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5 Summer Activities for Gifted and Talented Students

Summer break is a yearly challenge. Planning vacations, balancing schedules, and finding time to relax keep many families busy. Finding just the right activities to keep our children happy and engaged is an on-going struggle for parents. However, for gifted and talented students, planning a healthy and enjoyable summer is absolutely critical. Without the structure of classes and the healthy academic challenge, gifted students often languish in boredom and restless energy during the long summer months. Combat the infamous “summer slump” with these challenging and enjoyable summer activities.

Summer Camps

Some parents see summer camps as nothing more than a way to get their children out in the woods for the summer. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Many amazing summer camps exist around the country that are specifically geared toward enriching gifted students. Science, computer technology, engineering, art, and theater are some of the most-loved camp themes. Even children interested in future intelligence and law enforcement careers have a special niche at camps such as the U.S. Intelligence Careers and Student Programs in Fort Meade, Maryland. These specialized summer camps offer active learning opportunities and fun activities designed to challenge and motivated students to reach for their potential. Regardless of your child’s unique interests and hobbies, there is a camp that can offer them healthy challenges and new friendships.

Volunteering and Non-Profits

One of the best ways to coax shy students from their shell is to help them learn the value and enjoyment of helping others. Gifted students have an enormous potential for offering passionate care, but some find it hard to leave their comfort zone. Organizations such as Volunteer Match offer children and their parents ways to find volunteer opportunities at the non-profits they love most. Find what causes your child is passionate about and look for ways to actively involve them. Children that spend the summer working for amazing causes often start the school year with many happy and well-loved memories. There’s nothing more rewarding and stimulating than finding a cause worth fighting for.

College Summer Programs

Many gifted students are very excited over the prospect of their future college years, particularly high schoolers. Give them a taste of the challenges and excitement by enrolling them in one of the many summer college programs hosted around the country. Columbia, the University of Pennsylvania, and John Hopkins are just a few of the amazing schools that reach out for eager high school students. These programs are designed to prepare students for the rigors of college life by offering challenging summer classes, internship opportunities, and even chances to study abroad. Some of these programs transfer to college credits that give your child a head-start on their college career. In addition to the academic opportunities, many of these college programs offer fun sight-seeing trips and activities to help students branch out and form new friendships with their peers. Although some of these programs are costly, financial aid and scholarships may help alleviate the price. Regardless, these amazing opportunities are well-worth the investment.

Summer Start-Ups

Students that plan to enter the business world one day thrive when given the unique opportunity to launch their own start-up. These “summer start-ups” introduce children to the world of market tools as well as the personal discipline needed to keep their business ventures afloat. Creative students that excel in art and design have many opportunities to begin selling their creations online. Etsy, DeviantArt, and Zazzle are just a few great online platforms that allow growing artists to begin building their portfolio and growing contacts. Students that wish to pursue careers in writing and other literary fields can gain valuable practice and experience with freelance writing platforms. In addition to earning their own money, students that gain early practice with self-employed business ventures gain valuable tools and practical know-how for success in their future business endeavors.

Summer Classes

It’s no secret that gifted students are often the most comfortable in a classroom. Learning is sometimes viewed as a hobby and enjoyable past-time. However, during the long months of summer break, many gifted students begin feeling restless and bored. Although summer break is traditionally viewed as a time for relaxation, allowing your child to take a few summer classes is often a wise compromise. Allow them to select one or two classes to take “just for fun.” Sports, art, theater, and other creative avenues are great ways to spend a challenging but fun summer break. Although learning is important, grades alone shouldn’t necessarily be the emphasis of these summer classes. Help them emphasize having fun and making friends with fellow students. These classes should be challenging enough to keep your child properly motivated but not so stressful that their vacation is miserable.

Summer break is rich with opportunities for continued growth and amazing memories. Although your child’s summer schedule may be more relaxed this doesn’t mean they have to spend the summer bored or restless. Invest in one or more of these amazing gifted programs! For more information on stimulating summer activities, please contact us today.

