Tip #4 Parent-Teacher Conferences
Elementary school parent-teacher conferences are coming up. As a parent you may be dreading this process, or you may look forward to it as a time to talk with your child’s teacher. Either way you should be prepared for the conference. Most schools send out the report card prior to the conference, but if your school does not, you should request a copy of the report card before your scheduled conference. That way you can preview it and not be surprised during the 20 minutes usually allotted to each parent.
After viewing your child’s report card, you should write down a list of questions or topics you would like to discuss with the teacher. Ask your child if they have anything they would like you to talk with their teacher about and write those things down too. If it seems like you have more than 20 minutes of material, call or email the teacher and ask if you can have extra time. If that is not an option, schedule a second time to meet to discuss your questions.
When entering the conference, have a positive attitude. Every teacher I have met wants their students to succeed, and wants to help parents with any questions or issues they may have. Be sure to bring your list of questions! Refer to it so you get all your questions answered.
What if you still have questions or issues after the conference? Schedule another time to meet with the teacher! Remember your child’s teacher works for you! If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the conference, you have every right to request another meeting, and if you feel it’s necessary, invite the principal as well.
You can refer to my website if you find your child needs support in reading, writing, or math. www.parent-professor.com. There you will find a useful program to tutor your child at home.
Add comment November 5, 2008 adradavy
Tip #3 – Reading Homework
Does your child read every night? Good for you! Research has shown that a child who reads or is read to daily will be a better reader and succeed in school.
Does your child read so slowly, you can hardly stand it? This is because he/she does not have what is called “reading fluency”. Fluency is the abiblity to read quickly – and is the biggest indicator of reading success. In order to help your child achieve reading fluency, do what I call a one minute read every day. Choose a book your child can read with just a few mistakes (often called a just right book). Have them pick a page and practice reading aloud it for one minute. Then read it to them a few times while they follow along. Then have your child read it aloud again for one minute. See how much farther they read this time? That is building reading fluency. Do this every night for a few weeks and watch how your child can read their nightly book so much faster and with more confidence!
1 comment October 13, 2008 adradavy
Tip #2 Spelling Words
Does your child learn the spelling words for the Friday test and then promptly forget how to spell them? This is because she/he has not mastered the spelling of these words. Try asking the teacher to cut the list down to the essential words (should be 5-10 words), and do a one minute write with each of those words for four nights. A one minute write consists of your child writing each word as many times as they can in one minute; while writing the word they should say and spell the word aloud. For instance if the word is animal your child should say and write – “animal” “a” “n” “i” “m” “a” “l”. Continue having them write and spell aloud the word for one full minute. At the end of the minute reinforce the word by asking your child what word and to spell it again. Continue on until your child has done a one minute write on all 5-10 words. Notice this should only take 5-10 minutes to complete. Do this for four nights and you will be surprised by how your child can retain and spell these words weeks later…no more forgetting after the Friday test. This works better than any other spelling homework in getting the words to actually be remembered!
Add comment September 29, 2008 adradavy
Who Am I? / Tip #1 School
Hello, I am Adra, teacher, parent consultant, and founder of The Parent Professor; a company whose mission it is to help parents who want to help their children succeed in school. I strive to help parents solve learning related questions and issues. Tip #1 Your child’s school and teacher work for you. As the employer, you can request what you need to help your child be successful learner. For more information about me and my work, feel free to visit my website at www.parent-professor.com.
Add comment September 24, 2008 adradavy
Hi John – response to your questions
Great questions!
1. For the child who does not want to go to school, there is almost always some reason. It could be as little as not liking recess to as big as feeling like a failure. First I would try talking to your child while you are also doing something else, like playing a game, coloring, throwing a football. Kids are more likely to talk when they are distracted with something else. Just ask general questions about school – what they like and don’t like about it. I’m sure you will find some clue as to what the child is afraid of. Then I would make an appointment to speak to the teacher about it. Every teacher I have met wants kids to like school. You and your child’s teacher should be able to come up with a plan to make school a more pleasant experience for your child.
2. As for making homework livable, I would suggest putting the responsibility back on your child by setting aside a regular homework time. Say from 3:30-4:30 every day. Make sure your child has everything they need – paper, pencils, dictionary, snack, etc. Make sure it is quiet and well lit. Let your child know you are available should he have questions, but he is expected to work on his homework until it is complete. Then, don’t hover. Let your child do what they can and ask you for help if he/she needs it.
If the problem is that your child cannot complete the homework independently, then I suggest another conference with the teacher. If the homework is too hard or lengthy, then the schoolwork is probably too difficult as well and that will need to be addressed. Possibly the school will be able to provide extra help or suggest strategies to help your child.
Thanks for the great questions!
Add comment December 23, 2008 adradavy
School questions forum
Post your school and learning related questions here and experienced teacher and parent consultant, Adra Davy will provide research based effective answers. For more information about me, visit my website at www.parent-professor.com.
1 comment October 25, 2008 adradavy
