A successful school experience includes many important skills. One skill towers over the rest. ORGANIZATION!

Organized students are in control of their grades and in charge of their school success. Organizational skills don’t become a habit overnight. The organizational skills our children need to be successful scholastically must begin to be learned in the primary years. Elementary students that struggle with organization find middle school frustrating and unrewarding and it only becomes worse as when they enter high school.

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"Recent research confirms that middle grades academic achievement is the best predictor of college and career readiness, so the educational experiences offered to these students is critical" National Middle School Association

Call today if you feel your middle school child is having a difficult start to the back to school year! 877-Tutor-U or 214-282-6268 and ask to speak with Jan Van Blarcum!

"Find Their Passion"
If you are a parent of a child that has a learning difference and is struggling to learn how to read and manage basic math skills chances are you have heard teachers, speech therapists, and counselors say to you "Find Their Passion" and you can teach your child anything. I know I have said this numerous times to parents. Well, it is easier said than done!

"Discover Who Your Child Is"
A parent knows their child best! Right? If you listen to their clues. You do know your child best! Offer opportunities for your child to experience extra-curricular activities and learning environments that fit their individual interest. This is our families story.

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We posted a cartoon on http://www.timmystutor.com about report cards and motivating the child to make the grade. In our recent cartoon Timmy has made a bet that he would make straight A's and his dad would have to have a goofy haircut. This was enough to motivate Timmy to study and make the grade so he could win the bet! Enjoy our cartoon....please!

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Last night I had the privilege to go to a client meeting with one of our franchise owners. He was particularly concerned about how one of his students and the family were impacted by stress from school. While in our meeting the child gave me a copy of a paper he wrote titled "I Hate Homework." Very well written. A message that many parents can understand and appreciate. Read the message below by a young student that is very gifted and fed up with the homework process in his life. He has no time to hang out with his friends, no time to skateboard, no time to just have fun! By the time he returns home after a long school day it is almost dark and the family evening routine to prepare for another day of routine begins without question but with a battle of words and frustration....He writes:

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Parents across America learned last week if their public school would pull their students together in an assembly to hear the prepared remarks encouraging students to stay in school, be respectful of their school friends, say no to bullying, respect your teachers but most of all the message was to commit to being a responsible student and to stay in school. Our government policy makers, teachers, parents and our communities are working together to provide the best educational opportunity for the children in their communities. The student is a very big part of the success they reach in school and their commitment to do their best is the first step.

Please leave your comments on this blog and share with us if your child viewed the President's speech. Also, share with use your thoughts on how the speech and the curriculum that accompanied the speech was used. Please consider sharing any comments or thoughts that your child discussed with you about what happened in their day and how it impacted them personally.

If the speech was not viewed at school today, will it be viewed and if so when.

Will you and your child view it together at home? How will you take the message and best impact your child and their commitment to their education?

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Helping your child develop excellent reading skills is extremely important for their academic success. One on one time and attention with your child will help them become better strategic and effective readers. Parents are a key factor in helping their child move from beginner reader to fluent reader. The parent knows their child best and can help their child locate the best reading materials to meet their needs and interests.

10 Steps To Develop Reading Skills:

1. Schedule regular daily reading time.
Reading out loud regularly to children will produce significant gains in reading. By daily reading your child will build up their comprehension, vocabulary, and word decoding. If the child is a preschooler or preteen, reading regularly will increase their interest in independently reading and will build their skill, speed and knowledge base.

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