December 2007

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

* Welcome from Norman Tonelli, L.M.H.C.

* Date & Time of Local School District Speeches

* MCAS Prep Classes

* Academic Comparisons

* Article Review

* Article

* Question and Answers

* Foster Children Homework Helper

* Coupon

 

 

 

Welcome from Norman Tonelli, L.M.H.C.

 

Dear Parents:

 

I, Norman P. Tonelli, promise to deliver on the following message:  As the owner and director of the West Brookfield counseling and the Tonelli Learning Center (TLC), I will continue to listen to you, the parents, intently.  I will see to it that both your child’s needs and your needs as a parent are respected as well as understood.  I have hired professionally credentialed, friendly, and supportive professionals.  We will not stop at simply educating your children, but we will inspire in them a love of learning and self-appreciation.  I stand on my reputation as a child and family therapist in private practice for 20 plus years.  I promise to deliver the same personalized and energetic service that I have given my clients all these years, to this new educational endeavor.

 

Thank you,

Norman Tonelli LMHC

 

Owner and Director of the West Brookfield Counseling Center and the Tonelli Learning Center

 

 

Date and Time of Local School District Speeches

 

Top Ten Ways Parents Can Help Their Kids Do Better in School

  

West Brookfield Elementary School

January 10, 2008       6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

89 North Main Street, West Brookfield, MA

 

 

MCAS Prep Classes 

The Tonelli Learning Center will be offing MCAS Prep classes starting in February 2008.  Look for more information as the time sprints forward.

 

 

Academic Comparisons

 

__EXISTING WAY    _____             ___ ________TLC WAY_________

 

Emphasis on a body of knowledge.            Emphasis on the “Whole Child”, which includes knowledge!

 

Priority on Academic Performance.            Priority on love of learning and confidence as the generator of Academic Performance!

 

Designed for efficiency and convenience.    Designed environment for maximizing excellence!

 

Driven by norms and mathematical             Driven by reaching ones potential

standards.                                                         and more!

 

Education seen as a social necessity for      Education seen as a lifelong pursuit

some given period to time – Passing                   of personal growth!

the test- Getting a grade.

 

Reliance on technology.                             Using technology as a tool or a means to an end, which leads to a successful life!

 

 

 

Article Review

 

This is one of the best articles I have come across on test/performance anxiety in many years.  The article clarifies the many different forms of test/performance anxiety, as well as giving suggestions to relieve this very common human condition.   Pay particular attention to the suggestion to be prepared.  Preparation does wonders to minimize stress.  Over learn the things you think you have the most difficulty with.  This CAN help!

 

                                                                                    Norman

 

Article

 

Today's the day of a big test at school, and you feel awful. Your stomach hurts and you have a headache. Maybe your muscles feel tense and you feel shaky or sweaty. You know you haven't been bitten by the flu bug - but you may have a case of the jitters, also known as test anxiety.

Here's how test anxiety works. Let's say you're worried about your math test because you didn't do so well on the last one. Or maybe you're kind of tense because you did great on the last one and you're the kind of kid who likes to get all A’s. When you're feeling worried and tense, your whole body can be affected.

Performance Anxiety

Test anxiety is actually a type of performance anxiety. Performance anxiety is when a person feels worried about how they will perform (do on something), especially when it's really important. For instance, you might feel performance anxiety when you're trying out for the school band or for the basketball team.

When you're taking a test, you might feel "butterflies," a stomachache, or a tension headache. Some people might feel shaky, sweaty, or feel their heart beating quickly as they wait for the test to be given out. A student with really strong test anxiety may even feel like he or she might pass out or throw up.

Sound familiar? You're not alone. Ask other people and you'll find that just about all people - adults and other - feel some anxiety before a test. In fact, a small dose of anxiety can be helpful, keeping you sharp and focused. But when your symptoms take over so that you can't function or when you're so anxious that you feel sick, you might not be able to do your best.

Of course, if you didn't study for the test, you might be worried - and for good reason. That kind of anxiety isn't as easy to tackle because even if you find a way to calm down, you still might not know what the right answers are. When you are prepared for a test and you get a handle on your anxiety, you'll be able to let your knowledge shine and score a good grade.

No More Tests?

If teachers know that students get stressed out about tests, why do they still give them? Believe it or not, both teachers and students benefit from tests. Tests measure how well students are learning the skills and information their teachers have been teaching them. And tests of all different sorts are a part of life - from the driving test you'll take one day to the test you'll take if you decide you want to be a doctor.

