Back to School Shopping on a Shoe String Budget

Dr. Stephen Jones Are you worried about your back-to-school shopping bill? Shopping for back-to-school items can be a very costly adventure for most families. Some parents rush out to the store and purchase back to school items without a list. Unfortunately, a shopper can pay 20 to 30 percent more by not having a list and considering the cost of the items you are purchasing. You should have a shopping plan that starts early during the summer. The sales that you see at the end of the summer may not be the best cheapest price. It is better to purchase back to school items when you can shop with patience. When you’re in a rush to make a purchase and there is no planning involved you pay more. One of my major recommendations is to plan your shopping dates. If you have a plan, you can avoid making unnecessary purchases and tips in your car or on public transportation. It’s amazing how many items you can add to your shopping cart that you did not intend to purchase. It's better to do your shopping before you go on vacation during August. It seems that when most families return from a late summer vacation, classes are not far away. If you do not have an inventory of the things you already have you will make costly purchases. Some shoppers stay away from the dollar store because they believe that these items are inferior. There are tremendous savings right in the dollar store. You can purchase binders, composition books, pencils, pens, crayons for a dollar each. Some of these items are perfectly good but other stores have sold them to the dollar store. Start shopping at the dollar store and you will find some great savings. There are some other valuable back-to-school shopping tips to consider. Here are my top seven: (1) Ask retailers about special back to school discounts. (2) Shop in bulk and share with a group of friends (BJs, Cosco etc). (3) Search for a good laptop on websites like Dell and Apple. (4) Ask your local bookstore about their next sales day and check on Amazon. (5) Check of items you have on your shopping as you purchase them. (6) Ask your friends where they are getting the best sales (7) Use the App on your cell phone to catch sales, Staples, Office Depot or Walmart stores Each year the number of parents who are shopping online is growing. If you shop online many retailers offer discounts and free shipping. If you are disciplined, you will save money and purchase just the item you need from each website. Some schools require certain clothes like Kaki pants and a green shirt. These items can be found on clothing websites too. The websites for Target and Walmart offer many of these clothing items. If you do your research early you can find a lot of savings. These tips all work when you apply them. Try something new and you will find that your savings ideas will explode. The best way to enjoy your back-to-school experience is organizing a plan that you will follow. Involve your children by getting them to make lists and look for discounts. You can give them points toward the purchase of something they want. Getting a child’s participation will be a great way to make their new school year exciting. You can look on the school website to determine the items that your child needs. Every student wants to feel like they are prepared for the new school year. Let your back-to-school purchases be catalyst for an exceptional new year. There is no time like today to get the best sales of the shopping season. Dr Stephen Jones is a speaker education advocate and author of several college preparation books The Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide and the Ultimate scholarship Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship G Guide. Add these books to your shopping list at http://www.DrJonesBooks.com or email stephenjoness@rcn.com Dr. Stephen Jones Books 1. Seven Secrets of How to Study 2. Ultimate Scholarship Guide 3. Ultimate Parents Guide 4. http://www.DrJonesbooks.com Dr. Jones Parenting Online Course Parents course: https://teachit.bz/parents Dr. Stephen Jones Podcast App Join my podcast on the Anchor App which is titled Education Central https://anchor.fm/stephen-jones91

