Port Barre Elementary's Back to School Meet & Greet will be held Tuesday, August 5th from 3:00 - 5:00 pm.
Student responsibility has many parts
What makes a student responsible? Many things, including honesty, courage and self-control. Teach honesty by making it a family habit to admit mistakes, learn from them, apologize and move on. Encourage standing up for what is right by role-playing what to do in tough situations. Then, foster self-control by helping your child learn to weigh the pros and cons of possible actions.
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What makes a student responsible? Many things, including honesty, courage and self-control. Teach honesty by making it a family habit to admit mistakes, learn from them, apologize and move on. Encourage standing up for what is right by role-playing what to do in tough situations. Then, foster self-control by helping your child learn to weigh the pros and cons of possible actions.
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Help your child see things from a different angle
Elementary schoolers are learning to analyze and see things from different points of view. To reinforce this skill, ask your child questions, such as: "What do you think land looks like to a dolphin in the water? How about to a bird flying in the air?"Recognizing that there can be more than one way to look at something is an essential reading and writing skill.
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Elementary schoolers are learning to analyze and see things from different points of view. To reinforce this skill, ask your child questions, such as: "What do you think land looks like to a dolphin in the water? How about to a bird flying in the air?"Recognizing that there can be more than one way to look at something is an essential reading and writing skill.
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Parental Advocacy Presentation
Discuss skills that make your child feel proud
One way to help children become more self-assured is to shift attention from their shortcomings to their strengths. To direct your child's focus to things that are going well, ask questions such as, "What is something you like about yourself?""What is something you felt good about today?""What is something you were proud of today?"
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One way to help children become more self-assured is to shift attention from their shortcomings to their strengths. To direct your child's focus to things that are going well, ask questions such as, "What is something you like about yourself?""What is something you felt good about today?""What is something you were proud of today?"
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Challenge your child to some junk mail math
To turn junk mail into math practice, ask your elementary schooler to sort your mail for a week into two stacks, one for junk mail, one for regular mail. Have your child track the daily count of each type of mail on a chart. At the end of the week, ask questions like: "What is the total amount of junk mail for the week?" "If we get the same amount every week, how much will we have in a month?" "What percentage of our mail is junk?"
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To turn junk mail into math practice, ask your elementary schooler to sort your mail for a week into two stacks, one for junk mail, one for regular mail. Have your child track the daily count of each type of mail on a chart. At the end of the week, ask questions like: "What is the total amount of junk mail for the week?" "If we get the same amount every week, how much will we have in a month?" "What percentage of our mail is junk?"
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Respond to questions by showing your child how to find answers
Most children like to ask questions. It's how they learn. But even if you know the answers, it's important to help your child learn how to locate information independently. Together, type your childâs question into an online search engine. (Why do zebras have stripes?) But don't stop there. Help your child think of related key words to look up (animal markings, camouflage). Show your child how to look for key words in book indexes, too.
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Most children like to ask questions. It's how they learn. But even if you know the answers, it's important to help your child learn how to locate information independently. Together, type your childâs question into an online search engine. (Why do zebras have stripes?) But don't stop there. Help your child think of related key words to look up (animal markings, camouflage). Show your child how to look for key words in book indexes, too.
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Cloud watching is a fun way to relax and learn together
On a hot, lazy summer day, take a blanket, some paper and a couple of pencils outside with your child. Lie down and watch the clouds. Do they remind you of anything? Talk about what you see. Sketch pictures of the clouds on the paper. Later, you and your child can learn about the types of clouds you saw. Or, perhaps just draw pictures of yourselves watching the clouds float by.
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On a hot, lazy summer day, take a blanket, some paper and a couple of pencils outside with your child. Lie down and watch the clouds. Do they remind you of anything? Talk about what you see. Sketch pictures of the clouds on the paper. Later, you and your child can learn about the types of clouds you saw. Or, perhaps just draw pictures of yourselves watching the clouds float by.
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Stay calm and consistent when mood swings strike
Is your child slamming doors and talking back? Gone from sweet to sassy overnight? These behaviors are a normal part of changing from a little kid into a big kid. The good news is, they're usually temporary. Don't overreact to your child's moodiness. Instead, calmly enforce your rules when behavior crosses the line. With your love and guidance, your child will pass through this rough spot.
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Is your child slamming doors and talking back? Gone from sweet to sassy overnight? These behaviors are a normal part of changing from a little kid into a big kid. The good news is, they're usually temporary. Don't overreact to your child's moodiness. Instead, calmly enforce your rules when behavior crosses the line. With your love and guidance, your child will pass through this rough spot.
