As a parent, it’s natural to want your child to excel in all areas, including writing. However, for many kids, writing can be a source of anxiety and low self-esteem. But with the right approach and support, you can help build your child’s confidence in their writing and set them on a path towards success.

Here are some steps you can take to help your child develop a love of writing and boost their confidence:

Encourage Writing for Fun

Writing doesn’t always have to be a chore. Encourage your child to write for pleasure by giving them a journal to write in or encouraging them to write stories or poems. This can help build their confidence in writing and develop their creativity.

Give Positive Feedback

When your child writes, give them specific and positive feedback. Point out what they did well, rather than only focusing on areas they need to improve. This will help boost their self-esteem and encourage them to continue writing.

Teach Writing Strategies

Teach your child writing strategies that can help make the process of writing easier. This might include brainstorming, outlining, and revising. The more tools your child has at their disposal, the more confident they will feel when it comes to writing.

Read Together

Reading and writing are closely related. Encourage your child to read books and articles that interest them. Then, discuss what they have read and how they might incorporate similar writing techniques into their own work.

Practice Regular Writing

Regular writing practice is key to building confidence. Encourage your child to write every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This will help them develop good writing habits and improve their skills over time.

Read With Your Child

In conclusion, helping your child develop confidence in writing takes time and effort, but the rewards are worth it. By providing support, encouragement, and the right tools, you can help your child build their skills and love for writing. With your help, they can reach their full potential and become confident, successful writers.

Improve Your Child’s Reading & Writing Skills Now!

As your children continue to grow, reading and writing gets a lot harder. Your children may face difficulties with new vocabulary words, writing strategies, challenges with reading comprehension, and their over all confidence in English Language Arts.

Here at Wholesome Learning, we strive to give your child the confidence to overcome their challenges in English through developing skills around critical reading & writing.

Click Here to Schedule a Free English Evaluation for your child and enroll into our trial that’s just $19.99 for 2 weeks of confidence boosting tutoring!

Children will utilize writing as a valuable skill throughout their lives. The writing process, however, can be difficult and overwhelming for some kids. There are actions you can take to support your child in overcoming their writing challenges if they are experiencing issues. We’ll talk about a strategy for parents to support their kids who struggle with writing in this blog post.

Daily Writing Practice

Encourage your child to write every day for a short period of time, whether it’s in a notebook, a story, or just to hone their writing skills. This might bolster their self-assurance and increase their familiarity with the writing process.

Establish a Schedule

Set aside time for writing: Decide on a specific time each week for writing, and encourage your child to use this period to complete any homework or independent projects. It can feel less daunting if you set up a regular time for writing.

Set the Vibe

Create a peaceful, encouraging environment for your child to write in. Give them the tools they need, including paper, pens, and a computer, and make sure the area is calm and free of clutter. Focus can be improved and tension can be decreased in a relaxed and encouraging setting.

Support Your Child

Give assistance and support: As your child completes the writing process, be present to respond to inquiries, offer criticism, and offer encouragement. Your encouragement can help them feel more confident and less apprehensive about the process.

Emphasize Editing

Tell your child that writing is a process that frequently involves several drafts and changes. Encourage them to proofread their work and make any necessary edits. They may write better and feel more confident as a result of this.

Read With Your Child

Reading to your child can help them improve their vocabulary, grammar skills, and writing abilities. They can draw ideas from this for their own writing and learn the principles of effective writing in the process.

Encourage Creativity

Encourage writing as a means for your child to express their creativity, and assist them in identifying the genres or subjects they prefer to write about. They may enjoy the process more and experience less stress when they write on subjects that interest them.

By using these tips, you can get your child interested in writing and give them the help they need to improve their writing skills. Be patient and supportive as your child attempts to develop, and keep in mind that writing is a process that requires time and practice. Your child can overcome their writing challenges and develop into a confident and competent writer with the correct encouragement and guidance.

Improve Your Child’s Reading & Writing Skills Now!

As your children continue to grow, reading and writing gets a lot harder. Your children may face difficulties with new vocabulary words, writing strategies, challenges with reading comprehension, and their over all confidence in English Language Arts.

Here at Wholesome Learning, we strive to give your child the confidence to overcome their challenges in English through developing skills around critical reading & writing.

