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Summer Time at The Hut

June 28th, 2012

Winding Down at the Hut

We’ve had lots of blog posts about how to prepare for finals and end the year on a high note. All week, students have been rushing in and out of the Hut, reciting geometry theorems and putting the final touches on Socratic seminars. But we’ve failed to mention the most important aspect of the end of the school year…

It’s the end of the school year! Yay!

In addition to playing Alice Cooper on loop, we’ve been doing a lot to prepare for summer. This mostly includes staring out the window and daydreaming about our plans. Between the tutors and the students, we’re a busy bunch!

Some are planning vacations and some are eagerly anticipating the London Olympics. Some have weddings for dear friends and others are just planning on soaking up as much sun as possible on the beaches of the South Bay. Here are a few responses from around the Hut to the most whimsical and challenging question: What’s your favorite thing about summer?

“Surf and work.”
-Alex, Tutor

“Sleep, surf and travel.”
-Codee, Sophomore

“I like not wearing socks when I’m wearing my shoes!”
-Amir, Tutor

“The sun not going down until 9pm.”
-Madison, Sophomore

“I like reading Robert Frost while sitting contemplatively under a tree in the summer breeze. Just kidding! Corn dogs.
-Amy, Tutor

“Not being at school.”
-James Houston, Sophomore

“Music festivals, Vegas, and beach parties in the daytime.”
-Sam, Study Hut Manager

“I am really looking forward to sleeping, surfing, vacations, no school, playing with my dog, having free time and hanging out with my friends on the beach.”
-Matt, Freshman

No doubt about it, we’re a Hut about town. What are you looking forward to this summer? Let us know in the comments, and enjoy your time off!

Summer at The Hut

May 15th, 2012

The beginning of a school year can come with many exciting twists and turns. From seeing old friends, to meeting different teachers and immersing oneself in a new world, each year comes with a hand full of differences. For the most part these new aspects of life aren’t very different or difficult, in fact most are pretty exhilarating. However one area which each year comes with added difficulty for most students is math. Whether it’s geometry, algebra, or even algebra 2, each new math comes with it’s own twists, turns, and potentially difficult new material. It is imperative that most students hit the ground running in math classes because the pace at which they move only speeds up, and if someone get’s lost early on, it’s very difficult to catch up as the material adds upon itself.
That’s why the tutors here at the Study Hut of Manhattan Beach feel that the best way not to fall behind is to prepare for coming challenges. That’s why we are currently offering summer prep courses for algebra, geometry and algebra 2. From July 24-August 23, come in for 5 weeks, 20 hours, of tutoring. During the course students will get the opportunity to be exposed to much of the material which will be coming in the next year. As boring as math might be for many students, it is a skill which one can only improve by exposure and practice.Therefore these summer prep courses put students in the best position to excel in math, often the most difficult subject of the year. Studies have shown that prior exposure to a subject, even if it’s not memorized or fully retained, can DRAMATICALLY improve one’s performance and understanding of the material upon second exposure. So don’t delay, and put yourself or your child through one of the finest tutoring facilities in the south bay area this summer to make sure that math is a problem of the past.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

March 13th, 2012

There are a few essentials a child needs in order to perform well in school. Not only do they have to have their homework done, their flashcards made, and their clothes in order, but they, first and foremost, need to have the basics taken care of. This is also known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. Here are just a few examples of essentials your child needs in order to ensure your child is performing at his or her fullest potential!

Make sure your child is getting a minimum of 8 hours of sleep!! This is so important so that they do not fall asleep in school and at tutoring! They need sleep to stay energized, alert, perform better on tests and quizzes, and focus. Tutors and teachers can tell when our students have not been getting enough sleep by their energy levels and in their body language. It’s crucial to repair the body and store information in order to process it throughout the day! Getting enough zzs will ensure your child will reinforce what they have learned throughout the day. Their smaller bodies just need some rest! Make sure the tv or video games get turned off!

Make sure your child is eating breakfast! This is the most important meal of the day and sets up the entire day! They need some protein in the morning (eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc) and complex carbs (fruit, veggies, whole grains) to power their brains and bodies, keep them full and fueled, maintain blood sugar levels, and so much more. Some cereals are just pure sugar and will not fuel them properly. Their blood sugar levels will spike and then 45 min later lead to a crash and burn without proper nutrients! In order to have your child stay focused and energized through out the day, please help them get a proper breakfast in.

Snacks! Make sure your kid is getting snacks throughout the day, especially if they are active in sports and other activities. And not fruit roll-ups and processed foods. Try and get them eating more fruits and veggies with protein to keep the brain and bodies fueled and full- ready to study at school and at Study Hut!

Water! Ensure your child is getting in 8 glasses of water a day. Developing this habit early is important and will help them in the long run. They need water, just like every body, to stay hydrated (especially on hot days, have them drink more!), run metabolic processes going on in their bodies and keep all their cells happy. Stay away from the sugary drinks that dehydrate them and spike the blood sugar levels again leading to crashes in energy. Gatorade and sugary juice drinks should be kept at a minimum or avoided at all costs!

Exercise! Most kids are getting exercise at school at recess or in their sport, but if not, make sure your child is getting a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity. It should really be more like an hour. Instead of allowing them to watch tv or play those video games, encourage them to go play outside for an hour with their neighbors and friends. This will be great for building social skills and getting the brain more active as well as the body!

Reading for fun! A great habit for kids to develop at a younger age! Kids that read for fun usually will become quicker readers in class, learn new vocabulary words, get new ideas they wouldn’t have thought of, think outside the box, and grow into adults that enjoy reading!

I hope these tips have helped! Definitely make sure they are getting enough sleep, eating breakfast, staying hydrated and staying active, which isn’t hard here in the beautiful South Bay! Happy March Study Hut family!!