Demystifying Digital Citizenship: Why It Matters and How to Practice it

In today's tech-driven world, being a responsible citizen doesn't just mean knowing your rights and obeying the law — the sort of thing students might learn about in history or civics class, as they delve into America’s founding documents. It also means understanding how to navigate the online world safely, ethically, and productively in ways that the writers of the Constitution never imagined. That's where digital citizenship comes in.

What is digital citizenship?

When experts talk about teaching students to be good “digital citizens,” they’re referring to a set of skills and values that help students become positive and responsible members of the digital community. That means using technology thoughtfully, respectfully, and with an awareness of its impact on yourself and others.

Why is it important?

Increasingly, some growing portion of our lives ‘takes place’ — perhaps an outdated phrase, in the virtual world — on online platforms. This isn’t breaking news, but experts are still reckoning with the positive and negative effects of our virtual existence. The online world holds immense potential for learning, connecting, and expressing ourselves. However, it also comes with risks like cyberbullying, misinformation, and privacy concerns. By practicing good digital citizenship, we can create a safer and more positive online environment for everyone.

Here are some key aspects of digital citizenship:

• Privacy and security: Understanding how to protect your personal information online and using technology with appropriate caution.

• Respect and empathy: Treating others online with kindness and consideration, just as you would in person.

• Critical thinking and digital literacy: Evaluating information online carefully and avoiding the spread of misinformation.

• Digital rights and responsibilities: Knowing your rights in the digital world and taking responsibility for your online actions.

How can you practice digital citizenship?

• Think before you post: Consider how your words and actions online might affect others — and how they might affect you in the future.

• Be respectful: Avoid cyberbullying, hate speech, and online harassment in all its forms. Remember the golden rule: treat others the way you would like to be treated.

• Protect your privacy: Be mindful of what information you share online and use strong passwords that you regularly change.

• Be a responsible creator: Cite your sources when sharing information and avoid plagiarism — creativity and scholarship are often collaborative, and there’s no shame in that! But give credit where credit is due. To keep the conversation moving forward we have to acknowledge one another’s contributions.

• Stand up for others: Report cyberbullying and online harassment you witness.

For parents:

• Talk to your kids about digital citizenship: Open up a dialogue about their online activities and encourage them to ask questions.

• Set clear expectations: Establish rules and boundaries for using technology responsibly.

• Help them develop critical thinking skills: Encourage them to question what they see online and fact-check information.

• Be a role model: Show your kids how to use technology responsibly and respectfully.

Research Papers: Where to Begin?

The research paper is a rite of passage — and it’s one that repeats itself with increasing levels of complexity and length through the years. It looms large, a blank canvas demanding to be filled with insightful words and groundbreaking arguments. Often this beginning stage is intimidating because of the boundless options for what to pursue. So before you dive headfirst into writer's block, let's tackle the first hurdle: choosing a topic that won't make you tear your hair out.

Fear not, students! Here's your guide to picking a research paper topic that's interesting, manageable, and sets you up for success.

Step 1: Tap into Your Passions, and Follow Your Curiosity

Think about what fires you up. One of my students — a lover of flight simulators and model planes — wrote a fascinating paper on the fallout of Boeing’s flight safety record. Another, whose grandparents had emigrated from China to Australia and on to the United States, explored Australia’s discriminatory 20th century immigration policies. A third started from a Youtube video on forgotten stories of World War II and wound up diving into the mythical Battle of Los Angeles. Start with what genuinely interests you. You'll be more motivated to research and write if you care about the topic.

Step 2: Get Specific (But Not Too Specific)

A topic like "The Impact of Technology" is way too broad. Narrow it down! Focus on a specific aspect of your wider area of interest, like "How Social Media Affects Mental Health in Teenagers" or "The Ethical Dilemmas of Artificial Intelligence." Remember, you can always refine your topic further through your research.

Step 3: Consider the "Research-ability" Factor

Make sure your chosen topic has enough resources available. Check your school library, online databases, and credible websites before settling on a research question. If information is scarce, you might have to broaden your topic or choose another.

Step 4: Check the "Teacher-Friendliness" Meter

Is your topic aligned with the class curriculum and your teacher's expectations? If you're unsure, run your ideas by your teacher early on. Their guidance can save you time and heartache down the line — and they may have useful ideas for where to start your research.