How to Be a Successful and Motivating Teacher

By Dr. Stephen Jones One of the biggest challenges for any teacher is finding a way to engage and motivate students. It is tremendously important to start your class off with a good foundation for learning. Start your class with a motivational quote or an activity to raise the energy in your room. Students benefit when you are organized and have a plan for each instructional session. Also, it’s important to include every learning style in your classes. The learning styles include visual, auditory and tactile. Incorporating activities that coincide with the different learning styles increases in engagement in each classroom. To get the most out of each student be open to changing the way that you’ve always taught. You will need to be flexible. Here are a few additional tips: 1. Survey your students early to find out their interest and what you can incorporate in your lessons 2. Close the reading gap by offering books to students and by encouraging exchange of books. 3. Don’t procrastinate on your class environment review make changes 4. Be an empathetic to your students concerns. 5. Take your students on a trip outside the school location 6. Encourage your students to apply to after school 7. Arrange an international trip to another country. Get the staff and teachers involved. 8. Be a continuous learning by reading books, watching videos taking classes visiting Pinterest for information etc. The United States is in desperate need of good teachers who are adequately paid and empowered to work with children. At the same time, we need teachers who can are committed a positive expectations of what students can accomplish. When teachers are given the right support, they feel like they can conquer anything. In my own life, I remember the teachers that cared about my success, and I think they were the catalyst for how I serve students today. If you are a teacher and you are reading this, I encourage you to stay committed. You make someday produce a student who becomes a teacher or principal. The challenges that you have overcome will be worth it when you look back at how many students lives you changed for the better. Never stop growing and learning. Dr Stephen Jones is the author of several education workbooks and conducts webinars and seminars for students, parents and teachers at your school. To find out more visit http://www.DrJonesBooks.com.

Back to School Student Success Story

By: Dr. Stephen Jones According to Indiana University the average American student only studies 3 hours each week. That amounts to 20 minutes a day. A total of 60,000 students responded to this study skills survey. Each year thousands of students enter college thinking they can use high school study habits and easily sail through a college degree. They have a rude awaking when they discover success in college requires a minimum of three to five hours studying each day. Some students say studying the night before their examination seemed so much easier in high school. Most students want to know the true seven secrets to better study skills and earning an A+. Is the answer studying all night before a major examination? Is it photographic memory you inherited from your parent? The answer to both questions is no. There are seven fundamental study habits that every student must master to get started on the right pathway to earning an A+. 1. Prepare for all Test Ahead of Schedule- Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for your examination. Most students increase their level of test anxiety because they feel unsure that they have studied everything. 2. Start a Study Group-Get together with a group of students who are enrolled in your class. Set a date when you will meet and give out assignments so each person has a responsibility. 3. Don’t Procrastinate on Projects- Start all assignments in sufficient time to perform your best work. For example, if a science project is due in December you should start the project by October. Also, start all studying for examinations at least 4 days before the test will occur. If a term paper is due in November start your paper in September. Develop a plan that has cut off dates for each segment of your assignment. 4. Get the Energy you Need- Many students put off the first meal of the day. They are missing the most important meal of the day. Scientists have discovered that eating a good breakfast is better for your overall health. Feeding yourself with healthy foods and exercising have a positive effect on the brain. 5. Get organized. Purchase several three ring binders for all of your courses English, math, history and science. Keep copies of your homework, quizzes and examinations in your binders. Make a copy of your syllabus and put it in your binder. Use your binder each time you study for an examination. 6. Talk to Your Teacher- Often students are afraid to talk to their teacher - Meet with your teacher in their office at the beginning of the semester. Let them know that you want to understand every thing you must do to earn an A+. Always show interest in the subject they are teaching by sitting in the front of the class. Go to class with questions you’ve written on a sheet of paper. 7. Read your Textbook- Read your textbook assignment before every class. Reading early is beneficial because you will be prepared for your class. You will feel confident that you have knowledge of your subject and you can answer your teacher’s questions. To avoid the pitfalls of procrastination you must have an academic plan. An effective study skills plan starts with organizing all of your learning materials. Begin with the end in mind. Determine what you would like to learn from each course. Instead of making plans to study at the last minute follow a calendar. You will experience the freedom of knowing where to find information when you need it. The more that you uncover the habits that block you from maximizing your achievements leads you into greater accomplishments. When you follow these strategies you are on your way learning the Seven Secrets of How to Study. There is one more thing that is a vital factor in your success. You must have a positive attitude and expectation that you will earn a good grade. Approach each class with an expectation that you are going to earn an A+ and you will be half way down the road to a successful academic year. Launch into each study session with enthusiasm and excitement about the new information you are about to learn. It’s important to invest additional quality time studying to raise your confidence in each class. Remember the formula for success is to study 2 to 3 hours for every hour that you are in class. Practice the Seven Secrets of How to Study and you will prepare yourself for lifetime of excellent grades. Dr. Stephen Jones is author of the “Seven Secrets of How to Study”, the Parents Ultimate Education Guide, and the Ultimate Scholarship Guide on the internet at http://www.DrJonesbooks.com to order a book or to order by telephone call 610-842-3843.

