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I have a little secret for you … sight words suck! You might be thinking, hey hang on, my children get sight words from school and they work! Why do they suck? Should I stop doing the homework? What do you mean they don’t work? Woah … let me explain … Yes, my opinion might be a little bit controversial but read on to the end and you will see what I mean, why sight words aren’t the most effective teaching tool, and what to do instead! Are sight words bad? I wouldn’t go as far

Trigger warning this article briefly mentions sexual abuse and self-harm. If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably seen it: influencers and parents proudly declaring themselves as That Mum or That Parent, you know, the ones who fire off angry emails, challenge every school policy, and make life difficult for teachers.  It’s framed as advocacy, but from a teacher’s perspective, it often feels more like intimidation. As an educator with over 15 years of experience

The Lawsuit Shaking Up Classrooms Across The Globe Imagine discovering that the very program designed to help your child learn to read might actually be holding them back! That’s the claim at the heart of a class-action lawsuit against Fountas and Pinnell, two of the most recognized names in literacy education. This legal battle is sending shockwaves through schools, homes, and classrooms everywhere. Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for you

If you're a parent or teacher supporting a young reader, you've likely come across the term "decodable readers." But what exactly are they, and why are they such a powerful tool in early literacy education? This post will break down what decodable readers are, how they work, and why they are vital for children learning to read, especially those who struggle with literacy. By the end of this article, you'll have a clear understanding of decodable readers and how to integrate t

Hey there, amazing parents! One of the things I get asked about all the time is - "how do I help my kid learn to read? Reading is one of the core skills our kids need to learn and there are lots of ways to help. It's important to remember that reading is a complex task and it takes years to master! Let's embark on a fantastic reading adventure with our little ones and discover five essential things that can make their journey to becoming rockstar readers even more awesome! Se

Winter school holidays are just around the corner, and we've got an incredible list of activities to make it a memorable break for you and your family. Whether you're in the mood for outdoor adventures, educational experiences, or creative projects, we've got you covered. And the best part? We've even included some free activities you can enjoy right at home. No matter the weather or your budget, we've got something for everyone. No need to fear those rainy July days. ,At Wis

One of the most common questions I get asked by parents is - how do I know if my child is falling behind at school? It isn’t an easy question to answer and depends on the age of the child but there are some warning signs to look out for. 10 Warning Signs Your Child May Be Falling Behind at School 1. Poor Grades The obvious sign that your child is falling behind in their classwork is low grades. If your kids' results have dropped significantly or are consistently below satisfa

As parents we are always concerned about our kid's education. It can be challenging to navigate the school system, especially when it comes to advocating for your child. Don't worry, you aren't alone! Here you'll find practical tips on how to be the best advocate for your child. So grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let's get started! Having a good relationship with your child's school staff is key to effectively advocating for him or her. So, don't be afraid to say "

Online tutoring in Australia is rapidly gaining popularity and many parents are curious about the pros and cons of taking learning online. In this blog post, we will examine some of the common misconceptions about online tutoring and explore its many benefits. Tutoring Online in Australia Since that thing happened in 2020 and much of the world had to homeschool, there has been an explosion of online tutoring in Australia. Online learning is becoming one of the fastest-growing

Exams can be stressful, but they don’t have to be. It is normal for kids to feel anxious about important assessments. There are lots of ways to prepare for exams and reduce anxious and nervous feelings. One of the best ways to prepare for an assessment is to use practise tests. I think practice tests are a fantastic tool for exam prep - read on to find out why and how you can use them. , You can get our free OLNA practise tests here Identify Areas of Weakness Practise tests a

So you might have heard about a little something called NAPLAN, and if you haven’t, ah where have you been living? All jokes aside, for year 9 students NAPLAN can have some serious outcomes. Year 9 students are required to meet a minimum benchmark in their Year 9 NAPLAN test in order to get their high school certificate (otherwise known as WACE, Western Australian Certificate of Education). If they don’t meet this benchmark then they are required to take what is called the OL

It's probably been quite a while since you had to do research for a school assignment. Things have changed since we were at school. These days it isn't necessary to head to the library and fight over the encyclopedias with your classmates! Researching can be tricky for anyone, especially in the age of misinformation. Did you know that it is estimated that at least 30% of "information" available is inaccurate! (fake news anyone?) This is why it is more important than ever to h

The back-to-school ads are everywhere, it's blistering hot and you are sick of hearing “I’m bored” and “there’s nothing to eat” … It can only mean one thing … It is almost time for the new school year to start. It is normal for kids and adults to feel nervous and anxious about the beginning of the school year. Although that doesn’t make it any less stressful. It can be even worse for those who are just starting school, changing schools, or starting high school.So what can yo

As the new year gets into full swing you might be wondering when does school start in Perth 2023? The Perth school year starts at the end of January 2023. With students returning to school on Wednesday the 1st of February 2023. Term 1 Dates Term 1 runs for 10 weeks finishing on Friday the 7th of April 2023. Term 1 school holiday dates are the 8th of April to the 23rd of April. Since Anzac day is on the 25th of April, you will likely find that most schools have a pupil free da

Whether you are enjoying the holidays or can’t wait for them to end, we all want back to school 2023 to be easy and stress-free. The lead-up to back to school can be overwhelming especially when big changes are happening for the little people in your life. We have lots of ideas to help make the back-to-school period as smooth sailing as possible. Back to School Shopping Trip There is always lots to buy to get ready for back to school. Why not get the kids involved in the shop

Don’t worry about the kids being bored these holidays, we have 50 things to do on summer holidays to keep them busy. This list includes free, cheap, and low-cost activities that won't break the bank. So bookmark this list and come back to it as you need … 50 things to do on summer holidays there are bound to be a few you haven’t tried. Let's make these holidays the best ones yet! What to do on summer holidays for free 1. Head to the beach - to make it even more exciting maybe

Okay, you have decided to take action and get a tutor. Fantastic! But there are so many options, face-to-face or online? 1:1 or in a group? With a big chain or an independent business? Today I want to help you decide whether 1:1 or group tutoring is the best choice for your child. Group tuition is an excellent service and is not like school, in the slightest. The children still get individual attention, tailored lessons, customised learning plans, and all the inclusions of a

One of the most common questions I get asked by just about everyone I know is - What should I get my child's teacher for Christmas? (Or Teacher Appreciation Day) Everyone wants to know, what are the best gifts I’ve ever received, what are the worst, and are teachers sick of getting chocolate and wine, or do they really like it? So I am going to spill the tea and let you know what are some of the best gifts I’ve ever received, some great gift ideas, and I even have a FREE gift

Wow, who can believe it is October already? The last month has just flown by. Here at Wise Owl Tuition, we have been extremely busy. We have had 3 new tutors come on board, and another is to start next week. Several new families have joined us as well. A big welcome to everyone. Term 3 has been our most successful term yet, and I am so pleased with all the student's progress. It has been wonderful to get some great feedback from parents and schools about how they feel their c

Parents often ask “how can I support my child’s learning at home?”. I always suggest that they download these 5 free apps. Kids love using technology, so why not use it to your advantage? Get them practising their ABC's, while they think they are playing games. Want to brighten your child's study area? Download our free motivational posters here. The Best Free Educational App to Learn Times Tables Ninja Maths There are lots of great ways to practise times tables but I really