The transition from primary school to high school can be as daunting for parents as it is for children. In addition to more complex learning, your child must adapt to a new social scene, having many teachers and subjects and the logistics of navigating a new school. As they progress in their first year, your child will become more settled and adjust to the new pace of high school life. During junior high school, your child is learning the key skills that will prepare them for their final high school examinations and assessments. In these years, the best thing you can do is encourage your child to actively participate in at-home or additional learning to reinforce skills learned in school. Pascal Press offers a range of titles aimed at improving your child's understanding and development of new skills.
As a parent, you may want to:
- Provide at-home learning opportunities to build upon and reinforce basic skills in English, Mathematics or Science taught in the classroom
- Give your child extra practice in subjects they may be struggling with
- Motivate and extend your child with at-home challenges
How can you implement at-home learning?
Our range of Excel titles have been written to reflect the expected level of ability a child should posses at each school year. Using these titles, you can assess your child's ability in a range of junior high school subjects and, based on the results, take the next necessary steps to help with your child's education. Titles in this range include worked solutions, allowing you to work through answers with your child.
Let’s look at an example. Your child has completed the first two English comprehension units in Excel Basic Skills: English and Mathematics Year 7. You have filled out the English Marking Grid at the beginning of the book and can see that your child has answered two questions in each unit incorrectly. On the page opposite your marking grid, there is a Sample Marking Grid showing related Excel titles that will help in improving your child's skills in this area. In this case, the Sample English Marking Grid recommends Excel Basic Skills Comprehension & Written Expression Year 7 for extra practice and tuition in comprehension.
Tips for preparing for exams
For parents:
- Be aware of your child's exam schedule. Half-yearly exams are usually after the school holidays, so always ensure your child sets aside study time during their break
- Assist your child in creating a study schedule. This allows for solid blocks of studying, but also ensures that your child has ample rest time
- Make study interesting. Exams are stressful, so try to think of creative ways to help your child study. We like quizzes, flashcards and timed revision tests
- Ensure your child has the relevant textbooks and study guides available at home
For students:
- Students own notes and completed assignments are invaluable when it comes to studying. Notes should be kept up-to-date and be clearly written
- Using our Excel range, work through units and become aware of areas that require revision
- Ensure you understand the relevant concepts of a subject and try to challenge yourself with a range of exam-style questions
- Reading novels, newspapers and other publications of interest for pleasure will increase your vocabulary and comprehension skills