Let’s Journal

 

Teaching writing is hard! An easy way to start is your setting up an interactive journal between you and your child. You write first. Then they respond.  For example:

August 23, 2020

Dear Petunia (child’s name)

One thing I wish I could do is dance like they do on TikTok. What about you?

Love,

Mom

Then they answer you. If you can’t think of anything to write just type journal prompts into any search engine and you’ll find plenty.

Begin Anywhere

 I find a lot of wisdom in magnets. Don’t judge. As school begins (🤯) families of students have to do their part to ensure student learning. This is very likely overwhelming, especially now.

So give yourself a break and begin anywhere.  For example:

Set up a dedicated study corner where you live. If you don’t have room for that buy a crate or a basket to be used only with school stuff.

Read every day with your child. If you’re not comfortable reading in English, read in the language that you’re comfortable with.

Set up a journal for a back and forth written exchange between your child and you.

I’ll be putting more detail about these and other ideas here as we go.

Don’t worry.about if it’s enough or what they need or if you’re doing it right. You’ll get there. Have faith. Just Begin.

BLOOM'S TAXONOMY IS NOT A FLOWER SHOP

All teachers-yes, family you're teachers too- do a better job of encouraging critical thinking skills by keeping Bloom's Taxonomy in mind.  The goal is to build up student understanding by moving through the simple levels such as recall to the more complex level such as create.

The levels of Bloom's are organized in a pyramid from the lowest to the highest level.
They are remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate and create.
(Type in Bloom's Taxonomy to any search engine for lots more information)

For example you would start by asking a lower level question: What are the names of the characters in the story? Then you would build up through the levels. How would you describe the main character? What do you think he or she would do in a different situation? Compare this character to the main character of a different story. Defend the character's actions. Write a new story about this character.

The goal is to get students accustomed to thinking at higher levels. Anyone can do it. It just takes practice.

Bluebird or Buzzard?

When I was a studen in elementary school a thousand years ago or so we were put into groups depending on how well re read. Children who didn't struggle with reading were bluebirds. Children who did struggle were buzzards. ( I'm sure they probably weren't called buzzards, but you get the idea.)

One interesting thing I've noticed about kids is that they know exactly what they are and are not struggling with.

The words we use to describe what's happening to us are important. There is a continuum that describes how students progress as readers. It is not based on age or grade level. It is based on how a child reads.

These stages have different names but the ones I like are emergent, early, transitional and fluent.
A wealth of information can be found by putting any of these terms into a search engine.  For example emergent readers need experiences especially with picture books. Early readers need to pay close attention to language patterns. Transitional readers like books that come in series. Fluent readers are confident readers.

Much better to be called an emergent reader than a buzzard, don't you think?

Homework Causes Brain Damage.

When I was teaching I had a magnet that read - Homework Causes Brain Damage- on my teacher bulletin board to remind me how much I hated homework as a kid.  And I was good in school!

Asa teacher I assigned homework mainly because kids have to have homework,right?

But I've been rethinking homework. Here's what I believe now:

1. It's usually the parents that complain if the kids don't have homework.

2. Doing homework every week can reinforce a sense of self discipline and responsibility in students.

3. Students should learn 10 spelling words and 10 vocabulary words every week. Spelling words should be pattern based, long a, long e etc. or sight words/high frequency words. (More on this subject later).  Vocabulary words should be given to the student with the definition already provided and should be drawn from upcoming readings.

4. Students should do 10 math problems a week, of course connected to what's being taught.

5.If the teacher is not going to conference with the student every week about the homework, what's the use?

A parents best friend in supervising homework is a kitchen timer. Together parent and child decide in what increments homework will be tackled. For example 20 minutes and then a 5 minute break.

Nothing's Fair if you're 9

Note: I have no financial interest in any books referenced

One of the books that helped me the most in working with kids was Yardsticks by Chip Wood. Yes that's really the author's name.

This book explains the developmental markers of children ages 4 to 14. For example five year olds fall out of their chairs backwards; six year olds fall sideways. Who knew?

Eight year olds are enthusiastic but have no sense of their own limits and nine year olds think nothing is fair. ( God bless 4th grade teachers).

I would recommend buying the physical copy of this book. I found it helpful when working with kids to read the part that pertained to their age aloud while they looked on with me. A simple question like, "Does that apply to you?" is a good way to open a conversation.

The book is easy to understand, has clear suggestions, descriptions and charts. If you don't buy any other book, I recommend that you buy this one.

WHERE'S THE BOOK!?

Early in my first year as principal of a K-5 school we hosted a Back to School kickoff evening for families and teachers to mingle. I was on the main playground when the father of an incoming kinder student approached me. He was thin, tall and balding with intense eyes. "Where's the Book?" He demanded. "What book?" I asked. "The book that tells me everything I need to understand about how to help him in school."

I showed him the school handbook. "Not that" he said.
"I want the book that explains school. How it works. What I can do."

Of course I didn't have that book so he stalked off. His child was not easy to deal with for six years and neither was he. I was relieved when they moved on to middle school.

Fast forward twenty one years. I successfully ran the school for 15 years and very happily retired.

But that Dad was right. There should be a resource to help parents understand what's involved in student learning. There are books like What To Expect in Kindergarten etc., and they're helpful.
More information , however, is needed.

Like -
Understanding children's developmental stages
Multiple Intelligence theory and how students learn
Practical tips to help students read,write and tackle math
Win win conferencing with teachers
Homework help  without screaming

That's what I'm going to try to do here.

Hope it helps.

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