How Parent Involvement Can Help Child to Earn A+ Grades

 School districts all over the country are suffering from a lack of parent participation. Could you imagine a day when fifty percent more parents show up for a parent’s night?  Parent involvement can change an entire school system. I challenge parents who are reading this article to use their social networks to encourage friends of your family to show up at Parent’s Night.  If more parents showed up it would let other parents know what resources are needed and they could play a major role in helping schools to become better.  Gone are the days when a mother stayed at home to raise children and participate in school activities.  When a child’s parent is involved in their school it sends a message that they care. Parent's who are involved are able to help their student to earn A+ grades. Something needs to be done to make parent involvement in K12 schools a high priority on their list of daily activities. Each parent should want to witness their student’s academic success. Their student’s achievements will draw them into the school and encourage them to participate.

What the educators are saying about parent involvement is true. Parents who read to their children early develop children who enjoy reading.  Parents who read with their children help them to earn excellent grades. Children are like sponges absorbing new knowledge at a tremendous rate. 

 Parents are great role models for their children’s love for learning.  If the majority of the parent’s time is spent in front of the television or laptop computer then it becomes their child’s main source of information and learning too.  In other words parents who demonstrate a joy of reading instill it in their children. A student’s enthusiasm for learning should begin in the home then spreads to a child’s in school instruction. Here are a few tips:

1. Parent Involvement – Make out a schedule of dates when you or a relative will show up for school meetings during the academic year. There are plenty or resources that are only announced during a parent’s night.  Also you are getting an opportunity to meet your student’s instructor to find out how they run their class.  You will also uncover ways that you can get involved with at least one activity for the year.

2. Encourage your child to set goals for themselves – Children need to know that there is no limits to what they can accomplish earn better grades.  Encourage your child and stay involved in school activities.

3. Failure is success – Help your child to understand that there is a lot that they can learn from each failure.  Let them know that they will know to try something different the next time that they are pursuing a grade. The student may also need a tutor to help them to learn a particular subject.

4. Surround your child with positive role models – Get them involved in activities that promote leadership and determination.  An optimistic child can learn that they should never give up.

5.  Expose your child to the world -  Children need to know that there is more to the world than their immediate neighborhood.  There are a lot of positive things that they can learn from others.

6. Physical fitness and good health leads to optimism – A child who is physically healthy will have more energy and enthusiasm for life. A child who is eating write, physically fit and gets sufficient rest will be a very productive child.

7. Get a Tutor – If your student needs help with their academic achievement level talk to their teacher about tutoring. The teacher may provide it or have a tutoring recommendation.  If you ask you will find out that other parents are getting help for their children.

Some governors are saying we need more standardized tests to resolve the student achievement gap.  Testing is not the answer. Parent involvement is an alternative that costs fewer dollars to implement.  The resources that are allocated for testing could be spent to increase the number of parent leaders who are in the schools.  Some schools are finding ways to get parent’s involved in the daily activities of their schools.  Parents who are involved can learn about instruction methods that other parents can use in the home.  They are the catalyst to get parents who are not involved to volunteer for special projects.

Parents sometimes reflect on the bad experiences that they had when they were in K12 schools.  Student achievement can be raised when parents know that their active participation will make a difference in their child’s learning capacity.  Some parents are looking at their child’s achievement level to see if there are any differences.  They need to know more about the benefits of looking at the value of education from a different perspective.  Some parents do not know what a good education looks like.  School administrators and teachers must continually advocate for increased communication with parents.

Parents need more information about how K12 education is changing.  Most parents are not aware of the financial challenges that school systems are facing.  Many schools are underfunded when compared to school districts within their own states.  Parents can play a role in encouraging their local legislators to get involved in changing their states school funding formula.  Parents should invite the legislators to visit schools and to witness so that they can witness the challenges that they are facing.  It is easy to create a policy that under fund schools when you make assumptions that money is getting wasted.  Parents need to partner with schools in order to help with specific resources that their child’s school requires.

