Hello Friends,
One of the great comforts of life is a good night's sleep. But there are many obstacles to achieving this simple pleasure, especially during the teen years. Read about the importance of sleep and how teens can improve their night-time rest in our feature article for November, "Is Your Teen Getting Enough Sleep?"
To learn unusual and fascinating tidbits about sleep and dreams, take a look at our bonus article for November, "Did You Know? Facts About Sleep." Dream on!
I love my job — in no small part because I get to read so many wonderful books. This month you can get a tantalizing glimpse of some great short stories I am digging into in our special feature, "What Is Betty Reading? Three Short Stories."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with 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
Is Your Teen Getting Enough Sleep?
It turns out that, although the teen stereotype has them sleeping weekend mornings away and catching naps on the couch whenever they get the chance, the reality is that teens probably are not getting an adequate number of hours of good sleep. With increases in homework, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs, it’s difficult for them to get to bed before 11 p.m. Add to that early school start times, the stress to perform well in their studies, social pressures, and hours of internet use, and chronic sleep deprivation may be a real issue that needs a parent’s attention.
Without adequate sleep, a teenager's day-to-day functioning is greatly affected. They may be vulnerable to an increased level of depression, struggle with sleepiness in class, poor concentration, problems with cognition, memory, or understanding, emotion regulation, and impulse control. All of this could lead to issues involving poor decision-making, risky behaviors, and behavior or temperament changes.
Sleep deprivation may also affect their grades. A 1998 study from the College of the Holy Cross and Brown University Medical School, found that students who received lower grades got about 25 minutes less sleep and went to bed 40 minutes later than students who were earning A’s and B’s.
And just to add one more scary scenario, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drowsiness and fatigue cause more than 100,000 traffic accidents each year, and teens are the drivers in more than half of those crashes.
So how much is enough? Believe it or not, teens need 9 to 9½ hours each night. That’s an hour more than was needed at age 10. The reason? Teens are going through a new stage of cognitive maturation, their brain is developing, and they’re going through physical changes and growth spurts as well.
High school and college-age students may also experience trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or even have some insomnia due to anxiety and the daily stressors they experience in this new stage of their lives. Other causes could include chronic pain from injuries or growth spurts, changes in hormones, or the side effect of medications.
There are several strategies teens can implement into their bedtime routine to help them settle down, calm a racing mind, and hopefully get a good night’s sleep? Here are a few suggestions:
At the end of the day, take 10 minutes and make a to-do list. Doing a short brain dump like this will eliminate the need to hold on to these thoughts overnight and reduce the stress of possibly forgetting something important.
Turn off all screens and allow yourself respite from not only the information overload that comes with internet use, but also blue light that is emitted from them, which has been shown to cause sleep depreivation issues.
Eat a light carbohydrate snack before heading to bed. Avoid high protein or highly processed foods which can actually stimulate the brain by causing a release of norepinephrine. Instead, reach for popcorn or crackers, which releases serotonin, a sleep hormone in your brain.
Once in bed, read a book or listen to a podcast for about 20 minutes. Audio books are great too since you won’t have to turn on a light, and you can rest your eyes.
Consider trying a white noise, or brown noise machine. It may help to create a relaxing environment.
Focus on breathing. Sounds too simple, right? It actually takes some concentration to really focus on your breathing, and that concentration is good because it will direct focus rather than letting the mind wander. Deep, slow breathing can also slow the heart rate, which will help if dealing with anxiety or the stress of the day. Suggestion: try yogic breathing: breathe in through the nose for 4 counts, hold for 7 counts, gently exhale through the mouth for 8 counts. Just a few of those cycles will calm and soothe.
Did You Know? Facts About Sleep
Interesting facts about sleep from the Sleep Matters Club at Dreams.co.uk:
12% of people dream entirely in black and white. Before color TV, only 15% dreamed in color.
Two-thirds of a cat’s life is spent asleep.
A giraffe only needs 1.9 hours of sleep a day, whereas a brown bat needs 19.9 hours a day.
Humans spend 1/3 of their life sleeping.
The record for the longest period without sleep is 11 days.
It’s not uncommon for people who were born deaf to use sign language in their sleep.
Dysania is the state of finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning. (Yes, there’s a name for it!)
Parasomnia is a term that refers to unnatural movements during your sleep. Some people have even committed crimes including sleep driving.
