Technology is and important part of education–both in and out school. As important as technology is, it’s also very important to think critically about how and why we use the technology in our lives.
These checklists can help.
For students:
Click to download printable version
For parents:
Click to download printable version
In the spirit of the Holiday Countdown Calendar we’ve complied this list of holiday activities to keep the kids mentally active over the break! Feeling creative? Why not cut out each tip, put them in a bowl, and have the kids choose their daily mental to-do activity? Or better yet…hang them on the tree and have the kids pick one a day!
Click to download our Holiday Guide!
The first weeks of school are critical: the habits that are formed during the first weeks can follow students—and parents—for the rest of the school year.
Now that school is back in session, ensure that students are on track and hitting the important milestones with this checklist:
1. Communicate with teachers
Don’t wait until the first report card to find out that things are off-track. Take 10 minutes to chat with the teacher about progress and nip any problems in the bud.
2. Do homework, even when there is none
Homework is school inevitability, the sooner students learn good homework habits, the less of a struggle it is. Do homework at the same time every night, even if none was assigned. There is no such thing as no homework, ever.
3. Use agendas
Agendas are the number-one school organizational tool. Students should be writing homework, assignments, and to-do lists in their agendas everyday. If schools don’t provide agendas, purchase one—it’s that important.
4. Talk about school
School is a major part of kids’ lives. If they are unwilling to discuss their day, something may be amiss. Talk to kids about their day and have an open dialogue about school and learning challenges.
5. Watch frustration/stress levels
Between learning new subjects and balancing homework, chores, and social lives, it can be easy for students to become overwhelmed. This can be very de-motivating and can lead to a drop in grades, and bad attitudes about school. Get help as soon as it’s needed.
6. Keep an eye on procrastination
Leaving work to the last minute/not wanting to do work is a sign of poor organization skills. Last-minute rushing means poor preparation and poor grades.
7. Forgetting work
A red alert of poor organization skills, forgetting work, misplacing assignments, or losing textbooks is a sure sign of an off-track student. If students are showing signs of disorganization, get help as soon as possible.
Bonus Tip! Get in the habit of opening and sorting through book bags right after school. Students should come home, open the book bag, take out lunch boxes, and place their agenda on the table. After a snack, or chores, open the agenda and get to work!
Check out our printable version!
You’ve bought the latest fashions for fall, and have stocked up on all the school necessities, but what else can you do to help your kids prepare for the new school year?
Our back-to-school checklist has great ideas to help your family get back into the school groove, well before school has even begun! The sooner that kids are prepared for the return to class, the smoother the back-to-school season will be. Print off our checklist for an easy guide to back-to-school success!
Click on image to download printable PDF
Although the school year is winding down, there are some things parents need to think about now, that are important to their child’s education next year and beyond. Oxford Learning presents this handy list:
Schools are presently matching students and teachers for the next school year. To request a specific teacher, speak with your child’s current classroom teacher now, then put your preferences in writing in a letter to the principal. Some schools (but not all) will do their best to grant these requests, when possible.
If you feel strongly about separating your child from another student, you should share this concern now with your child’s current teacher. You might request that your child be in a different class, away from a friend she’s talks with too much in class. Or if your child and another child really don’t get along at all well, you may wish them separated.
Although school is finishing, this time of year can be quite busy with music recitals, sports banquets and more! Try to keep your child focused on giving their best effort at school to the very last day. Stick with your child’s regular after-school routine, including expecting that homework is being completed and school project deadlines are being met. If your child is showing signs of stress (not eating, not sleeping or irritability), speak with your child about ways to deal with the pressure.
When your child presents his final report card, look carefully at each grade and compare final marks to previous grades. Read teacher comments for additional information about your child’s progress and behaviour. If you don’t understand something, contact the school immediately because teachers remain at school for a few days after classes end.
Praise your child for a great report card, but don’t get visibly upset over a less-than-perfect report card. Instead, talk about the progress that’s been made during the year and make goals and plans to do better for the next grade.
There are lots of methods for kids to improve learning skills during the long summer holiday so they can return to school with added confidence. In addition to swimming lessons, soccer camps, etc., look for learning camps and programs that are run by libraries, colleges or universities, or by tutors such as Oxford Learning (please click here for more information on our summer programs). Just a few hours of learning each week over the summer will keep your child’s mind and learning skills sharp, ready to learn from day one when classes begin again.
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