5 Summer Activities for Gifted and Talented Students2017-05-26T09:05:40-05:00

VLOG#8: Social Skills for Teens

In this VLOG we discuss the importance of social skills for teenagers.  To help us with this topic, we are joined by Wendy Dawson, Founder and Executive Director of Social Motion Skills. Wendy helps us define and discuss the importance of social skills, identify social skills killers, and talk strategy on how to help your teen develop social skills.

VLOG#8: Social Skills for Teens2017-05-26T08:42:50-05:00

The Phenomenon of Teacher Retaliation

The general understanding in the community is the image of the teacher as a duty-driven professional whose interest is in transforming the lives of children. People in America have the same feelings about all the community heroes who serve: teachers, pastors, and first responders to name a few.  But working with adolescents can be frustrating.  Teachers are often mistreated by the students and families they serve.  It is not uncommon to hear about teachers retaliating against a student.  Even more common is students and families unwilling to share constructive feedback for fear a teacher will retaliate against their child by poor grades, intentionally embarrassment, or some other means.

What is teacher retaliation?

Professor Alan McEvoy, sociologist at Northern Michigan University, calls these incidents examples of abuse of power:

“In a small minority of teachers, an ugly undercurrent of mean-spirited and disdainful conduct toward students also exists. This conduct constitutes a corruption of the role of the educator and does enormous damage to students, colleagues and the public’s faith in schools….teachers who bully…and coaches who waged a daily reign of terror over students.”

McEvoy points out that at present 49 states have passed legislation to address student on student bullying, however none have addressed the issue of abuse of power by educators toward students. There are no national studies on the subject, only a few limited studies begin to document the issue. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report entitled, “Bullying Surveillance among Youths.” The report acknowledges this lack of attention to the problem of educators abuse of power, saying that its report, “excludes abuse perpetrated by adults against children or youths.”

Retaliatory behavior often takes the form of public humiliation of student targets.

  • Students and teachers often agree on which teachers engage in retaliatory behavior.
  • Most often the bullying takes place only in the teacher’s own classroom where other students can view it, but other teachers can not.
  • Teachers are perceived to bully with impunity. They are seldom to account for this behavior.
  • Schools generally lack a means of redress for students or their parents who register complaints against a teacher.

Teacher bullying is often in retaliation for what the teacher feels are student behaviors that make their jobs more difficult. It often takes the form of exaggerated discipline that originates as a means of changing student behavior that becomes distorted into irrelevant punishment.

How frequent is it?

In a small-sample survey published in The International Journal of Social Psychiatry Psychiatrist Stuart Twemlow finds hints that the problem of teacher retaliation leading to bullying may be more common that many believe. Anonymously, Twemlow surveyed 116 teachers at seven elementary school and found that 70 percent believed that the problem was isolated. When he asked the teacher if they had specifically if they had themselves retaliated against a child, 45 percent admitted that they had.

Personal meaning.

A student talks to his mother, Karen about his “mean” teacher. Karen takes it with a grain of salt, thinking that “mean” usually stands for making you study or demanding you answer questions. It usually does not mean verbal abuse. Karen had just transferred her son from a private school to an appealing charter school. She fell in love with the new school where there was a garden where music played at lunch.

After the school year began, her fourth grader began saying he didn’t want to go to school. Every morning before school he said he felt nauseous. He was angry every afternoon when he was picked up. Karen was told by a classmate that the teacher yells at her son all the time. He also said that the teacher yells at her son especially, so loud that “we can hear it in the next room.”

When Karen expressed her concerns to the school administration, they pointed their fingers at her son, saying he needed medication. I response to that, Karen took her son for a psychological assessment at a university educational center. She was told there was nothing wrong with him. Eventually in desperation, Karen withdrew her son from school and began home schooling.

Solutions:

It is important that schools and teacher be trusted as a safe environment for students and families.  School officials have a duty to protect students.  Schools must (and can) act to reduce teacher retaliation behavior.  Even if retaliation does not exist on a campus, the fear of retaliation can also lead to stymied constructive feedback and improvement.  Here are some steps schools can take to establish a culture against teacher retaliation and/or the fear of teacher retaliation:

  • Use in-service time to frankly discuss the issue and the limits of appropriate teacher behavior, especially when it comes to class discipline.  Teachers will be mistreated by students (and even parents), yet is is a teachers duty to respond professionally as the mature adult.
  • Establish and formalize a systematic way to address complaints about alleged teacher bullying. Provide a process in which grievances can be heard and settled as a basic civil right.
  • Track formal and informal complaints, including student comments. Use course and teacher evaluation forms. Allegations about teacher retaliation behavior should be included in annual performance reviews.

