Working Together Towards Success

Where have you been, Lynn??

Sorry, Folks.  Life has been a bit crazy with the new move, new side job opportunity and my schoolwork.  And 'tis the season! 

This time of year many of you have experienced parent-teacher conferences, a time for parents to sit in the hallway outside of their child's classroom with butterflies in their stomachs as they anxiously await to hear about their child's academic progress and behavior. 

First, we as teachers thank you for your support.  Our goal is to work cooperatively with you as a team to ensure a successful school year academically, emotionally and socially for your child.

That being said, we are members of a lot of "teams." Your child is important to us as are all of our other students. 

Recently someone asked me, "How long do you conference with your parents for?"

I smiled, knowing what was coming...

"About ten minutes." I braced myself. 

"TEN MINUTES?!"

I know, I know.  It isn't a lot of time to have a deep, meaningful conversation.  On our end it becomes more of a scripted routine -
"It's a pleasure to work with your child this year.  Here is what I am noticing in the classroom...Here is your child's reading level...In math your child struggles with...We are working on....Thanks for coming in!"

But keep in mind some of us have up to 30 conferences in a matter of hours!  Let me repeat that:  30 CONFERENCES! 

So, a few reminders.

1.  You can always reach out to your child's teacher.  Just because conference time has ended does not mean "Nice knowing you."

2.  Keeping us informed as to what is happening at home helps us in the classroom the same way as us keeping you in tuned as to what is going on in the classroom helps you at home.

3.  We appreciate your support and want to work with you.  If you have a concern, question, comment that wasn't addressed at conferences, reach out by email, note, phone, whatever means possible.  We want to help.

In the meantime, here are a few general guidelines for ways that parents can support their child at home and at school. 

• Praise your child daily for specific accomplishments.  ie: You did a really nice job on that math problem!
• Take your child to the lilbrary, to community activites, and to museums.  The more they are out in the community the more they bring into the classroom and can connect to what they are learning.  It allows for a deeper, more meaningful learning experience.
• Set limits on TV and video games.  Be mindful about what your child watches and what games s/he plays.  Yes, they come to school and tell us all about shooting the bad guys and the girl who slapped the other girl across the face on last night's tv show.
• Ask to see your child's schoolwork and homework.  Ask them questions about it.  Instead of saying, "What did you do in school today?"  be more specific:  "What strategy were you learning in Reader's Workshop today?"
• Create a speacial area for library books and homework.  Have an organized space for homework and all homework supplies easily accessible in this place.  Teach your child to check this area before leaving for school.  It is also helpful to have the bookbag packed the night before to avoid rushing in the morning!
• Read to your child and encourage him or her to read to you.  Be a reading role model by letting your child see you read.  Ask questions about the books s/he is reading: 

          For fiction texts:  Who are the characters in your story?  What's the problem?
                                       How are the characters working to solve problem?
       
          For nonfiction texts: What is the topic of your book? What facts have you learned?
        
         *If you notice a lot of shrugging shoulders or "umms..." chances are your child is not
          comprehending what s/he is reading. Make a new book choice!

• Establish rules, routines and chores at home and hold your child accountable. It develops a sense of responsibility that is imperative for a successful life.
• Label everything that is sent to school including jackets, each glove, hats, etc. There can be up to 30 students in a classroom - that's 60 gloves, 30 hats, 30 jackets. Help us out! 
• Keep your child healthy by taking him/her for regular checkups, eating healthy and encouraging physical activity. A healthy body equals a healthy mind. At the same time, keep any sick child home!

Most importantly, work with your child's teacher and the school.  We are all on the same team!