A to Z: Classical Music on the Brain

For years, researchers have been searching for links between music and cognition. Many parenting resources suggest that playing classical music to your infant promotes brain stimulation and cognitive growth in hopes that the child will develop more efficiently in a mental and social capacity. But does music really impact the IQ of your child?

1993 proved to be the height of music-brain research with the “Mozart Effect” study, which detailed the effects of Mozart on high school and college students while taking tests. The study demonstrated a correlation between receiving high scores on an exam and the students who listened to Mozart sonatas before the exam. The Mozart Effect, however, proved inconclusive due to the fact that other researchers were never able to duplicate the results. The outcome of the follow-up studies concluded that classical music aides in spatial awareness, but not overall intelligence. Spatial awareness is defined as the ability to recognize the characteristics or location of an object in relation to another object. Related subject areas include geometry, geography, art, and technology.

Researchers have identified that while classical music won’t directly increase intelligence, the complexity of classical music does play a significant role in opening the brain to more complex problems and solutions. The mathematics and patterns involved in writing music, playing an instrument, or simply listening to music with complex structures has been found to aid in the mental and visual solving of puzzles and patterns.   

Other benefits of classical music can include the lowering of blood pressure and an increase in the sensation of relaxation. Classical music has also proven to decrease the effects and frequency of seizures in epileptics. Essentially, studies have shown show that people who listen to complex music, such as classical or opera, are more likely to see an increase in creativity, concentration, and the ability to manipulate spatial relationships.

In honor of Classical Music Month, here are several great classical and operatic tracks to enjoy with your child:

Ave Maria, Schubert

Waltz of the Flowers, Tchaikovsky

Dance of the Swans, Tchaikovsky

The Flight of the Bumblebee, Rimsky-Korsakov

Sonata No. 12 in F Major, K. 332: III, Allegro Assai, Mozart

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Image by USC News

BOOK REPORT: The Best Book I Read This Summer

In honor of Library Card Sign-Up Month, several Fairmont students and faculty members have recommended their favorite summer reads! Visit your local library to sign your child up for their very own library card and to check out these great titles!

The Story of Ferdinand, Munro Leaf

A passive, young bull calf, Ferdinand desires to spend his days smelling flower instead of participating in the famous bullfights of Spain.

Recommended by Ms. Aguilar, 1st Grade Teacher

Junie B., First Grader - The Dumb Bunny, Barbara Park

Junie B. Jones is stuck is a bunny costume, but does her best to win the Easter egg hunt without getting egg on her face!

Recommended by Saba T.

 Bob the Dog, Rodrigo Folgueira

Bob the Dog and Mark must figure out what to do when Bob accidentally swallows a yellow canary!

Recommended by Yasmina S.

 Junie B. Jones is (almost) a Flower Girl, Barbara Park

Junie B. Jones looks for ways to show everyone how grown-up she is at her Aunt Flo’s wedding.

Recommended by Sofia K.

What Makes Popcorn Pop?, Time Life for Children

A question and answer book for kids’ questions about food!

Recommended by Ms. Johnson, Junior Kindergarten Teacher

Spark the beginning of a life-long journey by encouraging your young learner to read! Before taking a trip to the library, be sure to visit Fairmont’s Pinterest board Literary Genius for great reading ideas and book recommendations!
  

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Images by Pinterest, BTSB, Goodreads, Little Sprout Speech, Comidaconalta, & Sort It Apps  

FRIDAY FOLDER: September 11

Highlights of the Week:

Historic Anaheim Campus

 Anaheim Hills Campus

North Tustin Campus

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

A to Z: Back-to-School Acrostic Advice Poem

Fun is always to be had in the classroom.
Always treat classmates and teachers with respect.
Incorrigible students can always learn and grow.
Running in the hallway is never a good idea.
Mondays can be tough, but they don’t last forever.
Offer assistance to younger students.
Never say, “The dog ate my homework.”
Treat others in a way that you would like to be treated.

Practice will turn the novice into the master.
Reading can take you on far-off adventures.
Inclusive is better than exclusive.
Voice your ideas and let yourself be heard.
Allow yourself to learn from mistakes.
Try out for school plays and sports teams.
Eat a good breakfast everyday.

Spend time with your family.
Colleges will love your ability to succeed.
Homework comes before relaxation.
Over-studying is not possible.
Opt to tell the truth in every situation.
Learning lasts a lifetime. 
Say a simple “Thank you” to your teachers.

