Empowered studying is not just about sitting down and doing the work; it is about preparing yourself to obtain, understand, and retain information so that you can reference it later. Children learning how to learn, often opt for fast memorization over long-term understanding. The art of cramming, writing, and forgetting seems on the surface to be the easiest way to get a good grade. However, those who truly want to learn, and take the time to learn, can see the immediately beneficial outcomes of the time and effort they spend studying. So the question becomes, if our child WANTS to learn, but isn’t sure how, how can you as parents help him or her?
The first thing to investigate is the environment in which the studying is happening. Is it clean? Organized? Well lit? Secluded enough to minimize distractions (ie. not in front of the television, or at a table while other people are laughing and talking), but not too secluded that your child cannot ask for help or, alternatively, get distracted without your noticing? Does your child have the supplies that he or she needs? Is this the space that your child can use every time that he or she needs to study?
The next thing to consider is, is this the right time of day? Each of us have a time that works best for us: we are morning people or late-risers; perhaps mid-afternoon nappers? We need to ensure that our children are studying when they are most awake and alert (not after a big meal or lots of sugar!)
Finally, what are they studying? Ask you child to take the time to think about the subject, what does he or she already know about it, what is he or she trying to learn, and how does that relates to the other things that he or she is learning. The more context the learning has, the greater the chance of the learning sticking for the long term. Empowered studying needs to happen as soon as a new topic has been introduced. This may mean studying halfway through a chapter or unit. If each topic is understood as your child goes along, then the overall concepts and big ideas will be easier to understand and apply.
Learning to be More of Myself
February 17th, 2012Meet the Graduate: Ella Kerrigan
February 6th, 2012-
- Ella receiving the University of Toronto book award
Ella was one of the King’s family to graduate this past Spring. She had been with King’s since her grade 7 year, and believes that the school helped her to find a meaningful way to give back to the community. In a SNAP Caledon article from May 2010, Ella wrote “In King’s College, I have found a place filled with motivated people; people who have dreams and aspirations beyond tomorrow; people who love each other like family – people like me.” Ella used her dreams to help the King’s sister school in Kumba, Cameroon. Ella was the driving force behind collecting donations of computers, books and other school supplies to send to this school, this past summer, in order that the supplies arrived in time for the start of their school year this September. Ella went on to study Communications at McMaster University. She intends to enter into public relations or media.
This article appeared in the February SNAP Caledon
February 6th, 2012
A New Student’s Perspective
August 18th, 2011Matthew Donovan, a new student from Orangeville who joined us for Grade 8 this year, wrote this about his experience at King’s: This was my first year at King’s, and I must say that it was truly a year to remember. Academically, I was always wanting a challenge, and I got one as soon as I switched to King’s College. Another thing that caught my eye right when I first saw the school was the kind attitude of the students and the helpfulness of the teachers. During my one year at King’s, I have experienced many more things than I did at my old school.
In my old school, I was always pushing to be challenged academically and to get a higher level of work and right when I switched to King’s, not only was I put into Grade 9 math, I was also put ahead into Grade 8. This was a dream come true! When King’s says that they do what they can to help their students, they aren’t kidding! At King’s the teachers care about what you do. They give you their contact info so that you can ask them if you have a question. If you ever want to be better academically, calling the teachers is definitely something you should do!
As well, the students aren’t mean. When I first came to try the school, all the students were very nice to everyone, and I immediately felt welcome. At lunch, I was welcomed to sit anywhere, and after we ate, the other students demonstrated to me how to play handball. I had friends after a few days. The students of King’s are a special bunch!
The teachers go out of their way to help you. If you really want to learn to be the best you can, this school is for you!
Miss Teen Peel’s Blog about our School
July 19th, 2011By reading my prior blogs I am sure you have picked up on my three main passions in life, which are equestrian, volunteering and education.
So far I have created a blog to give you a glimpse of why I love riding and volunteering so much. However I have not told you much about my education, but today is your lucky day; or should I say it is mine because I get to tell you about it!
This fall I will be entering my fourth year at the “International School for Bright and Gifted Children: King’s College School“, in my hometown of Caledon! For many, most schools are quite standard but King’s is special!
