By: Theresa Zunino-McFalls
Owner/Area Director of Club Z

We are so pleased to offer timely information for all students to their first and best teachers: their parents. As a parent myself I know that I always appreciate practical, easy to use advice and this is what we want to deliver to you in each article. Enjoy!

Elementary School: Using websites for enrichment…
Here’s a question for you: Is it easier to get your child to do pencil/paper work OR play on the computer? Apparently, web pages designers have figured out the answer as well! Here is a list of websites that you can use to supplement your child’s education. All are free to use and I’ve avoided those sites that have tons of advertisements.

www.softschools.com: both online work and worksheets. Prek-Middle School

www.onlinemathlearning.com: worksheets with concepts  and explanations

www.starfall.com: EXCELLENT website for young (Prek-4th grade) emerging readers.

www.funbrain.com: games to improve grammar skills

www.eduplace.com/tales: like an online Mad Libs. Stresses reading and writing skills.

www.cut-the-knot.org: puzzles on tons of math topics up to 12th grade.

www.mathgoodies.com: go to PARENTS and find free activities and worksheets.

Our tutors use some of these sites and many more to supplement school concepts and to design summer programs. We also use some subscription based websites. Two excellent and worthwhile sites to subscribe to are Reading A-Z and First In Math.

Middle School: A time of transition…
Students in middle school often spend time and energy convincing their parents to go away, but in reality kids at this age need clear limits, meaningful consequences, and parental support. Instead, parents sometimes take a hands-off approach in hopes that their child will become more independent. For parents struggling with how much to hover during homework time, here is some advice: Let the first month go by without intervening unless she asks for help. Once you get initial feedback from the school, adjust the game plan accordingly. If her grades in math are terrible, you can say “I need to see your math homework every night before you put it in your backpack.”
If that doesn’t happen, then have consequences. Real ones. It’s important that parents make good on their threats of punishment. If you tell your 7th grader you’re going to ground her if you get another report saying she isn’t doing her homework, then you need to ground her. Another shift that continues from 5th and 6th grades is the need for kids to gain approval from peers rather than adults.  The hardest part about having a middle schooler is that their behavior can be confusing. One minute you’re talking about current events and your child seems like an adult; the next, he’s stomping away and throwing a temper tantrum.  That’s why it’s so important for parents not to let discipline issues slide: It goes from being a stage to being their typical behavior. Don’t be surprised if out of nowhere you get a glimpse of the fantastic teenager your child is turning into!

ACT vs SAT: What are the differences?
Differences in Testing Philosophy
The ACT strives to assess the knowledge you’ve acquired, meaning that the test focuses on subjects and skills taught in high school.    The SAT tries to assess “innate ability.” It does so using tricky and confusing phrasing to determine your test-taking skills (i.e., your performance under pressure and your ability to identify what’s being asked).

Differences in Structure
SAT: Essay, Writing, Critical Reading, Math sections. The math section requires some student produced answers which means no process of elimination with choices.
Fewer questions at 140. Penalty for wrong or omitted answers. You can also sign up to take subject tests if you’d like.

ACT: All multiple choice covering English, Math, Reading and Science.
Math content is heavier on early high school math (pre-algebra, algebra and plane geometry make up 38 of the 60 math questions) A total of 215 questions. Only correct responses count! OPTIONAL 30 minutes essay. But be forewarned that some schools require the essay so check beforehand.

Club Z! offers tutoring programs in both the ACT and SAT. It’s best to allow 12 weeks for prep so call early!

Theresa Zunino-McFalls earned a B.S in Early Childhood and Elementary Education as well as an M.Ed in Special Education. She is the Owner/Area Director of Club Z! Tutoring serving Southern Chester County and Delaware. She resides in Avondale, PA with her husband and three school aged children.

Testimonials:
“Last year my daughter needed some extra support in her honors biology class. The help from Club Z tutoring my daughter received last year was wonderful. The tutor was able to help her break down the material at a level that she could better understand. More important she gave my daughter back the confidence that she needed to be successful in her class. We were very pleased with the outcome. We have already decided that we will use Club Z to help her prep for the SAT’s this coming year.
Thanks again.”
~10th grade, Biology

“Jackie is patient, humorous and thorough with our daughter. We are thrilled that (our daughter) is using the organization and study strategies! It is making this school year so much more relaxed in our house.”
~7th grade, Study Skills

“You have been so helpful, patient and professional and you gave us Karen who was amazing and went beyond the call of duty many times. In fact she was the first tutor of many that my son was willing to stick with throughout the whole
school year. Thanks for everything!”
~9th grade, English,
Spanish, Study Skills