The Tenney School is a small private school focused on nurturing the needs of each individual student.  If you are looking for a school to meet you child’s individual needs, contact us.

The Phenomenon of Teacher Retaliation2019-02-15T11:45:25-06:00

Is Technology Addiction a Real Addiction

When you buy something you don’t need and consume it to the detriment of other activities in your life it begins to look like an addiction. Buying technology and becoming obsessed with technology to the detriment of the rest of your life is clearly some kind of addiction. There are plenty of people who are calling it a disorder. They have dubbed it “Internet Addiction Disorder” (IAD).

Seeing the Addiction as a Disorder:

In a way, technology addiction is like alcohol or cigarette addiction. Technology is a legal product. There are strong social status rewards associated with it. It’s hard to define exactly where it becomes insidious. Using technology, like video gaming or using the internet, covers many potential dangers and many kinds of obsession which can harm participation in real life. Internet Gaming Disorder is already formally recognized as a disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, v.5.

Technology addiction includes cybersex and online porn addiction. Video gambling can be ruinous in many lives. The temptation to click “buy now” on eBay or other auction sites can be overwhelming, and sometimes as ruinous as gambling. Many people occupy large proportions of their lives texting or immersed in social media. These forms of internet use look real on the surface, but are really fraught with fantasy and self-deception. (Source: https://www.cripto-valuta.net/en/bitcoin-system/)

Psychiatry has been hotly debating the issue or inclusion of IAD as a separate category of mental disorder since 2012.

According to The International Journal of Neuropsychiatric Medicine,

“

[for some] the medium…exhibits features of impulse control disorder recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.”

A large-scale epidemiological survey estimates that the prevalence of “problematic internet use” is nearly one percent (.7 percent) of the population. The American Psychiatric Association found that the number of people in the U.S. spending more than 20 hours a week on the internet nearly doubled between 2008 and 2015, amounting now to more than 43 million people. A Pew Research study found that 50 percent of 13 to 17 year-olds go online several times a day and nearly 25 percent are online “nearly continuously.”

A study published in the journal, Frontiers of Human Neuroscience, describes evidence that

“…certain prefrontal functions, in particular executive control functions are related to symptoms of internet addiction…”

The journal does hedge a little bit, not declaring that there is a strong cause and effect relationship between IAD and brain structure change, but saying that there are “several similarities with findings in substance dependency.” Research does point to a correlation between IAD and depression, school problems, obesity, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Do Schools Play a Role in IAD?

In the Australian state of Queensland, computer coding has been introduced as part of the compulsory school curriculum. Queensland has joined England, Belgium, Finland, Estonia, and the Netherlands in providing a more intense study of computer technology.

The recognition of the importance of computer education comes, even among the educators themselves, with the warning that the training may “do more harm than good when used in excess.” Child development expert, Dr. Michael Nagel recently sent a message of caution to the school authorities saying, “When we are talking about kids at four and five years of age, we have rafts of research that tell us what kids need more than anything is to get out and play.” Many parents are concerned that children are missing out on “real world experiences” like playing outdoors.

An article in Forbes last year cited a recent study of 3,000 middle and high school students in Finland, finding that internet addiction is leaving some students feeling burnt out at school. In turn the school burnout leads to more time on the internet, creating a vicious cycle that leads to increasing rates of depression. This study does not support the notion that schools cause IAD, but that IAD significantly affects students’ interaction with schools. As school work requires increasing use of the internet, does the schoolwork force the students into greater immersion in the internet?

The Tenney School believes that every student has a different learning style, and school curriculum should be flexible to meet each student’s individual needs. Please contact us to learn more.

