How to Effective Communicate with School Personnel

 

Talking to school personnel can be intimidating. However, parent-teacher conferences and other meetings with school officials can actually be beneficial if they are handled in the right way. As a parent, there are some things that you can do to make talking with school official easier and more productive.

Keep the child first

It is important to keep in mind that both you and school officials share a similar goal. You both want to ensure that your child receives a quality education. So, when talking with school personnel remember to set personal feelings aside and focus on what will best benefit your child.

Remember they are only human

Yes, teachers are human. They have feelings too, and they do make mistakes. When there is a problem in the classroom or at the school, allow the school staff a chance to explain what happened. You have heard your child’s side of the story. Now, listen to the teacher’s side.  Although it may be tempting to defend your child and insult the teacher or other school staff members, don’t do it. Remember that teachers and other school officials are there to help your child.

Make a list of the important issues

Make a list of all the issues you wish to discuss with the school personnel before your meeting. This will prevent you from forgetting key topics, and it will save time. Ask the questions that you have prepared. Begin with the most important items first. Remember the teacher is working and does not have an unlimited amount of time. So, arrive on time and be as brief as possible.

Keep copies of work     

Always keep copies of your child’s work. You can keep these in folders or in a portfolio. By keeping copies of your child’s work and any notes or letters that the school has sent home, you are ensuring that you know what is going on with your child. And, this will provide you with documentation of your child’s grades and progress.

Watch your tone and body language

When talking with school personnel, watch your tone and body language. Try not to come across as angry, upset, or hostile. Try to have a positive attitude and calm demeanor even if you are unhappy about the conference or meeting.Try not to be judgmental. Again, the teacher and other members of the school staff are there to help your child. So, try to communicate your willingness to partner with school officials to help your child.

Share valuable information

Share any important information with school officials. Tell your child’s teacher how they learn best. Discuss your child’s interests, strengths, and weaknesses. It is also wise to share things about your family dynamics that can affect your child’s grades and behavior. If your family has recently experienced the death of an immediate family member or a divorce, this information should be shared with your child’s teacher or other school personnel. This can help school personnel better understand your child.

Talking with school personnel can be scary, but it is a necessity. It is important to have a positive attitude, to speak in a pleasant tone, and to be prepared.

How to Prepare a 1st Grader for School

 

School is about to start, and your little darling is getting ready for to go to “big school”. Although it is an exciting time, it is also a scary time for both parents and students especially if the child has not been to school before. Even if they have, there can be some apprehension about going from kindergarten to first grade. So, what things can you do to get your child ready for the transition? 

*Become familiar with the school

School is usually open even before the first day of school.  Arrange for you and your child to come do a walk through on campus.  Take him or her on a tour of the building.  If you know your child’s room already, you can walk them to the room and let them look inside.  Show him or her where the bathrooms are. It is also a good idea to drive by the school often for about a week and keep telling them that this is their school. 

*Meet the teacher

Most schools host an open house before school starts.  This is a great time for you and your child to meet the teacher.  You and the teacher can discuss her expects and you can give her valuable information about your child.  This is a great time for your child to get familiar with the teacher.  Meeting the teacher will also help to relieve some of your child’s anxiety about beginning first grade.

*Meet the bus driver

If your child will be riding the school bus, it will also help to familiarize your child with the bus driver.  If you can, make the introductions and discuss seating arrangements for the year.

*Work with your child at home

Get your child use to doing school work by doing some at home.  A few weeks before school starts begin to get your child into the routine of doing work. There are workbooks and website available that you can use to get educational materials.

*Read to your child

It is vital that you read to your child on a daily basis.  Students are expected to be reading by the end of first grade. Start the process at home by reading to him or her. This will not only help to relieve anxiety about school, but it will also help to foster a love of reading. 

*Discuss expected behavior

Even if your child went to kindergarten the year before, begin talking to them about expected behavior.  They should know that they have to follow directions, listen to the teacher, and stay in their assigned place.

*Establish a routine before school starts

Go ahead and establish a routine before they march off to school the first day.  Have a set time for homework, play time, and bedtime.  Select a quiet place for completing homework assignments and make sure that your child knows where that place is.  Practice working on simple assignments before school begins.  Allow them to have breaks so that they don’t get frustrated or develop homework anxiety.  Bedtime should be at the same time every night.  Get your child into a bedtime routine and stick with it.  This will help to decrease bedtime drama and ensure that your child gets the necessary amount of sleep he or she needs.

