Golowich's Goings-On

Staying Referral-Free!

Growing up in an industrial area of New York, I became familiar with a factory nearby that had a sign predominantly displayed outside its fence proudly proclaiming "... Days Without an Accident."  As a young child, I thought it odd that someone would celebrate being "accident free" for so many days in a row, but I was always fascinated by the sign and looked forward to seeing the number increase every time my parents drove me by the plant. 

I eventually made the connection that it was an attempt be a large company to bring safety to the forefront of its employees' awareness.  As I was again thinking back to my childhood after a conversation with my sister who still lives in New York, a thought triggered in my mind: what if I could raise awareness in a similar fashion for seventh graders to follow as their vision? 

Almost immediately after, I created a poster which reads "The Grade 7 Safety and Awareness Program; Seventh Graders are Referral Free for _____ Days."  Quirky?  Perhaps, but a little competitive spirit has embodied the students, and I have heard accounts of them "pulling back" in situations that may have landed them in my office with a referral.  Whatever it takes, I guess!

On another note, the gauntlet has been thrown down by Mr. Robinson whose sixth graders are challenging the seventh graders for superiority when taking the CRCT.  More than a few seventh graders have replied with a sentiment of "Bring it on!"  What an absolute joy it is to work with your children, and I have heard that sentiment reiterated by their teachers many times.

Finally, please do refer to "Parables for Success," a short advice guide of how to maximize academic and behavioral success, on our website.  We're going to have a wonderful year ... it's the Lovinggood Way!

Parables for Success for Lovinggood Students: Part 1

1. Study Skills: Be a “Smart Mental Weightlifter.”  Huh?  Well, let’s put it this way.  If you were to have a weightlifting contest with someone else, say six months from now, Person A should start practicing, say, three or four times a week for 30 to 60 minutes a day until the contest.  Person B, however, keeps on putting off, putting off, and putting off his practicing.  Every day, Person B would make fun of Person A because while Person A was practicing, Person B would brag about all the fun he was having … until the day before the contest.  Now, while Person A rests or does light exercises, Person B is spending hour after hour lifting as many weights as he can in 24 hours. 

The result is obvious.  Person B will in no way be ready, while Person A is ready and confident.  Now, nobody in their right mind would ever prepare for a weightlifting contest the way Person B prepared for his.

So why do we study for tests this way? 

The lesson here is: to have success in tests, it’s not necessarily how long you study, but how often.

·         Study for as many days before the test as possible (it is okay to ask your teachers when the test will be, even if they give an approximate date)

·         After each day, take a few moments to review notes from each class, whether a test has been announced or not

·         The most successful test-takers study often, and when they study often, they don’t have to study long

·         Hmmm – studying more often, but for less total time, and actually doing better in tests.  I’d rather do less while doing it correctly to achieve better results, wouldn’t you?

Be a smart mental weight-lifter.  Study often (distribute your practice) instead of all at once (that is, massing your practice).  It’s research-based!

Mid-Year Reflections

I have chosen as one of my administrative goals to "sit in" every sixth grade homeroom at least twice this year.  The purpose of this is to familiarize myself with all students and to have them thoroughly familiarize myself to them.  As to this second point: students ask questions about the school, about me, or about activities.  I in turn have the opportunity to explain to them some initiatives I would like to see accomplished.

The most pressing issue right now is graffiti in the rest rooms.  I explained to students that it is disappointing to see a brand new school become desecrated by a few of the students.  I also offered them a safe and anonymous manner in which to report alleged perpetrators.  My solemn promise to them is that I would never enable their identity to become know to those breaking the rules.

On the plus side, I am immensely proud of the students.  BY and large, they are hard-working, respectful and well-behaved.  Evidence of this was the enormous number of sixth graders earning honor roll status.

Less than a week ago, sixth graders were visited by Georgia Tech athletes and coaches who gave students the challenge to read more than any other school in the "Jacket to Jacket" program.  I wish to extend my encouragement to students who will make us #1! Click here for more information.  I end now with the above words that I hope serve as an opportunity for students to recognize that they are doing well, and that they should never stop trying to endeavor to do better!  My wish is for a happy and healthy winter break for all.

Agenda!

First of all, I am absolutely so fortunate to be working with such a talented, skilled, passionate and dedicated groups of people like this year's sixth grade staff.  These teachers, I am convinced, have the best interests, and only the best interests, of their students at heart.

We had a meeting today.  There will be more news forthcoming, but the holiday party that is being planned is creative, festive, and very fun!  More details to follow. 

I'd like to suggest a study tip of the day.  It's very basic, but very useful to streamline communication. 

Technology.

Are blogs being checked?  Are resources within them being utilized.  Is i-Parent referenced? 

Then, there is that pesky little matter of emails.  I am very happy to be copied on any email sent to a teacher.  This way, I can check to see if I have also not received an email that a teacher claims he or she has not; this will enable a more expedited form of communication to sift through email problems.  It will also help keep me closer to the how your child is doing.

All for now!

Homework

Is your child is the type that spends needless time searching for a pencil, and then a pen, and then the calculator, and then the book?  Then, after everything is in place (after a half hour of scurrying around), it is discovered that the calculator's batteries are dead!!!

Make your child a homework box.   The box will be a special drawer, a tote bag, a box, or another suitable container.  It is deemed OFF LIMITS to all other household members.  It is picked up at the same place every day, and put down in the same place every day.  Parents can help by taking a quick look to make sure that pencils are re-sharpened before the child goes to bed, or that all items are stored neatly instead of being thrown helter skelter back in the container, or that THE CALCULATOR ALWAYS HAS FRESH BATTERIES!

Label it "Homework Supplies" to avoid any confusion.  Spending less than a minute a day every day will result in hours of wasted time and frustration when your child has to hunt down supplies in a horrible kind of scavenger hunt!  After all, who wants to work unnecessarily harder to complete homework?

For more studying tips and tricks please visit:
http://www.squidoo.com/doyourhomework