“We had planned to stop the tutoring after the 11+ exam, but with the next lockdown and more disruption to her education, we quickly relented when she literally begged us to continue going! The sessions are adjusted to her needs and she describes them as ‘really fun’ and she likes it that the work is specific to her level and much more individualised than the class work at school.”Summer Writing Competition Prize Giving!
Fantastic Story Writing
Thank you to everyone for coming to our Summer Writing Competition Prize Giving event!
Well done to Alice and Shumaiya for winning our competition. Local author Justin Strain handed out wonderful prizes to all the children who entered.
Alice also won £100 in book tokens for her school (St Jude’s Primary) and I was able to read out part of her story to the assembly at the school. They loved it!!
Summer Writing Competition
Summer Writing Competition!
I Love to Learn tutors have teamed up with local children’s author Justin Strain, to encourage children to get writing this summer. the competition is open to ‘I Love To Learn’ students as well as children in local schools.
The theme is ‘Mystery and Adventure’ and there will be three age categories;
- 7 to 8
- 9 to 11,
- 12 to 16
Portsmouth author, Justin Strain, has agreed to judge the stories and present a signed copy of his book to each winner On Saturday 29th September.
Summer writing competition will be a signed book, I Love to Learn goodies and £100 in book tokens for the overall winner’s school!
Click here for Justin’s ‘Profile’ page in The Times Chicken House Award
Click here for Justin’s ‘Good Reads’ page.
Justin writes books for young people (9-14) based in our home city of Portsmouth! His first book is called ‘The Secret of the Scarlet Ribbon’ and has been short listed for The Times Chicken House Children’s Fiction Award.
The deadline for all entries is Sat 8th September, to be handed in or posted to I Love To Learn Education Centres. Alternatively, email tutors@ilovetolearn.co.uk
Competition Judging Criteria:
- Originality of idea
- Use of language
- Imagination
- Development of characters/plot
Justin’s Top Tips for Writing
- Try and imagine a scene as your character would experience it. Showing the reader what the character sees/hears/tastes/smells/feels can be really powerful.
- Think about how things would be different for your character in their situation/historical period. What would they wear or eat? Would they go to school? How would they get about?
- Describing an everyday event from a different perspective can be really effective. A walk across a darkened room after the lamp has gone out can be an adventure in itself!
- If you have a hero and a villain, make sure the villain comes alive – villains can often be the most deliciously interesting characters to the reader.
Help with Handwriting
Dylan Had Always Struggled with Handwriting
Dylan had always struggled with very poor handwriting. We came to the centre and found the assessment very helpful.
After only a few months of tutoring with Linda, teachers can now read his writing and he feels more confident. His coordination problems have been recognised, thanks to your suggestion, and this has helped at school. We have now spoken to an Occupational Therapist who has recommended that Dylan gets more time in his exams. This will be a great help.
It has made a big difference to his schooling as he enjoys it much more now. All his teachers are much happier and able to give him more help. It has also shown him that he can do things he thought he couldn’t.
4 Study Habits for the New Academic Year
4 Study Habits for the New Academic Year
It’s back to business after the freedom and fun of the summer holidays. Let’s hope our children will have the excitement and enthusiasm for a new year motivating them through the first term. Forming a few good habits early can help them when facing new challenges later.
Effective study skills can often make good students into great students. Here are four great study habits to help your child get the most out of their learning this year.
- Study Planner-schools let children know the topics they will be studying nowadays. Make a long term plan of the year ahead to help focus their learning and avoid last minute cramming.
- Study Schedule-stick to regular homework sessions on a timetable making as it will become part of the daily routine.
A calendar and a weekly plan leading up to due dates will give everyone a clear view and help in allocating time to getting things done.
- Study Time- designate a ‘communication blackout hour’ or until homework is done, no phones, messages, gaming or TV.
- Study Space-create a study area away from above distraction, ideally a quiet, well lit area, having materials and equipment to hand including spare reading glasses if needed.
Help with Homework
We don’t think that parents should have to do all the work, so this kind of support for children is a good way to help them take responsibility. Generally the rule of thumb is, if you are working harder on their homework than they are it is time to back off! Of course it is OK to help with their homework, (make it clear who is responsible) if they ask for it but perhaps limit it to 30 mins before charging!
Getting the balance right can take time. Try to avoid threats if things get tough, this usually leads to trenches getting dug rather deep. Instead try offering encouragement like ” As soon as it’s done you can/we can ………..”.
To read more try…. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/pride-and-joy/201209/battles-over-homework-advice-parents
