July 2016 | Published by
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Outside the Classroom Helping students find the right extracurricular activity
Making Home Work How to create a great study environment at home
STEM
Taking schools by storm
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Time to Schedule Physicals • School • Sports • College • Daycare • Preschool
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3 Majors that might help you get hired 5 Steps to choosing the right preschool 6 How students can handle the transition to middle school 7 Did you know – Salaries
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How to create a great study environment
8 7 ways to make mornings less hectic 9 Practice school bus safety every day 11 What schools are doing about child obesity 12 STEM taking schools by storm 14 Why music education matters
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How to help students choose an extracurricular activity
Unique ways to use newspapers in the classroom
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Majors that might help you get hired
As the cost of college tuition continues to rise and the job market grows increasingly competitive, college students are giving greater consideration to their prospects of being hired before choosing a major. A 2015 study commissioned by the National Association of Colleges and Employers asked 201 employers, including companies like Aetna, Macy’s and Procter & Gamble, which degrees are most in demand, even distinguishing between the most in demand bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and doctorates. The following are the results of that study, courtesy of the NACE.
Most in demand bachelor’s degrees: 1. Accounting 2. Computer Science 3. Finance 4. Business Administration/Management 5. Mechanical Engineering
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Most in demand doctorate degrees: 1. Electrical Engineering 2. Computer Science 3. Software Engineering 4. Computer Engineering 5. Mechanical Engineering
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How to help students choose an extracurricular activity
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Encourage kids to have fun. Kids are more likely to enjoy and fully commit to an activity if they find it fun. While extracurricular activities can help kids grow as people and improve their image in the eyes of college admissions officers, kids will get even more out of an activity if they enjoy doing it.
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xtracurricular activities can benefit students in various ways. Academic clubs, sports and volunteer organizations provide students with opportunities to grow as people and make new friends while also teaching kids skills they will use for the rest of their lives. Many parents are aware that extracurricular activities can help students improve their chances of gaining admission to college. But students who choose the right extracurricular activities will benefit in greater ways than simply strengthening their college applications. The following are a handful of ways parents can help their sons and daughters choose extracurricular activities they can benefit from for years to come. Ask kids to jot down their interests. Students are more likely to enjoy and excel at extracurricular activities that align with their existing interests. Ask kids to jot down a list of their interests or anything they might want to try. Youngsters might want to learn a musical instrument even if they have never before taken a course on music. Once kids have listed their interests, look for activities that allow them to further explore those interests. Chances are there is a school-sponsored or community-based club or organization that will align with at least one thing on your child’s list.
Look for something that won’t interfere with schoolwork. Extracurricular activities can look great on a college application, but that benefit is lost if the activity interferes with a student’s academic performance. Some activities, including sports, demand more of students’ time than others, but make sure kids know that school always comes first. Ask around. Ask neighbors or school officials for recommendations to help kids who have tried but failed to find the right fit with regard to extracurricular activities. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error before a child finds an activity he or she is comfortable with. Fellow parents can make great resources, and school officials likely know of a host of clubs and organizations that kids may be interested in. Sign up with your kids. If kids are hesitant to sign up for an activity because they are shy, sign up with them. Volunteer organizations are typically family-friendly, and kids might be more likely to come out of their shells if they sign up with their parents or siblings. As kids grow more comfortable with an activity, they will want to get more involved even if mom and dad don’t have the time. Parents can employ various strategies to help kids find activities they can be passionate about for years to come.