The United States is steadily slipping in terms of its edge in graduating students from high schools, trade schools, and colleges.  Starting a national campaign to help parents to understand their role in student achievement is a solution whose time has come.  New and innovative organizations are needed.  These organizations must take into account the changing trends in family structures.  Parents are looking for solutions to the achievement gap.  The solution lays in a combination of community and K12 schools working toward alternative education activities which are easily implemented in the home.

Some parents are raising the bar on their expectations for their student.  They are often interested in identifying resources that will prepare their child for college.  They participate in after school and weekend programs right along with their child.  They sign up because of their belief that their program will serve as a link between high school and post secondary education. Today is the day to get involved and make a difference in your local school. Parents are the key to a successful school and their child’s future career opportunities.

Dr Stephen Jones is and education advocate and an author of the Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide. Get your copy http://www.DrJonesBooks.com. You can reach Dr. Jones at Stephenjoness@rcn.com or 610-842-3843. 

8 Rules for Selecting a College

 By Dr. Stephen Jones

During the senior year parents engage in the annual ritual and conversation about selecting a college. Today college cost is frequently at the top of the list of issues that parent’s must confront. Even today money should not be the only reason that you select a college. Your student’s ability to live within the philosophy of a college can make a big difference in their success. Sure colleges can put up an advertisement and send you a mailing every week but there is nothing like visiting a campus and talking to the faculty and students who’ve made a commitment to a particular college. The truth is there are over 6,000 colleges that a student can select from and all change in size and mission. Some colleges are owned by their state, some private and others are community colleges.

There are eight rules that will help you to select a college that fits your needs. These are some simple rules that you can follow to reduce your stress. These practices will help you to make a reasonable decision about the top colleges that your student selects Here are the 8 rules:

1. When you go on a college tour always arrange a meeting with a faculty member and student.

2. Always talk to the financial aid office after you've received their financial aid package.

3. Attend a classroom lecture to get a sense of the class sizes.

4. Check out what students are saying about the college on the internet.

5. Ask if advising is mandatory or voluntary. Advisors can be a critical part of a student’s success.

6. Ask if their professors teach classes or mostly teaching assistants.

7. Ask how many students from your high school have attended the college. It could be a sign that your former classmates really liked the college.

8. Take several friends with you and go on a campus tour together. Sometimes it is good to get more than one perspective on the college you are visiting.

It is never too early to start your college search process. Colleges are putting out all kinds of information every day. You can go on some college websites and download videos and podcasts about the college. Some colleges also offer website recordings of several aspects of their college. Some colleges even offer a virtual tour of their campus.

You should find ways to creatively engage in conversations with their students and alumni. You want to know how happy they are about their college experience. It’s even better when you can talk with students who are in a particular major. They can share their success and also talk about their challenges with their major. The beauty of a campus is not the only thing to consider. You want your son/daughter to have an enjoyable experience. Take the time to compare the colleges you have selected and what they offer.

Another thing that you can do is pick up a few books that the faculty has written. These writings will reveal their opinions and thoughts. It is a great way to know if the faculty is keeping up with current trends. Get started to day and you will have an easier time making a college decision that you won’t regret.

Dr. Stephen Jones is a nationally recognized author who has written the “Seven Secrets of How to Study, the Ultimate Scholarship Guide and the “Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide.”  Get these books for your home right away.  You can contact him at 610-842-3843 and at stephenjoness@rcn.com or visit http://www.DrJonesbooks.com

 

 

 

Study Skills a Road Map to Student Success

By: Dr. Stephen Jones

 Do you know why some college students don't succeed on tests? It all starts during high school. Many high school students learn how to memorize course work rather than comprehend it. Just memorizing books and notes won’t be enough after high school graduation.  You may remember when you received your first “C” grade in college, and you thought that you were prepared. I realized that students need to learn how to study because I witnessed to many students struggle their first year in college. 

