Strategies for Parents to Encourage Student Success Old Bridge Township Public Schools 2003-2004

The Power of a Professional Learning Community Collaboration is the key to success Stay informed Ask questions Attend school functions Volunteer when possible

Homework Tips Establish a routine including a time and place to complete homework Materials- eliminates wasting time- we all know it could take 20 minutes to sharpen a pencil and the possibility that the new point may be so sharp that it breaks immediately and must be sharpened a second time is far from remote

Homework Tips A quiet, well-lit location, free from distractions is best Materials- eliminates wasting time- we all know it could take 20 minutes to sharpen a pencil and the possibility that the new point may be so sharp that it breaks immediately and must be sharpened a second time is far from remote

Homework Tips Homework Tool Kit- Make sure that all materials are available in advance: Sharpened pencils Scissors Erasers Glue Pens Dictionary A variety of paper Ruler Crayons Paper clips Materials- eliminates wasting time- we all know it could take 20 minutes to sharpen a pencil and the possibility that the new point may be so sharp that it breaks immediately and must be sharpened a second time is far from remote

Homework Tips Time management- plan ahead for long term projects by establishing a schedule in advance. Materials- eliminates wasting time- we all know it could take 20 minutes to sharpen a pencil and the possibility that the new point may be so sharp that it breaks immediately and must be sharpened a second time is far from remote

Homework Tips Providing Help- when your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers. Never complete an assignment for your child. Materials- eliminates wasting time- we all know it could take 20 minutes to sharpen a pencil and the possibility that the new point may be so sharp that it breaks immediately and must be sharpened a second time is far from remote

Homework Tips Follow the directions given by the teacher- this sets a good example for your child. Materials- eliminates wasting time- we all know it could take 20 minutes to sharpen a pencil and the possibility that the new point may be so sharp that it breaks immediately and must be sharpened a second time is far from remote

Homework Tips Stay informed- Make sure you understand the purpose of homework and what your child’s class rules are. Materials- eliminates wasting time- we all know it could take 20 minutes to sharpen a pencil and the possibility that the new point may be so sharp that it breaks immediately and must be sharpened a second time is far from remote

Homework Tips Stay positive- homework is important. Your reactions send very strong signals. Materials- eliminates wasting time- we all know it could take 20 minutes to sharpen a pencil and the possibility that the new point may be so sharp that it breaks immediately and must be sharpened a second time is far from remote

Homework Tips Punctuality- make sure you understand the consequences for late assignments. Students should be responsible for their own assignments. Materials- eliminates wasting time- we all know it could take 20 minutes to sharpen a pencil and the possibility that the new point may be so sharp that it breaks immediately and must be sharpened a second time is far from remote

Encourage Helpful Habits Putting things away Getting along with others Learning to listen Sticking to a schedule Doing simple chores Packing and unpacking school materials Set a regular time to pick up play things. It is a good way to develop responsibility and the ability to organize Encourage cooperation and understanding differences among friends Being able to follow directions is a necessity at school. Get your child to bed at an established time. Being responsible for regular household tasks teaches reliability. Do not unpack your child’s book bag. No one is going to do it for him/her in school. He/she needs to learn this skill which will help him/her to be more organized.

Study Methods Page through the lesson and read all the headings, questions and summaries. Look at pictures, maps, graphs, and diagrams. This brief look will provide a general idea of the material.

Study Methods Set purposes for reading. Make questions out of the headings in the assignment. Think of answers while reading the text.

Study Methods Look away from the assignment after each section. State the ideas in your own words.

Study Methods After reading the entire selection, read each section and check your memory by trying to remember important facts and ideas.

Study Methods Flashcards- can be used for things such as definitions, dates, names, and facts about people, formulas, and new words. When using flashcards fro the first time, put them into small groups. Learn one group at a time. Shuffle the cards often so they aren’t learned in a particular order. Practice often for short periods of time. Spend most of the time on the cards you haven’t mastered yet.

Self-Assessment Encourage your child to self- evaluate their work Ask questions such as; How do you think you did? What can you do better? What did you do well? What will you do differently next time?

Prioritize Do not take on too many things Include long term or weekly assignments on your monthly calendar Help your child to record new assignments so that they take ownership Allow your child to have input

Checklist My handwriting is neat and readable. My paper has a title or name and date. I have followed the directions. Each sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a punctuation mark. Every sentence is a complete sentence. I have used descriptive words to make my paper more interesting. I have checked for spelling mistakes. This is my best work.