https://learntowritenow.com/blog Reading, writing, and test prep guidance for K-12 parents from Learn To Write Now. en-us https://learntowritenow.com/blog/college-essay-sounds-generic https://learntowritenow.com/blog/college-essay-sounds-generic Fri, 29 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT The essay is finished, grammatically clean, and completely forgettable. It could have been written by any student anywhere. Here is why that happens and how to fix it. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/why-honor-roll-students-weak-writers https://learntowritenow.com/blog/why-honor-roll-students-weak-writers Fri, 08 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT Strong grades and weak writing coexist far more often than most parents expect, and the reason says more about how school works than about your child. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/writing-lacks-clarity-no-idea-fix https://learntowritenow.com/blog/writing-lacks-clarity-no-idea-fix Fri, 08 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT You have seen the comment three times this year. Maybe more. "Lacks clarity." "Unclear." "Hard to follow." "Needs to focus the argument." https://learntowritenow.com/blog/child-reads-chapter-cant-answer https://learntowritenow.com/blog/child-reads-chapter-cant-answer Thu, 07 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT You know the scene. Your child sits down with the assigned chapter. They read for thirty minutes. They close the book. You ask what it was about. They look at you blankly and say "I don't know" or "stuff happened." https://learntowritenow.com/blog/child-no-idea-college-essay-topic https://learntowritenow.com/blog/child-no-idea-college-essay-topic Wed, 06 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT It is the spring of junior year. You have been thinking about colleges. Your child probably has a few in mind. The conversation about the college essay has come up at the dinner table once or twice. Each time, your child shrugs and says they have no idea what they would write about. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/sat-score-not-improving-why https://learntowritenow.com/blog/sat-score-not-improving-why Tue, 05 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT You bought the prep book. You signed up for the course. Maybe you hired a tutor. Your child has been doing practice tests for four, five, six months. The score has barely moved. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/child-wont-raise-hand-classroom-cost https://learntowritenow.com/blog/child-wont-raise-hand-classroom-cost Mon, 04 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT You have watched it happen for years. The teacher asks a question. Your child knows the answer. Their eyes light up for a second, then drop to the desk. A different student raises their hand. Your child stays silent. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/argue-better-to-write-better https://learntowritenow.com/blog/argue-better-to-write-better Mon, 15 Apr 2024 05:00:00 GMT The skills that make a strong debater — reasoning, evidence, counterarguments — are the exact same skills that make a strong writer. Here's how to build both at once. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/homework-avoidance-isnt-just-lack-of-motivation https://learntowritenow.com/blog/homework-avoidance-isnt-just-lack-of-motivation Mon, 15 Apr 2024 05:00:00 GMT When students resist homework, it's rarely about laziness. Avoidance is often a sign of anxiety, executive function challenges, or learning gaps. Here's how to spot the difference. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/creating-confident-communicators-7-tips-to-improve-public-speaking https://learntowritenow.com/blog/creating-confident-communicators-7-tips-to-improve-public-speaking Fri, 15 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT Public speaking confidence doesn't happen overnight. These seven research-backed strategies build the verbal fluency and presence that help students thrive in class and beyond. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/handwriting-v-typing-which-method-is-superior https://learntowritenow.com/blog/handwriting-v-typing-which-method-is-superior Fri, 15 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT Laptops are everywhere in classrooms, but does typing help or hurt learning? New research on note-taking and memory retention may surprise you. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/understanding-the-science-of-reading https://learntowritenow.com/blog/understanding-the-science-of-reading Fri, 15 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT Decades of research have transformed how we understand literacy development. If your child is struggling to read, understanding the science behind it is the first step toward solutions. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/applying-metacognitive-skills-to-ela https://learntowritenow.com/blog/applying-metacognitive-skills-to-ela Thu, 15 Feb 2024 06:00:00 GMT Metacognition — thinking about your own thinking — is one of the most powerful tools a student can develop in English Language Arts. Here's how to teach it practically. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/metacognition-the-secret-skill-to-effective-learning https://learntowritenow.com/blog/metacognition-the-secret-skill-to-effective-learning Thu, 15 Feb 2024 06:00:00 GMT Students who understand how they learn outperform those who simply study harder. Metacognitive skills are trainable — and they transform academic performance across every subject. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/a-free-and-easy-way-to-motivate-reading https://learntowritenow.com/blog/a-free-and-easy-way-to-motivate-reading Fri, 15 Dec 2023 06:00:00 GMT You don't need a subscription service or a trip to the bookstore. One simple, zero-cost strategy consistently gets reluctant readers excited about picking up a book. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/good-handwriting-higher-scores-in-school https://learntowritenow.com/blog/good-handwriting-higher-scores-in-school Fri, 15 Dec 2023 06:00:00 GMT Legibility and fluency in handwriting directly correlate to academic performance. Students who write quickly and clearly free up cognitive load for the thinking that matters most. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/how-student-choice-builds-strong-readers https://learntowritenow.com/blog/how-student-choice-builds-strong-readers Wed, 15 Nov 2023 06:00:00 GMT When students choose what they read, engagement goes up and reading stamina grows. Here's the research behind student-directed reading and how to implement it at home. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/the-secret-to-excellent-reading-comprehension https://learntowritenow.com/blog/the-secret-to-excellent-reading-comprehension Wed, 15 Nov 2023 06:00:00 GMT Reading fluency and reading comprehension aren't the same skill. A student can decode every word on the page and still understand very little. Here's why — and how to fix it. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/effective-strategies-to-maximize-sat-reading-score https://learntowritenow.com/blog/effective-strategies-to-maximize-sat-reading-score Sun, 15 Oct 2023 05:00:00 GMT The SAT Reading section tests a specific kind of analytical thinking, not general reading ability. These expert strategies help students approach every passage with confidence. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/going-digital-how-to-prepare-for-online-psat-sats https://learntowritenow.com/blog/going-digital-how-to-prepare-for-online-psat-sats Fri, 15 Sep 2023 05:00:00 GMT The digital SAT is shorter, adaptive, and fundamentally different from the paper version. Here's what students need to know — and practice — to be fully prepared. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/parent-prep-for-parent-teacher-conferences https://learntowritenow.com/blog/parent-prep-for-parent-teacher-conferences Tue, 15 Aug 2023 05:00:00 GMT The most productive parent-teacher conferences happen when parents come prepared. Here are the questions that lead to real insight — and real change — for your child. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/challenging-bored-but-gifted-students https://learntowritenow.com/blog/challenging-bored-but-gifted-students Sat, 15 Jul 2023 05:00:00 GMT Gifted students who aren't challenged don't coast — they disengage. Here's how to identify the signs and advocate effectively for enrichment that actually stretches them. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/strong-readers-arent-always-strong-writers https://learntowritenow.com/blog/strong-readers-arent-always-strong-writers Sat, 15 Jul 2023 05:00:00 GMT Reading and writing are related — but they're not the same skill. Many strong readers hit a wall when asked to produce their own text. Here's why, and what to do about it. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/the-value-of-feedback-in-writing-improvement https://learntowritenow.com/blog/the-value-of-feedback-in-writing-improvement Sat, 15 Jul 2023 05:00:00 GMT Feedback is the engine of writing improvement — but only when it's the right kind, at the right time, framed in the right way. Here's what effective writing feedback actually looks like. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/encouraging-reading-habits-in-middle-and-high-school https://learntowritenow.com/blog/encouraging-reading-habits-in-middle-and-high-school Thu, 15 Jun 2023 05:00:00 GMT Getting a teenager to read voluntarily is one of the great parenting challenges. These strategies meet students where they are and rebuild the reading habit from the ground up. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/how-colleges-determine-student-fit-in-the-application-process https://learntowritenow.com/blog/how-colleges-determine-student-fit-in-the-application-process Thu, 15 Jun 2023 05:00:00 GMT Admissions officers aren't just looking for high grades. They're looking for a specific kind of fit — and understanding what that means can reshape how your student approaches the process. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/importance-of-verbal-testing-for-college-success https://learntowritenow.com/blog/importance-of-verbal-testing-for-college-success Thu, 15 Jun 2023 05:00:00 GMT Strong verbal scores on the SAT and ACT do more than open college doors — they predict success once students arrive. Here's why verbal fluency matters beyond test day. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/screen-time-is-stealing-attention-spans https://learntowritenow.com/blog/screen-time-is-stealing-attention-spans Thu, 15 Jun 2023 05:00:00 GMT Research is clear: excessive screen time shortens the ability to focus — and that directly affects reading and writing. Here's what parents can do without going cold turkey. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/overcoming-cant-the-power-of-a-growth-mindset https://learntowritenow.com/blog/overcoming-cant-the-power-of-a-growth-mindset Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT "I can't write" is one of the most common things students say — and one of the most damaging beliefs a child can hold about themselves. Here's how to shift the story. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/guarantee-acceptance-by-starting-college-essays-early https://learntowritenow.com/blog/guarantee-acceptance-by-starting-college-essays-early Mon, 15 May 2023 05:00:00 GMT The students who write the most compelling college essays aren't necessarily the most talented writers — they're the ones who start early enough to find their real story. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/the-secret-to-career-advancement-strong-writing-skills https://learntowritenow.com/blog/the-secret-to-career-advancement-strong-writing-skills Mon, 15 May 2023 05:00:00 GMT In nearly every profession, the people who rise fastest are the people who communicate most clearly. Writing is a career skill — and it's one that can always be improved. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/writing-skills-in-the-age-of-ai https://learntowritenow.com/blog/writing-skills-in-the-age-of-ai Mon, 15 May 2023 05:00:00 GMT AI can draft, edit, and generate — but it can't replace the thinking behind great writing. Here's why strong writing skills matter more, not less, in a world with AI. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/avoid-the-summer-slide-over-break https://learntowritenow.com/blog/avoid-the-summer-slide-over-break Mon, 01 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT Students can lose months of academic progress over the summer — but avoiding the slide doesn't mean summer school. Here are realistic, low-effort ways to keep skills sharp. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/how-to-find-new-reads-for-all-ages https://learntowritenow.com/blog/how-to-find-new-reads-for-all-ages Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:00:00 GMT The hardest part of reading for pleasure is finding the right book. These tools and strategies help students of every age discover their next favorite read — often for free. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/how-to-teach-your-child-handwriting-the-fun-way https://learntowritenow.com/blog/how-to-teach-your-child-handwriting-the-fun-way Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:00:00 GMT Handwriting practice doesn't have to feel like punishment. These playful, multi-sensory techniques make fine motor skill development something kids actually look forward to. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/looking-for-a-reading-challenge https://learntowritenow.com/blog/looking-for-a-reading-challenge Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:00:00 GMT Reading challenges give reluctant readers a goal and avid readers a structure. Here are the best reading challenges available for students from elementary through high school. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/teaching-your-child-through-games https://learntowritenow.com/blog/teaching-your-child-through-games Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:00:00 GMT Play isn't a break from learning — it's one of the most effective learning modes available. These games build reading, writing, and vocabulary skills without feeling like schoolwork. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/where-to-find-free-books-online https://learntowritenow.com/blog/where-to-find-free-books-online Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:00:00 GMT Access to books shouldn't depend on a library card or a budget. These trusted sources give students free access to thousands of titles — from picture books to classics. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/why-is-grammar-important https://learntowritenow.com/blog/why-is-grammar-important Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:00:00 GMT Grammar isn't just about following rules — it's about being understood. When grammar breaks down, so does communication. Here's how to make grammar relevant and learnable. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/writing-resources-for-your-child https://learntowritenow.com/blog/writing-resources-for-your-child Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:00:00 GMT From graphic organizers to mentor texts to online tools, the right resource can unlock a stuck writer. Here's a curated list of our favorites for students at every level. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/writing-the-micro-memoir https://learntowritenow.com/blog/writing-the-micro-memoir Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:00:00 GMT The micro-memoir is one of the most powerful writing exercises for students at any level. A single paragraph. A vivid memory. And the beginning of a real writing voice. https://learntowritenow.com/blog/writing-with-a-visual-thesaurus https://learntowritenow.com/blog/writing-with-a-visual-thesaurus Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:00:00 GMT Traditional thesauruses give you options. A visual thesaurus shows you connections — and that difference changes how students explore word choice in their own writing.