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Why is Exercise important in a busy Exam Period?

19 June 2020 / 11+ Admissions, 11+ English Tuition, 11+ Grammar School Tuition, 11+ Maths Tuition, 11+ Mock Tests, 11+ Prep Courses, 11+ Prep Exams, A levels, GCSE exams

Exam time is pressurising. Late nights, last minute preparation, irregular sleeping patterns and eating times are characteristic of exam period. Exam stress can result in anxiety and increased chances of succumbing to illnesses. Getting unwell can undermine your efforts and so maintaining good health and a positive attitude to study is key. Physical activity (PA) is a fantastic adjunct to help relieve stress during exams, whether its KS2 SATs, 11+, GCSEs or A-levels! In addition, PA actually has multiple benefits on brain function, helping you to study efficiently.

Cognition is the process through which an individual acquires knowledge and develops understanding via thought processes, experiences and study. Research on the effects of physical activity (PA) on the cognitive function of children shows improvements in attention; thinking capability; articulation as well as learning and memory.

 

Attention

Kubesch et al. (1) have shown that regularity of PA in children is positively correlated with their ability to focus within the classroom. Interestingly, those children who exercised were able to maintain their attention even through the third hour of lessons, which is usually the time when attentional processes start to deteriorate.

 

Thinking Capability

‘Thinking’ is defined in this context as the cognitive functions involved in abstract thinking, planning, creative thinking and assessing cause and effect. PA helps to develop creativity in children. Research has demonstrated that unorganised PA, such as going to the park, improves thinking capability more than organised sports activities, such as drills and circuits (2). However, it is important to note, that any physical exercise is better than none at all.

 

Articulation and Language

Scudder et al. (3) showed that there was a positive relationship between PA and lexical networks in children, allowing them to comprehend text, spell and detect grammar and syntax errors with greater accuracy.

 

Learning and Memory

Working memory is the type of memory used for short-term to middle-term retention of information and is important in reasoning and decision making. PA has been shown to improve working memory in 8-12-year olds as well as 12-14-year olds (1,4). Learning and cognitive flexibility also increases with PA, enhancing visuospatial memory as well.

 

 

All in all, it is clear that exercise has a plethora of benefits in cognition. In addition to these advantages, dopamine (the ‘feel-good’ hormone) increases in the body during and after exercise, helping you to maintain a positive outlook despite exams! In fact, as a result of the extensive research in PA, the UK Government and the NHS has issued the following guidelines for Physical Activity in children (5):

  1. All children and young people should engage in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for at least 60 minutes and up to several hours every day.
  2. Vigorous intensity activities, including those that strengthen muscle and bone, should be incorporated at least three days a week.
  3. All children and young people should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for extended periods.

 

Incorporating PA is just one way in which you can uphold balance during exam time; getting enough sleep and nutrition are also key to the equilibrium.

Here are a few tips to help you obtain a healthy balance:

Good luck!

– Esha Dandekar

  1. Kubesch S., Walk L., Spitzer M., Kammer T., Lainburg A., Heim R., Hille K. A 30-min physical education program improves students’ executive attention. Mind Brain Educ. 2009;3:235–242
  2. Bowers M.T., Green B.C., Hemme F., Chalip L. Assessing the Relationship between Youth Sport Participation Settings and Creativity in Adulthood.  Res. J. 2014;26:314–327
  3. Scudder MR, Lambourne K, Drollette ES, Herrmann SD, Washburn RA, Donnelly JE, Hillman CH. Aerobic capacity and cognitive control in elementary school-age children. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2014; 46(5):1025-35
  4. Verburgh L., Scherder E.J.A., van Lange P.A.M., Oosterlaan J. The key to success in elite athletes? Explicit and implicit motor learning in youth elite and non-elite soccer players.  Sports Sci. 2016;34:1782–1790
  5. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/832861/2-physical-activity-for-children-and-young-people-5-to-18-years.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

Self-Determination in the Classroom

1 June 2020 / 11+ Admissions, 11+ English Tuition, 11+ Grammar School Tuition, 11+ Maths Tuition, 11+ Mock Tests, 11+ Non Verbal Reasoning Tuition, 11+ Prep Courses, 11+ Prep Exams, 11+ Verbal Reasoning Tuition

Achievers’ Academy focusses on providing students with a structured form of education, creating an environment that allows them to flourish. Our student intake is non-selective, yet we achieve outstanding results due to our holistic approach towards education. We teach them ‘how to learn’ rather than spoon-feeding them with merely what is needed to pass exams. Our students become motivated, self-determined and confident young adults as they navigate through life, beyond their education.

 

The Self-Determination Theory (SDT) has been considered in an educational context in the past. It attempts to uncover the degree to which activities are self-determined versus controlled by external or internal influences.

 

The model theorises that 3 ‘needs’ should be fulfilled to ensure the longevity of self-determined human motivation.

