Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Sylvan Math Prep

Sylvan Learning Center of Gilbert and Mesa is proud to offer a new online math tutoring service to students in middle and high school. The Sylvan Math Prep website gives kids and parents access to math tutoring every day from any computer with Internet access. Students can access Sylvan Math Prep online (with no special installation of software required) to catch up, keep up, or get ahead of math coursework.

Sylvan Math Prep was created by math teachers who also tutored extensively. Middle school and high school level mathematics are covered, including Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II material. It is not only an excellent tool for learning, reviewing and mastering math skills but also a great way to prepare for the SAT exam. The program contains 2,000 videos that are organized into 750 lessons, each correlated to the specific Sylvan tutoring lesson or math text used in school classes! If a text is not on our list, students can simply use a keyword search to find related lessons.

With Sylvan Math Prep, students are in control of their learning experience. They can review a video or practice problems numerous times in order to master math concepts. Parents are empowered to help their child(ren) to better understand and apply math concepts using the site from home.

Each lesson includes four step-by-step video demonstrations of a math concept, practice problems (with the ability to check answers, receive hints, view detailed work, and hear audio to work them out), a deep thought challenge question, and self-test (that can be taken several times, each with a different set of questions). Extra problems and notes that summarize main points of the lesson are printable.

Sylvan Math Prep is available for $39.50 per month. This program will provide more opportunities for a student’s growth and understanding in math education. Please contact us at 480-963-5900 if you would like further information or to sign up for our Sylvan Math Prep product.

Monday, October 12, 2009

College Competition Means New Stress for Today’s Teens

The pressure is on. To compete in today’s global economy, which includes international students attending North American colleges in record numbers, U.S. teenagers must obtain collegiate degrees now more than ever. According to the latest research of the U.S. Department of Education, college enrollment grew 16 percent between 1985 and 1995. Between 1995 and 2005, enrollment increased at a faster rate (23 percent), from 14.3 million to 17.5 million. The number of graduating high school seniors is expected to peak in 2011, with 67% trying to gain admission to an institution of higher learning.

What does this mean for students with college aspirations? Acing the college entrance exam is critical. Most students applying to competitive colleges now take the SAT* more than once, and as early as sophomore year.

Our growing global economy has made it necessary for more students to attend college in order to obtain good paying jobs. New tools, such as the common application, encourage students to apply to more schools - which increases the competition. Thus, making it more difficult for students to gain acceptance into the top institutions and colleges that were once seen as “safeties.”

More students and parents today are learning the secret that top colleges have known for years - systematically preparing for the SAT gives students more confidence and more confidence can lead to higher SAT scores.

New college admissions rules now allow students to score their best by taking the SAT as many times as they like, but educators suggest taking the tests no more than two or three times. Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of in-center tutoring, offers the following advice to ensure students properly prepare for their college entrance exams – Sylvan’s 10 STRESSFREE Steps to Reduce the Stress and Ace The Test!

- Studying for the SAT* takes weeks, even months, of review. Don’t try to cram overnight.

- Trust yourself. Rely on your instincts. Never leave an easy question blank.

- Read the questions and answers critically.

- Easy questions have easy answers.

- Stop and check. Every few questions, ensure the question number on the answer sheet corresponds with the booklet.

- Save time. Make sure you have enough time to answer as many questions as possible, in order to rack up as many points as possible.

- Focus on what the question is really asking. If you don’t fully understand the question, finding the correct answer is going to be tough.

- Rushing only hurts you. Keep track of the time remaining for each section.

- Eliminate answers. If you can eliminate at least two incorrect answers, make an educated guess.

- End each section by reviewing. If time permits, revisit the questions you didn’t answer.


 It’s never too early – or too late – to begin preparing for college and lifelong economic success.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

ACE THE SAT!

Is your student ready for the SAT? There is a lot of pressure for students to score well on the SAT and the next test date is just around the corner. SAT scores play a critical role in the admissions process at top colleges and universities. The test score can affect the chances of getting into a first choice school. To do your best on the SAT and increase your college options, prepare with an SAT Prep course at Sylvan Learning Center. If you enroll now, you can start the course that will help you perform your best on the upcoming fall and spring test dates.

What’s the best way to prepare for the SAT exam? Academic test research indicates that the most effective way is through small classes with highly trained teachers and a personalized program. This is exactly what you will find with Sylvan SAT Prep. You’ll have plenty of individual attention with teachers who will give you the help you need to prepare for the big exam. In this supportive Sylvan classroom atmosphere, you’ll gain the confidence to do your best.

