Test Taking Tips for the Students

To be most supportive of their children as they face an array of standardized testing during their school years, parents need to make sure they are appropriate in their own attitudes about test-taking and that they are not placing overt or undue pressure on their children. Often a parent's past experience with testing, especially when bad, will project very negative or worried attitudes that are easily transferable to their child. It is important to deal with testing issues in a positive way because negative reflections from a parent can seriously affect a child's test performance.

Below are a number of test-taking tips and techniques for the student that are shared by the educational professionals and testing experts at myaliflaila.com to help children perform to their best ability on standardized tests.

1. Pre-test Tips

· Whenever possible — and as often as possible -- practice with similar sample tests beforehand to familiarize yourself with the testing formats and directions.

· Make certain you are aware of the conditions -- the environment, the setting, the timing, the supplies you are expected to bring (i.e., pencils, calculator, etc.), opportunities for breaks and snack availability — for whatever test you will be taking.

· Be aware of how to monitor your emotional reactions such as worry, stress, fear or panic and be armed with techniques to get those feelings under control.

· Talk with your peers or with older students to share test-taking strategies — discussing those strategies that work and those that don't.

· Don't cram the night before. Pace your studying over the course of days or even weeks (when it is a test for which you can study.) Preparation is key. By preparing over time, you will become more comfortable with the information.

· After studying over a period of time, review the material the night before. Relax and eat well at dinner. Don't change your routine because that will affect how you perform.

· Get a good night's sleep and start with a good breakfast.

2. During the Test

· Read all directions carefully and critically.

· Budget your time. Ideally you want to go through the test at least three times: a first pass at what you know easily, a second pass to work through the toughies, and a final check.

· Attempt all items on the first pass, but keep in mind your budgeted time per question so you can determine your pace accurately.

· Read all items carefully and critically, and read all answers before choosing one, comparing them to the answer you have already formulated in your head.

· On difficult questions, underline key words, or try to restate the question in your own words.

· Use the process of elimination to your benefit. Look for cues in the question itself or the types of answers given.

· Change answers only after thoughtful consideration, not just because you were unsure the first time.

· Check your answers against your answer sheet. Erase stray or misleading marks.

· Use the test itself to help you get to the answers; sometimes the answer or a cue that triggers your memory is in another question. Use a marking system to know which questions you need to come back to; cross off answers as you eliminate them so you do not have to reread them upon return. Use a question mark for uncertain answers, a dot or frown face for questions on which you had no clue. Be sure to erase stray marks on computer-scored tests.

· Double check for careless mistakes, skipped questions, and/or misinterpretation of directions.

· Use relaxation techniques such as taking five deep breaths or counting down to 10 if you find yourself becoming tense or freezing.

· Guess, especially if there is no penalty for wrong answers. Credit is never given for a blank.

· Say to yourself "I am a good test taker." Confidence is half the battle.

Source: www.smilepk.com

Writing Tips for the Parents and Students

Effective writing skills are not only essential for academic success, but for professional and personal success as well. From writing a term paper for class to a cover letter for that first job, mastering basic writing skills puts children in the driver's seat and give them the confidence to succeed in school and beyond. The following are some tips from myaliflaila.com's educational experts that parents can use to tune up and sharpen their child's writing skills.

1. Pen pal writing
Children can develop excellent letter writing and communication skills through the adoption of a pen pal. This is a terrific year round activity but can be extremely beneficial during the summer months when most students are not academically challenged. A Pen Pal can either be a distant family member, a member of the church or community, or a friend. There are also a number of agencies that specialize in arranging Pen Pals (check the Internet or local library).

2. Thank you notes
When your child receives a holiday or birthday gift from a relative or friend, have him or her write a "Thank you" note instead of responding with a phone call. This is another way of sharpening a child's written communications skills.

3. Creative writing courses
There are an abundance of Creative Writing Courses offered in most communities. These courses help to motivate and encourage children who are interested in becoming better writers.

4. Writing software
There is a tremendous amount of writing software available for children. This software can serve as a remedial, enrichment or supplemental tool and can be extremely beneficial when used as a summer or weekend activity.

5. Writing about literature or a movie
Summer can be a time for catching up on leisure reading or going to see the latest summer flick. After reading that favorite book or watching a movie, encourage your child to write a response to what he or she read or watched. Encourage your child to include feelings about the plot, characters, setting, etc. He or she may also choose to discuss how the ending could be changed.

6. Explore the Internet
The Internet is a wonderful educational resource. From essay contests to reading and writing games, there are many educational and entertaining sites on the Web related to writing.

7. Peer editing
As your child completes a writing assignment for summer school, have his/her sibling or friend edit the completed essay. All parties involved in this process benefit from the experience.

8. Journal writing
Encourage children to keep a daily journal where they can write about events, friends and feelings. Writing about events and activities that directly relate to or affect the child's life can be a good start to getting him or her interested in and excited about writing.