The sensation of falling when half asleep and jerking yourself awake is called “hypnic jerks.”
Up to 15% of the population are sleepwalkers. Btw, it’s a myth that you shouldn’t wake someone who is sleepwalking.
People who were born blind experience dreams involving things such as emotion, sound, and smell, rather than sight.
Within 5 minutes of waking up, 50% of your dreams are forgotten. After an additional 5 minutes, 90% is gone.
Pain tolerance is reduced by sleep deprivation. Scientists are not sure why this is the case.
41% of the population sleeps in a fetal position.
Ideally, falling asleep at night should take you 10-15 minutes.
Humans are the only mammals that willingly delay sleep.
Sleeping on your front can aid digestion.
Fear is said not to be the main emotion in nightmares. Researchers found that it’s most often feelings of sadness, guilt, and confusion.
What Is Betty Reading? Three Short Stories
To help a student with a project, I am reading several short stories that have been assigned to her. Together we will read and annotate each story and then choose two to compare and contrast. The stories we are reading include:
The Tell Tale Heart, by Edgar Allan Poe
You, Disappearing, by Alexandra Kleeman
War of the Clowns, by Mia Couto
Three short stories that send their own message. Try reading all three and think about which ones you would want to analyze.
Letter from Betty for October 2022
Hello Friends,
It seems there isn't any one single moment when we stop being a child to become an adult. In fact, most of us spend a lifetime learning how to be adults. This perspective is important as we give our love and support to our teenage children during their preparations to leave the nest and fly away to college. Learn more about teen preparedness for adult life in our feature article for October, "Is Your Teen Ready for College?"
Of course there is an alternative to your teen rushing straight from high school to college. Consider the wise advice in our bonus article for this month, "Benefits of a Gap Year."
Riddle: What is romantic, funny, and sometimes sad? Answer: The Sweet Island Inn book series by novelist Grace Palmer. Learn more about it in this month's "What Is Betty Reading?"
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with 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
What Is Betty Reading? Sweet Island Inn book series
As summer turns to fall, one of my college students and I are finishing up our beach reads. We have been enjoying Grace Palmer's Sweet Island Inn. A romantic, funny and at times sad series of books that takes place in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Palmer identifies the struggles a family goes through living on the island. As my student and I finish this final book, we are somewhat disheartened, but look forward to reading Palmer’s next series of books, Willow Beach Inn. Grace Palmer’s novels describe portraits of love and loss against an emotional backdrop of family, friendship, motherhood, and marriage.
Is Your Teen Ready for College?
Not every teen is going to be ready for college upon high school graduation, so if your child struggled during his school years, you may be right to take a good look before leaping. After all, it’s perfectly normal that some 17- or 18-year-olds may just not be ready to strike out on their own into the rigors of college life.
Consider:
Maturity Level
Just as children don’t grow at the same rate physically, They do not mature at the same rate. We certainly do not want to send our children off to college before they are mature enough to handle life in the real world. Some teens need a little more time before they are ready to handle independent living as well as the academic challenges they will be facing in college.
Life Skills
Parents have spent 18 years doing for, caring for, and providing for thier children, but to be successful in college they are going to have to function independently. Amongst other things, they have to take care of basic needs, manage time, do laundry, shop for food and prepare meals, and build enough study time into their day. All activites that have been managed for them.
Ask yourself these questions: Does my child get out of bed in time for school each day without my nagging? Does my teen build study time into each day without being told to do so? Does my teen respect the curfews and other rules of the house and have the discipline to get done what needs to be done?
College applications and deadline
If it hasn't already happened, you’re going to be immersed into a world of challenging requirements when it comes to college applications, and your children need to be responsible for the bulk of the work. It’s important that your high-schooler leads the way in researching schools, deciding which schools to apply to, getting together everything needed for the applications, and meeting the deadlines. There are very real skills needed when planning, managing time, and making decisions, and all hint at how successful the transition to college will be.
If after reading the above, you have concerns about your children's readiness, do not be dismayed. Have a discussion with them; engage in a healthy back-and-forth talk about college readiness. Speak frankly about their desires and concerns. You also need to raise the issue of areas of concern that you have, particularly those that may have been mentioned in the preceding paragraphs.
Above all, understand that taking a year before jumping into a four-year college might be the best decision. An extra year to develop better independent skills and to be ready for higher learning can be important to their academic success once they get there.
