Ideas for parents " Back to school"  

Pack lunches the night before and refrigerate!
Make sure backpacks are packed and ready to go the night before.
Create a homework center. Stock with extra crayons and supplies needed to complete homework. Make sure it's not near a TV.
Lay out clothes the night before.
Remember kids need to make as many decisions as possible. Avoid power struggles by letting them make small decisions.
Create a special hamper in the laundry room for uniforms and other rush items.
Fold T-shirts so that the design is recognizable without unfolding.
Each evening have a 30 minute family clean up time to get everything back in place.
 

   Back To School Shopping!   

Buy smaller glue and crayons. Space is limited and teachers stress children sometimes lose these items easily.
Remember school dress rules when buying clothing. Some schools have rules about the verbage appearing on t-shirts.
Don't buy plastic scissors for your school aged children as they just don't perform up to standards.
Consider the new Velcro straps for books as some schools require backpacks be stored upon arrival at school.
Buy socks that are all the same for easy matching at laundry time.
Make sure to buy lots of extras before school starts. Take advantage of the lower prices.
Again when possible let kids choose their own items or at least the color or design.
Buy a good backpack and lunch box as these are probably the most abused. Save on the trendy stuff.
Make sure you buy a lunch box or backpack that your small child can open easily.
When buying shoes buy extra shoe strings and polish if necessary.
If you have trouble telling your kid's socks and underwear apart; Buy different brands as they usually have a different colored stripe, or band on them.
 

   Back To School Preparation  

About 2 weeks before school starts: Begin going to bed and getting up on a school schedule.
The weekend before school starts: Don't make any stressful plans for big events or trips.
Don't forget to check out that bus schedule!
Call your school or organization and get the facts about fall sports teams and social clubs. Don't be late or miss something!
Make sure to get all immunizations and physicals completed.
Make a master list of Mom and Dads phone numbers along with doctors and emergency numbers. You are sure to need these several times.
If you have medical concerns make sure to meet with the school nurse prior to the first day. Especially if medicine must be given at school.
Get a couple of rolls of quarters and dimes. Put them in the cabinet so you don't have to hunt for change at the last minute.
Make a check list of items easily forgotten at the last minute and hang it in an obvious place.
Put up several hooks for backpacks, jackets, and lunch boxes. Don't hang them too High!
Make up some freezable lunch and breakfast items for those crazy days. Thaw and nuke!
Label, Label, Label; All items that will be taken to school or worn and taken off at school!
Make a list of rules and adjustments for school days: Homework schedule, TV schedule, bath time, bed time etc...
Make sure to arrange after school daycare!
Save 35 mm film canisters for change in lunchbox.
Try to set up a time to meet the teacher; some schools provide this occasion.
Go over school rules with your child.
Make a calendar to place in a visible spot; fill in events and school vacation days.
Make a special box for your children to place forms from school which need special attention.

The Basics

There is no more important activity for preparing your child to succeed as a reader than reading aloud together. Fill your story times with a variety of books. Be consistent, be patient, and watch the magic work.

Start Young and Stay With It

At just a few months of age, an infant can look at pictures, listen to your voice, and point to objects on cardboard pages. Guide your child by pointing to the pictures, and say the names of the various objects. By drawing attention to pictures and associating the words with both pictures and the real-world objects, your child will learn the importance of language.

Children learn to love the sound of language before they even notice the existence of printed words on a page. Reading books aloud to children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to understand the written word. When the rhythm and melody of language become a part of a child's life, learning to read will be as natural as learning to walk and talk.

Even after children learn to read by themselves, it's still important for you to read aloud together. By reading stories that are on their interest level, but beyond their reading level, you can stretch young readers' understanding and motivate them to improve their skills.

Advertise The Joy of Reading

Our goal is to motivate children to want to read so they will practice reading independently and, thus, become fluent readers. That happens when children enjoy reading. We parents can do for reading what fast food chains do for hamburgers . . . ADVERTISE! And we advertise by reading great stories and poems to children.