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Steps to choosing the right preschool
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indergarten used to mark a child’s first foray into formal education. But preschool has now taken up that mantle for many students. Some parents may recall their own preschool experiences, mostly remembering extended moments of play and more monitored fun inside the school. But as the world of education has become more competitive, and students are required to meet certain standards at even earlier grade levels than before, preschool has undergone its own transformation. Academic preschools have become a popular choice for parents hoping their children can gain that extra edge. Rather than the play-based philosophy preschools adhered to in the past, academic preschools introduce students to the rigors of the classroom. These academic preschools often teach math and reading. Proponents of this type of learning say that children are sponges at early ages, and the more information they can be presented with,
the more they are likely to retain it. Children who are able to sit and focus for 20 to 30 minutes at a time and are very curious and ask a lot of questions may make for the best candidates at academic-based preschools. Other children may be more comfortable attending play-based schools. While parents who hope to enroll their students in preschool may have to choose between a play- or academic-based curriculum, there are other factors to consider as well. Is proximity to your home important? Some parents prefer that their children’s preschools be close to home, while others want a school closer to their office. If your commute to work is long, then keep in mind that children will spend more time at a preschool close to home, which can cost more and reduce the amount of time parents and their children spend together. Should the school be faith-based? Religious organizations frequently offer their own faith-based preschool programs. Parents will have to decide if they want a faith-based curriculum for their young children. Are pre- and post-care services available? A school that has flexible hours may be appealing to some. This enables parents to
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drop off and pick up children according to their own work schedules or in coordination with school hours for other children in the family. Visit the school and assess the environment. A school may look excellent on paper, but you will not get a feel for it until visiting the school during a school day. Take your child along and get his or her opinion. Parents may love a particular school, but if kids are uncomfortable, the school may prove ineffective. Confirm the curriculum before enrolling. Schools may have different educational philosophies. These can run the gamut from the Montessori Method to the Waldorf Approach to the High/Scope Approach. Familiarize yourself with a school’s educational philosophy so you can be sure you are making the most informed decision possible. Go with your gut. Sometimes choosing a preschool boils down to a facility that just feels right. At this stage in a child’s education, schooling is about learning social skills and growing acclimated to the routines of the classroom.
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How students can handle the transition to middle school
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child’s school-aged years are filled with many different lessons and experiences. While in school, kids have the opportunity to broaden their horizons and meet new people. Many students will attend various schools before moving on to college, and therefore they must learn how to adjust to new schools. While many students attend elementary school together for years, students may not know their classmates once they make it to middle school, which tends to boast larger student bodies than elementary schools. That’s because many middle schools’ student bodies are a combination of several elementary schools. Making the transition from elementary school to middle school or junior high can spark anxiety in students, but that does not have to be. The National Education Association says a common element of a successful middle school experience is a smooth and positive transition from elementary school. The following are a few ways students can handle their transition to middle school. Participate in a school-based transition program. Middle schools frequently host open houses for elementary school students, who can take tours of the campus. Parents can take part in these events with their children. If your schedule does not allow you to attend, then schedule a private tour with the middle school principal or a faculty
member. Middle school guidance counselors or guest speakers also may make the rounds, visiting elementary schools directly. Be sure your student attends such information sessions so he or she can get an idea of what to expect during middle school. Dispel any myths your youngster might have heard about middle school. Youngsters hear lots of things about middle schools, and much of what kids hear might be untrue. Ask kids what they have heard about the schools they will be moving on to, and then do your best to dispel any myths. Find a middle school buddy. Ask an older sibling or invite someone who is currently enrolled in the school to speak with your child and answer any questions he or she may have. Hearing directly from a fellow student may make your child feel more comfortable about what to expect. Talk about any other fears. Engage in an open dialogue with your son or daughter about any additional fears he or she may have. If students are worried about academics, spend some time over the summer going over the curriculum. If the potential for peer pressure is a cause for concern, reinforce advice on how to react to peer pressure. Parents and their children can take several steps to make students’ transitions to middle school as smooth as possible.
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Did you know? In the 2015 version of its annual survey of colleges and universities to determine which majors earn students the best starting salaries, PayScale.com collected data from 1,000 universities, including 86 percent of American schools with undergraduate enrollments exceeding 5,000 students. Among the 207 majors included in the 2015 survey, students who earned bachelor’s degrees in early childhood education had the lowest starting salary, at just under $30,000. The average mid-career salary for early childhood education majors was $38,000, the second lowest mid-career salary of any major included in the study. Child and family studies majors had the second lowest starting salaries, earning an average of $31,200. Rounding out the five lowest starting salaries were culinary arts ($31,900), child development ($32,200) and early childhood and elementary education ($32,300). Child development majors had the lowest mid-career salaries, earning an average of $36,400.