Here are some "thought starters" to help inspire young journal writers.

· I am happy when...

· My favorite hobby is...

· My best friend is,,,

· I am proud of myself when I...

· I wonder why,,,

· My favorite holiday is...

· My favorite teacher is...

· When I grow up, I want to become a...

· I am thankful for...

· If I could have three wishes...

· I am frustrated when...

· My favorite year in school was...

· When I open a book...

· When I look up into a sky full of stars...

· I feel lucky when...

Source: www.smilepk.com

Maths Tips for Parents and Students

Sound math skills are essential to the academic and personal success of every child. Following are some tips advised by myaliflaila.com's educational experts that parents can use to tune up, rev up and accelerate their children's math skills.

1. Discuss with your child the types of jobs that use math skills
How often do we hear, "Why do I have to learn algebra?" It is important to make your child realize how important math is in our everyday lives and especially in our careers. Who do you know who deals with spreadsheets or budgets filled with numbers and formulas? Who reads diagnostic reports that include numbers and graphs? Who calculated the slant of the roof on your house?

2. Talk maths
Wherever you go, whatever you are doing, talk math. For example, at the grocery store, ask your child, "How many __ do you see? How much more does this one cost? How much change should I get back? What's the sale price if it is 30% off the regular price."

3. Bake a cake
Baking incorporates several different math concepts — measurement, volume, and time just to name a few. You measure the ingredients using the proper measurement tool, determine the size of the baking dish, decide which bowl will hold all of the ingredients, and set the timer for the baking time.

4. Explore the Internet
There are many educational as well as entertaining sites on the Web related to math.

5. Traveling by car
For years, children have called out the different license plates they see on other cars. Why not have them keep a written tally of how many they see, or how many red, blue, black or purple cars they see? Then they could analyze the result by calculating the percentages, creating bar graphs or drawing pie charts.

6. Traveling by airplane
Before your trip, have your child research how many miles you will be traveling, along with distances to other destinations. Then, work with your child to use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to make a chart of various combinations. Let's say you're traveling from Baltimore, Maryland, to Nashville, Tennessee. Is this trip longer or shorter than traveling from Baltimore to New York City? By how much?

7. Talk money
Does your child receive an allowance? If so, have your child calculate how much interest could be earned if the money were placed in a savings account. Or how much more will be he/she get next year if given a 5% increase? Discuss how much needs to be saved toward a college education or a new car.

8. Make flashcards
We have all seen flashcards for math facts (2+16=18). You can buy these cards ready-made or make your own. But don't stop there — help your child make cards for math vocabulary (triangle — a figure with 3 sides) or concepts and theorems.

9. Money doesn't grow on trees
It's good to teach kids the reality of money. Discuss all the various living expenses you incur -- rent or mortgage payments, utilities, car payments, groceries, gas, clothes, school supplies, insurance, etc. Have your child make a chart and discuss ways to save money in each area.

10. Learn how to use a calculator
Don't let your teen wait until the day before an exam to start practicing with a new calculator. This is particularly important for big tests such as college entrance exams.

Source: www.smilepk.com

Reading Tips for Parents and Students

Many research studies have found that children who read to at home do better in school. Encouraging children to read helps transform reading from a basic skill to a learned behavior and intellectual habit. myaliflaila.com offers the following reading tips for parents searching for ways to engage and interest their child in the wonderful world of reading.

1. Read with your child
You can't start too early. You can't read too much. Reading to young children nurtures an interest in language, words and communication. For older kids, reading together can be fun and interesting. Consider reading one book together every month aloud. Take turns reading pages, chapters or major sections of the book. As this activity becomes a routine, it will not only help develop your child's reading skills, but will also create a basis for ongoing dialogue and discussion.

2. Encourage your child to build his or her own library
From stamps, comic books, autographs, baseball cards, and stuffed animals, children have always been natural collectors. By encouraging book collecting and the creation of a personal library, you introduce your child to a world of resources. Help your child start his or her own library by including a visit to a local bookstore in your weekly or monthly shopping outings.

3. Search for reading activities on the Internet
There are an abundance of sites that provide summer reading lists for children. On-line reading games, such as Sylvan's Book Adventure, located at bookadventure.com are also fun reading activities for children.

4. Provide different kinds of general interest magazines for your child
Children need to understand that there is more to a news event than the 30- second sound bite they hear on the five o'clock news. Introduce your child to weekly and monthly general interest magazines, like Time or Newsweek. These publications explore news events in much greater detail through words and vivid photographs. Read an article together, and help your child with difficult words or with abstract concepts.

5. Visit a local library and introduce your child to the children's libarian
Almost every library has at least one librarian who is very knowledgeable about children's literature. He or she can suggest book titles, guide your child through research projects and keep you informed regarding any special reading events.