We can help our children find the tools they need to succeed in life. Having access to information through the printed word is an absolute necessity. Knowledge is power, and books are full of it. But reading is more than just a practical tool. Through books we can enrich our minds; we can also relax and enjoy some precious leisure moments.

With your help, your children can begin a lifelong relationship with the printed word, so they grow into adults who read easily and frequently whether for business, knowledge, or pleasure.

Remember When You Were Very Young

Between the ages of 4 and 7, many children begin to recognize words on a page. In our society this may begin with recognition of a logo for a fast food chain or the brand name of a favorite cereal. But, before long, that special moment when a child holds a book and starts to decode the mystery of written words is likely to occur.

You can help remove part of the mystery without worrying about a lot of theory. Just read the stories and poems and let them work their wonders. There is no better way to prepare your child for that moment when reading starts to "click," even if it's years down the road.

It will help, however, if we open our eyes to some things adult readers tend to take for granted. It's easier to be patient when we remember how much children do not know. Here are a few concepts we adults know so well we forget sometimes we ever learned them.

* There's a difference between words and pictures. Point to the print as you read aloud.
* Words on a page have meaning, and that is what we learn to read.
* Words go across the page from left to right. Follow with your finger as you read.
* Words on a page are made up of letters and are separated by a space.
* Each letter has at least two forms: one for capital letters and one for small letters.

Imagine how you would feel if you were trying to interpret a book full of such symbols. That's how young readers feel. But, a little patience (maybe by turning it into a puzzle you can solve together) is certain to build confidence.

Home is Where The Heart Is

It's no secret that activities at home are an important supplement to the classroom, but there's more to it than that. There are things that parents can give children at home that the classrooms cannot give.

Children who are read to grow to love books. Over the years, these children will have good memories to treasure. They remember stories that made them laugh and stories that made them cry. They remember sharing these times with someone they love, and they anticipate with joy the time when they will be able to read for themselves.

By reading aloud together, by being examples, and by doing other activities, parents are in a unique position to help children enjoy reading and see the value of it.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND IMPROVEMENT

Building a Strong Parent/School Relationship

Did you know that when parents are involved with schools, their children do better in science and math? Building a strong parent/school relationship means parents and schools communicate actively with each other. By getting involved, you show your child that you value school and education, and you increase your child's chances for success. Schools vary a great deal in how they communicate with, work with, and welcome parents. Even so, there are things parents can do to build a relationship with their children's school. Here are some of them:

1.  Get to know your child's teachers.

When school opens (or any other time your child gets a new teacher), go into school and introduce yourself or call or write a note. Make an appointment to get acquainted and to talk about your child. Describe your child's particular strengths and interests or areas where your child may need extra help. Teachers appreciate families who take the time and make the effort to come to school. They don't always understand the realities for someone who can't come to school, but a phone call or a note can explain and help connect parent and teacher.

2.  Ask questions about math and science. For example:

*  Can I visit a science or a math class?
*   What is your approach to math and science?
*   Will my child have science and math every day?
*   Will my child be placed in a particular ability group?
*   If so, how are the placement decisions made?
*   What "hands-on" materials do you use?
*   Do children learn math and science in their native language?
*   What if my child is having problems?
*   Are there things I can do at home to help my child with math and science?

3.  Ask the teacher to stay in touch with you.

Ask to be kept informed if things are going well and, especially, if they are not. Make sure the teacher knows your name, has your phone number, and knows what time is easiest to reach you. If problems do arise, it is so much easier to handle them if you already know your child's teacher and have a comfortable relationship with him or her! You can establish a relationship in person, by phone, or by writing notes.