Step 5: Embrace the "Uniqueness" Challenge

While exploring a well-trodden path isn't bad, try to find a unique angle within your chosen topic. Is there a specific case study you can analyze? Can you offer a fresh perspective on a familiar issue? Part of writing a research paper is getting to know what the people who came before you have written about a topic, so that you can add something new to the conversation.

Bonus Tip: Brainstorm Early and Often

Grab a pen and paper (or your favorite digital note-taking app) and jot down everything that comes to mind related to your interests. Cluster similar ideas, discard irrelevant ones, and see what connections emerge. You might be surprised by the hidden gems you uncover!

Remember, choosing a research paper topic is a process, not a destination. Don't be afraid to explore different options, refine your ideas, and seek help from teachers, librarians, or even your classmates. With a little effort and this guide in hand, you'll find a topic that sparks your curiosity and sets you on the path to research paper success.

Now go forth and conquer that blank page!

Conquering a New Language: A Student’s Guide to Foreign Language Success

Learning a new language can be daunting, especially as a busy student. But don't worry, language learning doesn't have to be a chore! For me, learning French unlocked a new world of experiences and friendships, as well as a passion for language learning that continues today. With the right approach and a little dedication, you too can conquer your chosen language and unlock a world of new possibilities.

Here are some tips to help you ace your foreign language journey:

1. Find your "why."

What motivates you to learn this language? Is it to travel to a specific country, connect with family members, or boost your future career prospects? Having a clear goal will keep you motivated when the going gets tough.

2. Embrace the fun.

Traditional language learning can feel dry and monotonous at times. Spice things up by incorporating activities you enjoy! Watch movies and TV shows in your target language, listen to music, play games, or cook recipes from the country you're interested in. Immersing yourself in the culture will make learning more enjoyable and effective.

3. Befriend technology.

The internet is a treasure trove of language learning resources. Take advantage of language learning apps like Duolingo, Memrise, and Babbel to practice on the go. Watch YouTube channels dedicated to language learning, and explore language exchange platforms to connect with native speakers.

4. Don't be afraid to stumble.

Making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process. Don't be discouraged if you stumble occasionally. Embrace your mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow. The key is to practice regularly and be persistent in your efforts.

5. Find a language buddy.

Studying with a friend can make the learning process more fun and engaging. Find a classmate who is also interested in learning the same language and practice together. You can quiz each other, role-play conversations, and motivate each other to stay on track.

6. Seek out extra help.

Don't be afraid to ask your teacher or classmates for help if you're struggling with a particular concept. Most teachers are happy to provide extra support and guidance. You can also join language clubs or attend workshops to get additional practice and exposure to the language.

7. Celebrate your progress.

Take the time to acknowledge your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Completing a difficult lesson, mastering a new grammar rule, or having your first conversation in the language are all reasons to celebrate! Recognizing your progress will keep you motivated and help you stay on track.

Remember, learning a new language is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient with yourself, stay consistent, and most importantly, have fun! With regular, strategic practice, you'll be surprised at how quickly you can progress and unlock the amazing world of foreign languages.

Bonus tips:

• Set realistic goals and track your progress.

• Create a study schedule and stick to it.

• Find a quiet place to study where you can focus without distractions.

• Reward yourself for reaching milestones.

• Don't give up!

Goal-Setting for Students

The new year is a time for fresh starts, and what better way to kick things off than by reflecting on where we’re headed? Goals give us direction, motivation, and a sense of accomplishment when we achieve them — and that’s all the more important for students, who are actively engaged in a quest for self-improvement. By taking a moment to think through where they want to focus their efforts or what areas they would like to explore, students can take ownership of their education and development.

Colleges love to see students who have taken the initiative to pursue their own goals and passions, above and beyond the structures that schoolwork naturally provides. Between classes, studying, extracurriculars, and social lives, finding the time and energy to focus on goals can be tough, however — that’s why building a structure to stay accountable to the path you set out is essential.

The SMART method is a simple but powerful framework for setting effective goals. Each letter stands for a key principle. Goals should be:

• Specific: Be clear and precise about what you want to achieve. Instead of a vague goal like "do better in school," aim for something like "improve my grades in math by 10% this semester."