 

Autonomy

Research by Kasser and Ryan (references below) has shown that performance is enhanced when someone engages in self-governed behaviours or actions. In the classroom, this means  encouraging independent thinking and taking accountability for one’s actions. In addition, autonomy involves allowing students to set their own goals based on their perceived strengths and weaknesses. It is a crucial intrinsic factor that allows students take the reins, instilling confidence.

 

Relatedness

This concept refers to the feeling of acceptance and belonging, especially in a new environment. Taking the time to learn students’ names and facilitating learning in a group setting such that all students feel comfortable. In an educational context, this means practicing active learning, with questions and mistakes being recognised as crucial to the educational journey.

 

Competence

Self-efficacy is essential in maintaining motivation during challenging tasks. In teaching,  this means empowering students by giving them access to an arsenal of resources, including videos, exam papers and handouts. Additionally, competence involves equipping students with long-term study skills, such as note-taking and goal setting. These are valuable tools not only for immediate examinations, but even beyond them.

 

At Achievers’ Academy, we recognise that education and study should not feel like an imposition or a chore. Our intention is to inspire  students and help them develop as independent learners as opposed to academic machines.

 

 

References

Kasser T, Ryan RM. Further examining the American dream: Differential correlates of intrinsic and extrinsic goals. Personal Soc Psychol Bull. 1996.

 

Patrick H, Williams GC. Self-determination theory: Its application to health behavior and complementarity with motivational interviewing. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2012.

 

 

11 plus exams private tutoring

11+ Grammar School Exams Prep: Why Times Tables are important?

28 May 2020 / 11+ Admissions, 11+ Mock Tests, 11+ Prep Courses, 11+ Prep Exams

11+ Prep: Importance of times tables before leaving primary school

 

Did you know? There is enough evidence that suggests that students who struggle with times tables in primary school are most likely to fall behind in secondary school. In fact, a study published by Ofsted, the school’s watchdog, suggests that students without instant recall of multiplication tables often struggle at math throughout their academic life. The study suggests that pupils should be able to recite 12 x 12 times tables by the age of nine.

 

Hence, it is important to introduce multiplication tables to primary school students in its basic form at the earliest, so pupils can easily notice the patterns early on. Understanding the repetitive pattern of multiplication tables allows 11+ students to apply their knowledge to more advanced problems for 11+ grammar school exams and even at a later stage.

 

11+ Exams Resources: Using Times Tables in Daily Life

Knowing times tables does not all have to be in an academic set up alone but can be easily applied in real life situations in a number of ways. Parents can innovate and teach times tables to kids by simple examples like cutting-up food into portions to share among friends and family, playing multiplication Bingo or Snap to handling money in various situations and numerous other real-life scenarios. This engages curious minds allowing them to apply multiplications on a day-to-day basis.

 

While emphasising on the importance of being able to recall times tables at primary school age, Nick Gibb, the Minister of State for School Standards said, “It is vital that all children can grasp and master arithmetic while they are still at primary school. If we fail children at this early stage, the risk is they will never catch up”.

 

Some of the benefits of knowing times tables early on are:

 

Learning one times tables helps learn the other combinations

Knowing one set of basic tables allows pupils to understand and remember combinations of others too. For example, when students know 2 x 4= 8, they can easily understand 20 x 40 = 800, similarly they can work out 20 / 4 = 5. If they know 4 x 5 = 20. Hence, multiplication tables form the building blocks for advanced concepts.

 

Helps mental arithmetic

Memorising multiplication tables enables students to work out problems quicker in their heads. It also enables them to add, subtract and divide faster.

 

Increases confidence

Knowing their tables gives 11+ pupils the confidence to tackle more complex problems faster without having to use their fingers. This will prepare them for 11+ grammar school exams and more competitive examinations like SATs and ease them into secondary curriculum.

 

Jean Humphrys, Interim Director Education and Care at Ofsted said a range of methods could be used to teach times tables but that the teaching must be “rigorous”. Hence, teachers often consider fluent recall of multiplication tables as an essential prerequisite to success in 11+ grammar school exams.

11+ Prep Resources: Times Tables

For all these very valid reasons, it is important that pupils are fluent in their calculations with regards to multiplication tables before they leave primary school especially when they are going for 11+ grammar school exams and 11+ admissions. After all, it is key for children to have all the important tools of arithmetic at their fingertips for every academic success.

We have some simple tools here to help you test your proficiency with multiplication tables. Why not give it a go? You may also want to read more about 11+ Exam Prep: Group Tutoring vs One-to-one Tutoring here.

 

If you are looking for best grammar school tuition in High Wycombe or want help with 11+ grammar schools exams, we have some of the best private tutors in High Wycombe to help you excel at Maths. Please book a free assessment or get in touch.

 

References:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/primaryeducation/8886480/Times-tables-key-to-good-maths-inspectors-say.html

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