Fluency and Testing Language

June 29th, 2015|

If you've ever studied linguistics you're likely aware of a theory that says human brains have a mechanism for picking up language.  It’s called a “language acquisition device.” The idea is that the brain is naturally geared to acquire a language without a lot of formal instruction. By simply by being exposed to a language, [...]

Top 5 Ways to Prepare for Your ISEE Test

June 22nd, 2015|

Get familiar with your test. Learning how to take any standardized test will help prepare you for others. But each test has its own personality, and the best thing you can do for yourself is understand the quirks of the one you’ll take. If you want to race in the Baja 1000, knowing how to [...]

In Celebration of the Ordinary

June 15th, 2015|

In my work with students and families over the years, I have noticed a growing trend among parents:  they expect their children to be extraordinary. A clear majority of them expect this, so the math can’t possibly work. This phenomenon takes so many forms.  More frequently than you’d think, parents worry that their child's teacher or [...]

Knowing the Test Prep Track

June 8th, 2015|

When we were starting our test prep program, a school principal asked us why anyone would practice for a test that they can’t see beforehand anyway. I had just seen a documentary on a race called the Baja 1000, and so had a pretty good metaphor ready to go. The Baja 1000 course changes every [...]