PARENTS AS TEACHERSA guide to raising a responsible

child

What Teachers Want from Parents

More Parent Involvement Frequent Communication Reading, Reading, Still Reading Breakfast Fuel Independent Students Well-rounded but not worn out students Well-love Children

How to Get Involved

Ask your child daily what happens at school

Read the newsletters sent home Attend open-houses Attend parent-teacher conferences Check assignment notebook daily

Frequent Communication

Take the time to introduce yourself at the beginning of the year

Check in with the teacher periodically throughout the year

Reading to your Child

Less Television time Read to your child every night Have them read to you Look at books with preschoolers every day. Encourage your child to pretend read before she/he reads

words Visit the library as often as possible Buy dual-language books if English isn’t your families first

language Schedule a regular time for reading Look for books on topics your child is interested Make sure children’s books are in every room of the house

and easily to get to If the preschooler wants you to reread a book more than you

want, do it anyway.

What about Math?

Use games, puzzles and jigsaws Identifying problems and solving them Point out different shapes in the house Take your child shopping and talk about

quantities of anything you buy Let your child handle money and work

out how much things cost Look for numbers on street signs and

license plates

What about Homework?

Find a quiet place Do be aware of modern teaching methods Do plan a homework schedule Do allow a snack first Do discuss homework tasks and how it

connects with what they are studying at school Do turn off tv Don’t give your child the answer in order to

finish Don’t teach your child different methods from

school methods

How much time for Homework

Stage 1: Grades 1-2: 60 minutes a week

Stage 2: Grades 3-4: 90 minutes a week

Stage 3: Grades 5-6: 30 minutes daily or equivalent over 2-3 evenings or at the weekend

What about a Master Schedule

Use a different color marker for each family member, plus one for all family activity

For preschoolers, draw pictures or use stickers

What about managing School Clutter?

Empty backpacks periodically and refill Create a system for paper work Assign a place for everything File old homework Make a plan for keeping artwork

What about Breakfast

Need for food after 8 hours of sleeping Nutritious food provides:

Longer attention spans Better memory skills Fewer health issues Healthier body weight

How can you raise an independent student

Well Rounded

Listen to your child for their interests Prioritize if child wants to be in multiple

activities Don’t push a child into an activity Make sure the activity doesn’t detract

from academic performance

Well-Love Children