Bing. Bing. Bing. Window 1 Window 2 Window 3 All going off along with the music, calls, and other distractions in your teenager's room. It all leaves you wondering, "Is there even work being done?" The short answer to that question is "yes," but the better question to be asked…
It is April 12th and SHSAT results have just come in from the NYC DOE. For those of you not familiar, the SHSAT is a three hour ELA and Math Exam provided to 8th and 9th graders to gain admissions to Specialized High Schools such as Stuyvesant High School and…
Set your timer! This is a 10 minute read and by the end of it you will: Understand executive functioning Learn three key areas to know about Discover what you can do today to find out about your brain's executive functioning Executive functioning is the CEO of your brain. Executive…
If you could have one super power would you choose to remember everything visual that you see or to remember everything verbal that you hear? Maybe what you choose is your weaker aspect of memory, because it would be nice to have that superpower! Do you remember words, names, places,…
"Students, do you know how this ray of light shows up in our line of sight?" Let me tell you about a light wave. "Light radiates from a source in waves. Each wave has two parts; an electric part, and a magnetic part. That's why light is called Electromagnetic Radiation."…
A note goes onto the board. Eyes scan the words. Brain absorbs the information. Neurons (cells in the brain) connect and analyze the information. The information makes sense. The words are copied onto the paper or into the computer. The rate at which all of this happens is a students…
I don't know about you, but when it came time for college applications for me (in the early 1990s), I was in the 11th grade. We met with our college advisor, filled out some forms, took the SAT, and filled out some applications. We hoped for the best, sometimes received…
Progressive, traditional, balanced..what do these words mean? Progressive The philosophy of progressive education began in the late 19th century and continued throughout the 20th century and it exists today still. It was originally formed on the "idea of progress." Progressive educators thought that society could be improved by school reform…
In the world of college consulting, students approaching the fall of Senior year fill out something called a Brag sheet. This sheet allows the college counselor to have details to include in their important letter of recommendation. Most students we work with prefer not to brag about themselves. Often this…
THE MISTAKE If I didn't have the pleasure of doing what I do for a living, I could see exactly what I might do when looking for a school for my child. I'd throw open Google Maps and type in "schools." I would figure out which schools were nearby and…
1. Include Joy, Connection, Interest, Curiosity, Motivation. In my latest course, Turning C's to A's and Keeping A's as A's, I facilitate exercises to identify what they desire from their learning experiences. When they want to do something, the way they work is always less painful and it is usually…
As a thirteen year old, I pursued learning to swim competitively. I tried out for the swim team and I stood up in the middle of the pool, disqualified myself, and didn't make the team. However, I wanted to make the team. I asked how I could do that. And,…
There are a million things I don't believe, and here are just a few of them: I'm bad at math. I can't study. I have to work late at night. I didn't have time. I just keep failing the test. That class is so boring. I can't find anything fun…
Whether you are applying to a 2s program, a nursery school, kindergarten, middle or high school, (or anything in between), there is much to do and much to learn (for all of us!). And, if you want a quick article to update you on all of the lessons you can…
I want parents to, first of all, know that this is not a normal time and that I hope to give you some ideas for how you can have some potential tools for your toolbox to handle any educational situation or question you have. Firstly, some schools are going back…
The pandemic of 2020 has created a very new landscape of possibilities and protocols for families who are thinking about the best ways to educate their children. Prior to this, families would meet with me and we'd discuss their children, their family, and their options, which were public, private, independent,…
In case you missed it - Hallie presented on Tuesday, 7/21 on Kindergarten Readiness. Here are links to the tools she mentioned in that webinar: Literacy: Sight Words Letter Tracing Option 1 Option 2 ABC Flashcards Math: Unifix Cubes Number Flashcards Bears Workbook Literacy and Math To learn more about…
It's Wednesday, July 7th. Usually, I am traveling or getting back from a trip with my family. We are typically about to enter into a few weeks of camp and tutoring work. I can regularly visit my friends and hug my parents and in-laws. Instead, here I am in my…
ISEE vs. SSAT: Which is Best for My Student? By: Spencer Moravek, spencer@evolvededucationcompany.com The Big Apple? For New York City Families, it’s more like The Big Admissions. If you are raising children in New York City you have probably heard of the excellent schools, and the competitive process…
It’s sophomore year. You have finally adjusted to high school, gotten comfortable classes, campus, and responsibilities. Well don’t get too comfortable, it’s time to start thinking about college! Now I know what you’re thinking: it’s 3 years away, why do I have to start already? Well, my New York City…
In order to support children in education, we need to provide parents with information on education milestones. In this way, we can enable parents to monitor a student's progress and partner well with parents. Here are developmental checklists for ages 3-5 which we have created using the DAY-C and HELP…
Preface to Article, By Mary Miele: I have been speaking with many families and educators who are going to be working with students during the 2020-2021 school year. Teachers, who normally work in the classroom are setting off to partner with families to teach children in their homes during the…
It's 9 AM and the Zoom Morning Meeting has begun. The teachers are sitting at the screen with live music and the usual routine of counting the days, naming the date, stating the weather, and reading a story. You turn it on, and best case, your kid runs the other…
