I've mentioned this website before, but I'm going to show you how to access it again!  Follow along to get to some cool resources including videos (aligned with your course textbook), quizzes and online live tutoring! It covers Math 4 and 9, as well as most core grade 10, 11 and 12 courses!!

Go to www.learnnowbc.ca and click on the Login button

I can give you my login information so you can try it out (just send me an email, message through facebook or text message).  Setup your own free account afterwards if you want to use this often! 

Once you've logged in, Click on Tutoring and Study Centre

Click on one of the three headings (they all take you to the same place)

Select your Grade

These are the courses that offer videos, quizzes or Live tutoring for your grade!

The Red checkmark will indicate that you can have live tutoring (a window will come up with a chat program similar to Skype), Green is the Quizzes, and my favorite the Yellow lightning bolt for the Video Lessons!  I'll show you what they look like in the next picture...

Here, I clicked on the Yellow Checkmark for Foundations of Math 11.  Here, you see there are a variety of lessons.  Just click on the lesson you're currently on and you can watch a video instruction lesson as well as examples.  Such a great resource!!

As I said above, if you would like to see what it's like for yourself, please contact me and I can give you my username and password to try out.  Its also very simple to set up your own account.  Often a parent account is easiest as you don't need the PEN number for your student!
Happy Studying!!

Many students may be struggling to study for provincial exams due to the current BCTF Teacher's strike/Job Action.  However, did you know there was an online source to help you?

 LearnNowBC is open up until the 23rd with more options to help you prep for your exams! They offer Free live tutoring, as well as videos and quizzes! Whichever way you find best to learn!
You do need to sign up, but its completely free. If you don't want to bother and just want to check it out, send me a message and I'll let you borrow our username and password!

It seems to me that many high school students are have test anxiety.  There are different degrees of test anxiety from just being nervous/anxious when you're having tests, all the way to going to your family doctor and receiving treatment in many different forms.  Many of us adults all remember the feelings we went through when doing tests and exams in high school or university, and we probably don't want to repeat this either!!

I think that the majority of students are also coping with many other stressful situations at home and at school.  The stress that they are experiencing is different than when their parents went to school.  As society changes, so do the levels of stress and anxiety as well as their causes. This makes it difficult for parents and students to properly communicate on ways to deal with this excess stress.  Some cases of test anxiety may be helped by having discussions with peers and other adults on different ways of coping, study strategies as well as exercises for relaxation and focus.

So, here is my question for you whether you are a student or adult....

What did YOU find that worked to combat the anxiety that comes along with tests and exams?

What do you wish you did that was different?

What are some things that you feel students(or yourself) are dealing with in highschool now that you (or your parents) might not have had to deal with when they went to school?

You may comment below, send me an email (momentumlearningcentre@gmail.com) or post on this article's link on Facebook!!

Now that we’re over halfway into the first semester, many students have had or are getting ready for some big chapter, unit tests and finals.  Taking a test in any subject can be a daunting task at any age.  However, helping your child develop the right habits before taking a test can make all the difference in the world.  Aside from studying, there are some important stress relieving techniques that are often overlooked!  Try some of these out with your child.

Learning to react to stress or anxiety about tests takes practice.  Here are some techniques that you can help your child practice.  Once a technique becomes easy, your child will be able to successfully implement it into their classroom life.

Stretch – before and during, take a deep breath and bring your arms over your head.  On your way back down, let the breath out.  Do this several times.

Visualise - Do this visualisation for many different activities where you need a break, need to relax, or ‘get away’.   Have your child close their eyes (or in a classroom, stare at a clear spot on the floor, or corner of the ceiling).  Imagine a place where just you can go all by yourself.  Have your child build this place in their minds.  Use phrases such as ‘now think of the grass, is it tall? Short? Waving in the breeze?’  Try this a few times (even build your own place with as your child does).  Using this technique during a test will help your student ‘escape’ and calm down/relax in order to continue.  

Think Positive - If you think you are going to do bad, or are terrible at doing tests, guess what?  You’re probably right!  A better way to use these pre-test thoughts is to infuse them with positive things such as ‘I’ve studied to my best ability!”  “I’m going to do the BEST that I CAN do!” If you are a parent, try and be as positive as possible as your child will also sense your thoughts about their test-taking abilities.

Breathing – Take 5 DEEP breaths if you feel anxious or stressed.  This helps the brain and body to relax and calm itself.

Time Management – Many teenagers need practice at this, and managing study time prior to a test can dramatically help reduce stress.  Sit down with your child and help plan out a study schedule so that only a small fraction of the studying happens the night before a test.

Practice makes Perfect – If your child is in high-school, they have at least 8-10 different teachers and each teacher writes tests differently.  So, often the first two to three tests in a course are like trial runs.  After this kind of test, review with your child these three things: What kinds of questions were asked (multiple choice, word problems, short answers etc.)? What did you struggle with the most?  How could you do it next time so you are better prepared?

Sleep – Last but not least, sleep should be the most important thing the day before a test.  The brain needs time to repair before putting it under pressure.

Food – Teenagers these days seem to avoid breakfast.  On a test day, make sure your child knows the importance of eating breakfast and lunch.  These meals should consist of protein and good fats.  Some examples of a good source of protein and fats are; eggs, scrambled eggs with cheese wrapped in a small tortilla, unsweetened peanut/nut butter, smoothies with protein powder (not just milk and fruit), granola/yogurt, milk and high fibre unsweetened cereal.  If you have hemp seeds, flax seeds or any type of raw nut or seed, add this to the meal as well.  Without a good meal, concentration levels and brain functions drop, both of which are needed during a test!

Remember, the more practice you have at writing tests successfully and without a lot of stress and anxiety the better you will do on these tests!  I believe in you.  You can do anything you set your mind on.