Hacker Valley Elementary School

Nagging kids rarely works. Here's what does Learning to carry out instructions is part of developing responsibility, at home and at school. Instead of repeating commands over and over, stop telling and start doing. If you've asked your child to empty pockets before putting pants in the laundry basket, wash only the pants with empty pockets. When favorite jeans stay dirty and your child has to wear disliked pants to school, your student may be more motivated to act responsibly. https://tpitip.com/?12eH18889

Junk mail can be a great teaching tool Before you toss junk mail, have your child examine it to find out where it came from. Then, help your student locate and mark that place on a map. Does more mail come from certain areas? You can also have your child sort the junk mail in a variety of ways: by state, region or how far its origin is from your home. Which piece traveled the longest distance? Help your child estimate how long it would take to make the drive. https://tpitip.com/?12eG18889

To make sense of nonfiction reading, spin a 'reading web' together If your child struggles to make sense of nonfiction reading, drawing a "reading web" before even beginning to read may help. Have your student write down the title of the chapter or passage and draw lines branching out from it. Next, have your child preview the text and write each section heading on a different branch. While reading, your child can branch subheadings out from each section heading. This kind of diagram shows students how details support the main idea. https://tpitip.com/?12eF18889

Collect your child's accomplishments in a special box Feeling capable motivates children to take on challenges. One way to help your child recognize personal strengths is to make an accomplishments box. Decorate a shoebox and label it with your child's name. Cut a slot in the lid. Throughout the year, write your student's accomplishments, large and small, on slips of paper and put them in the box. Around your child's birthday, open the box and celebrate new skills and abilities. https://tpitip.com/?12eE18889

Customize your expectations for your child When parents have high expectations for their students, the children are likely to live up to them. But the expectations must also be reasonable. When setting expectations, consider your child's nature. It's probably not realistic to expect a shy child to be more outgoing, for example. Avoid comparing your child to other kids. Instead, set realistic short-term goals that will allow your child to enjoy success. When that happens, set new goals. https://tpitip.com/?12eD18889

Give your child choices to overcome writer's block When your elementary schooler has a writing assignment and says, "I can't think of anything to write about," try making several general suggestions based on your child's interests. This gives your child a choice. Encourage your student to make the chosen topic more specific. Then step back. Keep in mind that it is still your child's assignment, so even if you would do it a different way, let your child write it. https://tpitip.com/?12eC18889

Easy activities teach kids about the human body Try some fun demonstrations to show your child how the human body works. Blow up a balloon to the size of two fists side-by-side, for example. This is about the size of your child's stomach. Let your student hold it and visualize how much food it can hold at one time. To explore muscle movement, have your child squeeze a clothespin between a thumb and each finger and watch which hand and wrist muscles move. https://tpitip.com/?12eB18889

Encourage your child to participate during read aloud time Research shows that children who read at home with their families do better in school. Give your child an active role in the process. Let your student choose reading materials of interest. Then take turns reading aloud, and stop from time to time to discuss what you're reading. What does your child think about the plot and the characters? Where might the story be going? Would your child do what the main character did? https://tpitip.com/?12eA18889

Shift attention from problems to solutions Teens need to learn to solve problems independently. But they sometimes need a little steering in the right direction. When your student wants your help to solve a problem, shift the focus to what your teen can do to make it right. Ask: What in this situation is working well? What is not working well? What results are you looking for? What would you have to do to get those results? https://tpitip.com/?32eA18889

Treat mistakes as steps toward learning To succeed in school, students must develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. But as they learn to solve problems independently, they are sure to make mistakes. Help your child see mistakes as opportunities to learn, rather than as failures. When your student makes an error, discuss it. Talk about ways your child can avoid it in the future. Emphasize that people get smarter when they learn from mistakes. https://tpitip.com/?12dd18889

Model the way to good character When it comes to teaching character and values, your example is the most powerful teacher of all. Ask yourself, "If my child could watch my behavior all day, what lessons would it teach?" Set high standards for your own behavior as well as your child's. Talk with your child often about the values that are important to you. Some families make values a point of family pride. "In our family, we tell the truth." https://tpitip.com/?12dc18889

Offer support during study time, but let your child do the work Being involved when your child does assignments doesn't mean answering the questions or doing the work. That prevents your child from learning to do it. Instead, make sure your student understands the assignment. Have your child read the directions to you. Then ask, "Can you explain them in your own words?" At the end of each study session, review your child's completed work. This sends the message that you think it is important. https://tpitip.com/?12db18889

A little competition can help children learn Some students avoid competing with others. But competition can teach kids to handle conflict, work cooperatively and overcome challenges. For positive competitive experiences, encourage activities that build your child's self-image. Let your student choose among several activities, but make it clear you expect your child to stick to the choice for at least a few months. Then praise your child's efforts, no matter the outcome. https://tpitip.com/?12da18889

Use your child's imagination to encourage writing Many kids think of writing as work. But they love storytelling. Encourage your child to write by providing story starters that make writing fun. You might have your child imagine interviewing a famous book character. What questions would your student ask? What answers might the character give? Or, the next time your child asks, "What if …," say "Write down what you think might happen." The wilder your child's imagination, the better the story. https://tpitip.com/?12dZ18889

Be patient and firm when your child tests limits All kids need limits, and most of them will test those limits. When your child challenges the rules, stop and listen. Hear your child out. Then respond briefly with your decision: "I understand that your friends watch that show and then do their assignments, but you know our family rule: schoolwork comes first." When your child does the right thing, offer a positive consequence: "You stuck to your study schedule all week. Let's celebrate with a pizza." https://tpitip.com/?12dY18889

Effective studying can be a group effort Sometimes, studying in a group can be more effective than studying alone. To help set up a study group before a test, have your child find three or four friends who want to work together. At group meetings, the students can list key facts, then quiz one another. They can also discuss long-answer questions they think might be on the test. Then each child can provide an answer to one or two at the next meeting. https://tpitip.com/?12dW18889

Encourage an early start on weekend assignments When there is schoolwork to do over the weekend, many kids put it off. Then they melt down Sunday night when the work must be done. Encourage your child to tackle assigned work on Friday. Classroom learning will be fresh in your student's mind, so the assignment will likely take less time. And if a project needs more time, your child will avoid a panicked rush. Then enjoy relaxed weekends together! https://tpitip.com/?12dV18889

Display a positive attitude when learning is a struggle If your child has difficulty learning, you may worry about the effects on your child's self-image. To offer support, explain that everyone struggles to learn things at times. You might share examples from your own life. Stay positive: Be honest but optimistic about learning issues your child may have, and praise and develop your student's strengths. Then work with the teacher and the school to find ways to help and encourage your child. https://tpitip.com/?12dU18889

A little screen time can be a good thing Here are a few ways to use the internet and other digital media to promote learning: You and your child can "visit" exciting world destinations. You can help your child find videos, apps and websites that show how to make things, and work on projects together. Or look for sites that introduce new ideas, and then discuss them. You can even strengthen family ties by going online to explore your heritage together. https://tpitip.com/?12dT18889

Show your child what listening looks like Research shows that in order to retain what they hear, students need to focus their attention, then review important information. Be a listening role model for your child. For example, encourage your student to talk about the school day. Then show you are paying attention by making eye contact and listening patiently. Restate the important points your child makes to confirm your understanding. https://tpitip.com/?12dS18889