Making Use of Winter Break

Making Use of Winter Break To be clear, the most important purpose of winter break is just that: taking a break! After a bevy of final exams, challenging assignments, and mental exercise, you and your family deserve some time off.  That said, it is possible to get some rest and relaxation without completely turning your brain off for two weeks. With that in mind, here are a few things you can do to emerge into 2020 feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and accomplished.A few great uses of free time during your December break:1. Pick up a book that you’ve been meaning to readYou can find AJ tutors personal book recommendations on our blog here and here. Make sure to leave your phone in the car or another room for maximum undivided attention.2. Check out local events around the Bay AreaYou can find events in San Francisco, the South Bay, and more! Or simply grab your sneakers and try out a new trail with your family!3. Come in for tutoringEven though schools on break, theres still plenty of learning going on at AJ. S chool break is a great chance to get ahead in your class or start thinking about spring test preparation.Taking the March or May SAT? We can also add an extra session or two of SAT prep to use the week productively.4. Check out the AJ Educational BlogIf you have a few minutes, check out our collection of posts and and pick an interesting article! We have contributions from department heads and other highly knowledgeable AJ Tutoring leaders. There’s something in the blog for everyone!

Matching Learning Styles to Study Tools

Matching Learning Styles to Study Tools As your child matures into an independent student, he or she will continue to refine those all-important study skills. Throughout school, students employ a variety of tools when studying, however, what works for one student may not for another. Help your child enhance his or her study sessions through the use of the right tools for his or her learning style. There are many different types of learning styles, but one common way to categorize learning preference is through the senses: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Here are descriptions of each and the types of tools or devices that may aid such learners in their study sessions. Visual learners generally like to see or read what they learn. Students who learn visually often take detailed notes, watch people intently when they are speaking, have vivid imaginations and are good at remembering places or people. They also tend to understand concepts better when a teacher writes them on the board or draws them out. Study tools for visual learners: Visual aids, such as diagrams, pictures, maps, drawings and charts Flash cards and other visual memory devices A blank notebook or blank paper for drawing out ideas and concepts visually (in order to aid in the students comprehension) Written directions for assignments and projects To-do lists Day planners in which to record assignments, appointments and other tasks White boards Auditory learners learn best by listening and verbalizing concepts aloud. In class, these students may not necessarily need to watch the teacher to comprehend his or her lessons or lectures, provided the subject matter is being discussed in sufficient detail. They prefer to study by reading aloud and talking to themselves and they may be good at remembering the information they hear. Classroom lectures are a comfortable form of learning for these students and many auditory learners ask a lot of questions to reinforce their understanding of things. Study tools for auditory learners: Tape recorders for classroom lectures Handheld dictation machines to record and play back concepts and ideas Mnemonic devices to help with memorizing facts and information Audio books Study groups Text to speech software, such as NaturalReader (naturalreaders.com) Kinesthetic learners like to be active participants in the learning process, whether through hands-on activity or some other active endeavor. Such students learn best by doing and enjoy manipulating materials and objects as part of the learning process. In the classroom, these students may need to stand, move around or doodle while listening to lectures. Long periods of reading may make them fidgety and/or cause them to lose focus. Study tools for kinesthetic learners: Note taking Highlighters to highlight while reading or reviewing Stress ball or other ball (tennis ball or baseball) to play with while studying Interactive tools tied to studying, such as Quizlet, an online study software or Google SketchUp, a drawing and 3D modeling tool Standing desk Stationary bike or treadmill (to use while reading) Remember that a student might prefer a certain learning style for one task or subject and another style for a different task. Also, tools that work for one type of learner may also work well for another type, too. Its always good practice to try out different study approaches and tools and talk with your childs teachers for additional ideas and suggestions. Encourage your child to explore his or her own learning preferences through the use of different tools and techniques so that he or she make the most of every class and study session.