Soar Educational Services

09/28/2026

“Why do I need to know how to do this when I can use a calculator?” It’s a reasonable question. Adults use calculators constantly. Engineers, accountants, scientists, and mathematicians use technology to do their work.

The goal of learning math computation is to build the mathematical knowledge that lets you use a calculator intelligently. Regularly working with numbers helps students develop number sense and recognize relationships among numbers and operations. Students learn to recognize relationships among operations, whether an answer should increase or decrease, and approximately what an answer should be. Working through mathematics by hand also gives students opportunities to see the mathematical structure behind the calculations.

Another important reason for developing fluency is that working memory is limited. Working memory is the mental space we use to hold and manipulate information while solving a problem. Math can place heavy demands on that space because students often have to remember several pieces of information while deciding what to do next. When basic skills such as addition, multiplication, fraction facts, or common procedures become automatic, they require much less conscious attention. That frees students' working memory to focus on the new and more complex math in front of them. Research has consistently found a relationship between working-memory capacity and mathematics performance, particularly on tasks requiring arithmetic and mathematical problem solving. Also, prior knowledge supports new learning. What a student already knows fluently can reduce some of the cognitive burden of a new problem.

Developing this automaticity requires repeated retrieval over time. A child doing something correctly three times on Tuesday doesn’t necessarily have it available three months later. Skills need to reappear after delays so that students learn to retrieve and use them when needed.

Fluency with basic mathematics also makes more advanced math easier to learn. Students will eventually encounter problems with multiple layers of thinking. Strong math computation abilities allow students to estimate when needed. Estimation allows students to catch mistakes. Students who estimate can catch decimal-entry errors, unreasonable answers, and wrong operations. A calculator can perform the calculation entered into it, but the student still needs enough mathematical knowledge to determine whether the calculation and its result make sense.

Calculator use should depend on the learning goal. Calculators become increasingly useful when computation is no longer the skill being taught. As students advance, calculators become tools for mathematics that would otherwise be unnecessarily cumbersome. They let students devote more attention to the higher-level mathematics they are actually studying. Students should first develop the foundational knowledge and fluency appropriate to their level. Once computation is no longer the learning objective, calculators can help students tackle increasingly sophisticated mathematics.

What should my child know without a calculator? Depending on age, students should develop strong fluency with things such as:

· Addition and subtraction facts

· Multiplication and division facts

· Place value

· Common fraction/decimal/percent relationships

· Enough mental math and estimation to recognize whether an answer is reasonable

· Basic operations with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals

When basic skills aren’t fluent, don’t simply hand the student a calculator. Identify the missing skill and strengthen it.

At Soar Educational Services, we help students strengthen foundational skills, close learning gaps, and build the skills needed for more advanced work.

08/09/2026

Third grade is an important transition year in reading. In the early grades, much of the reading instruction focuses on learning to read words. By third grade, students are expected to use reading to learn new information, understand vocabulary, make inferences, and explain what they have read.

Here are some signs a student may be ready for more focused reading instruction:
1. They can read a passage aloud but have trouble explaining what happened.
2. New vocabulary slows down their understanding.
3. They have difficulty finding evidence in the text.

I am looking for a small group of third-graders who are ready to strengthen their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and higher-order thinking skills.

If this sounds like your child--or someone you know--comment below and I will send you more information about the group.

07/25/2026

As another school year begins, many parents wonder what they can do at home to help their children succeed. The good news is that small, consistent habits often make the biggest difference. Here are five simple strategies you can start using today to help your child have a successful school year.

Five Ways to Help Your Child Start the School Year Strong:

1. Read 20 minutes every day.

Reading builds vocabulary, comprehension, and confidence across every subject.

2. Review math a few times each week.

Just 10–15 minutes of practice helps students retain important skills.

3. Create a consistent homework routine.

A regular time and quiet place for homework can improve focus.

4. Ask questions beyond “How was school?”

Try asking:

What was the most interesting thing you learned today?
What was difficult today?
What are you proud of today?

5. Don’t wait until report cards.

If your child is struggling, getting help early is usually much more effective than waiting until grades fall. If your child needs extra support this school year, Soar Educational Services offers personalized tutoring in reading, math, SAT/ACT preparation, study skills, and college readiness.

07/24/2026

SAT Root Word of the Week: **BENE**

**Bene** means good or well.

Example: **Benevolent** means kind and generous.

Learning common root words can help students break down unfamiliar vocabulary and make stronger choices on the SAT.

Need help preparing for the SAT? Contact Soar Educational Services today.

07/23/2026

The first few weeks of school set the tone for the entire year. Give your child the support they need from the very beginning. At Soar Educational Services, we help students strengthen reading and math skills, develop effective study habits, and prepare for standardized tests. Whether your child needs extra support or is ready to excel, we will create a plan that fits their goals.

Limited after-school appointments available. Message us today to schedule an assessment.

07/22/2026

Lately I’ve seen countless posts about “college is a scam.” As an educator, I try not to base my opinions on anecdotes. Instead, I like to look at the research. Here’s what I found.

First, education is still associated with higher earnings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, median earnings generally increase with each additional level of education. Individuals with bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees earn substantially more, on average, than those with only a high school diploma.

Second, higher education is associated with lower unemployment. The same Bureau of Labor Statistics data consistently show that unemployment rates are generally lower among individuals with higher levels of educational attainment.

Third, education affects lifetime financial outcomes. Research from the College Board has found that, on average, college graduates earn significantly more over the course of their careers than those whose education ends with high school. According to this data, the average age at which the cumulative earnings of a college graduate exceed those of a high school graduate, by degree and college cost, is 34.

The benefits extend beyond income. The College Board’s Education Pays report links higher levels of education with:
• better health outcomes,
• greater civic participation,
• higher rates of employment,
• and lower rates of childhood poverty.

That doesn’t mean college is for everyone. That doesn’t mean every degree is the same. That certainly doesn’t mean students shouldn’t compare costs, majors, graduation rates, and career outcomes. Not all degrees have the same return on investment. The major you choose, the amount you borrow, and the career you pursue all matter. But those are very different conversations from saying that college itself is a scam. There may be a discrepancy between what many college graduates expect to earn and what they actually earn. However, the overall research continues to show that, on average, college graduates enjoy higher earnings, lower unemployment, and stronger long-term economic outcomes than those without a college degree.



Sources

• College Board – Education Pays 2026
https://research.collegeboard.org/trends/education-pays

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Education Pays
https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm

Unemployment rates and earnings by educational attainment

07/22/2026

“The value of an education… is not the learning of many facts, but the training of the mind to think.” — Albert Einstein

07/21/2026

Give your child the support they need to feel confident and succeed in school.

Soar Educational Services offers personalized tutoring, SAT prep, math support, reading and writing help, and college readiness services for students in Snellville and surrounding Gwinnett County areas.

Schedule an assessment today: https://soareducationalservices.com/

07/20/2026

The Hottest College Major Today Might Not Be Tomorrow

07/20/2026

At Soar Educational Services, we provide personalized tutoring designed to meet each student where they are and help them reach their goals. Whether your child needs support in reading, math, or SAT/ACT preparation, we'd love to help.

Serving families in Snellville and surrounding communities.