VARIOUS INFORMATION THAT I'VE FOUND ON LINE
Tips and Strategies for the Elementary School Years
As a parent, you know all too well that elementary school is one big
adventure. The first-grader in the family is excited about going to school
with the big kids; the kids in the other grades are happy to get back into
the schoolroom with their friends.
For the most part, these little learners are thrilled about the school days
ahead. They’ve been told for a long time that school is a great deal of fun.
They can’t wait to get there—or to get back there.
As you start gathering up new clothes, lunch boxes, backpacks and more for
the school year ahead, here are some tips to help get things off to a smooth
and happy start.
Before School Starts
Make sure to attend Bethany's Back to School Night. This event offers
the chance to meet the teachers and help the students get an understanding of
the school, the classroom and the things that will be expected of them in the
year ahead.
Learn about the school dress code. Some schools have a rigid uniform policy
(requiring specific clothing), some schools have a relaxed uniform plan
(requiring clothing in specific colors or styles), and some schools simply
list attire that’s determined to be inappropriate for the classroom (shirts
with certain slogans or off-color language, midriff baring tops, etc.).
Spend some time talking with your youngster about clothing and the way it
contributes to the creation of that all-important first impression. Think
about the child’s school day and make certain the clothing choices—and the
shoes—are appropriate for the classroom and the playground. Help your child
learn to dress for success, regardless of her or his age.
Make sure you have a copy of the summer reading list well in advance so that
your child can work on summer reading in a leisurely manner. You can find a
great deal of information on children’s books on the American Association of
School Librarians web site at www.aasl.org.
Create opportunities to read with your elementary student. Get to know your
school and public librarians. During trips to the library, let your child
pick out a chapter book just for fun, to keep him or her reading throughout
the summer.
Obtain copies of all supply and requirement lists as early as possible. Buy
the supplies as soon as you can. Younger students will enjoy taking a look at
the new items and learning about their possible uses.
Check the school policy on electronic devices. In some school districts,
children are not permitted to bring phones and MP3 players to school.
School Prep
Communicate with other parents; start a parent networking group. Ask the
parents of older students if they have any tips for students of your child’s
age. Learn from those who have already had the experience.
Although you may not know who’s in which class for a while, this is still a
good time to build a directory of contacts in the same grade. Gather phone
numbers and email addresses. Buddy up now so that you can ask questions
later.
Help your youngster practice going to bed on time with a regular sleep
schedule well in advance of the start of school. Make sure your child doesn’t
arrive at school exhausted after staying up until midnight. An extremely
tired learner will be unable to absorb anything during the school day.
Establish a plan for a healthy breakfast for your child, especially if she or
he is responsible for making the morning meal. Proper nutrition at the start
of the day will help a student work well; inadequate nutrition can lead a
student to lose a good piece of the morning because he or she is too hungry
to function.
Create a nutritious lunch plan for your youngster. Make sure that your child
has a good lunch, whether it’s brought from home or purchased at the school.
If your student is bringing lunch from home, make sure that the food choices
are things that she or he is willing to eat. The school lunchroom isn’t the
place for experimentation; a child must be well-fed to learn well.
Talk about transportation plans with your youngsters. Make sure they
understand how they will be getting to school and getting home. Talk about
the importance of getting to the bus stop early. Let them know who will be
waiting for them when they arrive at the bus stop, car pool location, or at
home.
School Days
As school gets under way, you can be certain that your little learner will
have a great time in the classroom. Keep in mind that, as long as he or she
is physically ready—well rested, cleaned up and nutritiously fed—everything
else will flow smoothly at school.
>> See how to give your kids confidence as they go back to school (Look up
site www.momshomeroom.msn.com
P.S. DON'S FORGET TO THOROUGHLY READ THE SCHOOL'S HANDBOOK. THEY HAVE DONE
A GREAT JOB PROVIDING INFORMATION ON IMPORTANT TOPICS AND PRESENT ANSWERS TO
MANY QUESTIONS.
http//www.education.com/magazine/article/What_Expect_First_Grade
http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/whlife/index.html
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/
www.momshomeroom.msn.com
Great site for helping your child become prepared for returning to school and
great suggestion for the family. They have different topics presented on
your screen by a panel of parents.