My passion about helping students drove me to write the “Seven Secrets of How to Study.”  My book reveals what you must do to improve your study habits. At the end of every chapter students share how to earn A+ grades.  Here are a few tips from the book:

1. Set up a time management schedule each week

2. Expect to study 4 to 6 hours a day when you are in college

3. Meet every teacher for help in their office and ask questions 

4. Know the grade you want and get a tutor

5.  Look up the definitions of key terms you are reading

6.  Get up early to study and do a review before every test

7. Get other books that explain your subject better. Practice answering questions at the end of the chapter in your books.

My goal is to help every student to have the best study habits in their class. Students can succeed when they are fully equipped to learn and have a positive support from teachers and mentors.  This is the time for students to learn new methods that will innovate their study habits. If you are concerned about your students having the right study habits get copies of the “Seven Secrets of How to Study for your high school, Gear UP, Upward bound, first year college and adult learner students at http:www.DrJonesBooks.com.

 

 

Back to School Shopping Savings on a Shoe String Budget

Dr. Stephen Jones

Are you worried about your back-to-school shopping bill?  Shopping for back-to-school items can be a very costly adventure for most families. Some parents rush out to the store and purchase back to school items without a list. Unfortunately, a shopper can pay 20 to 30 percent more by not having a list and considering the cost of the items you are purchasing. You should have a shopping plan that starts early during the summer. The sales that you see at the end of the summer may not be the best cheapest price.

It is better to purchase back to school items when you can shop with patience.  When you’re in a rush to make a purchase and there is no planning involved you pay more.  One of my major recommendations is to plan your shopping dates.  If you have a plan you can avoid making unnecessary purchases and tips in your car or on public transportation. It’s amazing how many items you can add to your shopping cart that you did not intend to purchase. It's better to do your shopping before you go on vacation during August.  It seems that when most families return from a late summer vacation, classes are not far away.  If you do not have an inventory of the things you already have you will make costly purchases.   

Some shoppers stay away from the dollar store because they believe that these items are inferior.  There are tremendous savings right in the dollar store.  You can purchase binders, composition books, pencils, pens, crayons for a dollar each. Some of these items are perfectly good but other stores have sold them to the dollar store.  Start shopping at the dollar store and you will find some great savings. There are some other valuable back-to-school shopping tips to consider. Here are my top five:

(1)  Ask retailers about special back to school discounts.

(2) Shop in bulk and share with a group of friends (BJs, Cosco etc).

(3) Search for a good laptop on websites like Dell and Apple.

(4) Ask your local bookstore about their next sales day and check on Amazon.

(5) Check of items you have on your shopping as you purchase them.  

(6) Ask your friends where they are getting the best sales

(7) Use the App on your cell phone to catch sales, Staples, Office Depot or Walmart stores

Each year the number of parents who are shopping online is growing.  If you shop online many retailers offer discounts and free shipping. If you are disciplined, you will save money and purchase just the item you need from each website.  Some schools require certain clothes like Kaki pants and a green shirt.  These items can be found on clothing websites too.  The websites for Target and Walmart offer many of these clothing items.  If you do your research early you can find a lot of savings.     

These tips all work when you apply them.  Try something new and you will find that your savings ideas will explode.  The best way to enjoy your back-to-school experience is organizing a plan that you will follow.  Involve your children by getting them to make lists and look for discounts. You can give them points toward the purchase of something they want.  Getting a child’s participation will be a great way to make their new school year exciting.  You can look on the school website to determine the items that your child needs.  Every student wants to feel like they are prepared for the new school year.  Let your back-to-school purchases be catalyst for an exceptional new year. There is no time like today to get the best sales of the shopping season.

Dr Stephen Jones is a speaker education advocate and author of several college preparation books The Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide and the Ultimate scholarship Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship G Guide. Add these books to your shopping list at http://www.DrJonesBooks.com

 

Dr. Stephen Jones Books

1.     Seven Secrets of How to Study 

2.     Ultimate Scholarship Guide

3.     Ultimate Parents Guide

4.     http://www.DrJonesbooks.com

 Dr. Jones Parenting Online Course

Parents course:  https://teachit.bz/parents

 Dr. Stephen Jones Podcast App

Join my podcast on the Anchor App which is titled Education Central 

https://anchor.fm/stephen-jones91