EDUCATION MATTERS—SANFORD SCHOOL'S PRIVATE SCHOOL BLOG

Learn more about current school issues and trends from Sanford School’s educational experts.  Sanford’s blog is sure to help you navigate your child’s educational journey.

What does differentiated instruction really mean?

Posted by Beth Kosinski on January 21, 2022 at 12:00 PM

If you have ever been to a child's birthday party, you know firsthand how different children are from each other. Imagine your five-year-old neighbor's Spider-Man-themed party. There may be games, food, cake, presents, and no matter how well all that is going, as soon as Spider-Man shows up, there is bound to be drama. Some children are going to be incredibly excited, some so scared they may start crying, some may not know who Spider-Man even is, and some will become instantly shy and want to hide behind their parent's legs.

Now imagine those same children in their kindergarten classroom. They may be equally as different when it comes to learning how to read. Differentiated instruction is the act of teaching individuals differently based on their needs, their interests, their readiness, and their strengths. The goal to have everyone learn how to read remains the same but how that happens depends on who the children in the class are.

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Topics: Education, Academics

Mindset Matters: Setting High Expectations and Teaching Your Child to Achieve Them

Posted by Jim Barnaby on January 7, 2022 at 11:58 AM

It may seem like the best students are those who breeze through classes without breaking a sweat--acing the tests without studying and writing papers in only one night. But when those same kids come across a class that they can’t pass in their sleep, they may quickly crumble in the face of a challenge. While it could feel a bit counterintuitive, sometimes the best way to teach kids to be successful is by making things a little more difficult for them.

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Topics: Education

Top 3 reasons why philanthropy is important for private schools

Posted by Megan Rushmore on December 17, 2021 at 11:59 AM

The holiday season often brings with it feelings of immense gratitude. We make lists of the people in our lives that mean the most to us and find ways to show our appreciation for them. Whether it’s a holiday card, quality time spent together, or a classically wrapped present, the holiday season is filled with the giving spirit. This year, consider adding your child’s school or alma mater to your gratitude list.

Gifts to a private school’s annual fund are used to support elements that make it even better equipped to meet the needs and talents of each student. Tuition provides a great percentage–but not all–of the income necessary to meet a school’s expenses. Charitable contributions from parents, alumni, past parents, grandparents, and others who believe in the school’s mission help to complete the equation. Here are three reasons why philanthropy is important for private schools:

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Topics: Education, Sanford School

Ways to Sharpen 7th-12th Grade Student Math Skills in the Summer

Posted by Heather Taylor on July 30, 2021 at 12:00 PM
It's time to start thinking about the next school year. To avoid the summer slide and begin with a solid mathematical foundation for the school year, your child can spend time each week on mathematical thinking and reasoning skills to strengthen their previous skills and fill in any gaps of knowledge. By practicing, students can build their number sense, algebraic reasoning, and problem-solving abilities. Below are three activities and three online resources to sharpen your middle and high school students' math skills. To help your child, you can have them complete the activities below and go to the online resources to practice math skills this summer:
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Topics: Education, Summer, Parenting Tips, High School Experience, Middle School

6 Fun Ways To Promote Summer Learning

Posted by Kara Fontes on June 18, 2021 at 12:00 PM

The end of the school year is here, and while that might mean lazy days by the pool or family vacations, it’s also the perfect time to start preparing your child for the upcoming school year. Here are six fun ways to promote learning and to make sure your child makes the most of this SUMMER so that they can roll smoothly into the fall.

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Topics: Education, Academics, Summer, Health & Wellness, Parenting Tips

Teacher Tips For Motivating Students During Hybrid Learning

When the pandemic impacts nearly every aspect of student learning, how can we help our children survive and thrive? Finding ways to motivate students and providing the best teaching strategies during hybrid learning is not easy. Whether children are attending class in person or online, participating in “school” is a great way to provide a sense of normalcy in their lives.

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Topics: Education, Academics, Elementary Education, High School Experience, Distance Learning

5 Ways A Summer Enrichment Program Can Help Your Child

Posted by Christine DiUbaldo on May 7, 2021 at 11:51 AM

For more than a year, children across the country have been learning in atypical school settings. Faced with remote, hybrid, and in-person teaching and learning options along with major changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, some students have fallen behind academically. In addition, many miss their typical routines, others are suffering from Zoom fatigue, and the majority are longing for social interaction.

As your family prepares to wrap up this school year and makes plans for next year, consider enrolling your child in a summer enrichment program. Strong enrichment programs, even during a traditional school year, offer many benefits for PreKindergarten through high school students. Learn about five ways a summer enrichment program can help your child:

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Topics: Education, Summer, Arts, Sanford School

Establishing a School Routine During COVID-19

Posted by Christine DiUbaldo on April 9, 2021 at 12:25 PM

While it is wonderful to be back to school in person, COVID-19 has made the school experience drastically different, so you may need to switch up the routine that you have relied on in the past. Below are some suggestions for what you should do the night before school and in the morning to ensure that you and your child have a smooth start to the day. Depending on your child's age will dictate how much guidance they will need when preparing for the school day.

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Topics: Education, Parenting Tips, Distance Learning

Books That Celebrate Diverse Holidays

Posted by Cecilie Zwick Coker on December 18, 2020 at 12:00 PM

Winter Break is a great time to cuddle up with your kids and do some reading! Below we have a list of holiday reads for young children that celebrate holiday traditions from all over the world. Use these books to revisit holidays that you know and love or to learn about a new celebration.

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Topics: Education, Parenting Tips, Preschool, Elementary Education

The Value of Electives and Clubs

Posted by Staci Krape on October 23, 2020 at 12:00 PM

When you’re pursuing a college preparatory education, the academic courses of math, science, English, history, and a modern language are pretty much set in stone. You may have some flexibility around what novel you’ll read for a classroom book club or what project you’ll do for the science fair, but if you really want to stretch your wings in terms of making choices, you can turn to electives and clubs. Find out why electives are an important part of your child's education.

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Topics: Education, Academics, Health & Wellness, Parenting Tips