
Warm, lyrical, and gorgeously illustrated by Fumi Nakamura, World of Wonders is a book of sustenance and joy.
College Students..It’s Time!
Now that August has started and school shopping sales are glaring out through every media possible, you can’t help but think about heading back to school. Dorm room assignments and class schedules are set and the return date to head back to school is circled on the calendar or plugged into your iPhone! Get your shopping done now, to avoid the crowds and take advantage of those deals.
I am sure some of you are excited to get back to school to see friends and professors and to continue working on interesting and motivating projects while others are not as excited. For those of you who are hesitating to even entertain the thought of returning, reflect on what is preventing you from enjoying your time at school and take action!
If you would like to meet more people:
Join a club (service clubs can be an internal booster and motivator and members are usually outgoing and friendly).
Join an intramural sports team.
Introduce yourself to classmates.
For those of you who worry about the academic demands:
If possible, take an advanced look at each syllabus to see what your professors have in mind for the semester.
Look up the tutoring center on campus. Almost every college has one and the students who attend tend to perform quite well on tests and quizzes and have overall strong grades!
The most important thing you can do is be active — reach out and ask for help. Yes, you might encounter a professor who does not respond with the sincerity you would expect, but they are the exception. Most want to get to know their students!
Enjoy the rest of your summer, make the most of it by working, spending time with friends and family, and trying something new! Life is full of adventures, but you have to create them!
Letter from Betty for August 2022
Hello Friends,
This is the time of year for college-bound rising juniors to start thinking about visits to colleges and universities of their choice, but the decisions leading up to these exciting trips are going to take some planning. To help focus the minds of parents and students on this project, please take a look at our feature article for August, "Hey Juniors, It's Time to Think About College!"
On a lighter note, to capture the last warm vibes of summer, why not try your hand at a juicy home-made treat? Check out our bonus article for August, "You Can Do It! Pickled Watermelon Rind." Yum!
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and overcoming the challenges of Executive Function Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability. Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
Hey Juniors, It's Time to Think About College!
A parent of a rising high school sophomore recently reached out and asked if it was the proper time to start scheduling college visits. It’s wonderful that she’s thinking ahead this summer. College visits are important for any student who is on the path towards continuing their education beyond high school. For a rising sophomore, it might be a tad too early, but if you have a rising junior, now is your time!
So where to start?
Our recommendation is to begin with a fresh new notebook (paper or digital) where students can collect their thoughts, write down ideas to consider, and take notes about which schools they might be interested in. There’s a lot to ponder so keeping notes in one place is going to be helpful. First, students need to make note of and envision their desired college experience. Would they be comfortable in a large school or might a smaller school be better, a city school or one in the country? How far from home should they be? Do they already have an idea about a major they'd like to pursue? Are they interested in participating in the music school or marching band? What about college athletics? The questions are endless, but thinking about them, even broadly, helps to refine the school search.
Next, set aside the second section of the notebook to collect on-line information about individual schools that already hold an interest. You might note: the school’s location, admission criteria, housing information, majors offered, athletic and musical opportunities, extracurriculars, and - maybe most importantly – cost, including the percentage of students who are offered scholarships and other financial aid opportunities.
Now, it is time to plan college visits. Colleg visits whold take place when you can get an accurate picture of what student life is really like; visit while school is in session and consider: how busy the student union is, how students maneuver their way around campus easily, whether you see students hanging out together and enjoying time on the quad or other gathering spots, or are they busy rushing around without interacting with each other? These may seem like unimportant factors, but they will give a general feel for the campus culture. If possible, see if you can sit in on a class, lab, or lecture. This will give you the opportunity to see students in action, hear different perspectives, get a taste of what classroom learning in a college is like, and will help you to form an opinion of the school.
The best time to visit is generally Monday-Thursday. Fall is a great time to go, but spring is also ideal for students considering early application/early decision submissions. Do not go during mid-terms or finals as you’re not going to get an accurate vision of what day-to-day student life is like, and avoid weekends, and holiday breaks. You want to see the campus in action!
In the third section of your notebook, make note of what you would like to do during your college visit as well as questions you'll want to ask. If you are an athlete, a visit with the coach and a trip to the gym is appropriate. If you are already interested in a particular field, you’ll want to meet with the department head or a professor who teaches in that school. Also, ask to visit a dorm so you can visualize what living on campus will entail. Talking to someone in the financial aid department is a must, whether you think you’re going to need assistance in that area or not, it’s good to know what they have to offer and learn how they can help. It's importatnt to have conversations with people so you can learn more about the school, the indiviual departments, and what the professors or students like best about their program. Through these conversations, you’ll gain useful information that you may not have even considered, and thinking about your questions ahead of time will take the pressure off when you are face-to-face.