Other Options
Consider a 2 year/live at home community college. Many 4-year colleges and universities accept classwork and degrees from these 2-year schools when rolling into their 4-year programs. That easily amounts to both time and money well spent.
Your children might also consider enrolling in a technical program, where learning applied skills can prepare them for fields requiring knowledge of specific machinery, technology, craftsmanship, or programming. There are many high-demand, high-paying professions and, like the community college route, they are stay-at-home 2-year options.
“Gap Year” Option!
Taking a year off between high school and college can be the perfect answer for some teens. During this time, they work, volunteer, and travel, while building life skills, saving some money, and gaining maturity before heading out on their own.
We offer up more information about the “gap year” in our bonus article for this month, "Benefits of a Gap Year" - see below.
There is a lot to think about, but if you feel like your children could use an extra year before jumping into college, consider the above options. After all, in the end, success and happiness is what we want for our teens, and we want to arm them with the necessary skills.
Benefits of a Gap Year
The Gap Year Association defines this time as “a semester or year of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one’s practical, professional, and personal awareness.” Unfortunately, this time is often thought of as an opportunity for slacking off and carrying a risk of never returning to the school environment. However, these ideas are far from the truth.
Facts:
90% of gap year students enroll in a four-year college within one year of their break
Studies show that taking a gap year is tied to increases in college GPAs
94% of those who spent their time abroad said it helped them communicate with people from other backgrounds
93% reported an increased interest in other cultures
84% said time abroad helped them learn new skills that helped them become more successful in their work.
77% shared that their gap year helped them find their purpose in life
75% said it helped them find a job
73% beleived it helped them better prepare for college
Other benefits:
Taking a gap year can help to determine goals before selecting a college major or career path, thus saving tens of thousands of dollars “finding yourself” while in college.
A gap year can broaden your teen’s horizons as they learn about “real life” in the “real world”
If travel is the goal for the year, young people can get cheap economy tickets, stay in inexpensive hostels, and join work/study/volunteer abroad programs.
My Impressions of the Executive Functioning On-Line Summit
Over the summer I had the pleasure of attending a free three-day Executive Functioning On-Line Summit organized by Seth Perler. This free seminar was designed for proactive and compassionate parents and teachers of struggling students of all ages. There were 10 1-hour sessions a day with well known and respected educators, psychologists and doctors. Listed below are the names of the most interesting contributors and paraphrased tidbits from their presentation:
1. Eric Tivers: “EF and Self-Awareness, Productivity, Tips and Tricks”
Website - ADHD Rewired
Tidbit - Sometimes easy things are very hard for ADHD kids. For example, remembering to close a door or put a period at the end of a sentence can be difficult to remember.
2. Debbie Steinberg Kuntz: “College Transitions with EF Challenges”
Website - Bright and Quirky
Tidbit- When teaching someone something new, use the I Do, We Do, You Do approach. Show them how to do it, do it with them and then have them do it on their own (when they are ready).
3. Bob Dietrich and Alma Galvin: “How to help your child Naturally Overcome ADHD Challenges”
Website - Creative Brain Worx
Tidbit - When we (as educators) are comfortable, our child leans into us (literally & figuratively), but when we are stressed, they move away from us (literally and figuratively).
4. Sean McCormick: “Three Keys to Fostering EF Skills at School and Home”
Website - EF Specialist
Tidbit - Don’t SHOULD on students. In other words, don’t tell them what they SHOULD do, help them to realize and accept what they SHOULD do.
5. Adele Diamond: “EF: A Thorough Explanation into how to support EF Needs”
Website - Devcogneuro.com
Tidbit - When spending time with a child, the quality of your listening is more important than the wisdom of your words. See, hear and understand them!
6. Gretchen Wegner: “How To Actually Study Creatively with EF Challenges”
Website - Gretchwegner.com
Tidbit - Hone it until you own it. (Work on your skills until you own them!)
7. Leslie Josel: “How to do it Now: Tips and Tools to Help Students with EF Challenges”
Power through Procrastination Website - Order out of Chaos
Tidbit - Allow your child to make choices-even WRONG choices. They need to know that the older they get the more control they have in their life and that there are consequences for poor choices. (However, as parents set some parameters.)