• Measurable: How will you know you're making progress? Define concrete markers to track your success, like taking practice tests or keeping a study log.

• Attainable: Set goals that are challenging but achievable with effort. Don't try to go from failing grades to straight A's overnight. Start small and build momentum.

• Relevant: Make sure your goals are aligned with your values and interests. Ask yourself why this goal is important to you.

• Time-bound: Set deadlines for your goals to create a sense of urgency and keep yourself accountable. Break down long-term goals into smaller, achievable milestones.

Not all goals are created equal. Here are a few different types of goals you can set as a student:

• Academic goals: Improve your grades, master a new subject, win an award, get into your dream college.

• Personal goals: Develop a new skill, learn a language, get in shape, become more organized, boost your confidence.

• Social goals: Make new friends, join a club, volunteer in your community, strengthen relationships with loved ones.

• Creative goals: Write a story, paint a masterpiece, compose a song, learn an instrument, start a blog.

Staying on Track: Tips for Success

Setting goals is half the battle; achieving them is the other half. Here are some tips to help you stay on track:

• Visualize your success: Imagine yourself achieving your goal and how it will make you feel. This will boost your motivation and keep you focused.

• Break down big goals into smaller steps: This makes them less daunting and easier to manage.

• Find an accountability partner: Share your goals with a friend, family member, or teacher who can check in on you and offer support.

• Celebrate your achievements: Take the time to acknowledge your progress, no matter how small. This will keep you motivated and excited about your goals.

• Don't be afraid to adjust your goals: As you progress, your circumstances and priorities may change. Be flexible and adjust your goals accordingly.

Remember, goal setting is a journey, not a destination. There will be setbacks and challenges along the way, but don't get discouraged. Keep your eyes on the prize, stay focused, and never give up on your dreams. At Smarten Up we encourage a growth mindset: the belief that with hard work and dedication, you can improve yourself and achieve what you set out to accomplish!

Bonus Tip: Check out these awesome apps and websites that can help you set and track your goals:

• Goalcast: Get inspired by motivational talks and stories from successful people.

• Habitica: Turn goal setting into a fun game with RPG elements.

• Todoist: Organize your tasks and track your progress with this user-friendly app.

• Evernote: Capture your ideas, organize your notes, and stay on top of your goals.

Let's conquer this year together, one goal at a time!

Fueling Your Brain

We’ve all been told to eat our vegetables since we were young. And most of us have probably nagged our own kids about it. No one doubts the health benefits of eating a balanced meal with a focus on fresh produce, whole grains, and lean protein. The effect foods have on the health of adults has been studied extensively. However, beyond eating a balanced diet consisting of foods we know are healthy, there has been little research into the effects specific foods have on children’s brains. One such study, conducted in 2019, made some interesting, yet unsurprising, findings. Students who consumed a higher level of sugary, salty snacks (aka, “junk food”) performed worse on standardized tests in ELA and Math. Another study looked into how hydration levels affect student performance. Spoiler alert: students who were better-hydrated (with water only) did better.

Fueling for Test Day

There are a number of foods that are considered “brain fuel.” These foods have been linked to improved concentration, memory, and focus. But regardless of what’s for breakfast on test day, the most important thing is that breakfast happens! When students skip breakfast, claiming they aren’t hungry or their nerves won’t let them keep food down, they are not likely to make it very far into their test without a significant crash in energy, focus, or both. Here are the best foods to eat the night before and/or the morning of:

• Anything with omega-3 fatty acids like fish, avocado, and nuts;

• Eggs, which contain vitamins and minerals that not only improve memory in the short term, but also slow long-term cognitive decline later in life;

• Berries, which contain important antioxidants, crucial for healthy brain function;

• Oats, also for their antioxidants in the form of Vitamin E;

• and Dark chocolate. In addition to being delicious, it also contains flavanoids (another type of antioxidant). BUT, it does need to be real dark chocolate (not milk), and only a small amount. No, we do not recommend eating a chocolate bar for breakfast.

Caffeine and the Developing Brain

Many adults rely on caffeine for brain functioning, and caffeine in moderate amounts does have some brain benefits. However, caffeine is a stimulant that has no place in a child’s regular diet. The small amounts found in any foods containing cocoa are fine, but children and adolescents who are still growing should wait a few years before making coffee part of their routine. The increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety can cause some long-term health problems.