Is Technology Addiction a Real Addiction2021-01-07T20:03:57-06:00

Congratulations Class of 2017

The Tenney School Class of 2017 was launched this weekend.  We would like to congratulate our graduates on a job well done.  We wish you the best of luck next year as you pursue your education at:

  • Houston Baptist University
  • Houston Community College
  • Lamar University
  • Los Angeles Film School
  • St. Thomas University
  • Texas Tech University
  • University of Houston
  • University of Houston Language and Culture Center
  • University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • University of Mississippi
Congratulations Class of 20172017-05-15T12:12:05-05:00

Helping International Students Break the Language Barrier

If you will be welcoming an international student into your home soon, you may be wondering how in the world you will overcome the language barrier. This can feel especially intimidating if you have no knowledge of the child’s native language. It becomes even more difficult if the student also has very limited knowledge of English.

Fortunately, there are ways around this seemingly impossible-to-scale language barrier. Below are a few of our favorite tips for communicating with non-English speakers and helping them learn to understand and speak the language.

Speak Slowly and Clearly

The first step in helping a person understand your speech is to slow down. This gives the listener time to process what you are saying—something that is difficult to do when you are learning a new language. Additionally, speaking clearly can help with this, as garbled or slurred words are often difficult to decipher.

That said, you never want to make your visitor feel as though you look down on them. Therefore, speaking too loudly, slowing down to an unreasonable pace, and over-enunciating should all be avoided, as they could be viewed as forms of mockery.

Check for Understanding

When speaking with someone who is new to English, it is a good idea to check for understanding regularly. Asking the child to repeat important instructions or information back to you will let you know whether or not they understood you, and will help the information stick with them. Additionally, repeating things is a great way to help those who understand but do not usually speak a language to begin speaking more fluently.

Avoid Slang

Slang words and figures of speech can be incredibly confusing for those who are just learning a language, especially when those individuals are coming from a different culture entirely. Therefore, it is best to avoid slang until your international friend has a good handle on the language and will have a better time making out what you are trying to say.

Use Visual Communication Methods

Using motions and facial expressions in addition to language when you are trying to communicate is a great way to get your point across when a person has difficulty understanding words alone. Therefore, it is best to communicate in person whenever possible, and use plenty of expressive movements in order to give the student clues as to what you are saying.

Encourage Peer Interaction

A language is best learned when it is used on a regular basis and when it is useful. Therefore, encouraging peer interaction can be a great way to help a student learn English. Making English-speaking friends will require that the young person develops an understanding of the language in order to communicate, and the fact that those friends are in a similar place in life will give the student incentive to communicate.

Invest in One-on-One Education

All international students should be given the option of one-on-one education whenever possible. Private instruction from an understanding teacher will ensure that the student is given the time they need to grasp concepts despite the language barrier. It will also allow them plenty of opportunities to ask questions to the best of their ability without feeling awkward or silly.

By following the tips above, you will be effectively communicating with your international student in no time. Until then, try to practice patience while this young friend of yours tries to get a handle on the new language and culture surrounding them.

Are you interested in learning more about the possibility of one-on-one education for an international student in your life? We would love to chat with you about our offerings here at Tenney School. Please contact us for more information.

Helping International Students Break the Language Barrier2017-05-18T17:39:09-05:00

VLOG #7: Apps Every Parent Should Know

In this VLOG we have a guest expert, Michelle Sacks from Crimestoppers, help us talk through the Apps out there that every parent should know.  We discuss the importance of understanding legal ages as well as potentially dangerous apps and the things parents should do to protect their children.

VLOG #7: Apps Every Parent Should Know2017-05-08T21:53:25-05:00

5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Middle School

The transition from elementary to middle school is incredibly difficult for many students. Instead of the nurturing elementary school environment where students were allowed more freedom to play, middle school students face a variety of new circumstances: around eight teachers, instead of one or two; becoming one of around 150 students that their teacher sees every day, instead of one of a couple of dozen; increased homework; and the need to be responsible for navigating from one class to the next by themselves, instead of following in line with their classmates. Not only that, middle school students are entering the years of their lives where they will experience the greatest personal changes. You want your child to have a smooth transition from elementary school to middle school. Utilizing these tools will help prepare your child for middle school and ensure a smooth transition.

1. Talk About It

Is your child excited by changing schools or intimidated by it? Does your child have specific concerns about middle school? Take the time to talk through the transition ahead of time. Discuss everything that your child needs to expect, from navigating the hallways to keeping up with homework assignments. If your child has any worries, talk through them and discuss how they can navigate any obstacles they’re expecting.