Click Here to Schedule a Free English Evaluation for your child and enroll into our trial that’s just $19.99 for 2 weeks of confidence boosting tutoring!

Middle school is an exciting time for students as they begin to explore different subjects and discover their passions. For many students, this is also the time when they start thinking about taking advanced and honors classes. These classes offer a more challenging curriculum and can help prepare students for success in high school and beyond. But how do students get into these classes?

One of the most important factors in getting into advanced and honors classes is a student’s academic performance. Most schools require students to have a certain GPA or test scores in order to be eligible for these classes. In addition to good grades, many schools also look at a student’s behavior and attendance record. Students who have a history of being responsible and respectful in class are more likely to be considered for advanced and honors classes.

Another important factor is a student’s willingness to take on a challenge. Many schools require students to submit an application or write an essay explaining why they want to take an advanced or honors class. This is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their motivation and commitment to the subject matter. They can also show that they understand the rigor of the class and are willing to put in the work required to succeed.

Some schools also offer pre-requisite classes, which are classes that must be taken before a student can enroll in an advanced or honors class. For example, a student interested in taking an advanced math class may need to have completed a certain level of math before they can enroll. This ensures that students have a solid foundation in the subject matter before they take on the more challenging material.

It’s also important to note that not all students are interested or suitable for advanced or honors classes. Some students may prefer to focus on a specific subject area, or may not be ready for the rigor of the advanced classes. It’s important for students to talk to their teachers, school counselors, or other academic advisors to get a sense of what classes are right for them.

In conclusion, getting into advanced and honors classes in middle school is a combination of academic performance, motivation and willingness to take on challenges, and having a good foundation in the subject matter. With hard work and dedication, any student can achieve their goal of being in an advanced or honors class. It is also important for students to talk to their academic advisor to determine the right class for them, to ensure they can balance their academic and personal life.

Improve Your Child’s Reading & Writing Skills Now!

As your children continue to grow, reading and writing gets a lot harder. Your children may face difficulties with new vocabulary words, writing strategies, challenges with reading comprehension, and their over all confidence in English Language Arts.

Here at Wholesome Learning, we strive to give your child the confidence to overcome their challenges in English through developing skills around critical reading & writing.

Click Here to Schedule a Free English Evaluation for your child and enroll into our trial that’s just $19.99 for 2 weeks of confidence boosting tutoring!

As parents, we want our children to be successful in all areas of their education, including writing. One important aspect of writing is the use of details. Details help to make writing more interesting and engaging for the reader, and they can also help children better understand and organize their thoughts. Here are some tips for parents on how to help their children use more details in their writing:

Encourage them to use descriptive words:

Encourage your child to use descriptive words in their writing. For example, instead of saying “the sky is blue,” they could say “the sky is a brilliant shade of blue.” Descriptive words help to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind and make the writing more interesting.

Explain the importance of a clear beginning, middle and end:

Encourage your child to use their five senses when writing. This will help them to create a more detailed picture in the reader’s mind. For example, they could say “the flowers smelled sweet” instead of “the flowers were pretty.”

Help them to use their five senses:

Examples can be a powerful tool in writing. Encourage your child to use examples to illustrate their points. For example, instead of saying “dogs are loyal,” they could say “my dog always greets me at the door with a wagging tail, showing his loyalty.”

Remind them to show not tell:

One of the most important things to remember when writing is to show, not tell. Encourage your child to use descriptive words, actions, and dialogue to show the reader what is happening, rather than simply telling them.

Provide positive feedback and encouragement:

Positive feedback and encouragement are essential for building your child’s confidence in writing. Let them know that you are proud of their efforts and that you believe in their ability to improve.

Provide practice opportunities:

Practice is essential for building writing skills. Encourage your child to write regularly, whether it’s a journal entry, a letter, or a short story. The more your child writes, the more comfortable and confident they will become.

Read together:

Reading is an excellent way to learn about writing. Read with your child, and then discuss what you’ve read. Point out examples of descriptive writing and ask your child to come up with their own examples.

Improve Your Child’s Reading & Writing Skills Now!

As your children continue to grow, reading and writing gets a lot harder. Your children may face difficulties with new vocabulary words, writing strategies, challenges with reading comprehension, and their over all confidence in English Language Arts.

Here at Wholesome Learning, we strive to give your child the confidence to overcome their challenges in English through developing skills around critical reading & writing.

