In the last few weeks, we have been discussing the most common grammatical, punctuation, and spelling mistakes in the English language. This week, we will discuss 5 ways to improve your writing style (regardless of genre). While these elements of style are not actual errors, it is important to keep a pulse on your own writing style and your propensity [...]
Last week, we addressed the top 5 punctuation mistakes that writers typically make in their writing. This week, we will discuss the most frequently confused words in written English. We use a lot of homophones when we speak. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Examples are "your" and "you're" and "its" and [...]
Last week, we learned about the top 5 grammatical errors that writers typically make in their writing. This week, we will learn about the top 5 writing conventions that writers typically struggle with. Academic Writing Conventions Unlike grammar conventions, writing conventions include capitalization, punctuation, and spelling rules in writing. We all know how to use end punctuation (or periods, [...]
In the fifth grade, our daughter’s school district has a test designed to test math skills. The results are very important: they will determine Arieana’s math abilities and will place her in the middle school class that best matches her skills. To give her a legup in middle school, we decided that we would enroll her in Afficient Academy, [...]
It is December, which means that winter break is quickly approaching. While short breaks of less than four weeks provide great opportunities to celebrate holidays with family and rest after semesters, spending too much time away from school can be detrimental to students' academic growth. The traditional school year in the United States involves a 10-12 week-long summer break [...]
It is the end of November, and officially college application season for high school seniors. The end of the fall semester can be exciting and nerve-racking for students taking steps to complete their applications and submit them in December and January (for the Common Application). Since 2020, many colleges and universities have revised their expectations for applicants, particularly considering [...]
We all remember sitting in that room before end-of-year testing, filling out scantrons and sharpening our no.2 pencils. We remember sitting in silence for hours so everyone could focus on math, reading comprehension, and listening skills. We remember massaging our hands when we finished, relieved that summer vacation was quickly approaching. We don't often remember the ultimate purpose of [...]
The COVID-19 pandemic has required many industries to experiment with new and innovative approaches to serving the needs of the public. The education industry is no exception. The 2020/2021 school year was tumultuous, to say the least, and incessant disruptions widely impacted student learning. Indeed, K-12 students began the 2021/2022 school year an average of five months behind grade level [...]
Schools throughout the United States and around the world share a common goal of producing global citizens. This goal hinges upon making sure students have a solid understanding of the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is common knowledge that the United States lags behind its European and Asian counterparts in mathematics education. The Common Core State Standards are a direct effort [...]
What does it mean to make high-school students “college and career ready“? Does it mean that they have memorized a lot of information or have a deep understanding of core concepts? Does it mean that they write essays based on their personal experiences, or evidence-based background knowledge? Does it mean that they accept all information given as fact, or [...]
