Helping a Student Succeed in School: Teacher, Student, Parent

Parent Teacher conferences are right around the corner.  From a teacher’s viewpoint, they are a lot of work, but in my opinion, an essential component to the success of a child’s education in school.  Oh sure, coming to conferences twice a year isn’t going to determine if a child passes or fails a class, but it’s the relationship aspect and communication that sets the tone for a child’s year. 

Some view PT Conferences as a time to just get a grade update.  What conferences should be is a time to talk about a student’s strengths, weaknesses, what assessments are given and what the data means.  It’s about a time to get to know families and build relationships.  It’s a time to discuss class projects, field trips, and ways to support homework from home, and reading.  The list is really endless. 

I just came across an article titled: “10 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in School –The Right Way!”  Sometimes the issue isn’t that parents want to help their children, but it’s how to help them.  Curriculum has changed so much over the years.  For example, students in 4^th grade are introduced to algebra whereas 20 years ago, students didn’t know about algebra until junior high.  Some parents now panic if their kindergartner doesn’t know how to read before school starts.  Less than 20 years ago, a student in kindergarten was successful if they knew all of their letters and sounds upon leaving kindergarten let alone knowing how to read.   There is a lot of pressure for students to succeed and teachers to have students prepared.  The truth of the matter is, students and teachers can’t do it alone.  Parents need to be involved too.  This article does a great job of suggesting ways parents can be supportive of their child’s education.

1. Teach them that learning is their job.
2.   Aim high.
3. Distinguish studying from learning.
4. Prioritize study time. 
5.  Provide a proper homework environment.
6. Let them figure things out on their own.
7.  Teach proper reading comprehension skills.
8. Have them go above and beyond.
9. Make learning a four-season endeavor.
10.  Set a good example.

To read more in-depth about these 10 ideas, click on the link below.

http://www.metroparent.com/Metro-Parent/February-2012/10-Ways-to-Help-Your-Child-Succeed-in-School-The-Right-Way/