Click Here to Schedule a Free English Evaluation for your child and enroll into our trial that’s just $19.99 for 2 weeks of confidence boosting tutoring!

As a parent, it can be frustrating to see your child struggling with their writing. Organizing and planning are important skills that can make writing easier and more enjoyable for your child. Here are some tips on how to help your child plan and organize their writing:

Teach them to create an outline:

Outlines can help children see the structure of their writing and understand how to organize their thoughts and ideas. Encourage your child to brainstorm and jot down ideas before they start writing. Then, help them to organize those ideas into a logical sequence.

Explain the importance of a clear beginning, middle and end:

A clear structure is essential for good writing. Explain to your child that a story or an essay should have a clear beginning, middle and end. This will help them understand how to organize their thoughts and ideas in a logical way.

Use transitional words and phrases:

Transitional words and phrases help to connect ideas and sentences, making writing more coherent. Teach your child to use words like “first,” “second,” “in addition,” and “finally” to help them organize their writing.

Encourage summarizing:

Summarizing is an important skill that helps children to identify the main ideas in their writing. Encourage your child to summarize their writing after they finish a piece. This will help them understand the purpose of their writing and make it more effective.

Provide positive feedback and encouragement:

Positive feedback and encouragement are essential for building your child’s confidence in writing. Let them know that you are proud of their efforts and that you believe in their ability to improve.

Provide practice opportunities:

Practice is essential for building writing skills. Encourage your child to write regularly, whether it’s a journal entry, a letter, or a short story. The more your child writes, the more comfortable and confident they will become.

Find inspiration together:

Inspiration can be hard to come by, especially for children. Help your child find inspiration by reading together, going on field trips, or brainstorming ideas together.

In conclusion, helping your child plan and organize their writing can be challenging, but with the right tools, patience and practice, they will gain the skills they need to become successful writers. Remember to always provide positive feedback and encouragement, and to celebrate your child’s successes along the way.

Improve Your Child’s Reading & Writing Skills Now!

As your children continue to grow, reading and writing gets a lot harder. Your children may face difficulties with new vocabulary words, writing strategies, challenges with reading comprehension, and their over all confidence in English Language Arts.

Here at Wholesome Learning, we strive to give your child the confidence to overcome their challenges in English through developing skills around critical reading & writing.

Click Here to Schedule a Free English Evaluation for your child and enroll into our trial that’s just $19.99 for 2 weeks of confidence boosting tutoring!

As a parent, it can be frustrating to see your child struggling with their punctuation. Whether it’s a lack of punctuation marks or difficulty using them correctly, there are ways to help your child improve their skills. Here are some tips for parents on how to help your child improve their punctuation.

Model correct punctuation:

Children learn by example, so make sure you are using punctuation correctly when speaking or writing in front of your child. This will help them understand how punctuation works and when to use it.

Practice, practice, practice:

The more your child practices using punctuation, the better they will become. Provide your child with writing prompts or have them write short stories and essays, and have them focus on using punctuation correctly.

Break it down:

Teach your child the basics of punctuation, such as the difference between a period, comma, and semicolon. Then, help them understand when to use each one.

Make it fun:

Incorporate games and activities that teach punctuation in a fun way. For example, you can play a game where you give your child a sentence and have them add the missing punctuation marks.

Use technology:

There are many online resources and apps that can help your child improve their punctuation skills. Consider using these as a supplement to your child’s learning.

Encourage them to proofread:

Encourage your child to proofread their own writing and look for mistakes in punctuation. This will help them develop the skills they need to become a better writer.

Provide positive feedback:

When your child uses punctuation correctly, make sure to give them positive feedback. This will encourage them to keep practicing and improve their skills.

Be patient:

Remember that learning punctuation takes time, and it may take your child longer to master it. Be patient and keep encouraging them to improve.

By following these tips, you can help your child improve their punctuation skills and become a better writer. Remember to be patient, provide positive feedback and make it fun. With your support, your child will be able to master punctuation in no time.

Improve Your Child’s Reading & Writing Skills Now!

As your children continue to grow, reading and writing gets a lot harder. Your children may face difficulties with new vocabulary words, writing strategies, challenges with reading comprehension, and their over all confidence in English Language Arts.

