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| A+ Test Prep and Tutoring Newsletter |
January 2012 |
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Exercise Benefits Your Brain!
|  Going for a jog, lifting weights, taking a swim--all are great ways to work your muscles. Have you also considered that one of the benefits of exercise is that it boosts brainpower? Several recent studies have demonstrated the positive effects on our brain that are achieved by getting out of our chairs and moving our bodies. In one study, scientists in Ireland asked a group of sedentary male college students to perform a memory test where they watched a lineup of photos with the faces and names of strangers. After a break, they tried to remember the names that fit with each photo. Then, half of the students exercised to the point of exhaustion on a stationary bicycle, while the other half sat quietly for 30 minutes. Next, both groups took the test again. Although physically more tired, the exercised volunteers performed significantly better on the memory test the second time, while the non-exercisers showed no improvement. There is a biological explanation for this phenomenon. Immediately following strenuous exercise, the cyclists had notably higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein known to promote the health of nerve cells. What this study suggests, therefore, is that the increase in BDNF prompted by exercise may play a role in improving memory and recall. Other new studies have reached similar conclusions, among both people and animals, in various age groups. Another recent study, although not one directly related to exercise, looked at BDNF in aging airline pilots, with similar results. Dr. Ahmad Salehi, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford and lead author of the study, points out, "So many studies have shown that exercise increases levels of BDNF.... It seems to be key to maintaining not just memory but skilled task performance." He concludes, "....for everyone, the evidence is very, very strong that physical activity will increase BDNF levels and improve cognitive health." These studies are relevant to all of us, and are particularly noteworthy for students. Sitting for prolonged periods is not good for our physical health, and here is more evidence that it is not beneficial to brain function either. Of course, studying is still important, but it is clear that taking a break for a brisk walk or jog will help cognitive processes. So look up from your books and computer screens, lace up your running shoes, and go boost your memory and improve your test scores! |
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Family Mealtime Has Many Benefits for Kids (and Their Parents)
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Family eating habits can have a significant effect on a child's academic and personal success. Sitting down as a family around the table for conversation, for a time to reconnect around a meal, is important for several reasons. It is at these moments that children seem to know that parents are really listening and are truly involved in what is happening in their lives. Many studies have shown that children in families who have mealtime together have higher vocabulary levels, especially when parents talk about current events. Evidence shows that such dinner-table conversation actually boosts kids' vocabulary level more than reading together! And, studies have demonstrated that those children are 40% more likely to get As and Bs in school.
What is the science behind the benefits of family dinner? Many past studies have concluded that mealtimes are vital to children's grades, and make kids less likely to experiment with drugs or smoking. Several recent studies have bolstered these findings. According to The Importance of Family Dinners VII, an August 2011 report from The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia) that looked at elementary through high school students, it is teenagers who reap the most pronounced benefits of mealtimes. When compared to teens who have frequent family dinners (five to seven per week), those who have infrequent family dinners (fewer than three per week) are almost four times likelier to use tobacco; more than twice as likely to use alcohol; two-and-a-half times likelier to use marijuana; and almost four times likelier to say they expect to try drugs in the future.
Most parents say that they want more time to sit together, but it is hard to carve out that space because of all of the different schedules. And, 52% of teens say they would like to have more family dinners. So how do we actually make this happen?
*Pick one night to start. Or, if that can't be arranged, it could be breakfast, or dessert time at 8 pm. Remember the magic that happens over family dinners isn't the food on the table, but the communication and conversations around it. Creating opportunities to connect is what's important.
*Make it a positive experience. Mealtime shouldn't be a difficult or negative activity. As such, try to avoid talk such as, "What did you get on your math exam?" Instead, try topics like "With whom did you sit at lunch?" or "What are your plans this weekend?" It is best to focus on positive issues, but if conversation veers into negative territory, try to give feedback such as, "Perhaps we can work on studying this weekend" and then end on a positive note like, "Great effort on...."
*Ask open-ended questions, or make up a fun learning game. For example, Ann Dolin, an education consultant, uses word-of-the-day vocabulary words printed on post-it notes to get her whole family involved in making up sentences using the words. She relates that it is a great dinnertime exercise that can break the ice and usually ends up being very fun (as well as educational).
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SAT and ACT Proctored Exam
Schedule for February 2012
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Free, no-obligation, proctored ACT and SAT practice exams are open to current A+ students and to members of the community.
The following exam dates are scheduled:
Penn Wynne Library 130 Overbrook Parkway Wynnewood, PA 19096
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2012
10:00 AM to 2:15 PM
St. Paul's Church 120 N. Easton Road Glenside, PA 19038
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2012
8:45 AM to 1:00 PM
Wrightstown Library 727 Penns Park Rd Wrightstown, PA 18940
Date: Sunday, February 26, 2012
1:00 PM to 5:15 PM
This is a great opportunity for students to take the ACT or SAT in a simulated test-center environment prior to sitting for the "real" thing. Students will receive a detailed score report which includes an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses on the exam.
These free tests are offered by A+ on a no-obligation basis. Space is limited, though, so call our office today at 215.886.9188 or 610.520.0537 to register.
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 | | Joe DeFrancesco, Guidance Counselor at Council Rock North High School |
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Check out our podcast series here!
In this four-part series, A+ Social Media Intern, Jessica Lopez, a senior at Temple University majoring in Strategic Communications, speaks with Joe DeFrancesco, a guidance counselor at Council Rock North High School in Newtown, PA.
Mr. DeFrancesco answers a variety of frequently asked questions about the college admissions process. Topics covered include:
- Common mistakes parents make during the process
- What to look for during college visits
- The importance of extracurricular activities
- How to ease the transition from high school to college.
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Featured Online Learning Tool: Khan Academy
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Online learning has become increasingly popular in recent years. One notable site is Khan Academy, which describes itself as an organization on a mission: "We're a not-for-profit with the goal of changing education for the better by providing a free world-class education to anyone, anywhere. All of the site's resources are available to anyone. It doesn't matter if you are a student, teacher, home-schooler, principal, adult returning to the classroom after 20 years, or a friendly alien just trying to get a leg up in earthly biology. The Khan Academy's materials and resources are available to you completely free of charge."
Founded by Salman Khan, a former hedge fund manager with three degrees from MIT and an MBA from Harvard, and developed by him and his team of highly educated professionals, Khan Academy is succeeding in setting superior standards for online education. In their own words, "We're a small team trying our best to improve the way the world learns. Too many people around the globe don't have access to good education materials, or they are forced to learn through a system that doesn't properly cater to their individual needs. We think the technology exists today to fundamentally change this, and we're trying to build the tools and resources every student deserves."
The National Association for Child Development (NACD) has given its approval to Khan Academy, stating "...we are pleased with the philosophy, teaching technique and the quality of materials available through Khan Academy. We have also seen solid progress in our kids who have been using this site for their primary math instruction. Most of all, Khan Academy aligns with our own NACD perspective on education in several ways."
The Khan Academy is a great adjunct to tutoring, especially for math instruction. Teachers and tutors can integrate both lessons and exercises from the site into their instruction, giving students a fun and challenging way to practice their skills. Check it out. It's worth a look!
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Thank you for your interest in A+ and our newsletter. Feel free to contact us at 215.886.9188 or on the web at www.aplustutoring.com.
And don't forget to visit the A+ Blog, which is updated weekly with articles relating to a variety of education-related topics including college admissions, test prep, learning disabilites, reading skills, and more.
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Daniel Ascher
A+ Test Prep and Tutoring |
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