Showing posts with label middle school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label middle school. Show all posts

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Help Your Child Boost His Grades

Kaleb working through the Middle School Survival Manual

The first grading period is drawing to a close. If your child is struggling with study skills, teacher problems, peer pressure or friendship issues, this book might be for him. Reading it together will show your child you are willing to be involved in his education and that you value his success.
Kayla working through the Middle School Survival Manual

Jasmine working through The Middle School Survival Manual even thought she's in 10th grade

The quiz below is from chapter 2. Do it with your child and see how you both do! 




Listen effectively.
     You spend more time listening than you spend reading, writing, or talking. Most of your school day is spent listening, but effective listening goes beyond just hearing the words. You need to concentrate on what's said and understand it.
     How much do you really know about listening? Take the quiz below to find out.
     1.  It's important to know whether you're listening to understand directions, to learn something new or for another reason.
            ___ True                    ___ False
     2. The average person:
            a.  Speaks about 500 words a minute but can hear and understand about 150 words
a minute.
            b.  Speaks about 135 words a minute but can hear and understand about 500 words
a minute.
            c.  Speaks about 330 words a minute and can hear and understand about 330 words
a minute.
     3.  In class it's important to:
            a.  Listen for both concepts and details.
            b.  Listen for the big picture and forget the details.
            c.  Concentrate on the details that might be on the test.
    4. If you're bored or confused while your teacher is talking you should:
            a.  Text your best friend.
            b.  Listen for new information and relate it to what you already know.
            c.  Make your to-do list for after school.
            d. Write down questions to ask the teacher later.

Answers:
1.  True.  You can relax when you're hearing a funny story or joke but when you're hearing instructions you need to listen for step-by-step details. If you're learning new material you have to listen to understand concepts. Knowing why you're listening can help you tune in better.
2.  B The average person speaks about 135 words per minute and can hear and understand almost 500 words per minute. Since you process information faster than your teacher speaks, it's easy to let your mind wander. Don't. Use that time to think through what the teacher is saying and relate it to things you already know. Think about questions you may have about the information.
3.   C    Sometimes you can focus on details and miss major concepts. You may be so caught up in the details of a war that you miss why the war took place in the first place. Or you might listen for concepts and miss important details. Tie facts and concepts together in your mind while your teacher is talking.
4. B & D It's hard to keep listening when you don't understand the material or are bored. Listen for things you do understand and for interesting pieces of information. Make note of what you need the teacher to clarify.

 Listening involves more than hearing the words. It requires thinking through and organizing information in your mind.



Chapter Two also talks about being prepared, talking notes, doing all assignments, reading effectively, starting projects early, and asking questions.

You can order it at your local Christian bookstore, or through amazon.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Quick Tips: Positive Parent-Teacher Relationships



Positive Parent-Teacher Relationships
            Although fall isn’t yet in the air, most schools have already started their new academic year. That often means meeting new teachers. Since you and the teachers are the most important factors in your child’s education, it’s important to build a positive relationship.
     Meet the teacher as soon as possible. Arrange to meet the teacher as soon as class assignments are made. Openhouse is crowded and doesn’t provide the best opportunity to talk with the teacher.
     Volunteer in the classroom.  Offer to do time consuming jobs that take the teacher away from the students. At the same time, you'll get to watch your child interact with other children and meet his friends.
     Share your talents. If you have traveled to another country, or have an interesting job or hobby, offer to share it with the class. Children like to learn about new things and are usually very welcoming. Leave lots of time for questions and stories.
     Keep in touch. Keep the teacher informed of any changes or stressful events that affect your child’s performance such as a grandparent’s visit, a new sibling or the death of a family member or pet can affect a child’s school performance.
     Building a relationship with your child’s teacher will boost your child's performance and be a valuable experience for you, the teacher, and your child.




Check out my Middle School Survival Manual HERE

Even my own children are reading it!


These are tips I wrote for a blog, and they first appeared here. Just scroll down to read.