Here at Wholesome Learning, we strive to give your child the confidence to overcome their challenges in English through developing skills around critical reading & writing.

Click Here to Schedule a Free English Evaluation for your child and enroll into our trial that’s just $19.99 for 2 weeks of confidence boosting tutoring!

As a parent, it can be difficult to watch your child struggle with their writing. Whether it’s a lack of interest or difficulty with creativity, there are ways to inspire your child to love writing and tap into their creativity. Here are some tips for parents on how to inspire creativity in your child’s writing.

Read to your child.

Reading is one of the best ways to develop a love for language and storytelling. By exposing your child to a variety of different books, you can help them develop their imagination and creativity.

Encourage free writing.

Give your child a blank notebook and encourage them to write whatever comes to mind. This can be a great way to help them tap into their imagination and come up with new ideas for their writing.

Take them on writing field trips.

Take your child to different places and encourage them to write about what they see and experience. This can be a great way to help them develop their descriptive writing skills and inspire their creativity.

Give them writing prompts.

Writing prompts can be a great way to help your child overcome writer’s block and come up with new ideas. Try giving them prompts such as “Write a story about a magical creature,” or “Write a letter to your future self.”

Show them the power of revision.

Encourage your child to revise their writing and make it the best it can be. This will help them see that writing is a process and that it’s okay to make mistakes.

Provide positive feedback.

When your child shares their writing with you, give them constructive feedback that encourages them to keep going. Let them know what they’ve done well and where they can improve.

Encourage experimentation.

Encourage your child to experiment with different forms of writing, such as poetry, screenplays, or even songwriting. This can help them discover new ways to express themselves and inspire their creativity.

Celebrate their successes.

When your child completes a piece of writing, celebrate their accomplishment. This will give them the confidence they need to keep writing and developing their skills.

By following these tips, you can help your child tap into their imagination and develop a love for writing. Remember to be patient and encourage your child every step of the way. With your support, they can become a great writer.

Improve Your Child’s Reading & Writing Skills Now!

As your children continue to grow, reading and writing gets a lot harder. Your children may face difficulties with new vocabulary words, writing strategies, challenges with reading comprehension, and their over all confidence in English Language Arts.

Here at Wholesome Learning, we strive to give your child the confidence to overcome their challenges in English through developing skills around critical reading & writing.

Click Here to Schedule a Free English Evaluation for your child and enroll into our trial that’s just $19.99 for 2 weeks of confidence boosting tutoring!

As parents and educators, we want our children to succeed in all areas of life, including writing. However, it can be difficult to motivate children to write, especially if they have lost interest or are struggling with writing skills. In this blog post, we will explore some practical tips and strategies that parents can use to motivate their children in writing.

1. Encourage writing at home: One of the easiest ways to motivate children to write is to provide opportunities for them to write at home. This can include keeping a journal, writing letters to family and friends, or even writing a family newsletter. By giving children a chance to express themselves through writing, they will begin to see the value and enjoyment of the process.
2. Make writing fun: Writing can be a tedious task for children if it is presented as a chore. To make writing more enjoyable, try incorporating games, writing prompts, and other fun activities into the writing process. For example, you can have a “write a story day” where you provide a writing prompt and then have the children share their stories with the family.
3. Provide positive feedback: Children need to know that their writing is valued and that they are making progress. Provide positive and constructive feedback on their writing, highlighting their strengths and offering suggestions for improvement. This will help boost their confidence and motivation.
4. Model good writing habits: Children learn by example, so it’s important for parents to model good writing habits. Write yourself, and share your own writing with your child. By seeing the value and enjoyment of writing, your child will be more likely to want to write as well.
5. Find writing resources: There are many writing resources available, such as books, websites, and writing programs that can help improve your child’s writing skills and spark interest in writing. Seek out resources that cater to your child’s age and interests.
6. Get involved in the writing process: Parents can be involved in the writing process, such as by reading and providing feedback on their child’s writing. This shows that you are interested in their work and that you value their writing.
7. Set a goal: Setting a goal for your child to work towards, such as writing a short story or a poem, can help motivate them to write. The goal should be something that is challenging but achievable, and should be something that your child is excited about.
8. Praise effort: Instead of focusing on the outcome, praise your child for the effort they put into their writing. This will help them see that the process of writing is just as important as the final product.
9. Seek help if needed: If you think your child has a learning difficulty, or if you have been trying different strategies and they are not working, seek help from a teacher, tutor or a professional.

