The Learning Emergency Room

The school year is ending. So much to learn! So little time!

Cram? No!

Enter the Learning Emergency Room!

Work Smarter, Not Harder!

Here are four last-minute tools to maximize your study time and help you catch up in class:

1. Divide and conquer.  Study only what you don't know.  Students who tell me they studied all night and still failed the test are reviewing, not studying.  Identify what you need to learn and study only that, in 15 minute spurts (see number 3).
    
2. Use your whole brain.  Identify what you need to learn.  Then express it some other way:  Draw it, dance it, mime it, sing it, translate it into another language.  This will help you recall if you draw a blank on the test. 
   
3. Take advantage of your subconscious.  Your brain tires quickly, and your subconscious replays what you last put into it. So...instead of cramming all night, study in short spurts.  Cram for 15 minutes; sleep for 2 hours; cram for 15 minutes; sleep for 2 hours.
   
4. Make a list...even if you're not a list person!  Those of you who hate lists and schedules also forget.  A list will help you remember what you have to do. It can remind you without controlling you!

Happy learning!  Happy vacation is coming!  Happy parents!  Happy grades!

Happy Going Home From The Emergency Room!

How Do You Remember...

A child's life is so busy.  School, homework, sports, church, play, music, family...the list is endless!  How do they fit everything into their schedule and still have time to study?  How can we as educators or we as parents help?

Follow the rules!

Use the sets of 3 rule.  Three repetitions is better than 100.  After you repeat something three times, you shift into neutral and quit processing.
Use the 5 to 15 minute rule.  Study at least 5 minutes but no longer than 15.  After 15 minutes of cramming, your brain goes to sleep.  Let it rest!
Use the divide and conquer rule.  Study only what you don't know.  When children say they studied all night, usually they were going over everything instead of focusing. 
Use the "more senses, more learning" rule.  The more of you you put into learning, the more likely you are to remember.  Don't study quietly; study out loud!

Now the good news!  You can find 5 minutes almost anywhere!  Study as you drive to school.  Study as you sit in a waiting room.  Study as you wait for your turn at a sports match.  Study as you wait for a timer to go off in your kitchen.  Your grades will love you!

Here is one tool we use in SCORE that you can adapt to meet your needs:

The 5 to 15 Minute Rule

Want more?  Check out our resources:

Lockett Learning Systems

Make Anger your Ally

When your students get angry at you...
          When your children get angry at you...
                    When you get angry at others...
What do you do?

Anger can be your friend.  It points to unmet needs or expectations; to confusion and lack of understanding.

I changed some bad habits when I learned to ask why I was angry instead of just exploding or withdrawing.  Life is better now!

In Lockett Learning, we teach students that learning is their responsibility, not that of their teachers.  To assume responsibility, they must choose to face their anger appropriately.  Watch this video on Feedback to learn one of my favorite tools:

This is just one of many tools to improve student learning.  Check out our great study skills curriculum!

http://www.lockettlearningsystems.com/study-skills.html

Every Child Deserves a Pushy Parent!

I once asked a high school teacher,
How can we get more parents involved?

His reply...
Why would we want to?!?

When my son was in school I didn't know whether to be on campus or not...especially as he reached middle and high school.  I cared, I adored him (still do!), but at that age children act embarrassed when parents are too visible.  I had been a high school teacher so I was well aware of peer pressure.  Most of my parenting at that age was done behind the scenes.  I did a good job of that, but I wish I had also been more visible on campus.

At a campus visit to train new staff, I reviewed placement folders.  I found two sets of test scores almost identical.  One child had been placed in advanced English and math classes.  The other had been placed in remedial English and basic (below grade level) math.  I hid the high placement and asked about the remedial.  The counselor gave me what could only be considered a "song and dance routine."

When he finished, I pulled out the other child's folder and said, "Can you tell me the difference between these two children?"

He glanced at the names and said, "Parental pressure."

"Thank you," I responded.  You just told me I'm doing the right thing.  I'm teaching this child's parents to be pushy!

Every child deserves a pushy parent.  If they don't have one, YOU'RE IT!

A New Beginning? Yes!

One of the things I love about teaching is the fact that I get to have a lot of new beginnings.  If I have a difficult class, I start a new class the next year.  If I teach a unit poorly, I get to teach it better next year.  One year officially ends, and another begins.  I have "closure."

