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Believe it or not but you, yes YOU are your child's first teacher. Imagine another career title to add to your resume.
Some of these tidbits of advice may seem like common sense but knowing what to do and actually doing it is two different things.
As a teacher I implore you to Begin With The End In Mind. Beginning your school year purposefully could just determine the success of the next ten months.
How To Prepare For School
1. Wake your child and get them out of bed this week.
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All of us have allowed our children to sleep in. You do not want your child sleeping in class. The first time it may be cute, but your child's teacher will not be amused if it continues to happen. We have a lot of activities planned for our students. We want all of them to be awake. Besides, a sleepy child can distract from a teacher being able to focus on other students who went to bed on time
and woke up ready to learn.
2. Practice putting on uniform.
Yes. Practice getting dressed. Many students have to get changed for P.E. or swimming at school. You would be surprised how many students do not know how to button a shirt correctly, how to put on socks etc.
3. Practice packing their bags.
More important than getting dressed is learning how to pack all of their belongings in a bag after getting changed at school. The Lost and Found Department at all schools are filled with items students have left behind haphazardly. If you are like me, I work hard to buy sweaters, water bottles and lunch bags.
4. Practice writing.
My daughter is going into K- 4. She knows her letters. Earlier this year when I called a letter she would write them. Yesterday we were making a card, I asked her to write a letter d. "I don't remember how to write a 'd'!" Young students need to practice writing the alphabet. Older students need to practice writing a sentence. Old students just need to write. EVERYONE needs to know how to write their name neatly. Here are a few things every student can practice writing.
- Name
- Days of the Week
- Months of the Year
- Number Words
- The date
Have your child write these items. Students in Grade Three or higher should also know how to spell all of these words as well.
5. Practice Timed Activities
The lazy days of summer are over. It will soon be time to complete tasks during a set period of time. Many students have difficulties with getting their work done. To assist with this, start timing your child for everything you ask them to do. "You have three minutes to brush your teeth. You have one minute to get dressed." Or you can count as your child does something. "I am going to countdown from 50 for you to put on your pajamas. 50, 49, 48..." "Can you put all of these toys away before I count to 20? 1,2,3,...." This simple technique is an easy way to get kids moving.
One of the hardest tasks a teacher has to master is getting a class of twenty-five or more children to finish an activity at generally the same time so she/he can move onto the next task.
6. Manners, manners, manners!
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This week freshen up on all forms of good manners. Teachers love good manners. "Good morning, pardon me, excuse me, how are you, fine thank you, thank you, no thank you!" Eat with utensils, use a napkin." We all know the elements of good manners but we forget to instill them in our children...including me. Let's be intentional in how we train our children to interact with others especially adults!
Believe me I can go on and on but that is enough homework for today. If you are interested in more or if you have a teacher/school related question answered or would like to discuss, feel free to email. I will gladly share a teacher point of view.
Until I teach again,
Tiffany