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER: September 4

Weekly Highlights:

Historic Anaheim Campus

 Anaheim Hills Campus

North Tustin Campus 

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

A to Z: A Short History of Labor Day

To current American families, Labor Day signals the end of summer and a day off from work or school. However, Labor Day’s true intention is to celebrate the goals and achievements of American workers. The first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City where workers spent the day attending parades, picnics, and addresses by community leaders. It wasn’t until 1894 that Congress passed a law making Labor Day a national holiday.

Through the Industrial Revolution, Americans worked long hours in harsh conditions. Labor unions soon became popular, as they acted as advocates for disparaged workers and children in the workforce. Peter McGuire, a New York City carpenter, is credited with the idea of implementing a national worker’s holiday. McGuire dedicated over a decade to organizing strikes, fighting for higher wages, and promoting workers’ rights.

So this Monday, while enjoying time with family and friends, take a moment to celebrate the workers who built America and paved the way for the social and economic prosperity that hard-working Americans enjoy today.

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Images and Video by History.com, Loc.gov,  & Wikipedia.com

ARTS & CRAFTS: STEM Crafts

With the increase of STEM (science, technology, education, mathematics) curriculum in the classroom, students are being encouraged to pursue STEM-related careers and paths of higher education. STEM concepts and projects promote collaboration, investigation, and critical thinking. Here are some great STEM crafts and home experiments for your budding scientist or engineer!

Pyramid Catapult courtesy of Instructables

Gyroscopic Whirligigs courtesy of Instructables

 Solar Oven courtesy of Totally Tots

Engineer a Bridge courtesy of Scholastic

 LEGO Balloon Car courtesy of Homegrown Learners

Other great STEM resources include Code Studio, Master’s in Data Science, Childhood 101, Instructables, and Raising Lifelong Learners! Not sure what exactly STEM is? Visit Chalk Talk: Decoding STEM for a clearer picture of STEM’s implications on the field of education.

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Images and Activities by Homegrown Learners, Scholastic, Totally Tots, & Instructables 

FRIDAY FOLDER: August 28

Weekly Highlights:

North Tustin Campus

 

Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

 Fairmont Preparatory Campus

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

CHALK TALK: Study Habits for Junior High Students

Transitioning from elementary school into junior high can be slightly daunting. The academic and behavioral expectations are different and the amount of homework is bound to increase. But junior high doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming. Encouraging good study habits is a great way to ensure that your student is succeeding academically, as well as potentially improving his or  attitude towards classroom learning. It’s important to remember that a student’s success builds self-confidence, which inspires the student’s eagerness to learn.

Developing strong study habits in your junior high student is the best way to prepare him or her for success in higher education. To begin, observe your student while he or she does homework or prepares for a test. Look specifically at the kinds of notes that your child takes during class. Are the notes organized, or simply a random collection of words? If your student has little sense of organization when jotting down class material, this is the best place to start.

Talk to your child about potential organization strategies such as outline structures and highlighting. Encourage your child to adopt a format of notetaking that is meaningful and memorable to him or her. Students who participate in notetaking strategies while in class are more likely to be engaged with the conversation or lecture, and the act of writing or typing helps to ingrain the facts and ideas into the student’s memory. Once your student adopts a method of notetaking, show him or her how to highlight or color-code important keywords and phrases. Warn your student about over highlighting. When a student highlights more than necessary, nothing significant stands out on the page.

Now that your student is getting older, create a study space where he or she is able to have access to all study supplies and can spread out textbooks and notes. Providing your student with a small office desk in a place with the least distractions will help aid the study process. Also, if your child’s school doesn’t require students to have a planner or online assignment calendar, purchase a planner for your child and spur him or her to keep track of assignments and due dates. If your child uses an electronic device to enhance studying, choose a free notetaking or organizer application such as myHomework or Evernote to keep track of notes and due dates.  

Finally, another large component of fostering good study habits lies in the student’s ability to manage his or her time wisely. A planner helps aids this process, however junior high students need to learn to prioritize their daily tasks effectively. Develop an after-school routine where your child is able to participate in extracurricular activities, but understands that time must be devoted to homework.

Taking the time to understand your student’s daily routine and expectations in the classroom will better help you to help your junior high student succeed in high school and beyond!

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Image by Fairmont Private Schools