7 Benefits of Enrolling Your Child in Elementary Sports

With the early morning games, commutes to practice, and trying to remember which kid is playing at which location on which week, you may be wondering if elementary sports is worth the hassle, especially when you could just enroll them in Saturday morning cartoons instead. But don’t worry, the benefit is worth way more than just the participation trophy they’ll get. There are plenty of great reasons to sign your kids up for athletics, even when they are still young. 

1. Physical Fitness

Academy students can begin participating in the Phoenix soccer program as they reach upper elementary school. Developmental teams allow for students to progress in their skills through practices.

Obviously, one of the first benefits that pops into most people’s minds is the physical training they receive. Kids involved in sports are given opportunities to improve their balance, coordination, and agility, all of which have benefits that exceed far beyond their time on the field or court. It begins helping kids get in tune with their bodies, which is advantageous for setting them up for a healthy lifestyle in the future. 

2. Develop Friendships

Sports are a great way for kids to deepen their friendships with their peers. It provides fun, structured activity which allows them to add a new dynamic to their relationships as they bond over a shared interest. 

3. Learn Teamwork

Outside of developing friendships, sports often include elements of teamwork which help kids learn how to better collaborate with others. Organized sports give participants a chance to work together to meet a common goal (by scoring a goal). 

4. Observe Personal Growth

Another reason sports are good for a kid's development is because it allows them to see their growth. Whether it is comparing their past and current cross-country meet times or noticing how much further they can kick the ball than during their first practice, athletics allows children to better understand how hard work can pay off as they recognize the progress they make. It encourages them to try and to look for potential in themselves. 

The elementary boys cross-country team took home a first place team championship along with several individual runner awards.

5. Prove You’re Their Biggest Fan
As their parent, you already are their biggest fan, but athletic events give you an appropriate venue to cheer for them as loud as you want. It allows you to see how they act in a different environment, which can help you learn them better, and it also gives you and your kid shared experiences which they will remember as they get older.  

6. Learn a Skill

Learning a skill not only boosts one’s self-esteem, but can make participation in that activity all the more enjoyable. Their knowledge and skills connected with that sport can be a source of confidence for them as it helps build a part of their identity. 

7. Life Lessons

We know it's cliché, but sports really do teach kids life lessons. It can be used as an analogy to help children understand certain concepts which they may not be able to fully grasp detached from an immersive experience. Whether it’s trusting and obeying your coach, enduring through tiredness, training to overcome, or learning to work as a team to accomplish what you couldn’t on your own, there are a plethora of lessons you can communicate to your children through the use of sports, and what better way to teach them than to let them play.

Our Read-a-thon is Coming!

Read-a-thons actually get students excited about reading and it gives friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more. Our Read-a-thon will run from Monday, February 13 through Friday, February 24, 2023. We’d love to see 100% participation from our elementary students. There will be prizes for each reader based on their participation. We will even be offering more opportunities to read to gain Read-a-thon minutes while at school!

In the United States, 14 percent of the adult population—a staggering 32 million adults—cannot read.  “What’s more shocking is that we haven’t moved that needle in 10 years.  We know that literacy helps people escape the bonds of poverty and live longer.  We know that people who are literate are more inclined to vote, take part in their community, and seek medical help for themselves and their families. They’re also better equipped to take advantage of knowledge jobs, which are growing at explosive rates.”  – Marcie Craig Post, Executive Director of International Literacy Association, in a panel discussion at the Institute of International Education in New York City, April 2015.

Academy parents, please see your parent email to help get your reader registered and reading! This Read-a-thon will promote a beneficial skill for all students while raising funds for our school. Teaching students to read books is only the beginning. As they grow, their ability to critically think and put into play the literacy skills they’ve learned at a young age will bless their family and community. We hope you’ll join us in this exciting fundraiser!

Readers play a more active and involved role in their communities. The decline in reading, therefore, parallels a larger retreat from participation in civic and cultural life. The long-term implication of this study not only affects literature but all the arts – as well as social activities such as volunteerism, philanthropy, and even political engagement. – Dana Gioia, Chairman, NEA, “Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America,” June 2004.

Turning Lessons into Life: Teaching styles that can be applied beyond the classroom

Teachers do more than just dump information into the brains of children. They are the role models for the next generation, and it’s not just what they teach that affects our children, it’s also the way they teach it. As such, it is important to consider how these methods of teaching can affect our children going into the future. Even if they do not become teachers themselves, different styles of teaching contain lessons whose value extends far beyond the classroom. Our children will inevitably learn from these experiences and will hopefully absorb these methods into their own being, so let’s take a look at teaching styles and some lessons we can learn from them. 