In conclusion, motivating children to write can be a challenge, but with the right approach and strategies, parents can help their children develop a love for writing. By providing opportunities for writing at home, making writing fun, providing positive feedback, and getting involved in the writing process, parents can help their children see the value and enjoyment of writing. Remember, patience and persistence are key, and don’t hesitate to seek help if you need it.

Improve Your Child’s Reading & Writing Skills Now!

As your children continue to grow, reading and writing gets a lot harder. Your children may face difficulties with new vocabulary words, writing strategies, challenges with reading comprehension, and their over all confidence in English Language Arts.

Here at Wholesome Learning, we strive to give your child the confidence to overcome their challenges in English through developing skills around critical reading & writing.

Click Here to Schedule a Free English Evaluation for your child and enroll into our trial that’s just $19.99 for 2 weeks of confidence boosting tutoring!

We all want the best for our children as parents. We want them to have the greatest education possible so that they can fulfill their full potential and achieve success in life. Enrolling our children in honors programs is one approach to ensure that they receive the greatest education possible. Honors classes provide a demanding and engaging curriculum that can aid our children’s academic, social, and emotional development.

Rigorous Classes to Stretch Young Minds

Honors classes offer a more difficult curriculum than normal programs. The curriculum is intended to challenge pupils and encourage critical and creative thinking. Honors students are exposed to more advanced material, which might aid in developing a deeper comprehension of the subject area. Furthermore, honors programs frequently feature more individual projects, which can help students improve their research and problem-solving abilities.

Social Growth

Honors classes allow youngsters to interact socially with other students who have similar interests and abilities. They can make friends with other students who share their interests and learn from one another. Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions and share their views in honors classes, which can help them strengthen their communication and teamwork abilities.

Emotional Growth

Honors classes can be a source of pride and motivation for children emotionally. They can be proud of themselves for being in an honors class, and this will inspire them to work more and achieve more. This can help them build a sense of self-worth and self-esteem, which is good for their mental and emotional health.

Wholesome Growth

It is crucial to highlight that honors classes are not for everyone and should not be required of all students. Honors classes, on the other hand, can be a terrific opportunity for youngsters who are capable and eager to take on the challenge to enhance their academic, social, and emotional skills. As a result, as parents, we must explore honors programs for our children and consult with their teachers and school administration to see whether it is a suitable fit for them.

Finally, honors classes can provide a challenging and engaging curriculum that can aid children’s academic, social, and emotional development. Parents should think about honors classes for their children and talk with their teachers and school administration to see if it’s a suitable fit. Encouraging children to take on difficult assignments can help their overall growth and future achievement.

Improve Your Child’s Grades in School Now!

As your children continue to grow, school gets a lot harder. Your children may face difficulties with new word problems, vocabulary words, writing strategies, challenges with reading comprehension, and their overall confidence in school.

Here at Wholesome Learning, we strive to give your child the confidence to overcome their challenges in English & Math through developing skills around critical thinking.

Click Here to Schedule a Free English & Math Evaluation for your child and enroll into our trial that’s just $19.99 for 2 weeks of confidence boosting tutoring!

Reading is a vital ability for success in both academic and professional settings. However, the way reading is taught in schools frequently emphasizes repetition over critical thought. This technique may result in pupils who can read but are unable to properly engage with and comprehend the texts they are reading. In this essay, we’ll look at why critical thinking is more important than repetitious practice in reading and how it might assist students in the long run.

Develops Critical Thinking Skills

One of the most major advantages of critical thinking with reading is that it aids in the development of critical thinking skills. Students learn to question, assess, and make judgements about what they read when they are encouraged to examine, interpret, and evaluate materials. This assists kids in becoming more discerning readers capable of comprehending and engaging with materials on a deeper level.

Enhances Comprehension

Improves comprehension: Repetitive practice is frequently focused on reading for the sake of reading, with little genuine grasp of the text. Critical thinking combined with reading, on the other hand, assists pupils in understanding and comprehending the texts they are reading. This is due to the fact that critical thinking requires students to engage with texts on a deeper level, which allows them to better appreciate the content’s meaning and ramifications.