The Bottom Line

Make sure your kids are eating a balanced diet. Limit junk food to special occasions (or bond over making your own together!). Never let them skip breakfast, and include eggs and oats on the menu regularly. Don’t worry too much about small amounts of caffeine in their diet, but don’t let them drink cups of coffee quite yet!

Encouraging Student-Teacher Communication

School is much more than a place to learn your times tables. In addition to straightforward content like algebra, Egyptian history, and the products of photosynthesis, students must learn a set of soft skills associated with self-advocacy and communication. This extra curriculum is often not directly taught—and some parental guidance early on will help establish a dynamic in which parents can step back and let their students develop independently. 

Students should be reminded, gently but persistently, of the importance of good relationships with their teachers and how to earn them. If students can demonstrate a willingness to work diligently, ask interesting questions, and support their classmates’ learning, they’ll earn a relationship that can pay off when they need a bit of extra help or flexibility with a deadline. For high school students—or middle schoolers applying for selective high schools—these relationships are also key for applications as recommendation letter season rolls around. 

As part of building a positive relationship with their teachers, students should establish a channel of communication that is respectful and direct, without intruding unnecessarily on the teacher’s time. It can be very useful for students to be in touch with teachers over email when they need to ask a clarifying question about a major assignment or upcoming test, but given the informality of most digital communications, students will often need some coaching to understand the requirements of a more ‘professional’ email, with correct grammar and punctuation. As a young classroom teacher, I regularly received emails with no capitalization or punctuation from students—and while I was more forgiving than many of my older colleagues, in the worst case these emails risk being perceived as rude or lazy. Parents can help guide these emails with younger students, while supporting a movement toward self-advocacy that will serve them in high school and college.

It’s worth discussing these communication skills with your child early on, so that they can develop the right habits to advocate for themselves throughout their school careers! And really, they’re likely to learn better if they feel connected to their teachers—so this is a skill well worth strengthening. 

Testing like a Pro

Compared to the stresses of life under quarantine, test day jitters might feel trivial - but for many students, quizzes and exams are a perennial source of anxiety. Students, parents, and even teachers can become frustrated when performance on test day doesn’t seem to match up with a student’s potential. Test scores aren’t always the most reliable measure of mastery/growth in a subject, it’s true, but if testing is a persistent trouble spot, it’s important to incorporate that pattern as feedback on how students are preparing, and adjust appropriately. Below are a few of our tried and true tips for studying for an exam. 

1. Treat every assignment and reading as a part of your preparation.

The most important element of test preparation comes in the weeks (and sometimes months) before a test, as a student remains actively engaged with lectures and homework assignments, moving from knowing to understanding as they learn so that, when it comes time to study, they are already beginning from a place of confidence, rather than starting from scratch. The test is not a separate, stress-charged event in this model, but the natural culmination of weeks of learning. In concrete terms, this means that students should be taking clear notes and creating study materials as they learn the content, keeping up with readings and assignments, and independently reviewing at the end of every shorter unit.

2. Distribute practice by spreading out your studying.

Studies have shown that if you believe a test will require four hours of studying in the week of the exam, it is much more effective to split up this time into smaller chunks, spread out over multiple days, than to cram all four hours on the night before the exam. So…

3. Make a clear study plan.

It isn’t always easy for students to manage the many tasks that are thrust upon them—to use time wisely, set up a study plan well in advance of the test, with an explicit schedule for studying that splits up the content over multiple days and a specific plan for which study strategies to employ. 

4. Mix it up by using a variety of strategies.

Different types of content (and different types of tests) will require different strategies—and students should also consider what strategies work best for their specific learning strengths. The more that you can approach a subject from different angles—with flashcards written in your own words, illustrated histories, timelines, online video resources, practice problems, poetic adaptations, mnemonics and memory aides, etc—the more you’ll move from knowing to understanding. Your goal should be to absorb new information with context, thinking about it as a story, rather than memorizing in isolation or by rote. Use a timer to focus for specific periods, and switch between strategies. 

5. Find a buddy (or a student).

Study groups are a great way to stay motivated and trade notes with a peer, whose insight into the specifics of your test might go beyond what a generalized online resource can offer. Even better, studies have shown that teaching content is one of the most effective ways to retain it—with a classmate, take turns teaching one another concepts from your exam, or ask your parents if they need a refresher on selective permeability of the cell membrane (my guess is, they will).

