The Challenges of Homeschooling English Language Arts to Teens and Tweens
Competency in English language arts is an important life skill and one of the most fundamental aspects of education in the US. Without good skills in this area, students can find effective communication difficult and career paths severely limited. But many parents can use assistance in teaching the full range of ELA skills to homeschool […]
Why Critical Thinking Skills are So Important and How to Teach Them to Your Kids
In this era of social media, critical thinking is an essential life skill that students need to filter the barrage of online information that includes fake news, misinformation and half-truths. While social media platforms may try to take down untrue or harmful posts, they simply cannot control the avalanche, and users must rely heavily on […]
Kids Off to College? Some Tips from Recent Grads
Beccastone asked a group of recent Black college grads “What do you wish someone had told you before you got to college?” In no particular order, here are some of the responses that you might pass on to the college students you know. While the pandemic has changed the college experience, these tips are still […]
Parent-Child School Contract
Start the school year off right by discussing and signing the Parent-Child School Contract reprinted below. The Contract emphasizes some basic habits and principles that have been shown to contribute to academic success, including school attendance, persistent effort, practice and studying, positive attitude, and high expectations. The Contract allows you and your child to agree […]
School Discipline – The Unwritten Rules
A recently published government report concluded that starting in pre-school, Black children are disciplined at a higher rate than other students due to implicit racial bias. An earlier government report concluded that public schools punish Black students more severely than their white peers. (See article here). As just one example, Black students are 3-1/2 times more likely […]
Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski on Developing Black Scientists
Beccastone: What kinds of career opportunities are available to minority students in the sciences? Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: In my view, the areas that offer some of the most exciting and rewarding career opportunities to students with math and science backgrounds are healthcare; the environment and energy; and technology, intelligence, and security. These areas play a […]
How to Help Your Child with Homework
Beccastone spoke with a full-time 7th grade tutor who is also a Social Work Intern at a K-8 school. Here are her tips on how to help with homework. I watched many students succeed and many others struggle. I noticed that many students shared one particular struggle: homework. Homework is an important piece of the […]