Many aspects of this school make it unique, but most people are amazed by the fact that there are only 30 students from grades 3-12. The atmosphere of such a small school could be overwhelming for many, and one would assume it is hard to find friends! However, the size of the school is quite advantageous because we are a family. Unlike most other schools, whether elementary or secondary, there are no cliques, no ageism and certainly no bullying. At King’s we know each other very well, and we treat each other with respect no matter what differences we might have. For example, it would not be out of the ordinary for a grade 3 to choose to sit with the grade 12′s for lunch or vice versa. We will always be there for our fellow students and teachers no matter what. On the home page of this website is a picture of a grade 4 student, Ben, and me working on a reading assignment.
One would assume by the name of our school and the phrase “bright and gifted students” that we are all geniuses, and that they could not possibly attend because they are not. However, to be honest that phrase is used in a different way at King’s. Here, it is the drive to want to be the best you can be that makes you eligible to attend. Everyone has flaws in their academics, regardless of the school, but at King’s we work to make them better. This ethic is demonstrated by the academic results of our graduates, where 100% of our grads are accepted to their university of first choice and 100% receive scholarship offers. I love my school because I am surrounded by people like me who share the goal of being the best they can be.
“Teachers” at King’s are knowledgeable and experienced with a wide range of academic and business backgrounds. At King’s the “teachers” and students have a unique kind of school relationship. In fact, the headmaster Mr. Eta believes that there are NO teachers and NO students at the school, just learners. Students work towards their goals with an “outside of the box” curriculum, and teachers are there for aid and support. The “university-like” method of learning prepares us to make that next step in life and provides a real life experience, not a “spoon-fed” education. Teachers are very supportive and treat students like adults. I can call them at home, e-mail and even text them if I have a question during the evening and on weekends!
King’s also follows the ideology to “pay it forward.” The entire school really gets involved in different school fundraisers benefiting the local and global community. My school has really helped me become a driven volunteer and community leader, and I have realized how much impact one or 30 kids can make in our world. My personal favorite school project, which I am actively involved with, is the King’s annual Christmas Families project benefiting local families in need. All of our “pay it forward” projects embrace the 100, 100, 100 method: this basically means we want ourselves, the community, and the world to benefit from our endeavors. Although we are heavily involved in giving back to the local community, we also have many fundraisers for our sister school in Africa, Eta College. Events including the Grade 3-8 Junior Bake Sale, the student-run Gala and “Tastes of Africa” all benefit Eta College. This year we raised almost $20,000 for our sister school, which is quite the amazing accomplishment!
At King’s I have been able to excel as a student, equestrian, and community leader. It is actually quite amazing how every single one of my endeavors have come together at King’s. As a student my teachers have helped me excel by recognizing my hard work and drive for academics. At any other school I might not have been able to advance a grade in both math and science during high school. As a Grade 10 student, I was also able to advance to Economics 12, Math 11, Physics 11, Biology 11, while maintaining an average of 96%! At King’s I am also encouraged to reach for the stars as a rider, even if I have to miss weeks at a time for competitions. In fact, my teachers often ask when will they will see me compete at the Olympics! Also, I do not believe that any other place in the world could have helped me develop such a passion for helping others and giving back! It is at King’s where we work together to all be magnificent in everything we do! And I forgot to mention this is where I have met my best friends! Lots of love, Katelyn
A Father’s Perspective
June 19th, 2011Now that school is over, we can start to reflect back on this past year. We were delighted to receive this email from one of our parents after a spring trip to see ‘Camelot’ at the Stratford Festival (which was wonderful). ”Since my husband is a man of few words, I thought that I’d share with you what he told me last night. After he and my son arrived home from their trip to Stratford, my husband told me how impressed he was with the students of King’s College. He said they were respectful and had displayed their manners by opening doors for others etc. Watching the older students take responsibility for the juniors was an eye opener, since he had never seen that before at other schools. King’s College is a little treasure, and both my husband and I thank you for the life lessons that you teach the kids every day, lessons that other students at other schools don’t learn: kindness, respect for others and community, manners. I am so very glad, everyday, that my son is part of the King’s College ‘Family’.”
End of Year Joys at King’s College, Caledon
June 7th, 2011Exams are in progress, and Prom is a week away. The weather is warm and wonderful, and summer is just around the corner. Another wonderful year is drawing to a close, and we are very proud of all our students!
Fall Open House – Hope to see new faces
May 2nd, 2011Our next Open House will be Thursday, September 15, 2011. Invite all your friends who may be curious about King’s.