Can you believe how quickly summer disappeared?
Only a few more lazy days and fun in the sun.
There’s definite changes are on the horizon.
The kids will be reading textbooks instead of scanning the movie section of the paper to find out what’s playing at the local theater. They’ll be doing homework and studying for tests instead of playing baseball, going on picnics or hanging out. They’ll be dealing with teachers instead of summer camp counselors and lifeguards at the beach or local pool.
It’s back and there’s no escape!
The start of another school year has arrived.
Are you ready?
Whether you are or not, it’s time to buy new clothes, backpacks, and lunchboxes, stock-up on pads, pens, and pencils and deal with class registration, new teachers, and different schedules.
Are you ready? Are your kids ready?
What can you do to make the transition back into the classroom more pleasant?
How can you and your child plan for a successful school year?
Remember, a new year calls for a new beginning. You have to forget the mistakes of the past and move forward. Both of you must start with a promise: you, to help your children do their best, to be open to new experiences and to participate in activities; they, to enter the classroom with a positive attitude, be cooperative and open to constructive guidance from parents and teachers.
- Review the classroom techniques that follow so you can provide your child with confidence for a positive successful year:
- Be on time. Use the restroom and make sure you get that life saving drink of water before class.
- Go to class prepared. Bring the book, homework assignment, pencil and any other special “tools” that are required.
- Give the teacher a chance. It’s just as much a challenge for her as it is for you. Remember, she’s dealing with 25 or more others in the room.
- Listen to and learn the class rules.
- Find out about each teacher’s grading system and what they take points away for (neatness, spelling, grammar, missing heading, typewritten reports or not, extra credit, etc.).
- Don’t interrupt or talk back to the teacher. Raise your hand. Wait to be called on. Don’t shout out to get the teacher’s attention.
- Save the fooling around for lunchtime.
- Pay attention and ask questions. If something isn’t clear, ask the teacher to explain it again.
- If you need extra help, don’t hesitate to return after class or at the end of the school day.
- Check your progress with the teacher to make sure you’re on track and that your work is caught up.
- Keep daily records of assignments and check it at the end of every day.
- Beware of brain overload, study and review material in small blocks of time every day. Don’t try to cram everything in the night before a big test.
- Do your own work because there’s a strong chance you can loose the respect of others, get in big trouble at school and home, and worst of all, in the long-run not feel good about yourself.
- Keep all your papers for the marking cycle in a special box. Store it under your bed, in the closet, or out in the garage. Keeping a record of completed work and graded papers can mean the difference between pass and fail.
The following lists are helpful suggestions that promote a healthy change for the school year, both in the classroom and at home.
- Remember, kids need that extra boost from their parents when it comes to school, too. So jump start their new school year by taking a look at the following suggestions YOU can do:
- Feed your children well. Follow a balanced diet. It’ll not only help them look and feel better, but will supply them with untold amounts of the brainpower. Snacks are okay, but keep them to a minimum.
- Make sure they get enough sleep. This doesn’t mean in class either. This means you have to turn off the television or CD player at a decent hour and send him to bed.
- Encourage exercise. Jogging, dancing, biking, weight lifting, walking the dog, basketball, etc., the choices are endless. Get them involved.
- Teach your children to avoid alcohol, cigarettes, chewing tobacco and drugs.
- Remind them to dress to please themselves and not for the “in crowd” or because it’s the current fad or fashion.
- Help your children set goals. Keep them realistic.
- Have your child focus on what he can do, and encourage him to do his best and keep on trying.
- Always, yes always, send them off with a smile, a hug and kiss, and an encouraging word for the day.
All of these get-fired-up tips will jump start the new school year, allow the back-into-the-classroom scenario happen naturally and set the perfect strategy for a successful academic year—for everyone.
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