Finally, it's time to set up a school visit! Ask for a personal visit rather than a group tour. This way your guide will focus on your specific interests and needs, and you’re more likely to get a tour that caters to you and your questions.
After your visit, create a fourth section in your notebook. Dedicate it to getting your thoughts together, jotting down your impression, answers to questions, and questions you wish you’d asked so you can follow up once you get back home. If you’ve taken photos on campus, the town, and any other points of interest, add them to this section of your digital notebook as well. I know this might sound like a bother, but after you visit a number of different schools, you’ll be glad you took the time to take these notes.
A final thought: it’s important that student and parents are comfortable with the final school of choice and that everyone feels confident that a stellar education can be obtained there. The adventure of college visits and decision making can be a great time if you are prepared, so enjoy the process!
You Can Do It! Pickled Watermelon Rind
We’ve been enjoying juicy, delicious watermelon all summer long, but don’t you just wish there was something we could do with all the rind that we toss away? Well, there is! Pickled watermelon rind is yummy, and the Watermelon Board (yes, there IS a Watermelon Board) shared this super easy recipe. Give it a try!
Ingredients:
4 cups water
1 tablespoon coarse salt
2 cups peeled watermelon rind (leave a thin layer of pink), cut into 1x ½ x2 in pieces
¾ cups granulated sugar
1 allspice berry (or one good pinch of ground)
½ cup apple cider vinegar
4 peppercorns
2 whole cloves
½ teaspoon pickling spice
1 long slice of fresh ginger root (although candied ginger would work well too)
¼ teaspoon celery seed
In large pot, bring water and salt to boil over medium high heat. Add rind pieces and boil until tender, about 5 minutes. Strain, reserving liquid, and transfer rinds to a large glass or plastic bowl.
In saucepan, combine reserved liquid with remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 15 minutes, until slightly reduced. Pour over watermelon rinds in bowl. Place plate over top to keep rinds submerged in liquid. Cover and refrigerate for one day. Transfer to a glass jar and store in the refrigerator. Use within 2 weeks.
Serving suggestion: enjoy as an appetizer with your favorite deli meats and cheeses, and perhaps with other pickled veggies and crackers.
Letter from Betty for July 2022
Hello Friends,
Don't we all love a great story? It is a uniquely human trait that we love to suspend our disbelief and immerse ourselves in other worlds and other lives that become vivid and real in our minds. This month we've found some fascinating worlds for you and your eager readers to explore in our feature article for July, "A Mid-Summer Reading List with a Theme."
In the warm months of summer, a refreshing icy-cold treat is always welcome. We've got one your can easily make yourself in our bonus article for July, "You Can Do It! No-Churn Strawberry Lemonade Sorbet."
As always, we're tracking test dates and information for the SAT, ACT, SSAT, and ISEE tests. So mark your calendar and check out all the details in our "Test Schedule for July 2022."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep. Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
Test Schedule for July 2022
Here are some important notes about this year's testing.
ISEE
Students can now take the admissions test trusted by schools around the world from the comfort and safety of their homes. Students currently have two ISEE At Home remote testing options. Families should follow any instructions provided by their application school(s) when selecting their at-home testing choice. For more information about this option go to:
ISEE At Home For Families | ERBlearn.org
All Tests
Please make sure to check with the testing center ahead of the test date to make sure that there are no closings.
A Mid-Summer Reading List with a Theme
We’re partway through summer break and everyone is probably starting to get a little antsy, looking for new things to do, new ways to bide their time, and we all could use a little bit of an escape. To help with that escape, we’ve curated an exciting mid-summer reading list. Read one, read them all! And brownie points go to the person who sees the common theme running throughout our choices this season. Happy reading!
Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater
It's been years since Merida of DunBroch broke the spell she accidentally placed on her mother, Queen Elinor, and the family's reign has been peaceful ever since. Maybe too peaceful, Merida thinks; she dreams of adventure instead of all this sameness. But when her discontent manifests Feradach, a supernatural creature that roots out stagnation — at any price — only an intervention by another fearsome entity, Cailleach, saves DunBroch... for now. Merida has four seasons to convince her family to change or the kingdom will be destroyed. To save everything she loves, Merida takes her family on epic journeys to inspire them — but perhaps she herself needs to change too. This compelling young adult sequel to the hit movie Brave, written by a critically acclaimed author, follows an older Merida as she has four seasons to save DunBroch — or see it destroyed forever.
Wizards Guide to Defensive Baking by T Kingfisher
Fourteen-year-old Mona isn't like the wizards charged with defending the city. She can't control lightning or speak to water. Her familiar is a sourdough starter and her magic only works on bread. She has a comfortable life in her aunt's bakery making gingerbread men dance.
But Mona's life is turned upside down when she finds a dead body on the bakery floor. An assassin is stalking the streets of Mona's city, preying on magic folk, and it appears that Mona is his next target. In an embattled city suddenly bereft of wizards, the assassin may be the least of Mona's worries.
Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis
When her sister seizes the throne, Queen Eleanor of Albion is banished to a tiny island off the coast of her kingdom, where the nuns of the convent spend their days peacefully praying, sewing, and gardening. But the island is also home to Margaret, a mysterious young orphan girl whose life is upturned when the cold, regal stranger arrives. As Margaret grows closer to Eleanor, she grapples with the revelation of the island’s sinister true purpose as well as the truth of her own past. When Eleanor’s life is threatened, Margaret is faced with a perilous choice between helping Eleanor and protecting herself and her island family. In a graphic novel of fictionalized history, Dylan Meconis paints Margaret’s world in soft greens, grays, and reds, transporting readers to a quiet, windswept island at the heart of a treasonous royal plot.
Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett
The witches of Discworld usually don't get involved in royal intrigues... but sometimes, you don't have a choice! Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick get forced to take action when the king of Lancre is murdered by his cousin Felmet, and the King's crown — and infant child — are dropped at their feet. Their plan is to hide Tomjon until he comes of age, but it soon becomes obvious that Felmet's rule will do nothing but damage. Fortunately, the witches have a few spells up their sleeve that might just help the right man end up on the throne. This hilarious novel, which parodies multiple beloved Shakespeare plays, will delight readers with its twists and turns.
Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
Corayne an-Amarat has spent her life overprotected and hidden away in a small town by the sea — but all that changes when danger threatens the land of Allward. Corayne soon discovers that she is the last of an ancient lineage, a descendant of humans who came from another realm. Together with a group of unusual companions — some human, some immortal — she will play a critical role in preventing a wizard and a thief from tearing a passage between the worlds... one which could destroy them all. Full of action and magic, this exciting series opener from the best-selling author of the Red Queenseries is packed with epic adventure and shocking twists and turns that will leave readers eager for the next volume.
Jo & Laurie by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz
It's 1869, and Jo March's first novel has become an unexpected best-seller... which means she's feeling the pressure for a sequel from both her publisher and her readers. Her first stories were inspired by real life, but she can't base a novel on things that haven't happened yet! A New York trip provides inspiration and an unexpected marriage proposal from Laurie; while Jo has feelings for him too, she wants to be independent. But when Laurie returns from college with a new girlfriend, Jo faces a lifetime without the person she loves... unless she can find a way to tell him how she really feels. Based in part on Louisa May Alcott's life and letters, this is a charming and romantic retelling of an American classic.
Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Pamela Smith Hill
Hidden away since the 1930s, Laura Ingalls Wilder's never-before-published autobiography reveals the true stories of her pioneering life. Some of her experiences will be familiar; some will be a surprise. Pioneer Girl re-introduces readers to the woman who defined the pioneer experience for millions of people around the world.
Through her recollections, Wilder details the Ingalls family s journey from Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, back to Minnesota, and on to Dakota Territory sixteen years of travels, unforgettable stories, and the everyday people who became immortal through her fiction. Using additional manuscripts, diaries, and letters, Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography builds on Wilder's work by adding valuable context and explores her growth as a writer.
Author of an award-winning Laura Ingalls Wilder biography, editor Pamela Smith Hill offers new insights into Wilder's life and times. In an introduction, Hill illuminates Wilder's writing career and the dynamic relationship between the budding novelist and her daughter and editor, Rose Wilder Lane. Sharing the story of Wilder's original manuscript, Hill discusses the catalysts for Pioneer Girl and the process through which Wilder's story turned from an unpublished memoir into the national phenomenon of the Little House series.
Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography also explores the history of the frontier that the Ingalls family traversed and the culture and life of the communities Wilder lived in. This groundbreaking volume develops a fuller picture of Wilder's life and times for the millions of readers who wish to learn more about this important American author. It contains one hundred and twenty-five images, eight fully researched maps, and hundreds of annotations based on numerous primary sources, including census data, county, state, and federal records, and newspapers of the period.
The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu
Two siblings. Two brilliant talents. But only one Mozart. Born with a gift for music, Nannerl Mozart has just one wish--to be remembered forever. But even as she delights audiences with her masterful playing, she has little hope she'll ever become the acclaimed composer she longs to be. She is a young woman in 18th century Europe, and that means composing is forbidden to her. She will perform only until she reaches a marriageable age--her tyrannical father has made that much clear. And as Nannerl's hope grows dimmer with each passing year, the talents of her beloved younger brother, Wolfgang, only seem to shine brighter. His brilliance begins to eclipse her own, until one day a mysterious stranger from a magical land appears with an irresistible offer. He has the power to make her wish come true--but his help may cost her everything. In her first work of historical fiction, #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu spins a lush, lyrically-told story of music, magic, and the unbreakable bond between a brother and sister.
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley
Beauty dislikes her nickname: she feels far more awkward than her lovely and mature older sisters. Instead, she takes pride in her intelligence and love of learning. When her father returns from a trip with the news of the terrible promise he made to the Beast, Beauty doesn’t hesitate: “Cannot a Beast be tamed?” she asks. She and the Beast gradually become closer, bonding over their love of literature, and when the moment comes that she realizes her feelings for him are love, it’s not just the Beast who will be transformed. This intriguing reimagination of the classic fairy tale by beloved author Robin McKinley has delighted readers for decades.
Hamilton and Peggy: A Revolutionary Friendship by L.M. Elliott
Drawing from historical journals and letters, New York Times bestselling author Laura Elliot weaves a richly detailed tale about the extraordinary Peggy Schuyler and her revolutionary friendship with Alexander Hamilton. Perfect for fans of the smash musical sensation Hamilton.
Peggy Schuyler has always felt like she’s existed in the shadows of her beloved sisters: the fiery, intelligent Angelica and beautiful, sweet Eliza. But it’s in the throes of a chaotic war that Peggy finds herself a central figure amid Loyalists and Patriots, spies and traitors, friends and family.
When a flirtatious aide-de-camp, Alexander Hamilton, writes to Peggy asking for her help in wooing the earnest Eliza, Peggy finds herself unable to deny such an impassioned plea. A fast friendship forms between the two, but Alexander is caught in the same war as her father, and the danger to all their lives is real.
Everything is a battlefield—from the frontlines to their carefully coded letters—but will Peggy’s bravery and intelligence be enough to keep them all safe?
You Can Do It! No-Churn Strawberry Lemonade Sorbet
It’s summer-time and the livin’ is easy, so let’s make a super-easy summertime treat: a no-churn strawberry-lemonade sorbet. Yum!
All you need is 10 ounces (about 4 cups) frozen strawberries, and 3 tablespoons of frozen lemonade concentrate.
Add the strawberries and lemonade concentrate to a food processor and process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze until scoopable, about 1 hour.
This recipe makes 4 delicious servings and will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months, but it’s so good that the family will gobble it right up!
Letter from Betty for June 2022
Hello Friends,
It has been said that those things we have in common are greater than those things that divide us. For example, we can all agree that children ought to live free from fear and protected from harm. Sadly, we can also agree that we have a long way to go towards those goals. This week, if you are a parent struggling to talk to your children about recent events, please read our feature article for June, "How to Talk to Your Children Following the Recent School Tragedy." And here's hoping we can bring about a brighter future!
For a great distraction from weightier issues, and for an awakening of curiosity for the young and the young at heart of all ages, please enjoy our bonus article for June, "You Can Do It! Smart Videos for Curious Minds."
As always, we're tracking test dates and information for the SAT, ACT, SSAT, and ISEE tests. So mark your calendar and check out all the details in our "Test Schedule for June 2022."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep. Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
Test Schedule for June 2022
Here are some important notes about this year's testing.