Authority

While this lecture method may involve minimal student participation, it is a common form of teaching all students should learn to adapt to, especially in this age of virtual learning where participation is often already minimized. This authority style harnesses the power of words, displaying the importance they have in developing young minds. We know from the creation story in Genesis how powerful words can be as they help shape reality, and as students watch their teachers explain concepts to broaden their understanding they can begin learning the significant role words play. Being able to formulate ideas in your own words is empowering, and if students can grasp the importance of oral communication, it will benefit them in almost every aspect of their life.

Demonstrator

Principal Castro walks his students through an SEL lesson by inviting discussion and feedback during the class.

This teaching method relies on showing students the topics they are learning about, often requiring the teacher to exemplify the lesson. Sometimes people need to see things lived out. The people of Israel were given God’s law back in Moses’ time, but it wasn’t until people were given the example in Jesus that the law was brought to life (Mat. 5:17). Students can learn through this method the importance of being an example to others. It’s not enough to just talk the talk, they have to be able to demonstrate what it is they know. 

Facilitator

In this method there exists more interaction between the teacher and the student, as the teacher comes alongside the student allowing for more dialogue and participation in the lesson. The teacher connects with the students to meet them where they are at and coaches them through the learning process. The students should learn to appreciate the understanding which comes on the other side of doing, especially under the safety and supervision of an experienced instructor. 

Delegator

Teachers who use the delegating style often organize group projects that allow more freedom for the students to speak, this may be in the form of debates or class discussions. It allows the activities the teacher plans to be enacted by the students in order to produce bigger results. This style requires management techniques which enable the teacher’s goal of learning to be accomplished through the participation of the students. The students get to witness the teacher delegate tasks to them allowing more learning to take place as the instructor gets the students to cooperate and fulfill their responsibilities.  

Hybrid

This method is exactly what it sounds like: a mixture of more than one. As students watch their teachers utilize various teaching methods to illuminate their minds, they learn there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to life. We need to holistically develop students in order for them to become the adults who can adapt to the ever-changing world, combining techniques to overcome challenges and meet goals. 

Ms. Voight spends time connecting with one of her upper elementary students during a morning break.

This is why the multi-faceted responsibilities of teachers are so vital, because when it comes to educating our children, it is not just what they teach that matters, but also how they teach. Through these styles of teaching, students can learn the power of words, the importance of setting an example, how to connect and meet people where they are at, management skills, and  how to use these lessons in tandem. Teaching styles hold lessons which go beyond the walls of the school, as they develop skills which will prepare the students for the future by teaching them how to navigate the complexities of life.  

Sources: 

Larson, James. “5 Common Teaching Styles - How Effective Are They?” ATutor.com (visited 18 April 2022).

https://atutor.ca/teaching-styles/ 

“Effective Teaching Styles: 5 Ways To Be A Great Teacher” CueMath.com (visited 18 April 2022)

https://www.cuemath.com/learn/teaching-styles/

5 Ways To Help Students Be Their Best: How parents can help their kids succeed at school

Every parent wants their child to succeed at school, but this isn’t as easy as it may seem. After all, you aren’t in the classroom with your child, so how can you ensure they are going to succeed? Here are some tips to help you think through ways you can mold your child into being the best student they can be from outside the classroom. 

1. Help Improve Their Self-Awareness. 

At the Academy, parents are invited onto campus for formal events and teacher meetings throughout the school year. These visits are valuable to the parent’s involvement in the student’s school experience and relationship with their teacher.

If you don’t have a chance to be actively involved in the school’s PTO or other volunteer programs, make sure to talk with your child about the in’s and out’s of their school life. Who’s their favorite teacher? Why do they like the kids they hang out with and what role do they play in their circle of friends? What subjects do they enjoy, and which ones do they struggle with? This will help you help your child, by asking more focused questions that can help them better process their experiences. School can bring out a lot of insecurities in a child, and not every child is gifted with the intrapersonal skills to make sense of it all on their own. Asking personal questions and helping them talk through their thoughts and feelings can hopefully bring them some clarity concerning how they think about certain situations. Elementary aged students may be more prone to being open and vulnerable than middle school or high schoolers, but it’s never too late to start. Share with them ways that you’ve seen them change, and how they are growing. Self-awareness will help make them be their best as they will know how to better approach situations based on how they know themselves.  

2. Give Them Opportunities to Explore

Part of students learning about themselves involves exploring new interests and figuring out what types of things they are good at or enjoy.  Every child is different. What may be the most boring thing in the world to one child, may be seen as wildly interesting to another. Providing strong emotional support will help students be more willing to try new things, as it builds confidence knowing that they will still be loved and supported even if they fail. It will give them the encouragement they need to further explore certain interests which can help build self-confidence as they begin learning more about themselves. This shapes their mindset and can help them develop as a student. 