2. Set Them Up for Success

When your child headed off for kindergarten, you packed a backpack full of all the supplies on the list to make sure they had everything they needed. As they head off to middle school, you’ll need to do the same thing again. Purchase or acquire the tools your child will need for academic success. You know your child’s weaknesses and the areas where they struggle. Get them what they need to make middle school easier! For example, a child who struggles to find new locations might benefit from a map of the school or the chance to walk through it before their first day of classes. A child who is constantly distracted might benefit from a fidget object to keep their hands busy while their mind is working. If your child has trouble keeping up with homework, a great planner or planner app can make it easier.

3. Get Tutoring if Necessary

The academic demands of middle school are much more stringent than the demands made of elementary school students. If your child has lagged behind in any of their subject areas or is having trouble keeping up, getting help prior to middle school is critical to their continued success! Working with a qualified tutor will help your child prepare to meet the academic milestones they need in order to besuccessful throughout the transition.

4. Get Social

The transition to middle school often means new opportunities to make friends and get involved. Start discussing social activities with your child: clubs and sports that interest them, groups they’d like to be part of, or friends that they’d like to make sure they connect with in middle school. Social fears are a serious concern for many middle school students. By providing your student with opportunities to socialize, you’ll discover that they’re better prepared for everything they’ll face in middle school.

5. Change the Way You Communicate

In elementary school, parent involvement was understood. You got notes home from your child’s teacher on a regular basis and could expect an email or phone call any time things didn’t go well. As your child enters middle school, teacher communication will change–but that doesn’t mean you have to give up this insight into your child’s academic career! Instead, find new ways to connect with teachers. Volunteer for field trips and school events to make opportunities to meet in person. Connect through email or over the phone with your child’s teachers whenever you have concerns. They still want to work with you!

Middle school may be intimidating for your child, but with clear preparation, you can provide your child with everything they need in order to make a successful transition. Don’t take a “wait and see” attitude to discover whether or not your child will thrive! Instead, take the steps necessary to provide them with everything they need. If you want a caring middle school environment where your child’s academic success will be top priority, contact us today to learn more.

5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Middle School2017-05-18T17:39:09-05:00

A Fully Customized Curriculum at The Tenney School

A typical school setting, a typical day, a typical student sitting rigidly in the same desk as generations before her. Most schools follow this same age-old pattern of academic scope and sequence with a curriculum that dictates teaching pace and goals. In this way, lessons are pushed along regardless of student retention or understanding. This kind of curriculum, which focuses on the results of whole-class analytics, can be extremely damaging to individual students. By focusing on whole-group instruction schools can often leave large gaps in student understanding and a sour taste for education.

Unfortunately, for many school-aged children, this is the reality of education. They are pushed along by deadlines and expectations with no regard to their individual needs. This kind of fast paced environment can lead to students feeling left behind, or discouraged. But, can you imagine a classroom where the entire curriculum is fully customized to adapt to the learning style and capabilities of each student? Can you picture the giant smiles of accomplishment from a child whose teacher recognizes their personal goals and struggles?

Schools that are able to create a completely customized curriculum are much more adept at meeting the needs of their varied students. This is the approach at The Tenney School, a fully accredited private middle and high school (for grades 6-12) where classes are taught one-to-one: one student, one teacher. The overarching mission at The Tenney School is to provide a comprehensive education that maximizes the potential of each individual student and upholds the belief that every student has an individual learning style. We strive to ensure that each student receives the individual attention then need to ensure their success. We believe that course pacing needs to align with student understanding and not with deadlines, mandated exams, or curriculum laced agendas.

The curriculum follows state standards and is fully accredited, but offers many course levels per subject that will allow each student to find their own success. The courses are designed to inspire students to strive for their own successes and to overcome obstacles in their way. Through our one-to-one classrooms teachers are able to be keenly aware of the individual qualities and needs of each student, then coursework can be adequately matched to their various abilities.

Where the standard school system fails, The Tenney School is able to meet the needs of various learning styles with ease because it does not focus solely on the final test, or “endpoint” of a curricula. By using a customized curriculum, students are given the opportunity to excel and explore in areas of strength, and are given extra practice and time in subjects in which they struggle. This naturally increases classroom engagement and the investment students are willing to put into their course work. This increases student confidence and their intrinsic motivation for success.