ISEE
Students can now take the admissions test trusted by schools around the world from the comfort and safety of their homes. Students currently have two ISEE At Home remote testing options. Families should follow any instructions provided by their application school(s) when selecting their at-home testing choice. For more information about this option go to:
ISEE At Home For Families | ERBlearn.org
All Tests
Please make sure to check with the testing center ahead of the test date to make sure that there are no closings.
How To Talk To Your Children Following the Recent School Tragedy
It's unconscionable that we need to post another article like this one, but the sad fact is that there’s been another school shooting and more than likely, our children are aware that this has happened – again. They’ve talked to their classmates, overheard adults talking about it, got bits and pieces from TV news and social media. Texas may seem likes it’s a world away from us, but when a tragedy such as this happens, it hits very close to home. Parents of school-aged children become nervous about the possibility of such a horrible event happening in their own child’s school, and our children become nervous about attending school as well.
So, what’s the best way to know how they’re feeling? Ask them, really listen, and know that their questions, their thoughts and concerns are likely to be quite different from the questions we have as adults. In order to help them understand and begin to cope, we have to determine just how much information we need to share with them and actually understand what their immediate concerns are. A child’s age will determine just how much information we should share, but we must also gauge the emotional toll the news of a tragic event puts on our child. We need to be patient, and we need to be understanding if we need to have these conversations over and over again as children may not be able to digest everything in one sitting.
Right now, it’s important to keep routines in place, especially if your child outwardly shows signs of anxiety. Children gain security from predictability, and daily routine helps to provide that.
Limit the amount of media, all media, that your family takes in, whether it’s on-line news, social media, radio, TV, or newspapers. If you’re replaying the same coverage repeatedly, no matter what the source, it’s not helping you to get any new information but is likely creating an atmosphere of fear, anxiety, and sadness in your home.
Don’t expect your child’s concerns to disappear quickly. It may be days, even weeks following a tragedy, that we need to help our children cope and feel safe again. Reading books to younger children can be a help. One recommendation is a book by Chandra Ghosh Ippen entitled Once I Was Very Very Scared. In this story, many animals go through scary experiences, each reacts differently to the event and has its own way of coping.
For older children, taking some kind of action may help. It’s natural to look for a place to lay blame for a tragedy like a school shooting, but anger doesn’t take away grief or solve the problem. Anger just begets more anger. Help your older child find a way to advocate for a solution, bring attention to the problem, join up with others to speak out. It may not solve the problem, but it will make a difference and help them to feel like they’re doing something, anything, to work to make things better.
The bottom line is, there have been many school shootings this year, and even more mass shootings outside of school settings, so adults and children alike, are feeling the sadness and anxiety that follow these events. Keep having conversations with your children, stay on top of how they’re feeling, how they're thinking, and continue to look for ways to create safe spaces and healthy outlets for your family.
For more information on how to talk to your child following a frightening school event such as the one that just occurred in Texas, see this publication put out by the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, and the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
You Can Do It! Smart Videos for Curious Minds
We’ve got a fabulous website recommendation for the children and teens in your household, and you parents will enjoy spending time here as well! The Kid Should See This (thekidshouldseethis.com) is an award-winning collection of over 5000 videos, curated by teachers and parents who want to share smarter, more meaningful media. It’s free and ad-free as well. Subjects include science, tech, space, animals, nature, food, DIY, music, history, art, animation, and so much more. These are smart videos for curious minds of all ages, so dive in and enjoy!
Letter from Betty for May 2022
Hello Friends,
It is hard to believe another school will be over soon, and yet for most of us, summer can't get here fast enough. But that doesn't mean that learning has to be put on a complete hold. We have some great ideas for involving your children in fun educational endeavors in our feature article for May, "Summer Activities to Keep the Learning Going."
The month of May brings with it Mother's Day, so if you are looking for a homemade gift to make for Mom, we've got a great suggestion for you in our bonus article for this month, "You Can Do It! Homemade Lavender Milk Bath."
As always, we're tracking test dates and information for the SAT, ACT, SSAT, and ISEE tests. So mark your calendar and check out all the details in our "Test Schedule for May 2022."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep. Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
Test Schedule for May 2022
Here are some important notes about this year's testing.
SSAT
Paper-based tests for the 2022-2023 school year to-be-announced.
There are at-home SSAT test openings on May 1, 20, 21 and June 10, 11, 12.