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ways to make mornings less hectic
any families find the rush is on to make it to school and work on time each morning. Feeling rushed in the morning is a recipe for added stress. Rushing through things is a poor way to begin a day, and those feelings of uneasiness can put a damper on the rest of the day ahead. Making mornings less hectic involves a few different strategies that parents and kids can easily incorporate into their daily routines. Wake up slightly earlier. Getting up earlier than normal, even if it’s just 15 to 20 minutes before you’re accustomed to getting out of bed, can help reduce morning stress. Resist the temptation to hit the snooze button over and over again. A few extra minutes each morning can make you feel more relaxed and make for a smooth, stress-free start to the day. Get some work done the night before. Prepare lunches the night before and have them ready in the refrigerator. In addition, lay your clothes for the following day out each night. This saves time and takes a couple more things off your morning to-do list. Ease back into a routine. As a new school year dawns or a long vacation comes to an end, begin going to bed earlier and start waking up earlier as well. This can make the transition from carefree mornings to busy mornings go more smoothly.
Make school and work mornings less harried with some easy tips to add to routines. Prep backpacks in the evening. Look through folders, sign paperwork, check assignments, and do whatever is you need to do the night before to save your family from having to scramble in the morning. This ensures those permission slips get signed and items make it back into school bags. Opt for school lunch a few times. Look ahead on the school lunch menu and speak with children about which meals they enjoy. Let kids purchase school lunch on those days to give yourself a day off from lunch detail. Have quick breakfast foods available. Smoothies, cereal bars, oatmeal, and wholegrain cereals are fast and nutritious ways to start the day. Carpool whenever possible. Busy families can save themselves extra work by proposing a neighborhood carpool. Sharing school dropoff detail frees time up for parents once or twice a week, and kids may enjoy traveling to school with their friends. Mornings can be tricky when family members are getting ready for school and work at the same time. By practicing a few daily rituals, it’s possible to curb the rush and start the day happier and more relaxed.
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Practice school bus safety every day Stand only in the designated school bus stop. Always stand on the sidewalk, lawn or curb where the school bus stop is located. Stay away from the street because traffic in the morning and the afternoon can be very busy and hectic.
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illions of students rely on public transportation to get them to and from school each and every day. The National Safety Council says 25 million students in the United States begin and end their school days on school buses. The NCS adds that riding a bus to school is 13 times safer than riding in a family vehicle and 10 times safer than walking. Although buses are designed for safety, student riders can do a lot to make their bus trips even safer.
Arrive at the stop early. Rushing to the bus stop may cause you to make errors in judgment, including running in traffic to catch the bus. Leave early so you have ample time to catch the bus and obey all traffic laws. Only board and exit the bus when it is safe. Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before boarding or exiting. The driver will engage the stop sign and put on the flashing red lights. Move around the bus only when it is stopped.
Keep the aisles clear. Stay out of the aisle when the bus is in motion and store backpacks on your lap or under your seat so they are not tripping hazards. Use seat restraints. Use seat restraints when available on the school bus. While not every school bus has seatbelts, many now do. Stay in your seat. Remain in your seat while the bus is in motion. Keep your hands inside of the windows. Do not get up to engage with other riders. Keep a good distance between you and the bus. Exit the bus and cross in front where the driver can see you. If you cannot see the driver, he or she cannot see you. Check for safety signals from the driver to proceed when traffic has stopped. Always walk, never run, around a bus.
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What schools are doing about childhood obesity
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he U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that childhood obesity rates have more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the last 30 years. This is happening in spite of indications that childhood obesity could reduce life expectancy by five years or more. Many children are not participating in freetime physical activity and, according to Blank Children’s Hospital, only 25 percent of children in the United States eat a healthy diet. Considering children spend six or more hours at school and many eat school lunches or receive in school-provided breakfasts, schools can play a pivotal role in helping to control the rising epidemic of childhood obesity. Here’s a look at just how schools are taking on that challenge. Discussing obesity in health and physical education
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classes: Information is power, and one way to help curb obesity rates is to give children the data needed to make informed decisions. Some schools have implemented healthy eating and exercise initiatives and made nutrition and other healthrelated topics key parts of health curricula. Modifying school lunch offerings: Schools are taking inventory of not only the foods they offer on lunch menus, but also the feel of the cafeteria so that healthy eating is encouraged. This may include removing vending machines that contain unhealthy snacks or providing a greater array of offerings that include fresh fruits, whole grains and lean protein sources. Some schools also are investing in components, such as salad bars, to store, prepare and display healthy foods. Extending lunch hours: Giving students adequate time
to eat and digest can promote healthier eating habits. Research indicates that eating slowly can help a person feel full faster. According to Harvard Medical School, scientists have known for some time that a full stomach is only part of what causes someone to feel satisfied after a meal; the brain must also receive a series of signals from digestive hormones secreted by the gastrointestinal tract. Eating slowly may prevent children from overeating later in the day. That can be
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achieved by having more time to eat at lunch. Teaching children how to prepare healthy foods: Some schools are taking the mystery out of food preparation by showing students how foods are being prepared in the cafeteria kitchen, while others include basic culinary education in their curricula and extracurricular offerings. Childhood obesity may be an epidemic, but schools are in the position to curb obesity in young students.