4.  Spend time in school activities.

There are many ways to be involved. Each school has its own activities. Parents can check with other parents or with the school administrative offices to learn what opportunities exist. Here are a few general suggestions:

*   Parents can get involved with the Parent/Teacher Organization or other parent groups. If your PTO/PTA doesn't welcome all parents, change it! The PTO/ PTA meets regularly and is a place to discuss your children's education. You can learn ways to advocate for your child. You can meet other parents who may share many of your hopes and dreams as well as concerns and worries. As a group of parents, you have more power than you do individually. Examples of other parent groups to join are bilingual advisory committees, Chapter 1/Title I Parents, ASPIRA, NAACP, Urban League Parent Councils, and so on.
*   Look for ways to volunteer at school. Sometimes teachers can use an extra pair of hands in the classroom. Sometimes parents can help by making phone calls from home or baking for a school event. Sometimes there are jobs that need to be done in the school library, or parents are needed to take children on field trips.

*   When a parent offers to help the school in any way, it tells the children, the teachers, and the school administration that this adult cares about the education of his or her child!

*   If your child's school offers parent-teacher conferences, be sure to sign up; if the school offers science or math workshops for parents, try to participate; and if there are meetings about the math or science program, try to be there.

5.  Learn what science and math courses your child needs in order to go to college or technical school.

*   Ask guidance counselors to explain what course work is needed to meet post-high school plans such as college or technical training. They should be able to explain what standardized tests children can or should take and when to take them. And they should help explain what the results of these tests mean. Some-times too few guidance counselors for too many students, or lack of understanding of each others languages, makes it very hard for parents to get necessary information.   (Back to top, go to Links)

*   If you cannot get the answers you need from the guidance department, don't stop looking. Try the school administration, try teachers, and try other parents who have children in college.

*   Ask the school to sponsor an information session for parents on course selection and college or career planning. Or ask a local church or community organization to sponsor a college and career planning session.

6.  Monitor homework.

Be sure you child is doing his or her homework. One way to let teachers know that you support homework assignments is by signing the homework sheets.

7.  Find out what tests are given and how the tests are used.

A major purpose of tests should be to help find your child's strengths and weaknesses and to provide help when needed. Paper and pencil, multiple-choice, and end-of-the-chapter tests alone will not tell enough. Ask your child's teacher if there are other ways your child's learning is measured and to explain them to you.

8.  Ask the teacher to describe the "hands-on" science and math activities your child will experience in class.

Find out if your child gets to use equipment, not just watch someone else use it. Find out if there are problems for children to solve in groups where they can use real materials. If you feel there is not enough active, "hands-on" learning or too much textbook reading and answering end-of-the-chapter questions, take action. First, discuss your observations and feelings with the teacher. If you are still not satisfied, explore ways you can get school and community groups to push for more "hands-on" science and math in your child's school.

9.  Stay involved! It may take a lot of effort but it's worth it!

As children move through middle school and high school, they may want their parents to be less involved. But don't quit! Keep your ties to the school. Be inventive if you need to! Think of ways that keep you connected and are comfortable for your child. Going to a football game or a school play or back-to-school night might do the trick. Strong parent and school relationships can make a difference in a child's future, a future in which knowledge and skills in math and science will play an important part.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND IMPROVEMENT

Listen to them and pay attention to their problems.

Read with them.

Tell family stories.

Limit their television watching.

Have books and other reading materials in the house.

Look up words in the dictionary with them.

Encourage them to use an encyclopedia.

Share favorite poems and songs with them.

Take them to the library--get them their own library cards.

Take them to museums and historical sites, when possible.

Discuss the daily news with them.

Go exploring with them and learn about plants, animals, and local geography.

Find a quiet place for them to study.

Review their homework.

Meet with their teachers.

The following reading strategies you can use at home to help your child become better reader.
 

Tell the child to look at the picture in the book. Read with your child words, so he/she can associated words with pictures.
Tell the child to look for rhyming words in the book.

Ask the child to get his/her mouth ready to say the word by shaping the mouth for the beginning letter.

Ask the child if the word looks like another word he/she knows. Look for ending sounds such as _at, _an, _ig.

Ask the child to read the sentence. Explain the child about the punctuation, exclamation marks,

When reading with your child ask lots of questions to check the child's  reading comprehension.

If the child says the wrong word while reading, ask questions like: Does it make sense? Does it sound right? Does it look right?

  To Every Parent 

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