ISEE
Students can now take the admissions test trusted by schools around the world from the comfort and safety of their homes. Students currently have two ISEE At Home remote testing options. Families should follow any instructions provided by their application school(s) when selecting their at-home testing choice. For more information about this option go to:
ISEE At Home For Families | ERBlearn.org
All Tests
Please make sure to check with the testing center ahead of the test date to make sure that there are no closings.
Summer Activities to Keep the Learning Going
The school bell is about to ring and summer break is about to begin...but don’t let summer down-time be the reason to stop the learning. Here are some really fun and interesting ideas to keep those young minds active:
If you haven’t already done so, check with your local parks and recreation department about camps, special activity days, recreational opportunities, and listings of local parks to explore.
Build reading and writing into everyday activities by letting your children read game directions, make grocery lists, read recipes out loud during meal prep, map out directions for trips and research fun stops for those family trips.
Encourage writing - Have your children send postcards to special friends and family while on vacation, keep a nature journal as they explore the great outdoors, or make a scrapbook of their summer adventures. Another idea is to help your child start blogging. Use Kidblog, a safe, closed, free spaces set up just for kids.
Participate in volunteer community service activities over the summer months - Consider having your children tag along while you grocery shop and pick out non-perishable items, then when you have a bit of stock, deliver the items to a local food bank. Another idea would be to have the kids create fun snack items like cookies or brownies, and deliver them to a local nursing home to pass out to residents. Next time you walk through your neighborhood, schoolyard, or a local park, bring garbage bags along and pick up litter. And who doesn’t love a lemonade stand in summer? Help your child do a little research into local charities, set up a lemonade stand, and the deliver the proceeds of the tiny business to that charity. These are just a few ideas!
More reading ideas: Time for Kids is a great source for articles that can educate your children about news events and happenings in a way that is appropriate for their age level. There are also great magazines available by subscription including National Geographic Kids, Highlights, Ranger Rick, Brainspace, and Muse.
Plant a garden and watch it grow - You children can create a garden journal where notes can be kept and illustrations drawn as the garden progresses. There are many different websites that feature gardening advice and projects that will be appropriate for your zone, so check them out.
Visit local museums and explore - Many of these organizations also have programs for children throughout the year, but especially during the summer. Yes, learning can be fun!
Get to know your local public library a little better - Is there a summer reading program? Are there audio books to lend? How about a special summer program? Your local library is a wealth of information.
Yes, we said audio books! Who doesn’t love listening to books, music, stage plays, comedy routines, and more? Audio books are especially great for road trips, for reluctant readers, and for children with certain learning disabilities that make reading a struggle. Tales2Go offers a mobile streaming book service, and AudibleKids has a large selection of books as well.
We don’t often promote screen-time for children, but there are a number of good interactive, educational websites that just might fit the bill for rainy or super-lazy days. Here are a few to explore:
National Geographic Kids: Great nature videos, activities, games, stories, and more
iCivics: Educational online games and lesson plans to promote civics education and encourage students to become active citizens. iCivics was founded by retired Supreme Court of the United States Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
NASA Kids Club: A place to play games and learn about NASA through interactive explorations
Project Noah: Explore and document wildlife — be a citizen scientist!
Design Squad Nation:Be creative and help people through engineering, from PBS
My Wonderful World: A multimedia tour of our seven continents from the Smithsonian
PBS KIDS Lab: Educational games, activities and mobile apps, for kids PreK to grade 3.
BrainPOP: Games, quizzes, videos about topics in science, social studies, English, math, arts and music, and more.
You Can Do It! Homemade Lavender Milk Bath
Mother’s Day is quickly approaching and you want to make something special that will delight mom on her special day. This homemade lavender milk bath mix is so easy that you’ll have it ready by May 8th, but you better hop to it!
What you’ll need:
1 ½ cups Powdered Milk
½ cup baking soda
½ cup cornstarch
½ cup Epsom salts
10-20 drops of the essential oil of your choice
What’s so special about these particular ingredients? Consider the essential oil: lavender is considered to be especially calming, but rosemary, citrus, mint, almond, and honey all have such lovely scents that any one of these choices is perfect. Powdered Milk? Milk baths have long been considered to be very soothing to the skin. Why, even Cleopatra enjoyed milk baths and claimed that the practice was the reason for her beautiful skin. And we know that mom works really hard, so the addition of Epsom salts is perfect for soothing sore muscles. All in all, a perfect combination.
