We all know that we must feed our bodies in order to have fuel for the day but we also need to be thinking about how to feed our brains. Our brains need nutirents to help decrease the chance of disease while also improving our mood, thinking, and mental skills. See the list below of helpful brain foods:
* Colorful fruits and vegetables: Eggplant skin contains nasunin, which helps improve focus, tomatoes contain lycopene, which helps protect against free-radical damage to cells, and spinach improves learning capacity and motor skills.
* Eggs: Eggs are a great source of high-quality proteins and contains choline, which helps the memory center of the brain. The yolk also contains antioxidants that help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.
* Yogurt: Foods rich in calcium (yogurt, milk, cheese) improve nerve function and yogurt helps improve memory and alertness.
* Wild salmon: This is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. WILD salmon (not farm-raised) is an excellent source of essential fatty acids, like omega 3. This fish improves brain growth and function, promotes artery health, and reduces the risk of stroke, dementia, and Alzheimer's.
* Matcha: Matcha is a finely ground powder of the green tea plant. It cannot be found in green tea bags! The leaf contains antioxidants, catechins, vitamins C and A, fluoride, and L-Theanine, which has a calming effect. It also contains anti-cancer and anti-aging benefits.
*Acai Berries and Blueberries: These contains antioxidants and they are high in protein. Blueberries help improve motor skills and help improve memory.
*Nuts and seeds: These are packed with Vitamin E and help improve cognitive function. Add some to your daily diet.
* Coffee: The coffee bean is rich in antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamins and minerals.When consumed as a pure Espresso, it is full of brain and healthy benefits. Adding artificial creamers, sweetners, and flavors negates the positive health benefits.
* Cacao Beans/Dark Chocolate: When the cacao bean is minimally processed, it is full of antioxidants, flavoniods, catechins, and thoebromine, which increases brain function and enhances mood. Most candy and chocolate bars have low levels due to over processing. Look for 100% organic, non-alkalized cocoa powder or high cacao percentage dark chocolate bars.
* Beans: The brain is dependent on glucose for fuel but it cannot store glucose. Beans can stabilize glucose levels in the brain and produce a steady level of energy. Beans are also a great source of fiber.
Remember to add some of the foods mentioned for a healthier start to your year!

Source: Familyeducation.com

STAAR is the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, which replaced the TAKS test this year. There are significant differences in the two tests including more complex questons, the total number of test items, and there is now a four-hour time limit, as opposed to TAKS, which was untimed. In grades 3-8, students will be tested in mathematics and reading. Students will also be tested in writing at grades 4 and 7, science at grades 5 and 8, and social studies at grade 8. STAAR EOC assessements will be given for Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II, biology, chemistry, physics, English I, English II, English III, world geography, world history, and U.S. history.
The way student performance is reported will also be different. For STAAR, STAAR Modified, and STAAR L, the labels for the categories are:
* Level III: Advanced Academic Performance
* Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance
* Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance
The new system focuses on increasing postsecondary readiness of graduating high school students and helping to ensure that Texas students are competitive with other students nationally and internationally.
Our tutors are already familiar with the new standards that have been set so please call today and let us help your child get ready for these assessments!

While the children are home for the holidays, there are many ways to help reinforce math concepts. Here are a few I use:
* Cooking- you can reinforce fractions and measurement. Discuss how many cups are in a pint, how many pints in a quart,etc. Even young children can meausre a half of a cup for you!
* As you are driving- teach your child rate by pointing out speed limit signs. Explain that 50 mph means that you would actually travel about 50 miles in an hour.
* Money- Using money is a great way to teach fractions and percent.
Since there are four quarters in a dollar, then one quarter is 1/4 or 25%, two quarters is 1/2 or 50%.
* Allowance- When children are given an allowance for doing developmentally appropriate chores, this gives parents an opportunity to teach them about money management. You could have three containers labled save, give, spend. You can teach them to save 10%, give 10%, and spend the rest (or however you chose to do this). It teaches money management as well as fractions and percent.

Math can be fun when we incorporate it early and help children see the need for it.

At this time of year it seems we experience more stress than at other times. I found the following strategies for handling stress in Scientific Mind Magazine to be helpful reminders:
1.Identify stressors and find ways to reduce or eliminate them.
2. Commit to the positive- Find positive ways to relieve stress,such as exercise,yoga, or hanging out with friends.Avoid any self destructive ways such as drinking or overeating.
3. Keep Lists- people who keep lists of things to do really do more things. So use your smartphone or write it down. Going to the supermarket or getting that shopping done is easier with a list!
4. Immunize yourself- Through exercise and daily relaxation you will be in a better position to deal with stress. Lion tamers manage to remain calm when working with lions, after all.
5. Plan your day- take a few minutes each morning to plan your day. You will waste less time, get more done, and feel less stress.
6. Plan you weeks and months- Planning your future is a great way to execise more control over your life. The more control you have, the less stess you will feel.
Have a wonderful and stress free Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving and Christmas vacation are coming soon and board games are a great way for families to spend time together. Games teach turn taking and some involve counting, money, and using stratgey. It is a great way to teach social skills, also. Some of the top ten classic board games for children include:
1. Clue- Ages 9+
2. Scrabble- Ages 8+
3. Sorry- Ages 6+
4. Chinese Checkers- Ages 5+
5. Chutes and Ladders- Ages 4+
6. Game of Life- Ages 8+
7. Chess
8. Monopoly- Ages 8+ (There are new tokens and properties such as the Houston Space Center and Nashville's Grand Ole Opry)
9. Twister- Ages 6+ (include some movement in the day)
10. Candy Land - Ages 3+