3. Develop their Strengths

When you see a child has a knack for a skill, provide opportunities for them to develop it. If they are athletic, try to get them on a sports team, or if they are musically inclined, enroll them in a music camp. Encourage them to find ways in which they can enhance the natural skills they have. As they develop these talents, they are also developing their minds as they learn the ins and outs of a skill. This not only boosts their confidence, but will help shape the way they view themselves. They will be more okay with their weaknesses knowing that they have strengths.  

Parent-teacher meetings are welcome and encouraged at the Academy. Our teachers invest into a partnership with the students and parents in order for the student to have a successful learning experience.

4. Overcome their Weaknesses

Everyone has weaknesses and the sooner they are addressed, the sooner they can be caught up to speed with others. While no child is going to want a tutor, if they are falling behind in a certain subject then it may be an appropriate way to help them succeed. However, before hiring a professional tutor, you may want to try other options first. While children may react differently when their parents try to teach them, if you can find the time you may be able to tutor them yourself. If not, see if there are friends who are skilled in that subject who could tutor them. Other options may be hosting some of their classmates for a group study session. By opening your home to allow students to work on group projects or study for upcoming tests, you are encouraging both healthy academic and social practices. Getting students to be comfortable having weaknesses and being willing to face them head on is beneficial both in and out of the classroom. 

5. Challenge Them

Another way to help your student become the best they can be is by making sure they are challenged. This doesn’t just have to be in a purely academic sense, but by getting them out of their comfort zone and participating in activities they would rather avoid, it can stretch their familiarity, expanding their willingness to try things they would otherwise shy away from. When this attitude is applied to their academics, it helps students approach new topics with greater optimism even if it is in a subject they are weak in or unfamiliar with. 

How to Thrive in High School

1. Learn How to Study

School is for learning and to learn you need to study. It’s not just about what you can absorb while in the classroom, but how you interact with the material outside of the classroom as well. Studying may look different depending on the subject or project, but it is something you need to get good at. Find out how and where you study best.  A few tips are to rest or get a snack before studying, so hunger or tiredness do not distract you. Also, finding a good study environment is key. Don’t study in your bed as your mind associates it with sleep, or a place where there are too many distractions, whether it is in the form of television, music, or people-watching. We won’t cover all of them here, but there are plenty of blogs and websites with lists of tips and tricks to help improve your study habits, so go check them out. 

2. Make a Study Schedule

When making a schedule, we often plan out how we’ll make time for our extracurricular activities, but sometimes we forget to block off enough time for getting homework or projects done. One way to manage your time better is to create a study schedule at the beginning of the year and stick to it. Even if you do not have homework in a certain class, you can organize your notes, review the content, and prepare questions for your next class. It may sound like a drag, but it will make paper writing and studying for tests much easier, and will save you time in the long run.  

3. Trust Your Teachers

At the Academy, this should be easy. Their genuine smiles and love for God and others make them the perfect people to deserve your trust. Your teachers have your best interest at heart, so don’t be dismissive if they offer correction or discipline. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Teachers are there to help you learn, and they want to make sure you do. When they give you advice, be sure to listen, because they are saying it for your benefit, not theirs.  

4. Be a Friend

Like the old saying goes, “if you want a friend, be a friend,” which is almost just a reverberation of the golden rule applied to friendship. Remember that your classmates aren’t your competition, they’re your teammates, so be sure to show them the respect, kindness, and forgiveness that you would want shown to you. Having a good set of friends, makes the good times better, and the hard times easier. If you have a hard time making friends, then ask someone you know for advice on how to be a better friend. Of course, being a friend isn’t always easy, but the work you put into it is definitely worth it.  

5. Get Perspective

Learn what does and does not matter in the long run. There are a lot of things in high school that seem like they are such a big deal, but will hardly be remembered a year or two later. Whether it was a trending style, an event you did or did not get to attend, or an embarrassing situation, you’ll soon find out that some of these things are not near as big of a deal as they seem in the moment. Other decisions you make will have a big impact on your future, even if they only seem as simple as turning in an assignment on time or being obedient to your parents. Gaining perspective will keep you from being overly dramatic about unimportant things, and keep you focused on what matters most.

6. Honor Your Parents

What does honoring your parents have to do with surviving high school? A little. So why are we bringing it up? Because it has everything to do with thriving during high school. Having a healthy relationship with your parents can make all the difference during your high school years. If you are stressed with all you are trying to do in high school, consider how much more they are responsible for every single day. You can be a blessing to them by ensuring to respect and obey them. This will not only make your parents happy, but God as well. Stress at home affects our school life and can negatively impact your academic performance. How do you expect to succeed  at school if you are unable to do well at home? 

7. Don’t Forget God 

If you are not spending time connecting with God, then don’t be surprised if you are having trouble staying afloat in any aspect of your life, let alone high school. God’s Spirit helps us to stand firm in the midst of trials. By remaining connected to the vine, we are able to be full of the wisdom and life God gives. This will help us walk according to his ways, so that we do more than just get through every day, but that we live it to the fullest for God.