KIDS INPERTH
The
Born & Bred in WA
,
MARCH 2013
Parents Paper
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Tutoring makes a huge difference
The basics do matter
Julia Gilmore (M.Ed.,B.Ed.,Dip.Tch)
by Victoria Carlton, Director International Centre for Excellence
s a specialist language, literacy and numeracy teacher, one of the most rewarding aspects is to help students from Kindy to Year 12 become confident and happy at school; socially, emotionally and academically.
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Some of the challenges students could face in 2013 are ongoing struggles with English and mathematics, coping with the new national curriculum, coping with relocation for incoming eastern states or overseas students, NAPLAN testing, scholarship testing or the need for extension for bored, capable students. Parents also have to face ever-increasing challenges and can feel overwhelmed and helpless at times. Availability of a reasonably priced support source that is practical, wellinformed and child and parent friendly is reassuring for many parents. Intervention in Term One sets a pattern for the entire year and A1 Learning Academy students achieved amazing results in 2012. In-centre or home tutors provide expert, inspirational support to students from all around the metropolitan area. Shannon was a bright, happy child until she entered Year 1 and soon began to notice that she was not coping as well as her friends, especially
with reading and story writing. In one term, Shannon jumped five levels in reading and is writing fantastic stories.
very day teachers at ICE see casualties of the “fuzzy think” approach to education. They see children who cannot read, spell, write coherently and cannot perform the simplest of mental maths functions. Australia is not doing well on the international literacy and numeracy scales and it’s time to change this!
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Jamie is a Year 9 who recently relocated from the UK and was struggling with maths and essay writing. He was poorly organised and rarely completed assignments, homework and class tasks. Now achieving A’s, he says that he wants to be a Plumber or a Sports Physiotherapist and is determined to raise his academic levels so that the choices for his career pathway remain open.
Just ask the really simple questions: Can my child read, write and spell? Can my child add, subtract, multiply and divide?
children a chance, to give them the proper foundations for learning. The basics are not boring; they are the lifeblood of education and provide the key to well informed and successful futures. All subjects are unavailable to a child who cannot read. All sciences and understanding of abstract thoughts are lost to those who cannot grasp the concepts of basic maths and logic. All professions are unavailable to children who lack the “basics”.
Jacelyn missed out on early literacy and numeracy skills and now, in Year 5, she is dreading the NAPLAN testing. Her mum is desperate for her to revise the basic skills and prepare for NAPLAN tests.
Many parents have been told basic processes, such as tables, no longer matter. This is errant nonsense. Children need their tables to be able to problem solve, divide and perform many simple maths tasks in the workplace and at home.
Amy, who has had the same tutor for several years, has earned a place at Oxford University in England to study science.
They also need to be able to write proper sentences that contain nouns, verbs, adverbs and adjectives and to know which is which.
Teachers at ICE offer the “basics”. Victoria Carlton’s vision is to help all children reach their full potential. They may not all win Nobel prizes or become university professors but that won’t be because they weren’t given a chance to learn. They’ll at least have the basics - the best foundation to be able to choose any profession they wish!
Bookings are now being taken for assessments and term programs. One or two hours per week can make a huge difference.
Let’s get back to basics: teach the children to read and appreciate books, spell well and write in a flowing manner. Teach them their tables and how to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
Children aged 2 to 17 are offered exciting, multisensory learning experiences to ensure they develop all of the 8 intelligences. Full educational assessments are also available for parents wanting specific information on
This is not new stuff. It’s not even a radical idea. It is a heartfelt plea to give
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To make a booking or just to have a friendly chat about your child, please call Julia at A1 Learning on 9402 5080 or email julia.gilmore@optusnet.com.au
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Early learning means a good start. Your local Goodstart Early Learning centre offers a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment with friendly professionals who are qualified in early learning practices. For vacancy enquiries:
1800 222 543 visit goodstart.org.au
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At Goodstart, children are at the heart of everything we do. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to investing our profits on improved early learning resources, facilities and staff training.
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