As your child prepares for first grade, help to decrease anxiety and stress by familiarizing them with the school and the teacher.  Establish a routine and stick with it. 

Why Art Class is Important

 

When administrators and lawmakers look at cutting school funding, art is often one of the areas to be hit hardest. Contrary to what some may think, art is an important part of the primary school curriculum. It helps young students to develop important skills, and it can positively affect school attendance, students’ health, and personal development.

Creativity

Art assignments often call for the student to use their imagination to create things from raw materials. This assignments help to encourage the students to be creative, to try new things, and to take risks.

Fine motor skills

Small children are often uncoordinated. Many art projects require students to use crayons, paint brushes, and scissors. By using these items, young students are developing their hand-eye coordination.

Critical Thinking

Art is a mentally stimulating activity, and as such, it is a great way to keep the brain functioning at its best. Exposure to art has also been shown to increase the brain’s functions and help to improve the students’ critical thinking skills. It prompts young children to analyze problems and brainstorm ways to solve those problems. Art encourages students to focus on details and find new ways to express themselves.

Individuality

There is no right or wrong way to create art. Art is in the eye of the beholder. Young students can develop self-esteem and individuality by working on art projects. They also learn how to set goals and how to work toward those goals.

Attendance

Students are more likely to attend school if they like school. Art can help to increase student attendance. Because art is fun, it gives the students something to look forward to each day. Excited students want to come to school.

Stress relief

Painting, drawing, and other art activities can help to relieve stress. And, yes, young children do experience stress. Like adults, they have issues that they have to deal with too. They have to deal with homework assignments, peers, and less than perfect home situations. Art offers a way to release some of that stress.

Art is an important part of the primary school curriculum. It increases students’ creativity, helps to hone fine motor skills, improve critical thinking skills, relieve stress, and increase school attendance.

Ways to Improve School Attendance

Regular school attendance is important for both the school and the student. When students are out of school, they are missing vital information, and they can easily fall behind in their school work. Decreased student attendance can also negatively affect a school. It can result in decrease in federal funds and a decrease in the school’s overall test scores and graduation rate. The following are things that teachers and the school district can do to encourage student attendance.

Get the parents involved

One of the best ways to improve student attendance is to get the parents involved. It is a fact that parental involvement can improve student achievement no matter what their socio-economic levels, race, or parental education level. Parental involvement can also increase student attendance. When parents are actively involved in their children’s education, they make education and school attendance a priority.  

Provide opportunities for parental involvement

There are ways that schools can increase parental involvement. They can encourage positive contact between parents and the school. They can do this by sending newsletters home. These letters should include information about state test dates, upcoming school events, and simple parenting tips. Teachers can periodically phone parents. These calls should not be just to report misbehavior or failing grades. These calls should be positive in nature, and the teachers or other school officials should discuss some of the good things that the child has done. Schools can also get parents involved by providing volunteering opportunities, having Parent Teacher Organization meetings, and opening resource centers for parents.

Make learning fun

Students are more likely to come to school if they like school. Teachers can help to increase student attendance by making their lessons more exciting and relevant to their everyday lives. The internet offers a wide range of lesson plans that can help to make learning more exciting.

Make students a partner in their own education

Allow students to make suggestions about topics they would like to study or project they would like to complete. Conduct student surveys periodically. Have students complete an Interest Inventory sheet. This will help the teacher identify each student’s learning style and the activities that they find the most interesting. Instead of reading lists that are set in stone, teachers can allow students the opportunity to choose some of their own reading material.  They are more likely to read the material if it is something that they want to read.

Create a friendly environment

The school should also have a friendly environment. Parents and students should be greeted at the door. School staff should offer the students a smile and words of encouragement on a regular basis. Students are more likely to attend school when they feel that their teachers are concerned about them.

Reward regular attendance

Another way to improve student attendance is to reward those who have perfect attendance. Present them with certificates or simply spotlight their achievement. This will help to encourage them to continue to attend school and motivate other students to strive for perfect attendance.

Student attendance affects both the student and the school. Encourage students to regularly attend school by using some of the incentives listed above.