In parenting, we don't have that luxury...we have to live forever with our mistakes.  We learn from them; we build on them; we even repeat them, but we carry the same child through our learning years.  We don't have "closure," but we do have "relationship."  Even though I have to face my failures as I celebrate my successes, I would never give up relationship!  And most of my parenting failures turned out okay.  My son and I learned and grew together.  He is a better parent because of that.

Working through my failures both in class and in parenting, I had to learn my own "triggers."  I discovered I had two triggers that owned me as a parent.  When something triggered my grief over losing a child or my anger over the fact that Dad was not around to co-parent, I took it out on my son...until I learned the sources of my poor reactions and quit giving them power over me.

You don't need closure to have a new beginning.  Every year we have a new beginning.  We begin it together with our children.  Let's dismantle our active triggers this year and, instead, empower our children to become who they want to be.

One key to doing that is to "Pet the Dream."  See the video below to learn the process.

Pet The Dream

Merry Christmas

I'm a sucker for Christmas.  I love it all.  I celebrate it all...Baby Jesus, Santa Claus, gifts, stocking stuffers.  And the music!  I love it all, too...from Santa Baby! to The Messiah.  I once saw a spiritual dance of the Hallelujah Chorus.  It touched something deep within my soul.  I am forever changed because of this one wonderful experience.

As Christmas approaches in our schools, we are faced with multiple religious beliefs and multiple traditions for the holidays. Most of our children are excited to share their activities with their friends.

But...some of the most trouble children I see are those whose parents don't celebrate anything at Christmas because, in their words, "it is a lie."  I see these children when the parents aren't around.  They create an imaginary Christmas. They tell their friends they got presents from Santa Claus. They make up stories about programs and pageants. In their imaginations, they celebrate.  Religious or not, Christmas is an important part of American culture.

I honor your belief system even when it differs dramatically from mine, but I send you a word of caution. When you take something away, there is a void. If you choose not to do traditional Christmas celebrations… Santa Claus, and the birth of Jesus…, Create a new celebration. Give your children something positive to talk about.  If not, they will imagine it themselves.  They need to belong.

Whatever your beliefs and traditions, may the Christ of Christmas live in your hearts.  May the birth of a Savior long ago in Bethlehem fill you with wonder and with hope.  May you be blessed because He lives.

High Expectations Getting You Down? Work the Circle!

We all say we believe in high expectations, but sometimes the challenges of the classroom cause us to re-think what we mean by "high."

Don't Re-think.  Re-work!  Learn to "Work the Circle!"

When students are not achieving in the classroom at a level of content mastery, there is a reason.  Reasons are myriad, but they all fall into one of four categories:  Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, or Spiritual.

Physical causes of underachievement include problems with vision, blood sugar, allergies, hearing...the list goes on.  If it affects our bodies, it affects our performance.

Emotional causes of underachievement include our home environment, our relationships, our feelings of safety...the list goes on.  If it affects our hearts, it affects our performance.

Intellectual causes of underachievement include need for study skills, coaching, more information...the list goes on.  This is usually where we educators look.  If it affects our mind, it affects our performance.

Spiritual causes of underachievement include our dreams, goals, and values.  Everyone isn't religious (although that is spiritual), but everyone has dreams, goals, and values.  If we compromise our inner self, it affects our performance. 

Every intervention we make that is outside of "root cause" is a band-aid.  Band-aids are good; band-aids are necessary; band-aids help us heal quicker...but band-aids are not enough!

So..."Work the Circle!"  Try an intervention that is physical, then emotional, then intellectual, then spiritual...and do it again.  Do it until the student reaches content mastery.  Then get our of their way!  They have wings, and they love to fly!


Years ago, we taught teachers the "dragnet" style of teaching:  "Mind and body."  "Just the facts, Ma'am."  We now know, based on brain research, that we cannot teach half a child.  In fact, we believe that minimal learning occurs outside the realm of the emotional and spiritual.  We are charged with the task of infusing these elements into the classroom without violating a child.

We educators have a wonderful profession.  We are charged with molding the minds and hearts of the next generation.  Be brave!


Need help?  Contact us!  Lockett Learning Systems