Fosters Creativity & Imagination

Encourages creativity and imagination: Critical thinking via reading also encourages creativity and imagination. Students are more likely to develop their own thoughts and perspectives when they are encouraged to think critically about texts, which can lead to more creative and inventive thinking. This can benefit students in all aspects of their lives, not just academics.

Improves Your Child’s Ability to Apply Their Knowledge

Improves knowledge application: Critical thinking with reading also helps to improve knowledge application. Students are more likely to be able to apply what they have learned to real-world circumstances when they are encouraged to think critically about texts. This is due to the fact that critical thinking compels pupils to consider how the material they are reading might be used in practical ways.

Prepares Students for College & Career

Prepares students for college and their careers: Finally, reading for critical thinking is more important than reading for repetition since it prepares pupils for college and careers. Critical thinking skills are necessary for success in college and the workplace. Students will be better prepared to succeed in these contexts if they focus on critical thinking while reading.

To summarize, critical thinking through reading is more significant than repetitious exercise because it helps students develop critical thinking abilities, increases comprehension, encourages creativity and imagination, improves the capacity to apply knowledge, and prepares students for college and profession. To guarantee that students are fully prepared with the abilities they need to succeed in the future, educators must shift the focus from repetitive practice to critical thinking with reading.

Improve Your Child’s Critical Reading in School Now!

As your children continue to grow, school gets a lot harder. Your children may face difficulties with new word problems, vocabulary words, writing strategies, challenges with reading comprehension, and their overall confidence in school.

Here at Wholesome Learning, we strive to give your child the confidence to overcome their challenges in English & Math through developing skills around critical thinking.

Click Here to Schedule a Free English & Math Evaluation for your child and enroll into our trial that’s just $19.99 for 2 weeks of confidence boosting tutoring!

One of the most crucial things you as a parent can do for your child is to support their development of confidence. Being confident is an essential component of success in life, and it may have a significant impact on how well your child performs in their academic, athletic, and extracurricular endeavors. But how can you support your child’s confidence-building? Here are some pointers and tricks to get you going.Motivate them to take risks. Exposing your youngster to new experiences is one of the finest ways to foster confidence. This could be anything from traveling to a new location to trying a new sport or activity. Encourage your child to explore new experiences and outside their comfort zone.

Motivate them to take risks

Exposing your youngster to new experiences is one of the finest ways to foster confidence. This could be anything from traveling to a new location to trying a new sport or activity. Encourage your child to explore new experiences and outside their comfort zone.

Honor their efforts as well as their accomplishments

Praise your youngster for their efforts as well as their accomplishments. They will learn from this that it’s crucial to persevere even when things don’t turn out as you had hoped.

Allow them to make mistakes

Making errors is a normal part of learning, therefore it’s crucial to allow your child make them without worrying about failing. They will get a growth mentality and the courage to attempt again as a result of this.

Set a good example

Children typically imitate their parents’ behavior because they hold them in high regard. It’s crucial to provide a positive example by being confident yourself if you want your youngster to have confidence.

Discuss your child’s strengths with them

It’s critical that your youngster recognize and value their own strengths. Talk to them about their strengths and exhort them to concentrate on them.

Encourage self-reliance

Encourage your child to make independent decisions as they mature. They will have the confidence needed to make decisions and stick to them as a result of this.

Encourage them to set goals

Assist your youngster in making attainable objectives for themselves. When they accomplish their objectives, this will help them feel a sense of achievement as well as direction and purpose.

In conclusion, assisting your child in developing confidence is a continuous process that calls for tolerance, inspiration, and support. You may give your child the confidence they need to succeed in life by using the advice in this guide. Always keep in mind that each child is an individual, and what works for one child may not work for another. As a result, be understanding and encouraging, but most importantly, never give up on your child.

Improve Your Child’s Confidence in School Now!

As your children continue to grow, school gets a lot harder. Your children may face difficulties with new word problems, vocabulary words, writing strategies, challenges with reading comprehension, and their overall confidence in school.

Here at Wholesome Learning, we strive to give your child the confidence to overcome their challenges in English & Math through developing skills around critical thinking.

Click Here to Schedule a Free English & Math Evaluation for your child and enroll into our trial that’s just $19.99 for 2 weeks of confidence boosting tutoring!

