Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, October 7, 2017

Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 7, 2017 EDUCATION & YOUTH 7 Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 7, 2017 EDUCATION & YOUTH 7 
JUDSON STUDENTS ENHANCE STEM LEARNING 


THROUGH FIELD TRIPS 


Judson International Students at La Brea Tar Pits L to R: Marie Petrosyan, Taleesa Ofumbi, Jihoo Kim


One of Judson International School’s core values 
is knowledge through investigative learning. This 
focus enhances Judson’s STEM program,
teaching children the value of research at an early 
age. Judson’s International Christian Curriculum, 
developed uniquely for Judson International School,
is an integrative curriculum that teaches childrenfrom the earliest age about understanding the worldthrough research and investigation. Judson make a 
priority for students to get out exploring the worldin order to learn by doing and seeing. Already thisschool year our Judson elementary teachers have 

been busy taking their students on field trips. Thefirst and second graders went to the La Brea Tar Pitsas part of their student of paleontology. To learn 
about astronomy, the third and fourth graders wentto the Griffith Observatory. Fifth and sixth graderswent to the California Science Center to learn more 
about anatomy and physiology. 8th graders went tothe Los Angeles Arboretum to sketch nature. Such 
investigative learning opportunities complementour STEM curriculum and provide students withmemorable experiences that enhance their classroomlearning. 

Tips to Improve Your Child’s Math Scores 


At a time when math is becoming an increasingly 
important subject for students to master, students 
are exploring ways to better understand the subject 
of math and improve their test scores.

To help students stand out from the pack and 
increase their math grades and scores, consider the 
following. 

Don’t Skip AheadOne math skill builds on another. The same way 
that skipping an episode of a plot-driven show will 
make you feel lost when you return to the program, 
missing a math lesson can create confusion all 
semester long. To keep up, be sure to pay careful 
attention in class, taking copious notes, doing all 
your assigned homework, and being sure to talk 
to the teacher about what you missed on sick days. 
Don’t move to the next chapter until you have full 
comprehension of the current chapter. If the class 
is moving at a pace that feels too fast, visit your 
teacher before or after the school day for some 
extra help, or consider working with a tutor. 

Better Math Gear 
Higher level math courses require the right tech 

tools. Since tests are most often timed, be sure to 
select a calculator with fast processing speeds, an 
easy interface that reduces the amount of time it 
takes to work out an equation, and is permitted on 
standardized tests. 

For example, the intuitive icon-based menu of the 
fx-CG50 PRIZM from Casio, has a natural textbook 
display that makes it easy to use. Supporting 
students from middle school to college, it also 
offers USB connectivity that helps students take 
their lessons from calculator to computer. More 
information can be found at CasioEducation.com. 

Form a Study GroupThe benefits of being in a study group are numerous, 
from accountability to expanded opportunities to 
explain the material to others. Different students 
will bring different skills to the table, helping 
everyone fill in knowledge gaps. Consider forming 
such a group with classmates, and setting regular 
meetings to go over the latest material together.

Math class doesn’t need to seem so formidable. 
Improve your grades and test scores with the right 
tools and study habits. 

What are ‘STEAM’ Subjects and Why Do They


Matter? 

(StatePoint) If you’ve heard your child’s educatorstalking about “STEAM” subjects, they are referringto Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.
And these subjects are growing in importance, asmore industries require a strong mastery of theconcepts and skills involved. 

What’s more, a growing body of research showsthat exposure to the arts can have a positive impacton one’s performance in science and math-orientedsubjects. As your children prepares to succeed in alltheir classes, keep these things in mind: 

The Right ClassesTalk to your children about ensuring they stack 
their class schedules with courses that challenge 
but don’t overwhelm them. It’s easy to overload 
a schedule with far too many advanced science 
courses in one semester that can make success 
unattainable. By the same token, it’s important to 
ensure that your student is taking enough of the 
right classes to build a strong foundation for future 
endeavors. A guidance counselor can help your 
child strike the right balance. 

The Right ToolsSTEAM success is built on having the right tools, sobe sure students are well-equipped. New models ofcalculators are taking into account the demands ontoday’s students and offer expanded features that give 

students the ability to easily draw three dimensionalgraphs and view them from various angles to betteranalyze their shapes. For example, the fx-CG50, thenewest model in Casio’s calculator portfolio, featuresa picture plot function and color LCD with a fulltextbook-style display.

Likewise, students can build a strong arts foundationby learning to play an instrument. Modern musicstudents may prefer using the most cutting-edgeinstruments, such as Casio’s Compact Grand PianoCGP-700, which features a touch display that givesthem the option to choose tones, select rhythmsand split and layer sounds, as well as the ability torecord and playback music. This digital piano hasbeen engineered to have an authentic piano feel andconcert grand piano sound. 