Once you have all of these ingredients on hand, mix them all together and spoon the mix into a pretty glass jar, make a pretty label that includes instructions to use ½ cup of the mix in the bath (more or less, depending on amount of water in the tub), and wrap with a pretty ribbon, yarn, or baker’s twine. That’s it!
Letter from Betty for April 2022
Hello Friends,
We are all familiar with nervous times in our lives, but what could have made them less difficult? One especially nerve-wracking experience is end-of-year testing. It is not too soon to begin thinking about how to make that experience go smoother for your child. We have some solid advice on that subject in our feature article for April, "How to Beat Test Day Jitters."
Of course, one effective way to overcome your worries is to distract yourself. Some people are pleasantly distracted and most happy when they are cooking or baking. If that appeals to you, then please enjoy our bonus article for this month, "You Can Do It! Hamantaschen Cookies." Yum!
As always, we're tracking test dates and information for the SAT, ACT, SSAT, and ISEE tests. So mark your calendar and check out all the details in our "Test Schedule for April 2022."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep. Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
Test Schedule for April 2022
Here are some important notes about 2021 testing.
SSAT
There are at-home SSAT test openings on April 1, 2, 3, 29, 30, and May 1, 20, 21.
ISEE
Students can now take the admissions test trusted by schools around the world from the comfort and safety of their homes. Students currently have two ISEE At Home remote testing options. Families should follow any instructions provided by their application school(s) when selecting their at-home testing choice. For more information about this option go to:
ISEE At Home For Families | ERBlearn.org
All Tests
Please make sure to check with the testing center ahead of the test date to make sure that there are no closings.
How to Beat Test Day Jitters
The days are getting warmer, flowers and trees beginning to blossom, and we’re starting to dream about the end of the school year and the joy of a long summer break. Along with those dreams though is the reality of end-of-grade/end-of-school-year testing and with that, the anxiety that may rear it’s unwanted presence too. It used to be that just our college-bound students were affected, but now it’s students as young as elementary ages who may be feeling these unwanted emotions.
And it's not just the students who are feeling this pressure. These benchmark measurements are used to gauge student achievement, determine school funding, and evaluate teachers, so it’s no wonder that there is concern about trickle down anxiety. Some students won’t think twice about test days, but others can get seriously worked up.
Parents may see disturbed sleep patterns, extra tiredness, increased worry, strange eating habits, an inability to concentrate, and more. These reactions – is it all in their heads? No. Aside from the emotional responses to stress, there are very real physical responses as well that affect both the autonomic and endocrine systems in our bodies when faced with stressful situations. Specifically, there are three areas of the brain that can cause havoc. The prefrontal cortex, which specializes in the cognitive processes and emotions, can kick into high gear, sensing potential danger. The amygdala is a more primitive area where anxiety screams its call-to-action. And the hypothalamus, which, upon picking up signals from the other two areas, releases hormones, which ignite the pituitary gland to throw off more hormones, which causes the adrenal gland to release cortisol, and all of these physical reactions prepare the body to defend itself from the perceived danger/stress. So no, it's not all in their heads.
That said though, there are strategies parents can utilize to help calm the jitters and help their child to do their best on test day. Here is some step-by-step advice.
One month before:
Take a good look at your own anxiety. It’s natural to want your child to do his best, but it’s very possible that if you are feeling pressure regarding the upcoming test, your child is picking up some of that anxiety from you.
Talk to your child to see how he’s feeling about the test. If he’s fine, great. If you sense there is some apprehension though, try to take some of that pressure off by telling him that the test score is just a way for the school to make sure that the students are learning what they need to know and is just one small piece of who he is, and then point out his other achievements, talents, and positive attributes, putting the perceived seriousness of the test result into perspective.
Make sure your child is getting a full night’s sleep and that there’s a good after-school and nighttime routine.
The week before:
Rev up the family’s physical activities and make sure your child is included. It will produce those feel-good endorphins that we all need, as well as lead to a better sleep at night.
The night before:
No more studying, no more cramming. Have some family fun, eat well, snack well, and have him enjoy a soothing bath just before bed.
Test-day:
Plan a delicious breakfast full of healthy complex carbs, protein, and fruit.
Give a few (and only a gentle few) words of advice such as: if your child begins to feel the discomfort of test distress, he can close his eyes, take a few deep breaths, and tackle the test again. That break and those cleansing breaths will help him to be calmer.
Leave the house with enough leeway to get to school on time. No rushing out the door this morning.
And after test-day – let’s start making those summer vacation plans!