8. Dr. Lynette Willis: “Transforming Triggers and Increasing Connection Through Self-Awareness”
Website - DrLWillis.com
Tidbit - Engage your child in conversation about their learning, ask their opinion on how certain situations should be handled. They will appreciate that you asked their opinions.
Letter from Betty for September 2022
Hello Friends,
Attention parents of students transitioning into high school: You are not alone! Our feature article this month will help you cope with the many issues and challenges this educational shift brings. Please take a look at "A Smooth Transition To High School" and empower yourself with helpful tips and tactics.
Being organized is a great feeling. A place for everything and everything in it's place. And one of the best and simplest tricks of an organizational system is the use of color. Learn more about this multi-hued strategy in our bonus article for September, "Getting Organized: Color Coding."
I love my work, in no small part because I read so many amazing books! You can learn about one of the books on my reading list, World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil in a new special feature, "What is Betty Reading?"
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with 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
A Smooth Transition To High School
If your is child transitioning to high school, read the thoughts and ideas listed below.
This transition brings with it many uncertainties for students and parents. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when many parents decide to become less involved in their children’s education because their teens are more independent. It is important to let your children make their own decisions, but you still want to be involved in their education. Staying involved can greatly influence your children’s success and confidence, helping them to dive into all the new experiences that come along in the upper grades, as well as building new friendships and setting high expectations for success, in school, in their extracurricular activities, and in life in general.
The first day of school is right around the corner; here's what can you do right now to help with the transition?
Talk with other parents and students about their high school experiences, and find out from them what clubs, teams, activities, and other extra curriculars are available and recommended.
Sit down together and check out the school’s web site.
Ask your teens about their expectations for high school, help them to set high and realistic goals.
Tell your children about your own hopes for their future.
Attend open house, parent orientations, and planning meetings where courses will be chosen.
Encourage your children to meet new people, try a new club or activity (sports, music, art, etc) and develop relationships with students that have those similar interests.
Be aware of your own expectations for a smooth transition and remember that the adjustment will take some time. If your children see that you have confidence in them, they will have a positive outlook as well.
Make sure that your teens know that they can talk to you about any anxieties or questions they may have, and when they do, listen without judgement. Maybe even share your own experiences with similar situations back when you were in high school. Remember to acknowledge accomplishments and give praise of past successes. This will not only make them feel good, but will show them that the door is open to talk. Communication is important right now.
If you are concerned that your teens' anticipation might be causing their anxiety level to be running a bit too high, understand that their reaction is pretty normal with such a big change on the horizon. Equip them with stress reduction techniques: daily meditation, yoga, dancing, progressive muscle relaxation, and positive self-talk, amongst other soothing activities, can help to reduce those butterflies.
We hope that these ideas and tactics are helpful to you. The high school years are important and we want both you and your teens to embrace them with confidence and excitement. Happy first day of school!
Getting Organized: Color Coding
Your rising high schoolers are going to have to juggle a lot this year. There are multiple subjects, teachers, assignments, schedules, notices, and so on, and keeping them all straight might be a challenge. If your teen could use a little help getting things organized, doing so right from day one is important. Below is a tool that might be helpful to your student and to you too! Who couldn’t benefit from being a little more organized!
Purchase a 3-ring binder for each subject, a set of stacking desk-top files, colored paper, colored sticky notes, and a set of colored markers.
Select one color for each subject that your teen will be studying, and insert a sheet of that color into the cover of a binder and a strip of the same color into the spine of that binder. If your student is using just one binder for all subjects, create a different section for each subject and use the same color coordinating system as above. For example, history is yellow, math is green, science is blue, etc. If allowed, cover each text book in the same coordinating color.
Next, set the stacking files on your student’s desk and add a strip of each color to the front of each file, so that there is a rainbow of files that coordinate with each differently colored subject binder. Your teens can keep everything related to that subject in the same color file, such as hand-outs, notices, assignments, etc.
Colored sticky notes and colored markers can be used to create subject tags in planners, to attach to a calendar, to a bulletin board over the desk, or any other means used to keep track of due dates or other important reminders. Just remember to use the coordinating color for each subject.
If your children are using a laptop, tablet or other device rather than a textbook or workbook, simply change font colors or even file colors, just use the same coordinating color for each subject.
This system will take a wee bit of work to set up initially, but once in place it can be a really handy way to stay organized throughout the year and a super simple way of finding things quickly.
What Is Betty Reading?
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?