Distance learning has caused challenges for families everywhere, but nowhere is it more challenging than that of young families. No matter how awesome the lessons might be, a parent has to be there to supervise, troubleshoot, supply provide, set up, clean up, and manage the work. Like it or not,…
Our kids deserve an education which will adapt with the current circumstances and deliver them lessons which develop their brains. Our future is counting on our field right now to communicate with our students and each other, be innovative, and take swift and certain action. - Mary Miele Simply put…
This week I have been thinking a lot about our students, their brains, and joy. Let's say you are a 10-year-old kid. You go into your room and open your Google Classroom or Zoom meeting - whatever is delivering your schoolwork for the day. The teacher on the other side…
Parents in NYC, who are accustomed to making education-related plans a full two to three years in advance, are understandably feeling out of place. What will the fall bring for us? How do I make a plan? Here are some of the most common questions I've been asked lately and…
Lately, I have noticed some changes in the teenagers we tutor. They may be sad. They may be tired. They may be lacking motivation. They may be retreating into themselves. Let's provide them with access to tips they can enact to have a healthy time during the challenges of quarantine.…
Ever since COVID-19, tutors are engaging with students online for tutoring. There are advantages to working in this way: Students have access to tutors with expertise from any place. Tutors can maximize their work time and efficiently make a living. Students can work within the technology they are accustomed to…
We are at the end of April 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Schools are shuttered and parents are tasked with schooling their children. The education experience for families could not be more diverse. Advice on what our children should and should not be doing is various and difficult to navigate.…
Parents. We are IN this together. At home. With our work. With our home. With our kids. With our partners. Within a crisis. The next 8 weeks may very well be just like this. What you have been doing may have been ad hoc, ad-lib - but let's put our…
Whether you are looking for a 2s, PreK, Kindergarten, Middle or High School Placement for 2021, looking for a new placement for Fall of 2020 OR looking to relocate out of NYC this fall, this article has the answers to many of your questions. What do I do if my…
Hello fellow educators, Don't you find that there is so much to talk about these days? I did a deep dive this weekend into learning theory with the aim to remind myself how students learn and to determine what I could apply to the distance learning work I'm…
Holy moly - it is hard these days to be a parent! I'm right there with you - learning every step of the way. And, when I come to something that works for me and my three kids, I want to share and teach! So, here are some lessons learned:…
No doubt, this is a crazy time for parents everywhere. My kids, like everyone's, are busy online learning, fighting with each other, and dealing with boredom. Today my husband was on a call, I was on a call and my one kid was on a call. The other two kids…
So much has changed in just a short week. And, certainly, during the upcoming month, we all will be living life differently. Whatever your situation is - a temporary relocation, social distancing or quarantine, illness or the threat of it, and/or work at home for you and/or your kids- this…
As fears of the Coronavirus sweep the nation, educators everywhere are planning for what will most certainly be here soon - virtual education. At Evolved, we have been working virtually with families for years and we have some tips which can make this process successful. Online education is not the…
The reality is ... School placement in our town is competitive and complex. NYC schools are the best in the world, yet there are so many great choices with very unique admissions requirements. Every student has best-fit schools based on their learning profile, community, family values and preferences, and…
If you want to improve the learning experience for your child, the best way to start is by connecting with them. We have created this tool, which we use during many of our consultations. Use it to discover important information about your child's learning experience. Directions for the tool: Interview…
Inevitably during the course of a child's career as a pre-nursery through college student, something is bound to become a challenge - and this is what you should do about it. Attend to it. Ask your child about their experience. Ask your child's teacher. Gain perspectives from related professionals. Do…
Mock Testing is a key component of test preparation. During my years spent in the pool as a competitive swimmer, we were often trained to swim "at pace" which means we would swim in the time we hoped to swim during an actual race. So if we hoped to…
The Parent-Teacher Conference is an excellent time to connect with the people who teach your child. The value of the conference is to inform instruction and parenting. Here are some tips to make these meetings count! Take STOCK Think about your whole child Ask your child about their perspective…
By Mary Miele Ready to have a college game plan? Tonight I gave a webinar on this topic and I'm including the information I provided during the course here in this article. UNDERSTAND THE SKILLS NEEDED TO THRIVE IN COLLEGE Students in college will need to have strong reading and writing…
First, take a moment to reflect on your child’s life and experience, this past year especially. Let's learn about your child. Answer the following questions about your child. Academic History - How has your child's academics been this past year (e.g. reading, writing, math, science, history, foreign language, art, drama,…
By: Mary E. Miele, founder The Evolved Education, learning specialist and mother of three children Parents know that morning and evening hours are challenging, especially at the start of school. So much needs to be done. There are many moving parts, and whether you have one child to get ready, to…
Congratulations! Now What? An EEC Primer for Parents of Children Transitioning to a NYC Public School Transitioning to a public school as a new student or a transfer student will mean an adjustment period for you and your children. It is an exciting time! If you’re armed with lots of information,…