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Go beyond words to motivate your child
Knowing that their families are cheering for them can help children keep trying in school and out. It's important to encourage your elementary schooler verbally, but it also helps to communicate in writing and with body language. Leave a note on your childâs pillow to say "I'm so proud of you" or "I'm here if you want to talk." Offer a hand squeeze when your child does something nice. And smile and hug your childâŠfor no particular reason.
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Knowing that their families are cheering for them can help children keep trying in school and out. It's important to encourage your elementary schooler verbally, but it also helps to communicate in writing and with body language. Leave a note on your childâs pillow to say "I'm so proud of you" or "I'm here if you want to talk." Offer a hand squeeze when your child does something nice. And smile and hug your childâŠfor no particular reason.
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Are you showing your child how to resolve differences respectfully?
The way you manage your response during a conflict sets an example for your child. When you get upset with someone, be a role model. Calm down by counting to 10, or agree to talk later when you're calm. Try to be honest about your feelings, and listen carefully to the other person's feelings. Remember to talk about the problem, rather than attack the person. Then, think of possible solutions and agree on what's fair.
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The way you manage your response during a conflict sets an example for your child. When you get upset with someone, be a role model. Calm down by counting to 10, or agree to talk later when you're calm. Try to be honest about your feelings, and listen carefully to the other person's feelings. Remember to talk about the problem, rather than attack the person. Then, think of possible solutions and agree on what's fair.
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Ask questions that encourage your child to think about reading
You can help your child get more out of reading by asking questions about the story. First, ask basic questions like, "What was the story about?" Then, help your child think more deeply by analyzing information in the story. You might ask, "Which character is most like you?" Finally, encourage your child to express opinions: "What do you think Goldilocks learned from going into the bears' house?"
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You can help your child get more out of reading by asking questions about the story. First, ask basic questions like, "What was the story about?" Then, help your child think more deeply by analyzing information in the story. You might ask, "Which character is most like you?" Finally, encourage your child to express opinions: "What do you think Goldilocks learned from going into the bears' house?"
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Create a word wall with your child
Build your child's vocabulary by making a word wall together. Here's how: Have your child find 10 new and interesting words in favorite books, then write each word on its own index card. Mount the cards on the wall in an easy-to-see place and help your child use them to make sentences. When the first 10 words become familiar, have your child make a new set of cards. Save the old cards for later review.
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Manners aren't just nice. They are useful school skills
Kids need social skills to navigate relationships with classmates and teachers at school. And home is a great place to practice them! At the table, for example, expect your child to stay seated throughout the meal. Explain that politeness means resisting the impulse to insult disliked foods or other people at the table. To encourage your child to participate in mealtime conversation, ask all family members to name the best part of their day.
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Help your child focus on listening well
To succeed in school, children need strong listening skills. To support this skill, signal the need to pay attention with a gentle touch or by saying your child's name. Then, look your child in the eye and speak quietly; your child will have to listen closely. Model attentive listening by paying undivided attention when your child speaks to you. Then, encourage your student to continue with statements like "Tell me more."
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Learning opportunities help your child stay off the 'summer slide'
The summer slide isn't a piece of playground equipment. It's the loss of skills that can happen when kids don't practice what they've learned during the school year. Look for ways your child can use school skills this summer. You might ask your student to keep a journal. Or provide measuring cups for measuring water volume while your child splashes in the pool or tub. Have your student map the routes you travel and read road signs aloud. And make time for reading every day.
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Make active reading a daily part of summer
Here are a few easy things you can do this summer to help your child become a strong reader. Start by keeping a variety of interesting reading materials all around your home to make reading enticing. Then, when you read together, stop and ask questions about the story. Be sure to give your child time to answer, and listen attentively. Ask your child to retell stories to you, too.
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Teach your child what won't work to solve problems
Learning how to solve problems is as important in life as it is in the classroom. But learning how NOT to solve them is also critical. Teach your child not to deny or ignore problems (they often get worse!). Getting mad won't help either, and the sooner your student gets over being angry about a problem, the more time there will be to solve it. Tell your child not to worry too much about making mistakes, either. Success is often built on them.
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Make summertime learning part of the fun
Summer is prime time for combining learning and fun. Try having a family spelling bee (give each family member words that are appropriate for their skills). Or add math to a family trip (How many miles until we get there? How much gas will we need? How many steps to climb the hill?). Try some science and history with your child, too. Learn the names of the bugs or trees you see. Talk about ways the world has changed over time. With a little thought, you can add some learning fun to every day.
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