How to Write a Good Resignation Letter

When resigning from any professional position, you must inform your employer of your intentions in a formal resignation letter. And, teaching is no different. As a professional educator, you must compose a letter of resignation before you leave your teaching position. Your resignation letter is part of the legacy that you leave behind. So, leave your former employers with a good last impression by composing a professional resignation letter. 

Professional tone

You are a professional. So, even if you are angry at the time of your resignation, don’t allow it to cloud your judgment. Continue to use common sense and demonstrate your professionalism in your resignation letter. Continue to use correct grammar and to address your principal, school board members, and superintendent properly. Keep in mind that these letters are often kept in your personnel file. And, they can come back to haunt you later.

Include the date

Include the date that your resignation will become effective. If at all possible, try to time your resignation for the end of the school year. If this is not possible, try to choose a time when there is a break in the nature school term like the end of a semester, at Spring Break, or at the end the Christmas break.

Express gratitude

Always thank the principal, superintendent, school district, and parents for allowing you the opportunity to teach their children. Don’t forget that they placed their most valuable asset-their children- in your hands.

Briefly explain your reason

Give a reason for your resignation. Your explanation should be short and concise. However, don’t tell your boss that you are leaving because you hate them or that you disagree with the school district’s policies. This information is best kept to yourself. If you are leaving to take another position, be sure to explain the reasons that you are more suited for the new position. If you and your family are relocating, explain this to your principal. If you can’t get along with your co-workers, you can simply state that you are leaving because of a personality conflict, but do not go into a lot of details or name names.

Remain polite

No matter how mad or disgusted you are, remain calm and professional. Don’t burn your bridges. Chances are good that you will need to use your former boss for a work reference later. There is also the possibility that you may want to return to this job at a later date.

When resigning from a teaching position, remember that you are a professional. Be concise. Use a positive, professional tone. And, don’t forget to thank your former employers for employing you in their school district.

Alternatives to Suspension

 

Disruptions are a part of any school. Some classroom disruptions are minor while others are more serious. Minor classroom disruptions include eating in class, chewing gum, or talking during lecture. Major offenses can include fighting, using profanity, and refusing to comply with classroom rules. Most major offenses result in out-of-school suspensions. The problem with school suspension is that it takes the student out of the classroom and the learning process. There are alternatives to suspensions.

Parents in class

One way to punish a student for a major offense without suspending them is to have the student’s parent attend class with him or her. It has been proven that students whose parents are involved in their education do better in school, and they tend to behave better. Also, some students will find having their parent attend classes with them embarrassing, and as a result, they will behave better in school. So, instead of send the student home for a serious offense, have the student’s parent attend classes with them.

Community service

Instead of sending the student home, a school official can require a student to perform a set number of community service hours. Community service is the similar to volunteer work. Community service work can provide the student with an opportunity to give back to the community, to learn work ethics, to learn how to handle responsibility, and to demonstrate behavioral management skills.

Work detail

Students who are not assigned community service can be assigned work detail at the school. The principal can assign a student a job to complete around the school like helping serve food in the cafeteria or planting shrubs around the school instead of suspending them.

After school

Students who cannot seem to behave during the regular school day can be assigned to after-school classes. These classes are similar to those the student would attend during the day, only they would be held in the evening time. After school classes would also keep the student officially in school but away from the other students.

In-school suspension

Another option for students who have committed serious school offenses is in-school suspension. This option allows the student to keep the same school day schedule. However, instead of going to his or her regular classes, the student would attend a separate class. In-school suspension classes are stricter. And, students who are assigned to in-school don’t have the same privileges that regular students do.

Major student offenses often result in the suspension of the offending student. There are alternatives to out-of-school suspension. The alternatives listed above provide an effective means of punishing the student while helping to keep him or her in school.

Fun Journal Topics for High School Students

 

Summer is finally here, and most students cherish this time away from teachers. However, parents and educators often worry that their children will lose valuable skills over the summer. Whether you are an educator or a concerned parent, you can help your high school student keep up their writing skills during the summer. One of the best ways to do this is through assigning journal writing. The following are great summer journal topics:

Identity issues

Teenager often struggle with their identity. This can open up a whole new world of ideas for writing topic. Some ideas include:

Things I have done to try to fit in…

What are the things about myself I would like to change and why?

The things that I love about myself are…

If I could switch places with one of my friends, who would it be and why?