5 Secrets: Improving Your Childs Reading Scores on Standardized Tests

This article is for you if:

• You want to know how to help your child do better on standardized reading tests.

• You want to help your kids do well on standardized tests, but you don’t know where to start.

• Have a child in Elementary school.

Use these strategies with your child to help them do better on standardized reading tests:

Take a Look at Last Year’s Exam

Get hold of the reading scores from last year’s standardized tests. Pay close attention to those scores. Take note of your child’s consistent patterns and trends. When you do this, you can see which standards they are good at and which ones might need more work. Standardized test scores from the past are a good place to start when planning how to teach reading and writing. The reading goals that your kids didn’t do well on can be the focus of your guided reading mini-lessons.

Create a Plan at Home

To do well on standardized tests, you have to think that success begins at the start of the school year, not a few weeks before the test.

Since the beginning of the school year, we here at Wholesome have been preparing your kids for standardized tests through our numerous writing and reading comprehension lessons.

Most schools have a scope and sequence, which can be quite long and wordy. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, so take those goals and make them easier to understand. You can find out about the scope of learning by doing a search on Google or by asking your child’s teacher.

If you look closely at a standardized reading comprehension test, you’ll see that it usually tests a mix of the following reading skills:

• Cause and Effect
• Character Traits
• Compare and Contrast
• Context Clues
• Determining Author’s Purpose (Be sure to teach author’s purpose)
• Drawing Conclusions
• Fact and Opinion
• Fiction vs. Nonfiction
• Figurative vs. Literal Language
• Finding the main idea
• Genre Features
• Inferring
• Making Connections
• Making Predictions
• Meta-Cognitive Strategies (e.g. Visualizing, Monitoring for Meaning, Questioning, etc.)
• Multiple Meaning Words
• Point of View
• Retelling
• Sequencing
• Story elements
• Summarizing

Take the reading and writing skills that will be tested and put each one in your child’s plan book on a different week. Some skills take longer than a week to learn, so keep that in mind. The scope and sequence is just a way to keep track of where you are. The goal is to talk about each goal at least once in a certain amount of time, like the first two quarters of the school year. In addition to showing students how to use the skills, teach them the learning goals in different ways.

All of the reading skills above are covered in our new English program here at Wholesome. We cover each skill as well as pose critical thinking questions to your child to help them grow with depth & understanding.

Teach Through the Books Your Child is Reading at Home

Many skills are taught in a single chapter. With a chapter book, it takes a little bit of work to plan activities and lessons around the reading skills you want to teach. However, the time and effort are well worth it. To work smarter, you could ask your child’s teacher for book suggestions, split the work and then swap activities/lessons, or sign your child up for our Wholesome Classes. Choose books that can be read in many different ways, especially ones that will be on standardized reading tests.

If you’re already a Wholesome Parent, rest easy knowing that this is the reason we read full length books in our classes. We’ve got you covered.

Read Books Aloud With Your Children from a Variety of Genres

Many kids in elementary school don’t have as much life experience as other kids their age. Books can help close those gaps. There is no way to know what the stories on standardized tests will be about, so giving students a wide range of experiences helps. Don’t live somewhere that gets snow? You can get help with that from books. A difference in culture that is only found in one part of the U.S. Books can also help with this. As teachers, we can’t control what our students do outside of school, but through books, we can show them parts of the world. These shared experiences give them more schema and background knowledge, which are important for higher-level reading comprehension.

Researchers said that the results were mixed when it came to the link between early social skills and future mental health problems, but they did find patterns in other areas, such as how people internalized and expressed their problems.

Review the Format of the Test

At some point before the test, talk to your kids about how the test will be set up. This saves time during the real test because they won’t have to waste time trying to figure out how the test is set up. This step is especially important for kids in the third grade, who are usually being tested for the first time.

Here at Wholesome, we do not only cover the content of tests, but also strategies. Test taking strategies are just as important as content because it gives your children the tools to pick the right answer when a question is confusing.

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As your children continue to grow, school gets a lot harder. Your children may face difficulties with social & emotional learning, a growth mindset, new word problems, vocabulary words, writing strategies, challenges with reading comprehension, and their overall confidence in school.

Here at Wholesome Learning, we strive to give your child the confidence to overcome their challenges in English & Math through developing skills around critical thinking.

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