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STEM
taking schools by storm A
n increased focus on STEM education is one of the most influential initiatives to reach schools in recent years. STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The world has become increasingly complex and competitive, and today’s youth need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to evaluate ideas and turn them into productive applications. These are two of the key hallmarks of STEM. According to the National Science Foundation, STEM subjects include chemistry, computer and information technology science, engineering, geosciences, life sciences, mathematical sciences, physics and astronomy, social sciences (anthropology, economics, psychology and sociology), and STEM education and learning research. Recognizing that more and more students are gravitating toward STEMfocused fields and that projected STEM job rates are rising steadily, schools have begun to beef up their offerings
with regard to STEM subjects. Jobs in mathematics, computer system analysis, systems software, and biomedical engineering are just some of the careers in which anywhere from a 15 to 62 percent increase between 2010 and 2020 is predicted, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Individuals may believe that STEM study begins in high school, but the success of older students in STEM subjects is often shaped much earlier on. That’s why parents and educators can do much to cultivate an interest in natural and social sciences as well as in math as early as possible. Here are a few ideas to do just that. Encourage participation in the community. Various national clubs and science-based organizations have begun to pay more attention to STEM and offer activities that foster a greater love of science, engineering and math. By joining such clubs and organizations, students can learn more about these
subjects and reinforce their enjoyment. Set up an internship or meet-andgreet. Take students to STEM-centered places of employment so they can get a firsthand experience from within the STEM trenches. Provide opportunities for students to chat with people in the field and ask questions about the type of schooling necessary to pursue a particular degree, and if any hobbies and other activities promote STEM learning. Investigate school-based opportunities. Schools are broadening course offerings and also establishing STEM-based clubs. Students have the opportunity to get involved with other like-minded classmates. If a club isn’t already available, a teacher or a parent can consider volunteering to serve as the head of the club. STEM is a hot topic of discussion in the world of education. Students can expect to get plenty of exposure to science- and math-related topics both inside and out of the classroom.
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How to create a great study environment
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student’s academic performance is influenced by a host of factors, including the learning environment both inside the classroom and at home. While students may have only limited control over the environment in their classrooms, they and their parents can do much to create home study environments that are conducive to learning. Create a “distractionfree” zone. Today’s students are inundated with distractions. Whereas students were once most distracted by radios, televisions and the great outdoors when studying at home, nowadays kids must also find time to focus on their studies with their tablets and smartphones just a stone’s throw away. When choosing a study area at home, parents can designate a “distraction-free” zone where no televisions, radios, tablets and smartphones are allowed. Children are increasingly dependent on their smartphones and tablets, and while such devices can sometimes prove useful to students, that benefit is often outweighed by the distraction they present. When kids study at night, be sure they turn off their smartphones and
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only use their tablets as study aids. Emphasize organization. Various organization techniques can help kids be more efficient when studying. Encourage kids to separate their learning materials by subject, and keep a calendar or daily planner at home listing when their assignments are due and which days they will be tested. Encourage youngsters to keep their home study areas tidy as well, as unorganized areas can make it harder to focus or force kids to spend some of their study time cleaning up. Establish quiet hours at home. Quiet hours at home while kids are studying can help them better absorb their coursework, and that may lead to improved performance in the classroom. While it’s important that a kids’ study areas remain distraction-free, it can also help if distractions outside those areas are minimized. Keep televisions and other potentially noisy distractions turned off while kids are studying. If you want to catch up on a favorite television show or watch a movie, do so on your tablet instead of the television, connecting earphones so kids are not overhearing anything while they’re trying to study. Keep healthy snacks on hand. Hunger can be just as distracting as electronics or noisy housemates, so keep healthy snacks on hand. In lieu of unhealthy fare like potato chips or empty calories like pretzels, keep your home stocked with fruits and vegetables and protein-rich snacks like Greek yogurt. Such snacks will quell kids’ hunger pangs while also providing a boost of energy. A strong home study environment can help students do their best in the classroom.