6. Get a good night’s sleep, and stay healthy.

It is tempting to believe that staying up late to cram will help you conquer the test—but the truth is, giving your brain the rest it needs is more important. This is another reason why it’s important to distribute your studying across multiple days! Take care of yourself and your body as if you’re an athlete preparing for an event. That means you should take active breaks, drink water, and eat healthy snacks!

7. After the test, reflect!

Your job isn’t over when the test is done —take a well-deserved break, of course, but then take time to reflect on the study process and the test itself. Think about what worked, so that you can use it again next time. What areas can you identify for improvement next time? Taking a moment to register the feedback your test experience provides is how you’ll become a better student.

Building Confidence in Math

For some students, looking at numbers can feel like trying to read text in a foreign language. No matter how hard we try to drill that language, they just can’t seem to make meaning of what they see. But regardless of how challenging a student may find math, there is always a way to make the content more accessible, no matter what is holding them back. 

Because each subsequent grade in math builds off of prior concepts, any gaps in understanding will affect a student’s ability to make sense of more complex topics. So, for example, if a student does not understand the reciprocity of addition and subtraction, they will struggle even more when eventually faced with more complex algebraic equations. For this reason, it is crucial that we address our student’s challenges with math as early as possible. Otherwise, they run the risk of falling further and further behind.

The “traditional” math instruction of years ago, which consisted of mostly rote memorization of facts and formulas, just doesn’t cut it anymore; math mastery requires so much more! Children used to have to adapt to learn the way math content was being taught. Now, teachers are adapting their instruction to teach the way students learn. There are many opportunities to supplement and replicate this new approach to math at home, and it won’t require you to remember any formulas or re-teach strategies you learned in your childhood.

Here are some common early challenges and ways to address them at home:

• Fact fluency

  • All kids love games! Why not help your child build the crucial skill of knowing their addition/subtraction and multiplication/division facts through play? All you need is a deck of cards. Play “Go Fish” with Make 10 pairs, or play any number of other games that will build addition and subtraction fluency. 

  • A deck of cards works just as well for multiplication and division facts. Just multiply the cards chosen instead of adding. Have your child build an understanding of the inverse relationship between multiplication and division by having them work backwards from the product to get to the original number. (Example: student draws a 4 and a 6, they write the equation 4 x 6 = 24, followed by the inverse, 24 / 6 = 4.)

• Word problems

  • Have students make sense of word problems by drawing a picture of the information. This can help them understand and keep track of what is being asked.

  • Have students generate their own word problems. They can either solve them, or give them to a family member and then check their work.

• Precision (counting and calculating)

  • To build your child’s skills with one-to-one correspondence (counting accuracy), have them count household objects like buttons or coins, moving one at a time from one pile to another as they say each number out loud. As simple as it sounds, many math errors are a result of weak one-to-one correspondence, so it’s important to develop this skill.

  • Have your child estimate their answer before they solve using strategies like rounding. This will help them become more likely to catch errors as they work, or at least recognize more quickly when they’ve arrived at an incorrect answer.

• Developing an “I can’t do this” mentality

  • Many math struggles come from a student’s simple belief that they “just can’t”. This mentality can quickly spiral, and when students focus primarily (or exclusively) on whether they are right or wrong, it becomes impossible for them to grow their thinking. Help your child re-frame their perspective by encouraging them to talk through their process and not just focus on their answer. Have them explain a problem to you and how they solved it, explaining each step and what they were thinking. Even when they do make mistakes, finding those mistakes and fixing them not only prevents them from happening again, but might just boost their confidence when they understand where they went wrong!

With patience, persistence, and some creativity, we can help our children not only begin to understand puzzling mathematical concepts, but we can also begin to cultivate a love for (or at least an interest in) problem-solving and the often perplexing language of numbers.

Reading Strategically

As students grow older, the demands of classwork evolve; rather than simply summarizing plot or retaining historical dates, students are challenged to think critically, as they take their base of skills and knowledge and use these tools to forge original analysis. In parallel with this evolution in their education must come an evolution in the way they read, and in the way they annotate. With luck, students will have been building up simple annotation habits for some time by this point — but now, the purpose of annotation shifts, from a tactic for staying engaged with the reading, to an active commentary that records insight and evidence with a grander end goal in mind: the analytical essay.

