SATURDAY SCHOOL....LET'S BE PROACTIVE AND NOT REACTIVE:>)

SATURDAY SCHOOL?

From my recent observations with various children around the world and among all grade levels, I have noticed that many students are not on grade level with mathematics due to not having a solid foundation in the BASIC FUNDAMENTALS OF MATH.  My definition of fundamentals are categorized as the following:

1.    Multiplication Tables …..for example, 7 * 9

2. Subtraction with borrowing…for example 386 – 289

3. Division…..for example LONG AND SHORT

4. READING COMPREHENSION..for example, “Does your child understand the directions to assignments given…do they truly understand what is being asked??

As you are aware Golden Rule Tutorial Services create programs for the children based on the need.  We are currently considering developing a SATURDAY program for 3^rd-5^th grade students because this is where I see students struggling the most and it is important to ensure the child have a solid foundation of the fundamentals to survive in MIDDLE SCHOOL!!  Typically children who do not get the BASICS prior to transitioning to middle school will have low self-esteem, may have behavior problems in the classroom, and ultimately will struggle academically.

Parents we always like to hear your voice.  Do you VALUE your child’s education enough to set aside the time and finances to bring your child to Saturday School to get the remediation that they so deeply need??  The sessions will be challenging, your child will have the desire to study so that they can COMPETE with their peers…FUN, FUN, FUN.

HOW TO WRITE AN EQUATION & SHOW YOUR WORK

 E.O. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS PROBLEM TO YOUR SESSION TODAY!!! 

QUESTION:

Billy has 22 Guitar picks.  All his guitar picks are either purple or green.  He has 6 more purple picks than green ones.  How many guitar picks does Billy have?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW:

Total Guitar Picks = 22

6     MORE purple picks than green ones = ADD

STEP 1:  IDENTIFY VARIABLE:

*Remember a variable can be a letter or a symbol

Green Guitar Picks = X

Purple Guitar Picks = X + 6 (Remember that there are 6 MORE purple picks than green guitar picks so this has to be X + 6 and NOT just X)

STEP 2:  WRITE THE EQUATION:

X + X + 6 = 22

  

   2X    +  6 =   22

            -6        -6   REMEMBER YOUR GOAL IS TO GET X BY IT SELF SO SUBTRACT 6 FROM BOTH SIDES

   2X     =      16      DIVIDE BY 2 TO GET X BY ITSELF

X = 16 ÷ 2

X =   8

GREEN = 8 GUITAR PICKS

PURPLE = 16 GUITAR PICKS

Remember you can not go over your TOTAL number which is 22!!!  To Double check, add 8 +16 = 22.

I will show the another way to check your answer for this problem at your next ACADEMIC MATH SESSION.

WORD PROBLEMS...DON'T QUIT!

WORD PROBLEMS

Through my tenure of assisting students gain the concept of word problems I have noticed that many students will do every problem but the ones that contain a lot of words and more than 3 sentences….Typically the students SHUT DOWN because they feel like they have no “inkling” of what the problem is asking them....the student totally forgets that either they are going to add, subtract, multiply, and/or divide.  The first step in completing a word problem is to ensure the student truly COMPREHENDS what they have read.  If they comprehend, then they are promoted to the HEAD DETECTIVE in the Golden Rule Academic Session(s) :>)… In our academic sessions I am a step ahead of the student who wants or thinks they are going to SHUT DOWN or QUIT.  The Head Detective must locate clue words, draw illustrations, indicate the order of operation used, and prove their answer with substantiating evidence …yes, yes, SHOW YOUR WORK!!!  If a student feel like they are unable to do anything else always remember they can set up the problem.  I had a student today who realized if they set up the problem properly they could be independent from me in solving the problem through my coaching…..Is your child doing at least TWO word problems a day?

WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED?

WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED?

In spite of the initial rocks in the road, I am happy to say that GOLDEN RULE STUDENTS have improved their grades by a 10% increase, some have been accepted into accelerated classes at their respective school, and we have 100% of our students who passed the CRCT in the state of Georgia!!!  We are growing daily, maintaining differentiated instruction, teaching students how to study through our workshops, and most importantly still holding strong to our initial small teacher to student ratio as a means to be consistent with our mission. 

WORD PROBLEM PRACTICE-A HELPFUL LINK:>)

Select your childs's grade level and allow them to practice word problems daily with this link:

 http://www.ixl.com/math/practice/grade-4-multi-step-word-problems

WORD PROBLEMS....RUNNING SCARED??

Through my tenure of assisting students gain the concept of word problems I have noticed that many students will do every problem but the ones that contain a lot of words and more than 3 sentences….Typically the students SHUT DOWN because they feel like they have no “inkling” of what the problem is asking them....the student totally forgets that either they are going to add, subtract, multiply, and/or divide.  The first step in completing a word problem is to ensure the student truly COMPREHENDS what they have read.  If they comprehend, then they are promoted to the HEAD DETECTIVE in the Golden Rule Academic Session(s) :>)… In our academic sessions I am a step ahead of the student who wants or thinks they are going to SHUT DOWN or QUIT.  The Head Detective must locate clue words, draw illustrations, indicate the order of operation used, and prove their answer with substantiating evidence …yes, yes, SHOW YOUR WORK!!!  If a student feel like they are unable to do anything else always remember they can set up the problem.  Is your child doing at least TWO word problems a day?

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR........

If for one moment you ever questioned whether you made the right decision to enroll your child in GOLDEN RULE TUTORIAL SERVICES allow me to put your mind at ease.  Depending on where your child is in our program I hope that you have seen that with our nurturing environment, no hidden agendas, and character building skill sets that your child has been REPOSITIONED for the better!!!
  My mother has always told me that you get what you pay for and today marks the day that your child's ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT SPECIALIST KARRIE G. SANFORD will be honored !!!  She will be receiving an EDUCATION AWARD from FULTON COUNTY.  The PLAQUE she will receive represents Karrie as the PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR for 2009-2010.  Karrie will walk the RED CARPET and will PARADE across the STAGE to receive this honor:>).  Every child I helped and the professionalism that I represent is necessary when you are in a position of support and service.  My character came natural and  it was never my intent to go after an award... but guess what....??  THIS IS WHAT WAS FOR ME BY GOD AND I THANK HIM!!!  When I receive this award today I must say with me it has been always about the children and helping them as best I can no matter the circumstances!!  Sometimes you will find Educators who are supposed to practice professionalism and not get caught up in whether or not you like the child!!  At the Beginning and End of the Day it is ALWAYS about what is BEST for the children!!! So as far as how you have allocated your spending,  REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE INVESTED IN THE BEST!!!