Sylvan SAT Prep is offered exclusively through Sylvan Learning Center, a worldwide leader in personalized K-12 supplemental education and test preparation. Successfully delivered to college-bound juniors and seniors, the Sylvan SAT Prep program provides powerful test-taking strategies, all-inclusive course materials, and solid content review. Sylvan’s trained teachers work with students individually in math and verbal skills, giving them the strategies they need to succeed. Most importantly, Sylvan SAT Prep produces results. Students who have attended our prep classes have raised their scores— and are now enrolled at their first-choice colleges!

To learn more about this effective program call 480-963-5900. As soon as we hear from you, we’ll rush you a FREE practice diagnostic SAT*. Take it on your own at home, and just return it to us and we’ll send you confidential results which show you how prepared you are right now.

As you review your SAT Prep choices, you’ll find Sylvan’s unique personalized program costs about the same as larger classes with less individual attention offered by other test prep companies. Call today to receive your free practice SAT and find out how Sylvan can help you achieve your best score.

2009-2010 Test Dates and Registration Deadlines

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

How To Handle A Poor Report Card

It’s that time of the school year again – report card time. While many students will come home with good grades, many others would rather stuff their report cards deep into their backpacks than show them to their parents. As parents, you want your child to do well in school, so what do you do when your child’s report card isn’t as good as it could be?

“Children get frustrated and upset when their report cards show they are doing poorly,” states Lanette Satter, Director of Sylvan Learning in Gilbert.

“Every child learns and tests differently. And not every child will be a straight A student,” continues Satter. “Understanding your child’s ability and determining if your expectations are too high will allow both you and your child to set appropriate goals for each class before report cards are distributed. It will also help establish an environment in which your child is not apprehensive about sharing his report card with you.”

Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of in-center tutoring to students of all ages and skill levels, offers the following tips for parents on how to deal with a poor report card:

1. Set expectations. Not every child will earn all A’s, but that doesn’t mean your child should strive for less. Talk with your child before the school year starts and explain that you won’t be upset if he doesn’t bring home all A’s -- but that you will be upset if he doesn’t try his hardest or doesn’t ask for help.

2. Communicate with your child. Don’t wait until report cards are issued to talk with your child about school and grades. Talk with her every night and every week about homework. Ask how she is doing in school and what subjects she finds challenging.

3. Discuss your child’s performance with his teacher and/or guidance counselor. Your child’s teacher and/or guidance counselor is the best source for information about your child’s scholastic performance. Your child’s teacher can recommend ways to help your child or point out difficulties he is having. His guidance counselor can provide progress reports between reports cards or help set up additional parent-teacher conferences when necessary.

4. Set goals for improvement with your child. If your child is currently a C student -- then setting a goal of getting all A’s may not be reasonable. However, creating an improvement goal for each subject will help her work towards an attainable level for each class.

5. Establish a study plan with your child. Your child should keep a schedule of all classes, assignments and key dates (e.g., project deadlines, big exams, etc). As part of that schedule, she should include specific time for studying, projects and extracurricular activities. The more comprehensive the schedule, the more efficient your child will be in completing her homework and the better she’ll do in school.

6. Seek outside help. Some children may need additional attention that can’t be provided in school. Speak with your child’s teacher about tutoring or supplemental education providers to help your child work towards better grades in school.

7. Praise your child’s successes. Praise your child for what he is doing well, whether it’s a specific academic subject or an extracurricular activity. If your child is not doing well in English, but loves to read the latest Harry Potter book, show him the connection between the two.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Did Your Child Make The Grade?

Progress reports and/or report cards will be arriving soon. Did your child make the grade? If your child is not doing as well as you want, Sylvan of Gilbert/Queen Creek can help. Call 480-963-5900 and one of our directors can advise you on the best way that our certified tutors can help. Remember, we can help with reading, writing, basic math, study skills, upper level math (including algebra, geometry) and much more. Help is just a phone call away!


Call Today! Great Fall Break Specials.
480-963-5900

Your Local Education Experts!

Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of tutoring and supplemental education services to students of all ages and skill levels. At Sylvan, our warm and caring tutors tailor individualized learning plans that build the skills, habits and attitudes students need to succeed in school and in life. Affordable tutoring instruction is available in math, reading, writing, study skills, homework help, test prep and more at more than 1,100 learning centers in the United States, Canada and abroad. Contact a Sylvan Tutoring Expert: 480-963-5900

Sylvan has helped more than 2 million students learn to read, write, calculate and organize themselves to reach their potential. Every day, local Gilbert tutors help children develop a love of learning and a confidence that they carry throughout their lives. Help your child catch up, keep up or get ahead with a Gilbert tutoring program. We offer a choice of quality Gilbert tutoring programs to help students improve overall. Our proven process begins with a Sylvan Skills Assessment test that is designed to identify your child's strengths and needs, so that we can then create a personalized program that's right for your child. Our trained and certified Gilbert tutors ensure that your child receives the individualized attention necessary to master the skills needed to do better in school and better in life.

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