Peer pressure

Peer pressure is another issue that high school students deal with on a regular basis. Journal topics about peer pressure can include:

Have you ever felt pressured by your friends to do something you knew was wrong?

In what ways do your friends influence you?

What strategies do you use to stay true to yourself?

Dating

Many high school students have begun dating. Topics that deal with dating are interesting, and high school students may actually enjoy writing about these topics:

What was your favorite date? Why?

What is your favorite dating spot? Why

If you could go on a date with anyone, who would it be and why?

What are some dating safety tips that you would give to a younger student?

Opinions

High school students are also very opinionated. Allow them to voice their opinion with some of their journal topics.

What is your favorite subject in school? Why?

What classes should be added to your school’s curriculum?

If you could be principal for a day, what changes would you make? Why?

What was your favorite movie this summer? Why? Be sure to include details about the plot and actors.

Sports

Summer sports offer a means of entertainment. They also offer some great journal topics.

What is your favorite summer sport? Why?

Who is your favorite athlete? Why?

If you could give any pro-sport star some advice, who would it be and why?

Environment

Summertime is a great time for getting back to nature. Encourage your high school student to think about the environment this summer. The following are journal topics that are nature based.

Why is it important to recycle?

Which common items in your home can you recycle?
How can you get your family involved in preserving the environment?

What can you do to get your community or your school involved in preserving the environment?

What are some ways to keep your house cool and save energy at the same time?

What simple lifestyle changes can you make to help conserve electricity?

Summertime

Let summer be the inspiration for many of the journal topics that you assign. Some examples of these are:

What is your favorite summer memory? Why?

What are some great ways to stay cool?

What is your favorite summer flower?

What are the best songs to listen to for summer?

Just because it is summertime, it doesn’t mean that learning has to stop. Writing assignments can help your high school student stay focus on learning. The summer journal topics listed above are both educational and fun.

How to Save Money on Back to School Shopping

 

 

School bells are ringing once again, and that means that it is time to shop for school supplies and school clothes. School shopping can take a big bite out of your budget if you are not careful.  The following are some tricks for smart shoppers who want to save money while shopping for back to school items.

Trick #1: Create a budget

Smart shopping includes smart planning. The first thing you need to do is create a school budget.  First, look at your income and expenses. Then, decide how much you can afford to spend and on what. Ask yourself, will you spend most of the school budget on clothes or on supplies? Use the school supply list that your child’s school handed out to help you make important purchase decisions. Once the budget is created be sure to stick to it. 

Trick #2: Take stock of your stock

Before you race off to the stores to grab those school supplies, be sure to check to see what you already have.  Round up those pencils, pens, unused boxes of crayons, and glue.  These can be used for the upcoming year.  Also, check your child’s closet to see what he or she can and can’t still wear.  Clothes that are still wearable and that still looks nice, can be worn this school term. Always, always check your closets and left over supplies before going shopping. All smart shoppers know just what they actually need before hitting the stores.

Trick #3: Compare Prices

Price comparison is a vital part of frugal living and smart shopping.  By seeing what each store has on sale, you are able to snag the best deal.  If you don’t want to drive around from one store to another then select a store that offers price matching.  This will allow you to make all of your purchases at one store.

Trick #4: Stock up

Stock up. Stock up while school supplies are at an all time low.  Many retailers are offering outrageously low prices on items like pencils, pens, notebook paper, glue, and crayons.  Now is the time to stock up on items that your child will need throughout the coming school year. A pack of pencils and a tablet won’t last all year.  Buy enough to take you through the school term. It won’t even hurt to buy some for next year.  And, remember, school supplies can be donated to your local church, at your child’s school, or given to your child’s teacher as a gift.

Trick #5: Consignment shops or discount stores

Don’t knock it until you try it.  Some people may be wary of consignment and second hand shops.  Don’t be.  You can often find good quality clothes at these shops. 

Trick #6: Start Early

Remember the old saying, “The early bird always catches the worm”? This is true with school shopping. Don’t wait until August.  Begin setting aside a certain amount each month to go toward supplies.  This will help to prevent having a big strain placed on your budget all at once.

If you are unprepared, the cost of back to school shopping can pack a mean punch. Don’t wait until the last minute. Smart shopping means planning ahead.  Create a budget and stick to it.  Use the tricks listed above and have a more rewarding shopping experience.

