College Ready

Sharing strategies for student success, college readiness and academic coaching


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Books, Bedtime and Beyond: Why Family Reading Rocks

Even MORE reasons to read to a child. Reading aloud “builds a child’s WANT to read.” Think your kiddo is too old for you to read to them at bedtime? Think again. Check out the difference in a child’s interest in reading between Kindergarten and Fourth Grade! What was the key difference? Parents stopped reading to kids.

By 12th grade-only 19% of kids asked said they were interested in reading! When you consider that higher levels of college readiness are linked to reading skills, I have just one word for that statistic: Noooooooo….but what can you do about it?

One thing our family started last summer was family reading time. We picked a classic-The Wind in the Willows-and each of us would read a few pages at a time. We read it together each night and enjoyed the simplicity of the words, the comfort of the timeless message and the beauty of the illustrations. Yes, even my Minecraft lovin’ middle school boy unplugged long enough to take part! He loved doing accents and really cracked up at Toad’s antics. So get silly, have fun, and share the joy of reading at any age!! What types of family reading do you do with your kids?

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This beautiful infographic was produced by usborneusa.com and Nancy Ann Wartman

11 Ways to Do a Random Act of Kindness This Summer

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11 Ways to Do a Random Act of Kindness This Summer

OK, you got me!! There are only 10 items on the list. The 11th one is up to you! What ideas do you have for performing a Random Act of Kindness this summer? May I suggest “Read to a Child“? It is simple, costs nothing but a little bit of your time, and can make all the difference in the world.

But, hey, anything you do is gonna make you feel all warm & fuzzy inside…so, go for it…

Start a Kindness Chain…

Because once you start it…kindness ripples out like water in a pond, spreading farther and farther. And that’s 100% scientific fact. Yep, I swear!! Kindness is contagious!

So what’s YOUR #11?? Let’s add some ideas to this list. Add your suggestions here. Thanks! 🙂


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Social Media is Addicting!

Be honest: We have all been there!

Marty F. Nemec

Phone bed

This picture accurately describes how addicting social media can be. I think it is hilarious because I have been in this position myself, except this happens around midnight for me. I hope you got a chuckle from it as well!

-Marty F. Nemec

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Einstein on Learning

Einstein was basically saying to do what we love. We all need a reminder to live our life with purpose and to follow our joy.

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The Fear Chronicles: Ray Bradbury and Getting Things Done*

Ray Bradbury always inspires.

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Type “Ray Bradbury and quotes” into any search engine and what you’ll get is pure inspiration. From the famous sci-fi author of Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles, you’ll find quotes about love and reading and living and rebellion and getting on with things. Quotes about imagination and exploration and dreaming.  Quotes that bring tears to the eyes with their genuine enthusiasm for life and literature.

Try these on for size:

“You must write every single day of your life… You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads… may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.”

and

“Love. Fall in love and stay in love. Write only what you love, and love what you write. The word is love. You…

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College Students: Dream Big

BE YOU

Are you heading back to campus soon?

Whether you’re a student or a teacher: Dream Big!

Connect ~ Inspire ~ Learn ~ Grow!

wordle college ready final

“Hold Fast to Dreams, for if Dreams Die, Life is a Broken-Winged Bird that Cannot Fly.” Langston Hughes

Wise Words

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Location Matters: Climbing the Income Equality Ladder

This graphic that appeared in the New York Times explains part of the reason why I’ve started this blog, College Ready. Location is a key factor on whether or not children are able to climb the income ladder. Upward mobility varied greatly in cities that have the same or comparable average incomes.

I’m committed to closing the Opportunity Divide, so that every student who can succeed in college, gets that chance to actually get to college. We can’t afford to let geography alone be a barrier to education, employment, equality or economic stability.

Mentors and coaches, peers, and other role models can help. As I’ve said before, the presence of just one adult in a child’s life who believes in him or her, and shows up, makes a difference. There’s not an easy answer but taking one small action can start a ripple effect. I challenge you to spend an hour a week reading to a child-even if it is your own child-and start that ripple.

What are some of your best ideas for helping everyone have a chance at the American Dream?

Easiest Flowchart Ever

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Wise Words

I start with this quote on day one of my classes. Great advice from one of the best in his profession, and it never fails to inspire.