Brain Based Learning

At what grade level should your student’s reading comprehension achievement be for that student to be competitive in school? The answer is one to two years above grade level. If your student is in 7th grade, then that student should be able to read and comprehend information at the 8th or 9th grade level and higher.

How does this help a student? Most of the activities in school after about third grade are read to learn activities. Students are expected to know how to read. Now is the time they read to learn and gather information.

The higher the level of reading comprehension, the easier it is for a student to gather information. It makes learning new material easier and faster. It helps a student work smarter, not harder!

Have a student struggling with reading? Get immediate help. Contact Beth Silver at 310-720-0390 or bethcarolsilver@gmail.com.

Students appear to struggle with reading directions carefully. In math, students look at a problem first before reading the directions. I write out detailed instructions for lessons for my students. Today, I had an interesting issue.

One of my students sent me his summary bullet notes from yesterday’s assigned reading. It very neatly showed the notes from pages 1-6. The assignment, however, was to read chapters 1-6, not pages 1-6! This reminds me that no matter how carefully I have worded something, it can be read incorrectly!

How did I resolve this? I gave the student extended time to complete the assignment. I will then assess the work on the basis of the completion of the assignment.

Do you have a struggling student? Get immediate help. Contact Beth Silver at bethcarolsilver@gmail.com or 310-720-0390.

During the school year from about January until Spring Break, many students experience the school doldrums. This is where their learning is slow or they regress in work habits and learning. Sometimes, students can also be depressed. This is a pattern I have seen over my many years of teaching.

It is very important to encourage students with positive feedback during this doldrums time period. Parents should make sure that their students have all the correct supplies. Sometimes a new highlighter can make a student’s day!

The most important idea for parents is to be patient. Help so the grades don’t slip, and make sure learning is taking place. Think about a special treat – food or event – that would make your student happy. This is one time if you find yourself at the end of your rope with your student- tie a double knot and hang on!

Have a struggling student? Get immediate help. Contact Beth Silver at bethcarolsilver@gmail.com or 310-720-0390.

There are times when students cannot recall math facts. Some days this is a problem and other days it is not. On the days when it is a problem, the student experiences a large slowdown in time getting math work done. The student may know how to do the algorithm, but the facts are lost. What to do?

The student should use a calculator to find the missing facts. In some elementary schools teachers do not permit the use of calculators. In some places students are told that it is cheating to use a calculator! It is time to change this thinking .

The problem is that the missing math facts are a function of the brain. If this is not working, then use a calculator. When students get to high school, most of their math work is calculator driven. Why not start earlier?

Have a student struggling with math? Get immediate help. Contact Beth Silver at bethcarolsilver@gmail.com or 310-720-0390.

Parents frequently ask if their students should be reading on a daily basis. The answer is yes they should. What they read, however, depends upon the situation.

Students are usually assigned to read something for a specific assignment. It is best if the reading takes place earlier in the day. The later it gets, the more tired a student is and the reading will not be as accurate as it should.

Students are encouraged to read for 20 to 30 minutes a day. The choice of material is up to the student and the parents. Parents should try to select reading material that really is of interest to the student.

Have a student who is struggling with reading? Get immediate help. Contact Beth Silver at bethcarolsilver@gmail.com or 310-720-0390.