Thus a customized curriculum is able to foster a love of learning. By instilling in students the idea that school is a place they can feel comfortable and confident regardless of their learning styles we can help students to understand that education is not only a priceless gift, but also obtainable.

If you’d like the opportunity to learn more about how you can offer your child a customized education tailored to their strengths and weaknesses we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us today at The Tenney School to schedule a tour. Allow us to explain all the fantastic benefits of our one-to-one approach with customized curriculum. We’d be thrilled to show you how to take charge of your student’s academic success. Our unique approach promises to be unlike anything you or your child has experienced.

A Fully Customized Curriculum at The Tenney School2017-05-18T17:39:09-05:00

How to Keep Your Child’s Brain Engaged This Summer

The dream of every American school child is quickly approaching: summer vacation. Freedom, fun and relaxation is on the horizon, and it is a well-deserved break! Unfortunately, along with that freedom comes the risk of summer learning loss. Academic regression is a real problem, without school to attend many students will start to drastically reverse the academic gains they have made during the school year. This shows up in great losses in math and reading achievements over the summer months. This can have a snowball effect causing not only gaps in achievement, but ultimately trouble finding full time employment, and decreased college and career success.

The trick for eliminating this loss is to keep your child’s brain engaged over the summer. Parents and guardians can assist children in minimizing regression this summer by investing a small amount of time into learning activities But, what can you encourage your child to do instead of playing video games? What activities will help to reduce academic loss?

The important thing to remember when considering summer activities for your child is to look for learning opportunities that fit your child’s individual preferences and interests. Setting aside just a Half an hour to an hour daily can help students close increasing learning gaps and begin the new school year at an advantage. According to Edutopia.com, “Summer is an ideal time for students of all ages to strengthen their academic skills while still having plenty of time left over for summer activities.”

Use the following ideas to keep your child’s brain engaged and their academic skills growing this summer:

Plan educational trips: Summer fun can still be had while building up the brain. Consider incorporating a family outing to places like local historic sites, science centers or museums. Most major cities have museums designed just for children to enjoy. Local art museums often have elaborate children’s programs designed to capture your child’s attention and imagination. If you’re planning a trip you could check out books about your destination from your local library first and use the plane or car ride as an opportunity to research your trip before you arrive. The library is also a great resource for great summer learning opportunities as well. Often arts and crafts programs or reading initiatives will get kids brains moving!

Read together: By incorporating reading into your daily and weekly routine you will easily be battling any reading loss over the summer. Read together as a family, by setting aside a certain time every day where every member of your family will be reading. Or choose a book to read together, taking turns reading paragraphs. Check out the summer reading programs offered by your local library or choose a series to read together as a family. Challenge each other to a book reading contest or make a chart to mark off how many books of a series you can get through by the end of vacation.

Consider a summer camp: The Hechinger report concludes that “Educators believe one of the best ways to keep students engaged during the summer months is in programs that mix fun with academic enrichment.” Research summer camp programs in your area to find one that matches the interest of your child. City Parks and Rec departments often have affordable day-camp options, as do local zoos and museums. If your budget allows, you can look into specialized sleep away camps as well.

Keep up on math skills: For younger children you can incorporate math problems into everyday activities. For instance, counting apples at the grocery store or allowing your child to count money and pay the cashier. For older students it can be beneficial to practice math facts or compute math problems daily. Consider making this task seem more fun by using sidewalk chalk to calculate problems.

Write often. Start a family summer journal to document all the fun you’re having and take turns writing entries. Think about writing family stories or detailing your family tree together. Aything you can come up with to improve your child’s writing skills and give them an imaginative activity to do with you.

Over the summer, families who participate in the above activities can see improvement in academic skills instead of a summer decline. By making summer learning both fun and challenging students will be able to overcome the summer slump and be prepared to start the new school year successfully. Feel free to contact us at The Tenney School to see how we can help you plan your child’s successful summer in the Houston area.

How to Keep Your Child’s Brain Engaged This Summer2017-05-18T17:39:09-05:00
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