What Makes Anxiety Happen?

Well, because we can't outlaw tests, we might as well figure out how to ease test anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling a person gets when he or she expects something stressful to happen. When you're under stress, your body releases the hormone adrenaline, which prepares it for danger, like when you're running away from your older brother! Adrenaline causes the physical symptoms, such as sweating, a pounding heart, and rapid breathing. These symptoms can be mild or intense.

Focusing on the bad things that could happen can make a kid feel more worried. A kid might think, "What if I forget everything I know?" or "What if the test is too hard?" Too many thoughts like these don't leave much room in your mind to concentrate on remembering the answers to the test questions. People with test anxiety can also feel stressed out by the physical reaction and think things like "What if I throw up?" or "Oh no, my hands are shaking."

These thoughts can get the person even more upset, making the anxiety even stronger. Now, the person feels worse and is even more distracted and unable to concentrate.

Who Gets Test Anxiety?

Anyone can get test anxiety, but someone who really wants to get every answer right might be more prone to feeling this way. This is called being a perfectionist (say: per-fek-shuh-nist). Kids who worry a lot also might feel anxious at test time. Perfectionists and worriers find it hard to accept mistakes they make or to get less than a perfect score. This creates more pressure for them.

As we mentioned before, not being prepared for a test (duh!) can cause test anxiety. Kids who don't get enough sleep also can be more prone to test anxiety.

What Can You Do?

You might be reading this article and saying, "Hey, that sounds just like me!" If so, we're glad you recognize that this happens to you. Now you can start taking steps to lessen your test anxiety. Here are some ways to do that:

Ask for help. Talk to your mom or dad, your teacher, or your school guidance counselor. Just talking to someone about test anxiety can make you feel better. Describe what happens to you when you're taking a test and these people can help you figure out some solutions. For instance, learning study skills can boost your test-day confidence.

Be prepared. Pay attention in class. Do your homework. Study for the test. On test day, you're more likely to feel like you know the material.

Expect the best. Once you have prepared, think positively. Say to yourself, "I studied and I'm ready to do my best."

Block bad thoughts. Watch out for any negative messages you might be sending yourself about the test ("I'm no good at taking tests" or "I'm going to freak out if I get a bad grade"). These thoughts can make anxiety worse and make it harder for you to do well on the test.

Accept mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Be more forgiving of your own mistakes, especially if you prepared for the test and are set to do your best.

Take care of yourself. You'll feel your best if you get enough playtime, sleep, and nutritious food. This is important all the time, but be extra-sure you get all three the day before a test.

Breathe better. OK, so you already know how to breathe. But did you know that breathing exercises can help calm you down? (Just try not to take in too much air because it might make you feel dizzy.) Here's how to do it: Inhale (breathe in) slowly and deeply through your nose, and then exhale (breathe out) slowly through your mouth. Do this two to four times and you just might breathe easier the next time you're taking a test!

Reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD
Date reviewed: February 2007             http://www.kidshealth.org

 

 

Questions and Answers

 

 

Q.  Dear Norman - How can I help my child at home in ways other than studying? – Amy B.

 

A. Hi Amy - Make sure he/she has enough sleep the night before, eats breakfast and is on time for school.  Going in well rested and fed, not rushed, gives your child a feeling of control and focus.

 

Q.  Dear Norman - What can the teacher’s role be in alleviating test anxiety? – Paul T.

 

A. Hello Paul - Give enough advance notice about the test.  Provide the child with clear expectations of what material will be on the test.  Provide copies of any missed classnotes or study guide.  Also in younger grades, reading directions together and highlighting key words may help.

 

 

 

Foster Children Homework Helper

 

 

Homework Helper is designed to be a tutorial service offered through Tonelli Learning Center (TLC).  Your foster child would come here to our facility three times a week for six weeks.  Each session is one hour.  We would like to offer this FREE support to foster children in grades four, five, and six.  Students would receive tutorial support and assistance in homework completion, study skills, and organization.  If you would like further information regarding this program, please contact Norman Tonelli at 508-867-4451 Ext. 2.

 

Coupon

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$50.00 Coupon

 

Redeemable toward our 10-week comprehensive tutorial program

 

Tonelli Learning Center

62 Ware Street   West Brookfield, MA  01585-1125

            1-508-867-4451 Ext. #2             

                         

                            Expires March 1, 2008

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