6. Visit a museum
Many museums offer interactive exhibits for children and adolescents and have extensive educational programs which can provide your child with amazing opportunities to learn new things. Plan a trip to the museum and encourage your child to write down new words he or she has learned or been introduced to. Also be sure to visit the museum's retail store to find children focused books on exhibitions or major collections.

7. Get a riddle book at the library or bookstore
Children enjoy riddles and jokes that rely on wordplay. Laughing together at clever jokes and riddles can make a Saturday trip to a soccer or softball game more enjoyable and memorable.

8. Create a vocabulary
Compile a word list, or ask your child's teacher for a word list, and make a daily or weekly vocabulary game on 3" x 5" index cards. Whether your child is just learning how to read or is preparing for the college entrance exams, seeing, saying and learning new words is important.

9. Make word flash cards
Use your child's school reading series, or work with him or her to produce a list of 100 words. Be sure the words represent a range of difficulty, and arrange them so that you always begin with the easiest words.

10. Learning new words on the road
Use the cards to work with your child on pronunciation and definition. Use every new experience to introduce new words to your child. Every journey, trip or vacation, regardless of distance, introduces new ideas and objects your child can use to enlarge his or her vocabulary.

Source: www.smilepk.com

communicating science and Education

Make science relevant to people's lives, Descartes prize winners urge
7 December 2004
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Brussels, 06 Dec 2004
In our bid to communicate science effectively to the general public, we need to make science simple but not simpler, say the winners of the new Descartes prize for communicating science.
Scientists must be aware of the difference between simplicity and accessibility, explained the five winners, insisting that science should convey complicated concepts through the use of familiar language.
The Descartes prize for science communication was awarded for the first time in Prague on 2 December. The 250,000 euro prize was shared by five personalities from the worlds of science and the media, under three separate categories. The two winners in the category 'professional scientists engaged in science communication to the public', were Wolfgang Heckl, from Germany, for his ability to communicate the complex issue of nanotechnologies in an accessible manner, and British zoologist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough for his pioneering work in the field of wildlife filmmaking.
Two prizes were also awarded in the 'innovative action for science communication' category; one to Hungarian molecular biologist Peter Csermely for his initiative to help schoolchildren get involved in research, and the other to Belgian material scientist Ignaas Verpoest for his travelling exhibition 'Composites on Tour'.
The French TV journalist Vincent Lamy received an award in the 'Scientific TV/Radio Programme' category for his award-winning TV documentary on camouflaged insects (Face aux phasmes).
'Because the whole of society is based on science and because we live in a democratic society, is it important that everyone has an understanding of science,' said Sir David Attenborough.
'Innovation needs communication,' said Professor Heckl. 'Science is a unifying culture in Europe. Education and science must be the highest priority. Science literacy is the answer to many problems we are facing today. But science is not worth it if it is not for the benefit of society, and this is only possible if we include a dialogue with European citizens.'
Speaking about the difficulty of communicating to the public the risks of nanotechnologies, Professor Heckl insisted on the need for scientists to be pro-active and use dialogue to explain risks and opportunities. 'Society can only decide if informed,' he explained. 'Knowledge should not solely be in hands of firms that benefit from nanotechnologies but in the hands of everyone'.
'We have to be honest and tell the public if there are things we do not know,' he continued. 'We have to remember this is not the science of the scientist but the science of the public.'
All five winners agreed that it was important to display the process of science, and not simply the results, in order to make science more approachable. Professor Heckl explained his methodology to communicate science: 'Start simple, step up, take care of the audience you are talking to by making your topic relevant to their lives.'
The other winners agreed, underlining the importance of bringing people in by using a more personal approach, telling stories and using a more trans-disciplinary method to communicate science.
'We have done a very bad job until now of communicating science,' said Sir David. 'The level of ignorance on the matter is dreadful and widespread. The challenge is to try and bring people whose mindset is unaccustomed to basic science to understand the complex problems we are facing. Our responsibility is great, especially when one thinks of the speed at which scientists are making scientific advances. It is a demanding responsibility and an important task to tackle.'
According to the joint winner of the Descartes prize for outstanding cross-border research, Howard Trevor Jacobs, the EU needs to develop a long-term strategy to enable politicians to take decisions supported by public opinions. Educating children at the earliest stage is key to the democratic process, believes Professor Jacobs. 'Knowledge will mean the public will back politicians when taking decisions about research and science, because they understand the issues.'
In his acceptance speech, Professor Verpoest stated: 'I am very happy that the European Commission has created these Descartes science communication prizes, and I hope that it will support and encourage all scientists, young and old, not to forget their third task: communicate about their science to the general public.'
'Science communication is not a mission, it is a necessity,' concluded Professor Csermely. 'It is a self-developing process for scientists.'