When students read with the aim of collecting evidence to use in an essay, they do so under a variety of different circumstances. Some teachers might provide a framework or prompt before reading begins — others will wait until after the class has finished reading a text before distributing the essay assignment. In either case the goal of annotation is the same: to activate the mind as students read, and start them down the path of critical analysis. The key here is reading with a clear purpose. If the prompts are distributed ahead of time, students should come up with a key — by assigning each prompt a number, for example — and mark the text with the appropriate number whenever they find a quote that could be of use in responding to that prompt. For visually-oriented learners, pens or post-it notes in different colors for different themes can enhance the process. Even if they don’t have the list of possible prompts before they begin reading, students should use a site like LitCharts to preview the text, searching for important themes that they can annotate in a similar way, as these are likely to be helpful for the eventual essay. It’s best to focus on two or three themes at a time — and remember that one piece of evidence might be helpful for more than one theme, and should be marked with more than one number or color. 

If they’re writing a research paper, and using sources that they find independently, many students will find that the challenge is sifting through the text to find relevant evidence. Here, too, there is a shift in the approach to reading; rather than starting from the beginning and reading a stack of library books through to the end, students should start with a focused question and use strategic searches to isolate the evidence they need. This means using the table of contents, learning to navigate an index, focusing on headings, and searching intelligently through online databases. As students encounter the information they will need, they should be compiling quotes into a central notes document, making sure to include source information and page numbers as they read and record to smooth the process of creating a bibliography later on. Online tools such as easybib.com, citationmachine.net, and the reference materials at Purdue’s Online Writing Lab make creating citations easier than ever, but most students will need an introduction to the process — both in order to understand the required formatting and its intention, and to avoid unintentional plagiarism. 

The right kind of annotation will make the process of writing a critical essay or research paper ten times simpler, and much more effective at the same time. Not only can annotation provide the kind of record that students can easily transfer into a brainstorm and outline, it will activate their way of thinking about the text as they read, setting them up for success as writers.

Working with Your Child's Teacher

Close communication and trust between student, teacher, and parent are always important. As students return to school, they need to know that everyone in their educational life is on the same team. When there is a strong connection between home and school, it increases the likelihood that students will develop positive feelings about school, and prevents feelings like anxiety or depression. Students’ motivation, performance, and mental wellness improve. And it all starts with a close and positive relationship between the teacher and the parent.

KEEP EACH OTHER IN THE LOOP

It’s impossible for every parent to be kept in the loop about every single thing that happens throughout the day. Conversely, there’s no way to keep your child’s teacher updated on every single detail of what's going on at home. That would be exhausting for both of you! Still, it’s important that you are filling each other in on the big stuff. If you have created a chart at home to keep your child organized and on track, let her teacher know! Send a picture of the chart and briefly explain why you started it and how it’s helping.

Similarly, teachers should be telling parents about whatever is going on in school that specifically involves their child. For example, if a student in your class has just started an incentive system to help increase his or her motivation or improve behavior, their parents should definitely know about it. For younger students, it can be helpful to have some sort of daily report of how it went—nothing complicated, just a sticky note or slip of paper with check marks, tallies, or some other quick system for reporting to parents how their child did that day. 

BRINGING THE STUDENT INTO THE FOLD

While it’s important for parents and teachers to know what is going on in school and at home respectively, the main reason to establish these connections is for the student. When students see that there is close and consistent communication between their teacher and parent, it sends two messages. The first is that you both care enough to have formed a partnership in which your main goal is to help them succeed. Secondly, it adds an element of accountability. It reaffirms for students that they won’t get away with doing less than their best, or all of the caring adults in their life will work together to intervene.

In your pursuit of a collaborative partnership, don’t forget who it’s all about. As we’ve established, your shared goal is success for the student. Of course there will be topics and conversations that you don’t want them to be a part of, especially with younger students. But it’s important to include them in the communication as much as possible. For older students, this should be virtually all the time. It not only shows them that you care, but that you want them to be involved in the conversations about their education. It empowers them and helps them build independence by acknowledging that they can and should play a part in those important discussions and decisions.