In addition to the handwriting, another important study skill that needs to be learned in elementary school is typing. 

The following is a good teaching site for typing:

• BBC Dance Mat Typing: This has 4 levels and 3 stage at each level, which in total has 12 sessions. 
• http://www.typing-lessons.org
  

The following type games are fun:

• Key Man, Bubble
  

The following is a simple test of your typing speed:

• Speed Test
  

Science is a broad subject area. To learn science well, gain interests, and be creative to become a future scientist, it's requires a lot more knowledge than the content in textbooks.

Winlanes believes that there are four key factors for the success science study:

• Well-Designed Study Plan
  The study plan should be designed by a subject expert. This is to make sure that the plan covers all the key subjects, uses the right materials, and teaches the subjects in the right order. 
• Mentor
  Each student should connect to a subject expert as his/her mentor. The mentor's role is to answer questions, provide additional resources based on the current interests, and making study/research suggestions.
• Projects
  Science project is be a good way of enhancing the learned knowledge and encouraging the additional study. This is also a good way of training student thinking like a scientist who can use the science knowledge to solve real problems.
  
• Competition
  Challenge the student's knowledge constantly and to encourage them to learn beyond their limits and most importantly use competition make it fun to learn!

If you have any suggestion or question, please send email to asklayne@winlanes.com.

One of the important part of your college application is your essay. The common essay questions are:

• Why do you want to go to our college?
• What do you consider to be the single most important societal problem? Why?
• Discuss a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart.

Please refer to Sample Essay Question for more information. 

Good college application essay normally has to have the following characteristics:

• Straight into answering the question 
• Stay Focused
  
• Show your unique personality
  
• Make it a pleasure to read

Winlanes can edit and comment on your essay. Send email to asklayne@winlanes.com.

There are many questions on if Math is important. I would say it is but it should not be the main focus unless the child has the natural gift.

Math is important because it is the basis for many science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Economy and others. Basic math concepts and problem solving skill is essential for children's success in education. Therefore, you should spend time to help them understand them and practice as needed.  Winlanes' Advance Math courses are designed for this.

However, not all children need to learn to attend math competitions. It's not a good idea to force them to study competitive math like Math Olympia unless they are good at it.

I would do a simple test to see if the children has natural gift in Math or not. Here is one problem. Test the children when they are at 3rd grade.

"On one day, Mom bought one chicken, one duck and one goose with 26 dollars.  Chicken and duck cost for 15 dollars. Chicken and goose cost 18 dollars. How much does chicken cost?"

The answer is 7 dollars. If the child answers it within one second, he has natural gift. If he can answer help of pen and pencil, then work on the basic math concept and skills.  You can test with more questions like this if you think one question can't help making good judgment.

Handwriting is a basic skill used in many places – taking notes, taking tests, , doing homework, and signing documents. Poor handwriting can have a pervasive effect on school performance and cause struggling on it even during their entire lifetime. Therefore, it's important to complete the handwriting training as early as possible and no later than middle school.

Especially when children are in lower grade, they have less homework. It's a good time  to spend 2-3 years working on their handwriting.  It's a good preparation for children's future education and it's parents' responsibility to start it early and complete it early. 

The practices can start using worksheets teaching basic writing of letters. :

• A-Z Handwriting Worksheet

Then, let me introduce two good books. It's a good investment.

If you find other good books, drop me an email at asklayne@winlanes.com.

Attending math camps is important to improving math skills. The followings are some of the most prestigious math summer camps in US.

• SUMac: a four weeks residential math program hosted by Stanford University. 
• Mathcamp: a five weeks math program with generous scholarship.
  
• Mathworks: a two weeks residential math program hosted by Texas State University.  Every year, there are only 32 seats. The selection is based on an entrance exam result and is quite competitive.
  
• Awesome Math: a three weeks residential/day math program normally hosted in Dallas, east cost (Cornell University) and west cost ( University of Santa Cruz).
• Mathzoom: day camp and two weeks residential camp in Los Angels, California, hosted by the Mathzoom Academy.
  

In high school, there are must read books. The followings are the top 12 novels on the list.

Animal Farm By George Orwell
Listen to the Story | Read Online | Study Guide | Chinese
Winlanes Notes:  A reading of a brief history for Soviet Union helps to understand the story.

The Catcher In The Rys by J.D.Salinger 
Study Guide

White Teeth by Zadie Smith

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson  
Listen to the Story| Read Online

The full name of Chinese AP is Advanced Placement Exam for Chinese Language and Culture. It's part of foreign language study comparable to fourth semester (or the equivalent) college/university courses (around 250 hours) in Mandarin Chinese.

Students will be tested on listening (25%), reading (25 %), writing (25%) and Speaking (25%) and are required to learn  their language skills across the three communicative modes.