Teen Novels that Teach History

Historical Novels for Teens and Teachers

History and literature go hand in hand.  It is through journals, diaries, and storytelling that history is passed down from generation to generation. There are novels, both fiction and non-fiction, that can be used to make history come alive for students. 

*Night John

Gary Paulsen’s “Night John” tells the story of Sarny. Sarny is a young slave girl who lives on a plantation somewhere in the South in the 1950’s.  Sarny’s mother has been sold, and she is being raised by another slave named Dealey. One day the Master purchases a new slave named John.  John is unlike the other slaves because he can read and write which is against the law. Although he had escaped from slavery earlier, Night John has returned to the South to teach the other slaves how to read and write.

The book was first published in 1993. It can be used to teach about the slavery, the Civil War, and the importance of reading.  It can also be used to compare and contrast the lives of African slaves with those of the indentured servants that helped settle the first colonies in America. 

*To Kill a Mockingbird

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is the thought provoking book by Harper Lee.  It is set in 1936 in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. It is centered around the trial of Tom Robinson, a young black man who is accused of rape. It is told from the point-of-view of Scout, a teen year old girl, and it is based on the events surrounding “The Scottsboro Trials”.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a heartwarming novel.  It is rich with humor and innocence even though it discusses the serious social issue of rape. “To Kill a Mockingbird” can be used to discuss the effects of the Great Depression in America.  It can also be used to discuss Jim Crow laws, “The Scottsboro Trials”, racial inequality, and even the judicial system. 

*She Said Yes

“She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall” by Misty Bernall is the true story of Cassie Bernall.  Cassie Bernall is one of the victims of the Columbine High School shooting.  The book is based on witnesses’ reports that Cassie was praying when one of the shooters asked her if she believed.  Cassie reportedly said, “Yes, I believe” just before she was fatally shoot. 

Teachers can use this incredible sad novel to teach about the Columbine High School shooting and other similar acts of terrorism. 

*Out of the Dust

This novel by Karen Hesse is set in Oklahoma from 1934-1935 during the Dust Bowl.  It is about the life of Billie Jo and her family.  Although times are tough and the neighbors are all running away from the land and the endless dust, her father insists that they tough it out.  Unfortunately, they cannot win against the relentless dust, and one innocent mistake has disastrous results. 

“Out of the Dust” can be used to teach about life during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowls.  It can also be used to discuss the causes of the Dust Bowl and the things that the government and farmers did to try to stop them.

*Briar Rose

“Briar Rose” by Jane Yolen starts when Rebecca Berlin’s grandmother “Gemma” dies.  Rebecca becomes curious about her grandmother’s past and begins to ask questions about Gemma and the strange story she always told Rebecca at bedtime.  It is the German fairytale, “The Briar Rose” an alternate to “The Sleeping Beauty”.  The novel moves back and forth between the present and the past.  Rebecca eventually learns that her grandmother is actually a survivor of the Holocaust.

“Briar Rose” is an alternative to the traditional books used to teach students about on the Holocaust. It can be used to discuss World War II, the Holocaust, and Jewish culture.

*Sarah Plain and Tall

Written by Patricia MacLachlan, “Sarah, Plain, and Tall” is about life in the West during the 19^th century.  A widower, Jacob Witting, decides to place an ad for a mail-order bride to help him raise his two children Caleb and Anna.  Sarah, a tall and plain woman from Maine, comes to answer Jacob’s advertisement. 

This short novel can be used with young teenagers and tweens to teach about life in the Old West.  It can also be the basis for a discussion on “mail-order brides”.  The teacher can discuss the reason someone would become a mail-order bride and why western farmers would find the need to place an advertisement for a wife.

*Call of the Wild

Jack London’s “Call of the Wild” is a novel about a dog named Buck.  Buck is a family dog that is kidnapped from his home in California and taken to the Yukon to work as a sled dog.  The story takes place during the Klondike Gold Rush.  Buck learns the brutal lessons of life as a sled dog. Buck’s instincts help him to become one with the wilderness.

This novel can be used to discuss the Klondike and the California Gold Rush.  Students can also examine the effects of the discovery of gold on California’s demographics and economy. 

There are many different novels that are not just fun to read. They are also a great way to spice up any history lesson.