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ome the 2016-2017 school year, the music and arts budget in the Los Angeles Unified School District will reach its highest point in a dozen years. While that’s great news for students, it also illustrates the sad fact that arts and music programs have taken a considerable hit in recent decades, when arts education fell victim to budget cuts. The benefits of music education extend far beyond getting kids to tap their toes. The National Association for Music Education lists the following benefits among the many reasons to support music education in schools. Music training helps develop language skills. Studies have shown that music training contributes to the physical development of the part of the left side of the brain associated with processing language. A 2005 study from researchers at Stanford University found that mastering a musical instrument may also improve reading skills, which can benefit students both inside and outside the classroom. Music training can improve hand-eye coordination. Studies have linked long-term music training to improved hand-eye coordination. That is likely connected to the motor skills children develop when playing musical instruments. Without those instruments, those motor skills may not develop as strongly. Music improves concentration. Even students who cannot play a musical instrument can still benefit academically from simply
listening to music. In 2007, a research team from the Stanford University School of Medicine found that music engages the areas of the brain involved with paying attention. Today’s students deal with numerous distractions, from smartphones to tablets to social media, but those who routinely listen to certain types of music might find it easier to block out those distractions and focus on their work. Music can help students’ emotional development. A 2003 study commissioned by Chorus America found musicians are more likely than the average person to be involved in charity work as volunteers and donors. The NAFME also notes that music students may be more likely to exhibit empathy toward other cultures. Music can improve selfesteem. In a study examining 117 fourth grade students attending public school in Montreal, a researcher at the University of Texas at Austin found that children who received piano lessons weekly for three years had higher selfesteem than children who were not given piano lessons during the same period. Neither group had participated in formal music instruction before the study, and students in both groups reported similar levels of self-esteem prior to participating in the study. Music education can enrich the lives of young students in a myriad of ways, potentially contributing to happier, more fulfilling lives.
Unique ways to use newspapers in the classroom
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oday’s students have numerous devices at their disposal that can make learning more fun. Teachers may rely on such devices to engage students, but one more traditional teaching tool can still be an asset in the classroom. Newspapers have changed considerably over the last decade-plus, but they still can serve teachers and students alike. The following are a handful of ways for teachers to incorporate newspapers into their lesson plans. Use newspapers to teach geography. Whether they’re local, national or international periodicals, newspapers contain stories from all over the globe. Teachers tasked with teaching students about world geography can assign each student an article about a newsworthy
event taking place in a given country. Kids can then write a report about that country, including information about its location in the world, its citizens and its history. Use newspapers to teach vocabulary. Perhaps no resource is more valuable than newspapers when teaching vocabulary. Assign each student a story or stories from the newspaper, instructing them to underline or jot down between five and 10 words they are unfamiliar with as they read. Once they have finished reading their assigned articles, students can then look up and write down the meaning of each word, ultimately handing in their list of words and/or sharing those words and their meanings with their classmates.
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Use newspapers to teach mathematics. While newspapers are often touted as great tools to teach reading comprehension and vocabulary, they also can be used to teach math lessons. For example, newspaper classified sections typically list dozens, if not hundreds, of items for sale. Assign each student 10 vehicles listed in the classified section and ask them to calculate the average asking prices of these vehicles. Another potential lesson is to ask kids to determine the percentage breakdown of each section of the newspaper. You can then explore the reasons why certain sections may be given more ink than others. Use newspapers to teach current events. The world is an interesting place, and newspapers are great resources for people looking to keep up with all that is going on in the world. While current events can sometimes be confusing for young students, newspaper reporters aim to convey complicated topics in ways that readers of all ages and backgrounds can understand. By assigning newspaper articles as part of their students’ current events assignments, teachers can help students gain a better understanding of what’s going on in their world. While newspapers may have changed considerably over the last several years, they still make great teaching tools that can benefit instructors and students alike.
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