The Right ProgrammingAfter school programming can be an ideal 
opportunity to reinforce STEAM learning in a waythat is fun, creative and social. From the robotics 
club to the orchestra, find out what your school andlarger community offer, and encourage your child toget involved. This programming will likely improvegrades and test scores, as well as help your child drawconnections between disciplines.

While not all trends are worthy of your attention, theimportance of STEAM learning can’t be understatedand, as a parent, you can help bolster success in thesesubjects. 

Serving: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, And Catering 
SCHOOL DIRECTORY 
ALVERNO HEIGHTS ACADEMY 
200 N. Michillinda Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 
(626) 355-3463 Head of School: Julia V. FanaraE-mail address: jfanara@alvernoheights.org 
Arcadia High School180 Campus Drive Arcadia, CA 91007Phone: (626) 821-8370, Principal: Brent Forseebforsee@ausd.net 
Arroyo Pacific Academy41 W. Santa Clara St. Arcadia, Ca, 
(626) 294-0661 Principal: Phil ClarkeE-mail address: pclarke@arroyopacific.org 
Barnhart School 
240 W. Colorado Blvd Arcadia, Ca. 91007 
(626) 446-5588 Head of School: EthanWilliamson 
Kindergarten - 8th gradewebsite: www.barnhartschool.org 
Bethany Christian School93 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626) 355-3527Preschool-TK-8th Grade 
Principal: Dr. William Walnerwebsite: www. bcslions.org 
Clairbourn School 
8400 Huntington DriveSan Gabriel, CA 91775Phone: 626-286-3108 ext. 172 
FAX: 626-286-1528 
E-mail: jhawes@clairbourn.org 
Foothill Oaks Academy822 Bradbourne Ave., Duarte, CA 91010 
(626) 301-9809Co-Principals Nancy Lopez and Diane Kieffaberinfo@foothilloaksacademy.orgpreschool@foothilloaksacademy.org 
Frostig School971 N. Altadena Drive Pasadena, CA 91107(626) 791-1255Head of School: Jenny Janetzke 
Email: jenny@frostig.org 
The Gooden School 
192 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626) 355-2410Head of School, Carl Parke 
website: www.goodenschool.org 
High Point Academy1720 Kinneloa Canyon Road Pasadena, Ca. 
91107 
Head of School: Gary Stern 626-798-8989 
website: www.highpointacademy.org 
La Salle High School 
3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 
(626) 351-8951 website: www.lasallehs.org 
Principal Mrs. Courtney Kassakhian 
Monrovia High School325 East Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016(626) 471-2800 Principal Darvin JacksonEmail: schools@monrovia.k12.ca.us 
Odyssey Charter School725 W. Altadena Dr. Altadena, Ca. 91001(626) 229-0993 Head of School: Lauren O’Neillwebsite: www.odysseycharterschool.org 
Pasadena High School2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca.
(626) 396-5880 Principal: Roberto Hernandezwebsite: http://phs.pusd.us 
St. Rita Catholic School 
322 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024Principal Joan Harabedian (626) 355-9028website: www.st-rita.org 
Sierra Madre Elementary School141 W. Highland Ave, Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626) 355-1428 Principal: Esther SalinasE-mail address: salinas.esther@pusd.us 
Sierra Madre Middle School 
160 N. Canon Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024(626) 836-2947 Principal: Garrett NewsomE-mail address: newsom.garrett@pusd.us 
Walden School 
74 S San Gabriel Blvd 
Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 792-6166www.waldenschool.net 
Weizmann Day School1434 N. Altadena Dr. Pasadena, Ca. 91107(626) 797-0204Lisa Feldman: Head of School 
Wilson Middle School 
300 S. Madre St. Pasadena, Ca. 91107(626) 449-7390 Principal: Ruth EsselnE-mail address: resseln@pusd.us 
Pasadena Unified School District 
351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena, Ca. 91109(626) 396-3600 Website: www.pusd@pusd.usrcadia Unified School District 
234 Campus Dr., Arcadia, Ca. 91007 
(626) 821-8300 Website: www.ausd.net 
Monrovia Unified School District 
325 E. Huntington Dr., Monrovia, Ca. 91016 
(626) 471-2000 Website: www.monroviaschools. 
net 
Duarte Unified School District 
1620 Huntington Dr., Duarte, Ca. 91010 
(626)599-5000 Website: www.duarte.k12.ca.us 
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Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com